As quiet as it’s kept, cruising is one of my favorite forms of travel. And on all the cruises that I’ve taken, I’ve enjoyed a great vacation. Yes, the Cuban shuffle lines are corny and overdone. No, I’m not challenging my travel adventure spirit. Even with all the bad press that the industry (Carnival Cruises, in particular) has gotten over the past few years, there’s still something nostalgic about cruising for me.
Why? It could be that my grandmother, who I miss dearly, took me on my very first cruise; or that my husband and I tied the knot for the second time on one; or that my friends and I have some of the best travel memories from a ship. Whatever it is, I still enjoy cruising. Don’t judge me. Just the other day, at my husband’s grandmother’s funeral, my in-laws asked when would we all get together again. They all talked about how much fun they had on our wedding cruise. Good experiences breed repeat customers, especially ones that are pocket friendly.
Budget-Friendly Travel
For many individuals cruising is an inexpensive way to see several places on one trip and can be a very cost-effective form of family travel. However, no matter how cheap a cruise is, the last thing that you want to deal with is DRAMA. If the sh*t hits the fan, or your ship hits a ditch, your vacation is ruined. That’s money wasted. And at the end of the day, all of us want to know, how will a company make things right? Now, Carnival Cruise Line is answering that question.
“Great Vacation Guarantee”
Last week, Carnival announced their “Great Vacation Guarantee.” It’s the only program in the industry of its kind, where the company is offering a 110 percent refund, complimentary return flights and more, should a guest not be completely satisfied. Guests can end their voyage early and receive a $100 shipboard credit for a future cruise, should they be dissatisfied with their cruise for any reason.
Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO, says that, “The ‘Great Vacation Guarantee’ is designed to provide an assurance to those consumers who may be considering a cruise, that we stand behind our product and, if they are dissatisfied for any reason, they have a simple and hassle-free means for receiving a full refund and more.”
How do guests exercise this “Great Vacation Guarantee”? They simply notify the ship’s guest services desk within the first 24 hours of their voyage to receive the full refund. The program is promoted through Carnival’s travel agent partners, as well as a special section on its web site at www.carnival.com/
The “Great Vacation Guarantee” is valid on all three- to eight-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Canada and New England departing through April 30, 2015. It’s also open only to U.S. and Canada residents. Note that I highlighted and bolded “the first 24 hours” – if you’re unhappy with anything, it better be before you’re done unpacking if you want to get a refund. Don’t try to ask for a refund on your last day of the cruise! I can guarantee that that’s probably not happening for you. Let’s see how many guests exercise the guarantee in the upcoming months and if this will change standards in the industry.
If you’ve ever been unsatisfied with a cruise or any other vacation, when does it usually happen? Does this program make you more inclined to cruise with Carnival?
Carnival will never honor the “great vacation guarantee” it is the biggest scam going . Touted as the greatest thing to ever hit the cruise industry until you invoke it.
First off I am a Platinum member of Carnivals VIFP club or WAS and have 100 days sailing and 14 cruises. Until 2 days ago I was Hooked on Carnival and actually HAD 2 future cruises booked which are now being cancelled.
We just got back from the worst experience ever on the Carnival Elation for a 5 day cruise leaving 8/17/2015 and return on 8/22?15 . Within minutes of boarding the boat I had an issue requiring me to Go to the guest services desk and deal with the deck officers. I am a Platinum guest and have expedited lines that I can use and took advantage of but this only hastened the impending rudeness of Barbara Plenca the Guest Service manager of the boat.
With 1.5 hours before the sailing of the Elation it was made quite clear to me that this boat was quite different from anything I had experienced before and the level of contempt that this crew has for its passengers knows no bounds. I immediately invoked the ” great vacation guarantee” which if taken literally describes no questions asked no refusal for any reason peace of mind ….ABSOLUTE ***….. I was immediately and summarily denied and was told that I did not qualify ..
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Passengers may invoke the guarantee for any reason. If the problem is something guest services can fix, it will offer to do so. But if passengers don’t want a fix, don’t believe their expectations are being met or just don’t think Carnival is the right fit for them, Berra said the line will honor the guarantee, no questions asked, get them home from the first port of call and provide the 110 percent refund. If the return home violates the Jones Act, which prevents cruise passengers from traveling between two U.S. ports without also stopping at a foreign port, Carnival will absorb any penalties that may be incurred******************************
Dont believe any of the above statement from Berra it is HORSE @#$% . Carnival is scamming cruisers , has no intention of ever living up to this guarantee and should be sued over this.
The internet ( Cruise critic) describes how wonderful this guarantee is and that it has only been invoked 45 time over the last 15 years out of the 3 million passengers they have carried. Absolute *** again they only record a token few of the thousands of people that have invoked this worthless guarantee but never tell you how many claims they just deny.
Carnival Elation and Barbara Plenca are a disgrace to the cruising industry and should be removed
Mark Deniger 4R2RC8 M204 case number SISC-SB-08172015-7