Not So Much A Celebration Cruise (September 3-9)

[caribsun]

You can try other cruiselines but people are the same, been there done that. 

[Drew B 58]

I see a lot of people suggesting that they will try new lines.  While I’m not opposed to doing so in theory, I’ve already ruled out three major lines (two of which I’ve never even sailed) because their policies are a huge turnoff.

 

• NCL - charging corkage fee for wine brought aboard right at embarkation, whether you open it yourself in your cabin or they open it for you.  While in reality it wouldn’t be a big deal for me to just not bring wine, the fact that they do this at all makes me hate them!  I would be angry the entire cruise!

 

• MSC - their “tier” system sounds like a caste system and makes me wildly uncomfortable.  One of the things I have always loved about cruising is how egalitarian it is, with the people in the most luxurious suites experiencing much the same vacation as the folks in the lowliest interiors.  While Carnival is dipping their toe in these waters with the Havana or Terrazzo experience, it’s not as widespread.

 

• Celebrity - I used to sail with them until they banned smoking in the casino.  That is a deal breaker for me…

 

So that leaves RCCL, Princess, and HAL among the mainstream lines, plus Virgin, I suppose, but they all seem to be so much more expensive!

 

I think Carnival really is the right line for me, despite some shortfalls…

[LatinaInTexas]

I was also on this sailing. It had been a year and a half since I had cruised Carnival, had tried MSC and NCL.

I was really curious if I would still love Carnival because I loved my cruises on the other lines.

This would be the second biggest ship I have been on and from past experience I already knew I like big and new ships so I was excited.

I only have one complaint about this sailing but it's not any of the issues you experienced.

We had no issues with boarding, getting off, elevators, rowdy or rude people, wait times or bad service at food venues,  boring shows or limited comedy or getting back on ship at ports.

Pretty much loved everything about this cruise. I loved Chibang, had dinner there 3 times so I could try most of the menu. This sailing was an improvement over other Carnival sailings where I observed and experienced minor issues.

I just filled out my survey and honestly almost every question got either a 9 or 10.

Now the one issue I did have was a big one to me. My cabin/location was the noisiest EVER! I'm talking a whole hallway full of door slammers with the worse being out neighbors on both sides 24/7. It never stopped. I'm going to guess we heard at least 12-15 door slams per day and we aren't even in our cabin a lot.

Sometimes a door would slam so hard it felt like the room shook. Add to that so much bumping, knocking, thumping noises, running around sounds from above. At night while laying in bed I could hear the toilet flush from both sides lol.

Never, ever have I experienced anything like this, it was insane. Especially since on MSC and NCL I could count on one hand the number of door slams I heard. And our MSC cruise was 9 nights.

 

[Lee Cruiser]

21 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

I was also on this sailing. It had been a year and a half since I had cruised Carnival, had tried MSC and NCL.

I was really curious if I would still love Carnival because I loved my cruises on the other lines.

This would be the second biggest ship I have been on and from past experience I already knew I like big and new ships so I was excited.

I only have one complaint about this sailing but it's not any of the issues you experienced.

We had no issues with boarding, getting off, elevators, rowdy or rude people, wait times or bad service at food venues,  boring shows or limited comedy or getting back on ship at ports.

Pretty much loved everything about this cruise. I loved Chibang, had dinner there 3 times so I could try most of the menu. This sailing was an improvement over other Carnival sailings where I observed and experienced minor issues.

I just filled out my survey and honestly almost every question got either a 9 or 10.

Now the one issue I did have was a big one to me. My cabin/location was the noisiest EVER! I'm talking a whole hallway full of door slammers with the worse being out neighbors on both sides 24/7. It never stopped. I'm going to guess we heard at least 12-15 door slams per day and we aren't even in our cabin a lot.

Sometimes a door would slam so hard it felt like the room shook. Add to that so much bumping, knocking, thumping noises, running around sounds from above. At night while laying in bed I could hear the toilet flush from both sides lol.

