Carnival Wants More Money for Cruise Last Month

[BND]

The credit would appear somewhere, either to your cc, your original invoice, your S&S, your bank. Otherwise, when you booked your cruise and were given a price, that is the price and you paid that in full so even if they mischarged you on the original cruise cost, that would be hard to collect. An accounting error on their part means that they are required to provide you with the documentation showing exactly when and how the error was made to prove it's your debt.

 

I agree with working your way up the chain of command until you can get someone who can help you and not just tell you that you owe money without any proof. You need to talk to someone who actually has the power to do something. Who booked this cruise for you?

[RVman]

It doesn’t sound like your typical everyday cruise and there was a lot of crediting going on and maybe thats what happened, you were credited for something and was not entitled to it.

 

Carnival said in the Jan. 31 letter that it would reimburse $20 for port-of-call fees in Progreso, an amount that many departing passengers Thursday said they found insulting, and refund the cost of any pre-purchased shore excursions.

Carnival further said Thursday that it would reimburse airline fees for passengers who missed flights from Mobile since Holiday arrived about four hours late.

[momofzeke]

Thanks for the responses.

 

To clarify, Martha Colon, who called from Carnival said that she is a Supervisor in Guest Relations.

She also verified that the $144.27 was not a purchase or a charge against me, but is instead the result of an accounting error made by Carnival. Ms Colon says that Carnival had credited my account in error.

 

I don't know anything else, at this point, about the error.

 

So, at this point it sounds like you don't know for sure if the $144.27 "accounting error" was a credit that supposedly occurred on your original cruise invoice or on your S&S account?

 

Do you have your original cruise invoice? Any time I've gotten a credit before my cruise, it shows up on my cruise invoice. Does yours show a credit of $144.27? Same question for the S&S account statement......is there a credit for that amount on it?

 

If the answer is no.......then it sounds to me as if it was their mistake.

[KULPN]

Their error should not be your problem. I would refuse to pay it. If they send it to collections, which I doubt, you can post a note in your credit file to explain it. It isn't allot of money, it's the gaul. Tell them you are a member of cruise critic & telling others. They may be concerned about their reputation enough to cancel this charge. If they persist, I would never book Carnival again. In fact, the very idea scares me. Who knows how many people they do this to?

[vacruizer]

You can't really believe they would remove this from a credit report based on this.

 

As stated it is a long and involved process to get anything (even if it is incorrect) removed from your credit report, don't ignore this.

 

It is not likely a scam since I doubt they hacked into the CEO of Carnival's email and only want $144 for their trouble. (Remember, OP got a letter then replied herself via E-mail to Cahill, got return call from woman who responded to E-mail to Cahill) However does sound like a big mistake and badly handled on Carnival's part.

 

Could be someone raided their Mini-bar after they vacated the room, removed something from the room, whatever. Obviously the OP is likely not responsible.

 

You are dead on. When I'm faced with someone's credit report with a collection or a judgment (which is what you get once the collection goes to court) a paid receipt does no good - they are too easy to fake. We will either re-verify with the credit bureau (who then goes back to the creditor) that it is paid in full or in the case of a judgment you must provide the release from the courts.

 

To all of those who say it is quick and easy to dispute an item on your credit report - it can take months if not years. And in many cases the credit bureau sides with the creditor. So bottom line - fight this, but don't ignore it.

[Crusin6]

Their error should not be your problem. I would refuse to pay it. If they send it to collections, which I doubt, you can post a note in your credit file to explain it. It isn't allot of money, it's the gaul. Tell them you are a member of cruise critic & telling others. They may be concerned about their reputation enough to cancel this charge. If they persist, I would never book Carnival again. In fact, the very idea scares me. Who knows how many people they do this to?

it's not going to collections, they will write it off...eventually. As I said in an earlier post.....the accounting dept is just practicing their bullying tactics......please, it is not a huge amount....their error.....it happens all the time

[wolv4life]

And a collections account on your credit reports for the next 7 years!

 

Not necessarily... There are lots of options to contest a reported claim, as others have said. And as I said, I would only suggest that route if the problem didn't get worked out with Carnival and he/she still doesn't want to pay.

 

Besides, I think many here are overestimating how damaging a small account on a credit report can be. We have bankruptcy clients who are given tons of credit card offers and loans to make large purchases like cars just 6 months out of a chapter 7 bankruptcy. Easy credit is still out there so long as you aren't looking for a home loan.

[spaceystacie2006]

I send accounts to collections all the time for work all the collection agencies I have ever worked with want a breakdown of what is owed. This helps the agency to know what is owed if they are asked by the consumer. If you ask the collection agency for the details on whats owed they should be able to answer. Collection agencies also use this information to "negotiate" the "amount owed".

