Bad Reviews

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Seems like Carnival has had a rash of bad reviews lately. What up with that?

[Princesskiki]

I agree! There have been a lot of them lately!

 

I, for one, am still excited :-)

[Katoo]

Personally, I think there are just as many good reviews, but bad reviews get more attention and get bounced up a lot more.

[firefly333]

Its hurricane season and people who dont know what to expect and havent thought out what might go wrong, are blaming Carnival for missing ports.

 

This happens in the winter, when people get snowed in and expect refunds from Carnival.

[glrounds]

I think its because of the economy and all the cruiselines fighting it with numerous cutbacks. I personally think Carnival has gone downhill in the last few years with their entertainment, food and service, and drink pricing. I'm still hanging with Carnival, in fact, in the process of booking the MIRACLE for my son, his girlfriend and 5 more of us for December.

[baseballmom2]

I was noticing the same thing! Oh well, I guess I will just have to find out for myself!!! ;) There are always going to be people who look for something to complain about unfortunately.

[FireMonkey]

I wonder if the recent bashings have to do with the tragedy on the Splendor last week involving a crew member and missing most of the day at Puerto Vallarta? Not like it's CCL's fault, but I did hear there were people demanding refunds...idiots.

[Princesskiki]

I truly think that the only way I'd demand a refund would be if they ran out off food lol

[CupKayke]

I just read several of the "bad" reviews ~ it seemed like the majority of the complaints were completely ridiculous ~ probably coming from people who wouldn't have been happy if every day was perfect weather and everyone smiled at them from the morning 'til night. One complaint was someone's very first post on here, ever ~ and I don't buy those. Some people do not live in reality, do not plan, etc. Some people cannot be pleased.

 

A couple of the smaller complaints did seem legitimate but nothing I would stop cruising over.

[nothomeonacruise]

Yes, it's hurricane season. They miss ports.. the water is rough..etc..

[golfadj]

We have been on three cruises this year and three excellent vacations.

 

People have been complaining about the dumbest things.

 

Cruised earlier this month and ran into worst weather ever on our cruises and missed a port. Is this the fault of Carnival?

[MrPete]

Why? This happens every hurricane season.

 

Passengers seem to think bports are guaranteed.

[Chris64]

I think its because of the economy and all the cruiselines fighting it with numerous cutbacks. I personally think Carnival has gone downhill in the last few years with their entertainment, food and service, and drink pricing. I'm still hanging with Carnival, in fact, in the process of booking the MIRACLE for my son, his girlfriend and 5 more of us for December.

 

At least someone isn't afraid to put the pom poms down, and tell it like it is.

I too have cruised Carnival exclusively and am in the process of planning another family cruise. But if all the "up charges" and cut backs continue, I wonder how many more before we return to AI's.

[HarleyGirl]

Okay guys, here's my opinion of the cruise I got off of yesterday, which was the 10/14/10 Elation from Mobile. I would not say it's all bad. Let me start by saying that this was my 9th Carnival cruise and I loved them all including this one. BUT! A couple of aspects of this particular cruise made me pretty irritated by the time we get off yesterday. I'm not a "cruise snob" by any stretch of the imagination and please understand that these things will not cause me not to cruise Carnival again. I'm very easy to please. I will do it over and over for the rest of my life probably! LOL I just feel this one thing is a major thing to complain about and perhaps some of you would disagree, but it's just my opinion and after nine cruises I think I have some right to complain if I want! I would've gone to the customer service department if we had not been fixing to get off the ship right at that moment. I didn't have time. I have not decided if I want to report it or not. I will probably just let it go. I don't know yet.

 

First of all, I loved the Elation and it was very clean and shiny all over, more than the other three Carnival ships I've cruised on. I had the typical minor complaint that one has after nine cruises with one cruise line such as the stuff in the gift shops is all the same and the food never changes. But that's to be expected. What I didn't expect, however, was what happened yesterday morning! We were self-assist and were to wait in our cabin for our deck to be called before getting off the boat. Well, they hadn't even started making intercom announcements yet so our door was still closed and locked to the cabin. TWICE, our cabin steward unlocked and opened our cabin door while we were in there without knocking!!! I get it that he has 50 cabins to clean before the next cruise group boards. I get that. But you cannot just go barging into someone's cabin, not once, but TWICE, without knocking!!! That was highly unprofessional and uncalled for. I was amazed that it happened the first time but when it happened 10 minutes later I was downright livid and ran out to catch him but he'd run down the hall I guess.

 

Like I said, this would not preclude me from going on another Carnival cruise because I'm just as addicted as the next cruiser, but gosh, is it just me or was this not totally ridiculous? You don't expect your privacy to be invaded like that. You hear of some scary stories happening to passengers at times and my heart just sank when I saw this man barge into my room. It scared me pretty bad. I know incidences like this are probably pretty few and far between. I just felt like venting about it since I just got off the cruise yesterday and I'm still annoyed by it.

[firefly333]

Why? This happens every hurricane season.

