Passenger Hit with $411 Phone Bill on Carnival Cruise After Daughter’s Call, No Refund

RACE DAY LIVE –

Cruise lines are usually very good at reminding passengers to put their phones into airplane mode as soon as they get on board.

After all, they don’t benefit from another company racking up charges from a paying passenger on their ship. They also would prefer that you paid for their internet packages and used the onboard Wi-Fi for outside communications.

Recently, a Carnival Cruise Line passenger’s hefty $411 phone bill has become a warning about onboard mobile phone charges.

John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, shared the story, highlighting the importance of understanding communication costs while cruising.

The passenger contacted Heald after receiving the bill from their cellular provider. The 17-year-old daughter racked up the charges while onboard Carnival Pride, making calls and using data for messaging.

Carnival, like many cruise lines, restricts Wi-Fi calling on its internet plans. The passenger claimed they weren’t warned about the potential costs and that neither Carnival nor their travel agent offered assistance.

They wrote to Heald saying the following:

“I just want to make people aware that Carnival will not warn you of these charges of MB of data used and of calling. One thing I do know is Carnival will not refund these charges because Carnival and my travel agent said there is nothing they will do,” and pleaded, “John, I hope you will show some compassion and help with at least 50% of these charges.”

Heald emphasized passenger awareness, writing back the following:

“Thank you, and I am sharing this for one reason, and that is to please be careful.”

He then countered the passenger’s claim about warnings:

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“The cruise directors always make announcements about putting your phones into airplane mode (don’t call me Shirley), and this will protect you from the charges this family now has. And while I would love to be able to help with the charges I am afraid I cannot do anything, I am very sorry.”

With his unique sense of humor, Heald commented on the daughter’s phone habits, expressing surprise that she made actual calls.

“I also have to mention that I was surprised some of the charges were from her daughter actually calling her boyfriend, as in talking on the phone… every parent will tell you the following two eye-phone facts are true. One, it is sodding well impossible to separate a teenager from their phone. Two, they will never answer the bloody phone if it rings. They can text, What is App, Snap and Tit Tok without a second thought but actually talking? Nope…” he shared.

The incident highlights the high cost of mobile roaming, especially for data and calls. Cruise ships offer internet packages, but they often have restrictions. Passengers are typically advised to use airplane mode to avoid these charges.

But with so many of these stories surfacing recently, perhaps there should be a “cruie mode” on phones as well.

The story has drawn about 2,000 comments, many unsympathetic.

One commenter shared, “Sounds like her teenager needs to get a job and pay her phone bill. It’s common knowledge that any phone usage outside your coverage area is roaming and very expensive.“

Another stood behind Carnival not owing the parent any refund for these charges, saying, “Carnival doesn’t owe you 50% of your bill. There are multiple notifications saying to keep your phone in airplane mode. How about you get your daughter a job and make HER pay you HER bill !

Now there’s a reasonable thought!”