The following is the response I received from Carnival as of May 10,2007:

"Thank you for contacting us regarding our previous response to you.  Our orginial response was a sincere effort to address the issues brought to our attention and not to trivialize or disregard your experience.  Please accept our sincere apologies if any actions on our part were perceived as inappropriate. 

While Carnival Cruise lines offers many promotions, some of which may include onboard credits, the $200 total onbard credit extended by our Guest Relations Department would be applied in addition to any other promotion availabale at the time of booking.  We apologize for any misunderstanding in this regard. 

It is always discouraging for us to learn that our guests have returned home disappointed.  We hope you will give us an opportunit to welcome you back.  I am sure your next cruise with us will exceed your expectations." *

Supervisor, Guest Relations*

Office of the President*

 I am sorry but an onboard credit does nothing for me.  It certainly does not put monies in my pocket for a $300.00 plus bag, I have to replace.  This also does not address the other items that were damaged in this bag.  I must spend monies for a cruise before I receive any monetary consideration.  Yes, my trip insurance did cover my entire loss.  Again I state, why should an insurance company have to pay for damage that was the fault of Carnival Cruise Lines.  If this type of damage continues, everyone is aware of what will happen to luggage coverage on travel insurance.  It is now very limited in dollar amount in relationship to what might be in a bag. 

I have already cancelled a cruise on Carnival.  I already know they do not care.  I am hopeful that all of this will help future travelers. 

*reproduced from orginal letter

Why I agree that having your luggage damaged is quite upsetting. Accidents do happen otherwise you wouldn’t need travel insurance. From my dealings with another cruise line RCC I’m surprised you even got a response let alone a credit. If I had just received a sorry from RCC I might have considered giving them another try.     

I do not make an issue unless I know who is at fault.  Carnival was at fault!  I was taught, if you did it take the responsibility.  They must have a lot of problems or damage or otherwise they would be happy to come to the plate.

Alex:

Yes, my trip insurance did cover my entire loss.

Then ... what's the problem?  Isn't that the reason insurance is there?

Alex:

Again I state, why should an insurance company have to pay for damage that was the fault of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Whether you stated it before or not, the reason insurance companies have to cover these kinds of things is because that's what they're for.

It'd be your insurance company or theirs.  And unless you want to spend $40,000 to prove $400 worth of Carnival negligence and get their insurance company to pay what your insurance company already paid [and what they are apparently fine with paying], then call it a day and stop feeding the ulcer.

As was stated: things happen.  In order to get the luggage for 2,000 - 3,000 people from the dock to the stateroom and not employ 1,000 people to do it, they use machines.  Machines can get stuck and jammed and shred whatever's in them.  That isn't necessary "fault".  And if you think it is, then you've got a weird and not legally supportible notion of it.

Sympathy for having luggage problems.  You're understandably annoyed.  You're taking your understandable annoyance and multiplying it by unreasonable expectation.  Stop while you're ahead.