We may abandon carnival !!

[planb]

OK so here is a quick run down of the Spirit. Thus is our 2nd time on the ship. We have always had a balcony (recommended) But we have traveled with Princess more in the past. We have been on over 10 cruises, are late 40’s ,both professionals and have not had any real complaints about any of the cruise lines until now.

We got off the ship yesterday with 2000 other guest who had to scramble to reschedule flights. More of that later. Read to the end …

Getting on was a breeze. You had to go to the Lido deck or just wander. They have roped off you going to the rooms at all. No access until they say it is open after 1:30pm. Rooms were nice ,clean and wonderful stewards, Always had our ice there and a cooler filled with ice for extras, Towel animals each night and it helps to give them an extra tip at the beginning.

The ship is clean and has a very nice atrium, we did find that they have 2 small shops A LOT less than what we have found on other ships and not as impressive . I have bought 1.5 ct emeralds off of other ships that were priced very well and yet there was not the selection on this ship. Lots of 10.00 19.99 deals for less expensive items like watches. So about a 20 min time shopping UNLESS this is your 1st cruise , than take your time look around there’s always something for everyone.

The casino is there we don’t gamble but thought we would play the penny machine and win $5.00 on the first roll and out we went. It was always busy and they will take money any way they can ATM,cash,credit card,ship and sail.

Shows didn’t go but people did enjoyed the it seemed.

The food was fine on the Lido deck lots of choice husband loved the Chinese section.

Main dinning room had excellent service. Love Santos he is wonderful and personable remembers all your likes. Food was good and remember if you want to try a couple of things they will bring you both. We asked for a large table and were given a table for 2 in the isle was our only complaint here. Eat breakfast in dinning room if you can it is excellent. PLEASE NOTE: on formal night we saw jeans , woman in shorts that showed both cheeks and nothing was said, They announced that the dress code would be enforce but most nights you got may people looking like they were dressed for a kids baseball game, yep hats at the table and torn tee shirts.

Get on and off the boat for shore went fine no hitches. Lots to do and see.

Now for the not so good.

Everything was great till the end. We turned on CNN the night before leaving and the news of Japan and the tsunami was just reported. Lots of prayer went out to them and amazing news footage, Early wake up and they announce that the waves are headed to our port and we will be delayed 1 ½ hours staying out to sea for safety. No problem we’ve all been told to book after 12:30 flights ours was at 1 pm. We are told we can stay in our rooms. There is thick fog, fog horns and rolling waves coming at the ship but not causing much more than slight movement. Kind of spooky. Jen the cruise director is giving out this information with the most irritating voice you can imagine. Than we start to get announcements from the captain, that we will be out longer and that the ports have all closed. We will be even later maybe 11 or 11:30.

Now we are asked to leave our rooms at 10:30 and wait. Still getting little news just that voice say “it’ll be just a but” Than at 11:30 they start call for the international or green card people to go to the lounge… why just now.. They than can’t seem to fine a number of them.. Now we are getting into port. People who had early fight called to change them to 1 pm flight and they along with us see it will really be cutting it close. At 12 pm they start call for 1 person to show up for clearance. He is nowhere to be found but a ship load of people are kept on board for another hour. We now have all missed our afternoon flight. Time to start calling the airlines. Southwest will change flights no charge NOT because Carnival held up the ship past the open port at 11am but due to the tsunami . Other airlines are charging people and angry is rising. They find the guy and than start taking people off the ship about 1 pm. All through this we hear that terrible voice giving no information just that “ it’s be a bit longer”.

So our BIGGEST complaint is that Carnival made a bad situation extremely worse. HOW they should have called and cleared and had those people In the lounge and all accounted for by 8 am! Not waiting till we got to the port. We all could have been off the ship by 11:30 instead it was 1:30 people standing in the hallways since 10:30 and may elderly people in distress. Many people missing flights and having added expense for air and maybe hotels now. Not only was it our inconvinced (the airport was a mad house) but also the people getting on. They were at the pier at 11am and were lined up for 2 city blocks with their luggage they were not happy, hot and tired.

Yes we will cruise again, planning now for one with our parents, we will NOT be going Carnival as they seem to be getting into not just the Walmart stage but the a cheep convince store.

[nytraveller53]

It seems like you just wanted to complain. Sorry.

What could a "better" cruise line do in the same weather situation? Carnival handled it the safest way possible.

[kdooley]

"... we will NOT be going Carnival as they seem to be getting into not just the Walmart stage but the a cheep convince store.

 

Just returned from a 4 day on Inspiration and totally agree with you!

 

Between the security taking hours to remove "Justin Beiber" from dirty dancing on the lounge chairs by the pool to the extra long lines at the buffet to no chairs available in the Serenity area, I'm sticking to Princess from now on.

[Sailor_Sally]

Unfortunately if you travel enough these things happen . If I started eliminating cruise lines or airlines where I had a delay I 'd be staying home a lot .

[TheSailinSOB]

I will be the witch here, but what exactly do you think Carnival was supposed to do? They can't control if the port was closed or nature. It seems like you prob wouldn't have been happy either way. Even in your list of "good" things were complaints. People crack me up

[klfrodo]

This is what I took away from your post.

 

Great ship and had a great time.

Carnival could have possibly called for the international people earlier but they didn't ,,,possibly bad on them.

 

But what really has cranked your goat is that a horrible natural disaster took place in Japan, It was a known fact that Tsunami's were going to hit the west coast of the US, for the safety of the ship, the passengers, and the crew, Carnival kept the ship out in open waters, thus delaying your debarkation off the ship.

 

Is that about correct?

[Miastar]

So sorry the earthquake and the tsunami inconvenienced you personally.

[brnsnbrws]

Now for the not so good.

Everything was great till the end. We turned on CNN the night before leaving and the news of Japan and the tsunami was just reported. Lots of prayer went out to them and amazing news footage, Early wake up and they announce that the waves are headed to our port and we will be delayed 1 ½ hours staying out to sea for safety. No problem we’ve all been told to book after 12:30 flights ours was at 1 pm. We are told we can stay in our rooms. There is thick fog, fog horns and rolling waves coming at the ship but not causing much more than slight movement. Kind of spooky. Jen the cruise director is giving out this information with the most irritating voice you can imagine. Than we start to get announcements from the captain, that we will be out longer and that the ports have all closed. We will be even later maybe 11 or 11:30.

Now we are asked to leave our rooms at 10:30 and wait. Still getting little news just that voice say “it’ll be just a but” Than at 11:30 they start call for the international or green card people to go to the lounge… why just now.. They than can’t seem to fine a number of them.. Now we are getting into port. People who had early fight called to change them to 1 pm flight and they along with us see it will really be cutting it close. At 12 pm they start call for 1 person to show up for clearance. He is nowhere to be found but a ship load of people are kept on board for another hour. We now have all missed our afternoon flight. Time to start calling the airlines. Southwest will change flights no charge NOT because Carnival held up the ship past the open port at 11am but due to the tsunami . Other airlines are charging people and angry is rising. They find the guy and than start taking people off the ship about 1 pm. All through this we hear that terrible voice giving no information just that “ it’s be a bit longer”.

So our BIGGEST complaint is that Carnival made a bad situation extremely worse. HOW they should have called and cleared and had those people In the lounge and all accounted for by 8 am! Not waiting till we got to the port. We all could have been off the ship by 11:30 instead it was 1:30 people standing in the hallways since 10:30 and may elderly people in distress. Many people missing flights and having added expense for air and maybe hotels now. Not only was it our inconvinced (the airport was a mad house) but also the people getting on. They were at the pier at 11am and were lined up for 2 city blocks with their luggage they were not happy, hot and tired.

Yes we will cruise again, planning now for one with our parents, we will NOT be going Carnival as they seem to be getting into not just the Walmart stage but the a cheep convince store.

 

I couldn't blame Carnival if I were on this cruise. I think all cruise lines would have been faced with this problem due to the Tsunami. Everything about your cruise sounded great except for debarkation and I don't think you can really blame Carnival for this.

