Just back from the Holiday*Must read for 1st timers

[JoshGrrrr]

Why dish the holiday because the entire ship smelled of sewage? Is that a serious question? I don't like the smell of sewage.

 

I didn't book a room midship because I didn't know that the aft noise would be a problem. I've always booked cheap rooms on the lower decks. I never choose my room. They all seem the same to me. It has never been a problem before. If someone had mentioned it before I booked I would have chosen a room in a different location. Thats why I felt it necessary to mention it in this thread. Now people who read this thread will know to look out for it. And FYI, it wasn't just noise. You could feel it. It shook the entire room.

 

I did send some food back. The food that was brought in it's place was just as bad.

 

How does the ship still fill up? You answered your own question. Less than 10% of cruisers know about this message board. You could post negative reviews all day and the ship would still fill up with people who don't frequent cruise message boards. Especially inexpensive ships like that. I don't think people put as much work into research when you spend such a small amount of money. I read some negative reviews but thought "Hey, it's a cruise. How can you NOT have fun". As for the rewards it's won, the local Hardee's has awards hanging on it's wall. It's still one of the worst fast food restaurants I've ever visited. Awards don't mean that a business will perform perfectly every day for the rest of it's years.

 

Why is it so hard for you to accept that someone cruised on the Holiday and things weren't like they were supposed to be? You attack every complaint I've made about the ship. Did I go through your review and attack every positive thing you said? Of course not. Just like I accept that you had a good time and the ship may have been spot on that week, you should accept the fact that that may not always be the case.

 

EDIT: Going by the stats I'm looking at the Holiday holds 1,450 passengers, not 3000.

[futaba951]

.

 

EDIT: Going by the stats I'm looking at the Holiday holds 1,450 passengers, not 3000.

 

 

It sails twice a week.

[JoshGrrrr]

That makes sense. :D

[jetskier]

1452 is you only have two to a cabin. Max capacity if all 3 and 4 passenger cabins are booked is 1794. That is why they will say a ship sailed at 120%.

 

So in a weeks time it could have 3598 total passengers if at full capacity.

Dave

[Cruzman]

8 years ago? This was 2 years and 8 months ago.

 

The food may come from the same place but the people working on each ship can vary quite a bit. Saying the food on all carnival ships is the same is like saying the food in all Olive Gardens is the same. The people in charge and the people preparing the food can make all the difference. It's very possible for one ship to have great food and the same exact dishes to be worse on a different ship. That goes for Olive Garden as well.

 

By your logic people should just disregard any review over a month old. I disagree.

 

By the way, I'm fairly certain there is an option in your Cruise Critic user CP that allows you to enable or disable sigs. Just click the UserCP link in the upper left of your screen.

 

Nice review. I'm sure you had a great time. I'm glad you did. My short little review wasn't meant as an argument to yours. I only posted it because the title of this thread includes "must read for 1st timers". I wanted to make sure they got the good with the bad. The friends who were with me on that cruise were first timers. I can't talk them into going on another cruise with us now. I'd hate for the same to happen to another first timer.

 

Unless my math is incorrect, May 2004 was nearly FOUR years ago; about 3 months before hurricane Katrina. Since that time, this ship had a month long drydock in which many changes and upgrades were added. My first sailing on the Holiday was in December 2004 and she looked really good. For each of your complaints, we found just the opposite! We enjoyed this ship so much that we have sailed on her four more times and had a wonderful experience every time.

[F5Loar]

The Holiday does 4 and 5 day cruises meaning it goes out 2 times per week with about 3000 people. Do I have to defend everything I say? I guess I just get tired of people coming on here with negative stuff that happened years ago. In your case 3 years ago in another 8 years ago. If you were on there the week or last month I welcome constructive ciristisim for others to read. Who cares what happened that long ago on a cruise ship that changes week to week. They may have fixed that vibration since you were on there. Why bring it up now? The food has gotten better on all Carnival ships so why bring up your old food they are not serving anymore? You seem determined to talk some new person out of sailing on the Holiday because you had a bad experinence 3 years ago. Should I say "Shame on you"? Maybe you need to re-evaluated yourself....your glass might be half empty now.

While I don't sail the same ship twice if I had a bad time I would still go again if needed because the next time on the same ship will be different. That's why the Holiday has a high percentage of return passengers. Go back the last year (not 3 years) and read post on the Holiday and see for yourself the postive reviews and the high percentage of people who can't wait to get back on the Holiday. To each his own.

[F5Loar]

Jetskier: Thanks for those figures. I knew the 1450 was double and when you add in the bunks and the roll aways the number can go up a lot. Even at that full of a ship I never felt crowded on the Holiday. And thanks to Cruzman for some more recent comments on the Holiday. Sounds like Josh needs to sail her again for a 2nd opinion.

[Cruzman]

Many of the points you are making are completely irrelevant. You are actually making the same point I was. Some lobster tail may be over cooked, some may be cooked just right. But it's still lobster tail. But, over cooked and just right can be the difference between GOOD and BAD food. You can go to Hardee's or Wendy's and expect the same dishes, but they may be prepared properly at one and they may be garbage at the next. At one your hamburger may be made fresh just like you ordered and handed to you with a smile, at the next it may be old, dried out, and have toppings that you didn't ask for and handed over by someone who obviously hates their job. But hey, it's still a hamburger so you can't complain right?

 

You make it sound like people who want an affordable cruise should expect loud stinky boats and crappy food. Believe it or not, you can go on a very inexpensive cruise without having to settle for any of those. You don't have to drop big money to go on a cruise that offers good food, good service, and a room that doesn't shake you awake at 4am. I don't know how many cruises you've been on, but to say the Holiday offers all you could ask for in a cruise is a little much. IMO it's scraping the bottom of the cruise barrel. It isn't one of the lowest rated ships in Carnival's fleet for no reason. We will just have to agree to disagree. You think the Holiday is the perfect ship for first timers. I think the exact opposite. I think a ship with a history of bad reviews like the Holiday is a poor choice for a first timer. It definately scared my friends away from cruising. Sure they could fix bad food. They could have fixed the sewer smells, but then again you may have gotten lucky. I would suggest one of the equally affordable ships with a better reputation for a first timer.

 

I'm glad you have fun. I'm sure people had fun on the cruise I was on. I'm sure most people will have fun every time the Holiday departs. You called it like you saw it last week. I called it like I saw it when I went. People can see when I went and decide for themselves if 2 years is enough time to consider it a completely different ship.

 

EDIT: After looking at the dates again, it was 3 years since I sailed on the Holiday.

 

Sorry to rain on your thread with my negative review. I didn't expect it to turn into an argument. You posted about your experiences. I posted about mine. I figured that would be the end of it. I didn't realize that I would have to defend my opinions of the Holiday. If you say it's improved, I'm sure it has. But future cruisers should still consider it's past before booking.

 

I hate to rain on your parade, but since you are without a doubt the world champion Carnival Holiday basher, I must point out that the Holiday just recently was awarded the "Crystal Eagle" which is Carnival's highest award for overall ship performance in a calendar year (2007).

[cruisintom]

well I have to say , the Holiday is the first cruise ship I stepped foot on and I have always told myself I dont want to go back to the Holiday since my past sailings were on larger ships, but now that i have read your post you have given me the excitement of going back to see her again. Thanks for opening my eyes to the smaller ship sailing experience.:D

[JoshGrrrr]

I'm not a Holiday basher. I've said numerous times that I'm sure that most people have a great time on the Holiday. Anyone can look at my sig and see when I went and decide if my comments are relevant. I never tried to imply that my experiences are recent. I'm only posting about my experiences. Disregard them if you wish. I guess I should never mention the Holiday and my experiences again out of fear of being called a "basher". My time on the Holiday was by far the worst out of any cruise I've been on. Should anyone with a bad cruise experience just zip their mouth and never mention it? I'm sure they've fixed most of the things I've complained about. Maybe they haven't fixed all of it. The noise may still be an issue, the smell may be an on again off again issue. Who knows. What's wrong with me posting my experiences for future cruisers to read and do with as they wish? I wish someone had mentioned those problems before I had sailed.

 

The "Crystal Edge" award was awarded recently (2007), not when I sailed on the Holiday. I've never doubted the thread starters review. Not once have I attacked any of the things he's said. I simply posted about my experiences, then he felt the need to argue every single complaint I've made. My continued negative comments are only answers to questions he's asking. If you read my first post in this thread, it was very lighthearted. It even had an "lol" on the end. I was just posting it for the sake of discussion because I thought it was funny that our experiences were so different. Every post since then has been a result of questions I've been asked. I don't see how you can call it bashing. The only reason this discussion is still going is because he wants it to. I said long ago that we can agree to disagree. He had fun, I didn't. I could care less if this discussion continues. I have nothing to gain either way. If you guys don't want me to continue posting about my experiences on the Holiday, it would be smart to stop asking me questions about my experiences. You guys ask questions, then call my answers bashing. That makes perfect sense.

 

You call me a basher. If you ask me, most of the bashing that goes on in these forums is people bashing people who post about negative experiences on a cruise. Believe it or not, some people do have bad experiences. There is nothing wrong with sharing them.

[JoshGrrrr]

The Holiday does 4 and 5 day cruises meaning it goes out 2 times per week with about 3000 people. Do I have to defend everything I say? I guess I just get tired of people coming on here with negative stuff that happened years ago. In your case 3 years ago in another 8 years ago. If you were on there the week or last month I welcome constructive ciristisim for others to read. Who cares what happened that long ago on a cruise ship that changes week to week. They may have fixed that vibration since you were on there. Why bring it up now? The food has gotten better on all Carnival ships so why bring up your old food they are not serving anymore? You seem determined to talk some new person out of sailing on the Holiday because you had a bad experinence 3 years ago. Should I say "Shame on you"? Maybe you need to re-evaluated yourself....your glass might be half empty now.

While I don't sail the same ship twice if I had a bad time I would still go again if needed because the next time on the same ship will be different. That's why the Holiday has a high percentage of return passengers. Go back the last year (not 3 years) and read post on the Holiday and see for yourself the postive reviews and the high percentage of people who can't wait to get back on the Holiday. To each his own.

 

 

I mention it because those are my experiences. What happened happened. It taking place in 2004 doesn't mean it didn't happen.

 

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of sailing on the Holiday. I have no agenda with my posts. Should I say shame on you if someone sails on the Holiday and is shaken awake at 4am? Of course not. You posted your experiences for people to read and do with as they wish. I did the same.

 

To each his own. Exactly.

[dmhtc1]

I'm not a Holiday basher. I've said numerous times that I'm sure that most people have a great time on the Holiday. Anyone can look at my sig and see when I went and decide if my comments are relevant. I never tried to imply that my experiences are recent. I'm only posting about my experiences. Disregard them if you wish. I guess I should never mention the Holiday and my experiences again out of fear of being called a "basher". My time on the Holiday was by far the worst out of any cruise I've been on. Should anyone with a bad cruise experience just zip their mouth and never mention it? I'm sure they've fixed most of the things I've complained about. Maybe they haven't fixed all of it. The noise may still be an issue, the smell may be an on again off again issue. Who knows. What's wrong with me posting my experiences for future cruisers to read and do with as they wish? I wish someone had mentioned those problems before I had sailed.

 

The "Crystal Edge" award was awarded recently (2007), not when I sailed on the Holiday. I've never doubted the thread starters review. Not once have I attacked any of the things he's said. I simply posted about my experiences, then he felt the need to argue every single complaint I've made. My continued negative comments are only answers to questions he's asking. I don't see how you can call it bashing. The only reason this discussion is still going is because he wants it to. I said long ago that we can agree to disagree. He had fun, I didn't.

 

You call me a basher. If you ask me, most of the bashing that goes on in these forums is people bashing people who post about negative experiences on a cruise. Believe it or not, some people do have bad experiences. There is nothing wrong with sharing them.

 

 

I'm with ya on this one! I just took my first cruise in Jan. and it was on the Triumph. Before I booked her I reviewed the good and the bad reviews and made a decision to go eyes wide open. I had fun, what a nice cruise! Sure it wasn't perfect but what is? The point is, if I had gotten all positive reviews, my expectations would have been high, thus if something was not to my liking maybe I wouldn't cruise her again or cruise at all. Thanks to you and other posters for both sides of the story! Happy cruising!

[sportsterjohn]

I was on the same cruise as the OP. Overall, it was a great cruise (num 8) and we had a blast. I will write a full review in a few days. I will say, that service was great, steward, dining staff were very good. Every crew member we dealt with was very friendly. Food was hit / miss. I did like the NY Deli better than the one on the Liberty. As you know the ship is smaller without the bells and whistles but the ship is very easy to navigate, it's almost impossible to get lost and we didn't have to wait in lines for anything. We did experience a bit of brown water and sewage smells but not too much of either. The weather was very cold the first 2.5 days. Was a bit odd to see people walking around the lido deck with coats and gloves on the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise!! We did see a really cool water spout. I will try to post pics later. My only complaints of the cruise are minor, crummy filet migon (very tough and fatty) and the muster drill was a cluster! Everything else was good, only thing I wish the ship had that it didn't other than a larger casino is a coffee bar. Anyhow, I will write a longer review in a day or 2.

[sportsterjohn]

I was on the same cruise as the OP. Overall, it was a great cruise (num 8) and we had a blast. I will write a full review in a few days. I will say, that service was great, steward, dining staff were very good. Every crew member we dealt with was very friendly. Food was hit / miss. I did like the NY Deli better than the one on the Liberty. As you know the ship is smaller without the bells and whistles but the ship is very easy to navigate, it's almost impossible to get lost and we didn't have to wait in lines for anything. We did experience a bit of brown water and sewage smells but not too much of either. The weather was very cold the first 2.5 days. Was a bit odd to see people walking around the lido deck with coats and gloves on the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise!! We did see a really cool water spout. I will try to post pics later. My only complaints of the cruise are minor, crummy filet migon (very tough and fatty) and the muster drill was a cluster! Everything else was good, only thing I wish the ship had that it didn't other than a larger casino is a coffee bar. Anyhow, I will write a longer review in a day or 2.

[Kurbanfan]

 

You call me a basher. If you ask me,most of the bashing that goes on in these forums is people bashing people who post about negative experiences on a cruise. Believe it or not, some people do have bad experiences. There is nothing wrong with sharing them.

 

 

You didn't come off as a basher. You were just posting your experience. Just like I did. Some people have a hard time with that for whatever reason.

Thanks for sharing....

[bamafan1292]

Thanks sooooo much for this review. My family and I are going on our first cruise on the Holiday April 12, 2008. I am getting very excited after reading your review. Glad you had a great time. :)

 

 

I am driving down from Atlanta and meeting my sister and her husband. Will see you there.

[4gvn]

My first cruise was the holiday...and while I had a great time (b/c I didn't know what to expect) I don't think I'd go back on her. It was too small for my tastes but I will say that we had WONDERFUL service on her. (No one really asked me...but I felt like adding my two cents. :D )

[Jacky4]

F5LOAR - you said you boarded by 11:30 is that because you are a platinum member or were they allowing anyone to board that early? We are also staying in a hotel in Mobile the night before and were wondering if we would have to drive around until boarding time.

[Cruzman]

F5LOAR - you said you boarded by 11:30 is that because you are a platinum member or were they allowing anyone to board that early? We are also staying in a hotel in Mobile the night before and were wondering if we would have to drive around until boarding time.

 

The way this is done in Mobile is that Platinum guests are escorted onto the gangway first, followed immediately by all other guests whose seating has been arranged in the order that they arrived. In other words, if you arrive and check in early, you will be among the first on board following Platinum guests. Of the 5 times we've sailed on the Holiday, we have arrived at the terminal at 11 AM, dropped off the luggage, parked the car, went thru security and the check in line, and have been on board the ship before noon.

[nowendy]

My wife got one of those fancy Oprah watches that make you feel better with magnetic electrodes in the back of the watch. Does it work? Let's say by day 2 she felt as good as she did on our honeymoon 15 years ago. And if Oprah reccomends it, how can you go wrong?

 

Here I thought I watched Oprah pretty closely. I missed the Oprah watch. What does it claim to do and how much was it? Now I know what I want to do when I'm in Coz, go watch shopping.!

[F5Loar]

I think we were the 2nd Plat. people to check in at a separate desk and then they escorted us to the front of the line which had just started to board as we broke into some people getting their Sail&Sign photo done so I'd say they started the first group of regulars by 11:30 too. If you are a Platimunn and arrive later and there is a line you go to the front of the line. A nice perk.

You must not watch Oprah everyday. She gave this watch away to everyone on her Christmas list show for the past 3 years. Someone said if Oprah was to give every American a new car it would pull us out of the recession we may or may not be in. Maybe she will do that when she becomes our new VP. Obama annouced on David Letterman last week he would make O the VP. That would be better than the $800 Bush wants to give us. The watch is made by Philip Stein and is called the Teslar. It comes only with a double face time(I guess Oprah needs to know what time it is in Hawiai and the Bahamas when she visits her other homes). She said she wears it all the time expect in shower. They had about 50 different styles to choose from in the $850 to $13,000 range. My wife got the new 2008 smaller style with diamonds in leather band for $1250. Years ago there was only a magnetic braclet band you could wear and then they came out with a watch on top of the band and they have been selling like hot cakes ever since. If you want to study up on it before you go try http://www.philipsteinteslar.com

[jetskier]

Someone said if Oprah was to give every American a new car it would pull us out of the recession we may or may not be in.

 

The last time Oprah gave away cars, she almost caused some in the audience to go bankrupt or lose federal/state benefits. While the car is free, the taxes/fees on the vehicle are not. The second killer is that the RETAIL value (not what it cost Oprah) of the car has to be claimed as income. Thirdly would be the insurance increase because of the higher value car.

 

I just had a friend win a Mini-Cooper at a local casino. It was going to cost them $9000 in sale taxes/withholding tax before they could claim the car. They opted instead to take the $15,000 cash payment which put $12,500 in their pockets after withholding taxes were paid.

 

Dave

[About2bemrs]

Thank you for such a wonderfully detailed review!!!! My FH & I will be boarding April 21, for our honeymoon and the day we board is also his 40th birthday!! :)

Any suggestions for making it his best birthday ever!?

I have already emailed our travel agent and she is going to contact the cruiselines for me and tell them of his special day and I think they also know that it is our honeymoon as well :)

 

Thanks again!:D

[blessedwith12]

Thanks for the review. I am going on my first cruise on the Holiday on 3/24th with my sister and two of my daughters. We are very excited and all the information - good and bad - has really helped me make better plans for this trip. I feel so much better prepared - especially for the excursions.

[F5Loar]

I'd say check with the Matri'di in the dining room as soon as you get on board to make sure he got the word from your TA. You don't want to wonder if they did or not. If he got it then it will happen. The cake use to be free I think there is a charge now. But they will sing for you at your table. See if you can upgrade to a suite and don't tell him. That would be a great thing to do on the Holiday. Just tell you TA to keep it quite. I did that for our 10th Anniv. on the HAL Zid. and she really was surprised and it was really nice.