Just wondering what alternative arrangements people are making. So Sorry for you all.
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Carnival Cruise Lines has chartered the Sensation, Holiday, and Ecstasy* to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As a result, we have cancelled:
All Sensation departures from September 5, 2005 through and including March 2, 2006
All Holiday departures from September 8, 2005 through March 4, 2006
All Elation departures from September 11, 2005 through February 26, 2006.
*PLEASE NOTE: Elation will be taking over Ecstasy's sailings between September 10, 2005 through March 2, 2006.
Ecstasy's September 5, 2005 sailing has been cancelled.
The Carnival Conquest cruises departing September 11, 2005 and beyond will now operate roundtrip from Galveston, Texas.
Please call 1-800-CARNIVAL for further information or visit this page shortly for more details.
Just wondering what alternative arrangements people are making. So Sorry for you all.
*********
Carnival Cruise Lines has chartered the Sensation, Holiday, and Ecstasy* to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As a result, we have cancelled:
All Sensation departures from September 5, 2005 through and including March 2, 2006
All Holiday departures from September 8, 2005 through March 4, 2006
All Elation departures from September 11, 2005 through February 26, 2006.
*PLEASE NOTE: Elation will be taking over Ecstasy's sailings between September 10, 2005 through March 2, 2006.
Ecstasy's September 5, 2005 sailing has been cancelled.
The Carnival Conquest cruises departing September 11, 2005 and beyond will now operate roundtrip from Galveston, Texas.
Please call 1-800-CARNIVAL for further information or visit this page shortly for more details.
Get a lawyer. 4 - 6 weeks to process refunds is ridiculous. You simply write a little program, extract data, and transmit a file to the credit card clearing houses. 8 hours is all it takes. What CCL is doing is pure extotion.
Extortion? Tens of thousands of people are suffering at the hands of an unprecidented diaster. This is not a situation ever faced by any company in our country, including Carnival.
When was the last time a cruise line in the most prosperous country in the world faced a decision of handing over 3 of its ships to serve as shelter for those in need?
This is a selfless, noble gesture on the part of Carnival. I am touched by their generosity and am more proud than ever to be a loyal passenger.
Yes, those affected have been inconvenienced, but their process of waiting for refunds is nothing compared to what the Gulf Coast and it's residents are going through.
I lost a cruise reservation because of 9/11 and instead of tying up lawyers who could be helping victims, I waited and, yes, eventually got my money back (part of which I decided to give to charities) and took a shorter cruise several months later. Gladly.
This is not a selfless, noble gesture on the part of Carnival. Thus far they have declined to confirm, but they are reportedly being paid $200 million by the US Government (read you and I the taxpayers) to lease three ships for six months. Plus, the government will pay to refurbish these three ships when the lease is complete.
We were offered a full refund (in 4 to 6 weeks), plus a $100 shipboard credit for a future cruise (probably has a true cost of about $25 to CCL considering it will most likely be spent in casinos, for overpriced drinks, and in gift shops where merchandise is marked up 150% over cost) provided it is used by December 31.
This is not charity on CCL's part, although it will be marketed that way. It is pure greed, pork barrel politics, taxpayer ripoff, etc. Turning a cruise ship into Section 8 housing is a slap in the face of every customer who has ever paid full price for a cruise.
Further, the sheer logistics of using cruise boats for housing for evacuees and aid workers makes no sense. Most ports are a good distance, and poorly accessible, from where people work normally work and live, and will be required for relief efforts. FEMA has not thought this out. They are panicing in the face of their horrible performance thus far and are now just throwing money at sensational and hair brained schemes that will play well in the press.
CCL saw the money and grabbed. I do not agree with their decision, and feel it is very short sighted. However, I understand it was very tempting.
What I am most disappointed in is CCL's treatment of its customers. The 4 to 6 weeks to process refunds is inexcusable in this day of technology and electronic banking. A $100 ship board credit is a slap in the face, and hearing people are having to pay more to rebook on other cruises with CCL is an insult.
In my opinion, CCL will pay a long term price for this decision, and it will be a very high price.
Let's just say I hope I never find myself at sea with you and your "glass is half empty attitude". Set it aside for a minute and show some compassion.
When I lost my cruise because of 9/11, my credit card company and travel agent took care of it for me and within 4 weeks, I had my money and a new reservation. This is the lesson learned to purchase travel insurance. It really does make a difference.
While it is frustrating and an inconvenience, the refunds will come. They have a lot to deal with right now at Carnival. Don't think they are excited about this loss of revenue.
I think you need to turn off your computer for a few minutes and turn on CNN. You need to see what people are going through rather than blasting those trying to help.
We are following the news on CNN several times a day.
It was really the time, to begin with some good solutions to help these poor people.
This is America and not South-East-Asia after the Tsunami. But some pictures on tv let you think, that here is the same situation.
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