So you missed your flight and were late to your cruise...what happened?

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Many people are adamant about flying in the day before for their Carnival cruise because of the off chance the flight could be delayed and you would miss your cruise. How often does this really happen, what did you do when it did, how did Carnival react and were they able to help you, did insurance cover the cost of the missed cruise. Lots of questions, anyone have any real life experiences to fill in the blanks?

[MCFTJCH2V]

We contacted Carnival, and all they did was tell us we needed to catch the ship at some subsequent port. The best we could do was catch it the day before it was ending.

 

They gave us 4 dates as an option for a replacement cruise, which we took the flowing month in a new ship.

[shof515]

like shore excursions, Carnival will only hold the ship if you book airport transfer directly from them. (Not sure if Carnival does it, but i noticed other cruise lines offer transportation to the airport/ship)

[skittl1321]

Relatives had a delayed flight and missed embarkation. They were able to catch up (at their own expense) at the next port.

 

Carnival doesn't offer any compensation for this. It is your responsibility to get to the ship.

[Out to sea!]

We contacted Carnival, and all they did was tell us we needed to catch the ship at some subsequent port. The best we could do was catch it the day before it was ending.

 

They gave us 4 dates as an option for a replacement cruise, which we took the flowing month in a new ship.

 

They gave you a replacement cruise??? :eek:

[beachbum53]

Many people are adamant about flying in the day before for their Carnival cruise because of the off chance the flight could be delayed and you would miss your cruise. How often does this really happen, what did you do when it did, how did Carnival react and were they able to help you, did insurance cover the cost of the missed cruise. Lots of questions, anyone have any real life experiences to fill in the blanks?

 

like shore excursions, Carnival will only hold the ship if you book airport transfer directly from them. (Not sure if Carnival does it, but i noticed other cruise lines offer transportation to the airport/ship)

 

This happened several years ago, with RCCL, not Carnival, so I'm not sure if things would have worked out the same way or not. We booked our cruise and airline transportation through a travel agent. Our flight was the day of the cruise, and, had all gone according to plan, we would have arrived in Miami approximately two hours before sail away. However, our flight was delayed because of mechanical problems, and guess what. The ship sailed without us. We met with an RCCL rep at the airport, and she immediately went into action. She arranged for us to catch a flight from Miami to Nassau, the first port of call. However, the plane was very small, and when we got to Nassau, our luggage didn't make the flight. We spent the night at a motel that maybe rated a half of a star (and that's a story in itself :eek:), and boarded the ship the following morning. When we checked in at Guest Services, we were told to get whatever we needed (toothpaste, deodorant, clothing, etc.) and it would be taken care of. Our luggage finally caught up with us in St. Thomas. With the exception of missing the sail away and the first evening at sea, the rest of the cruise was great. On the morning of debarkation, when we got our S&S bill, we owed ZERO dollars. Everything (gift shop purchases, drinks, shore excursions, etc.) had been taken care of by Royal Caribbean. They didn't have to do that. The problems with the airline (Delta) was not their fault. From that point on, we have had nothing but praise for the way Royal Caribbean handled the situation. Of course, it also soured us towards Delta, and letting a travel agent make all of our arrangements. After that, we made our own arrangements for everything. When we fly out the day of, we book as early a flight as possible, and have not had a repeat of what happened. For obvious reasons, it is a lot less stressful to fly in the day before. However, if it's not always possible to do that, then book the earliest morning flight that you can get.

Edited June 19, 2015 by beachbum53

[PurdueChefAmber]

We missed a cruise because of an ice storm in Chicago and Carnival let us reschedule to 2 months later for a lesser or equal cruise. There was no fee but this was 2007.

Edited June 19, 2015 by PurdueChefAmber

[MCFTJCH2V]

They gave you a replacement cruise??? :eek:

 

Yup. Berkley picked up all the incidentals, like hotels, food, and transportation, and Carnival took care of the replacement cruise.

[SadieN]

Check out this thread on the Princess Board---

"Our Most Excellent Adventure-we missed the ship"

(I'm on my phone and can't copy a link)

A very detailed account of how two groups of pax met up with the ship. One group had insurance, the other didn't.

[mrsfuzzmo]

Yup. Berkley picked up all the incidentals, like hotels, food, and transportation, and Carnival took care of the replacement cruise.

 

KEY POINT!! You had insurance. If you do not have insurance......most likely NONE of this would have happened.

 

If you are flying to port the day of the cruise.....you will DEFINITELY want insurance! That's one of the reasons why you purchase it.

 

To answer the OP, will Carnival reps help you get to the first port of call? Generally yes, but it will be on your bill. If you purchased insurance, then your incidentals, meals and travel expenses may be covered, but if you have not, you will be paying out of pocket to get yourself to the first port of call.

 

UNLESS, as stated above, you've purchased flights and transfers through the Cruise Line. Then they will either hold the ship (if there are a number of passengers on that flight and it will be coming in a little late) or get you to the first port of call.

[jilly08]

Friends of mine went to the wrong airport, and ended up missing their flight. They DID NOT have insurance. They could not get another flight in time to make the ship that day.

Carnival offered to let them sail on a different ship the NEXT day out of the same port--which I thought was extremely generous. This happened in the fall of 2014.

 

Jill

[MCFTJCH2V]

KEY POINT!! You had insurance. If you do not have insurance......most likely NONE of this would have happened.

 

If you are flying to port the day of the cruise.....you will DEFINITELY want insurance! That's one of the reasons why you purchase it.

 

To answer the OP, will Carnival reps help you get to the first port of call? Generally yes, but it will be on your bill. If you purchased insurance, then your incidentals, meals and travel expenses may be covered, but if you have not, you will be paying out of pocket to get yourself to the first port of call.

 

UNLESS, as stated above, you've purchased flights and transfers through the Cruise Line. Then they will either hold the ship (if there are a number of passengers on that flight and it will be coming in a little late) or get you to the first port of call.

 

No, the insurance did not cover a replacement cruise. Only the in incidentals I mentioned.

[GradUT]

THIS THREAD is about what happened to who did not fly into port a day early and missed the boat. Those of us who are interested in this topic just want to read about their experiences.

 

For all of you posting about how one should always fly into port at least a day in advance, note that there are plenty of threads where you can post those comments--not here.

Edited June 19, 2015 by GradUT