As an extended family of 13, we had agreed to all participate in a celebratory cruise upon the return of a family member --- a U.S. Marine --- who had been honorably serving his country in Iraq. He has just recently returned and is now on a 30-day leave. With his return, all 13 of us have been greatly anticipating our upcoming May 24 – 31 Carnival cruise on their newest ship, the Splendor, departing from Long Beach. We had previously purchased our tickets for the 7-day cruise along the Mexican Riviera. For many of us, this was to be our second Carnival cruise.
Well, we have just been informed that Carnival has changed the May 24 – 31 itinerary, due to the flu situation. We understand the safety concern. However, we purchased our tickets to enjoy sunshine and warmth…and we are now being diverted to the cloudy and rainy northwest…Astoria, Victoria and Vancouver…not what we paid our money for!!! Of course we are also being given the other option of a cruise credit should we choose not to sail into the cold and rain on May 24…this future cruise credit won’t help us because our Marine hero’s leave ends in June. Thus the credit will not allow us to celebrate as we had promised our Marine. And, we either celebrate as an ENTIRE family or we don’t celebrate at all. So a future cruise is out. Incidentally, our Marine’s next deployment is Afghanistan…
We have attempted to reason with Carnival for a refund…and have been told no exceptions can be made to their “you have two options” policy. If we were able to get our money refunded, we could use that money to celebrate as a family with our Marine…perhaps by vacationing on the beach in San Diego. No exceptions, says Carnival. Well, Carnival, listen to this exception: you have lost our family’s entire future cruise business. Plus, guess how many times this experience will be retold? What’s that worth?
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