Very disappointed with Destiny 12/9/10

[LHP]

I just spoke with our PVP and was told that they are not notified of any special charters. I believe her because she has been good to us and always been helpful.

 

As I said earlier, if Carnival is going to do this, they need to get the info so people can make an informed decision when booking. Especially when half the ship will be booked by a particular group and it will impact the normal activities and offerrings on the ship.

 

Your PVP is correct.

 

My PVP (now gone from Carnival to be the Director of Sales at another cruise lines) used to depend on my "calendar" (which I put together every year from the above listed "group sites").

 

While not 100%...it helped/

[CrusieToy]

As I said earlier, if Carnival is going to do this, they need to get the info so people can make an informed decision when booking. Especially when half the ship will be booked by a particular group and it will impact the normal activities and offerrings on the ship.

 

I agree with you. If you pay for a cruise, you should be able to use any and all of the facilities onboard. They advertise them as “public spaces”

As far as the noise we started carrying a “white noise” machine we use at home and when we travel and it works great. Can actually leave my window open and not hear the dog behind that our neighbors let out at 6:00am every morning.

[Redsfan]

As I said earlier, if Carnival is going to do this, they need to get the info so people can make an informed decision when booking. Especially when half the ship will be booked by a particular group and it will impact the normal activities and offerrings on the ship.

 

I agree with you. If you pay for a cruise, you should be able to use any and all of the facilities onboard. They advertise them as “public spaces”

As far as the noise we started carrying a “white noise” machine we use at home and when we travel and it works great. Can actually leave my window open and not hear the dog behind that our neighbors let out at 6:00am every morning.

 

will those noise machines drown our spouses that snore to no end? lolll..

[LHP]

will those noise machines drown our spouses that snore to no end? lolll..

 

Off Topic: Anyone with a severe snoring problem should be checked for Sleep Apnea. It is a silent killer because your organs slowly deteriorate due to lack of oxygen.

 

I LOVE my sound machine. It goes with me everywhere.

 

I can plug it in at home and it uses batteries when we cruise!!

[LHP]

Btw, I always post all the cruises I have on my calendar on

 

http://www.yourgroupsahoy.com/

 

IF you run across a group.....check groupsahoy to see if it is posted yet and if it isn't....please add it to their site.

 

THANKS!!!

[cruisinwithbsb]

I guess some never outgrow popcorn music. I am glad that I was not on this cruise and will take great pains to ensure that I am never on one.

 

Great more room for us....

[frogman68]

I am finding this very hard to believe.

 

That the BSB have 1400 fans that seems to be stretched alot :)

 

The room part I wont comment about, but I am in disbelief that they had 1400 fans , they (BSB) must of paid those to act as fans.

I agree a snail mail letter might be best but leave the part out about the 1400 fans they might have a hard time with that number too

[cruisinwithbsb]

I am finding this very hard to believe.

 

That the BSB have 1400 fans that seems to be stretched alot :)

 

The room part I wont comment about, but I am in disbelief that they had 1400 fans , they (BSB) must of paid those to act as fans.

I agree a snail mail letter might be best but leave the part out about the 1400 fans they might have a hard time with that number too

 

Well believe it because it is true. They have almost 18,000 fans as members of their fan club (paid fan club) and many fans, especially international fans were not able to come.

 

Some of you obviously don't see what their music might actually mean to some because you believe their songs have no meaning and that it is just "bubble gum pop." I think you will find that when you talk to any fan, their music helped them get through one or two hard times in their lives.

[jebuell]

I am finding this very hard to believe.

 

That the BSB have 1400 fans that seems to be stretched alot :)

 

The room part I wont comment about, but I am in disbelief that they had 1400 fans , they (BSB) must of paid those to act as fans.

I agree a snail mail letter might be best but leave the part out about the 1400 fans they might have a hard time with that number too

 

I was about to say the same thing! Have they even had an album recently?? I know they were popular in the 90s but I wasn't even aware they will still together and recording new music!

 

We had something similar happen (though on a much smaller scale) on a land trip to Riu Santa Fe in Cabo. Some guitarist for some heavy metal band (can't remember who anymore) was playing with Sammy Hagar at Cabo Wabo that week and they stayed at the resort. It wasn't so much the band members that bothered us but the entourage who thought they were hot sh*t and would take over the bar at night and ban us from taking pictures. I was there for my best friends wedding and there was no way I wasn't going to be taking pictures of our time together! But with only one bar at night we were constantly harassed by them even if we weren't anywhere near the band members. I can't stand "celebrities" (and I use that term loosely for both this band and the BSBs) who think every camera MUST be pointed at them and every person in the area MUST be interested in them because they are in some band. And who cares if they are. You chose to become famous, deal with it.

 

ETA: For anyone who cares I did some quick research and figured out it was Vinnie Paul, the drummer for Pantera, not the guitarist.

[cruisinwithbsb]

I was about to say the same thing! Have they even had an album recently?? I know they were popular in the 90s but I wasn't even aware they will still together and recording new music!

