Carnival Just Got To Me

[zerooveride]

So I booked my Cruise on Feb. 3rd for the March 20th Dream. I got a Cove Balcony for $879. Today, less than 2 weeks after I book I see the price has dropped $60 to $819 for a Cove Balcony. When I booked I was told that if the price dropped I would receive OBC for the difference or an upgrade at my discretion. Now they are refusing either and telling me that because my cruise was booked after Janruary 4th, I am Out of Luck.

 

I love Carnival, but something tells me to call my bank and do a chargeback and book with someone else. I really don't want to but just want to have them make this right. If anyone knows who I might contact to get this issue resolved, please let me know. I just want them to honor what they originally told me.

[lemansz20]

Being a business owner, a chargeback is something I despise. Now in your situation, here is how I look at it. If you have the paper work to prove that they told you that, then honestly show them this is what I was given and have them change or upgrade you. If it was a verbal thing, I would check how that works b/c when I sell a product I have specifics in place for chargebacks, and carnival most likely does also so not sure if its worth the hassle.

[glrounds]

That's one of the reasons I book online . . . everything is done with e-mails . . . everything is in BLACK AND WHITE . . . don't have to worry about what I think someone "told me".

[zerooveride]

I don't like doing that either, but it is something that is available to me. I really want to go on this cruise but hopefully I can find someone to make this right.

[nosykev11]

First of all, I wouldn't do a chargeback, because you're probably not going to find something comparable for cheaper somewhere else.

 

Second of all, I would keep calling and asking hoping to get a different person. If you need to, talk to a supervisor and see if you can get them to honor this verbal agreement. I hate to say it, but I think you're going to be out of luck. They are probably just going to tell you that the original person you booked with must have made a mistake in telling you that. But I always say it can't hurt to ask.

 

Good luck on this issue. Unfortunately, the price guarantee is for early savers only.

[zerooveride]

I did ask for a Supervisor and they are still running Early Save for this cruise last time i looked.

[Wolfie48]

So I booked my Cruise on Feb. 3rd for the March 20th Dream. I got a Cove Balcony for $879. Today, less than 2 weeks after I book I see the price has dropped $60 to $819 for a Cove Balcony. When I booked I was told that if the price dropped I would receive OBC for the difference or an upgrade at my discretion. Now they are refusing either and telling me that because my cruise was booked after Janruary 4th, I am Out of Luck.

 

I love Carnival, but something tells me to call my bank and do a chargeback and book with someone else. I really don't want to but just want to have them make this right. If anyone knows who I might contact to get this issue resolved, please let me know. I just want them to honor what they originally told me.

 

You booked a cruise after final payment was due if I understand you? Price drops are only honored after final payment is due for those that booked Early Saver. While you may or may not have been given bad information when you booked, you should read the cruise contract to be sure. Sorry you feel like you have been gotten, but to do a chargeback would just be dishonest.

[firefly333]

Who told you that you would get OBC?? It cant have been someone from Carnival?? They know the rules, only early saver gets OBC after final payment.

 

You can ask to upgrade if there is a cabin at the price you paid... thats what Id do, and forgetaboutit.

 

How can you do a chargeback because you got bad advice and didnt read the terms yourself? ....I didnt even know you could do that.

[nosykev11]

I did ask for a Supervisor and they are still running Early Save for this cruise last time i looked.

 

Well the key is, did you book early saver? Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if they are still selling early saver, it matters if you payed early saver when you booked.

[firefly333]

I don't like doing that either, but it is something that is available to me. I really want to go on this cruise but hopefully I can find someone to make this right.

 

Are you calling Carnival?? This really doesnt make sense, as Id assume Carnival knows the rules. Did a TA tell you this?? There is no making it right, unless you have the conversation recorded, because the rules arent as you said you were told. Ask for a upgrade?? That you can get.

 

Carnival quit giving OBC after final payment Dec 1 2008!!! over a year ago ... and then later started early saver, which you were too late to book.

[kr8z]

Even if eh does do a chargeback though, once the bank sends it to Carnival and Carnival rebuts with, "See his contract? He agreed with zero refund after such and such date." He will be out the money for the new cruise he is booking and the bank will still charge him for the Carnival cruise. This is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Not a smart move.

[firefly333]

Well the key is, did you book early saver? Unfortunately, it doesn't matter if they are still selling early saver, it matters if you payed early saver when you booked.

 

Early saver rate goes away 5 months before a 7 day cruise.

 

Are you talking about a cruise this March 20th, 2010?? It was gone when you booked if so.

[gargoyle999]

Ask for a upgrade?? That you can get.

 

8A (with upgrade to 8E) is currently $889. Maybe that is why the upgrade is being denied? More that what the OP paid?

[zerooveride]

First I was told by the Booking Agent AT CARNIVAL! Secondly, If really necessary, I could have my IT guys pull a recording of the call if necessary as all out bound calls from the phone I booked from are recorded. But that would be alot of work on my part, but it could be done

[firefly333]

First I was told by the Booking Agent AT CARNIVAL! Secondly, If really necessary, I could have my IT guys pull a recording of the call if necessary as all out bound calls from the phone I booked from are recorded. But that would be alot of work on my part, but it could be done

 

Are you sure they didnt say something like early saver rates you can get OBC and you assumed you were booking early saver rate?? Could there have been a miscommunication? I just cant believe someone working at Carnival would say something that everyone knows about booking after final payment that isnt true. wierd....OP I would love to hear the recording myself.

