Never Again

[Writer_at_Work]

I had to laugh a bit over the "I never saw a drunk" comments. Last week we had drunks before we got out of Mobile harbor. I definitely think the length of the cruise (ours was 4 days),the easy accessibility of Mobile and the price make a big difference.

 

I've been looking over various other cruise lines and destinations and fortunately there's something for everybody's time and pocketbook.

 

I'm in the older age bracket too, though not quite up there with JPB. The kids on board didn't bother me -- well, maybe the kid with the shoes with the wheels in the heels. I just avoided the clubs and lounges and the karaoke bar cause that seemed to be where most of the boisterous behavior was.

 

The one thing I miss terribly, though, is that warm chocolate melting cake. I'd kill for a bowl of that right now. ;)

[SDRR]

Line breaking and rude "liners" are quite the norm these days. I see it on ships (all lines I've recently sailed....worst being on RCCL), on land, in the air.

 

Seems everyone thinks they have the right not to wait.

 

And then there are others that don't.

 

At the risk of appearing "ignernt" I'd be very interested to understand the terms "line breaking" and "rude' liners' ".

 

Thanks...

[JPB]

We were on the bottom deck (room 1197)...We always book guarantee and hope for upgrade.,if not.,we don't care...Allows us to cruise at least 2 cruise each year, sometimes 3. We took the Panama Canal excursion and it was great...They said we would only have a box lunch.,not this year..we had a buffet..good hot food...a pleasent surprise and for $175.00 a pop expected. The tour was wonderful..Back to the ship at 3:30.

In Costa Rico we hired a cab (RAYMOND) at $20.00 a piece he provided a great local tour (3 hr.)

In Balize we took the bus ride to Altun Ha Mayan ruins. We really enjoyed the ride and the guide at the ruins.

As you can see we didn't take on the more physical demanding tours and I really can't comment about them, but we heard no bad remarks from those that did.

Hope this helps..

PS...DO THE CANAL TOUR....IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY

[NeptunesGoddess]

OH MY @ that Princess Video! In my 3 Carnival cruises, I have never seen anything that even comes remotely close to that incident on princess that was posted. Not only was it rude to fellow passengers and crew but the decibel level of the noise was unbelievable. That being said though, It would not keep me from trying Princess because I know this could happen on any ship or even on land.

 

To JPB, did you see that video? I guess it answers your question as to you not knowing if that kind of stuff ever happens on Princess.

[TallyRockChick]

We were on the bottom deck (room 1197)...We always book guarantee and hope for upgrade.,if not.,we don't care...Allows us to cruise at least 2 cruise each year, sometimes 3. We took the Panama Canal excursion and it was great...They said we would only have a box lunch.,not this year..we had a buffet..good hot food...a pleasent surprise and for $175.00 a pop expected. The tour was wonderful..Back to the ship at 3:30.

In Costa Rico we hired a cab (RAYMOND) at $20.00 a piece he provided a great local tour (3 hr.)

In Balize we took the bus ride to Altun Ha Mayan ruins. We really enjoyed the ride and the guide at the ruins.

As you can see we didn't take on the more physical demanding tours and I really can't comment about them, but we heard no bad remarks from those that did.

Hope this helps..

PS...DO THE CANAL TOUR....IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY

 

Awesome....thanks so much! 22 days from today I'll be on my way!

[MMW37]

Sorry to hear you had a bad (or not great) Carnival experience. We took the same cruise last December, except it was on the Legend last year (same layout) and had a fabulous time. I've been on CCL twice, about to go a third time, and the most obnoxious person I ever saw was this woman at the muster drill last time who showed up about 45 minutes late, with her young children, and bi$%^ed throughout the entire thing about how SHE shouldn't have to be there, and how "people with her experience cruising" the "better lines" should get to sign a form saying they don't need to participate. Great example for her children. On topic, we do spend a lot of time in the bars, a little in the casino, and never witnessed anything close to a fight. People had a few, maybe got a little louder, but I only saw people having a good time. That's too bad you had to deal with idiots on your cruise.

[salty dingo]

Rude behavior can happen anywhere. It is not realistic to expect everyone to be civilized, just like on land. Experienced cruisers know they will run into some thugs every now and then, and the ship is big enough to avoid them, for the most part.

