* Is Carnival Still Safe & Worth It *

[jaydog240011]

no tug boats next 2 triumph before the storm good job carnival

[penguinscott]

I sailed CCL a few years ago and didn't want to do it again. My personal experience wasn't a good one. Cigarette smoke in the lounges, bars, hallways and on balconies was horrible. In fact, I complained that one of the non-smoking bars was the one right next to the casino...which allowed smoking!!! I found a great deal of the other guests lacking in tact and decorum. The food was great, however, the servers weren't very professional...they were fun, but I like a bit of class with my cruises. Nothing wrong with that, there is a cruise line for everyone!

 

Latey, and esp. since they changed their smoking policies, I thought, well, I'll give them another try. Even after some of the issues they've faced, I still feel cruises are safe enough.

 

However, what really has soured my taste for CCL is the greed factor. After reading about their billions of dollars in profits and the fact that they pay virtually no taxes, I decided that I've had enough. I am a supporter of the whole 99% movement and I just feel that a company like CCL that has that much money with their base in America should be paying their share.

 

What really didn't help was that the head of this forum (Cruise Critics) recommends that people book with someone else. That's huge. CCL has a lot of face to save. I hope they can do it. I don't want to avoid them, but for now, I will.

[trizzou]

You should watch that documentary "The Poseidon Adventure", that ship flipped upside freaking down! I don't think it was Carnival though, probably RC.

[Heatherco]

OP..I think your question was a valid and fair one. I can't believe the number of nasty comments that people feel the need to throw out there. All people had to say was...I do think Carnival is safe and that they are probably doing everything they can to remain so and we will probably cruise with them again.

 

People are funny...they must think because they are hidden behind a compter screen it is ok to be nasty and rude. Not very adult like behavior to me. Is that how they are training their children to be? Pretty sad really.

 

I like all the cruise lines we have sailed, but I have to say if this is the type of people now sailing Carnival, I'm not sure I want to spend my money to vacation with them.

 

I do think Carnival is probably still safe. However, it does make us question whether we should pick them or another line for a family vacation since both vacation time and dollars are always in short supply. There are no guarantees in life, but you make decisions based on calculated risks. I guess I need to calculate the risk of whether there will be more problems on my vacation if I choose them over another line. Not sure for now....

[Laurab23]

never fly back say you dont fly and they have 2 find a cruise ship 2 take you back 30 people from the breeze went on the ncl sun

 

Now that is useful info.I really don't fly.I am terrified of flying and I kept thinking what if something happens and I have to fly back.

 

We leave Monday on the Carnival Splendor and are planning to have a great time.

 

Laura

[Warm Breezes]

As most of you have probably seen, Carnival Cruises is in the news yet again today. From the fire and stranded Triumph, Elation's steering issues, Dream's generator issues and now the Legend Azipod issues can we still say that Carnival Cruises is safe? I'm concerned that Carnival Cruise Lines might now be too big for the current management. Its obvious that maintenance and other issues are starting to crop up everywhere. I know Carnival is under a microscope right now due to the media focus, but can we still trust the Carnival product?

 

I know that Carnival Cruise management reads these reviews on Cruise Critic and I think we need an open a discussion. Do you feel Carnival is still safe? Are these issues causing you concern about booking a cruise? With everyone watching every dollar these days is Carnival is worth cruising? We are booked on a summer Carnival cruise and I must say I'm quite concerned. Not only am I concerned about the recent issues, but I'm also noticing that reviews are dropping fast... Slow service, bad food, reduced staff, poor shows and crowds, crowds, crowds.

 

We are going on the Carnival Freedom in August. I am not afraid for our safety. We have not experience slow service, bad food, reduced staff, poor shows or above normal cruising crowds on any of our previous 5 Carnival Cruises and I do not expect them on our next one.

 

Is Carnival top of line...no. But I am not paying for top of the line and I am actually getting an even better value than I anticipated with the price drops we have recieved or the last month. On Carnival I expect good service, average to above average food, adequate staff to meet my needs (although they almost always exceed), and good shows. I don't expect poor and I don't expect outstanding. I am paying for average, I expect average, and when I get more than average it is a bonus....I have yet to get less than average so I have no complaints. If I wanted something else then I would pay for something else. It is my choice who I cruise with. Yes there may be some things we don't like. I don't expect to like everything and what I don't like someone else may like. I don't let those things bother me...instead I focus on what I do like and enjoy my cruise. We sail Carnival for an inexpensive fun family vacation. That's exactly what we get. I can't wait for August to get here.

[RAVI360]

I'm leaving on Sunday and am terrified! I guess I will still go because it's booked and all. But I will be terrified the entire time I am using the cheers program, eating in the delicious steakhouse, partaking in the chefs table, while singing at the top of my lungs (out of fear) at the piano bar with Ron Pass.

 

Yep! It will be a freighting week for me.

 

oooooo where the like button.............

[Heatherco]

Case in point...another rude and obnoxious post.

