Things I don't like about Carnival Cruises

[abitaturbodog]

I hate the fact that the yummy food contains calories! You'd think that Carnival could figure out a way to remove them from my meals.

[conchead]

The last time we cruised on Carnival, the sound system was so loud for the evening shows that it really hurt our ears. I hope that has changed since we were last on board.

 

I guess it is a very good thing you are not on the KISSKRUISE;)

 

1..I hate it when the CD (Cruise Director, not Cross Dresser) begs, cries, and grovels to mark the comment cards for the highest rating on everything....."because anything else is less than acceptable to CCL."

2..Make solo traveling less than double the price.

3..Throw rude passengers overboard!!;)

 

I think they have completely done away with the comment cards, we

havent had them the last couple of times...but listening to that just made

me want to give low scores..just because of that talk. I didn't, but it

really ticked me off. I gave honest scores, if they didn't like it...too bad.

[CanWeGoYet?]

 

I think they have completely done away with the comment cards, we

havent had them the last couple of times...but listening to that just made

me want to give low scores..just because of that talk. I didn't, but it

really ticked me off. I gave honest scores, if they didn't like it...too bad.

 

I was sick of that "give us the top score" talk too. So I hope I don't have to listen to that spiel again.

I got the same pressure talk from the car dealership I take my car in for repairs. The "is there any reason why you can't give us 5 out 5 score - tell me what that is and I'll fix it."

I wonder how far I would have got if I gave my teachers that spiel & told them why I need to have a 4 point no matter what, because it will look bad for me if I don't. LOL.

[icanshine]

 

3) They need a better jingle or something so I can be humming it abesnt-mindedly while I'm at work.

 

 

That is fantastic! I love it!!

[LadyTenorJD]

The reason Carnival dosent do some of things the other lines have is your paying a cheaper price... You get what you pay for.. Including the roudy riff raff. Carnival is the "Wall-Mart" and "K- Mart" of cruise ships. And because of that you get that class of people, expecially on the shorter cruises.

 

This issue is not unique to Carnival. I think it is an issue on shorter cruises, period. I was on the Monarch of the Seas in June for my first cruise, and there was a lot of rowdy riff raff, as you say. One of my good friends, who has 30+ cruises under her belt, remarked to me that that is typical of shorter cruises.

[RMM34667]

1) there are just so many ships and itineraries to choose from. It takes FOREVER to pick one.

2) except they don't go where my dream cruise is (greek islands)

3) they don't provide drs. notes to excuse the days I take off as medically necessary.

[flyonmaster]

1. Bring back professional variety entertainers.

2. Much more music entertainment all day on sea days.

3. Bring back full 10 piece bands, less pre-recorded music.

[BrezQ]

Two big complaints...........

1) They always insist I get off the ship at the end of the cruise

2) That I am not on one right now ;)

 

You are SO right!! They MADE me get off too!! So now I have to go back! 21 days!! woo hoo!! LOL

 

OK, Chair hogs bug me

 

I'd like a drink package, I like beer, what can I say??:)

[PenguinLife]

Wow, what did I start, 57 replies in under 8 hours.

[TMWTim]

Got to love the comments that Carnival is the Walmart of the cruising world and all the riffraff comments. That is so far from the truth. Travel on a 3-day during the summer on ANY cruise line and you will experience rowdy behavior. Cruise during Spring Break...CRAZY!

 

 

Anyway,

 

 

1. Carnival refuses, after many requests, to make SURE the ship is traveling at a coarse that allows the sun to shine directly on our balcony. I mean WTH?? We paid good money and I would like to get the bikini tops off for some sunbathing. I've paid admission to the balcony club but it's never open during the day. Furthermore, wraparound balconies midship would be a bonus. Make it happen.

 

2. Chair hogs - I really had a problem with them during our first five cruises. Well not a real problem, but never being able to have one chair, let alone two, was kinda a drag. Yeah we could have made a fuss and asked one of those young guys serving drinks to help us get a chair but I know how important their jobs are to them so no worries. So instead of doing that on our 6th cruise and devised a plan...when my wife heads down for some coffee around 7:00am I have her take a towel and hang it on a chair. Yep, Carnival has turned us in to chair hogs!! Now hear me out, we only did it once on our last cruise, and we actually used the chair the entire sea day. Either she was sun tanning while I was in the pool or just the opposite. We only 'hogged' one chair and USED it the entire time. It never went unoccupied. Seriously.

