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Cruise Refunds

cruisenewbie1

By cruisenewbie1,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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cruisenewbie1

cruisenewbie1

Posted
Posted

I wasn't able to find anything on the forums about this either due to reallly bad search criteria or it wasn't there. We had to cancel our cruise due to me having health issues and in the hospital for over 2 weeks using up all my accumulated leave time.

When we booked the cruise we paid for it with gift cards purchased at our local Kroger. When we cancelled, we were told that due to purchasing the cruise with early saver, we would get the refundable portion of our cruise back in future cruise credit. I figured that we would get it back on gift cards (my bad) It wasn't until I went back later that I saw in the contract that it is refunded as future cruise credit. Shame on me for not reading the contract huh? Thankfully my travel agent was able to get it refunded back onto gift cards.

My long winded story is going somewhere here. Is there any type of fare that you can book such that, should you cancel, the fare is refunded back in the form of payment rather than as future cruise credit? I am asking as I doubt my travel agent could pull a miracle a 2nd time.

 

Thanks, Jeff

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Schoifmom

Schoifmom

Posted
Posted
I wasn't able to find anything on the forums about this either due to reallly bad search criteria or it wasn't there. We had to cancel our cruise due to me having health issues and in the hospital for over 2 weeks using up all my accumulated leave time.

When we booked the cruise we paid for it with gift cards purchased at our local Kroger. When we cancelled, we were told that due to purchasing the cruise with early saver, we would get the refundable portion of our cruise back in future cruise credit. I figured that we would get it back on gift cards (my bad) It wasn't until I went back later that I saw in the contract that it is refunded as future cruise credit. Shame on me for not reading the contract huh? Thankfully my travel agent was able to get it refunded back onto gift cards.

My long winded story is going somewhere here. Is there any type of fare that you can book such that, should you cancel, the fare is refunded back in the form of payment rather than as future cruise credit? I am asking as I doubt my travel agent could pull a miracle a 2nd time.

 

Thanks, Jeff

 

There are a few fare types that are refundable up to the final payment date. Past Guest and Military rates come to mind. You will have to ask specifically for a refundable fare type when you book, if that is what you want. Otherwise, they will simply give you the lowest price fare type, which is usually Early Saver (which is what you had before).

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NCTribeFan

NCTribeFan

Posted
Posted

All fares except ES are refunded back however you paid. I hate the restrictions and almost never book under that fare. Things can happen (as you well know).

 

I had a booking with an $800 deposit (solo, long cruise). I had also applied a $500 gift card.

 

When I cancelled at the first of the month, the credit card was credited within a couple of days. I'm still waiting for the gift card to be "recharged."

 

I rarely book using a TA, but this time I did so I can't call about it. She contacted them and was told they were having problems with their system. :(

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PalmTree601

PalmTree601

Posted
Posted

I had a booking with an $800 deposit (solo, long cruise). I had also applied a $500 gift card. When I cancelled at the first of the month, the credit card was credited within a couple of days. I'm still waiting for the gift card to be "recharged."

(

In case it helps, in my experience with gift card refunds, Carnival has always issued a NEW physical gift card for the exact amount and sent it by snail mail. If this happens for you, hopefully they send it to you and not your TA (I always book direct so I don't know). Good luck!

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PalmTree601

PalmTree601

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Posted
Sorry, I didn't add in that detail. I purchased outside insurance and was refunded the amount that Carnival kept out of my payment which was $835. I always cruise with insurance. I am only as stupid as I look.

 

I was curious about this. If I understood your post correctly, you weren't in the hospital near the time of the cruise, but rather some time earlier. But the use of your vacation time during the hospital visit is the actual reason you had to cancel the cruise. Is that right? If so, did your insurance give you a hard time about coverage? I wasn't sure if they would consider "no vacation time" as a valid reason. Did you have extra "cancel for any reason" or "cancel due to work" coverage?

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AdGuyMG

AdGuyMG

Posted
Posted
My long winded story is going somewhere here. Is there any type of fare that you can book such that, should you cancel, the fare is refunded back in the form of payment rather than as future cruise credit? Thanks, Jeff

 

If before final payment some of the choices are: FunSelect / Past Guest / Resident / Senior / Military / Interline / More The Merrier / most Casino Offers as well as some other promotional fare such a Fall Savings, Spring Fling etc..

