We received a 2 for 1 cruise certificate for a Carnival Cruise from a car dealership when we purchased a vehicle.
One will assume that the dealership would have paid Odenza for these certificates. Probably a couple of hundred dollars each. The fee would be minimal for the dealership and Odenza would count on not everyone redeeming their certificates since there is still airfare and hotel to consider when taking one of these cruises.
When I called to inquire about some of the cruises, I was told that they would get back to me with some information about some cruises that may fit my request. Several options were sent to me via very short emails with very little information.
We did pick a cruise however, later found a better itinerary. I called to see if we could change to that one and was told that for the same money we could go from a balcony to an inside cabin and a balcony for approx $795 more. I told Tara that I would speak to my husband. That was Friday.
On Monday, I left voice mail since it is next to impossible to ever reach the person you want to talk to. The call was returned on Tuesday. There was much clicking of the calculator and humming and hawing and checking to be done at this point. Now the bad news, it will cost an additional $392.40 for an outside cabin and $852.40 for a balcony cabin. Apparently the prices went up signifacantly over the weekend.
When I called Carnival directly, guess what??? I could book it for exactly the same price that Odenza could do it for.
The big problem now, since I had already paid the $1471.82 US and had to pay exchange, I am forced to pay the now reduced rate of $326.40 US so for the cruise we want, which is $70 less than the full fare that I could pay to Carnival with cancellation privledges (I could have some cancellation privledges with Odenza for a fee) and I could keep my money until September instead of it being paid right now!
Since we have already used our airmiles for the flight, paid with points for the hotel and train, purchased Disneyworld tickets etc., we will be going on this cruise in December through Odenza however, I would certainly advise anyone asking to really research and go directly with the cruiseline making sure that you can pay a reduced rate should prices go down. Normally once you have paid your deposit you can change anything without penalty until your final payment is due, which is typically 90 days before sailing.
I was very dissatisfied with this whole situation.
Brenda
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada
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