 

Yes, they have had albums recently. Never Gone was released in 2005, Unbreakable in 2007, This is Us in 2009. AJ's solo record, Have It All, came out earlier this year. Brian released his Christian solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006. Nick's solo album, Now or Never, was released in 2002. The group is working on a new album, as well as Brian and Nick are working on new solo albums. They performed at the AMA's this year with New Kids on the Block, will be touring this summer with New Kids, and will be performing on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve. They have also recorded a new song with the New Kids that has not been released yet.

 

Oh and they never broke up. They were on hiatus because AJ was going through rehab, many of the group members were getting married and starting families, and many of them were recording their solo albums. They never once said that they were breaking up. Now, Kevin did leave the group in 2006 to pursue his Broadway career, performing as Billy Flynn in "Chicago." The rest of the group is leaving the door for him to return at any time.

 

Just thought I would clear up all of your misconceptions.

[gliner]

Some of you obviously don't see what their music might actually mean to some because you believe their songs have no meaning and that it is just "bubble gum pop." I think you will find that when you talk to any fan, their music helped them get through one or two hard times in their lives.

 

Wow. Anyone who actually believes that they were "helped" by any groups music has more issues than they realize.

 

Everyone should be sure that their next sailing does not include a group such as this. I think the OP has every right to complain as such a large group disproportionately effects the enjoyment of the other passengers. Carnival and other lines should advise potential passengers which cruises are so affected so as to give them the opportunity to choose a different sailing.

[lego7191]

Wow. Anyone who actually believes that they were "helped" by any groups music has more issues than they realize.

 

aww, come on now. That's not a very fair comment. I believe most of the BSB fans were in their teens when the group first became big on the pop scene and certainly we can all remember some very influential songs, music or groups from our teenage years that seemed to get us through those rough times.

[cruisinwithbsb]

Wow. Anyone who actually believes that they were "helped" by any groups music has more issues than they realize.

 

Everyone should be sure that their next sailing does not include a group such as this. I think the OP has every right to complain as such a large group disproportionately effects the enjoyment of the other passengers. Carnival and other lines should advise potential passengers which cruises are so affected so as to give them the opportunity to choose a different sailing.

 

First, I don't necessarily blame the OP for being upset about some of the fans that were on the ship. Some of them made me angry. But to stereotype every fan is not right. There were many of us who respected those non BSB cruisers when we were onboard. I just don't know that complaining to Carnival is actually going to do anything for anyone. They now know that any of us will do another BSB cruise in a heartbeat, hence getting them more business. BSB had a special merchandise store, which I am sure Carnival got a cut from. Because of the younger crowd, bar tabs I am sure were pretty high. Plus, some fans did not book through Rose Tours (the company who organized the half charter) and just booked through Carnival. When you did not book through RT, you were not able to get into the private events. But many fans just booked through Carnival in hopes that they would be able to sneak into events or catch a glimpse of them.

 

if I have read these boards correctly while I have been doing my research (because they have been extremely helpful), private groups book parts of the ship all the time to do Cocktail parties and such. Only those people are allowed into the events. Yes, this may be on a larger magnitude but it still does happen. The only parts of the ship that we "took over" were the Palladium Lounge. Regular shows did occur in there, as we only had it for one or two hours in the evening. Oh and we took our group photos in the Criterion Lounge during the sea day. Other than that, the deck parties on the Lido deck were open to the public. Even the cocktail party on the Lido deck the first night was open to the public and that included free beverages. So to say that we took over the ship is not a fair statement.

 

As far as your other statement about "helping" fans...You don't know me, you don't know how they helped me or others, and no I do not have "issues." Because of the influence of one of their members, I became a Christian. I guess to some that would be an "issue" but not to me.

[cruisinwithbsb]

aww, come on now. That's not a very fair comment. I believe most of the BSB fans were in their teens when the group first became big on the pop scene and certainly we can all remember some very influential songs, music or groups from our teenage years that seemed to get us through those rough times.

 

Thank you. I was 15 when I had a very large fight with my mother and left her house. That night the music video for their song, "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," premiered and it could not have been better timing. I don't think anybody else knew the loneliness I was feeling at that time. The song described it perfectly. While it has now been almost 11 years since I have spoken to my mom, the song still helps me deal with those feelings I had that long ago.

[Unknotted]

Wasn't there any Carnival Security to ask for help, or was the only security provided by and for BSB? Any other cruise you'd be able to ask security to handle things like speakers stuck on the door across the hall, etc. Where did things come apart (security wise) on this cruise?

 

By the way, OP...you are being so much more diplomatic and tactful than I probably would have been. I'd have done more than just remove those batteries, but then I can be an old grouch sometimes. KUDOS to you!

[LHP]

A Lido party blasting music until 4AM is definately NOT normal....not even for Carnival.

 

So the OP has a legitimate complaint.

 

As long as they limit their letter to the legitimate complaints (sadly the way some morons act on a ship is not a legitimate complaint unless they are breaking the law....cruise lines are not going to do much about lack of manners) .... Carnival should respond accordingly.

[ALLMYKIDS3]

I know i will probably get some heat for this. This was my first cruise and yes, I was one of the Backstreet passengers. I think you will find that we paid at least double or even triple what normal cruisers paid. I am sorry you did not have a great time, but you have to realize that not all of the Backstreet cruisers acted in improper ways. There were those of us who did behave ourselves.