 

Anything with "Saver", like Early Saver or Super Saver or Pack and Go is non refundable in cash. Those are Future Cruise Credit fares.

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poobears

poobears

Posted
Posted (edited)
How do you know if your booking is Early Saver or not? Does it say that on your booking details? We are past cruisers, over 55, etc. but always book early, so I don't know if we're booking "Early Saver" or not.

 

If you are booking through the website the type of fare you are booking says what it when you select the price. Like it will usually show whatever fare is cheapest which is typically early saver show it will show something like: EARLY SAVER $599PP more options then if you click on the more options link under the price it will pull all the other prices like past guest, military etc. A lot of people don't realize you can click that little link and see more price options, they just select the price that's shown and book.

 

Sometimes I book ES and other times I pay a little more and book past guest. It depends on how sure I am of our plans. I have had to cancel with ES before and lost $150 but it was a chance I took when I booked it.

 

An easy way to see if you are booked with a penalty type pf booking like ES prior to final payment is log into your Carnival account and click on cruise details. Then look towards the bottom of the page where it says is there a penalty to cancel this booking? Click that link and if shows there is no penalty to cancel you know you are booked as a past guest or a no penalty type of booking. If it shows a penalty you booked into ES or similar. You really need to keep track of how you are booked so you can watch for price drops up for the whole time you earn them.

Edited by poobears
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riclop

riclop

Posted
Posted
I wasn't able to find anything on the forums about this either due to reallly bad search criteria or it wasn't there. We had to cancel our cruise due to me having health issues and in the hospital for over 2 weeks using up all my accumulated leave time.

When we booked the cruise we paid for it with gift cards purchased at our local Kroger. When we cancelled, we were told that due to purchasing the cruise with early saver, we would get the refundable portion of our cruise back in future cruise credit. I figured that we would get it back on gift cards (my bad) It wasn't until I went back later that I saw in the contract that it is refunded as future cruise credit. Shame on me for not reading the contract huh? Thankfully my travel agent was able to get it refunded back onto gift cards.

My long winded story is going somewhere here. Is there any type of fare that you can book such that, should you cancel, the fare is refunded back in the form of payment rather than as future cruise credit? I am asking as I doubt my travel agent could pull a miracle a 2nd time.

 

Thanks, Jeff

 

Book past guest, it cost a little more but you get your $$ back if you cancel.

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NCTribeFan

NCTribeFan

Posted
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Guess I'll need to contact the TA yet again. I'm not happy with her for other reasons. My wonderful PVP left (had him for about 10 years and he was great). I only used this person because this was a 1-time sailing, prices were ridiculous, and she had a group booking with lower rates and an OBC.

 

I assure you I'm never using her again. :mad:

 

I didn't buy the Gift Card through Carnival. It was through AARP. Wonder if that makes any difference.

 

Anyway, I'm dragging this off-topic a bit. Sorry!

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Schoifmom

Schoifmom

Posted
Posted
Guess I'll need to contact the TA yet again. I'm not happy with her for other reasons. My wonderful PVP left (had him for about 10 years and he was great). I only used this person because this was a 1-time sailing, prices were ridiculous, and she had a group booking with lower rates and an OBC.

 

I assure you I'm never using her again. :mad:

 

I didn't buy the Gift Card through Carnival. It was through AARP. Wonder if that makes any difference.

 

Anyway, I'm dragging this off-topic a bit. Sorry!

 

It doesn't matter where you bought the gift card. Carnival gift cards are NOT re-loadable (I don't care who says what). They will send you a new gift card.

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NCTribeFan

NCTribeFan

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So, I received an email (unsecured) from the TA yesterday that had a new gift card number AND pin.

 

I'm going to use about $200 of it for ship excursions for my upcoming cruise (which I almost never do but in this case, they are offering what I want in all 3 ports).

