Thorncroft

It's not unprecedented for ships to hit things on the pier. There have been numerous instances of ships hitting gantry cranes that unload containers. Those cranes are sometimes over 200 feet tall and they've been toppled over, some with loss of life. Most instances occur when the bow of the ship, which can stick out over the pier, hits an object on the pier, usually during a turning maneuver when the ship is very close to the pier.

Just got home from this cruise. Staff and CD were fantastic. Ship was very clean and well maintained. I was disappointed that we missed Cozumel but felt that Carnival compensated the passengers very well with the $100 credit per person.

 

There was a lot of discussion onboard that we were denied our spot in Cozumel due to the Liberty knocking loose a Mexican military vessel from its mooring while leaving Progresso. Our aft portside thrusters pushed a large military ship away from the dock and broke all but one of its lines. The gangway fell into the water and the ship almost went into the rocks before a second, smaller boat came to push it back. At the same time a waiting tug helped push the Liberty away from the dock. It was quite a sight and I felt sorry for all of the Mexicans who were scrambling on board and on the dock trying to secure the ship.

 

After we discovered that we wouldn't dock in Cozumel all heck broke loose with large groups of passengers berating and yelling at any and every Carnival employee they could find, at one point even chanting REFUND, REFUND at the Hotel Director in the Lobby. Petitions were passed around and there was a constant line of irate guests at the guest service counter for the remainder of the cruise.

 

I can understand being disappointed, but I have never experienced this kind of disgraceful rude behavior by guests towards ANY cruise staff. I was ashamed as a Texan that this was the perception that Carnival team members will have of us now.

Did you get video? :D

Less things to wash. As a native of Southern California I'm happy to see that Carnival has reduced water usage by no longer using tablecloths on many of its ships.

It's good that Carnival doesn't have to rely on rainfall and a melting snow pack for their water supply. They just make their own as they go. ;)

Nope, but I can say bull. When and if you want to throw money on that, look me up

We'll gather back here in 5-10 and see what shook out. ;)

I voted for table cloths. Why? If you go to a nice 3 & 4 course restaurant, you will find tablecloths. If you go to Del Friscos, you will find tablecloths. If you want the Denny's experience then don't have the tablecloths and let everyone wear shorts and tank tops. I want fine dinning and people dressed appropriately. It's not hard to at least wear a sport coat and a nice pair of slacks on elegant night.

Too late for that. The Carnival demographic wants casual, and that's what they got. Next up, cafeteria style dining in the MDR. No more waiters; incredible savings. Can you say Golden Corral?

Frivolous lawsuits are ultimately paid by the consumer in the form of higher prices. That is why cruisers dislike him.

Cruise fares should rightly be much higher than they are, but cruise lines, like airlines, TV and cell phone providers have adopted a model of a low access point and then onerous, piled on fees where they really make their profits.

Without the likes of Jim Walker, the cruise lines would run roughshod over their passengers with a contract unconscionably stacked in their favor.

It's quite odd that it's backwards. It should be the cruise companies that hate him, not the passenger he is trying to protect.

Right?

Now that George is gone, maybe CCL can sign a deal to get Kathy Griffin!!!!

 

:p:rolleyes::p

There's goes the family friendly image. ;)

That verbiage hardly holds up in a court of law. People just throw it around like it means something. And you never even come close to a court of law just to get a bit more out of them, especially when it's a mechanical problem.

 

Check out you options. Check out everyone's favorite as well, cruiselawnews.

LOL. I love Jim Walker. Most cruisers hate him, but he doesn't lie and sweep things under the already cluttered rug.

You will never be accused of that in regards to Carnival.

I will never be accused of that in regards to any corporation. They're a product vendor. If I like their product, I may buy it. If there's something about their product that I don't like, I say it, but I will never defend a faceless corporation to the bitter end. It's ridiculous and I don't have a dog in their fight.

Ok, it's not.

Are you sure? How can you be so sure? Didn't you say that you don't notice these things?

Where did the grey bucket of junk come from? Sailed on an American Table ship and never saw that....

Some things may not show up through rose color spectacles. ;)

Are you sure it is just water? You hang out in the MDR between seatings?

Please tell us that it's not.

[quote=Je Souhaite;49922504

But I want to wretch every time I see the grey bucket with the grey water with the floating food on top with the dirty rag cleaning of a tabletop that has just been vacated. And then line my table with napkins.

Yeah, that's just disgusting. Much better if they would spray the table with a cleaner and wipe it with a paper towel that gets thrown away immediately. With as much noro and other funky viruses floating around, you'd think they would be more cautious.

They should send George a complimentary cigarette burned tablecloth as a lovely parting gift.

good point. I am sorry some of you are getting so worked up over a TABLE CLOTH. lol it's ridiculous. stop complaining and enjoy your cruise! LIFE GOES ON.

Even if you don't care, some people like a tablecloth. It's allowed, you know.

imagine how much water + waste they are saving? It will reduce water and energy use.

Conservation on a cruise ship is an oxymoron.

They took away shrimp cocktail for a while and then reversed course when the villagers got restless. It's not unprecedented for them to change their minds. As far as tablecloths, I don't care either way. My favorite Chinese buffet has gorgeous inlaid marble table tops that would be a shame to cover up. They're either marvels of computerized milling, or incredible old world craftsmanship, but either way, they're simply stunning.

Obviously this is all a matter of opinion, but here is proof that the dining room looks awful without tablecloths and much better with. Looks a lot like a cafeteria at school and this happens to be Vista...supposedly the newest and best. Looks ridiculous to me actually. Of course everyone thinks their own opinion is correct ;)

 

 

Are those card tables and folding chairs?

Not a class system at all, anyone can book a Havana cabin if they want to pay for it.

 

Just like first class on an airline, front row seats at a sporting event, theater tickets etc. If you want to pay the price, you can do any of those things.

Thank you. You just made my point.

I think this may be the beginning of a two class system on Carnival. They're just dipping their toes in to test the water.

Yesterday, the tip list. Today, a broken ship. I bet the beards are holding a prayer vigil right now, asking for ANYTHING to happen at ANY other cruiseline so that they can catch a break from the news.

That uniforms are on the way out? I would take that bet.

No, no, no. Not uniforms. The part about not caring about cutbacks until it's too late and you're left with Easy Cruise. LOL

LOL, no uniforms.... You are funny. Do you sail on Carnival?

Carnival Corp. He's a friend from Cunard. And he makes a very valid point. ;)

In as much as management seems enamored with no linen on the tables for dinner and a modicum of flatware, I predict the next step will be doing away with staff uniforms. Let the servers dress however they wish. After all the passengers have done so, why make the staff uncomfortable in a uniform. And it will save Carnival a ton of money not having to buy and maintain all those "stuffy" uniforms.

 

If you think this is not possible think back ten years ago. Alter the dress code - Never happen - once a day cabin service - never happen - No table clothes - never happen - almost no flatware for the diner - never happen - elimination of enrichment lectures - never happen. Whoops it all has happened for one reason. The passengers on this line do not care and keep coming back. The reductions will cease and more services will reappear only when Carnival can no longer fill their ships. So be prepared.

Exactly.