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Carnival Cruise Lines

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To say that Carnival gets more than its share of complaints would be quite an understatement. We get more complaints about Carnival than about all other crise lines combined. We'd recommend reading this section carefully before you put down big bucks -- not after.

Here are just a few of the more recent complaints ...

Cecile of Uniondale, NY June 23, 2009

I booked and paid Carnival in February for a family cruise in April, to reward my daughter for making the honor roll in school. We arrived 3 hours prior to sailing on the scheduled day and checked in our bags, but unbelievably, no one in my family was allowed to get on that cruise. I had forgotten to take my passport out of my bag before the bags were checked on to the ship and the head supervisor was clearly being discriminatory. She allowed another gentleman, who also had his passport in his checked bag, to go retrieve it from his bag on the ship but we were not allowed to do that nor were we allowed to utilise any resources nor suggestions we were giving. The other employees, co-captain and workers were stunned and very apologetic as they witnessed this blatant discrimination that they could do nothing about for fear of losing their jobs.

Carnival has refused to refund my money, stating that they do not refund "No Shows" nor "Cancellations" which none of these apply to us. My 9 year old is forever scarred from standing on the deck and watching the cruise ship she was supposed to be on, leave without her, seeing the children playing, laughing and having fun. She had boasted to all her friends about going on this cruise and then having to tell them she didn't. Thumbs Down Carnival Cruise Line!

patricia of tampa , FL June 21, 2009

I went on a cruise out of tampa on 6/7/09. After the first night i awoke and noticed a foot print on my sheet along with other questionable markings. i left the covers pulled back so that housekeeping could see the stains. The following evening i did not think to inspect my sheets, I assumed this was like a hotel and since I had seen housekeeping on our floor daily, i thought changing sheets was part of the daily cleaning.

you can imagine my disgust when on the second to LAST morning i found the same footprint and verious stains on my sheets. I placed the dirty sheet stain up on the floor for housekeeping to switch out, that night upon our return i did inspect the sheets only to find THE SAME SHEET OFF THE FLOOR WITH THE SAME VARIOUS FOOT AND OTHER STAINS BACK ON MY BED !!! it took 2 phone calls and 2hrs for someone to change my sheets .

Aura of Jacksonville, FL June 17, 2009

I booked a cruise for 4 people 2 years ago. The cruise was booked for the wrong date by travelocity. We booked the cruise within 30 days of travel. I was told to call Carnival a week before travel to confirm reservation. When I called to confirm, I was told by Carnival that we missed the cruise. We never received any kind of written notice from carnival. They sent us an offer for a replacement cruise which we can never seem to get booked. Whenever I call, I am told call back in 2 days, or in two weeks or we are offered cruises that we can not take ( such as a cruise from Puerto Rico).

I paid 2100 for a cruise that to no fault of our own was not taken. They are not in good faith replacing the cruise. Efforts to book the cruise never produce results. We want a 5 day cruise from Tampa or Port Canaveral or our money back.

Ronald of Vero Beach, FL June 16, 2009

Carnival booked our air travel from Orlando to Atlanta to Rome on 9/30/08 for a cruise leaving Rome on 10/1/08. The connection in Atlanta was scheduled less than 45 minutes from the arrival time from Orlando for the connection to Rome. When we disembarked the plane in Atlanta we were greeted by a Delta representative who informed us that there was no way we would be able to make the outgoing flight.

Two representatives of Delta contacted Carnival and each was quite upset that the connecting flight was made in such a short time, stating that Delta required a minimum of 90 minutes between flights, preferably 2 hours. We had to stay in a hotel on 9/30 before being able to arrange a flight to Naples, the first port of call of the cruise. We were told by Carnival that a representative would meet us at the Naples baggage claim area to bring us, and our baggage to the ship. Not only was there no one there to meet us, but because of the confusion of the flights, there was no baggage there, either. It was tagged to go to the ship.