 

Passengers seem to think ports are guaranteed.

 

Thats the impression I got from pax on my cruise and reading here.

[chasinraynbowz]

Okay guys, here's my opinion of the cruise I got off of yesterday, which was the 10/14/10 Elation from Mobile. I would not say it's all bad. Let me start by saying that this was my 9th Carnival cruise and I loved them all including this one. BUT! A couple of aspects of this particular cruise made me pretty irritated by the time we get off yesterday. I'm not a "cruise snob" by any stretch of the imagination and please understand that these things will not cause me not to cruise Carnival again. I'm very easy to please. I will do it over and over for the rest of my life probably! LOL I just feel this one thing is a major thing to complain about and perhaps some of you would disagree, but it's just my opinion and after nine cruises I think I have some right to complain if I want! I would've gone to the customer service department if we had not been fixing to get off the ship right at that moment. I didn't have time. I have not decided if I want to report it or not. I will probably just let it go. I don't know yet.

 

First of all, I loved the Elation and it was very clean and shiny all over, more than the other three Carnival ships I've cruised on. I had the typical minor complaint that one has after nine cruises with one cruise line such as the stuff in the gift shops is all the same and the food never changes. But that's to be expected. What I didn't expect, however, was what happened yesterday morning! We were self-assist and were to wait in our cabin for our deck to be called before getting off the boat. Well, they hadn't even started making intercom announcements yet so our door was still closed and locked to the cabin. TWICE, our cabin steward unlocked and opened our cabin door while we were in there without knocking!!! I get it that he has 50 cabins to clean before the next cruise group boards. I get that. But you cannot just go barging into someone's cabin, not once, but TWICE, without knocking!!! That was highly unprofessional and uncalled for. I was amazed that it happened the first time but when it happened 10 minutes later I was downright livid and ran out to catch him but he'd run down the hall I guess.

 

Like I said, this would not preclude me from going on another Carnival cruise because I'm just as addicted as the next cruiser, but gosh, is it just me or was this not totally ridiculous? You don't expect your privacy to be invaded like that. You hear of some scary stories happening to passengers at times and my heart just sank when I saw this man barge into my room. It scared me pretty bad. I know incidences like this are probably pretty few and far between. I just felt like venting about it since I just got off the cruise yesterday and I'm still annoyed by it.

 

 

Let it go. They have so much to get done that morning I am sure they get overwhelmed.

[pe4all]

I too have cruised Carnival exclusively and am in the process of planning another family cruise. But if all the "up charges" and cut backs continue, I wonder how many more before we return to AI's.

I am in the midst of trying to plan an April vacation. We used to do AI's (at least 15 of them) till we re-discovered cruising. I am shocked over the prices of most of them - anywhere from $3500 (Breezes, etc.) to $7500 (Beaches, Paradisus) for a week for 3 adults. I have had my eye on another Glory cruise for the same week- $1800 for 3 adults. This is a no-brainer, in my mind. I don't drink much, so free alcohol is not a deal breaker for me. I would rather visit 3-4 ports than be "stuck" on one island for a week, at this point in my life. We are very easy-going, so some bad reviews from first time posters don't scare us!:p

[RRLLAL]

Seems like Carnival has had a rash of bad reviews lately. What up with that?

 

While there have been a few issues lately that can be a cause for concern, I have no doubt at all that 50% of the bad reviews are BS and being done by folks that want people to think another cruise line is better. In fact, many probably didn't even go on the cruise they give the review about.

[MrPete]

To: Harleygirl...

 

This is the first I've ever heard or read anyone stating that they were to wait in your cabin.

 

How was this communicated to you.

 

And imagine getting on your ship the week before, and your cabin wasn't ready, as ther previous occupants decided just to hang out.

[lillian marie]

Often people can develope unrealistic expectations about certain aspects of life, especially during difficult financial times. A cruise or vacation can be something that a person has looked forward to doing for a long time and their expectations of the cruise experience may not be the same as reality. They may have created expectations of luxury and enjoyment that are not simply realistic. Cruise lines have also had to implement some cost costing measures in order to keep cruise fare competitive in a difficult financial market. So there are real reasons why some people may feel disappointed in their recent cruise experiences. I see cruising as a bargain vacation experience and enjoy it for what it is today, the best buy in a total vacation package. I don't expect luxury or 5 star service but just enjoy the overall experience.

[firefly333]

Okay guys, here's my opinion of the cruise I got off of yesterday, which was the 10/14/10 Elation from Mobile.

 

I had similar happen to me on a Princess cruise and I did report it. They gave me money off another cruise, which I declined to use. But at least they took note.

 

In my case I put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the doorknob, or the equivalent. I left the cabin for about 10 minutes, at 7 am!!! and came back to find the cabin steward in my cabin. Instead of apologizing, he had excuses, like yours did. If someone puts a do not disturb sign on their door ... its usually meant for the cabin steward and before 7 am, the cabin steward shouldnt be barging in.

