I have received a huge disappointment today on 11/3/09 because for some reason e-solutions at carnival & the refund department had a gliche on my shore excursions cancelations on 10/21/09.  I Cruise in 26 days, and I am already disappointed in how Carnival handles refunds on shore excursions.  I am a first time cruiser with my husband and he and I are furious before sailing.  These excursions equal up to about $ 300 and yet to be refunded.  I spoke to an Angelica at e-solutions for Carnival and she said to call 800-845-2599 within 48 hrs for issue with refund.  I have called in the past 3 days and I would think a RED FLAG should have been issued by now on these refunds.  I will never pre-book a shore excursion again (I WILL BE ON THE BOAT BEFORE I EVER CRUISE AGAIN TO BOOK EXCURSIONS).  "VERY BAD COMMUNICATION IN THESE DEPARTMENTS, I THINK A UPGRADE IS NEEDED SINCE WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON A CRUISE"    

Its only been 8 working days since you cancelled.

How did you pay for the excursions?  Cash or credit card?   Either way, I am not sure if 8 days is really long enough to start getting concerned.  And you first call was three days ago, then you have allowed even fewer working days for them to processes the refund.

When I booked my cruise, I purchased pre-cruise transfers but I later booked a hotel that will take us to the dock for free. I cancelled my pre-cruise transfers without a problem via Carnival's website. It took about four weeks to show a refund to my credit card. I called Carnival 3 weeks in to inquire and she was able to tell me the date they requested the refund. It just took an extra week to actually show up on my CC. I would not hold it against them as I know it can take some time to go through the process. As far as an upgrade, I think you are asking a little much. But that is just my opinion.

I cancelled the Atlantic resort that I had made through carnival and we had our refund on our credit card within 4 days.

you're likely not giving it enough time... many times in the past when i've had to return something/cancel an excursion its taken 3-5 weeks to show up on my credit card... they take the money pretty quick, and it takes forever for them to give it back, but that is just the nature of the beast.  If you paid with cash, they should be a little bit faster I would think, but even then, it's still a process. Only three days is no time at all. Money is money and money is important but being unreasonable will only make you upset needlessly.  Just keep good records and if its not resolved in a few weeks then you call back with all your info (names, dates, times of who you talked to and what they said) and try and figure out what is going on with your refund.  I have some near and dear friends who work for a national companys' call center, and they expediate for the nice customers, people who are rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate, demanding (such as demanding an unwarranted upgrade) and so forth get the longer wait times.  It doesn't sound like you've 'earned' an upgrade unfortunately, yes cruises are expensive, but you haven't left yet, and decided for whatever reason to cancel an excusion and just because they're not moving fast enough to process a refund isn't really a good reason to try and get an upgrade.

Good Luck on elevating this to an upgrade.

You're expecting your refund much too early. Depending on the timing and the specific Credit Card Company, it will probably be several weeks.

Your alternative to booking early is the possibility of the excursion being soldout on ship and wasting time standing in line to book on ship.

I wouldn't mind if Carnioval followed Princes's lead and waited to bill excursions to your onboard account - altho that makes for some hefty S&S balances at cruise's end.

 

ken

you have to allow for weekends. any refund requested goes into effect, then goes through the motions ie: paided by credit card, they submit it through their credit card company the refund then your bank will issue you the refund. ANY refund through ANY company takes time. They generally will tell you X amount of days. Wait a few days, like you said its been 3 days, then call up again, and pleasantly ask, i've requested a refund on a shore excursion i've cancelled and i would like to know the statis on it. You get further with being nice first. and then if after a couple weeks, i would then start getting a bit annoyed with them.

i've booked my exursions before ive cruised, but i didn't need to cancel so i cant help you from a personal experience, but i preferr to book online as i know i've got my excursion, plus if its cancelled i know i'll get my money back verses a private company.

wish you luck.

Even if you do get charged for the excursion because of an online software glitch [it happens], you have 24 hours before the excursion to cancel with full refund, so you can get your money back on the boat.  And most times, they'll let you cancel up to the night before -- effectively 12 hours.

 

This isn't a crisis, it's not the end of the world -- doesn't even qualify as a speedbump on the road to the end of the world.  Deep breath.  Chill.