We took a cab to the ship. We had no baggage for five days before the baggage was delivered. In addition, we were told that all expenses (wjich amounted to over 500.00) encountered because of this situation would be reimbursed, including our cell phone expenses (over 300.00) - because we would be in phone contact during the problem. We submitted receipts, as we were told for said reimbursement. we were denied reimbursement. They offered us a 20% discount on our next cruise, which we deemed unacceptable, and an insult. It should be noted that my disabled wife postponed surgery scheduled for 9/23/08 for this cruise, which she had been looking forward to for many months. In addition, we were given a cabin that had power doors at the entry and the bathroom. My wife was almost knocked down by the door 3-4 time trying to transfer from her wheelchair into the bathroom. Fortunately, I was nearby, and prevented her falling to the floor. It should be noted that more than one Carnival representative admitted to me that this was entirely Carnival's fault because of the terrible booking of the flight. Whereas Carnival has tried to blame the airline for the lost luggage, it is evident that the poor arrangements were the cause of the effect of the misdirected luggage.

Drc of Greensboro, NC June 2, 2009

On 6/1/09 I contact Carnival Cruise Line to do a name change with one of my passengers is unable to attend. We utilized early booking cruise on the Dream for April 17, 2010. Carnival Cruise refused to change the name and stated that they do not have access to a group booking booked through a Travel Agent and I needed to contact my travel agent.

Well I have a wonderful travel agent who works diligently on any and every request. To make a long story short one of my passenger works for Chrysler and has been laid off for six months now due to the crises with the dealer ship and she’s unable to go on the cruise in 4/17/2010. Unfortunate for me she changed her mind but due to job loss I understand so I’m out of 250.00. Carnival will not change the name of passenger. I understand rule but this is ridiculous. Well I wish I would have stuck to my guns and waited 30 days before the ship sail and took what was left; sometimes you when sometimes you don’t. But because I did a group cruise and try to considerate of those who can pay within short notice.

Well this message is to Carnival Cruise Line. I have another Group Cruise for June 2010 out of New York I’m canceling it and doing business with Royal Caribbean. I will not patronize Carnival anymore and you will reap what you sow.

Divina of Artesia, CA May 31, 2009

We are celebrating a 5oth wedding anniversary for a family member. We are originally booked for Baja Mexico aboard Carnival elation and we made reservations trough Cruises.com with an agent named Dallas Cooper. I told him that most of the people in our group are from the Philippine including the celebrants with multiple entry visa to the US. Due to the swine flu virus, carnival has given us a 50 dollar credit per person for the port we are not visiting. Twelve days prior to our sailing, we asked to be moved to the Carnival splendor voyage because Carnival cruise line has tremendously lowered their prices and and we need to only add a few dollars to sail a longer cruise which will be visiting 2 Canadian pots. We were so happy that they agreed without hesitation.

In order to facilitate the change, I charge the entire differences for everyone in our group in my credit card account. The documentation requirement for the new port was not clear in their advisory, so we asked them and they send us a letter that a multiple entry visa is required. Five days prior to our sailing, they send a fax to my agent which he forwarded to me on May 19, 2009 saying that the foreigners in our group needed to apply for a visa to Canada. Our ship departs on May 24, 2009.

Needless to say, they are all here and furnishing the documents from the Philippines in that short period of time is impossible. So I called Carnival cruiseline and told them to transfer us back to our original cruise to Ensenada but they said they have to talk to my agent. So then, I called my agent and my agent took care of the transfer. However, we paid the same amount of money we previously paid even if the prices online were so cheap already and they took out the 50 they offered us previously, because according to them this time we know it was not going to Ensenada, so they don't have to give us credit. Our agent said they will refund us of the difference and so I told him to make the refund back to my account.

Days past and no refund has posted in my account, invoice was sent with the credit showing on it, and yet no refund in my account. our sailing date came, we sailed to Ensenada... got back home, pending charges in my credit card from the charges incured during the stay in the ship has posted... and yet no refund from Carnival. Then today May 30, 2009, charges has posted and cleared, but new charges that are obviously not my have been charge into my account. I don't know where to call because Carnival has no billing department. However, charges are posting in my account for charges that aren't mine plus my refund has not been returned.

I have e-mailed my agent and he told me that Carnival is still trying to figure out how to credit my account. This is definitely a company capable of charging and not returning your money. I am trying to dispute the charges as of now on my credit card before it even post and clear because for sure it will be another refund on hold. Because of this situation, I am so stressed before and after the cruise and could hardly enjoy my family during the entire duration of the cruise because of this situation.

peggy of waldorf, MD May 29, 2009

I got ripped off by Diamonds International. I bought a three stone diamond ring in Cozumel - recommended by Carnival Cruise lines - for 1500. I got back to the states and had it appraised at a local family owned jewelry store. It appraised at 750. Sandra at DI told me it had to be an "independent appraiser" not a place that could buy jewelry and the stones had to be at least two quality steps below the DI appraisal.

