General question about reservations

[TNShadyLady]

My sister got a free cruise offer from a land-based casino, so she invited me and our other sister to join her. We booked a balcony upgrade for 3. Her casino certificate was for 2, oceanview. So we paid quite a bit extra. The booked cruise is in March, 2017. Time limit on the certificate has expired.

 

Now it appears my sister may not be able to go after all. The cabin is booked in her name. Will there be any problem if she is just a no-show? How "strict" are the reservation rules when a cabin is booked in a certain person's name? We've already pre-paid 90% of the cruise (my other sister and I have picked up the whole difference) so if we change or postpone now, would a refund be issued, or would the first sister get a credit toward a future cruise? That's the problem...she may not be able to cruise at all for a few years.

 

If my other sister and I try to change the cabin to a 2-person instead of a cabin for 3, that changes everything, right? So would that also void the casino certificate as well?

 

This is all very frustrating at the moment, and we don't know which way to turn. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, especially since we still have time to make necessary changes. Or we may have to just let the primary sister be a no-show. Any problems going to result from that?

[pusywillow]

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure if the person who got the certificate doesn't sail, you will have to pay the full price for the cruise. No discount. If she is a no show, the casino will know it and you will be billed for the full amount. I take these all the time.

[Bookbug53]

Any offer like this is generally 'non transferable'.

 

Looks like you will pay the going rate for the cruise if you still go. Maybe a phone call to Carnival is in order?

[spiritkat090909]

I have sailed on one of these casino offers.

 

You have booked the cruise and paid for it already, correct? I'd do the no-show. Your sis is planning on catching up at the first available port, if she can. (wink wink)

 

You can't delete anyone from the record without losing money. Instead of losing it ALL, the remaining pax should go. Just in case, I'd look at rates and print copies of what the prices SHOULD be for 2 pax in the same cabin category on other online websites that sell discounted cruises and print copies. I'd do it a couple of times and last minute, too. Documentation should someone say the price now for 2 is x IF your sis doesn't make it. But, I see that has highly unlikely.

 

If you were flying in from different cities and she missed her flight...it wouldn't be any different, would it? How could you know that would happen and she would miss the ship?

[ray98]

Be very careful following the advice of showing up and hoping for the best. It could be a costly mistake, the promotion is in her name and is normally non-transferable.

[loxley]

I have sailed on one of these casino offers.

 

You have booked the cruise and paid for it already, correct? I'd do the no-show. Your sis is planning on catching up at the first available port, if she can. (wink wink)

 

You can't delete anyone from the record without losing money. Instead of losing it ALL, the remaining pax should go. Just in case, I'd look at rates and print copies of what the prices SHOULD be for 2 pax in the same cabin category on other online websites that sell discounted cruises and print copies. I'd do it a couple of times and last minute, too. Documentation should someone say the price now for 2 is x IF your sis doesn't make it. But, I see that has highly unlikely.

 

If you were flying in from different cities and she missed her flight...it wouldn't be any different, would it? How could you know that would happen and she would miss the ship?

I would not follow this advice.

 

The discount is only good if the person receiving it is actually ON the cruise.

[TNShadyLady]

Thank you all for your insight. That cruise is not until March of next year, so things could still change. I just wanted to get an idea what the ramifications might be.

 

We also have a cruise the end of this month. She likely will not make that one either. She is not the primary booking passenger on that cruise, however, so I think we'll be okay if she is a no-show. Should we inform them at check-in? Or just not mention it and if asked say she's running late or something? Her share of the cabin fee was as a 3rd person, so there's only about $400 lost if she doesn't make it. Will they issue any OBC for that? or future cruise credit? or is it just lost?

 

Sorry for all the questions... first time this has ever happened to us on any cruise, so it's all a bit confusing.