 

Like yours mine said if he doesnt get started early, he cant get finished on time. I had put the sign on the door because I wanted privacy to clean out the safe. I reported it. ... but my case was more extreme .. and at the crack of dawn.

[BatzMuru]

Honestly, I appreciate and take with a grain of salt all reviews, whether they are good or bad. My opinion of something may not be the same as the next person. So here is my thought on a bad cruise.....A bad day at sea is ALWAYS better than a good day at work. Don't get me wrong, I like my job, but I love cruising. We have missed ports, we have had extra sea days, we have had room stewards barge in, room stewards who didn't clean our room, crappy customer service before. We have also had wonderful room stewards, great ports, fabulous food, great shows, met wonderful new friends, even won a jackpot in the casino. All those things make cruising an adventure. I'm leaving for a new adventure in 23 days, been on this ship twice before, am I still excited? Heck yes!

 

P.S. I have a total of 18 cruises that I've been on. We have even driven 49 hours straight from California to Florida just to make a cruise after 9/11 due to flights being canceled. Might I add, that was with 3 kids in a mini van and the only time you got to eat or pee was when we stopped for gas. Did it ruin my cruise? Nope!

[NavarreCruiser]

Okay guys, here's my opinion of the cruise I got off of yesterday, which was the 10/14/10 Elation from Mobile. I would not say it's all bad. Let me start by saying that this was my 9th Carnival cruise and I loved them all including this one. BUT! A couple of aspects of this particular cruise made me pretty irritated by the time we get off yesterday. I'm not a "cruise snob" by any stretch of the imagination and please understand that these things will not cause me not to cruise Carnival again. I'm very easy to please. I will do it over and over for the rest of my life probably! LOL I just feel this one thing is a major thing to complain about and perhaps some of you would disagree, but it's just my opinion and after nine cruises I think I have some right to complain if I want! I would've gone to the customer service department if we had not been fixing to get off the ship right at that moment. I didn't have time. I have not decided if I want to report it or not. I will probably just let it go. I don't know yet.

 

First of all, I loved the Elation and it was very clean and shiny all over, more than the other three Carnival ships I've cruised on. I had the typical minor complaint that one has after nine cruises with one cruise line such as the stuff in the gift shops is all the same and the food never changes. But that's to be expected. What I didn't expect, however, was what happened yesterday morning! We were self-assist and were to wait in our cabin for our deck to be called before getting off the boat. Well, they hadn't even started making intercom announcements yet so our door was still closed and locked to the cabin. TWICE, our cabin steward unlocked and opened our cabin door while we were in there without knocking!!! I get it that he has 50 cabins to clean before the next cruise group boards. I get that. But you cannot just go barging into someone's cabin, not once, but TWICE, without knocking!!! That was highly unprofessional and uncalled for. I was amazed that it happened the first time but when it happened 10 minutes later I was downright livid and ran out to catch him but he'd run down the hall I guess.

 

Like I said, this would not preclude me from going on another Carnival cruise because I'm just as addicted as the next cruiser, but gosh, is it just me or was this not totally ridiculous? You don't expect your privacy to be invaded like that. You hear of some scary stories happening to passengers at times and my heart just sank when I saw this man barge into my room. It scared me pretty bad. I know incidences like this are probably pretty few and far between. I just felt like venting about it since I just got off the cruise yesterday and I'm still annoyed by it.

 

And why didn't you double lock the door after the first time? Lynda

[DDFla]

I'm just off the Dream and was worried about all the negative reviews it has been getting. I'm convinced some people just can't be happy. Is the ship perfect, No. Was it a great value for my money, Yes. Would I go on it again, Yes. Especially if they trade out Nassau for a different port on the eastern route.

[okgirl]

I think people complain just to complain......my older sister is like that. We rented a beach house this summer and from the moment that she walked through the door to this lovely house situated not 30 yards from the waters edge she started to complain that she didn't like this one as well as the last one.........and she proceeded to nitpic the entire week.

I've been on 21 Carnival cruises and while I am proud to be a cheerleader I can also say that they have not all been perfect from start to finish......But the issues that I've had in the past have all been minor and things that I suspect occur on all Cruise Lines.

As for the overall quality of food & service on Carnival ships declining, I think everyone has their own opinions about this. I'm not in agreement with those that think it is.

There are more entertainment options than we've ever had. I pay more for a cocktail at Red Lobster or Macaroni Grill than I do on the ship. I think the portion sizes have gotten larger and as long as I have a pasta, chicken, fish, steak and vegetarian option at each dinner then in my book there is plenty of variety.

And I don't feel nickle and dimed either........are they trying to sell me water as I get off the ship..yes, but it's easy enough just to say no.........I don't stop or take pictures (embarkation or otherwise).....not because I resent them trying to make more money off me, but because I know I'm not going to purchase pictures and it's a waste of their time and my time.... I just say a polite no thanks and bypass the line.

I am still amazed at the number of 1st time cruisers that are on any given sailing. Many of them have unrealistic expectations and are particularly disappointed when things go wrong during hurricane season. They just don't know what to expect.