You need to contact Carnival Directly not via email call on the phone or send a certified letter with copies of the invoices and any credit card bills that show the charges and explain what has happened and you can get results that way. If you need help please let me know. I deal with these types of situations on a regular basis. Working in the Self-Storage industry we deal with all types of things trying to get someone to pay sometimes! Before this I was a Property Manager for Apartments! I don't mind helping! If it is a "accounting" error then they can pick up the tab for it, write it off as a loss.

[nagster]

Actually the OP sounds a bit cryptic, I bet he got the credit and maybe knows it wasn't due him and keeps talking about the 0 balance when disembarking and at what point should they not come back to him for payment of their error.

[cruisetobeaches]

To the OP you stated that it was a cruise to nowhere but I read on another board that it stopped in Cozumel overnight. Did it?

 

We were on the same cruise (No extra charges here, though) and it was joked about on the ship by many pax that it was a "cruise to nowhere". It did stop in Cozumel, but we did not get there until 4:00 PM and then we left at noon the next day. we had a large group with us, many first time cruisers, so the cruise seemed great to them, but somewhat less than grand for the rest of us! we didn't have a bad time by any means, but we contantly joked about what would go wrong next......................We also arrived in port at Mobile at 1:00 PM instead of 6:00 AM as was scheduled due to both weather and propulsion problems. Progreso was skipped. Hence: "The cruise to nowhere"........................

[bplazo]

Actually the OP sounds a bit cryptic, I bet he got the credit and maybe knows it wasn't due him and keeps talking about the 0 balance when disembarking and at what point should they not come back to him for payment of their error.

 

That is what I was thinking.

[PNFAM]

Op: Copy and paste this letter to a word program, then edit as you need to. Make sure you send it certified.

 

 

Initial Debt Collection Dispute Letter

Today's Date

Your Name

Your Address

Collector's Name

Collector's Address

Dear {insert name of collector or company},

I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.

This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:

• (1) the amount of the debt;
  
  
• (2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
  
  
• (3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
  
  
• (4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state)
  
  

Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:

• because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
  
• you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.
  
• you do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA;
  

Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.

Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.

 

Signature here

Your Printed Name

[dan40]

I guess I'll be all alone here. How does one or 2, spend 5 days on a cruise ship without a single charge of any kind? Not a single drink, not a single soda? No photos, no casino, no bingo? No gold by the inch? No hats, no t shirts, no sweatshirts. No booze to take home, no nothing? Just Auto-tips and there should have been a credit against that for the missed port.

 

Dan

[mariemorgan]

Dan easy!

 

On my first fantasy cruise I prepaid grats... had OBC from price drop an all I bought on the ship was 1 shore excursion covered by the obc.. I think my charge to my card at the end was $10 - $15.

 

And really I didn't need that excursion.. if I had chosen just to shop in cozumel or go to paradise beach my account would have been 0.

[starlight0229]

Thanks for the responses.

 

To clarify, Martha Colon, who called from Carnival said that she is a Supervisor in Guest Relations.

She also verified that the $144.27 was not a purchase or a charge against me, but is instead the result of an accounting error made by Carnival. Ms Colon says that Carnival had credited my account in error.

 

I don't know anything else, at this point, about the error.

 

After I spoke with her last night I sent another e-mail to GCahill@carnival.com and hoped that when I got home that I would find some response, but I have not been contacted further.

I have re-sent the e-mail this evening in hope that it will eventually be read and this matter resolved.

 

I really don't know what my rights are in this case.

That cruise is over and done with and I am anxious to have this resolved.

At what point am I no longer responsible for dealing with their error?

Is there a time limit?

Could that be the reason for the month old date on the letter I received on 2-21-09?

 

So if the date on the letter was a month previous to the date that you received it, it was supposedly written before the cruise took place. Therefore it could not be what others suggested and would not be for anything removed from the stateroom or purchased on board. I know someone said it sounded like the amount for the fuel supplement refund. Would it be possible that they had double credited your fuel refund to your account before you made your final payment and realized the error?

[mzloolue]

Hey y'all,

 

Thanks for the helpful responses.

 

To clarify, the unsigned letter that I received was dated Jan 23, 2009.

(The cruise departed Jan 31, 2009.)

 

The letter reads:

Dear Sir/Madam:

This letter serves to confirm our records indicate an outstanding balance owed to Carnival Cruise Lines for services rendered to you:

 

Please mail payment to:

 

Carnival Cruise Lines

MSRV 407N

3655 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, Florida 33178-2428

 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call (800) 438-6744, Collection Department, at extension 14094.

 

The letter is unsigned, below the empty signature space it says

Accounting Operations

Collection Department

 

The letter is smudged and looks like it was folded up with wet ink.

The envelope is hand addressed in blue ink and the postmark is Feb 18, 2009.

 

The Martha Colon called me today at work and told me that she would be sending the documents to me.

 

I don't know why she felt compelled to call me and tell me that.

I asked for the documents when I spoke with her the previous time.

