Not Safe to Fall Asleep on the Glory?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I can't believe how people get jumped all over for legitimate complaints. The "Carnival Lovers" seem to be slathering lunatics who believe Carnival can do no wrong.

 

We were in Riviera 1300, 1304 & 1308 from June 20 - 27. On the morning of the 25th we had an overpowering odor in our room that did smell like paint thinner or some other chemical. I got an immediate headache. I can very well see how anyone with a breathing condition would be extremely bothered by this. I stepped out into the hall and the residents of many other cabins were there voicing their concerns to some type of Carnival employee. The Carnival rep made it seem like this was a "one time" deal, there was some type of "accident" and would be cleaned up soon. We were told it was limited to midship area of levels 1 & 2. That noxious smell was in our room all day, night, and into the mid-morning hours of the 26th.

 

I will tell you something, I am the biggest Carnival fan out there. I will tell you something else though, dealing with Carnival with any type of complaint is like talking to a brick wall. They know where thay are, they are in the middle of the ocean, they are in charge, everything they say is the law, and there is absolutely NO reason for them to compromise or deviate from the lines they draw in the sand.

 

The Carnival rep in my hallway knew this was an ongoing problem, but they decided the company line is, "This is a one time accident and we will take care of it in our own time." In every dealing I have had, going to a higher level will yield the exact same result, "WE are in charge and WE are going to circle the wagons because there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."

 

lol.....by the way, to all the slathering Carnival Kneewalkers, I am not "making this up."

 

I had this same thing happen to me on a Disney cruise. We were in an inside cabin all the way aft. One morning we woke up with an overwhelming smell. Turns out they were varnishing the railings.

 

Went to the front desk with our complaint. They immediately moved us to a balcony cabin midship.

 

It's ashame not all cruise lines are created equal.:(

 

Bill

[salty dingo]

It's ashame not all cruise lines are created equal.:(

It's a shame not all passengers are created equal.:)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

It's a shame not all passengers are created equal.:)

 

or posters for that matter.:)

 

Bill

[Bob NC]

I had this same thing happen to me on a Disney cruise. We were in an inside cabin all the way aft. One morning we woke up with an overwhelming smell. Turns out they were varnishing the railings.

 

Went to the front desk with our complaint. They immediately moved us to a balcony cabin midship.

 

It's ashame not all cruise lines are created equal.:(

 

Bill

 

I'm sure that solution is very easy when your cruiseline is sailing with tons of empty cabins.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I'm sure that solution is very easy when your cruiseline is sailing with tons of empty cabins.

 

ROFL! First of all it's not my cruiseline and this was before everybodys portfolios went into the crapper.

 

I guess even in these terrible economic times CCL still sails with no empty cabins. Good for them.:)

 

Bill

[wtallen24]

sounds like carnival tried to make up for a bad smell with on board credit, sounds fair to me, if it was that bad why not get off the ship, what exactly do you want from carnival, a full refund for the cruise you took, and the food you ate, ports you enjoyed (im sure you didnt enjoy them either) just my opinion but 99.9% of all complaints i read on all the boards carnival or rccl or any of them are because somebody didnt get a free cruise cause a towel was missing or because they didnt get vip cause they had a stubbed toe, or there kid was doing something they werent supposed to and someone corrected them, seriously what is it that you want from carnival.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

sounds like carnival tried to make up for a bad smell with on board credit, sounds fair to me, if it was that bad why not get off the ship, what exactly do you want from carnival, a full refund for the cruise you took, and the food you ate, ports you enjoyed (im sure you didnt enjoy them either) just my opinion but 99.9% of all complaints i read on all the boards carnival or rccl or any of them are because somebody didnt get a free cruise cause a towel was missing or because they didnt get vip cause they had a stubbed toe, or there kid was doing something they werent supposed to and someone corrected them, seriously what is it that you want from carnival.

 

Yeah $120.00 sounds about right. One can buy quite a few bottles of aspirins with that kinda windfall.

 

Bill

[rufustelestrat]

Seems to me that most of us have a strong grasp of what usually is going on.:confused: Complain and cry and see if there is sympathy for your story before taking it to the cruise line.:eek:

 

R

[Chacooe]

I had this same thing happen to me on a Disney cruise. We were in an inside cabin all the way aft. One morning we woke up with an overwhelming smell. Turns out they were varnishing the railings.