Never, ever have I experienced anything like this, it was insane. Especially since on MSC and NCL I could count on one hand the number of door slams I heard. And our MSC cruise was 9 nights.

 

I’m glad you had a great cruise. I’m sure there were many others who felt the same way as you. As I said before it was certainly not everyone as a whole causing problems. For us it was probably just the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Lee Cruiser]

29 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

I loved Chibang, had dinner there 3 times so I could try most of the menu. This

The menu for ChiBang just doesn’t appeal to us, especially with so many other options. I’m curious. They had started a policy at ChiBang that after the first time you had to pay an $8 fee to go there. Did you have to pay that fee the last two times?

[LatinaInTexas]

1 minute ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The menu for ChiBang just doesn’t appeal to us, especially with so many other options. I’m curious. They had started a policy at ChiBang that after the first time you had to pay an $8 fee to go there. Did you have to pay that fee the last two times?

Honestly the Mexican side didn't appeal to me at all when I first saw it. After having just Chinese the first time and really liking it decided to try it again and try things I wasn't thrilled about and was surprised I really liked those things also. For instance yucca. I didn't even know what yucca was but the waiter brought it for me to try and the way it was prepared it was delicious.

I had also heard about the extra charges for consecutive meals there. I thought it was going to be starting on Jubilee. We did not get charged extra.

[rainbowflag]

" I was just about knocked down by a lady who was determined to make room on the elevator. "

That was no lady.

[CatieM80]

On 9/13/2023 at 7:40 PM, LatinaInTexas said:

I was also on this sailing. It had been a year and a half since I had cruised Carnival, had tried MSC and NCL.

I was really curious if I would still love Carnival because I loved my cruises on the other lines.

This would be the second biggest ship I have been on and from past experience I already knew I like big and new ships so I was excited.

I only have one complaint about this sailing but it's not any of the issues you experienced.

We had no issues with boarding, getting off, elevators, rowdy or rude people, wait times or bad service at food venues,  boring shows or limited comedy or getting back on ship at ports.

Pretty much loved everything about this cruise. I loved Chibang, had dinner there 3 times so I could try most of the menu. This sailing was an improvement over other Carnival sailings where I observed and experienced minor issues.

I just filled out my survey and honestly almost every question got either a 9 or 10.

Now the one issue I did have was a big one to me. My cabin/location was the noisiest EVER! I'm talking a whole hallway full of door slammers with the worse being out neighbors on both sides 24/7. It never stopped. I'm going to guess we heard at least 12-15 door slams per day and we aren't even in our cabin a lot.

Sometimes a door would slam so hard it felt like the room shook. Add to that so much bumping, knocking, thumping noises, running around sounds from above. At night while laying in bed I could hear the toilet flush from both sides lol.

Never, ever have I experienced anything like this, it was insane. Especially since on MSC and NCL I could count on one hand the number of door slams I heard. And our MSC cruise was 9 nights.

 

That is insane about all the noise in your room! I’m glad your overall experience was good though. What was your cabin number (or general location) if you don’t mind sharing that? 

[LatinaInTexas]

9 hours ago, CatieM80 said:

That is insane about all the noise in your room! I’m glad your overall experience was good though. What was your cabin number (or general location) if you don’t mind sharing that? 

This was the kicker it was a spa cabin on Deck 5 forward, a short walk to the spa. When I called to book I brought up I liked quiet, not connecting rooms and not near elevators and the rep was gushing about how these cabins are almost guaranteed to be the calmest and quietest cabins lol.

[CatieM80]

21 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

This was the kicker it was a spa cabin on Deck 5 forward, a short walk to the spa. When I called to book I brought up I liked quiet, not connecting rooms and not near elevators and the rep was gushing about how these cabins are almost guaranteed to be the calmest and quietest cabins lol.

