I booked a Carnival cruise on-line, paid a $1,000 deposit, and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled. When I called to check on it they told me I had to rebook the cruise at higher current prices or lose my $1,000 deposit. I talked to three layers of Guest Solutions personnel and was told that all of this was my fault so I was out of luck.
Obviously, this will be my last Carnival cruise but I hope to let others know that if anything goes wrong with your booking, Carnival is going to hang you out to dry.
and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled.
I think you have too authorize that charge. I just booked another cruise with CCL and when booking, she told me when the balance was due and did I want them to automatically charge my card when the balance was due. In the past they would send me a reminder when the balance was due.
Why is it Carnival's fault that YOU did NOT pay the balance when it was due?
They can't automaticaly withdraw funds from your account, just because this is what you thought. It doesn't work that way. Didn't you ask anyone how to handle payment?
I noticed this also on my last telephone booking with Carnival. (about 3 weeks ago or so) She asked me if I wanted my final payment automatically deducted from my account. She gave me some rigamorole about it would cost an extra $1 fee and the final payment would be taken care of automaticaly on the due date. This was for sure a new offering/scenario for me through Carnival. I told her no, only because I don't like automatic get into my account anything. But I do understand and appreciate the service offered. Pay your bill/comitment, or free up our revenue. Heck the way I look at it she even offered an out of your particular situation. I would ask a Carnival supervisor to access the QA (quality assurance) records to see if this was offered to you, or at least made you aware of the date the final payment was due. (yes 100% are recorded) Just realized that you booked on-line... Well, then if you diden't pay in full at the time of the booking. I'm positive the web (even with all the recent troubles) advises you of a final payment due by...Why/When did you expect the rest to be taken out of your account? You said that you thought that it would be taken care of. WHEN? THAT is illegal, without authorization. Did you specify? Or authorize the remainder due at any prior time? I can see the same of a guy crying foul because he could not make the sailing... and 'you took my final payment for no reason'.... OK last thing, gota ask... what ever made you think that any company would access/deduct funds from your account without authorization? And if, in you in your thoughts, allowed them to do so... why diden't YOU do so?
It will be the same whatever you buy if you pay a deposit with a balance due date. In the UK most I think book with a TA, pay a deposit, 15% with P&O for instance, then some time before departure you pay the balance, some send reminders some don't & we sometimes book cruises 20+ months in advance!
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Sorry this happened to you, but it was not exactly a part of the "fine print".
I have had to take positive action to make final payment on each cruise I have booked.
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Bob
A Bad Day At Sea Always Beats A Good Day At Work
Carnival: Glory 2004, Destiny 2008, Splendor 2009, Freedom 2011
Celebrity: Summit 2011
Princess: Ruby 2010
Did you use a TA or deal with Carnival direct? My PVP at Carnival ALWAYS asks if I want the final payment automatically posted to my CC. She has told me it is Carnival policy that they ask you. And a $1.00 fee has never been mentioned. You should ask Carnival to check their tapes of the conversation you had with them. Additionally, my down payment has never been more than $500.
You have misplaced anger, and the fault is not with the cruise line. ANY cruise line you deposited with would have given you the same result. Your follow through was not there. Where was your travel agent in all this, I hope there was one.
I don't mean to kick you again, as this was an expensive lesson learned,and I think you are angry with yourself, and are just venting, wherever you can. Lots of money to have lost...sorry.
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The OP posted this on another site that I visit. It was his/her first post there also. Would like to know exactly how this person booked. A Carnival PVP will always ask if you want the final payment automatically charged (pre-authorization). I myself never opt for this, but my PVP will ALWAYS remind me with an email or a phone call my that final payment is due soon. The Booking Confirmation email sent by Carnival ALWAYS has the final payment due date on it, and finally the same information is in the Manage your Cruise section of the Carnival website. Bottom line is, it is up to you, the buyer, to keep track of when the final payment is due, and make sure it is paid!!!
After 23 cruises, on many different lines and ships, I have never had a problem. My travel agent takes care of all of it. I pay no more than those who book online, and can look my TA in the face any time I have a question. I do a lot of research online, but never spend thousands of dollars through a faceless PC.
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I booked a Carnival cruise on-line, paid a $1,000 deposit, and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled. When I called to check on it they told me I had to rebook the cruise at higher current prices or lose my $1,000 deposit. I talked to three layers of Guest Solutions personnel and was told that all of this was my fault so I was out of luck.
Obviously, this will be my last Carnival cruise but I hope to let others know that if anything goes wrong with your booking, Carnival is going to hang you out to dry.
I have never booked online, but when I booked through a PVP, I was asked if I wanted to use the card I used for my deposit for final payment. I told them no. There was no mention of a fee for doing so. I have made payments online by going to manage my cruise and have not had any problems. Don't blame Carnival for your mistake. Next time remember your final payment date. There should be a countdown on your Carnival page when you sign in.
No matter what line I have booked, no matter how I booked. I have always received an email at once prior to final payment date telling me how much and by when and giving me options on how to make final payment.
Star Princess 2005, Sun Princess 2005
Caribbean Princess 2006, MSC Lirica 2006 , NCL Pearl 2007, Majesty of the Seas 2008, Carnival Destiny 2008, MSC Lirica 2009, Carnival Valor 2009,Carnival Legend 2010, Carnival Liberty 2010,Carnival Fantsay 2011,Carnival Valor Feb 2012
I booked a Carnival cruise on-line, paid a $1,000 deposit, and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled. When I called to check on it they told me I had to rebook the cruise at higher current prices or lose my $1,000 deposit. I talked to three layers of Guest Solutions personnel and was told that all of this was my fault so I was out of luck.
Obviously, this will be my last Carnival cruise but I hope to let others know that if anything goes wrong with your booking, Carnival is going to hang you out to dry.
Notice the OP has not returned yet so I will add my question. You said you booked "on line" but never said who you booked thru. Was it Carnival or an on line agency?
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2003-NCL Norway-Never got the pleasure. We all know what hapened to her.
Nov. 2003-Carnival Paradise-Family Cruise-Awesome
Aug 2004-Disney Wonder-Had a great time between 2 hurricanes
Oct 2007-Carnival Liberty-First "Kids Free" Cruise
April 2009-Carnival Splendor-Swine Flu Cruise-Enjoyed San Fran
April 2010-Carnival Dream-Loved the cruise
To Come:
Jan 2012-Family Cruise on the Mariner of the Seas
No matter what line I have booked, no matter how I booked. I have always received an email at once prior to final payment date telling me how much and by when and giving me options on how to make final payment.
I guess the OP never checked any email.
When I book online with CCL I receive no emails reminding me of final payment nor do i ever get a confirmation.
I always have to call and ask them to send me one.
That being said i have never missed my final payment date.
Star Princess 2005, Sun Princess 2005
Caribbean Princess 2006, MSC Lirica 2006 , NCL Pearl 2007, Majesty of the Seas 2008, Carnival Destiny 2008, MSC Lirica 2009, Carnival Valor 2009,Carnival Legend 2010, Carnival Liberty 2010,Carnival Fantsay 2011,Carnival Valor Feb 2012
We will soon be on our 10th cruise....I guess we just get so excited about getting away and cruising that we always remember when our payments are due...So sorry for your loss!!
I always put a reminder in my phone and in my pc calendar to remind five days before final payment is due. This gives me plenty of time to contact my TA and make sure final payment is processed.
Sorry about your experience but I find a more proactive stance works best with making travel plans.
Rum, Sounds like you didn't use a travel agent, or if you did, there should of been a phone call, or e-mail with a reminder about final payment. Did you get a conformation mail or e-mail. I always mark the calendar as to when the final payment is due.
I know this was an expensive mistake, but what was the extra you would of paid to re-book and did you? At least by re-booking, you would not lose your $1000.00....Keep us posted to what you finally had to do...
Donna, I have never had a TA send me a payment reminder. Once I used to use Costco and asked them why, and they said they sent the date with the original confirmation.
With Carnival, you have the choice of setting it up to be paid on the same credit card automatically. My PVP always asks me which I want to do. I usually wind up paying it off a little early, rather than having them do this which would require they keep my cc # on file.. but YOU do have that choice.
Also, if you book a Carnival cruise, most people would put the booking # online and it would say right there, every time you go into your account when the final payment is due. At least mine does.
It looks obvious to me the OP did not use a travel agent. There is no reason not to have one. I will never understand why people think they should book directly through Carnival (or any other cruise line, for that matter) when a cruises-only travel agent can help you, the passenger, whenever problems arise. This situation is a perfect example of needing a travel agent who specializes in cruises. I knew I would need one just because it's my first cruise but some people go on cruises every year and still book them through travel agents. If you don't believe me, talk to one who has been on many cruises
With our PVP When you pay a deposit we have always got the balance due date 90 days before the cruise. We also get a phone call and a E=mail from Carnival. It also tells you on the carnival site with your booking cost info.If you book with less then 90 days you need to pay everything at time of booking.
With our PVP When you pay a deposit we have always got the balance due date 90 days before the cruise. We also get a phone call and a E=mail from Carnival. It also tells you on the carnival site with your booking cost info.If you book with less then 90 days you need to pay everything at time of booking.
I yjought final payment on Carnival was 75 days out for 7 day cruises and 60 days for the shorter cruises?
I haven't been following CCL to closely lately. Have they changed the dates again?
Book Carnival at your own risk
Well, then if you diden't pay in full at the time of the booking. I'm positive the web (even with all the recent troubles) advises you of a final payment due by...Why/When did you expect the rest to be taken out of your account? You said that you thought that it would be taken care of. WHEN? THAT is illegal, without authorization. Did you specify? Or authorize the remainder due at any prior time? I can see the same of a guy crying foul because he could not make the sailing... and 'you took my final payment for no reason'.... OK last thing, gota ask... what ever made you think that any company would access/deduct funds from your account without authorization? And if, in you in your thoughts, allowed them to do so... why diden't YOU do so?
Hire a cruise specialist next time
Looking forward to cruising!
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