Hubby rethinking our cruise

[gusandgidgetsmom]

I have cruised for over 25+ years. I do sail several lines but have never had a problem with any ship we were on. We have been re-routed, weather related issues, but never stuck due to maintanence, I am not saying that it couldn't happen. I hate that you are nervous and are thinking of possibly cancelling. Do you not drive in a vehicle as there have been many accidents or not fly any airlines as they have all had a crash at one time or another? It does seem that several Carnival ships have had some problems but with the amount of times they have sailed I'd say the chance was slim it would happen to you. All lines have had their problems over the years. Just do a little research and you see what I am talking about.

[angeleyez915]

OP I am on this same sailing and I CANNOT WAIT! :):cool: When I first heard the news reports I was chanting in my head "please don't let it be the Ecstasy!"

 

I am also booked on the Dream later this year, but I think I am lucky because it will go through a really great maintenance before I go...

 

Same here - I am praying that nothing happens this soon before the trip

[zenful6219]

No, you'd be charged a penalty since its so close, probably full penalty.

 

Dont be worried.. Cruises have been going on for decades and theyre just like cars.. they are bound to have a mechanical problem here and there but EVERY line has these problems and no ones been hurt on Carnival because of them. If anything, you can see Carnival knows how to react to unforseen incidents and you dont have to worry about them NOT taking care of you because they will.

 

The as yet unanswered question with Carnival is whether or not their ships are properly maintained. So, in this case, it may not matter one iota that cruises have been going on for decades.

 

Cancelling your cruise because of something the media is blowing out of proportion is silly. Do you plan on never flying again because planes have crashed or never buying a car again because toyota had that huge brake problem a few years ago? No. Things happen, move on and go enjoy your cruise!

 

Your examples are not relevant. Airlines and automobiles are regulated in the United States. A good example would be Toyota and the uncontrolled acceleration problem. Toyota was forced by the government to recall defective models. Airplane safety is also regulated. A recent example is the grounded 787 Dreamliner fleet.

 

Cruise lines are not regulated as stringently by the United States and most of the ships are registered in countries like Panama where rules and laws are much looser.

[zenful6219]

I have cruised for over 25+ years. I do sail several lines but have never had a problem with any ship we were on. We have been re-routed, weather related issues, but never stuck due to maintanence, I am not saying that it couldn't happen. I hate that you are nervous and are thinking of possibly cancelling. Do you not drive in a vehicle as there have been many accidents or not fly any airlines as they have all had a crash at one time or another? It does seem that several Carnival ships have had some problems but with the amount of times they have sailed I'd say the chance was slim it would happen to you. All lines have had their problems over the years. Just do a little research and you see what I am talking about.

 

Wouldn't you want to know for a fact (and not play the odds) that all cruise ships (Carnival or otherwise) are maintained properly? Most of the ships that dock in the United States are not subject to the same level of regulation as automobiles and airplanes.

[my_crib_too]

We just returned from the Breeze in December and had a great cruise. Since our return two Carnival ships have experience serious problems. If I had a November cruise booked with Carnival, I would start looking for another cruise to book. When you consider what Carnival has experienced in the past few years, it’s not a great record to be proud of.

[Blurgh]

Good example. People don't look at other scenarios in life, that are similar, and could be far more dangerous/deadly.

 

Difference being the cars will be repaired. I can't imagine a situation where every ship would be sent to drydock.

[Aplmac]

Man, I would not do Carnival. Not worth the risk.

I feel this way too but will probably continue with Carnival

because they're the only cruise line I can board right across town from where I live.

Literally 10 mins. by car, across town!

 

 

If not Carnival, then I have to get on a dreaded aeroplane

and get to P.Rico, where I'll have several choices.

It's the flying I try hard to avoid..

.

[glrounds]

I'd love to be "stranded" in St Maarten for a few days. I'd even tell Carnival, if they needed volunteers to take the last flight out, I'd be fine with it. How ironic, I chose my St Maarten polo shirt to wear this morning (purely random). Loved that port call.