Wow!! I’m sorry you had that experience when you specifically requested a more quiet area. I guess even generally quiet areas aren’t quiet when your neighbors are rowdy. 😒

[pe4all]

We also like "quiet" cabins, and try to book as aft as we can get, as foot traffic is less.  I have noticed on our last few cruises that the door slamming (both balcony and cabin doors) have gotten out of hand.   Sometimes the balcony doors get caught by the wind and slamming can't be helped, but it doesn't take much to make sure the cabin door doesn't slam.

[ninjacat123]

54 minutes ago, pe4all said:

We also like "quiet" cabins, and try to book as aft as we can get, as foot traffic is less.  I have noticed on our last few cruises that the door slamming (both balcony and cabin doors) have gotten out of hand.   Sometimes the balcony doors get caught by the wind and slamming can't be helped, but it doesn't take much to make sure the cabin door doesn't slam.

That is why we book aft as well.  This upcoming Pride cruise we were upsold to the most "aft" cabin with an extended balcony overlooking the wake of the ship.  I hope our neighbors are considerate🤞

[thenexus2k]

15 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

That is why we book aft as well.  This upcoming Pride cruise we were upsold to the most "aft" cabin with an extended balcony overlooking the wake of the ship.  I hope our neighbors are considerate🤞

And that's what it all really boils down to: Luck of the draw with neighbors. Being someone that looks forward to sitting on the balcony with a book and a drink and the sound of the ocean as a back drop, I hit the trifecta on the last cruise: Neighbors constantly slamming the balcony door and moving chairs, playing music on a Bluetooth speaker, and leaving their balcony light on all night all week...

Didn't let it ruin my mood, just mildly annoying....

[edspec]

Why do people think everyone in proximity wants to hear their musical choices?  Beyond arrogant.  Bluetooth speakers should join the ranks of irons and surge protectors as banned items on cruise ships.

[LatinaInTexas]

2 hours ago, pe4all said:

We also like "quiet" cabins, and try to book as aft as we can get, as foot traffic is less.  I have noticed on our last few cruises that the door slamming (both balcony and cabin doors) have gotten out of hand.   Sometimes the balcony doors get caught by the wind and slamming can't be helped, but it doesn't take much to make sure the cabin door doesn't slam.

I normally book aft as far back as I can get with great results noise wise. But when I booked late March for this Sept cruise there were only 2 inside spa cabins to choose from. One on deck 17 and one on deck 5, both connecting cabins and against elevator banks. This is why the rep sold these as quiet cabins lol. I did book one of them but watched daily until a better location showed up and then changed. I'm betting those other less desirable cabins were quieter😁

[mattcj89]

On 9/13/2023 at 11:13 AM, TravelGirlinDallas said:

@MeganGC1983 had the same experience on this cruise in her review. I wonder if there was just a bad mix of pax on this cruise or if it is typical for this ship and/or homeport?

I think a lot of it is just the new, unfortunate societal norms, however my two cruises from Miami (first in 2014 and second in 2023) have been the worst regarding passenger behavior. Our closest homeport is Galveston, but we’ve also cruised from New Orleans, Port Canaveral and Long Beach. After the last cruise on Horizon earlier in the year we were also considering canceling our upcoming Carnival cruises, based on passenger behavior and the general unpleasantness of our fellow cruisers, but we decided never again out of Miami. 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

6 minutes ago, mattcj89 said:

Our closest homeport is Galveston, but we’ve also cruised from New Orleans, Port Canaveral and Long Beach.

Galveston is also our homeport, and I have only cruised Carnival from there (although I've sailed on other lines from other cities). I have not seen such terrible behavior out of Galveston, although I'm sure it happens. How about you?

[mattcj89]

2 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

Galveston is also our homeport, and I have only cruised Carnival from there (although I've sailed on other lines from other cities). I have not seen such terrible behavior out of Galveston, although I'm sure it happens. How about you?

