I pit Carnival Cruise Lines

The BBQ Pit
1

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a few weeks. We had planned to join some family and friends on a cruise in December, but decided to cancel. Both of our moms are friends and decided to keep their reservation, however, and they shared a room on the ship.

We always have a hard time Christmas shopping for them, so we decided to purchase some “Fun Ship Dollars” for their use during the cruise. I asked for two $50 certificates, one for my mother, one for my mother-in-law. They charged $100 to our credit card. We didn’t tell either of the moms because we wanted to surprise them.

Upon their return, my mom thanked us for the gift, while my MIL didn’t bring it up. So we asked. Turns out she didn’t get anything! My mom was given all of the money in her name and she used it like the gift it appeared to be. Not sure what my MIL was thinking the whole time…must have felt like we forgot her (because we also got drink coupons for our friends and an aunt and uncle who were with the party).

I understand how the error occurred because they were sharing a cabin, but Carnival screwed up, and I think they should refund half of my money, if not all of it. I called four times before Christmas to resolve this. Each time I was told to call back, either because they needed to “check with accounting” or they were too busy to field my inquiry because of the holiday rush for gift orders. Fine, I’m patient.

Monday after New Year’s, on my fifth call, I’m finally told that I cannot get a refund because the money was spent. Well, yeah, it was spent. What else was my mom supposed to do with it? Bastards refuse to budge. Fine, I’m patient.

Yesterday, I mailed a certified letter threatening complaints to the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department (gotta love the web!) and the Better Business Bureau. I don’t know if this will get me anywhere, but I’m determined to get my money back.

Screw you, Carnival! Oh, and while I was on my honeymoon cruise, I couldn’t help but notice that your shows suck and your decor brings to mind an early 80’s bordello.

2

You want your money back…for what? Yes, they screwed up, but it’s not like they only delivered $50 worth of cruise money. They gave $100 of cruise money to your mom and she spent it. It’s gone. It was used. By one of the parties you bought it for.

I can see where the mistake is their fault. But I don’t see where they owe you any money, any more than they would if you’d ordered two $50 certificates and had them delivered to your house, but got one $100 certificate instead. They may change it for two $50 certificates if you catch it in time, but they don’t owe you any money.

3

No, this is totally different. If the $100 certificate had come to my house, I could have presented it to both moms and said “split it.” As it was, my MIL got left out. Sure, my mom got $100 worth of “fun”, but that’s not what I agreed to pay for when I forked over the money. My expectations were not met, and I feel they at least owe me for the $50 that should have rightfully gone to my MIL.

4

In that case, all you have to do is return the $50 that was mistakenly sent to your mother.

5

I’m with brix11. Carnival screwed up.

Put it this way: what if brix11 had ordered two gift certificates, and one went to his mother, and another went to a complete stranger, who promptly spent it. I don’t think anyone here would disagree that Carnival screwed up in that sense. I don’t see that giving the extra $50 to his mother makes any difference; he bought a gift certificate for one person, and it was given to another. Carnival screwed up.

I’d keep bitching, Brix. Carnival needs to return your money.

6

When I first read the OP I agreed with jayjay that they’re not due you money. The money was delivered, spent, etc, etc and they could just say “Well sort it out between the two intended giftees (is that a word?)”. Certainly they should apologise for screwing up if nothing else.

However, what if they’d sent the gift to a completely unrelated passenger, who’d assumed it was a windfall and spent it. Then brix11 would be due some money back, no ? What if the two giftees didn’t know each other and just happened to be on the same cruise (but in different rooms) and they did the same screw up ?

I see that the matter is complicated by the fact that your two intended receipants knew each other, but I can also see where the arguement lies for some sort of refund.

However most people, I think, would call it the other way and I don’t think getting angry and threatening towards the company will help. I’d opt for unfailingly polite whilst detailing the confusion, sadness, and upset the mistake caused.

SD

7

My mom offered to return the money to us so we could use it towards another gift for my MIL. I refused because my mom’s finances are pretty tight, and she might not have spent that extra $50 had she not received it as a gift.

The letter I sent was polite, but I did tell them I felt their initital response was unacceptable. The only reason I threatened further complaints was to be sure they would write or call me back. I’m tired of making phone calls, and I have written them in the past regarding another matter without any response.

I had never considered that scenario, Athena and SpaceDog, so thanks.

8

It wouldn’t quite be fair for the Mom to cough up $50, which is clearly more valuable than 50 “fun ship dollars”. The former you can put in the bank, the latter must be spent on a (not inexpensive I’m sure) cruise ship during the span of a vacation. It’s like they accidentally sent her the $100 dollar fruit basket instead sending two $50 ones.

Don’t be surprised if any “settlement” they off being in “fun ship dollars”. :slight_smile: If you are eventually going to take a cruise you might consider not holding too big a grudge here.

9

Well, that would suck, but it would be something. I could at least re-gift those.

10

Wow! $100 in “Fun Dollars”!

They could have each had 2 beers!

(not to “slight” your gift. Carnival is a fucking rip-off)

11

That reminds me of when I ordered flowers from 1-800-Flowers. I charged them to my Visa (and of course they had my billiing address) and they took the recipients name and address. Obviously I was buying flowers for someone (in another state, no less) One would think this is a common occurance, but one would be mistaken. On the intended date (my friend’s birthday) I got a lovely bouquet of cut flowers. From myself. From myself to myself.

When I called at first they were like “Oh well- we had the flowers delivered! You got the flowers, right? Then it’s not our problem!” I was beyond livid. And no lie, when they finally did agree to send the flowers to the intended recipient, we BOTH got a bouquet of cut flowers. I think I threatened to rip off the CS rep’s arms if they charged my card more then once.

Never again.

12

Yup, Carnival screwed up. IMO, they owe you $50 back and a note of apology to your MIL.

13

I’m with the OP. Carnival messed up, not you. So it’s Carnival’s problem to fix, not yours. You and your giftees shouldn’t have to suffer because they make an error.

14

Yeah, I know. We got a couple of friends who were on the cruise $20 worth of drink coupons, which buys a total of four drinks! IIRC, their total liquor bill was over $200! Guess they had fun… :smiley: