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Carnival Triumph My TV did not work and the masseuse lied to my wife and made her cry and accused her of using her wrinkle cream incorrectly and they would not reimburse my taxi fare because I did not get a receipt! Racist and discriminatory cruise line! ripoff Miami Florida
My wife and I have decided this will be our first and last Carnival cruise.
Let's start at the beginning - we booked our air through Carnival with the idea that doing so would protect us in case of air problems. Carnival booked us a flight from Toronto to Montreal with about an hour to change planes and fly to Miami. Our flight was delayed due to a medical emergency and we missed the connecting flight, Air Canada was very good and had tickets for a connection to Fort Lauderdale, the new tickets were ready when we got off the plane.
I called Carnival from the Montreal Airport and was told that the shuttle would be gone by the time we got to Fort Lauderdale and we would need to find our own way to the ship. They didn't offer any assistance at all, they just told me we would have to take a taxi at our expense. I was also told that I would have to contact the airline for re-imbursement.
I did not book my air travel with the airline, I booked it with Carnival. Carnival should reimburse me and they should contact the airline for reimbursement. I then called the agency we booked with, they contacted Carnival and relayed to me that there would be a Carnival agent at the Fort Lauderdale airport who would try to assist us in getting to the ship. There was not, and we had to take a taxi to the Port of Miami at a cost of $75.
We arrived at the ship at about 3:15pm, 15 minutes before last call. I asked the taxi driver for a receipt but in the rush to get to the ship forgot to obtain it.
Once we were on the ship and in our room we discovered our television did not function. I told the room steward and she said it would be looked at by a technician. Later that evening the TV still did not work.
I went to the Information desk and explained the problems we encountered getting to the ship. They would not refund our taxi fare without a receipt. I offered our transfer coupon which we obviously did not use for the shuttle. I guess they think we walked from the Fort Lauderdale Airport because they still would not offer a refund. The clerk did say she would file a report and get me a reference number that evening. For the record, I did not get it until Monday morning.
I then brought up the TV problems we were having and was told the whole ship was without TV due to satellite problems. I accepted that and went back to my room. The next morning we still did not have any TV. We went for breakfast and my wife overheard another couple talking about using their TV to book shore excursions. I then asked several couples if they had TV and all said their TV worked fine, from the moment they boarded the ship. Now, I was upset at the experience we had the first day but being lied to left me extremely angry.
I returned to the information desk and told the clerk what I had discovered. She seemed startled at the fact that I knew she had lied to me. She even said, why would I lie? I don't know why she would but she knew we had no TV and even if she did believe that it was satellite problems, she never followed up to see if it was working. So for a day and a half, when the weather was miserable and we couldn't be outside, we couldn't use our TV either. The clerk said she would have it looked at, and some time Sunday evening our TV was replaced. She also told me that she sent a message to Carnival's head office asking about my request for a refund but would not get an answer until Monday. To be honest I did not believe her. I think she just said that to try and make me feel better.
The night we arrived my wife went to the spa and was supposed to be given a 50 minute massage, I had hoped that it would make her feel better since we had suffered so much stress that day. She came back to the room from her 8:00pm appointment and was very upset. She said that the first 5 or 10 minutes the masseuse just talked, then for what seemed like 15 or 20 minutes at the end the masseuse talked again.
Before leaving, my wife was offered a body scrub brush which she thought was a gift, she was never told there was any charge but there it was, on the invoice. Then my wife was told that the masseuse was not a Registered Massage Therapist, something we specifically asked before booking the appointment. The lady that booked the appointment said that all Massage Therapists on board were registered, why say that if it is not true? We are able to submit invoices for re-imbursement to our insurance company if it is from a registered massage therapist. Now we cannot do that.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying for something if I get what I am paying for. In the above cases I don't believe I am getting anything from Carnival. It seems that their staff just want our money and don't concern themselves with honesty and integrity. The way I see it Carnival owes us $75.00 for the taxi we had to take to the ship and $79.00 for a massage that we expected to be reimbursed for by our insurance company. There is nothing they could say or do to make us feel like we would want to cruise Carnival again, but being reimbursed for these added expenses would leave us feeling like somebody cared about the experience we had.
I sent the above to Carnival while still on the ship but they didn't reply. Things only got worse after the initial writing of this letter. My wife purchased from their spa, a treatment kit valued at over $400.00. After using it for a few days she felt there was not enough of one of the creams that she was given. She decided to visit the spa expecting to purchase the additional cream but was instead told that she was not using the product correctly and was wasting it.
My wife explained that she was doing what she was told to do, but the manager became aggressive and insisted that my wife was not doing it right. This left my wife extremely upset and she was actually in tears when I saw her. Unbelievable that a person would go to a spa to feel relaxed and the spa on the Carnival Triumph made her feel the exact opposite. I took the kit that my wife purchased back to the spa and told them to take it back, they of course refused citing that it was opened.
Now, I am sure by this point that I was yelling and telling them how much I thought of Carnival, to which they replied they were not associated with Carnival. I was stunned, and replied "But you are wearing Carnival name tags". I returned the un-opened portion and left, just a little angrier then when I went in. I guess this could go on and on, yes there is much more. Mostly the little things that really wouldn't have affected our vacation but these items above basically ruined a lot of the memories we hoped we would be left with.
Finally, a response from Carnival, they don't seem interested at all. The first line of their e-mail says to contact the agency I booked with. Not sorry you had so many problems, no, they don't acknowledge that.
NEVER AGAIN! We went on a Princess cruise 3 years ago and it was 100 times better, in every way.
Jim-Conte
Toronto, Ontario
U.S.A.
13 Updates & Rebuttals
Anita
Marblehaed,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
money....
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, December 23, 2006
if i am to go on trip like that, i will be spending a good time with my partner... i will not even bother to say hello to the doorman......
anyway, there is not much left, only hatred and anger...
the ocean is so pretty and having a romantic trip like that is very nice...but sometimes all that comes in 1st place is money, looks and i dont know what else....
make your partner feel happy, smile and all that..( make a joke out of a stupid situation)....money is not the only thing....
oh, well i gotta go......
Anita
Marblehaed,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
money....
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, December 23, 2006
if i am to go on trip like that, i will be spending a good time with my partner... i will not even bother to say hello to the doorman......
anyway, there is not much left, only hatred and anger...
the ocean is so pretty and having a romantic trip like that is very nice...but sometimes all that comes in 1st place is money, looks and i dont know what else....
make your partner feel happy, smile and all that..( make a joke out of a stupid situation)....money is not the only thing....
oh, well i gotta go......
Anita
Marblehaed,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
money....
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, December 23, 2006
if i am to go on trip like that, i will be spending a good time with my partner... i will not even bother to say hello to the doorman......
anyway, there is not much left, only hatred and anger...
the ocean is so pretty and having a romantic trip like that is very nice...but sometimes all that comes in 1st place is money, looks and i dont know what else....
make your partner feel happy, smile and all that..( make a joke out of a stupid situation)....money is not the only thing....
oh, well i gotta go......
Anita
Marblehaed,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
money....
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, December 23, 2006
if i am to go on trip like that, i will be spending a good time with my partner... i will not even bother to say hello to the doorman......
anyway, there is not much left, only hatred and anger...
the ocean is so pretty and having a romantic trip like that is very nice...but sometimes all that comes in 1st place is money, looks and i dont know what else....
make your partner feel happy, smile and all that..( make a joke out of a stupid situation)....money is not the only thing....
oh, well i gotta go......
Claire
Gaithersburg,Maryland,
U.S.A.
I lost $3000 on a Carnival Cruise!
#14Consumer Comment
Mon, December 18, 2006
I lost three thousand dollars. Why? Because when my husband and I got on the ship, we were so disgusted by the room (dirty, smelly and very old), that for once in our lives, decided that life was too short to bother fighting to get our money back. The carpet was so worn that actually we were walking on tile, we couldn't get to the pool because the boat was over populated, and when we were given a sad sad piece of paper that had been photocopied so many times that we couldn't read it - we got our luggage which had been delivered (thankfully) and just walked away.
The staff were lovely and I have nothing but praise for their attitude, but the condition of the ship was disgusting. Our room was so old that the so called balcony was actually too small to sit on without thinking that you would be giving birth at any second. The room - very reminiscent of a 1967 room that has not been cleaned or updated since then. It was a four day cruise to Mexico and cost $3000 for 2 adults and one child - sadly, I could not get my son anywhere near the pool because there were so many people that it was impossible.
Once again, I must stress that the staff were first class - the conditions, corporate marketing and standards were appalling. Never again
Chris
Santa Maria,California,
U.S.A.
Insurance Reimbursement for a Massage
#14Consumer Comment
Sat, December 09, 2006
Good grief! As another poster said, no wonder insurance is so expensive! I would feel dishonest (& silly) doing that, as if it's for a medical reason.
Nicole
Sitka,Alaska,
U.S.A.
To Jim and Jim
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, December 08, 2006
To the OP:
I did not see anything racist in your complaint, however, I was not there. Were you the only person of your race on that cruise? Were they rude to everyone of your race? Again, I only ask because people seem to assume racism when in fact it is really just poor customer service and ignorance.
Now, I do work for a cruise line, but not Carnival. I work for xx. And trust me, we have had our fair share of complaints about service. But we are turning that around. In one year we went from a less than 40% satisfaction rate to an over 90% satisfaction rate. And guess what? We are all Americans. Those that were on your cruise were from countries with far more work ethic and determination for those kinds of jobs. And yet, still horrible service. Wonder why? Well, the answer is: they just don't care. They count on you not complaining, so complain away! But, make sure everything you say is accurate.
