fourkittys

Thanks to everyone for all the great replies and suggestions. It's now two weeks before our cruise and Delta has changed our layover time to 2 hours. YEA!

Great ideas about golf carts and/or wheel chair assistance. Will definatley remember this.

We are hanging on to our luggage to avoid mishaps so no worries there.

I am trying familurizing myself with Atlanta's layout and have printed a couple of maps to aid us.

How I long for the option of reasonable priced nonstop flights like we had a couple of years ago. So simple.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

After recent knee surgury with limited walking distances, my DH can get around the ship (FOS) with the aid of his cane and frequent rest stops. What is offered on the long piers leaving the ship? Cozumel has a tram. Is there anything like this at ST or SM? Will we have to stay on the ship? Thank you.

CHeck out Noel Tours thru google. They have a stop at Maho.

thinking about booking a hotel close to the port, I'm sure from hotel to port won't be a problem but does anyone know of any inexpensive options for transportation from Orlando to Port Canaveral area?

We always rent a car (Budget) for around $50, return it the day of the cruise to Budget in Cocoa beach, (they will take you to the cruise port. Then we do the same in reverse on our return back to Orlando. It's a VERY EASY drive, around 45 min>

We will be staying at Hyatt House on 18th Street in Fort Lauderdale on November 8th. (pre-cruise for Carnival Freedom). Anyone ever stayed there before? We usually stay at Hyatt Pier 66, but they are all booked. Thanks in advance for any info!!

Hi!

I just googled HYATT HOUSE/trip advisor for reviews. Seems to be highly recommended. You can also google HYATT HOUSE and come up with several sites that have recent reviews. Looks like a very nice hotel.

Some rooms have nothing beside them, others have a star or a box etc.

 

Looking at two random rooms #8245 & #8249, one has the star and one does not.

 

The star says Twin/King w/single sofa. So what's the difference with the one without the star?

Want to be sure we're not going to end up with a queen size. I'm sure the information is out there somewhere, I have not been able to find it.lol

Hi! Both rooms will have the option of two twins or put together to make one king . The room with the star means the sofa is can be made into a bed for one peron. No star means the room has a sofa but doesn't transform into a bed. Hope I answered your question. Have a fantastic cruise!!!!

a different cow

lol!!!!!

I wondered the same thing before we sailed on the Breeze. I have also noticed that new ships often have lower scores. I though this was odd.

 

In looking at it I came up with two things.

 

First the number of reviews. The newer ships have fewer reviews, so each negative review is going to impact the total greater. I think the overall rating is off the percent of comments at each level, not the count. That would make sense and is in some way fair. The majority of review are always on the positive side, and overtime they just outweigh the negatives.

 

Conquest

Cruiser rating

Excellent 563 (60%)

Very Good 187 (20%)

Average 104 (11%)

Poor 53 (6%)

Terrible 32 (3%)

TOTAL Reviews 939

 

 

Breeze

Cruiser rating

Excellent 268 (53%)

Very Good 102 (20%)

Average 79 (16%)

Poor 31 (6%)

Terrible 23 (5%)

TOTAL Reviews 503

 

 

The second thing I noticed was that the early sailings on new ships seem to bring a disproportionate number of negative reviews. I have not figured out if it is related to: higher expectations, shaking out issues, more people new to cruising, experienced cruisers not liking changes, something else, or a combination of things.

 

If you pull up the full list of reviews, sort it oldest to newest, and look at the older reviews you will see quite a few negative reviews.

Excellent observation. Thank you for putting this in prospective.

I am wondering why the Breeze has only 70% satisfaction among CC members. I read ALOT of reviews and the majority seem VERY satisfied. The Conquest and Legend seem to top the list with 80% which falls in line with all reviews I have seen.

This is more of an observation NOT a complaint......just curious if anyone else agrees or not.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too. :(

And/or a stroke.

No, but Thrill theater isn't part of 2.0. Breeze is the only ship with Thrill.

 

Sunshine does have JiJi's Asian Kitchen which isn't part of 2.0.

 

Some other features some ships have that aren't part of 2.0 include replacing Camp Carnival with Camp Ocean and the Dr Seuss Breakfast.

 

3.0 might be out before all ships are at 2.0. Pick the features you want and find the ships that have them.

Thank you, I didn't realize that. Something more to look forward to!

Thank you for the wonderful review. These BIG ships have never been on my "bucket list" but your review has given me food for thought. Good job!

Sunshine has all.

 

What are you looking for?

That is the ship I found with the most 2.0 upgrades also. But does it have the Thrill theater? They all sound interesting and would like to experience as many as I can on our next Carnival cruise.

Quite the detective....very impressive. Thanks! I am a little concerned that you always have only positive things to post though:confused:

 

For the record, the 2.0 is evolving with additions, just like ships in the same class getting improvements. hmmmmmm

LOL! Just gathering information and trying to post MOSTLY positive things without being condiscending, sarcastic or judgemental. I assumed (wrongly, obviously) that some ships had all the 2.0 uprades. Sorry you were confused.

Thank you. So it sounds like that no Carnival ship has ALL the 2.0. HMMM!

Is the Breeze the only Carnival ship with ALL the 2.0 upgrades? Thank you!

Book it. If you book under early saver and the price goes down you get OBC to use onboard

Early Saver HAS to be booked months in advance.

To make breakfast even better, call room service and have your beverages (coffe, milk, juices), cold cereals and pastries delivered to your cabin. Go to the Lido and fill your plates with hot food and return to your own cabin for your am feast. No charge for room service just a tip of $2-$3 dollars. Enjoy and have fun!

Pete,

Try not to let it worry you too much in advance. I admit room temperature is not as critical to me, but I understand if you like a room as cold as you do, why this might cause concern. Just have a plan of what you will do if it happens, and then let it go. My family’s concerns run more to crowding, wait times, food quality, and weather. I always remind them lots of things have happened to us on a trip (land or sea), and you just have to deal with them. Despite Carnivals claim, there is no “Guarantee”.

 

1. It’s not statistically likely to be a problem:

 

This is a hot button because it should be under your control and isn’t in these situations, but while there are indeed some people who have had major issues, it is not every cabin. As many people have pointed out, many ships and cabins are fine. Look at it this way: How many people cruise each week? How many come here or other places and tell us how hot their rooms were? Even if we assume that for every person that post that complaint there was another that was hot and didn't say anything, it’s still a small percentage of the total number of people sailing.

 

2. They likely will be able to make it better:

 

Of the people who experienced issues, most (from what I can see) have been resolved by maintenance at some point. I believe it was luvtocruise (sp) who in another thread said she had gotten feedback from Carnival that there had indeed been an AC issue on the Liberty but it was fixed.

There was a woman doing a Sunshine review. She was in a Spa balcony. She said that her cabin was too warm. She went to Guest Services and waited in line, they sent maintenance to fix it. It was better. The next day it warmed again, she had them comeback. That time they fixed it for good. I think it is terrible service that she had to go twice, but that is what it took to be comfortable.

 

I know it doesn't sound like it on the forums sometimes, but I doubt Carnival wants anyone to be unhappy.

 

3. Take full advantage of the ideas on this and other threads.

 

If your cabin is uncomfortable, keep telling them you want it addressed.

Bring a fan

 

Bring a travel clock with a thermometer

 

Try to get someone at Carnival to respond in an email before you sail, as to what the acceptable "cabin" temperature should be. Print that email and take it with you. Point to your thermometer if the room temperature is not in that range.

 

Turn the AC down as soon as you get to the room if you like it cold. Make sure it is blowing noticeably cold air.

 

If there is a problem, tell them sooner than later.

 

If they tell you the air coming out of the vent is acceptable, make them look at room temperature and return air temperature.

 

Tell them you will contact your credit card company and deny the charge if it is not fixed.

 

I am not saying there isn’t a problem. I'm just trying to put it in perspective. Carnival needs to make its passengers comfortable, and while you shouldn’t have to, you may need to take the situation in your hands and make them find an acceptable solution and/or compensation.

Great suggestions, thanks for your very tactful and helpful input.

Guess I've missed the threads about unbearable temps but for me it wouldn't be a deal breaker, but I would be asking for consideration (at least 3 drink coupons;)). They would have to provide a fan for DW because she can't tolerate heat the way that I can (and for her it might be a deal breaker if it were too hot). We typically cruise in the spring and night time temps are usually not too high so leaving the balcony door open is of course an option.

 

Not sure why CCL is controlling the thermostats, they generate their own power and I can't imagine that the cost/fuel savings are that significant, but I wasn't in engineering when I was in the Navy so I'm not positive.

Leaving the balcony door open is not an option of new ships. The room AC automatically shuts off when the door is left open resulting in more hot and humid air.

In regard to cost/fuel savings being insignificant please refer to post by steven597 on this same post.

Define UNBEARABLE temps.

I am sure it is, but he can speak for himself. I can tell you from my experience that the answer is the A/C is working fine on all of ours. Or is this just a thread where people having issues can complain?

I believe that was the subject. Call it compaining if you must but I prefer to think of it as a thread that might rectify an on going problem for many..Simply would like some kind of resolution NOT compensation.

Please feel free to post all the good experiences with cabin room temps to balance this one out if you wish.

Carnival Corporation announced today that they are saving millions of dollars in regards to fuel costs on their ships. One item in this article was their air-conditioning systems. Carnival states that they are installing new energy efficient systems. They stated that A.C. on ships was one of their biggest fuel costs.

 

On several threads I have noticed comments from passengers that they have found the cabins on CCL to be hot and stuffy at times. In the past when we have sailed we have never had a problem with the cabin temperatures

 

However, in an attempt to lower their energy bills, do you think that Carnival is turning up the temperatures in both the cabins and common areas on their ships? What has been you experience?[/quoteI

 

I agree with your last statement as I am sure MANY OTHERS will also.

I'm also glad Carnival is saving so much money. This is good for busines. BUT do not do this this at my expense. If installing more energy efficient AC'S contributes to their bottom line. Good job! AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T DO THIS AT MY EXPENSE (comfort level)

Speaking from experience, NO, they are NOT.

I am so happy for you. This has been from your own personal experience and not from the hundreds (or more) passengers that have felt this happen on their cruises and have been miserable in their cabins. I believe this question was for those have legitimate complaints. Once you have experienced this no amount of compensation truly makes up for a miserable sleepless night .

Fourkittys,

I like your question but I honestly don't know how to answer it with out the dreaded "subjective". Without temperatures included it is completely subjective, "Unbearable" and "Uncomfortable" are not standards.

 

For instance, I live in Georgia and my wife hates Cobb EMC (electric company), and does not like it cold. If she goes to bed after me, the thermostat will be on 80 when I wake up. So a room at 77 or 78 is going to be warm, but not unbearable or so warm that I won't be able to sleep. Don't get me wrong, if I go to bed last the thermostat will be at 70. It's a running joke at my house. I can't imagine the room being so warm that I would get off the ship. I will bring a fan from now on.

 

Here is my scale, Temps consistently at:

74 - 77 (or so) talk to Cabin Attendant

 

 

77 - 80 Guest Services until someone came to look at it. If not fixed then OBC.

>80 for more than one night. Complain to everyone I see with a name tag. If opportunity arises complain to officers on formal night. Be at guest

 

 

service every am until fixed or relocated. Leave voice mail messages for

every officer/manager the desk will connect me to, OBC OBC OBC.

 

 

Realistically that cabin would have to be pretty hot (85 or above) for me to consider leaving. That's why I think you have to allow for "subjective". I have read many threads about cabins at 77-78 and people were very uncomfortable. No reason they should be on my scale, but I don't need to be on theirs either.

Domino D,

I agree with you, SUBJECTIVE is the key word .Everyone has their own idea of their perfect temperature. Therefore Carnival should not be setting standards for the AC. The whole idea of room thermostats gives us the power to choose. (or should). Unfortunatley, Carnival is manipulating them as the AC is not doing what it was intended to do so Carnival can save $$$$$. I pay good $$ for an enjoyable cruise and being too warm is not part of what I expect. I don't think anyone is being unreasonable to ask for simple comfort at whatever level.

Thank you for your input. Very interesting. I would definatley be the last one to bed! LOL!

Has anyone pursued this because of hot cabins (unreasonable temps not Carnival's STANDARD reply)? This has to be reported to Customer Service within the first 24 hours. Lots of complaints on CC about this but continues to happen in certain areas of certain ships. Please don't say this is SUBJECTIVE. I am referring to legitament compalints with little or no resolutin by Carnival. If I would EVER get a cabin like this I will be furious. I'd rather have food complaints than being too hot. Thank you in advance.