 

Love Carnival in spite of all her sores and bruises. :-)

[LHP]

At this point, I'm not sure a ship's age is the biggest factor. Only a few days before the Dream incident, Carnival's top executive admitted publicly that Carnival needs to ramp up it's maintenance. So, maintenance (or lack thereof) may actually be the biggest concern.[/QUOTE]

 

That is kind of an odd statement seeing how routine maintenance is the reason this issue was found and being corrected BEFORE there is breakdown.

 

Looks like for once , an executive is keeping their word....

[LHP]

In one month.... hubby got stranded, shuffled around etc SIX times by an airline due to airplane maintenance issues....

 

where was the media then????

 

 

I have a friend who just Facebooked me that his flight is 3 hours late and they have no idea when they will be able to leave.... because of a mechanical issue....

 

again...where is the media????

[GradySRQ]

May I ask why you will never go on Carnival again?

 

Ummm...let's see...a ship that runs into rocks off a beach in Italy.

An engine fire in the Gulf that leaves a ship without power. And now a vessel stuck at dock in the middle of a trip.

 

I'll stick with NCL and RC until they have such incidents.

[Blurgh]

In one month.... hubby got stranded, shuffled around etc SIX times by an airline due to airplane maintenance issues....

 

where was the media then????

 

 

I have a friend who just Facebooked me that his flight is 3 hours late and they have no idea when they will be able to leave.... because of a mechanical issue....

 

again...where is the media????

 

Do you live under a rock? Go google "passenger bill of rights".

[Ladysilver]

On Carnvial not the dream, but on 3/21/13 Ecstacy. Should I be able to cancel and get a full refund. Kinda nervous

 

 

I'd cancel....I think the Ecstacy is next. :eek:

 

Just kidding!!! :p

[Scotico]

The as yet unanswered question with Carnival is whether or not their ships are properly maintained. So, in this case, it may not matter one iota that cruises have been going on for decades.

 

 

 

Your examples are not relevant. Airlines and automobiles are regulated in the United States. A good example would be Toyota and the uncontrolled acceleration problem. Toyota was forced by the government to recall defective models. Airplane safety is also regulated. A recent example is the grounded 787 Dreamliner fleet.

 

Cruise lines are not regulated as stringently by the United States and most of the ships are registered in countries like Panama where rules and laws are much looser.

 

 

Exactly. This is why I will never sail with carnival. You basically get what you pay for. Spend a little bit more $$ and go with a cruise line that is not known for ships catching fire or a ship running aground killing a bunch of people or being forced to fly home from an island due to a malfunctioning ship.

[DMRick]

What does this have to do with safety on a cruise?

 

There are many who are much worse off than those who have been inconvenienced while on vacation. Think of the homeless, or those who are without the means of being able to even set foot on a cruise ship, those who are terminally ill and unable to enjoy a wonderful vacation. Put things into perspective and realize there are things way worse than what those on the Triumph and Dream have experienced.

[tonit964]

Wouldn't you want to know for a fact (and not play the odds) that all cruise ships (Carnival or otherwise) are maintained properly? Most of the ships that dock in the United States are not subject to the same level of regulation as automobiles and airplanes.

 

I guess if it's cost effective, they wouldn't maintain their ships.

 

I don't think it is a case of Carnival not maintaining their ships.

 

How can this now, with the Dream, the Triumph and Splendor be more cost effective in dealing with the aftermath of those mechanical problems, rather than the cost of routine maintenance?

 

I think it is just really bad timing for Carnival.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Don't blame Carnival because...

 

Kids are starving in Africa

North Korea has a nut running the country

Greece is in economic chaos.

 

By using your "Logic" Carnival can NEVER be criticised or questioned FOR ANYTHING!

 

BTW, "nightmare" was a play on the ship's name

 

Nightmare has already been claimed by NCL.

 

People criticize Carnival all the time. Usually unwarranted, but that is another story. :rolleyes:

[LSUcajunmom]

Ummm...let's see...a ship that runs into rocks off a beach in Italy.

An engine fire in the Gulf that leaves a ship without power. And now a vessel stuck at dock in the middle of a trip.

