TexasBrit

There was one evening in the beautiful main theatre with the two pianists from the Billboard room, and there was a dance group that did routines to some of the songs. I don't think it can be described as a dance "show" though as the pianist/singers were the main performers. The other nights featured the comedian or the BBC Nature video on the big screens with music. Again, not a production show as such. IMO that space was wasted on this cruise, but I understand that the companies are having to cut expenses. We are not big eaters of beef, so can't comment on that but I did try the lamb chops that sadly were quite tough and didn't taste like lamb! The meat in the hamburgers at the pool grill that we tried once was dry and bland; we both left half of them uneaten. . We have seen many cruise-ship comedians and never stayed for their entire schtick. The adult only late night versions were even worse, so now we don't waste our time. I realize some people enjoy them.

Sorry to read this report. We are booked on Ruby for Panama Canal in April, so now are concerned and thinking about cancelling. I don't know about Celebrity these days, (they were very good a few years ago) but take a look at the HAL boards. Quite a few unhappy cruisers there. Long-timers complaining as you did about the drop in standards post COVID and new people disappointed after hearing so many good things and then deciding to try HAL for themselves. We are in the latter category, and our experience was similar to yours in many respects. Of course Carnival Cruise Corp, which owns HAL and Princess, is in a dire financial situation so cutbacks are inevitable. Perhaps the glory days with reasonable costs and good value that we all got used to are over for the near future, and it is time to find alternative types of vacation travel.

We, in our mid to late 70s, were tempted by a "good deal" on NS in the S. Caribbean in December, and we had not been to those islands before so we booked it, out first HAL cruise. It turned out to be the least enjoyable cruise we have ever been on. Very little to do during the day on sea days, and just the Music Walk in the evenings. Basically sitting and listening to the different genres one at a time. There were no production shows, they used the beautiful theatre for a comedian. We are not fans of the 3rd rate comedians that perform on cruise ships so didn't go, but heard mixed reviews. One of the other reasons we went was that we had always heard that HAL had excellent food and service, better than the other popular lines. However the food was mediocre in all the venues, with just a few exceptions, and the service was very substandard everywhere. Several people we met who were previous HAL guests told us that things used to be much better. The cabin was clean and in good condition, and the attendant did a very job of cleaning and service. Reading some other reviews of this particular cruise and one or two others of different ships, it seems that our experience was not unique. Very disappointing, and so for us no more HAL cruises.

When I asked why certain items were either not available at all or ran out very early, I was told that they were not supplied with sufficient, or in the case of the berry pancakes any, of the ingredients to last all day the entire cruise! I heard that people eventually were lining even up before the GDC opened in order to be sure to get one of the bols.

We were on NS earlier in December and echo your comments about food and service. Very disappointing for our first HAL cruise, probably our last as well.

At least you got the fruit pancake! On our recent NS cruise they never had any and the bols ran out by 12!

We got welcome back offer, but after a not so good experience on NS for our first HAL cruise earlier in December, we won't be using it! Poor food quality in most locations and very slow and inattentive service everywhere plus a dearth of activities during the day. No production shows, a shame as the main theatre is beautiful and well-designed. We have no interest in 3rd-rate crusie ship comedians who wer eput in the main theatre. No music during the day and all other music crammed together in the evenings in the Music Walk. Overall this was the least enjoyable cruise we have been on over 30 years of cruising with severl other lines. A disappointment as our expectations for food and service were high based on recommendations. Even some long-time HAL cruisers we met were not happy and said things had definitely deteriorated.

We are recently off NS, our first HAL cruise, and have to agree with several of the posts here about the Music Walk. It is not a concept that works for us. We like music of all types but putting everything together in the same location is not ideal. Having the RS room and the BonB across from each other means they have to alternate sets. And the RS band was extremely loud, even from a distance. Can't imagine what it must have been closer to the stage. It could be heard in the casino one deck up with no problem. There is no music elsewhere on the ship at this time so this results in very crowded rooms with difficulty in finding a seat/table when coming from dinner after 8 PM. The BB King band was good with two good singers, although it was more jazz and pop rather than blues. The Billboard musicians were good pianists, but not so good vocalists, particularly the male. The classical music was only on early evening during the time we were at dinner, so we did not get to hear them. There was some dancing, in the BB King room, but none of the Music Walk rooms really were suitable, and not many good dance tunes were played anyway. Having been told by others that HAL was a superior line, this was overall a disappointment, compared to the many other lines we have been on, and together with the poor food quality and service in most of the dining options, as has been mentioned in a different thread, we will not be cruising with HAL again.

Based on our recent cruise on that ship, she will be bored. There is very little to do during the day of interest to anyone, let alone a young adult. Just a few trivia games, some pickleball played mainly by a bunch of elderly people, and occasional dance lessons. No music during the day anywhere on the ship. In the evenings there is the Music Walk, which depends on tastes etc., and some shows with a 4th rate comedian. No production shows at all in the beautiful main theatre. There is no disco or pub where young people might like to go. Also there were hardly any young adults on board, other than a few couples with very young children. I don't know many (any) young adults who like to spend their time on vacation painting (there is a charge for that) and coloring! Yoga is another activity that has a fee. Some people do organize their own table games like Mar-jongg and bridge, but again mainly elderly people.

On Vista Oct 15-22. Still had propulsion issues which caused the total itinerary change because the ship couldn't go fast enough to get to Jamaica. But some people thought it was a cost issue to save fuel? Only a real problem for the Cozumel stop where we had to leave at 3 pm to get back to Galveston on time. The Dream, which left Cozumel after us, overtook us the next day and got to Galveston about 2 hours ahead of us! No hot water for about 12 hours during one of the port stops. People had to cold shower after their excursions and before dinner. Major issue for me was that they did not have the Red Frog ale. It was not delivered to the ship.

Yup, I know that, but it is still disappointing. If they can find room on smaller ships for a second casino, it should be possible on Vista. I was told by the brewmaster that the Thirsty Frog Red ale is brewed on land not on the ship, and their supply was not delivered. They were hoping it would be available for this week's; cruise. But since I was told clear lies about not being able to serve it until in international waters, who knows what the truth really is. I suspect that the costs have increased and they didn't want to pay for it.

The itinerary was changed from Jamaica and Grand Cayman to Roatan and Belize, plus naturally, Cozumel. Reason given was engine problem preventing the ship going at the required speed to reach Jamaica in time. As a result, the ship had to leave Cozumel at 3 PM, which didn't give much time for excursions etc. Some passengers felt that the real reason was to save money on fuel costs by not going fast. Disappointed that there was no Red Frog ale on the ship. Initially the bartenders were saying it could not be served until in international waters, which is total BS, as I have always had a couple of pints of it upon embarkation at Galveston. It was only the following day when the real reason was revealed. Mostly the cruise was OK. Bar service was slow and not as friendly as on previous cruises. It looked like there were fewer bartenders on duty. MDR service was good and attentive, although a couple of the entrees were inedible for me. Breakfast and sea brunch service was very slow. Took a long time to get the orders taken and even longer form the food to arrive. One morning they did not have any hot water available for tea, and we had to wait until they boiled some! Incredible really for a breakfast seating! Buffet, pizza, deck 5 barbecue on sea days were good as was Guy's burgers as usual. The casino was very busy and full of smokers. Disappointed that there was no separate non-smoking casino as there was on Breeze and Dream. As a result we spent very little time in there. Entertainment was only average, the best being a country music duo from South Africa. The cabin was typical, clean and comfortable and well maintained by the attendant, who we seldom saw. Overall I have to agree that Carnival has gone downhill compared to previous cruises a few years ago. We have cruises booked on HAL (our first time) and later Princess, so it will be interesting to do the comparisons.

Yes exactly! But if you did that with Earl Grey or English Breakfast you can get a decent cup of tea! Don't know about the other varieties, I never bother with them.

The problem is not the type of tea or the tea bags. It is the water. It is not hot enough at the table to make a good cup of tea.

Used to be the best steakhouse at sea and we went to it on previous cruises. But on our last Breeze cruise Mrs. T's steak was inedible. She bravely tried to eat it but gave up. When we pointed it out to the waiter he said you should have sent it back but now it was too late. No compensation or refund was offered. Needless to say we did not try it on our follow-up cruise on the Dream. But if you have never been before, give it a try. If it is good, it is very good.