So I sent it to Atlanta - no gemologists in the town I live in - I got that appraisal back and it came in at 1050. AND the stones were 4 quality steps lower, the gemologists stated the "blue tint in the diamond was masking the yellow color". Now I am waiting DI decision.

I don't anticipate a good response. I will continue to blog these rip off artists to the world and next cruise (not carnival) will bring the facts with me and share with customers outside of DI at every port! Buyers beware! I was sold an item that did not meet the quality nor value the representatives of the company stated to me - in writing. Further, the Cruise Lines - actually all of them - highly recommend DI to all guests. Now I am out the 450 difference in cost vs appraisal as well as 200 in costs for the appraisals.

Margaret of Waddy, KY May 28, 2009

We booked a cruise back in Aug 2008 aboard the Carnival Liberty going to the Western Caribbean. We were supposed to visit Cozmel which we missed on a prior cruise because of Hurrican Katrina so we were excited to final get to go there. Obviously due to the Swing Flu at the last minute we were rerouted to Honduras. I had heard terrible things about Honduras and it is a very poor country however we found a local person that was our guide for the day and he took us to a wonderful place called the Myan Princess and we enjoyed the beach and resort. It was probably one of our best days and we really enjoyed him. I would say he was only 18-19 years old and played with our children, climbed coconut trees to get us fresh coconut and took us shopping in the local market. All he asked for was a tip at the end of the day which we were more than happy to do. Even though Honduras is very poor it has some great people and beautiful beaches.

As for Carnival, we've only cruised with them and I'm sure some people have had terrible circumstances but I have a hard time believing some of the comments on here. They have always been very nice, VERY clean and the food has always been wonderful especially dinner. Don't get me wrong, we've experienced some staff and food better than others but I can honestly say that overall Carnival is wonderful and we'll only cruise with them. For the money you can't get a better vacation for the service, entertainment, accomidations and food that you get. This was our first cruise with our 8 yr old son and he LOVED Camp Carnival and they were wonderful too.

Like someone else said, some people aren't happy unless they've gotten something for free or complained about something. I'm sure with all the people that cruise with Carnival there has to be some bad things to happen but in general Carnival provides a great service and the comments on here should not be all the at you read to make up your mind as to whether or not you vacation with them.

Daisy of Clinton, MD May 26, 2009

I booked a cruise, 2/23/09, with a sailing date of 10/11/09. If after booking you find a lower Carnival advertised fare, Carnival will match it and issue you the difference in an onboard credit. Once you submit the Price Protection Claim Form, it will be reviewed to ensure it meets requirements and within 2 business days an email confirmation will be sent. The cruise I booked had a decrease in the fare and I submitted a Price Protection Claim Form on, 4/21, 4/28, 5/3, and 5/13.

Prior to submitting the form the last time I called Carnival and spoke with Carlos, and he did not see anywhere in the system where I submitted the form. I asked him if I could fax it, since it appears the form is going in a black hole. He stated I can only submit online. So, he stayed on the line while I submitted it again (5/13) and he said I would hear something within the next couple of days, but of course I didn’t.

I spoke via email with my Personal Vacation Planner (Carnival), Amanda, 5/13, and told her what was going on and she indicated she spoke to a supervisor and would get back with me. As of, 5/26, I have not heard anything. Thank you

Tara of Altanta , GA May 26, 2009

My sister, Shannon, has stage 4 terminal cancer and wanted to plan a "siblings cruise" with 2 sisters and 1 brother. This may be her "last hurrah" with her immediate family. We are scheduled to leave on the Glory on 8/15/09. One of our sisters, Colleen, has just been told she is being laid off and she can't afford the trip. We have another sister, Karen, who can take her place (but only if she can pay the balance of Colleen's bill). Carnival will not let Karen take Colleen's place, and wants my dying sistr who is on disability to pay for the ENTIRE cabin (single occupancy). I can't get anyone to help me and have currently been on hold for 2 hours 15 minutes (and counting) waiting for a supervisor.

Carnival doesn't care about my dying sister........it's just pathetic. Carnival won't lose anything by taking one sister's name off the reservation and putting the other sister's name on. They will also fulfill a dying woman's wish. We are great carnival customers and book a cruise EVERY year....unbelievable.

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