 

What Carnival needs to do to help with this chair problem is make a sign(out of the way of other guests) that reads 'Line starts here for pool chairs' or something to that effect. Carnival will then have someone who's sole job is to watch over the empty chairs (like a Pool Matre'D so to speak) and when the time limit is reached they head over to where the waiting line is and escort the guests over to their chairs so there is no issues. If the original chair hog EVER comes back and says they were sitting there all the new guest has to say is the Carnival rep sat them there. All is well...except maybe for the Carnival rep. However we all know the majority of the chairs by the poolside go literally all day long unattended. I don't know what the time limit is now but Carnival could implement this grand idea of mine by adding say another 20 minutes to the time limit so there is no doubt of how long said chairs were unoccupied. Anyway, just an idea. People like us that 'hog' (one chair one time) won't have a problem because we actually use the chairs. ALL of us that hate chair hogs would love this new change and the chair hogs themselves won't have a argument.

 

 

3. Jamaica - Carnival must never question removing Jamaica as a port of call. I personally LOVE Jamaica and would hate to see her removed from the itinerary. What Carnival needs to do is throw down some muscle in Jamaica and threaten to remove Carnival from visiting there until that government can police the ports and shopping areas much more than they are currently. Jamaica needs Carnival much more than Carnival needs Jamaica so it's about time for more of a police presence there. We personally don't have a problem with being offered the drugs and so forth. A shake of the head or a 'naw we're good' has always worked but for us but I can see how this harassment will continue to bother and scare a lot of folks. These stories of locals there putting necklaces around your neck and demanding to be paid??? Crazy. Carnival - flex your muscle and make them police the tourist hotpsots if no more then a presence of authority so tourists feel somewhat safe. I would HATE to not be able to visit that gem of a island and hope our visit in November isn't our last.

 

Great thread! I really have no problems at all with Carnival. You simply can't beat them $$$$-wise. Never had a bad cruise either!

 

I would suggest Carnival get those pools and hottubs open at night for 21 and over! Get those bars out there open as well. Kids are great and all but Carnival could create a pretty cool 'Adults Only Pool Party at Night' type of thing that I am willing to bet would be a huge success. Call it 'The Lido - After Dark'. *you heard it here first folks:D

[T. Advisor King]

1. The constant hyping of this or that "sale"

2. The embarrassing grovelling for high marks on the rating cards

3. The pathetically slow internet service with "trick" features that run-down your account and overcharge you, all at a price only a gouger would charge

 

(really, I can only have 3?)

[italianfemmy]

1.) They don't have a talent competition. There's karaoke and even competing to sing in the Legends show but no generic talent competition. I perfom spoken word and won the talent contest on RCL many years back. And some people are great musicians, magicians, etc. Would be cool to see the guests who can't sing .. do something other than sing :-)

 

2.) This isn't only for Carnival but I wish that the ships would stay in port later even if that means getting into port later. The best activities for our group are always late at night. To get in the room at 1-2am and have to be up and off the ship by 8am on port days is harsh! :D

 

3.) Hmmmmmm. I was always one of those people that would roll my eyes when people complained about the smoke in the casinos. (or anywhere in the world for that matter).. or the "exxagerated coughing" as I would call it. Until February of this year, when my childhood asthma came back to haunt me.. most likely for not believing those people. Now, some of my favorite places on land trigger me into severe asthma attacks from the smoke and even campfires are a huge trigger for me. So, when I cruise on 12/10/11 aboard the Dream, I fear I will be wishing that the Casino was non smoking since the Casino is always my favorite place on every ship :cool:

[MsSoCalCruiser]

My list:

 

1) No hot food on the room service menu.

 

2) Like another poster listed, the Bingo is really expensive for what you get to play. I know it would cost more but I would like to see Bingo last a few hours.

 

3) Movies in the showroom during the day.

[tiggerman101]

- I want longer port times. It seems they have really shortened some ports so they can save on fuel.

 

- I would love to see more cruises that are longer. Having done two 12 day cruises, I have to say I love them. I just want more options for longer cruises.

 

- 24 hour pools. I love to swim late at night on RCCL ships.

