Carnival cruise passengers demand refunds over last-second itinerary change

Footage has gone viral of passengers on-board a Carnival cruise ship chanting “give us our money” as they demand refunds.

Mayhem broke out aboard a Carnival cruise when enraged passengers were told they wouldn’t be voyaging to the expected Caribbean getaway because of an engine problem.

Guests aboard Carnival’s Vista had booked the eight-night Southern Caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida on August 10 intending to stop in Aruba, Curacao and Turks and Cacaos.

However, as boarding took place with some passengers were already on the ship, the cruise line sent a notification detailing the change in plans.

Carnival crew members had discovered a “technical issue affecting the ship’s cruising speed” which forced the cruise line to alter the itinerary, the cruise line told the New York Post.

The Vista would instead travel to the Bahamas, making stops at Nassau, Princess Cays, Freeport, and Half Moon Cay, according toInside Edition.

Mayhem broke out aboard a Carnival cruise when enraged vacationers were told they wouldn’t be voyaging to the expected Caribbean getaway because of an engine problem. Picture: Instagram/onlyinfloridaa

Some passengers were not thrilled with the last-minute change and began chanting for refunds as cruise staff attempted to explain the situation.

“Give us our money,” several guests aboard the ship shouted, according to Instagram user Only In Florida on August 28.

One man claimed he spent $US6000 ($A9000) just to get on the cruise.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the way you’re going about this with the noise and chaos isn’t going to solve any issues,” one cruise employee explained to the passengers, according to video obtained by Inside Edition.

Some passengers were not thrilled with the last-minute change and began chanting for refunds as cruise staff attempted to explain the situation. Picture: Instagram/onlyinfloridaa

An eight-day cruise aboard the Vista averages $US779 ($A11700 per person.

The passengers were given several choices once the cruise line determined the need for an itinerary change.

“We communicated directly with guests on board regarding their options for the sailing,” Carnival said.

“Those that sailed were given an on-board credit as well as a future cruise credit toward another cruise to make up for the unexpected change, and those who preferred not to sail were offered a 100 per cent refund.”

Passengers were given several choices once the cruise line determined the need for an itinerary change with them either remaining on the ship or not. Picture: Instagram/onlyinfloridaa

Even with the choice of not cruising to the Bahamas, passengers were still frustrated with Carnival for the last-minute announcement.

“They knew about the problem prior to us getting onto the ship,” Ashley Ball told the outlet. “They just didn’t say that until we were already on the ship, and, you know, went through customs and the lines and securities and all that, and then decided to display that information.”

The Vista which has since been on several voyages since the August 10 departure has reportedly had its September 7 departure from Port Canaveral cancelled, Inside Edition reported.

In June, a Brooklyn family was left watching their cruise sail off as they stood on the docks of Port Canaveral because of a delayed flight out of John F. Kennedy Airport.

Tisha LaSaine says she had been working hard at her post office job to save up the $US8500 ($A12,700) needed to take her mother, twins and oldest son on an eight-day cruise on June 30.

The trip was meant to serve as a celebration for LaSaine’s 50th birthday and for her son who would be starting his junior year in college, but after a “crew issue” caused their Delta flight to be delayed for nearly two hours, they missed boarding their cruise.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission