Carnival Cruise Lines
reviews and complaints

Already had a cruise booked. Called and checked on size of cabin. They looked and said they could upgrade us to a balcony for less money. Lady looked on computer and couldn't get it to upgrade so we said we would just leave it the way it was. After hanging up carnival had taken 2700 dollars out of our checking account without any authorization. We called back and said it would taken 5 to 10 business days to get our money back. So we have to go 5 to 10 days without money because of their mistake. Said they would give us a 100 dollar onboard credit but that doesn't help us now. But the topper is that they refuse to fax a letter to our bank to speed up the process. This better be a hell of a cruise or it will be our last with carnival.

Cruise #5GW1Q9. Booked Sep 11, 2017 for a cruise with 15 other family members porting out of Ft Lauderdale for a 6 day itinerary cruise within the eastern Caribbean ports. The cruise was slated to depart 1/28/18 with a return day of 2/13/18. Unfortunately I had to cancel due to serious health reasons and at the advice of my physician. At the time booking I was presented the option of purchasing travel insurance for this cruise which I in fact did purchase for an addition charge of $159. Was advised by the booking agent that this insurance would cover the cost of the cruise should I had need to cancel.
Although the other family members were able to continue with this cruise, I had to cancel because of declining health reasons. I contacted the cruise company about 30 day of departure and was advised that this matter would have to be handled with a third party insurer, AON. After a serious of conversations and request for supporting information to justify my health situation which I supplied, I was finally provided with a small portion of a refunded fee. The cruise itself was $1, 982 of which was paid in full. I was refunded from the insurance company a check for $284.39. I was advised by the insurer AON, to contact the original travel supplier which was Carnival Cruise Line to determine if there was an additional refund due.
After contacting the supplier, I was told that they would only provide a credit for future cruises and not a refund on the cruise itself which is concerning because the agent suggested that I take the insurance option in the advent I would need to cancel not reschedule. The issue here is that because of my declining health condition, this is not an option at this point to rebook.
I feel that this is a very uncontainable trade practice to offer the insurance option and have it explained by a rep that it's advisable to purchase this insurance should you need to cancel for any reason to later learn that this is not how this insurance program works. This insurance program is very subjective in nature as you must prove with supporting medical documentation from a clinical service provider to justify any claims of canceling or obtaining a refund.
I'm currently working to obtain a good portion if not, a full refund of the amount that I provided in good faith of the insurance option I selected. It appears by the many reviews that this practice has offering insurance but making the reality of claiming the refund through the purchase of the insurance program that they offer is to say the least, a bad business practice. The insurance offered is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Cruise #1jcz23. Booked cruise, bough travel ins through AON thru Carnival. Had to cancel due to medical condition of a parent. Called AON & they are refusing to pay unless parent medical record provided. They have no right this as parent did not enter into the contract with them plus this violates HIPPA privacy law. We never even received a policy in our names from them. They were happy enough to accept the money, but now don't want to pay. Feel AON (fat chance ins co.) is reniging on claim.

We understand Carnival is not responsible for AON, however we feel Carnival should disassociate themselves and not promote AON Insurance . We are platinum and gold VIFP members and been on cruises since the 1990's. Any help you can give would be appreciated. We would like to re-book another cruise this year, however if AON does not pay, then we will be unable to do so.

I was originally booked on 3-31-18 Splendor 1BLW46 in an Ocean Suite for 2 people. Change of plans with my children spring break now meant both would be going on the Cruise with me. I requested all 3 of us stay in the ocean suite and was told it would only accommodate 2 people even though it has 2 twin beds and a sofa. I would be traveling with a 7 and 10 year old. Spoke to customer service who put me on a wattle's for a room for 3. She stated she would get back to me. She never did so I called again. I inquired if I could change the booking to June 16th cruise without penalty. I was informed that There would be a 75% booking penalty to do this . The same as canceling on this date . I know the Ocean Suite will be booked in the next day. This would have been my 12th cruise with carnival and now I am very disappointed in the customer service I received from carnival. I would think if they were charging a cancellation it would depend on whether or not the cabin gets booked. I wonder how many other times they charge cancellation fees and then book the cabin.

