Lost CRUISE CASH ON CARNIVAL

[sunshine3215]

Just as a reminder so this error does not happen to you.

 

I went on a cruise and bought 500.00 in cruise cash, I did not realize that cruise cash is not refundable. When I was on the cruise I went to the desk the first day and last day and the carnival rep....she told me that it was refundable and they would mail me a check.

 

Well, I had 300.00 left in cruise cash, I came home and about a month went by and I never got the check.

 

I called carnival and they told me it was non-refundable and it is written on their website.

 

THE MORAL OF THE STORY.

 

check things yourself, take notes when you buy things in advance because all cruise lines are different.

 

Don't let this happen to you.

 

If I had applied the cash money to my sail card on the ship, then that money is refundable but cruise cash is NOT REFUNDABLE.

 

Hope this helps you.:mad:

[firemanbobswife]

Yes this is correct and why I buy the gift cards instead (plus the fact that I get them discounted). I am sorry you weren't aware of the stipulations before purchasing. That's a pretty expensive mistake to make. I would be just sick about it.

[sunshine3215]

I was MAD AS HELLZ, I did a complaint because I requested that the staff be better trained. I also told the rep, I don't want the staff to pacify me, tell me the TRUTH, tell me that MS. you need to spend this money before you exit the ship.

 

I could have bought perfume, hats, ladies clothes in the gift shop, chain by the yard.

 

I am mad, but I had to think of all the people who have lost money in 401Ks, etc. so I had to keep it in perspective. It is a lot of money but not that I'm going to be homeless.

 

I had to get myself settled and not get hysterical about the money.

Edited May 30, 2016 by sunshine3215

[SadieN]

Unfortunately GS probably misheard Cruise Cash as cash.

 

Thank you for being the Voice of Experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited May 30, 2016 by SadieN

[cruizinisthebest]

I understand being upset, but really it says it's non refundable right on the ordering page:

 

Cruise Cash

From $25.00

Cruise Cash provides an immediate credit to a guest's Sail & Sign account. This credit is good for any charge made to their account including taxes and gratuity charges. Cruise Cash is valid for a single voyage and cannot be transferred to future bookings. Cruise Cash is non-refundable and any unused credits will be forfeited.

[firemanbobswife]

Heck, I would have bet $300 in the casino before letting them just take it. Speaking of which, that's exactly what you could have done and gotten your money back just by charging that amount to your S&S card and cashing out.

 

I don't understand why they have so many kinds of the Cruise Cash anyway. Regular that you can use on anything, Bar Cash which can only be used on bar purchases and Photo Cash which can only be used on photos.

 

I agree that the Guest Services people should know what they're talking about. That's terrible that they told you wrong. Of course the issue becomes that you have no way to prove it.

 

Let this be an unfortunate and expensive lesson learned. Be sure to read all the fine print for anything before buying. Sorry again. :(

[shof515]

request a sail n sail statement during the cruise. on the statement, it should tell how much refundable and non refundable credits you have left.

[BlazinSunsets]

I hope you argued pretty hard about it. I would have called everyday until I got a senior manager to give me a refund, I got time to waste their time after all, as it was their employees fault for misleading you. I wouldn't care what it says on the website, if their employee tells you something I would think they would try to make amends.

[sunshine3215]

My mistake was not paying attention. When you buy cruise cash it says clear as day, no refunds, no transfer.

 

I just forgot and when the CS lady said it was refundable I did not check behind her.

 

Lesson One: google is your friend. If you are told something google the carnival or cruise policy BEFORE you leave the ship, the CS will tell you anything to avoid a conflict or argument.

 

Lesson TWO: Get the name, first and last name of the person you spoke to and even record the conversation in your notes to yourself so you know the exact day, time and name of person.

 

I am not able to get the money back, it was my fault, I should have written notes to myself, FOOL ME ONE, IT'S ON ME....BUT THEY WON'T FOOL ME TWICE.

