Room stewards

[gardengirl2011]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

[BoDidly]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

I would have to agree with you . We decided just to go with one time cleaning a day " in the mornings " and it seems like it took till late evening before they even reached our room. Well after lunch, and you could tell it was rushed as in non vacuumed floors :confused:

[ddbaab53]

Same here service has decline over the past few years. On the last cruise 2 month ago it was real back. Room

steward couldn't answer question we had about the room. He said he would get back with us but never did.

[sanmarcosman]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

 

On our last three cruises we have seen a lowering of cleaning standards. We've opened closets to find large dust bunnies on the shelves, leftover party decorations stuck in the overhead above the desk, used drinking straws on the carpet.

 

Soon the welcoming spiel from the steward when they ask "morning or afternoon service" will include: " If you write in the dust please don't put the date." :)

 

The cabins are no longer cleaned as well as they once were. Until something is health threatening or too odious to tolerate we're staying put for now. And yes, our pins, welcoming letters and waters don't show up until later on the first night or the next morning. Sad!

[bury me at sea]

Uncleaned cabins are unacceptable.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

I agree it has gotten bad. On our last cruise we walked into what was supposed to be a freshly cleaned room on embarkation day and there were dirty kleenix and a box from an Advil bottle under the desk. I showed the room steward and he just picked it up and went on his way like it was nothing.

[Flatbush Flyer]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

 

 

 

"Every" cruise line out there?

Beyond perhaps being overworked, cabin stewards (like many crew in the hotel operation on ships) use some cruise lines as entry level employment, with the intention of resumé building so they can land a future contract on a different line where pay, perks and especially gratuities may be significantly better.

 

In essence, "the cream floats to the top" and then it (I.e., the best of the newer stewards) moves on to the premium and luxury lines.

 

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[Life_Traveler]

we agree. in fact on our last cruise we had to go down to the atrium twice to get a Fun Times as they didnt leave one on our bed or in the box outside.

[Schoifmom]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

 

 

I have to agree. It was bad on our cruise last year, but it was really bad this year. We had FTTF, didn't board until around 12:00 , and our room wasn't ready. He brought the "choice" card on the second day. Don't get me started on the lack of cleaning standards!

 

 

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[lcpagejr]

This is where the auto gratuity really impacts service. When stewards were working for that envelope every cruise....They were alot more attentive and visible. Not saying this is case for all stewards...but it sounds like service is slacking. Sure you can go down and reduce gratuity amounts....but are you really going to do it?? I usually slip the steward money at beginning of cruise to get his attention and it usually works...but its sad you need to get their attention with additional monies up front....where in the past I would always give a little extra (assuming fine service) on last night as I said my goodbyes!!

[sanmarcosman]

This is where the auto gratuity really impacts service. When stewards were working for that envelope every cruise....They were alot more attentive and visible. Not saying this is case for all stewards...but it sounds like service is slacking. Sure you can go down and reduce gratuity amounts....but are you really going to do it?? I usually slip the steward money at beginning of cruise to get his attention and it usually works...but its sad you need to get their attention with additional monies up front....where in the past I would always give a little extra (assuming fine service) on last night as I said my goodbyes!!

Not quite, the envelopes on Carnival have been gone for over 15 years. The decline in cabin cleanliness has been much more recent and due to more cabins being assigned to stewards by management. There simply aren't enough hours in a day to clean as well.

[Micahs Grandad]

This is where the auto gratuity really impacts service. When stewards were working for that envelope every cruise....They were alot more attentive and visible. Not saying this is case for all stewards...but it sounds like service is slacking. Sure you can go down and reduce gratuity amounts....but are you really going to do it?? I usually slip the steward money at beginning of cruise to get his attention and it usually works...but its sad you need to get their attention with additional monies up front....where in the past I would always give a little extra (assuming fine service) on last night as I said my goodbyes!!

 

We still have been getting good 2x service on Carnival. Does take longer for them to finish the morning service though.

[lcpagejr]

I will be requesting 2x a day service when I leave on the Vista on Saturday. When Steward approaches me with a choice...politely will say both times and likely slip him a little extra something

[riffatsea]

If I find something wrong in a hotel(or on board ship) I don't wait until I am off the ship or home from the hotel to complain to my friends.

I talk directly to the staff person involved and if it doesn't improve I talk to their supervisor.

If everyone did that we might get better service. I doubt that talking about it here would help anything to improve.