We sailed March 1st out of Mobile Alabama on Carnival Fantasy. Upon getting our state room the room was covered in crumbs all over counter and the wall beds when open were filthy all the way around the mattress. The toilet was covered in poop smears and not our poop, I was told to call house keeping to clean it, took 2 calls and speaking to diff people that worked on the ship to get it cleaned. Basically the room was not cleaned just freshened up.
When the suitcases arrived my sons bag was unzipped about 5 inches and clothes hanging out, we ended up missing one of his brand new flip flops never worn. My new suit case was all scuffed up which the man from the front counter came and personally scrubbed off with some kind of chemical, and my husbands Ralph Loren suitcase had extreme damage, The entire handle and casing was ripped off and flopping, the entire side was ripped about 10 inches and the top cloth handle was ripped out of the fixtures that hold it down. The man from the front desk told me to send a receipt for repair with in 20 days and he would reimbursed, the problem was we couldn't even pull our clothes back home in it. It was destroyed so he replaced my expensive suitcase that was part of my set with a smaller cheap carnival suitcase, but at least we could get our clothes home.
The last day my son had gotten in the hot tub and within a few min came running out and asked to go take a shower that he was burning, my thought was it was salt water and irritated him. On the trip home he complained all the way home, he stayed home from school the next day because he couldn't wear clothes, that afternoon we took him to the emergency clinic, the Dr said he had a chemical burn. Well the hot tub was the only place he had been so obviously it had way to much chemicals in it. They had to put him on a steroid pack for the swelling and benadryll and pain medication.
We cruise a good bit and have never had such an experience.
This is the 2nd time I have emailed, I didn't get a response so not sure if it was received . I will attach a picture of his face, he didn't want me to take pictures of his body. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of my luggage before the man took it and gave us a cheap replacement . As far as my sons shoe, they didn't seem to care it was missing much less not sure what clothes are missing. He had to wear tennis shoes or go barefoot the entire time since his new flip flop was gone. Not sure why they even went in his suitcase.

Donna Routh
[protected]@gmail.com

Last September my wife and I sailed on the triumph for our anniversary. Upon entering room 9205 junior suite we proceeded to unpack and get the room set up. My wife was putting something in the drawer and a heavy wooden cabinet face fell from below the TV. This object struck her in the head and the arm causing major bruising on her arm and head. We reported it to the lady in charge of the floor and the room steward at that time. They seemed genuinely concerned at the time and said they would check back with us later. That was the last time anyone mentioned it throughout our cruise. We have sailed with carnival several times and have always enjoyed our experience. I am usually not one to complain but the longer I think about the lack of concern shown by the crew about this the more disappointed in carnival I became. I am not a wealthy man by no means and splurging for a suite for our anniversary was a stretch financially. I am very disappointed in carnivals lack of concern for this experience.

We were on the Splendour and we went through the Panama Canal. The Restaurant Service was so Poor that we had most of our Meals on the Lido Deck. One night I was offered a Steak from the Grill. I tried to cancel the order but they insisted that we stay and to Eat the Dinner. Well what a Mistake that was. The Steak was Cold and it had so much Vein that I couldn't Eat it. Plus it took 3 Hours to Eat the Dinner. Thgge Second Setting was waiting for us to Leave. 8:30 PM is the time that we actually got up to leave the Restaurant. They even took my Iron from my Suitcase and I didn't get it back. It was a new one and I only take it with me so I can go to the Laundry Room myself. Most of the the time when I go to the Room the Iron is not working. Please Reply. Thank You

On Jan. 22nd, 18 my husband was rushed to the ER. He was in ICU for several days and spend a total 7 days in the hospital. He had an Acute GI Bleed. I called Carnival Cruise Lines and had to cancel our cruise as per the ER Doctors advice. We were booked to leave on Jan 29th, 18. Booking 9DF2B2. I we did not buy the insurance. Sent all paperwork in. Received $182.50 back only. Talked to customer service only to get disconnected each time I was transferred to someone.