Edited May 30, 2016 by sunshine3215

[RuthlessBoss]

Heck, I would have bet $300 in the casino before letting them just take it. Speaking of which, that's exactly what you could have done and gotten your money back just by charging that amount to your S&S card and cashing out.

 

I don't understand why they have so many kinds of the Cruise Cash anyway. Regular that you can use on anything, Bar Cash which can only be used on bar purchases and Photo Cash which can only be used on photos.

 

I agree that the Guest Services people should know what they're talking about. That's terrible that they told you wrong. Of course the issue becomes that you have no way to prove it.

 

Let this be an unfortunate and expensive lesson learned. Be sure to read all the fine print for anything before buying. Sorry again. :(

 

He did not know it would be taken. I have no doubt he'd do the casino thing if he had known.

[Havingfun2010]

Sounds more like a Carnival Scam

[firemanbobswife]

He did not know it would be taken. I have no doubt he'd do the casino thing if he had known.

 

Yeah I know. I was just saying I would rather risk it all on a crazy bet in the casino instead of having it disappear.

[lizardhowson]

What is the rationale behind buying cruise cash if it is use it or lose it ?

And even if it was refundable, why not just bring a couple hundred dollars (which is what you spent out of the $500) and apply it to your S&S card or dump it into the kiosk.

[firemanbobswife]

What is the rationale behind buying cruise cash if it is use it or lose it ?

And even if it was refundable, why not just bring a couple hundred dollars (which is what you spent out of the $500) and apply it to your S&S card or dump it into the kiosk.

 

Some people buy it because it's automatically added to the S&S account. No need to go to a kiosk or GS. Some get it as gifts for others as it's a nice surprise for them to find a credit on their account with a note so the guests know it's there.

 

I don't see an advantage to buy it for myself because it is use it or lose it. Although it can be cashed out in the casino.

 

I always prepay my stuff but I do it with discounted gift cards which technically aren't refundable either but can be cashed out the same way as previously mentioned. Worse case scenario with GC though is that the unused portion is refunded in the form of another gift card.

[Galatz]

What is the rationale behind buying cruise cash if it is use it or lose it ?

And even if it was refundable, why not just bring a couple hundred dollars (which is what you spent out of the $500) and apply it to your S&S card or dump it into the kiosk.

 

Exactly...it seems like a silly thing. You are better off buying a gift card instead if you want to pay for it over time

[Cruisesfun65]

I always buy cruise cash (as I can't get the gift cards where I live). But I buy the amount I figure I'm going to use onboard and that money evaporates FAST.

Carnival always uses your non-refundable OBC first, but I keep checking my S&S account daily to see where I'm at - creditwise. If I still have $$ left, I treat myself to something nice, go to the Steakhouse or cash out the money in the casino.

[firemanbobswife]

I always buy cruise cash (as I can't get the gift cards where I live). But I buy the amount I figure I'm going to use onboard and that money evaporates FAST.

Carnival always uses your non-refundable OBC first, but I keep checking my S&S account daily to see where I'm at - creditwise. If I still have $$ left, I treat myself to something nice, go to the Steakhouse or cash out the money in the casino.

 

You can buy gift cards directly through Carnival if you don't have them at stores near you as well as eBay. They run specials periodically for 15-20% or more off.

[moongal]

Can someone explain all this to me? I've only been on one other cruise. What the heck is "cruise cash"? It doesn't sound like a good deal to me....use it or lose it? What is all this talk about gift cards etc for a sign and sail card? Am I missing something? I thought you just gave a credit card number and whatever you bought onboard got charged to your credit card. That's what I did anyway. What's all this cashing out referring to? Sorry if this is a stupid question! I just used my AmEX card and I didn't have to worry about running out of cash or anything, it all just went to my AmEx card. Am I missing something?

[sfaaa]

My mistake was not paying attention. When you buy cruise cash it says clear as day, no refunds, no transfer.

 

I just forgot and when the CS lady said it was refundable I did not check behind her.