[Essiesmom]

1. No enrichment lecturers on cruises with a lot of sea days, such as the TA repos;

2. Get someone from Princess, HAL or Celebrity to help design their ships because they do a much better job in the main theater - fewer bad seats.

3. Bring back the single supplement.

EM

[Chigirlcruzin]

I was sick of that "give us the top score" talk too. So I hope I don't have to listen to that spiel again.

I got the same pressure talk from the car dealership I take my car in for repairs. The "is there any reason why you can't give us 5 out 5 score - tell me what that is and I'll fix it."

I wonder how far I would have got if I gave my teachers that spiel & told them why I need to have a 4 point no matter what, because it will look bad for me if I don't. LOL.

 

Lol...I bought a car today and got the same thing..."anything less than a 10 is considered failure." The team was fabulous though, so I probably would've given 10 regardless, but it stinks to feel pressured.

[Blondie008]

Got to love the comments that Carnival is the Walmart of the cruising world and all the riffraff comments. That is so far from the truth. Travel on a 3-day during the summer on ANY cruise line and you will experience rowdy behavior. Cruise during Spring Break...CRAZY!

 

 

Anyway,

 

 

1. Carnival refuses, after many requests, to make SURE the ship is traveling at a coarse that allows the sun to shine directly on our balcony. I mean WTH?? We paid good money and I would like to get the bikini tops off for some sunbathing. I've paid admission to the balcony club but it's never open during the day. Furthermore, wraparound balconies midship would be a bonus. Make it happen.

 

2. Chair hogs - I really had a problem with them during our first five cruises. Well not a real problem, but never being able to have one chair, let alone two, was kinda a drag. Yeah we could have made a fuss and asked one of those young guys serving drinks to help us get a chair but I know how important their jobs are to them so no worries. So instead of doing that on our 6th cruise and devised a plan...when my wife heads down for some coffee around 7:00am I have her take a towel and hang it on a chair. Yep, Carnival has turned us in to chair hogs!! Now hear me out, we only did it once on our last cruise, and we actually used the chair the entire sea day. Either she was sun tanning while I was in the pool or just the opposite. We only 'hogged' one chair and USED it the entire time. It never went unoccupied. Seriously.

 

What Carnival needs to do to help with this chair problem is make a sign(out of the way of other guests) that reads 'Line starts here for pool chairs' or something to that effect. Carnival will then have someone who's sole job is to watch over the empty chairs (like a Pool Matre'D so to speak) and when the time limit is reached they head over to where the waiting line is and escort the guests over to their chairs so there is no issues. If the original chair hog EVER comes back and says they were sitting there all the new guest has to say is the Carnival rep sat them there. All is well...except maybe for the Carnival rep. However we all know the majority of the chairs by the poolside go literally all day long unattended. I don't know what the time limit is now but Carnival could implement this grand idea of mine by adding say another 20 minutes to the time limit so there is no doubt of how long said chairs were unoccupied. Anyway, just an idea. People like us that 'hog' (one chair one time) won't have a problem because we actually use the chairs. ALL of us that hate chair hogs would love this new change and the chair hogs themselves won't have a argument.

 

 

3. Jamaica - Carnival must never question removing Jamaica as a port of call. I personally LOVE Jamaica and would hate to see her removed from the itinerary. What Carnival needs to do is throw down some muscle in Jamaica and threaten to remove Carnival from visiting there until that government can police the ports and shopping areas much more than they are currently. Jamaica needs Carnival much more than Carnival needs Jamaica so it's about time for more of a police presence there. We personally don't have a problem with being offered the drugs and so forth. A shake of the head or a 'naw we're good' has always worked but for us but I can see how this harassment will continue to bother and scare a lot of folks. These stories of locals there putting necklaces around your neck and demanding to be paid??? Crazy. Carnival - flex your muscle and make them police the tourist hotpsots if no more then a presence of authority so tourists feel somewhat safe. I would HATE to not be able to visit that gem of a island and hope our visit in November isn't our last.

 

Great thread! I really have no problems at all with Carnival. You simply can't beat them $$$$-wise. Never had a bad cruise either!

 

I would suggest Carnival get those pools and hottubs open at night for 21 and over! Get those bars out there open as well. Kids are great and all but Carnival could create a pretty cool 'Adults Only Pool Party at Night' type of thing that I am willing to bet would be a huge success. Call it 'The Lido - After Dark'. *you heard it here first folks:D

 

 

Love it!