[bstman]

My hubby and I went on our first cruise in Feb-5 day on the Inspiration. I was excited and we do like a good party (we don't get drunk) but the talk of the "party/fun ship" sounded fun. We left the kids at home and were ready for some long nights. We had some long nights-sitting in the disco with one other couple one night. There was NOTHING going on anywhere. After 10 p.m. the place was almost dead except for the casino. We stayed in the disco one night until 1:00 am thinking maybe the party started later-nope never started. We checked out every bar every night and they all had 2-6 couples quietly sitting around. We still had a good time and enjoyed the cruise. I never saw a drunk and I never heard anything said out of the way-even at the casino. It was a very laid back cruise and did not come close to living up to the "party ship" reputation I had heard of.:( I guess you can end up with any kind of pax group on any line. Glad the rest of your cruise was enjoyable!

[cherylandtk]

Regarding that video--well, it mortified most long-time Princess passengers. And shortly after that happened, Princess changed their age requirements from 18 to 21. Many folks surmise that food fight was the reason.

 

I agree that the passenger mix on any cruise ship can vary from week to week. It just depends on where you are and what you are exposed to...try not to let the rude and ill-mannered influence your overall experience. That goes for vacation as well as life in general.

[pacerzfan]

Sorry you were disappointed.

[jetertorre]

At the risk of flaming the poster, I can't help but wonder what the purpose of their post was. He/she advised that they had a terrible time and would never cruise CCL again. Ok. More power to you. Why would they come onto the CCL board and let all of the CCL fans know about it?

 

A. To stop THEM from sailing CCL? Yah, that'll work.

 

B. To let all of the low class CCL cruisers know that he/she can afford to cruise a more expensive line (ie rub their noses in it)? Congrat's!

 

C. To get some sorely needed attention? Bet your bippy on this one.

 

D. All of the above?

 

If the OP is so incensed about their substandard cruise, why don't they let CCL know about it? Maybe they'll get a ship board credit or some CCL after dinner mints.

 

Theres an ulterior motive here. This isn't just a friendly review from a die hard cruise fan. Quite frankly, I don't care what happens to CCL but the OP can kiss my fanny. LOL.

[fooshrock]

I just got back from this cruise as well and I had a fantastic time. There were long lines at the buffet and grill at times, but I never saw any fights being started. As for the drunk people, I think it's a little naive to think that on a cruise of 2000+ people, no one is going to be drunk....come on, this is a vacation!! I would hope to see some people making a fool of themselves, that's what people do on vacation. It means they are having fun! I think the poster is right other cruise lines, like Holland America or even disney might be better for them.

[Synthetic]

Just back from MIRACLE cruise (Panama, Costa Rico, Belize). The ship was clean and crew very friendly. Food, overall service, and entertainment very good.

Our last cruise with Carnival was 18 years ago, didn't like it then and we have cruised Princess and Celebrity *(18 cruises). Decided to try this one with a great itrnerary and an excellent value.

No complaints or issues with Carnival but we saw 3 instances of line breaking that almost resulted in fist fights, 1 instance of a loud obnoxious drunk verbally attacking a blackjack dealer, loud drunks in the dining area, and a lot of unacceptable behavior in public places.

We're used to a more controlled well mannered group of passengers and i guess we don't fit in with the" FUN SHIP "crowd. We are seniors and I guess we just don't fit in. Needless to say it's back to Celebrity/Princess and the extra cost is worth it.

 

that is unfortunate that you experienced that...

 

I, personally, book Carnival (and short cruises) EXACTLY for the ruckus of a louder, more youthful crowd - albeit I prefer them to not be rude, just loud and fun...

 

To each their own... If I were cruising with my parents I would not recommend the ships I choose... Then again my parents aren't party animals like I still am...

 

My $.02

[Knights on the Beach]

So we cruised on Princess the last time and couldn't hack all the people in wheelchairs and walkers. It was very depressing, we felt like we were in a nursing home on water...maybe it would have been better if someone did get drunk to livin the place up.