 

Lesson One: google is your friend. If you are told something google the carnival or cruise policy BEFORE you leave the ship, the CS will tell you anything to avoid a conflict or argument.

 

Lesson TWO: Get the name, first and last name of the person you spoke to and even record the conversation in your notes to yourself so you know the exact day, time and name of person.

 

I am not able to get the money back, it was my fault, I should have written notes to myself, FOOL ME ONE, IT'S ON ME....BUT THEY WON'T FOOL ME TWICE.

 

You Sir has the right attitude and not afraid to admit you made a mistake. Yes, it was a costly oversight but hats off to you to own up and come here to warn others.

[n6uqqq]

Can someone explain all this to me? I've only been on one other cruise. What the heck is "cruise cash"? It doesn't sound like a good deal to me....use it or lose it? What is all this talk about gift cards etc for a sign and sail card? Am I missing something? I thought you just gave a credit card number and whatever you bought onboard got charged to your credit card. That's what I did anyway. What's all this cashing out referring to? Sorry if this is a stupid question! I just used my AmEX card and I didn't have to worry about running out of cash or anything, it all just went to my AmEx card. Am I missing something?

 

You do it the most logical way. Many other people apparently have the lack of ability to save money on their own so they lend Carnival their money in the form of cruise cash. It is nothing more than a loan to Carnival. Buy x dollars and get exactly x dollars back which you can lose if you don't use as the OP sadly found out. Gift cards can be worth your time as there are offers of 10 percent off and they are refundable via another gift card if you don't use it all. I buy mine through Verizon for 10 percent off, a good deal.

Edited May 30, 2016 by n6uqqq

[tea4ular]

I've never understood how something paid for with money (like a gift card or "cruise cash") is non-refundable. That just seems counterintuitive to me. And I'm an accountant.

Edited May 30, 2016 by tea4ular

[shof515]

I've never understood how something paid for with money (like a gift card or "cruise cash") is non-refundable. That just seems counterintuitive to me. And I'm an accountant.

 

its because of the way how they are purchased or something like that. Like if your friend bought you cruise cash, they get the refund and not you.

[Purvis1231]

Can someone explain all this to me? I've only been on one other cruise. What the heck is "cruise cash"? It doesn't sound like a good deal to me....use it or lose it? What is all this talk about gift cards etc for a sign and sail card? Am I missing something? I thought you just gave a credit card number and whatever you bought onboard got charged to your credit card. That's what I did anyway. What's all this cashing out referring to? Sorry if this is a stupid question! I just used my AmEX card and I didn't have to worry about running out of cash or anything, it all just went to my AmEx card. Am I missing something?

 

You are right that Cruise Cash is unnecessary. It is designed to allow someone to give a gift to a person that is cruising but some people like to buy it to fund their ship board account in advance. But I have found using a credit card is the best way to go.

[meatloafsfan]

cruise case is meant to be purchased as a gift.

 

For my first cruise with Carnival, my team at work purchased me some drink coupons for Christmas. When Carnival eliminated the coupons, they went to on board credit to be purchased in the form of cruise cash.

 

If I wanted to gift someone something, cruise cash is one option (along with physical gifts delivered onboard). I would not purchase this for myself - I'd rather either prepay one of my credit cards and use that for my sign and sail card or keep the cash and add that to my account upon boarding.

[Rudyard]

Cruise Cash is a good way to start your onboard account if you plan to use cash instead of a credit card. In the past I've bought $200 worth of Cruise Cash, knowing I'd use it all, so I wouldn't have to go to GS or the kiosk to add cash on the first day. MY last cruise I used a credit card because I didn't like having my account closed out on the last night of the cruise, in case I wanted one last drink or one of the pay items from room service late at night.

 

Sounds more like a Carnival Scam

 

How so? Carnival makes no secret of the fact that it's non refundable. It's not even hidden in fine print. The OP even admitted missing it.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Rudyard