[bigman01]

It looks to me like the OP is confused. Early Saver rates aren't available this close to sailing date...and haven't been available for about 4 months. Are you sure you didn't book at a Fun Saver rate?

[kujobie]

What they told you was wrong. Had they told you the correct info, would you not have booked? If the answer is no, then dispute the charges and stay home. Simple as that. If you dispute the charges, you'll get your money back, no doubt. No need to go all Magnum P.I. with the recorded calls and what not. So the question is, do you want to go on the cruise or not?

[firefly333]

What they told you was wrong. Had they told you the correct info, would you not have booked? If the answer is no, then dispute the charges and stay home. Simple as that. If you dispute the charges, you'll get your money back, no doubt. No need to go all Magnum P.I. with the recorded calls and what not. So the question is, do you want to go on the cruise or not?

 

I worked in Amex disputes so sorry to clear this up. A dispute can take up to 3 cycles (3 billing cycles plus the extra days) to close. OP is cruising in March ... and the dispute reason is there is a misunderstanding what rate they booked and the rules to get OBC? If OP loses, and the cruise leaves without them ... then things are even more messed up.

[bigman01]

So I booked my Cruise on Feb. 3rd for the March 20th Dream.

 

After thinking about it, it sounds more like the OP may have gotten a Pack N Go rate instead of Early Saver. Pack N Go rates typically come out 4-6 weeks before the scheduled date of the cruise, which would put her booking at about the time Pack N Go rates came out.

 

OP, are you sure your rate wasn't a Pack N Go rate?

[kujobie]

I worked in Amex disputes so sorry to clear this up. A dispute can take up to 3 cycles (3 billing cycles plus the extra days) to close. OP is cruising in March ... and the dispute reason is there is a misunderstanding what rate they booked and the rules to get OBC? If OP loses, and the cruise leaves without them ... then things are even more messed up.

 

I've disputed charges a few times in similar situations. When it comes down to he said, she said, the consumer wins. At least I always have. As stated earlier, businesses don't like chargebacks. They may not get the money back right away, but law states that the consumer will not pay a penny of intrest on the disputed charges while they are in dispute. If the op want's his money back, he'll get it. Personally, I wouldn't go thru the hassle over $60. I could drop $60 in the casino in 10 minutes.

[Wolfie48]

First I was told by the Booking Agent AT CARNIVAL! Secondly, If really necessary, I could have my IT guys pull a recording of the call if necessary as all out bound calls from the phone I booked from are recorded. But that would be alot of work on my part, but it could be done

 

Of course it is illegal to record a call without letting the person on the other end know they are being recorded, So maybe that would not be the wise course either?:rolleyes:

[kujobie]

After thinking about it, it sounds more like the OP may have gotten a Pack N Go rate instead of Early Saver. Pack N Go rates typically come out 4-6 weeks before the scheduled date of the cruise, which would put her booking at about the time Pack N Go rates came out.

 

OP, are you sure your rate wasn't a Pack N Go rate?

 

It definitely wasn't early saver. He booked 2 weeks ago for a march 20th cruise.

[bigman01]

Of course it is illegal to record a call without letting the person on the other end know they are being recorded, So maybe that would not be the wise course either?

 

That's not always the case. In a lot of states, Louisiana included, it IS legal to record a telephone conversation, as long as ONE of the parties is aware that it's being recorded.

 

It's NOT legal for the call to be recorded if at least one of the parties isn't aware. For example, I can record every phone call I make or receive, legally, because I am aware that it's being done. However, I can't record a phone call made by someone else on my phone without their knowledge.

[firefly333]

I've disputed charges a few times in similar situations. When it comes down to he said, she said, the consumer wins. At least I always have. As stated earlier, businesses don't like chargebacks. They may not get the money back right away, but law states that the consumer will not pay a penny of intrest on the disputed charges while they are in dispute. If the op want's his money back, he'll get it. Personally, I wouldn't go thru the hassle over $60. I could drop $60 in the casino in 10 minutes.

 

Actually we are supposed to be on neither side, but I agree we probably lean as much as we can toward the credit card holder. Sometimes we charge back on silly reasons, like the merchant didnt answer in time. Small things we can write off. But the law isnt on one side or the other, it says you have the right to open a dispute..nothing about winning. But yep you can open the dispute, and yep no interest is charged while you dispute. See FAIR if you want to read the law.

 

My point was the dispute would take longer to close than March 20th, when the OPs cruise is more than likely.

 

I missed $40 of a price drop last time I thought I should have had. I was in a 1A and they said I couldnt move up to a IS and get that price...Carnival does have lots of rules to stop you from getting OBC.

[zerooveride]

Look, I don't want to go through the hassle of the chargeback. I guess I am just miffed on the principal of the thing. If I buy something in the store and the price drops, the store gives me the difference. If I book my flight on my carrier of choice, JetBlue, if the price ever drops they give me a credit.

 

If anyone knows of anyone I can call or e-mail that will make it right, please let me know.