 

I'll stick with NCL and RC until they have such incidents.

 

Costa incident was due to the negligence of a narcissistic captain, not mechanical problems and Carnival Dream was not in the middle of their trip. St. Maarten was their last port, if I'm not mistaken. And RC had a fire aboard one of their ships just recently, but it never made the news.

[alligirl78]

Ummm...let's see...a ship that runs into rocks off a beach in Italy.

An engine fire in the Gulf that leaves a ship without power. And now a vessel stuck at dock in the middle of a trip.

 

I'll stick with NCL and RC until they have such incidents.

 

Have fun with that!

[Sargent_Schultz]

Ummm...let's see...a ship that runs into rocks off a beach in Italy.

An engine fire in the Gulf that leaves a ship without power. And now a vessel stuck at dock in the middle of a trip.

 

I'll stick with NCL and RC until they have such incidents.

 

NCL had a boiler explosion and Royal has certainly had fires. Guess you won't be cruising much. :rolleyes::p

[angeleyez915]

What does this have to do with safety on a cruise?

 

Was anyone fatally harmed in the recent events with Carnival? NO. The only issues experienced were inconveniences (and with the Triumph I think i heard that some crew members had some minor burns) there were mechanical break downs. You go out and get in a car every day, you drive to work - the store - etc... you run more of a safety risk while driving around town than you do while on a ship. Are you going to blame the car manufacturers when you run a red light and hit someone else? How about blaming the state for an ice patch on the road that caused you to end up in a ditch. Come on people ... PERSPECTIVE!!!! If you constantly worry about safety you will never walk out of your house, watch out for that tree that just might fall on your head!

[cruzsnooze]

If you have insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason I would. Call Carnival and tell them you are concerned and see if they will allow you to cancel without penalty. Carnival needs to look at all their ships and repair them as necessary . It looks like they merely wait until the ship beaks down for a repair. We all service our cars so we don't run into break downs unnecessarily but apparently Carnival doesn't. I'm a Princess cruiser and I really hope Princess takes more Pride in their product even though they are the Parent company of carnival.

[GradySRQ]

Costa incident was due to the negligence of a narcissistic captain, not mechanical problems and Carnival Dream was not in the middle of their trip. St. Maarten was their last port, if I'm not mistaken. And RC had a fire aboard one of their ships just recently, but it never made the news.

 

And who hired the crew that hit the rock?

and excuse me...the Dream got stuck at the dock at the end of the trip.

I'm sure the passengers can take solace.

Feel free to cruise CCL.....I won't

[ooulio]

We got stranded from us airways from nite time to the next day. They lied to us and told us our plane was waiting when we got off. Told us to hurry and get to it. When we got to it, the plane had left 8 minutes earlier. They didnt care. WE couldn't find a hotel. Tried for 20 minutes. We ended up stranded for the nite. Then the cop came by and made us go to the front of the airport which was freezing. Everyone was going in bathroom sick from the smells in there. Nothing was left open so we could even sit there and get a drink or something. It was the nite from hell. There were a bunch of people standed . They didnt care. I think they offered us $50.00 each. I told them to shove the money up their butts but that was not what i said. I had to write to them half a dozen times. When they offered us that, that was the final straw. Every flight we have taken from them was a nitemare. They never offered us a blanket or drink or anything that nite. I will take Carnival anyday over some of the arilines. We just came back from Breeze. We had a great time. What about the other cruise line that had a big fire last year. ? How come they didnt blow that out of the place? You have trolls everywhere. It was in kitchen and part of a floor. That was a mess. Everyone has favorites. We did one RC. We did not like it at all. The room was small for a balcony. I did not like the food. They do not cater to special diets like Carnival. If you dont' like carnival, you will get over it. We have done Carnival, RC and Disney. I will take Carnival over RC anyday. Disney is nice but so much more money. No casino and too many children. They were always stepping on my feet no matter where I went. I did like Rotating dining rooms. Tried the suite once on Disney. That was it for us.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Last Princess cruise I was on lost all power for a while. And Princess and Carnival are siblings under Carnival Corp.