[lucyintheskywithdiamonds]

other cruiselines could have put you in harms way.. you can't mess with mother nature,, you arrived alive.. be grateful:)

[sparkscruiser]

Sounds like much of your trip was enjoyable but that Mother Nature created havoc for debarkation. Carnival could not dock until given the OK. Carnival does not check the immigration parpers, CBP does. If they were not on board, they could not have started checking documents and are not responsible for for other passengers not listening to announcements. They have a specific way of taking care of debarkation and a number of things sound like they went wrong. So sorry that you you feel that you won't cruise Carnival again based upon a natural disaster. Hope your next vacation is a great one.

[jandjfun]

I feel sorry for all that was involved. But the port was closed until 10:15- 10:30. Then the ship had to move into the pier area. Customs had to clear the ship. ( surely you don't expect the internationals to sit in the lounge from 8 am - ??? until the ship could get into SD) and then debark everyone and all the luggage.

I'm sure the crew did their best. It's probably a good thing you weren't on the Splendor when it caught fire.

If you choose to go on a different cruise line, you can expect that the very same thing could happen there too.

Happy cruising though, regardless of which line you choose to use.:D

[Frank12]

Trying to read the OP gave me a headache! I hope that was done on a smartphone or something! :eek:

[wegiekat]

Unfortunately if you travel enough these things happen . If I started eliminating cruise lines or airlines where I had a delay I 'd be staying home a lot .

 

I am of the same mind. Just flew Southwest to Las Vegas this past week. An hour and a half delay leaving Indy which caused us to almost miss the show we booked. Lesson learned, never book a show the same evening you arrive but had we missed it I would never curse Southwest or swear never to fly with them. My bad for cutting things so close. That said, I always arrive at port for a cruise a day early and always schedule the day off afterwards in case of problems.

 

Ship happens when you travel and if you cant roll with the punches......

[Justsyd]

So sorry the earthquake and the tsunami inconvenienced you personally.

 

I so agree with this!

 

Seriously? This is what you have to complain about? People overseas lost their homes, cars, families, friends, towns, everything, and you're complaining because you were delayed? Seriously?

[Harveycm]

I'm sorry but if being delayed for a flight is the worse thing that happened from the Tsunami then you should count your blessings. I have family in Hawaii that I was worried about. And hundreds of people lost their life in Japan. I would count your blessings.

[firefly333]

I had Jen on my Ike Conquest cruise. I would avoid any ship she is on now too. I hate that voice.

 

Just because they say to not book a flight until after noon doesnt mean they guarantee they can make it in.

[mosiegirl]

It seems like you just wanted to complain. Sorry.

What could a "better" cruise line do in the same weather situation? Carnival handled it the safest way possible.

I agree..sounds like Carnival handled the situation the best they could for the safety of ALL.. I think they did the right thing.. Sure, people were PO'd..can't please everyone.. and not everyone understands the reasons or decisions that are made in their best interests.

[ladylikes2cruise]

omg---all I can say to this is,

I rather be standing in your shoes and suffer the wait with all those problems, unlike our poor neighbors across the Pacific.

Princess is owned by Carnival Corp. so I don't feel they would have done anything different.

This is why cruise and airline insurance may/is important.

[nobody000]

So sorry the earthquake and the tsunami inconvenienced you personally.

 

 

Best first post ever!!!! :D

[tmt218]

Your "BAD" day is NOTHING compared to the people in Japan. I would gladly take a missed plane ride home and a delay of getting off the ship. That's why you have trip insurance to cover the costs of these unexpected situations.

I also don't think any other cruiseline could have done a better job. The ports were closed so no ship was getting into port.

[bluesman0711]

Wow, after what Japan has been suffering through, you were still able to post a complaint about your experience. Incredible.

[renza]

Lets see, food was good, service good, not great shopping, and u will not take carnival again because you missed your flight due to a natural disaster. Do us all a favor , and stay home.

[Scobandit]

Since it is all about you you you and not what happened in Japan and that Carnival kept you safe. I hope you dont cruise with carnival again.

[ferfoodle]

OP - Just flow with what your screen name is.

 

Sorry - but the rest of the world is kinda "inconvenienced" with other events right now. Hello - earthquake, tsunamis, nuclear meltdown, wars...

[rmacsc1401]

May God bless the people of Japan!! Looks like God already blessed you! You had a vacation and arrived back safely...be thankful. Remember, it could have been worse!! :)