Just Off the Conquest-Big Problem

[lvdave]

Got off the Conquest yesterday, and was going to give it a pretty good review, until....

I had read on this forum, where previous Conquest passengers had claimed that false charges were added to their Sail & Sign Account. I wanted to give Carnival the benefit of the doubt, but this is my story.

Believe it or not, I went through the whole week without adding any charges to my account (other than the standard $70 in tips). I checked my account a few times during the week, and no charges appeared. I even checked it the night before debarkation, prior to going to bed. To my surprise, when I woke up in the morning and checked the paper copy of my S&S Account, there was a $7.00 (plus 15% s/c) charge on my account, listed as "in room beverage".

I went to the Purser's desk and had it removed. They didn't act surprised, nor did they question my demand that it be removed.

I am almost 100% sure that this charge was a deliberate act. It could only have gotten on my account by either the Purser adding it, or the Cabin Steward reporting that I had consumed $7 worth of in-room beverages.

As far as the Cabin steward doing it, I can not see where he would gain, and he knew that I had had the mini-bar remain locked throughout the cruise. Therefore, it almost certainly is a deliberate act by someone in the pursur's office.

I say that, and not lightly, because the charge only appeared after the on-screen account system was terminated, showed up on the day of debarkation when passengers are in a hurry to get off the ship, and was a small amount that most people would not waste their time complaining about.

Was it a small amount? I know that not every passenger had a false charge added to their S&S account, as a friend staying in another cabin did not have any extra charges. So, even if Carnival only charges 1/3 of the passengers an average of $10, that adds up to $10,000 a week, or over $1/2 million a year. Not chump change. In fact, that would be considered grand larceny in any jurisdiction in the U.S.

So, what can we do as Carnival customers?

1. Obviously, verify all your charges while on the Conquest, and complain to the Purser if you find any.
2. Write to the Carnival CEO letting him know that, unless he takes some visible, public action we will boycott all Carnival products.
3. If you are on a cruise and have a false charge added, I suggest (and I know it will be hard for most people) cancelling all automatic tips.

The only way this practice will cease is if either Carnival's pocketbook is affected, or Carnival employees start complaining about losing pay.

Well, that's my story. If you're going to be on the Conquest, be sure to verify all your charges.

Dave

[dina]

I think mistakes happen. Which is why I review my bill constantly on the ship. Its much harder to get money back. My first cruise we had extras added. My last cruise it was perfectly fine..

[marvlgirl]

I am very sorry that happened to you and someone like you that was planning to only charge their tips could definitely catch something like that for people like me this will be harder.

BUT I will remember your story in November. I think your right though, not sure if this normal practice but I hope it doesnt become one for any cruise line.

[misguidedangel]

I wouldn't call that a big problem at all. It can be attributed to a computer error. Remember: all sail and signs are based on a folio number. Someone may have used the wrong folio number and that is how it happened. If you consider the banks and how they operate, it is small change (trust me, if youf deposit is mroe than you key in the ATM and it is under a set amount, usually $5 THEY keep it and don't credit your account--I worked for a bank, I know...).

My last cruise, two weeks ago, went off without a single hitch--everything was perfect (I rated the cruise a 20 out of scale of 10). I went crazy with my sail and sign and I did check round day four or five to calculate how high it was and if I could make another trip to the onboard jewellery store (I did anyhow).

I am booked for the Conquest in February and am truly looking forward to it, hitches or not hitches--unless it is a major problem (illness or loss of spending money).

Holiday 1991
Victory 1/2007
Triumph 9/2007
Conquest 2/2008 (waiting)

[Trip]

I will have to agree, that it was just a typo, not malicious intent. Once we had double charges in the beauty salon, and as you said, it was removed without issue.

I got off the Conquest 9/16...I hope you enjoyed the food and entertainment as much as I did. We had some bad weather, but we had a ball!

[ready2gonow]

There is a person inputting those charges into the computer and people make mistakes. I feel the responsibility falls to us, as passengers, to be sure our statement is correct.

I have never had any charges on my statement there weren't mine, but my DS and DIL did. They went to the Purser's office and they were removed, without a problem.

I'm sorry that a great week at sea ended on an unhappy note for you.

[Ron]

Mistakes can and do happen in any business. Banks, Government, Dr.'s offices--- you name it.
I seriously doubt that a huge corporation like Carnival would try to bilk their customers out of a few dollars.
In many, many Carnival cruises ( last one last week--- next one in Jan. )
I have never encountered any charges that weren't correct on my sail/sign account.
I would think there is a logical explanation for your $ 7.00 charge.

[cherylroy]

I too think it was a typo - with 2000 portfolio numbers to plug in, my eyes would be buggy too...lol. I"m sorry that happened to you. I just wish they would take the stuff out of the room - I never use it anyway.

[Joe323]

Originally Posted by cherylroy

I too think it was a typo - with 2000 portfolio numbers to plug in, my eyes would be buggy too...lol. I"m sorry that happened to you. I just wish they would take the stuff out of the room - I never use it anyway.

I believe the in room bar can be locked if you request.

On the Miracle last week:



As for the OP situation it sounds like any honest mistake to me.

You did the right thing.

I checked my S & S everyday and then reviewed the final statement they leave on the last day. It is easier to settle disputes while still on the ship.

Then I checked that against my credit card just to be sure the charges made sense before I paid them.

THEN I paid the bill Sort of post cruise financial hangover

[Michelle1959]

I checked the printed statement that I received on the 2nd day (of a 4 day cruise on Sensation) and everything was fine. Same on the last day. All we "charges" were a few cans of soda, photos, video arcade and it correctly showed our excursion costs.

I'm sure it's just human error.

[linuxpm]

They were so concerned about getting a really good rating I would be real surprised if they did something like that to jeopardize it.

Brian

[slimknyzer]

WOW! We have never had a problem. Hope it stays that way for the upcoming!

Cheers, Slim.

[Bobby_G]

I wish the op would edit the title of this thread and remove the 'Big Problem' part.
Unless there is evidence otherwise, this was an isolated error and shouldn't be construed as some conspiracy on CCL's part.
Just MHO.