 

Unfortunately, that sounds like our Carnival Legend cruise last December, so be aware that the passenger mix is sometimes just the luck of the draw. It wouldn't have been so bad, but some of them were rude and obnoxious. I can't recall ever being on a cruise with such rude people -- ever. It was an eight night cruise right before the holidays, so I will avoid those sailings in the future. It didn't feel like the Carnival we know and love. I'm happy to say that our next cruise, which was in June on the Triumph, was nothing like the Legend.

[2Ports]

...out of Mobile harbor.

 

'Nuff said. :p

 

 

Woo Hoo! 800!

[CC Help Michell]

At the risk of flaming the poster, I can't help but wonder what the purpose of their post was. He/she advised that they had a terrible time and would never cruise CCL again. Ok. More power to you. Why would they come onto the CCL board and let all of the CCL fans know about it?

 

A. To stop THEM from sailing CCL? Yah, that'll work.

 

B. To let all of the low class CCL cruisers know that he/she can afford to cruise a more expensive line (ie rub their noses in it)? Congrat's!

 

C. To get some sorely needed attention? Bet your bippy on this one.

 

D. All of the above?

 

If the OP is so incensed about their substandard cruise, why don't they let CCL know about it? Maybe they'll get a ship board credit or some CCL after dinner mints.

 

Theres an ulterior motive here. This isn't just a friendly review from a die hard cruise fan. Quite frankly, I don't care what happens to CCL but the OP can kiss my fanny. LOL.

 

 

1) Because they wanted to let prospective Carnival cruisers know of their experience on their cruise, at their ages? (and did I miss the part where this is the "Carnival fan" message board?)

 

2) Because the internet is a powerful medium for getting a message across, in addition to comment cards, etc? That's ESPECIALLY true if you've decided not to sail a line again -- the line doesn't give a darn about you after that point, so why bother writing to them?

 

3) Because MANY of the people who cruise Carnival ALSO cruise other lines, some more expensive, some less -- and this post reflects a universal truth about cruising -- you could be on Seabourn, and your fellow passengers could still make your experience a less-than-great one?

 

4) Because all reviews aren't "friendly reviews from a die hard cruise fan?" In fact, the most helpful reviews are rarely that -- more often they are balanced, reporting some positives and some negatives (as this OP did). Plus the OP came back to reply on the thread and answer questions. Sometimes reviews are just one person taking the time from their lives to share their experiences. It's up to YOU (and all of us) to give them the weight you feel they deserve, and to decide if the poster's experience is applicable to you.

 

Your post is the kind we normally see in reply to a one-time poster, negative review, with no details, and no follow-up (i.e., troll). I'm thinking you're on the wrong thread, because nothing about the OP or his follow up triggered my "T" button. As Freud allegedly said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

 

To the OP, I'm sorry your Carnival experience wasn't what you wanted, but I appreciate your report on your cruise experience. On any cruiseline, the mix of passengers can be such a huge factor. :(

[DqALEX]

Unfortunately, that sounds like our Carnival Legend cruise last December, so be aware that the passenger mix is sometimes just the luck of the draw. It wouldn't have been so bad, but some of them were rude and obnoxious. I can't recall ever being on a cruise with such rude people -- ever. It was an eight night cruise right before the holidays, so I will avoid those sailings in the future. It didn't feel like the Carnival we know and love. I'm happy to say that our next cruise, which was in June on the Triumph, was nothing like the Legend.

I agree Beth. You never know week from week unless there is a charter group that has given problems in the past on that week.

[JPB]

THANKS...You did see my intent..I posted earlier prior to my cruise for information and explained my apprehension about booking this cruise...Many Carnival cruisers offered good advice and asked me to post my experience. I did just that and JETERTORRE had he read my earlier posts would have known that. Sorry if i offended anyone. That was not my intent. Regarding Carnival...They own most of the other lines and i"am sure they know if they can't make me happy on a ccl ship i'll cruise one of their other lines.

[trock]

Just back from MIRACLE cruise (Panama, Costa Rico, Belize). The ship was clean and crew very friendly. Food, overall service, and entertainment very good.

Our last cruise with Carnival was 18 years ago, didn't like it then and we have cruised Princess and Celebrity *(18 cruises). Decided to try this one with a great itrnerary and an excellent value.

No complaints or issues with Carnival but we saw 3 instances of line breaking that almost resulted in fist fights, 1 instance of a loud obnoxious drunk verbally attacking a blackjack dealer, loud drunks in the dining area, and a lot of unacceptable behavior in public places.