[cruzinlisa]

I would be lying if I said it never bothered me, but it's not enough to make me cancel my cruise. Triumph happened just after final payment, so I would have taken a loss no matter what. But I do not feel that my cruise will be unsafe, because if I did, I would have just taken the financial hit and cancelled. At least half of the incidents were not even really newsworthy, except that it was Carnival.

Is Carnival worth it? I don't know. Probably, but you have to know what you are getting. I probably will try other lines for a while. Because I want to. I wanted to before all of these incidents and I still do. But I haven't sworn off Carnival. Its just going to be an issue of whether it is what I want and if the product they deliver is worth the price and if that is what I am looking for at the time.

 

Now, I just had a scary thought. I am not buying all of these cursed or conspiracy theories. But about a year ago or so ago, in the Costa suit, didn't the plaintiffs in that action try to seize the Triumph (or was it another ship). If it was triumph, that is a wierd coincidence that it is having all that trouble. I am not saying they are linked, but it is strange. Now it sounds like a John Grisham book.

[queenL]

As most of you have probably seen, Carnival Cruises is in the news yet again today. From the fire and stranded Triumph, Elation's steering issues, Dream's generator issues and now the Legend Azipod issues can we still say that Carnival Cruises is safe? I'm concerned that Carnival Cruise Lines might now be too big for the current management. Its obvious that maintenance and other issues are starting to crop up everywhere. I know Carnival is under a microscope right now due to the media focus, but can we still trust the Carnival product?

 

I know that Carnival Cruise management reads these reviews on Cruise Critic and I think we need an open a discussion. Do you feel Carnival is still safe? Are these issues causing you concern about booking a cruise? With everyone watching every dollar these days is Carnival is worth cruising? We are booked on a summer Carnival cruise and I must say I'm quite concerned. Not only am I concerned about the recent issues, but I'm also noticing that reviews are dropping fast... Slow service, bad food, reduced staff, poor shows and crowds, crowds, crowds.

 

To the OP-It is unfortunate the way you have been flamed for asking a reasonable question on a board developed to discuss cruise ships! We have a cruise on the Breeze coming up in June and I am watching Carnival's "issues" closely. Too many things are happening for it to just be a bad run of luck. We are travelling with about 20 people and several of them are first time cruisers. As organizer of the trip I want them to have a good experience. So, I am a little nervous in that respect. I am putting faith in it being a new ship. Hopefully, things will be fine. I am not a Carnival loyalist by any stretch. This will be my 4th cruise on Carnival so I do like their line. However, I have enjoyed ALL my other cruises as well on NCL, Princess, RCL, Disney, MSC, HAL and Celebrity.

 

I don't feel Carnival is a safety risk at this point. It seems uncanny that so many mishaps have happened on their ships lately. Based on my understanding, the mishaps might have produced some unhappy passengers but weren't really a threat to safety. In fact, this may well be the safest time to board because I would imagine they are doing everything possible to avoid another headline. I do completely understand why some people have decided to book elsewhere until things at Carnival settle down.

 

I will say that recent cruise cutbacks have affected every cruise line. I've noticed a few quality decreases on every cruise I've sailed lately. Will I still cruise-absolutely. The decision to book the Breeze was made before several of the latest incidents occured. I do think that I would have still booked though. A few years ago, we did a B2B on the Celebrity Millenium and then switched to the Carnival Destiny. The ships were only a few years apart in age but the condition of the ships were light years apart. IMO, I do feel that Carnival doesn't maintain their ships as well. If I could see the differences in the deck, counters, carpet, fixtures etc., it stands to reason that they may not maintain the areas I can't see as well either. I decided then that I would not sail Carnival's older ships anymore (at least if I can help it).

 

On a positive note, we've had so many price drops on our sailing it's ridiculous! We are VERY happy about that! So, we will board anyway...happily and take our chances.

[Rounder]

We are doing a 15 day to Hawaii. I'm not a cheerleader, for any cruise line. Everyone on our roll call, can't wait. It's been a few year's since i've sailed on Carnival. Certainly, thing's have,kinda, gone sideway's for Carnival,this last while. Carnival,is my wife's, favorite. I have no qualm's,cruising with them again. Thing's happen, beyond anyone's control. There is pro's and con's, to every main stream line , out there.

What ever you line you choose, happy cruising to all. :)

[la2kw]

Not afraid for our June cruise on the Breeze at all. But I won't book Carnival again any time soon. Our next cruise is on RCCL. Just too many issues at Carnival right now to be a coincidence. I think they need some time to get their act together. We may be back, but for now we'll try other cruise lines.

[patchofheaven]

We are booked on the Triumph's June 8th cruise...not worried about the ship at all. And we love love love Carnival! Our only issue is "Will she be ready for us?" I am a big planner, some may say a little OCD - I want to know NOW, Do I need to change our vacation plans? I know this just happened yesterday and there are still 2 months before the cruise, but how soon will we find out?

[mikel24m]

OP..I think your question was a valid and fair one. I can't believe the number of nasty comments that people feel the need to throw out there. All people had to say was...I do think Carnival is safe and that they are probably doing everything they can to remain so and we will probably cruise with them again.

 

People are funny...they must think because they are hidden behind a compter screen it is ok to be nasty and rude. Not very adult like behavior to me. Is that how they are training their children to be? Pretty sad really.

 

I like all the cruise lines we have sailed, but I have to say if this is the type of people now sailing Carnival, I'm not sure I want to spend my money to vacation with them.

 

I do think Carnival is probably still safe. However, it does make us question whether we should pick them or another line for a family vacation since both vacation time and dollars are always in short supply. There are no guarantees in life, but you make decisions based on calculated risks. I guess I need to calculate the risk of whether there will be more problems on my vacation if I choose them over another line. Not sure for now....

 

 

Do you really think that this question was valid and fair? I would never put the value of my family(or even our vacation for that matter) in the hands of a public message board to decide!!

 

I think alot of frustrations on CC are people just post new threads and dont take a minute and click the search button and do their own research before cluttering up the boards with questions that were answered 1000 times already!!

[SE NC]

why would Carnival management read this web page when they have their own Facebook page with 2 million people on it and cruise director Healds page with thousands more. If I was a Carnival manager I would avoid this place as its plain mean and negative

 

Agree....100% :D

[gfh77665]

If your logic was not faulty....:rolleyes:

 

Many of us booked other cruises. In my case, 3 cruises for one canceled. Prices are great!

 

Do you REALLY think all the 3000 cruisers X number of cruises cancelled have rebooked? REALLY? Thats 50,000+.

 

Talk about faulty logic, cheerleader Schultz. Thats just beyond ridiculous.

 

BTW, thanks for your continuing PERSONAL ATTACKS against me you commit in violation of CC rules...

[ib4cruzn]

Not lately and not lately.

[ib4cruzn]

why would Carnival management read this web page when they have their own Facebook page with 2 million people on it and cruise director Healds page with thousands more. If I was a Carnival manager I would avoid this place as its plain mean and negative

 

One either LEARNS from history or is bound to repeat it.

 

Actually they'd be just plain stupid NOT to read here. At least HERE you don't have a bunch of whiners (or wieners) asking for free stuff.

[shelkate1]

I cannot see how this discussion has taken place a "100 times". Some of these are new incidents. We are not talking about one or two isolated issues, we are now talking about issues almost every couple of weeks. So even if there has been discussion, things are changing daily. I do think this question is pertinent.

 

We are also not "scared" to travel with Carnival, but I also don't want to waste my vacation time or my vacation dollars on a cruise line that is having serious issues. We are not beginners here as this would be our 24th cruise. But things have changed a lot over the years. If an airline was having the same safety and service issue we would be questioning them.

 

Lastly, don't discount about Carnival Cruise lines reading this board. There is a big difference from posting on their website or on their Facebook page... they can edit what they want there. I know for a fact that they read this board.

 

Ummmm, then don't go. Simple solution. I really don't think Carnival Corp., needs our input in to how they handle their business. Either we as consumers trust the brand and safety(I do) or we don't (like yourself). No one is twisting anyone's arm to board a Carnival ship. If you don't want to or feel unsafe, don't sail.

[ib4cruzn]

Ummmm, then don't go. Simple solution. I really don't think Carnival Corp., needs our input in to how they handle their business. Either we as consumers trust the brand and safety(I do) or we don't (like yourself). No one is twisting anyone's arm to board a Carnival ship. If you don't want to or feel unsafe, don't sail.

 

I disagree completely and wholeheartedly! A company that doesn't listen to its customers is bound for failure.

 

There is only ONE entity responsible for Carnival's recent shortcomings.

[sjcruiser]

Was on the Miracle in June, the Pride in March, and will be on the Breeze in August. I'm not concerned with the issues, and will still travel on Carnival.

[ib4cruzn]

Was on the Miracle in June, the Pride in March, and will be on the Breeze in August. I'm not concerned with the issues, and will still travel on Carnival.

 

Because YOU are their demographic.

 

They simply don't have to be good they just have to be cheap.

 

Sorry, just stating the obvious.

[shelkate1]

I disagree completely and wholeheartedly! A company that doesn't listen to its customers is bound for failure.

 

There is only ONE entity responsible for Carnival's recent shortcomings.

 

They only need to know if we as the public are satisfied. Did you have an excellent experience? If not, why? How they run their business will be a direct reflect of that. I'm not on the board of directors, I don't get a vote. The only vote I get is where I spend my dollars. Period.

[ib4cruzn]

They only need to know if we as the public are satisfied. Did you have an excellent experience? If not, why? How they run their business will be a direct reflect of that. I'm not on the board of directors, I don't get a vote. The only vote I get is where I spend my dollars. Period.

 

See the post above yours...

 

 

ETA: I don't know of ANY self-respecting cruise afficionado that would rate Carnival's experience as "excellent". Other than, of course, those who row.

[Havingfun2010]

The biggest cost of any vacation is transportation/hotel/food. After you pay for all of that, you want entertainment. So the cruise cost is transportation/hotel/food. What happens next? You want some fun, right? So Carnival changed their food to a fancy Denny's and took away the entertainment. Yes, the ships are save, but all they worth it? Not really, they took all the "fun" out of their name.