A Reddit user has shared the alarming story of how their cruise was almost cancelled last minute after making a basic payment error.
When it comes to holidays, cruises are becoming more and more popular options to the general public, which is perhaps no surprise when you consider all the benefits that are included with a life on board.
Some people are even considering switching to life at sea full-time, as it works out than renting a flat or house, which I'm sure is fantastic so long as you get used to the sea legs and can deal with the crushing fact that none of the staff will ever be able to have a relationship with you.
But for one Reddit user, a trip with Carnival Cruise Line was planned as the perfect anniversary trip, until a small error threw everything up into the air.
What happened to the Carnival cruise passenger?
Posting on the Royal Caribbean Reddit page, user Norie08 posted: "Hello everyone. I forget to pay my final balance on my Royal Caribbean. Finally, remember it while I'm at work. I'm planning to pay for it after work. But now I have received notice of cancellation of my cruise. Can I still beg them I'm going to pay? I keep calling them, but nobody answers. I'm so sad!"
While most of us are worried about forgetting our passports or making sure we have the right colour suitcase when we're going on holiday, remembering to pay seems like a far less common mistake, but things are very different when it comes to booking a cruise.
Did the Carnival cruise passenger manage to sort it out?
For those of you on the edge of your seat and worrying for the original poster, then I have some good news. After persevering, they managed to get hold of Carnival Cruise Line and were able to pay off the final amount.
However, the late payment did mean they lost some of the free things they were expecting to receive due to it being their anniversary.
They added: "Everyone. Thank you so much. I got it. I contacted them, and I paid my final balance and restored my reservation. I just lost my freebies for the anniversary!"
Carnival deposit and final payment rules to avoid the same stress
So, if you're keen to avoid making the same mistakes, there are some rules that you definitely need to follow when booking with Carnival Cruise Line.
Their website states that for cruises between two and five days, the final payment is required 76 days before you travel.
For cruises six days or longer, the payment is required 91 days before you depart, while deposits also increase with the duration of the trip, with an additional deposit required for those booking single occupancy rooms.
Those prices range from $100 per person to $800 total, so it's always worth making sure you do everything by the book when it comes to booking your dream cruise, otherwise it could end in a nightmare.