THIS IS A SCAM SCAM SCAMThis has been the most expensive mistake I have ever madeI am so frustrated with myself, because I cannot believe I of all people got hooked into a "free cruise" promotion scamThis 'free' vacation to the Bahamas is ending up costing me $They make it all sound so great, for example, this is the package that I ended up paying for: "Your spectacular vacation itinerary includes:
YOUR NIGHT CRUISE:
Night Cruise for two aboard the Grand Celebration to Grand Bahama Island, with all your meals, entertainment and activities included onboard
$in Casino Match Play valid aboard ship in the Par-A-Dice Casino
AND YOUR CHOICE OF FLORIDA DESTINATIONS:
Days & Nights resort accommodations in sun-kissed Fort Lauderdale, FLwith complimentary buffet dining for adults(meals per day per person)
OR
Days & Nights resort accommodations in magical Orlando, FLwith complimentary buffet dining for adults(meals per day per person)
AND YOUR CHOICE OF:
Days transportation by Alamo or Budget Rent-A-Car while in Florida with unlimited mileage during your vacation
OR
$gas reimbursement."
Too good to be true? IT IS!
WHAT THIS ACTUALLY ENDED UP MEANING:
- First, I'v waited a total of hrs on hold to talk to customer service
- They claim that the ship is the finest in the port of palm beach, but think your worst Carnival Cruise linerCheap Cheap CheapIn fact its actually a refurbished freighter
-"all meals" onboard: Only at select dining areasOnly includes water, and coffee for drinks
-"Days & Nights resort accommodations": Remember, you already paid for this, but guess what, theres an additional $per person per day 'Hotel Resort Fee' to be paid on arrival, PLUS hotel taxes and surchargesThere are additional fees if you chose the package where you stay in their hotel in the Bahamas as well
-"Days transportation" or "$gas reimbursement": You also though this was already cover because, well, thats what they told you you were getting!! But noIf you chose the day transportation (this is from the trip package letter they sent me) "please plan on a total estimated cost of $to cover the following expenses: Rental car facility charge, Concession recoupment fee, Florida Surcharge, Tire/Battery fee, Vehicle License fee, State tax, and if you are 21-there is an additional fee of $per dayALSO you can expect to pay a $deposit for the carIf you go trough all this, where do you park the car while you are at sea? You can either drop it off "at the nearest airport" and take a taxi to the ship, or you can park the car at the pier for $per dayI didn't have experience with trying to get the $gas reimbursement, but I know you have to save all your receipts and go through another process
-While on board: You will have to pay an additional gratuity "service charge" of $per person per day (pretty standard for cruises, but still, another cost they didn't tell you about upfront)You will be charged 15% automatic gratuity for anything you buy on board or service you partake inThis charge is one of my favorites: "Fuel Surcharges"This is their exact words "in the event that the price of oil is greater than $40" you will be charged $per person per day....OIL HAS NOT BEEN BELOW $IN SINCE 2003!
All this roughy calculates to a added of costs at least $assuming you drink water the entire time and don't buy any products or services on board
Feeling like canceling? You can, but you pay hefty fees (I paid $to cancel), and guess what, its all non-refundableTheir is a Florida state law that you can cite to get your money back, but it as to be within days of paymentsee here: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_St...⇄ />
I hope this help anyone considering this cruise and or its promotions, pretty much anything under the "Grand Celebration" ship, "Grand Bahamas Cruises" or "Holiday Cruise Line"Its all horrible
This "Free Cruise" ended up costing me $528, if I went through its all I would have paid at least $829, not including flightsFor that price I could have booked a 7-day cruise on a decent cruise line
Please please do not make the same mistake
My friend and I were supposed to cruise in November of this year, due to the unforeseen crash of their ship it has been cancelled!!!! They have failed to notify us of any kind of compensation or apology of cancelling the cruise. We have lost several hundred dollars on booking this vacation and it seems to us that we should of at least had a response of their planned actions. Disgusted in NJ!!!!
THIS IS A SCAM SCAM SCAMThis has been the most expensive mistake I have ever madeI am so frustrated with myself, because I cannot believe I of all people got hooked into a "free cruise" promotion scamThis 'free' vacation to the Bahamas is ending up costing me $They make it all sound so great, for example, this is the package that I ended up paying for: "Your spectacular vacation itinerary includes:
YOUR NIGHT CRUISE:
Night Cruise for two aboard the Grand Celebration to Grand Bahama Island, with all your meals, entertainment and activities included onboard
$in Casino Match Play valid aboard ship in the Par-A-Dice Casino
AND YOUR CHOICE OF FLORIDA DESTINATIONS:
Days & Nights resort accommodations in sun-kissed Fort Lauderdale, FLwith complimentary buffet dining for adults(meals per day per person)
OR
Days & Nights resort accommodations in magical Orlando, FLwith complimentary buffet dining for adults(meals per day per person)
AND YOUR CHOICE OF:
Days transportation by Alamo or Budget Rent-A-Car while in Florida with unlimited mileage during your vacation
OR
$gas reimbursement."
Too good to be true? IT IS!
WHAT THIS ACTUALLY ENDED UP MEANING:
- First, I'v waited a total of hrs on hold to talk to customer service
- They claim that the ship is the finest in the port of palm beach, but think your worst Carnival Cruise linerCheap Cheap CheapIn fact its actually a refurbished freighter
-"all meals" onboard: Only at select dining areasOnly includes water, and coffee for drinks
-"Days & Nights resort accommodations": Remember, you already paid for this, but guess what, theres an additional $per person per day 'Hotel Resort Fee' to be paid on arrival, PLUS hotel taxes and surchargesThere are additional fees if you chose the package where you stay in their hotel in the Bahamas as well
-"Days transportation" or "$gas reimbursement": You also though this was already cover because, well, thats what they told you you were getting!! But noIf you chose the day transportation (this is from the trip package letter they sent me) "please plan on a total estimated cost of $to cover the following expenses: Rental car facility charge, Concession recoupment fee, Florida Surcharge, Tire/Battery fee, Vehicle License fee, State tax, and if you are 21-there is an additional fee of $per dayALSO you can expect to pay a $deposit for the carIf you go trough all this, where do you park the car while you are at sea? You can either drop it off "at the nearest airport" and take a taxi to the ship, or you can park the car at the pier for $per dayI didn't have experience with trying to get the $gas reimbursement, but I know you have to save all your receipts and go through another process
-While on board: You will have to pay an additional gratuity "service charge" of $per person per day (pretty standard for cruises, but still, another cost they didn't tell you about upfront)You will be charged 15% automatic gratuity for anything you buy on board or service you partake inThis charge is one of my favorites: "Fuel Surcharges"This is their exact words "in the event that the price of oil is greater than $40" you will be charged $per person per day....OIL HAS NOT BEEN BELOW $IN SINCE 2003!
All this roughy calculates to a added of costs at least $assuming you drink water the entire time and don't buy any products or services on board
Feeling like canceling? You can, but you pay hefty fees (I paid $to cancel), and guess what, its all non-refundableTheir is a Florida state law that you can cite to get your money back, but it as to be within days of paymentsee here: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_St...⇄ /> I hope this help anyone considering this cruise and or its promotions, pretty much anything under the "Grand Celebration" ship, "Grand Bahamas Cruises" or "Holiday Cruise Line"Its all horrible
This "Free Cruise" ended up costing me $528, if I went through its all I would have paid at least $829, not including flightsFor that price I could have booked a 7-day cruise on a decent cruise line
Please please do not make the same mistake
It was the worst vacation experience of my life. My fiancée and I were deported in the middle of the cruise on St. Kitts islend for apparently "using inappropriate language" with on the the passengers, who was german and did not even speak english. The crew members were very unpleasant and almost hostile. We were not explained out dining arrangements and learned hard way that we were not allowed in certain restaurants or places even by offering to pay extra money. Food was plain and tasteless, shows were non-existent (improvisation of ABBA 5 days on the row(!), customer service was useless and simply unprofessional. It was my 5th cruise and by far the worst experience on the ship. I do not recommend this cruise line to anyone and will never step my foot on one of their ships again!
My friend and I were supposed to cruise in November of this year, due to the unforeseen crash of their ship it has been cancelled!!!! They have failed to notify us of any kind of compensation or apology of cancelling the cruise. We have lost several hundred dollars on booking this vacation and it seems to us that we should of at least had a response of their planned actions. Disgusted in NJ!!!!