We're used to a more controlled well mannered group of passengers and i guess we don't fit in with the" FUN SHIP "crowd. We are seniors and I guess we just don't fit in. Needless to say it's back to Celebrity/Princess and the extra cost is worth it.

 

 

It is terrible how other guests can leave such a bad taste in your mouth.. Yea it can happen on any cruise line, but I sailed X 6x and my sister 12 or 13 times.. never a bad moment any time.. Some say it a different 'class' of people I dont think that is it..I will try to explain.. I think the reputation of carnival being called the fun ship is taken to an extreme by some. I think some people by downgrading carnival, have built this false reputation that has spread like wild fire. Ask anyone who has not sailed carnival and you will get a sneer. Is it a false reputation? Are the actions of some a direct result from this 'reputation'? Do some people figure they can act and do whatever they want no matter how obnoxious because its carnival?

 

I think it plays a big part in this..Just my humble opinion

[MrPete]

Yea it can happen on any cruise line, but I sailed X 6x and my sister 12 or 13 times...

 

Does she float on her back or her front?

[trock]

Does she float on her back or her front?

 

Sideways

[cmsmuse]

Does she float on her back or her front?

 

LOL!!! Thanks for the laugh:D

[skylock]

I cruise often. In fact everytime I can talk someone in to going with me.

 

Living in Louisiana, I have 4 ports within a very short drive and I keep a constant eye out for a low price. I mostly do 4-5 day cruises lately.

 

I have never personally witnessed any of the behavior the OP described so unfortunately that was just obviously a quirk of that particular cruise and I am sorry it happened on Carnival, but as pointed out, it happens, and worse, on other cruise lines also.

 

I will point out the worst behavior I have ever witnessed was on an AI land vacation last June in Cancun, but we went back to the same place a while back and it was wonderful this time.

 

I cruise an average 6 times a year simply because I get the biggest bang for my buck. I only work 3 days a week so if I take a 4 day cruise I do not need to take vacation days and I almost can't stay home cheaper than I can cruise.

 

One time I saw a guy throwing up over the railing. One time I caught kids playing in the elevator. After they had to listen to me the whole ride, I doubt they tried that again. (I really think they were good kids that just got caught doing something naughty, not really a big deal. They didn't look like bad kids at all. Just wasn't thinking.)

 

A couple of times I have seen people with a holier than though attitude, but that is usually places around home. I am rarely in a hurry, so I just go with it.

 

I have cruised Carnival, Princess, and NCL. Never really saw a difference in the mix of people. NCL is my favorite line, but I cruise more on Carnival because of the port situation.

 

 

 

I guess what I want to say to the OP is I am sorry you had this experience, but I don't want you to go away thinking that is the way all Carnival cruises are. I would say this was definately an exception, otherwise in all the times I have been on Carnival, I would have surely seen the same thing by now and I haven't. Not even close. And all except one of my cruises on Carnival have been the shorter cruises.

[cruizer4662]

I believe we were on the same cruise and as both of us are in our late 60's I can say we never saw what the OP saw. We did have a drunk woman in the Phantom whom was a "Horse Racer" and loud and boisterous during our time to go backstage which we felt was a wonderful experience.

 

We ate all of our meals in the dining room except when it was closed, never saw "line jumpers" or rude people. We are readers and many of the sea days met friends in the Lido deck to play cards.

 

I truly am sorry that OP didn't see the same things we did.

 

We did take the Ocean to Ocean Railroad trip in Panama, but no other trips in either of the other ports. Costa Rica we just went to the stands near the pier, and bought souvenirs. Belize we did the shops just outside the pier area and purchased jewelry.

 

All in all, we had a great trip.

[papa1952]

I, too, am sorry you encountered this rude behavior. If I felt strongly enough about it, I'd go back to the other cruise lines as well. We cruised on the Victory, after not cruising in 19 years. I only saw 2 drunk people during the entire 7 days, which I didn't think was bad.

 

Everyone has different experiences.

CAN WE PLEASE NOT FLAME THIS POSTER??!!!!

:eek: You have to be joking. Just 2 drunk people in 7 days. Did you spend the 7 days in your room:confused: