There’s an old saying that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. But cruiser Katrina General thinks ships going where they say they’re going to should be the third. And because the Carnival Victory wound up not visiting the ports on its original itinerary due to an unforeseen incident which may have cost a young man his life, she believes the line owes her more than they’re offering. But is she right?
What Went Wrong
You may recall that a week or so back, we reported on a woman who believed she and her husband deserved a refund because the ship on which she and her new husband were sailing was unable to tender at Grand Cayman island. As a result, she insisted that their entire honeymoon was ruined.
In this latest case, General was on the Carnival Victory when it sailed out of Miami bound for Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. But as reported by a Jacksonville news outlet, the trip was cut short after another passenger went overboard. As one would expect, the pleasure cruise was suspended as a search-and-rescue effort was mounted.
“The ship was on a four-day cruise that visited Key West as scheduled,” Carnival said in a statement. “However, because of the vessel’s involvement in search-and-rescue activities it was unable to make the scheduled visit to Cozumel.” As a result of the missed stop, Carnival offered a 20 percent discount on a future cruise.
General told News4Jax that she was “not expecting to get a full refund, but I am expecting to get something back, because I didn’t get what I paid for. Sure, it wasn’t their fault, but it wasn’t our fault either.”
The Bottom Line
The cruise contract every passenger agrees to before sailing states in no uncertain terms that the line can, at “their discretion and for any purpose, deviate in any direction or for any purpose from the direct or usual course, and omit or change any or all ports of call, arrival or departure times, with or without notice, for any reason whatsoever.” It adds that “Carnival shall have no liability for any refund or other damages in such circumstances.”
Perhaps more importantly, we can’t help feeling that General’s decision to complain to the media about the loss of a day in Mexico, when weighed against the loss of a human life, smacks of bad taste. Imagine being the loved ones of 23-year-old Brandon Paul, no doubt reeling from news that the search-and-rescue mission had been called off by the Coast Guard, and finding out that one of his fellow passengers was upset about the impact his tragic passing had on their vacation. Something tells us they would gladly pay General and her family the $3,000 they spent on the family vacation if it meant having Brandon back with them.
Does this cruiser deserve a refund?
6 Responses
can anyone tell me if they were on the ship the four days or did they miss a day. If they were on the ship 4 days and only missed a port then , NO, no refund other then port charges, but if they came back a day early and only were on ship 3 days , they should get 1/4 of cost of cruise but no other money, that is why you buy insurance.
If I were Carnival I’d give her a full refund…..on the condition that she promises never to sail with them again. What a selfish and sorry excuse of a human being.
We’ve been on a lot of cruises and missed about 4 ports of call because of rough seas and bad weather especially if it’s a tendered port. No big deal , better safe than sorry. Always something to do on board .
No, no refund. If anyone read the whole 27 page contract, ports, weather, emergencies can change the ships itenarary, Go with the flow when you travel. I knew a couple who ruined their whole cruise because one of the ports promised, was eliminated when they checked in. He got himself in such a state, he had to spend most of the cruise in the infirmary and in bed, while she took care of him. They were still ranting and raving yrs later, and looking to sue. So, instead of thinking, we’ll go there on another cruise, they wrecked this one for themselves.
The weather can’t be helped but unfortunately bartenders should cut off drunken customers and don’t. People don’t just fall off a ship, it takes enough alcohol to make them stupid. I’m not a fan of unlimitedly drinking, I have issues with over serving on ships and having to contend with drunken customers. I shouldnot have to have my vacation ruined by alcohol abuse. Give half her cash back, she missed half the trip. Don’t punish her for unlimitedly drink packages and stop selling such stupid stuff.
No…proof that very few people read their contracts in their e-documents that they may or may not print out…Also; if the newly married Mrs. General thinks this is a problem the first week of her marriage, she isn’t going to be married for very long!
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