 

Since I don't have the actual card (going to email her and ask if she has it and will FedEx it to me), guess I'll just take the numbers with me and apply them once onboard, treating it like an e-card.

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girlscruise2011

girlscruise2011

Posted
Posted
So, I received an email (unsecured) from the TA yesterday that had a new gift card number AND pin.

 

I'm going to use about $200 of it for ship excursions for my upcoming cruise (which I almost never do but in this case, they are offering what I want in all 3 ports).

 

Since I don't have the actual card (going to email her and ask if she has it and will FedEx it to me), guess I'll just take the numbers with me and apply them once onboard, treating it like an e-card.

 

I bought cards from Verizon Wireless and had to cancel a cruise and Carnival sent me a new card. One card for the total amount. I had to wait over a month. Their first excuse was they didn't have my address??? Really? I've only said with you numerous times.

 

Also, you can book the excursions online before the cruise and use the gift card. All you need is the number and the pin so you don't physically need the card for that. Also, you can buy cruise cash, bar cash with gift cards so maybe put the balance in cruise cash if you are that worried about not having the actual card.

 

I love my TA. Best I've ever had. She's available 24/7 it seems. Even on vacations she works. I had the best PVP also but my TA watches for price drops and I usually book group rates for OBCs. Neither one my PVP ever did for me.

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MsTee

MsTee

Posted
Posted
I bought cards from Verizon Wireless and had to cancel a cruise and Carnival sent me a new card. One card for the total amount. I had to wait over a month. Their first excuse was they didn't have my address??? Really? I've only said with you numerous times.

 

Also, you can book the excursions online before the cruise and use the gift card. All you need is the number and the pin so you don't physically need the card for that. Also, you can buy cruise cash, bar cash with gift cards so maybe put the balance in cruise cash if you are that worried about not having the actual card.

 

I love my TA. Best I've ever had. She's available 24/7 it seems. Even on vacations she works. I had the best PVP also but my TA watches for price drops and I usually book group rates for OBCs. Neither one my PVP ever did for me.

I agree... our TA is wonderful! She works tireless hours to make ensure we get the best deals. It's a shame people blame the TA for things out of their control. But then again, 90% of this persons posts are complaints. :confused: It's unfortunate that Carnival has issues when it comes to efficiently reimbursing gift card cancellations.

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seannyice81

seannyice81

Posted
Posted

While there is a wait for it, people should consider themselves fortunate CCL refunds their cards, as many companies don't.

 

Ultimately you will get a credit back, but not without you or your TA jumping through hoops. They're intended to be used once, hence they don't make it easy. I ONLY use them for my sail & sign account.

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girlscruise2011

girlscruise2011

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I agree... our TA is wonderful! She works tireless hours to make ensure we get the best deals. It's a shame people blame the TA for things out of their control. But then again, 90% of this persons posts are complaints. :confused: It's unfortunate that Carnival has issues when it comes to efficiently reimbursing gift card cancellations.

 

I agree, she is the best and unfortunately she's taking the hit for Carnivals screw ups. Carnival is responsible for the gift cards, not the TA. Sometimes people seem to forget that. Even if a PVP was used, Carnival needs to reissue the gift cards, not the PVP. When I cancelled my cruise I used my PVP not the TA. This poster would probably still be waiting for a gift card in the mail. At least now she has a number to book her excursions.

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jml1985

jml1985

Posted
Posted (edited)

I agree... our TA is wonderful! She works tireless hours to make ensure we get the best deals. It's a shame people blame the TA for things out of their control. But then again, 90% of this persons posts are complaints. :confused: It's unfortunate that Carnival has issues when it comes to efficiently reimbursing gift card cancellations.

 

I just had to chime in and agree with you all. Our TA is THE BEST. She works hard for all of us. Countless hours on the phone with Carnival, hours at her computer working for us with very little in return. I am sure there are parts of her job that she loves (meeting all of us) but I am sure the hours and hours she spends on the phone are not the parts she loves!!

 

Gift cards are tricky especially with Carnival. I have used them before but won't again except for onboard credit type thing.

 

With that said, I am glad I have a TA that will look out for me and also be an incredible friend!

Edited by jml1985
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