"John Sisker" wrote
>Likewise, if you are flying in from outside this general area, we always
>recommend using the air arranged through the cruise lines themselves. In
>most cases, the prices are the same, if not lower, and all related
>connections and transfers to and from the ship are included. And one of the
>most comforting and secure things about airfare arranged through the cruise
>line, is they will hold up the ship if the airline is late. In other words,
>they will make sure you get on-board.
Absolutely, totally and positively wrong. There are some travel agents who
continue to perpetuate this "urban legend" and they are totally wrong. Here
is the language from the Carnival Brochure:
"...or the air travel we arrange is unavailable or otherwise fails to
materialize, our liability will be limited to refunding the air add-on
amount paid to us. We assume no liability for any acts of omissions of any
airline, including, without limitation, those involving cancellation of
flights, schedule changes, reroutings, damage to or delay or loss of
baggage, flight delays, equipment failures, accidents, pilot or other staff
shortages, overbooking or computer errors. The liabilities and obligations
of an airline to you, and your rights as an airline passenger are subject to
any and all terms and conditions of the airline's ticket and tariffs."
Translation... "We just helped you buy your ticket... it is the airline's
job to get you there and if they don't, it isn't our fault and it is up to
them to make it right."
NOWHERE, ANYWHERE does Carnival or any other cruise line tell you that if
you buy your air tickets from them, they will "hold the ship" and wait for
you.
Carnival and other cruise lines DO have an emergency phone number you can
call if your plane is late and you might miss the ship (it is in your
document packet). They WILL contact the airline for you and try to help get
you re-scheduled so you can catch up with the ship and they will try to get
the airline to put you up for the night if necessary (and if the airline is
liable). For the complete scoop, look at
http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templates/EMB_travel_hotline.aspx
Basically, if your plane is late, it is up to the airline to get you where
you are going. The cruise lines will help, but they do NOT take any
responsibility for getting you to the ship and they NEVER promise to hold
the ship in port in case your plane is late.
In practice, sometimes a ship is held in port when passengers are arriving
late, but that is becoming more and more infrequent. The cruise lines do
not like paying a full compliment of shore personnel overtime to hang around
for a couple of hours waiting for late passengers.
--
George Leppla http://www.countryside-travel.com
Cruise Specials BLOG http://www.countryside-travel.com/3834677_6105.htm
October 29, 2006 - SLEAZY 4! http://cruisemaster.com/sleazy4.htm
February 10, 2007 - Valentine's Group - http://cruisemaster.com/grandeur.htm
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