Need some guidance

[ladiibug]

Hello! I’m an experienced cruiser (platinum with Carnival) but have a new predicament that I’ve never experienced. I’m sailing next week and my guest is now unable to go. I literally just booked this cruise a week ago (had a great casino offer) and my guests mother was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She understandably wants to be home to assist her mom with doctor visits and for moral support. 

 

No one else I know can go on such short notice. Should I call and tell them I’ll be solo? I don’t want to lose my balcony cabin. It was the last balcony room available when I booked - it’s a 3 person balcony cabin but allowed me to book for 2. I also don’t want to have to pay anything additional, should that rate no longer be available. 

 

Ive already prepaid tips for both of us. If I call will those, along with the port fees and taxes for her portion be refunded? 

 

I know I have read before that the best practice is to just show up and have her no show. Would her gratuity and port fees be credited to my room, in that case? 

 

Also, I want to pre order the drink package but as it stands now I would have to pay for both of us unless she is not on the booking. 

 

Help 😬 What would you do?

[VentureMan_2000]

Gosh... seems to me that as long as you pay the 2nd person cabin rate, that there should not be any issue with you traveling alone.  My Father did a couple cruises by himself... just paid the expected 2 pp per cabin rate.  

I believe the port fees are charged per person, and not per cabin.

So yes, I would call and let them know you are traveling by yourself and get your Port fees and gratuities refunded.

[keywest1]

Please take advice from someone familiar with the casino rate.  There may be rules for that rate regarding cancellations and no shows that the rest of us aren't aware of.  

There are several regular posters on this board who will be able to help, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.  Have a great cruise, and I hope things turn out well for your guest's mother.

 

[thesmiths]

11 minutes ago, ladiibug said:

 

 

I know I have read before that the best practice is to just show up and have her no show. Would her gratuity and port fees be credited to my room, in that case? 

 

Our son couldn't go on the cruise we had setup with 2 in the cabin in across the hall.

(Fire academy)

We did him as a no show at the port.

We then bought Cheers for my daughter onboard ( for 1)

Got the refunded port fees, Cheers was a few bucks more but less then the refund.

 

Was not a Casino rate.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by thesmiths

[Anyislandwilldo]

Prayers for your friends mother.

 

[coevan]

no reason to stir the pot and tell Carnival in advance. Pay the extra 10% on Cheers when you board, on 7 days it's $35 well worth not going through the explanation dance. 

[Elaine5715]

7 hours ago, ladiibug said:

Hello! I’m an experienced cruiser (platinum with Carnival) but have a new predicament that I’ve never experienced. I’m sailing next week and my guest is now unable to go. I literally just booked this cruise a week ago (had a great casino offer) and my guests mother was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She understandably wants to be home to assist her mom with doctor visits and for moral support. 

 

No one else I know can go on such short notice. Should I call and tell them I’ll be solo? I don’t want to lose my balcony cabin. It was the last balcony room available when I booked - it’s a 3 person balcony cabin but allowed me to book for 2. I also don’t want to have to pay anything additional, should that rate no longer be available. 

 

Ive already prepaid tips for both of us. If I call will those, along with the port fees and taxes for her portion be refunded? 

 

I know I have read before that the best practice is to just show up and have her no show. Would her gratuity and port fees be credited to my room, in that case? 

 

Also, I want to pre order the drink package but as it stands now I would have to pay for both of us unless she is not on the booking. 

 

Help 😬 What would you do?

Have her be a no show.  You can be moved if you  can ahead.  Whomever pays for the grats and port taxes will have them automatically refunded to the method used.  Buy Cheers on board.

[evandbob]

Depending on the casino offer, which may come with a DOU card if it's premier or getaway, or perhaps can be earned at a lower point total if one of the other casino fares, you may not need to purchase cheers at all.

 

I would do all adjustments after boarding and sailaway, no need to call Carnival prior.  Taxes and tips will get refunded.

[n6uqqq]

There is absolutely no good that could happen by notifying Carnival. Don't do it! Port fees and gratuities will be automatically refunded. If you notify Carnival the other party is not showing the entire fare of the other party will be taken as penalty and then you will need to pay the solo supplement as bad as it sounds.

Edited August 17, 2019 by n6uqqq

[deadmoney]

If you call ahead it's a real possibility that they could move you to another room.

[ladiibug]

Thanks, everyone. My rate does allow for name changes, but finding someone to go with a week left before sail away has been challenging. I was just worried about calling and having them say I have to rebook and that casino rate is no longer available. ☹️ I have decided to go the no show route. I got a fantastic rate for this trip, and I’ll just purchase cheers once I board. 

 

It was going to be my friends first cruise and was my gift to her. She’s been through so much lately and now with her sweet momma’s diagnosis, I just really feel for her. 💔 

[Homosassa]

Just a note on just receiving the breast cancer diagnosis.

 

As someone who has been there, done that, and needed a smaller tee shirt size after the mastectomies, there may be a several week or more window between diagnosis and any follow up, as far as treatment or surgery.

 

Please have your friend check on the schedule for her mother.

 

I understand the feeling of panic of it must be done now, but your friend may find that she can still cruise with you.