"Vacation Guarantee"?
 

Thinking of going on a four day Carnival Cruise on Fastasy to Bahamas. Cruise critic reviews appear mixed. I did notice a "vacation guarantee" reference in the editorial section regarding guests who might be displeased with the Carnival experience. It promises guests may disembark at first non-US port, receive a pro-rated refund and receive a flight back to home port. Has anyone ever heard of or had to use this "guarantee"? Has anyone had recent experience on Fantasy? We have sailed HAL and are apprehensive about Carnival.

jm......You will be sadly disappointed in Carnival ,having already sailed with HAL.Especially the 4 day cruise.It will likely be full of incentive groups,prize winners in their corporate world.Too often these "winners" fell like they can let go of all their inhibitions on their "prize cruise".In a word: DONT!!

BeachBoi - Thanks. Is the duration of cruise a concern or the cruise line? Might I have more luck on a short RCCL cruise?

jm...Well, I am no expert.But in my experience the shorter cruises are perfect for these incentive groups.They dont have to take that much time off the job.And usually, or historically, they have been priced so as to entice the various sources for the groups to book with them.So, it's not so much the cruise line, but the length of the cruise.Personally, I would not do less than 7 days.If you take anything shorter, usually you are just beginning to aclimatize yourself and away you go back to the real world, so to speak.Let me address your other question: I have not ever spoken to anyone who took advantage of the guarantee.

I've been on two Carnival (Jubilee, Sensation) and two RCCL (Sovereign, Enchantment) short cruises and they are exactly what beachboi says, with the exception of the Enchantment which is refurbished and a lot nicer than any of Carnival's ships doing the same thing. "Incentive" winners...now, this isn't a joke. We had one at our table who worked in an auto parts store. He wore his company tshirt on formal night, I kid you not. There were more tattoos on women than men. The drinking, especially around the pool, was out of control and the smoke was really an issue. Don't do it.

Thanks - I think we will wait until October when HAL is in the Carribean and take a full 7 days. It would seem "you get what you pay for" might be applicable in this case. I appreciate the feedback.

We too the Carnival Glory and loved it so much we then too the Carnival Legend and we have over 90 days on HAL.

The best time to enjoy Carnival (for us) is during the times of the year that people are at work and/or school. So the winter months and fall are best for a more adult atmosphere -

And we always go for 7 days or more. We do like Carnival and HAL. and the balcony cabins are very reasonable on Carnival.

Hi jerseymaxx:

I'm afraid you got a reaction to Carnival in general and no-one answered your original question. While I have some concerns about Carnival as well, I think you deserve an answer to your question.

The Vacation Guarantee sounds good on the surface, but when you think about it, it's not all that valuable.

Since they will only send you back to the port you started at, and not on the date you were planning to fly back from that port, you then are stuck at that port until your original flight leaves, or, faced with finding another way home at your expense.

So, you'll either have to pay hotel expenses until your original flight leaves or, pay for an earlier flight back. Either way, that is out of your pocket.

Carnival cruises are popular as inexpensive cruises and they have a huge number of passengers and returning passengers. So long as you understand what you're getting, they can be a good way to cruise. As you'll see on this board an others, there are people who love them, people who don't, and thousands who use them either way.

Hope you enjoy whatever cruise you decide on. :)