 

Went to the front desk with our complaint. They immediately moved us to a balcony cabin midship.

 

It's ashame not all cruise lines are created equal.:(

 

Bill

 

I bet if Disney did not have any cabins available they would have not moved you and treated you the same as all the other lines. I was told by a friend who has worked on cruise ships for over 20 years and he said that they will move you only if they have a cabin available. So Disney must not have left the port with a full ship.

[cathyoo]

I'm not sure why some think the poster is not telling the truth. It all sounds plausible to me. Now the OP does sound a little fussy to my way of thinking. However, I wasn't there so all I can say is that in the writing they come across as "fussy".

 

I'm not a pushy type, if fact let me tell the truth, both my DH and myself well we are WIMPS.. so if either of us work up the nerve to lodge a complaint it means something is really impacting us. I'm not ever going to make a scene or throw a hissy fit. But I don't think I should have to spend my vacation trying to fix something that I have no control over.

 

Most things we can deal with (missed ports, rude service, bad entertainment, noise in the halls, etc ) but really bad odors, no air-conditioning or bathroom facilities that do not work.. I can't pay for that type of vacation. I really don't care if they need to give me the Captain's cabin or send me home.

 

I believe having a good time is MY responsibility but certain basics are the cruiselines responsibility. My DH gets two weeks vacation a year. Every single moment of every single vacation day is precious to us and should not be spent at a purser's desk or begging/screaming for decent accomodations.

 

We all know bad things happen to good people and on the chance the OP is telling the truth a little more CC sympathy would have been nice.

[80sramfan]

I'm sure that solution is very easy when your cruiseline is sailing with tons of empty cabins.

 

 

Lol Disney sails with a higher capacity than Carnival. Your ignorance knows no bounds. While I'm a Carnival fan and platinum cruiser they don't compare to the superior product and customer service that DCL offers

[80sramfan]

I bet if Disney did not have any cabins available they would have not moved you and treated you the same as all the other lines. I was told by a friend who has worked on cruise ships for over 20 years and he said that they will move you only if they have a cabin available. So Disney must not have left the port with a full ship.

 

You couldn't figure that out yourself? It's pretty hard to move someone if there is nowhere to move them

[G'ma]

I can't believe how people get jumped all over for legitimate complaints. The "Carnival Lovers" seem to be slathering lunatics who believe Carnival can do no wrong.

 

We were in Riviera 1300, 1304 & 1308 from June 20 - 27. On the morning of the 25th we had an overpowering odor in our room that did smell like paint thinner or some other chemical. I got an immediate headache. I can very well see how anyone with a breathing condition would be extremely bothered by this. I stepped out into the hall and the residents of many other cabins were there voicing their concerns to some type of Carnival employee. The Carnival rep made it seem like this was a "one time" deal, there was some type of "accident" and would be cleaned up soon. We were told it was limited to midship area of levels 1 & 2. That noxious smell was in our room all day, night, and into the mid-morning hours of the 26th.

 

I will tell you something, I am the biggest Carnival fan out there. I will tell you something else though, dealing with Carnival with any type of complaint is like talking to a brick wall. They know where thay are, they are in the middle of the ocean, they are in charge, everything they say is the law, and there is absolutely NO reason for them to compromise or deviate from the lines they draw in the sand.

 

The Carnival rep in my hallway knew this was an ongoing problem, but they decided the company line is, "This is a one time accident and we will take care of it in our own time." In every dealing I have had, going to a higher level will yield the exact same result, "WE are in charge and WE are going to circle the wagons because there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."

 

lol.....by the way, to all the slathering Carnival Kneewalkers, I am not "making this up."

 

slath·er(slr)

tr.v. slath·ered, slath·er·ing, slath·ers Informal 1. To use or give great amounts of; lavish: slathered gifts and attention on their only child.

2. a. To spread thickly: slather onions on the steak.

b. To cover with something spread thickly: bagels slathered with cream cheese.

 

 

n. Slang A great amount. Often used in the plural: slathers of jewels.

slavver someone who talks a load of rubbish usually in a procrastinated manner. see haver

 

 

Which one did you mean????

[G'ma]

Lol Disney sails with a higher capacity than Carnival. Your ignorance knows no bounds. While I'm a Carnival fan and platinum cruiser they don't compare to the superior product and customer service that DCL offers

 

Of course, one pays dearly for the "superior product and customer service that DCL offers".

 

Plus, there's all those kids.................................

 

And, no casino....................................

 

And few "grownup" places..............................

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Of course' date=' one pays dearly for the "superior product and customer service that DCL offers".

 

Plus, there's all those kids.................................

 

And, no casino....................................

 

And few "grownup" places..............................[/quote']

 

That is neccesarily true. I have limited disposible income but have managed to do 3 Disney cruises. Last one was my wife, my grandson and myself in an inside cabin for a grand total of $810.

 

I know you've been on over a hundred cruises but don't know how many on Disney but there are enough adult areas to keep me happy. The kids programs are great for the kids and even though there are loads of them onboard they were hardly even noticeable.

 

Bill

[wtallen24]

Yeah $120.00 sounds about right. One can buy quite a few bottles of aspirins with that kinda windfall.

 

Bill

 

if 120 dollars isnt fair for a bad smell what is, i still dont understand what is it that you want,,,,, and bill sorry your automaticly wrong because your a phillies fan,,,go cards

[Crusin6]

That is neccesarily true. I have limited disposible income but have managed to do 3 Disney cruises. Last one was my wife, my grandson and myself in an inside cabin for a grand total of $810.

 

I know you've been on over a hundred cruises but don't know how many on Disney but there are enough adult areas to keep me happy. The kids programs are great for the kids and even though there are loads of them onboard they were hardly even noticeable.

 

Bill

You are absolutely correct it is certainly not overrun with kids. Plenty of adult venues, great service. Unfortunately the slide and the pools are too small. The adult pool is fabulous of course and they enforce the no kid rule. Not too many smokers as well!

[cespo]

I just returned from the Imagination today and the same thing happened to us.

We set sail on Mon out of Miami, on Tuesday after spending the morning (7-1) in Key West, we returned to our room for a nap before having to get ready for formal night.

After napping for about 2 1/2 hours my husband woke up to have to go to the bathroom. When he woke, he was very light headed, dizzy, disoriented, quezy, and the room had a very strong smell.

He knew something was not right. He tried to wake me up several times, I would open my eyes, mutter I felt like crap and laid my head back down. After about the 3rd time he finally got me out of the room (Empress Deck #2)

When I got up I was disoriented, mumbling my speech, quezy, severe headache, and very pale. My husband got me down to the chairs by the main lobby on the empress deck. After about a few minutes sitting there, I felt the like I had to vomit. He was able to get me back to our kids room Empress #8, and as soon as we opened the door (spare key) and get a trash can I started to vomit for several minutes.

As soon as we opened their door we noticed the same smell, but to a lesser degree. The vomiting was more important at that point than the smell. My husband noticed the smell was coming from the a/c vent and shut off the a/c vent while we were in there. Once I finished, we immediately left their room, to head back to the lobby.

Luckily the kids were hanging out with friends and not in their room at all. The spotted us in the lobby as they were getting ready to return to their room.

At this time my husband was feeling for the most part better, and spoke with the Pursers Desk. They immediately called the infirmary and I was brought down to see the nurses and doctors. While he was talking to the pursers desk he was told that they were painting in the front of the ship near our rooms.

At the infirmary, I was told that this was not going to cost me anything and I was given 2 shots. One for nausea and the other for the severe headache. And off they sent me......still feeling like a mack truck hit me. We did ask if any other passengers had seen them for the same thing and the nurse told me I was the 4th passenger from the Empress Deck all within the same area as my room.

We went to the lido deck for some fresh air and after about 20 minutes started to feel a little better.

Since this was formal night and I love lobster I managed to get up enough energy to go back to our room, change and go to dinner. I ended up doing this in the kids room since the smell seemed to be gone in there, but still lingered in our room. At this time he notice the a/c was still on in our room and shut it off.

After dinner I still was not feeling 100%, so I decided to lay down again.

But once my husband turned the a/c unit back on, the smell also returned in the room. So he immediately shut it off and told the pursers desk again. Since I was not comfortable sleeping in the room we went back up to Lido deck for fresh air, and when we finally returned later in the evening the smell seemed to subside. I finally started feeling 100% better by Wed. night, after being in the fresh air all day in Cozumel.

So yes this does happen!!!!!!! I am not a newbie and have only sailed carnival in the past and have another already planned in a few months.

The infirmary did take care of me, did a follow up call 2 days later.....but due to their scheduled maintenance, I lost approx. 36 hours on a 4 day cruise.

Am I going to write corporate a letter....you bet. My biggest complaint is what if DH did not wake up to go to the bathroom.

[LHP]

That is neccesarily true. I have limited disposible income but have managed to do 3 Disney cruises. Last one was my wife, my grandson and myself in an inside cabin for a grand total of $810.

 

I know you've been on over a hundred cruises but don't know how many on Disney but there are enough adult areas to keep me happy. The kids programs are great for the kids and even though there are loads of them onboard they were hardly even noticeable.

 

Bill

 

Wow... a 7 day cruise on Disney for $810 for 3 people.... that was a great deal!!!

[DocJohnB]

someone who talks a load of rubbish usually in a procrastinated manner. see haver

 

 

Which one did you mean????

 

I am just guessing, but probably this one.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

if 120 dollars isnt fair for a bad smell what is, i still dont understand what is it that you want,,,,, and bill sorry your automaticly wrong because your a phillies fan,,,go cards

 

I wouldn't want any monetary solution. I would want to be put somewhere on the ship where I wasn't subjected to fumes.

 

I don't know how long they were varnishing on my cruise but we were all sleeping and inhaling these fumes while we slept.

 

I for one had a massive headache and like I posted earlier in this thread that is exactly what DCL did for us. I would expect CCL to do no less.

 

I don't believe for a second that every cabin on every deck was occupied. It would be quite unusual for not 1 family to miss the cruise due to unforseen circumstances.

 

Bill

[MTcruiser]

the first incident was tues 16 and the next thurs 25 ---on a 7 day cruise?

when did the glory go to ocho rios and grand cayman? seems fishy to me!

 

It did go to ocho rios and grand cayman and grand turk. I was on this cruise, i dont remember any smells. we had an aft wrap balcony cabin. I do remember they were cleaning the balconies on one of the port days. We had a good room, good food, good service....can't wait to go back.

[crischickie]

I think StevenCindy pegged this guy. He's looking for nirvana and complaining and if the ship doesn't pay him what he wants he flames them. Obviously, he has done this in the past.

 

Read his post about how NCL is better than Princess (gag!!).

 

You'd figure someone who booked 50 cruises a year would be a little more enlightened.

 

He probably tries this on land too but Carnival called him on it. No sympathy!!

 

Just stay home WK!

 

You don't have much luck cruising. And you seem to attract gassing incidents too.

 

Emerald Princess – Oct 27 – 10 day Southern Route

For the price point, I have been shifting and this trip will continue to push me to other lines. I book 25-50 cabins a year for personal and business/customer perks and most of this business is going to RCL, Carnival, and now NCL now because the experience/price curve is better there IMO. The fact is that I would be willing to pay more for a better on-board experience but they are pushing to compete mostly on price. (does not seem to be working for the airlines, hope the cruise industry is smarter) At the lower price points, the other lines give more value and perks. From simple things like a newspaper, DVDs and ice cream to good buffet setups (24/7) for those who do not want to dress for the dining rooms… Lets face it, lousy food is the top of the list of things that can kill a cruise line… I have stayed with Princess for family trips because of the Capt Circle perks and a shrinking list of things we have liked about the line such as the day on Princess Cays, internet, prio boarding etc. We just booked for next year on Emerald with future credits but just barely. Had a sit down with the family and almost decided to go over to NCL next year. Princess won out for the reasons I mentioned above and the itineraries that are available for the time we want to go but just barely. If we do not see enough review noise about the food getting better by summer, we may drop and go over to NCL and give them a try. Friends/clients have been giving us really good feedback on them but we have not tried them ourselves yet.

 

Here is to hoping they break with past patterns of ignoring the customers and listen for a change. I know people took future credits besides for us. Cost wise, it is foolish not to (best program they ever cooked up to retain people), but I can honestly say I did not hear anyone else say they were doing it from the frequent cruiser crowd… The future booking rep was sick for several days on our trip but still the line outside her office was nothing compared to past trips and the stack of credit apps was mighty small for 3000 passengers. That should tell them something…

 

Anyhow, if you are considering the Emerald, give her a ride but only if you really like where she is going that week. She is clean and smooth and the service staff prompt and professional. If you are into the food and ride more than the stops, you may want to go elsewhere for the next few months until Princess realizes they have a problem and deals with it. It may be a smaller Princess ship like a Grand or Island class or another line altogether. I think she will get better and for short rides I would take her again for the right price and list of stops but not just right now…

Different folks will have different takes but I have tried to be even handed and express our takes on the ship herself.

 

 

View Post

Do not even know where to start. The lost reservations, tour bookings, wife's b-day setup...

 

This is our first and last ride on this disaster. Never thought we would find lower, cheaper (not in dollars) and just more 'K-Mart' than carnival...

 

We are frequent cruisers and this is our 4th major line to try. Heard that NCL was comparable to Princesss. Not even close... Would even go so far as to say a half step down from Carnival depending on the ship.

 

The menus were boring and many items not recognizable. They served the same food every morning (water logged eggs and cold everything else). The cruise staff spent the entire ride peddling lottery tickets rather than entertaining. Never saw them do much else. The big scam was pull tab instant tickets that appearently nobody ever wins more than $50 for spending $5 and claims that there are $2000 prizes seem to be unfounded. The casino cashier tells us half the cruises have no real winners....

 

Another sign of being super cheap... They hold up the gangway lines making people sign out forms for towels and then sign them back in again. Lose a towel and it is $25. Damn things cost them less than 25cents.

 

Drinks, pictures, shops, EVERYTHING is more expensive than any other line we have been on for lower quality merchandise and booze...

 

As for food, if you want anything better than low end buffet food (even in the dining rooms) be prepared to pay $20-30 a head as they have moved all of the good food into the specialty restaurants and even with that cover, only tap water is free.

 

Only plus items... Dine whenever, free ice cream, optional formal nights, Park West has taken over the NCL Art Auctions, Colombian Emeralds onboard, good tour selections...

 

Only tour complaint was that they held us on a tender at Cozumel for 45 min waiting for a family that overslept... Two fuddies got sick and barfed from the exhaust fumes and everyone was left sick from the posion air. The Tulum tour barely had time to drive out and back... no beach break and barely the tour... Tour staff was smug and did not give a damn about all the people they made ill...

 

Back to Princess and RCL for us!!! Maybe a Celebrity try next year... NCL not for us... Too expensive for bottom tier experience...

 

Good sailing!!! and Happy New Year!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

stay home it will be best for all

[G'ma]

That is neccesarily true. I have limited disposible income but have managed to do 3 Disney cruises. Last one was my wife, my grandson and myself in an inside cabin for a grand total of $810.

 

I know you've been on over a hundred cruises but don't know how many on Disney but there are enough adult areas to keep me happy. The kids programs are great for the kids and even though there are loads of them onboard they were hardly even noticeable.

 

Bill

 

I have limited cruises on Disney...only twice...and both times ONLY because of my grandson when he was small. It's a great experience for kids - Disney certainly does it right and I would highly recommend it for families with smaller children.

 

However, for me, the experience wasn't that great. I loved the beautiful ships and the cabins (gotta have a balcony), thought the food was very good. It was the typical bang-up job Disney is known for. I just don't like being on a ship with that many kids in that type of atmosphere, preferring a more adult venue.... I don't like DisneyWorld either-but went there with the kid because he enjoyed it.... Just my personal preference.

 

I was really glad when he finally outgrew all that and, by age 10, he was ready for something else....and he cruises with me once a year on Carnival. He just turned 18 and our last cruise together was in January on Liberty. He has always enjoyed the Camp Carnival/Teen/Club02 things...

 

He's college-bound now and we won't be able to cruise together as often....but, I'm sure glad we had a solid 10-11 years doing it......we had great times...on any cruise.....