Now, I don't think you deserve reimbursement for the taxi from Carnival, unfortunately you didn't get the reciept. They have no way of knowing exactly what you paid. And the TV not working is not a huge thing. But the massage issue is. I would NEVER get a massage from someone who is not registered. What if your wife had been injured? Scary thought. I hope you are both doing well now.
To the responder, Jim: Not everyone who sides with a company is an employee. That arguement is used all the time and just makes you sound silly and immature. Maybe this guy really has had good times on these cruises and really does want to stand up for the company. By assuming otherwise you just hurt your point.
Well, I wish you all the best, and Merry Christmas! I hope to see everyone in Hawaii!
Elaine
Boise,Idaho,
U.S.A.
I have to agree with Mike...
#14Consumer Suggestion
Fri, December 08, 2006
Why would you consider your treatment racist? YOU forgot to get the receipt for the taxi. Contact the taxi company and get a duplicate and submit that. Take responsibility for your mistake! And, by the way, your flight was delayed due to a medical emergency. What a heartless person you must be to blame the trip's problems on Carnival. Were they responsible for the medical emergency??? Geez.
As for the massage: you've got to be kidding me. Getting an onboard spa massage and submitting it to your insurance?
As for the television? Speak up. I agree; you should have had television reception on board. Complaining once or twice to the steward and maintenance should have cured the problem. Why did you go to the pursers desk?
I do agree with you: I cruise Princess and have had great times and prefer Princess to Carnival. However, Princess and Carnival have merged; you cruise at your own risk depending on destination, but you need to get your responsibilities, priorities, manners, and expectations in line.
And no, I don't work for a cruise line. I wish!
Jim
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
To New Jersey Mike
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, December 08, 2006
Mike, Mike, Mike,
Why don't you admit that Jim is right, and why don't you also admit that you are a Carnival Employee. And not a loyal carnival cruiser that you are pretending to be. I agree with Jim's report 100% and Thank him for telling the public that your cruise line sucks. Jim's report speaks volumes about how your company and it's employees treat the public.
Jim
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
To New Jersey Mike
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, December 08, 2006
Mike, Mike, Mike,
Why don't you admit that Jim is right, and why don't you also admit that you are a Carnival Employee. And not a loyal carnival cruiser that you are pretending to be. I agree with Jim's report 100% and Thank him for telling the public that your cruise line sucks. Jim's report speaks volumes about how your company and it's employees treat the public.
Jim
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
To New Jersey Mike
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, December 08, 2006
Mike, Mike, Mike,
Why don't you admit that Jim is right, and why don't you also admit that you are a Carnival Employee. And not a loyal carnival cruiser that you are pretending to be. I agree with Jim's report 100% and Thank him for telling the public that your cruise line sucks. Jim's report speaks volumes about how your company and it's employees treat the public.
Jim
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
To New Jersey Mike
#14Consumer Comment
Fri, December 08, 2006
Mike, Mike, Mike,
Why don't you admit that Jim is right, and why don't you also admit that you are a Carnival Employee. And not a loyal carnival cruiser that you are pretending to be. I agree with Jim's report 100% and Thank him for telling the public that your cruise line sucks. Jim's report speaks volumes about how your company and it's employees treat the public.
Mike
River Edge,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
How is this racist? And some other things....
#14Consumer Comment
Mon, November 20, 2006
I read with interest your report as I've taken Carnival a few times and have enjoyed every single cruise, with small annoyances here and there, but nothing to make me switch cruise lines.....Ok, first of all, I don't see ANYTHING in your report which could be construed as raqcis,, so why are you claiming it? Please don't make assumptions that because you're black and feel slighted that it is automatically BECAUSE you're black.
You booked your flight through Carnival, but even when you do that they specifically state they are not responsible for airline difficulties. Their shuttles leave by a certain time and you are always told if you miss it you're on your own.
You took a cab. You didn't get a receipt. Why should Carnival pay for it? You should be able to call the cab company up and get a record of the cab ride and cost and re-submit it to Carnival. Other than that, how are they supposed to know you REALLY took a cab? Maybe you have a relative in Miami that drove you and you are tring to scam them out of $75 , they have no way of knowing that.
As for the TV, there are so many things to do on a cruise ship, why would you want to hole up in your room watching tv?
You were going to submit a bill for a massage to your insurance company? Are you kidding me? Now I know why insurance companies premiums are so high
As for the rest of your report, I think that they speak volumes as to the type of customer you were on that cruise, and I am sure Carnival thanks you for not sailing with them again. I know after reading your report I was so disgusted by what I read I had to go shower to remove the stink.