 

1) Dont consider you a chair hog at all, you USED the chair, chair hogs that annoy me are those who blag it, then leave it vacant for hours on end!

2) Jamaica..I am a MEGA Sandals resorts fan, so have spent many vacations in Jamaica. I still have felt way more threatened in countries like the Dominican Republic and in Mexico. But totally agree that cruise ship passengers must be a target for local hounds, so yup, would be great that the Beards at Carnival go in their with big guns and DO something! Excursions in Jamaica are amazing. The toboggan ride thingy..brilliant day out! There are so many fabulous things to do in Jamaica, its irie mon! As for the "being offered pot".. it happens, even when flying in, one is approached at the airport by red caps... but they just laugh and say "no problem mon" when you say no. NO big deal!

3) LOVE your "Lido After Dark" - send me an invite huh :)

 

Great mind set!!

[Room Service!]

"Things I don't like about Carnival Cruises".

1. Sometimes they leave without ME!!! (Hate that)

2. The ship ALWAYS brings me back to where they found me. (Bummer)

[footballbabe3]

I wish Carnival would tell my boss to give me bigger paychecks so

I could take more cruises. Uhm , maybe I could be a hall monitor

for Carnival. I would handle those loud passangers and Carnival

would pay me with a cruise!! Problem solved. :rolleyes:;)

[crusinpsychRN]

Lido tables not being cleaned.

Overflowing ashtrays.

[cruzn buckeye]

1. keeping kids out of hot tubs... they are not swimming pools... and keeping the water hot. It is a hot tub-not a pool... On my recent Destiny cruise.. the water was barely warm... that is not an exaggeration... I waited an hour and tried again... still barely warm.. so the kiddies use it for a pool... I enjoyed my cruise.. but one thing I really enjoy is the hot tub first thing in the morning... couldnt do that on this one...

2. I hate the new in the morning on the big screen... I want to enjoy my morning on a ship on the ocean listening to some carribbean music... or the ocean... not the news please.. and even on Sunday morning... Amazing Grace... I am on a cruise... not in church.. not in my living room catching up on the bad news in the world... I am on vacation....

3. the Punchliner Comedy show was great... kept everyone laughing... also kept everyone freezing... as another poster said... please turn that air up a little so we can enjoy the shows without freezing....

 

That being said... please dont listen to the complaints about the Destiny being so out of shape... it was in really good condition for a 15 year old ship... we had a great time... no complaints about the ship itself... except the lido pool could use some updating..

[snow52408]

Here are my 3 things I don't like about Carnival cruises.

 

1) It's taking too long to get to my cruise, I wish they would shorten the year.

 

2) They haven't yet called me for a free cabin upgrade! What, do i have to have the cabin I already chose?!?

 

3) They need a better jingle or something so I can be humming it abesnt-mindedly while I'm at work.

 

Oh, as for the OP's 3rd, I can sleep through severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and earthquakes. I don't think roudy partiers will be a problem.:D

 

 

Hahaha! Love it! Totally agree with all 3! =)

[evandbob]

3 Things I dislike:

 

1) Loud obnoxious Cruise Director announcements urging me to attend inane sales meetings

2) Passageways blocked by junk for sale

3) Kids in any of the adult areas, including adult hot tubs

 

3 Things I like:

 

1) Adult Serenenity or Pool area

2) Steakhouse Dining

3) Large cabins

[H82seaUgo]

I hope that this can be a productive message thread and not turn into a long rant, therefore I suggest we limit our complaints to 3 line items each and only agree/disagree with previous complaints or add ones of our own:

 

My top 3 in no particular order:

 

1, Announcing sales in the spa and such over the ships intercom to drum up business.

 

2, The buffet dessert bar with a dozen plus mediocre quality dishes, I would prefer if they had 3 or 4 quality ones instead.

 

3, I wish they would do a better job of controlling the rowdy passengers, I personally don't like to hear people yelling and partying in the halls at 3 am while I am trying to sleep.

 

just 1:

 

ENFORCE YOUR OWN RULES!

[vtwiggy]

Haven't been on my first Carnival cruise yet, but I will say, their WEBSITE! It's terrible, argh! So hard to find useful information. It took me forever to figure out that they automatically do prepaid gratuities. I was scouring everywhere to figure out how to pay them.