Carnival Paradise Disappointment

[bobandtori]

So, after almost 20 cruises with RCCL, we decided for schedules sake, to try Carnival Cruise Lines. Wow...what a mistake. Shortly after we arrived, Tori's billfold was stolen and when we discovered it was gone, we immediately went to Guest Services to contact security. Our thought, with camera's all over the ship, it would make sense that a camera somewhere would pick up something somewhere. We were told however, that there probably wasn't anything security could do, but they would allow us a "Free call home to have someone cancel the cards" and would notate our account and to check back with them to see if it was turned in. Not happy with this response, I then found a "white uniformed" officer and told him our plight, asking to speak to ship security. His response was that we had to go to Guest Services. VERY disappointing. As we were still going through the city of Tampa, we had signal on the cell phone and was able to cancel the debit and credit card. But the response from Carnival personnel aggravated a difficult situation.

 

While we didn't want this to spoil the entire vacation, we decided forget about it as much as we could and move on. But, there is a huge difference in the service we received onboard. For example, one night as we were leaving Elations Dining Room, two crew members crossed in front of us, making us stop in our tracks. While both understood completely what they did, they didn't say excuse me, apologize or anything, they just kept going. This would NEVER happen on RCCL. Another example...at the omelet buffet, I was next in line and there was a lady behind me from another country. The omelet maker (who happens to be from the same country) saw her and said hello, which is fine, but when it got time to make the next omelet, he totally ignored me and asked her what she wanted. I then said something to him and he looked at me with a scowl and said "what would you want". The lady behind me was very embarrassed and turned to me and apologized, saying she didn't realize I hadn't ordered mine yet. But, I was totally ignored by the omelet guy in favor of someone from his own country. Once again, this would never happen on RCCL. This is only two examples of the challenges we faced on board.

 

On the bright side, there was a bartender in the bar outside of Queen Mary Lounge that was phenomenal. Here name is Evelyn and she made sure she remembered our name and what we usually ordered. When we came into the bar, she would look up say hello to us by name and then ask if we wanted the drink we normally ordered. She is only on Paradise until 3/22, has two months off and then gets on Breeze for a six month cotract out of Miami. Look her up if you are on these ships.

 

I rarely write reviews but had to share my thoughts on this experience. No, the billfold never showed up and we never heard from Guest Services, Security or any other department on board.

 

We wasted our money...never again on Carnival

Edited March 13, 2014 by bobandtori

[Susiecruisey]

So, after almost 20 cruises with RCCL, we decided for schedules sake, to try Carnival Cruise Lines. Wow...what a mistake. Shortly after we arrived, Tori's billfold was stolen and when we discovered it was gone, we immediately went to Guest Services to contact security. Our thought, with camera's all over the ship, it would make sense that a camera somewhere would pick up something somewhere. We were told however, that there probably wasn't anything security could do, but they would allow us a "Free call home to have someone cancel the cards" and would notate our account and to check back with them to see if it was turned in. Not happy with this response, I then found a "white uniformed" officer and told him our plight, asking to speak to ship security. His response was that we had to go to Guest Services. VERY disappointing. As we were still going through the city of Tampa, we had signal on the cell phone and was able to cancel the debit and credit card. But the response from Carnival personnel aggravated a difficult situation.

 

While we didn't want this to spoil the entire vacation, we decided forget about it as much as we could and move on. But, there is a huge difference in the service we received onboard. For example, one night as we were leaving Elations Dining Room, two crew members crossed in front of us, making us stop in our tracks. While both understood completely what they did, they didn't say excuse me, apologize or anything, they just kept going. This would NEVER happen on RCCL. Another example...at the omelet buffet, I was next in line and there was a lady behind me from another country. The omelet maker (who happens to be from the same country) saw her and said hello, which is fine, but when it got time to make the next omelet, he totally ignored me and asked her what she wanted. I then said something to him and he looked at me with a scowl and said "what would you want". The lady behind me was very embarrassed and turned to me and apologized, saying she didn't realize I hadn't ordered mine yet. But, I was totally ignored by the omelet guy in favor of someone from his own country. Once again, this would never happen on RCCL. This is only two examples of the challenges we faced on board.