Re Cruise 6LQN9 Cabin #2339 Folio #4959
We had booked this cruise for ourselves and my daughter and granddaughters last March (Mar 3, 2017). This has been an ongoing event for approximately 10 years.
Unfortunately I developed double pneumonia and have been hospitalized. I was released on March 4, 2018 and was told NO travel for at a week or until cleared by Pulmonologist. This is, therefore, at least one day after the Glory sails.
Please - what can be done about the $1658.50 (plus $100 cabin credit?) that was paid for our booking (my daughter and granddaughters will be going without me or my wife😪😢). May we have a refund - it will help toward hospital expenses.
Also - note the change in e-mail address. Please use [protected]@rogers.com rather than [protected]@rogers.com. We are "on vacation" and are unable to use both.
Sheldon Liebesman
[protected]@rogers.com

Carnival cruise booking #9wv8k5 and 9wv8n1 on Carnival Conquest which was leaving 3/3/18 out of Ft Lauderdale. We were flying out of BWI to Ft Lauderdale on Jet Blue flight # 295 3/2/18. This flight was delayed several times and then ultimately cancelled due to Nor'easter and 1000's of other northeastern flights were either cancelled or already booked including 3/3/18 (the day the ship was to leave the terminal.) We attempted car rental from all agencies to drive from Baltimore to Ft Lauderdale but all rentals were booked. We also checked flying out of other local airports and no flights were available. We had no way to get to Ft Lauderdale by the 3:00 boarding check-in. All of our options to get to the cruise terminal on time were depleted. Because we had no means of transportation to the cruise terminal we are sincerely requesting a refund or credit towards another cruise with Carnival in the near future. We have cruised with Carnival several times in the past and we enjoy the Carnival experience and have never had any complaints with Carnival. We are hoping under the uncontrolled circumstances that were no fault of our own we are hoping that you will consider our request. We are already looking to plan another cruise with Carnival in the very near future and would appreciate a response or resolution to our circumstance as soon as possible, as we would like to use a credit from this cruise to book another cruise.

I booked a cruise for my family 6 June 2017 to sail on Carnival Magic 19 May 2018. Due to my military unit being mobilized for a year I had to cancel. I booked the cruise well in advance, paid for cancellation insurance and have cancelled prior to my last payment and well before non-refundable cutoff date. I am surprised that the cruise line will not refund the full deposit for military personnel under these situations.

My wife Christi and I were to cruise on the Elation, departing from Jacksonville FL on 27 January 2018 (booking#9JJ3N4~Stateroom M242~VIFP [protected]) with our friends Jerry and Mary Lou Igo. On Monday January 22nd, I was scheduled for an emergency Diagnostic Cardiac catheterization / Angiography at Mayo Clinic, for chest pain. I was hospitalized immediately after completion, based on results of the completed Angio. I was the first surgical case for Tuesday 23rd, for a quintuple by-pass (CABG) of my coronary arteries. I was hospitalized through Tuesday Jan 30th and sent home for 6. weeks of recuperation. Our friends went on the cruise as planned.
I would like to apply for either a refund of cruise or a credit to take a cruise at a later date. I have a verification letter from the Mayo Clinic surgeon stating the same.

We are booked for a cruise on July 3, 2018 with booking number 8XS98001 on the Legend and being an elderly couple not able to navigate fast and have learned of an incident where the crew threw punched at passengers and was wondering if the same crew would be on board on our sailing. Also I am trying to schedule FTF and hope a cancellation of other passengers might let this happen to be available.

Hi...We were supposed to be on the cruise Feb. 10th 2018, however had to cancel. We were supposed to be on the Elation ship. Our booking #:9VN7N7. On the 24th of January 2018 Kyle (Pete) took a fall down steps and had a compound fracture in his right leg. Had surgery in Lakeland, Fl. regional hospital. Dr. Ala Abuita was the surgeon. He has written a letter stating that Kyle(Pete) was not able to walk at all on his right leg and would be unable to go on the cruise. My wife has been on many cruises with carnival, and in fact Francis Kunz and Katheryn O'Malley were on the cruise ship on the 10th because of us. That was their 1st cruise. He had to fly home and has been in a re-hab center. This has put a financial burden on us. We would ask that you reconsider and refund us in full. The balance we would have coming is $538.50. I have attached the Dr.s letter. We will definitely be using your cruise line again in the future as soon as Kyle's health is back to normal.
Kyle Peter Glynn
5230 Supalla Ct. N.W. Rochester, Mn.
[protected]
[protected]@yahoo.com

I had booked a cruise and had to reschedule due to our daughters graduation. Normally graduation is at the end of May, this year it is May 11. My husband and I checked with our employer to see what other dates were available for vacation time, the first full week of November was the only time both of us could get vacation. I called to move our cruise date, however I was told I would lose my credit of $700. Our original sail date was May 6th - 10th 2018, we moved the date to November 4th - 8th.. We would have gone sooner but we were unable to get vacation time at the same time. Unsure of why I am losing my credit.

We just returned from our 7 day cruise on the Carnival Miracle.
My husband and I have been on probably at lease 15 cruises with Carnival
and this will possible be my last. Upon checking in to our suite it was very obvious the room was not very clean. Cookie crumbs on the dresser and floor and very dusty. Even after we complained to our cabin boy, was not cleaned until I called guess services. The frig or the TV did not work, and yes a new frig was installed 3 days later and TV repaired. Shower doors did not close all the way.
Both sets of closet doors would not close all the way so at night they kept
moving back and forth with the motion of the ship. I am a very light sleeper and sad to say I did not have not even 1 good night sleep. I paid big bucks to have a nice room with a balcony, and the balcony was very nasty.
I could have paid probably than 400.00 for a room but I booked a suite to have a little luxury that I did not get. And this is a very unattractive ship and food is not good all. I have never ever complained but I thought this merited a complaint. Oh I can not forget this, they gave us a cheap bottle of champagne for all of our trouble, that was not drinkable.
Thanks a lot for everything ! Travel date February 10-17
Delia and James Norris

I booked the new grand deck on the elation for 2-5-18 sail date. BIG mistake. The new rooms and decor were beautiful however almost impossible to get to. I spent a large portion of my trip just waiting on one elevator to get to deck 14. One was broken the whole trip and happened to be the same one that was broken on the sane ship a year earlier when we sailed. There is no other way to deck 14 other than stairs which I am unable to climb. Thats just the beginning. Carnival service has declined to the point that i would rather pay more on any other line. Our stateroom was never cleaned 2 out of 5 days, dirty dishes left, no soap all week ( used our own) had to beg to get ice etc. We were not able to use the dining room all week due to long lines! At least 30 minutes wait every night so we tried tge tiffany restaurant. Another big mistake. The food was not good. The salad bars stayed empty, and the once amazing desserts were frozen, sliced cakes leaving a lot to be desired. We settled for pizza that once again you had to wait a long time. The only good thing was the guys hamburgers but came with a long wait also. We bought a shore excursion to atlantis. Although beautiful, the experience was awful. We were cattle driven to buses, herded into them, dropped off with no idea what to do and left to figure it out. After waiting another 30 minutes at guest services to ask for help we we told to call customer service after we got home as there was nothing they could do! This was my 9th cruise and each time it has gone down hill. I will call tomorrow and see if carnival truly even cares.

I booked the new grand deck on the elation for 2-5-18 sail date. BIG mistake. The new rooms and decor were beautiful however almost impossible to get to. I spent a large portion of my trip just waiting on one elevator to get to deck 14. One was broken the whole trip and happened to be the same one that was broken on the sane ship a year earlier when we sailed. There is no other way to deck 14 other than stairs which I am unable to climb. Thats just the beginning. Carnival service has declined to the point that I would rather pay more on any other line. Our stateroom was never cleaned 2 out of 5 days, dirty dishes left, no soap all week (used our own) had to beg to get ice etc. We were not able to use the dining room all week due to long lines! At least 30 minutes wait every night so we tried tge tiffany restaurant. Another big mistake. The food was not good. The salad bars stayed empty, and the once amazing desserts were frozen, sliced cakes leaving a lot to be desired. We settled for pizza that once again you had to wait a long time. The only good thing was the guys hamburgers but came with a long wait also. We bought a shore excursion to atlantis. Although beautiful, the experience was awful. We were cattle driven to buses, herded into them, dropped off with no idea what to do and left to figure it out. After waiting another 30 minutes at guest services to ask for help we we told to call customer service after we got home as there was nothing they could do! This was my 9th cruise and each time it has gone down hill. I will call tomorrow and see if carnival truly even cares.