 

You won't get any heat from me :) I have been a fan of BSB since my daughter fell in love with them about 8 years ago .I have been to 2 of their concerts here in Florida. I tried to book this cruise but ...it was sold out. By the way ...I'm 51 years old and would have been up until at least 3 am LOL:p

[jebuell]

The OPs complaints were: -Loud music on the Lido deck until 4 AM. -Obnoxious speakers on the room across the hall playing all night. -Being told they couldn't take pictures in the casino. All of these things are not normal on a regular cruise so I don't blame them for being upset that this happened on their cruise. I would be, too. I wonder, though, if you book a cruise and then later find out it's a half charter, would Carnival let you rebook a different date at no cost because they didn't tell you ahead of time? Or are you just SOOL? Also, how far in advanced do charters pick their cruises and dates? Personally, I wouldn't want to be on a BSB or NKOTB cruise or any other celebrity-centered charter. Just not my cup of tea.

[familycruzr]

I know i will probably get some heat for this. This was my first cruise and yes, I was one of the Backstreet passengers. I think you will find that we paid at least double or even triple what normal cruisers paid. I am sorry you did not have a great time, but you have to realize that not all of the Backstreet cruisers acted in improper ways. There were those of us who did behave ourselves.

 

Keep in mind, that while you paid more for your cruise, that money did not likely go to Carnival. You were paying extra for the tour company and the band and their entourage. From Carnival's perspective, the OP probably did pay just as much as the BSB group.

[Pollensalta]

I was about to say the same thing! Have they even had an album recently?? I know they were popular in the 90s but I wasn't even aware they will still together and recording new music!

 

We had something similar happen (though on a much smaller scale) on a land trip to Riu Santa Fe in Cabo. Some guitarist for some heavy metal band (can't remember who anymore) was playing with Sammy Hagar at Cabo Wabo that week and they stayed at the resort. It wasn't so much the band members that bothered us but the entourage who thought they were hot sh*t and would take over the bar at night and ban us from taking pictures. I was there for my best friends wedding and there was no way I wasn't going to be taking pictures of our time together! But with only one bar at night we were constantly harassed by them even if we weren't anywhere near the band members. I can't stand "celebrities" (and I use that term loosely for both this band and the BSBs) who think every camera MUST be pointed at them and every person in the area MUST be interested in them because they are in some band. And who cares if they are. You chose to become famous, deal with it.

 

ETA: For anyone who cares I did some quick research and figured out it was Vinnie Paul, the drummer for Pantera, not the guitarist.

 

THANK YOU. I can't stand this. I'm not going to rearrange my life because some entitled "celebrity" who thinks they're better than everyone else wants me to. And this BSB group? Lol, were all the passengers 12 or something? It sounds like they were terribly rude, and the OP has every right to be upset.

[lego7191]

Also, how far in advanced do charters pick their cruises and dates?

 

I am almost certain the BSB cruise was set last February, if not a little sooner. It was mentioned to the fan club members in February I believe. I also know that NKOTB schedule their cruises almost a year in advance. Not sure about some of the others, Rick Springfield, Kid Rock, etc., but I'd imagine they schedule them almost a year out as well.

[lego7191]

And this BSB group? Lol, were all the passengers 12 or something?

 

I'd venture to say the youngest passengers for this group were my daughter's age - 19 - and there weren't many in the group around this age. Others were easily mid 20's and older...some much older.

[GlendaleCruiser]

You jumped to my next question......Picking a cabin underneath Lido is something we either would never do....or never complain about it after the fact:cool:

 

Even so, like the poster, I would not expect a private party to go on from 1 am to 4 am. Up to 1 am, sure.

[cruisingagaininnov2008]

I am almost certain the BSB cruise was set last February, if not a little sooner. It was mentioned to the fan club members in February I believe. I also know that NKOTB schedule their cruises almost a year in advance. Not sure about some of the others, Rick Springfield, Kid Rock, etc., but I'd imagine they schedule them almost a year out as well.

 

You are correct...these cruises are scheduled in most cases a year in advance. There is plenty of time for folks to do their research either on this forum or a simple Google search.

 

I have been on all 3 of the Rick Springfield cruises and plan to go on the next one. The next one is scheduled for November 5 to November 10, 2011 on the Destiny. There is also a Bret Michaels cruise scheduled in November on the Destiny as well. I do not know if that one is a full or partial charter.

[lego7191]

You are correct...these cruises are scheduled in most cases a year in advance. There is plenty of time for folks to do their research either on this forum or a simple Google search.

 

I have been on all 3 of the Rick Springfield cruises and plan to go on the next one. The next one is scheduled for November 5 to November 10, 2011 on the Destiny. There is also a Bret Michaels cruise scheduled in November on the Destiny as well. I do not know if that one is a full or partial charter.

 

Totally off topic: Is the Rick Springfield group a full charter? I didn't realize there were so many RS fans but I saw some videos on youtube and he seems to really draw a good size and fun looking crowd!