We’ve also only done Carnival from Galveston and I can honestly say we’ve never had any issues with rowdiness or bad behavior. Sure, there might be a more boisterous drunk here and there, but if they’re keeping to themselves and not causing issues with anyone, it doesn’t really bother me much. 
 

Call me biased if you want, but I truly feel that cruising from Galveston is a slightly better group of passengers. Most are going to be from Texas and it usually seems that most just go with the flow and want to have a good time.
 

As far as the other ports I mentioned, none really stick out for poor passenger behavior except Miami and that’s why I have no intentions of sailing from there in the near future. 

[Butterbean1000]

3 hours ago, pe4all said:

We also like "quiet" cabins, and try to book as aft as we can get, as foot traffic is less.  I have noticed on our last few cruises that the door slamming (both balcony and cabin doors) have gotten out of hand.   Sometimes the balcony doors get caught by the wind and slamming can't be helped, but it doesn't take much to make sure the cabin door doesn't slam.

We have always booked the Panorama deck, as far forward as we can get. Here lately, we've gotten spa cabins.  There is minimal foot traffic.  However,  this does nothing for door slamming.  A few times, it doesn't really bother us. But sometimes you get someone who doesn't "get" it and keeps it up throughout the cruise. Ugh.

[marci4tony]

Sometimes the time of year attracts certain people.

Sometimes the location of your cabin can alleviate some of the issues, too.

I will never cruise, on any line, during the summer, to the Caribbean; nor will we cruise during any holiday.  So far, the only horrible passenger experience was on Celebrity, to Alaska.  Half of the ship was booked by another "nationality" and they were physical, and gross, and entitled - of which, Celebrity security never did anything about them either.

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by marci4tony

[pfdaxe358]

Always amazes me how rude/pushy some are to get on the ship first. You're all leaving at the same time and going to the same place. It's the same with airlines. Everyone crowds near the gate to get on first and stand ready get off the plane as soon as the front wheel hits the ground.

[Drazil65]

Why do people think everyone in proximity wants to hear their musical choices? 

 

Same reason people talk loud on their cell phones, need attention and feel important.  It's the, look at me, look at me syndrome, look how important I am.  Obnoxious, rude and certainly NOT important in most cases.  🙄

[mjkacmom]

On 9/13/2023 at 7:40 PM, Drew B 58 said:

I see a lot of people suggesting that they will try new lines.  While I’m not opposed to doing so in theory, I’ve already ruled out three major lines (two of which I’ve never even sailed) because their policies are a huge turnoff.

 

• NCL - charging corkage fee for wine brought aboard right at embarkation, whether you open it yourself in your cabin or they open it for you.  While in reality it wouldn’t be a big deal for me to just not bring wine, the fact that they do this at all makes me hate them!  I would be angry the entire cruise!

 

• MSC - their “tier” system sounds like a caste system and makes me wildly uncomfortable.  One of the things I have always loved about cruising is how egalitarian it is, with the people in the most luxurious suites experiencing much the same vacation as the folks in the lowliest interiors.  While Carnival is dipping their toe in these waters with the Havana or Terrazzo experience, it’s not as widespread.

 

• Celebrity - I used to sail with them until they banned smoking in the casino.  That is a deal breaker for me…

 

So that leaves RCCL, Princess, and HAL among the mainstream lines, plus Virgin, I suppose, but they all seem to be so much more expensive!

 

I think Carnival really is the right line for me, despite some shortfalls…

Just a FYI, most folks on NCL take the FAS package, which includes all alcoholic beverages up to $15, costs about $20 a day pp, and includes being allowed to bring on unlimited bottles of wine for $0.

[allie3490]

On 9/13/2023 at 6:59 PM, Etta1213 said:

Do you think the crass female was drunk, desperate for attention, or both?

Does it really matter?

[allie3490]

On 9/13/2023 at 7:40 PM, Drew B 58 said:

 

• Celebrity - I used to sail with them until they banned smoking in the casino.  That is a deal breaker for me…

 

 

That right there is making me run to Celebrity