 

My husband just wants me to send them the money and be done with it, but this is in my name. I am very upset about how this has been handled and I am not about to just send them a check. They are acting like this situation is my fault and it definitely is not!

 

We have been watching the price of Carnival stock and seriously considering buying some, but now I know that this company does business like a clown school!

 

I have called and spoken with a gentleman at the BBB who recommended that I file a claim.

I sent one more e-mail to GCahill@carnival.com and asked that the matter be resolved.

If I do not hear anything else from Carnival, I will file the claim.

 

(And no, we did not spend anything additional on the ship.)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

If this isn't a scam it sure smells like one.

 

Carnival is sending a letter to you and doesn't even have your name on the letter AND it's unsigned?

 

Dear Sir or Madam. If it's real it's about as unprofessional as it gets.

 

Bill

[FantasyLineAddict]

Would you be willing to say how much your cruise actually cost after they made all the adjustments to the price?

 

If it had been discounted twice and then fuel charges removed, maybe they made a mistake and it actually became lower than the port fees and taxes, especially considering the additional credits they gave while on the ship.

 

If I returned something to the store using a credit card and I was supposed to get $50 credit, but an error was made and it became $500, that error would be discovered and the additional $450 would get taken back on my credit card.

 

Did you decide to use cash only on your S&S?

 

Not trying to be mean, but it sounds like you possibly knew an error was made, but figured it was their mistake and they had to stick by it.

[tedjazz]

Wow, CCL stocks are up today, Carnival must be doing something right. ;)

[BullDogChief]

It would be a pretty slick scam since they would have had to hack into the presidents email address.

 

you have no idea just how slick scammers are...

[Kurbanfan]

If this isn't a scam it sure smells like one.

 

Carnival is sending a letter to you and doesn't even have your name on the letter AND it's unsigned?

 

Dear Sir or Madam. If it's real it's about as unprofessional as it gets.

 

Bill

 

LOL! I'll say! Doesn't have her name on it...........not her problem.....

[BullDogChief]

Thanks for the responses.

 

To clarify, Martha Colon, who called from Carnival said that she is a Supervisor in Guest Relations.

She also verified that the $144.27 was not a purchase or a charge against me, but is instead the result of an accounting error made by Carnival. Ms Colon says that Carnival had credited my account in error.

 

I don't know anything else, at this point, about the error.

 

After I spoke with her last night I sent another e-mail to GCahill@carnival.com and hoped that when I got home that I would find some response, but I have not been contacted further.

I have re-sent the e-mail this evening in hope that it will eventually be read and this matter resolved.

 

I really don't know what my rights are in this case.

That cruise is over and done with and I am anxious to have this resolved.

At what point am I no longer responsible for dealing with their error?

Is there a time limit?

Could that be the reason for the month old date on the letter I received on 2-21-09?

 

Hi, I know I am probably missing something here but you said Martha Colon called you...you did not call her? If she called you, I would definitely call and ask for Martha Colon...look I know this sounds far fetched but some of these scams do get downright elaborate...it is fairly easy to set up a ghost server that reroutes emails and it's possible to hack into the phone company...all I am saying is to be safe I would call Carnival using a different number and start asking questions...jmo

[Crusin6]

As I said before, ignore it and now that you have posted a copy of a dear sir/madam letter that is not even addressed to you...I have to say that you are being very gullible if you send these scammers anything or even bother to call them.....do not...repeat do not...give any info!! Or money.

[ccartman2]

Thanks for the responses.

 

To clarify, Martha Colon, who called from Carnival said that she is a Supervisor in Guest Relations.

She also verified that the $144.27 was not a purchase or a charge against me, but is instead the result of an accounting error made by Carnival. Ms Colon says that Carnival had credited my account in error.

 

I don't know anything else, at this point, about the error.

 

After I spoke with her last night I sent another e-mail to GCahill@carnival.com and hoped that when I got home that I would find some response, but I have not been contacted further.

I have re-sent the e-mail this evening in hope that it will eventually be read and this matter resolved.

 

I really don't know what my rights are in this case.

That cruise is over and done with and I am anxious to have this resolved.

At what point am I no longer responsible for dealing with their error?

Is there a time limit?

Could that be the reason for the month old date on the letter I received on 2-21-09?

 

Haven't been to the end yet, but no way am I trusting the person calling me. I would call Carnival myself and verify that they even no anything about it. I know she said she was calling from his office, but I could call saying I was from his office too. I'm always very lerry about someone making first comment like that, and failing to show proof of the credit. If you call them, they should at least verify that there is something on the account. Once they do that, continue business with the Martha person. At any rate, I probably wouldn't have gone straight to the top anyway. Starting at the bottom usually produces better results.

[Essiesmom]

This letter is no different than those spam emails you get to 'undisclosed recipients'. I'll bet there are a whole bunch of people out there who got these...and have never even taken a Carnival cruise. Just forget it. EM