Worst carnival cruise ever!

[ray98]

Reading reviews always affirms that many people simply have higher expectations than me. I refuse to let minor annoyances ruin a trip. Things will never be perfect especially on a older ship at a bargain rate, I go in expecting that.

[rocking-m-cruiser]

Reading reviews always affirms that many people simply have higher expectations than me. I refuse to let minor annoyances ruin a trip. Things will never be perfect especially on a older ship at a bargain rate, I go in expecting that.

 

And...you can never please everyone. Too many negative people.

[Tapi]

Yeah, the cruise was cheap....

 

 

 

This may be my last cruise with Carnival

 

 

IMHO, this is yet another case of unrealistic expectations not met. Carnival is a great cruise line, and for what they charge, they deliver a lot. But let's be realistic here. You booked a cheap cruise on a budget cruise line. You can't expect attention to detail, or flawless, personal service. Carnival is great when you're price conscious. But if you're at a point where the "less than perfect" experience outweighs the money saved, it may be time to try a different cruise line.

 

OP: It's not uncommon for people to become more discerning and discriminating as they age and become more traveled. Things that you may have (consciously or unconsciously) overlooked before may be more noticeable and obvious as you cruise more. You may be at a point in your "cruise life" where you may want to dig a bit deeper in your pocket and pay more to sail on a more upscale cruise line where service will be more polished and attentive.

 

 

 

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[lisajm]

Reading reviews always affirms that many people simply have higher expectations than me. I refuse to let minor annoyances ruin a trip. Things will never be perfect especially on a older ship at a bargain rate, I go in expecting that.

 

Dh and I were on the Breeze in November. We also had some trouble getting served. While this was frustrating, it certainly didn't stop of from having a cocktail. (Also had Cheers, but the servers did not know this, plus I had lots of 1's and always tipped.)

 

The Breeze was not an older ship, but the price was reasonable. I do think CCL has cut back on staff.

[fridaythe13th]

Maybe they didn't get off at the first port as they thought things could only get better. Our recent cruise on the Pride was a disappointment, especially since she was just dry docked the month before and I had two first time cruisers with me and they made more than one negative comment. Ouch....

[guxu]

OP ordered a drink and only received it after the meal. Sometimes they never received the drink. Some of you think it was OK, and OP should expect that kind of service from Carnival?

[lisajm]

OP ordered a drink and only received it after the meal. Sometimes they never received the drink. Some of you think it was OK, and OP should expect that kind of service from Carnival?

 

No this is not the kind of service to expect, however wouldn't make it the "worst cruise ever"

[bradm77]

I've only been on 12 cruises total (all last 7 years, all CCL), so I'm no expert, but DW & I do drink and gamble and have done "Cheers", and here's what I've seen:

 

Stellar, fast and responsive bar service - paying as you go.

 

Slower, but usually "acceptable" service - Cheers program

 

Best of luck, "you may die of dehydration first" service - "Drinks on Us" program in casino.

 

 

One caveat to that last one - add a $1 tip to each and every beer, and the bartenders will be there every time you need them! :p

[bank1]

OP ordered a drink and only received it after the meal. Sometimes they never received the drink. Some of you think it was OK, and OP should expect that kind of service from Carnival?

 

I don't think we should "expect" it from carnival, but it does happen sometimes. Actually happened a few times on our cruises last month....and those were 2 rccl and one carnival, so it happens on different main stream lines and no biggie.

 

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[Silverspringcruiser]

We were on your cruise and our room steward was the best! Ok, we weren't, but I guarantee somebody can say that. My point is that most Carnival staff strive to provide the best customer service, and you shouldn't give up on them because your room steward was one of the few who didn't.

 

As for the drink service, I noticed it varies widely on the same ship. There have been times where I can't get any service at all, and other times where they won't leave you alone.

[Tutontow]

This is the first cruise were I should have gone to the purser's desk and demanded a refund for my tips. On a land base operation, the only one who deserved a tip was our food servers. I still may write them and request a refund. My wife already wrote them a nasty letter.

 

This may be my last cruise with Carnival. If they offer to make things right, I may give them a second chance as this was the first time we ever had a bad experience out of nine cruises.

 

The time to complain is right then and there when it happens. My experience in life is to "nip it in the bud". Don't wait and see if it gets better. Without going into all of the details I was on a seven night cruise on the "Dream", the first cruise after dry dock. The cabin steward was brutal and actually gave my wife a sarcastic answer when my wife inquired why some of our luggage arrived and some didn't. We were new to cruising and didn't know the routine.

 

I like to keep to keep cold beer in my room and he never kept my small, six pack cooler full of ice. This is after I gave him $50.00 cash when I made the request.

 

To make matters worse the first four nights I never got a good nights sleep. There was a brace that was loose on the balcony that clanged and made a grinding noise all night long. I kept getting the run around trying to get this fixed. Some one from maintenance actually suggested I sleep while we were in port since it only made the noise when we were under way. Finally after much persistence the chief engineer arrived and got it fixed.

 

Long story short the cabin steward got 50% of his tips and the purser got an earful. It is hard to enjoy your cruise when you can't sleep.

 

The purser asked us to wait a couple of minutes and made it right. She came back with a letter of apology and took $600.00 off the cost of our cruise. She also gave us $400.00 off of a future cruise.

 

I have sailed Carnival five times since then and every cruise since then has been fantastic

 

I strongly urge you to deal with the problem then and there rather than wait till you get home. Give them a chance to make it right when you are still on the ship.