[Micahs Grandad]

I will be requesting 2x a day service when I leave on the Vista on Saturday. When Steward approaches me with a choice...politely will say both times and likely slip him a little extra something

 

Your money your choice but they have always done 2x service and as far as I am concerned the autotips pay for that.

[poz222]

Generally I agree, but this last cruise for Halloween on the Glory I actually had the best cabin steward I have ever had in all my cruises! Truly the best. A lady by the name of Lydia on Lido deck...

[Central Oregon Gal]

sailed the Miracle first week of September and on day 1 met our steward - asked for ice each night and both service - evening 1 no ice... so in the morning left him a note that read something like this... I know it must be tough to remember every single cabin's wishes especially when people change out every week - so here is all we need each day - fresh towels, beds made and ice - anything else we truly appreciate - please take this token of appreciation ($5) - at the end of our week we had the best service I had seen on any cruise for years - and we did tip heavy at the end because he was so amazing

[lcpagejr]

Alligns with the old adage..."The squeaky wheel gets the oil"

 

Win/Win for everyone!!

[Schoifmom]

If I find something wrong in a hotel(or on board ship) I don't wait until I am off the ship or home from the hotel to complain to my friends.

 

I talk directly to the staff person involved and if it doesn't improve I talk to their supervisor.

 

If everyone did that we might get better service. I doubt that talking about it here would help anything to improve.

 

 

 

Don't assume that those of us posting here did not raise the problem on board. I know that I did. Following a discussion with GS and the supervisor, we still received service that was mediocre at best. We left our tips on, but remained unimpressed by our steward as the service was simply not what we have come to expect.

 

 

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[Poobah Out2C]

I actually wrote to corporate complaining about this very thing. Her answer? "It's what the passengers want." BS, is what I say! I wish all of you would email corporate and let them know that adding rooms to the workload of the stewards simply isn't working.

Non smoking is what I want, does this mean that the casinos will finally be non smoking so I can finally go to the casino?

 

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[Poobah Out2C]

So, I’m curious, lately our room stewards have been really bad. We are not picky. We clean up after ourselves and don’t even ask for anything extra. I understand that they have more cabins to clean than before but, lately I’ve noticed that our cabin is not really clean, especially the shower. We are diamond and haven’t seen water, pins, etc until evening. Has anyone else experienced those? Obviously I love Carnival. We have been on every cruise line out there. Still prefer Carnival. But I’m really disappointed in our room stewards lately.

I am an impressive 5 for 5 with cabin stewards and all with Carnival. Everyone was always friendly, smiling, hard working and always there for me when I needed something such as extra pillows and tissues. Going back to the cabin is usually a nice experience as the steward is usually calling out my name to see if I need anything and ready to talk or joke around.

 

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[Drazil65]

We have been very satisfied lately and only need service 1x daily (whether we are asked or not we request it), we are not messy or dirty people so that helps, the bathrooms and beds have been clean and we do not worry or judge the quality of the cabin steward by when we get our pin or water :rolleyes:....

[Micahs Grandad]

We pay for 2x service via auto tips and we want to get what we pay for.

 

Smart attendants often hire a second crew member to help clean rooms on an as needed basis.

 

If the workload of stewards was that awful they would find other jobs and the cruise line would have to make adjustments in workload.

 

We pick up after ourselves and will not make the job harder than it should be but do not see why this should be our problem.

[BoDidly]

With the way it's been going with the cutbacks it looks like were going to clean our own rooms in the future . And why not some of us are anyways . Let the room Steward do a walk through inspection while wearing white gloves to inspect for dust. If any dust is found or the bed is not made proper perhaps a fine should be in place. Even deduct a sea day if it's truly bad. :cool:

Don't forget to tip extra !

[Havingfun2010]

Two things that amaze me. First the surprise people have that the cheapest cruise line, has substandard service, and the second is how many people love to brag about tipping people prior to them doing their job. On my last Carnival cruise, after 3 days of asking and being told, it is fixed, a drain issue in the shower. On the third day, I unscrewed the cover, and dug out globs of gunk, which fixed the issue, and dropped it off at the desk, asking how I was told for 3 days, they dug this out of the drain, and look what I found in it. No, I did not leave a tip that year. Only one of many issues I encountered on my last two cruises with Carnival.

 

When a company begins to slide, it usually just continues. However, it is still the cheapest, so therefore, it will still have customers that accept it for what it is.