We booked a cruise for April on the Carnival Breeze. My husband and I paid for all 4 rooms booked up front and the other guests were to pay us back for booking. 2 of the guests in rm#9218 Bk#9VD3X6 moved out of state Feb. 2nd, and left me and my husband with the cruise not paid. I called Carnival and explained the situation, and told them I had someone else to take the place of these 2, and all I wanted was to replace them for the other 2 previously booked in this room. We were told we would have to cancel this booking and lose the 500 dollar deposit, and rebook for the 2 new guests, because this was an early saver booking. I was not told we had booked an early saver cruise, and no one at carnival explained this to me when I called to book this cruise. This situation was out of our control, and I feel like 500 is a little much to charge us when all I wanted to do was exchange 2 passengers names for 2 more in the same room. The least the could have done was given us 500 onboard credit, but nothing was offered, just I'm sorry but you lost 500. We have cruised with Carnival previously and wanted to continue with our family cruises, but my husband is very upset about this and says we will never book another carnival cruise again unless they can somehow resolve this .

Carnival Cruise Line and Effy Jewelry are holding thousands of dollars of my money hostage. Each claiming that the other has my money and that the process can take up to 6 months. I paid CASH on board.

I tried to return everything to Effy Jewelry while on board the Valor, however the salesperson told me that he cannot accept returns that it must be done once on land. Bear in mind that this was during the 24 hour period in which the shop made us wait to receive our receipts and appraisals. He provided the receipts to us immediately before closing on the final night of the cruise - imagine my surprise after opening the envelope in the stateroom when I see the back of the Effy Jewelry receipt says that returns must be done while on the same voyage.

Additionally, the blue diamond ring I purchased had to be sized, on board they assured me that Effy Jewelry would do it within 2 weeks. I contacted them the day I got home and was told that it will be 3 months for the ring to be sized. At that time, I asked for it to simply be returned, which they refused.

They accepted a return for the bracelet and the necklace purchased onboard the Valor, but REFUSED to accept a return for the ring purchased in the same transaction, despite the fact that the salesperson did not allow me to return while on board as he should have.

Effy has stated that they have received the two pieces they agreed to accept as a return. Effy has stated that they have processed the refund to Carnival.

Carnival Customer Care (I have called daily) has stated that they do not have the refund and cannot give me my money back until they receive the refund from Effy. Despite the fact that Effy has stated that they have the merchandise back!

Effy and Carnival have stated that it can take six months for this process to occur.

Why do these companies think it's OK to hold my money for 6 months?!?!?!

If it's a "guaranteed" shop on board a CARNIVAL SHIP, AND they have confirmed that they received the jewelry back, which EFFY Jewelry has done, then CarnivalCruise should refund their customer (me!) immediately, and pursue EFFYJewelry for the money.

Carnival has put me (and my money) in the middle of their payment drama. It's between EFFYJewelry and CarnivalCruise - why can't CarnivalCruise issue me a check for what I am owed and work it out with their vendor, EFFYJewelry separately?

I am supposed to board the Valor on February 15, and I would greatly appreciate it if someone could assist in ending my suffering with this before then. I currently have four cruises booked with Carnival and ten past cruises. I gamble way too much in the Casino for my own good, so Carnival has certainly made their money off of me and needs to make this right. The right thing to do would be for Effy to process a full refund on the ring they are in possession of (in a three month wait for sizing), the bracelet and the necklace already in their possession and for Carnival to write me a check, THEN Carnival can sort it out with Effy (the vendor they have chosen to sell "high end" jewelry on board to [censor] customers who fall for their sub-par product like me).

Thank you