[guxu]

No this is not the kind of service to expect, however wouldn't make it the "worst cruise ever"

My understanding is it is OP's worst cruise ever. When ppl wrote reviews with "best cruise ever!", did you guys also reply sth like we had better cruise than yours?

[JStarbrite]

Don't get me wrong. Cruises are like pizza and women. They are all good, it's just that some are better than ever. :)

 

I've been on 9 cruises, all with Carnival. For me, it was the worst ever.

 

I did complain at dinner to the Maitre d' who took our cabin # down. Nothing became of it.

 

Carnival makes you prepay tips. Tips stands for "to ensure promptness". When you don't get your drink it should = no tip!

 

I don't like to complain on vacation. I try to make the best of it. I feel at least, I should receive all of my 15% on the cheers card, and a portion of what I paid on the cruise.

[sprint180]

 

OP: It's not uncommon for people to become more discerning and discriminating as they age and become more traveled. Things that you may have (consciously or unconsciously) overlooked before may be more noticeable and obvious as you cruise more. You may be at a point in your "cruise life" where you may want to dig a bit deeper in your pocket and pay more to sail on a more upscale cruise line where service will be more polished and attentive.

 

 

 

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Had to snicker when I read this. I am 46 and I have stayed in hotels in the past that I would not even walk into now.

[YorN]

On my last cruise, there were no free samples in the bathroom and the soft-serve ice cream was not as firm as I expected. What would be a reasonable refund amount of cruise fare to request back from Carnival? 20%? 30%?

 

 

As for Cheers!, I can understand why the service may be slower than pay-as-you-go. Unless the person tips additional, they are getting bamboozled on tips for every beverage served beyond 5-6 per day per person.

Edited February 6, 2015 by YorN

[bank1]

Had to snicker when I read this. I am 46 and I have stayed in hotels in the past that I would not even walk into now.

 

Lol, me too, I'm 46 and same here....

 

 

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[confarotta]

We just got off the paradise last week and had a great cruise. My wife and I thought the ship was in pretty good shape.

 

 

1989 Carnivale

1992 Fantasy

1995 Holiday

1996 Ecstasy

1999 Imagination

2004 Majesty

2007 Celebration

2008 Splendor of the Seas

2009 Miracle

2011 Carnival Valor

2012 Windstar

2012 Avalon Creativity

2013 Carnival Fantasy

Future Carnival Imagination

Future Windstar

[boaterette]

I don't think we should "expect" it from carnival, but it does happen sometimes. Actually happened a few times on our cruises last month....and those were 2 rccl and one carnival, so it happens on different main stream lines and no biggie.

 

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Sorry but I have to ask would this also be a no biggie at your local Applebee's or Chili's. I would think it is a biggie in the dining room on the ship. Who wants their drink after eating?

[boaterette]

On my last cruise, there were no free samples in the bathroom and the soft-serve ice cream was not as firm as I expected. What would be a reasonable refund amount of cruise fare to request back from Carnival? 20%? 30%?

 

 

As for Cheers!, I can understand why the service may be slower than pay-as-you-go. Unless the person tips additional, they are getting bamboozled on tips for every beverage served beyond 5-6 per day per person.

 

Please explain how they are getting bamboozled when tips are included in the price of the cheers?

[klgreen803]

Did you by any chance complain to guest service on the ship? That is the first step in problem resolution. If you don't have a record of your complaints with customer service made while you were on the ship, and you are complaining here, I don't look for you to have any luck resolving the problems now. Neither I nor any of my traveling companions have ever complained to guest services and not received satisfaction. I guess we have been lucky.

[bank1]

Sorry but I have to ask would this also be a no biggie at your local Applebee's or Chili's. I would think it is a biggie in the dining room on the ship. Who wants their drink after eating?

 

Good point boaterette!

 

I think you're right.... I wouldn't accept it at a local restaurant.....

 

I suppose on vacation I am a lot more "easy going" about stuff. At home I'm a lot more wired and would probably call the manager over if that happened!

 

 

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[Out to sea!]

When we arrived, our cabin had no ice bucket and only one glass.

 

No ice bucket and only one glass......oh the inhumanity of it all!!!!! :eek:

 

 

This may be my last cruise with Carnival. If they offer to make things right, I may give them a second chance as this was the first time we ever had a bad experience out of nine cruises.

 

But throw me some money and I'll come back. Go figure. :rolleyes:

[TXParrothead]

Just wait until it's you and then see how funny you think it is.

 

There is no doubt that CCL service and product has gone down hill. Obviously the board felt the same; isn't there a new CEO?:banghead:

 

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[CruiseHealing]

I have been on a couple of ships that were headed to dry dock and on ships that just came out of dry dock. Frankly, it is not the best time to cruise these ships. My guess is that the employees are doing other chores other than their normal assignments. Therefore, the run down attitudes.

 

On the tipping issue I have removed the tips from my room steward and gave those dollars to our wait staff. I budgeted that amount for the cruise so some employees going to get it. I have also given extra tips but in the form of cash.

 

Passengers need to visit the guest services if they have a problem with the room or room steward. If it is not corrected, visit again and get a supervisor. On the Freedom I followed this process and when I got no results I requested the Hotel Manager to meet me in my cabin to discuss. I even set an appointment time. He showed up, could not believe the conditions, moved us to another room and provided us with a small discount on our next cruise.

[CruiseHealing]

When we book multiple cabins we always compare what comes in each basket. Only one cruise did each basket have the exact same thing. That's pretty bad when you consider we have done 20 cruises.