 

On the bright side, there was a bartender in the bar outside of Queen Mary Lounge that was phenomenal. Here name is Evelyn and she made sure she remembered our name and what we usually ordered. When we came into the bar, she would look up say hello to us by name and then ask if we wanted the drink we normally ordered. She is only on Paradise until 3/22, has two months off and then gets on Breeze for a six month cotract out of Miami. Look her up if you are on these ships.

 

I rarely write reviews but had to share my thoughts on this experience. No, the billfold never showed up and we never heard from Guest Services, Security or any other department on board.

 

We wasted our money...never again on Carnival

There thieves every not just on carnival. That can not be blamed on them. It was a dishonest person.

I have sailed on both lines and had good and bad things on BOTH lines. RCCL has very rue employees. Not everyone is happy all the time. I love both lines but it sounds to me like you need to sail a more upscale line and not a main screen line like Carnival or RCCL.

[Fitzget]

I've been on both Carnival and RCCL, and I can say that people like this exist on both lines. Sorry you experienced it on this cruise. Hope your next cruise is more pleasant.

[Captain Carnival]

Stolen is one thing and lost is another...but either way it is not Carnival's fault.

Edited March 13, 2014 by ShotoJuku

[iSpark]

one night as we were leaving Elations Dining Room, two crew members crossed in front of us, making us stop in our tracks.

 

Wow...really? :rolleyes:

[keith75]

Wow! Were you wearing a Royal Caribbean tee shirt or something, sounds like everyone on the ship was out to get you.

Edited March 13, 2014 by keith75

[Lace]

It's a shame that just one event can set you off to a bad start. Compounded then by a lack of concern. I hear you. Too bad something didn't present itself to send your mood back the other way.

 

Kind of reminds me of my first trip to Disney World. Absolutely hated it, cause I had a bad headache. Took me years to ever go back, cause I blamed everything on Disney. I did eventually go back years later, loved it, and now go back as often as possible, last trip being last month.

[awhcruiser]

Why wasn't it kept in the safe?

Tori's billfold was stolen and when we discovered it was gone, we immediately went to Guest Services to contact security. Our thought, with camera's all over the ship, it would make sense that a camera somewhere would pick up something somewhere. We were told however, that there probably wasn't anything security could do, but they would allow us a "Free call home to have someone cancel the cards" and would notate our account and to check back with them to see if it was turned in. Not happy with this response, I then found a "white uniformed" officer and told him our plight, asking to speak to ship security. His response was that we had to go to Guest Services. VERY disappointing. As we were still going through the city of Tampa, we had signal on the cell phone and was able to cancel the debit and credit card. But the response from Carnival personnel aggravated a difficult situation.

 

While we didn't want this to spoil the entire vacation, we decided forget about it as much as we could and move on. But, there is a huge difference in the service we received onboard. For example, one night as we were leaving Elations Dining Room, two crew members crossed in front of us, making us stop in our tracks. While both understood completely what they did, they didn't say excuse me, apologize or anything, they just kept going. This would NEVER happen on RCCL. Another example...at the omelet buffet, I was next in line and there was a lady behind me from another country. The omelet maker (who happens to be from the same country) saw her and said hello, which is fine, but when it got time to make the next omelet, he totally ignored me and asked her what she wanted. I then said something to him and he looked at me with a scowl and said "what would you want". The lady behind me was very embarrassed and turned to me and apologized, saying she didn't realize I hadn't ordered mine yet. But, I was totally ignored by the omelet guy in favor of someone from his own country. Once again, this would never happen on RCCL. This is only two examples of the challenges we faced on board.

 

On the bright side, there was a bartender in the bar outside of Queen Mary Lounge that was phenomenal. Here name is Evelyn and she made sure she remembered our name and what we usually ordered. When we came into the bar, she would look up say hello to us by name and then ask if we wanted the drink we normally ordered. She is only on Paradise until 3/22, has two months off and then gets on Breeze for a six month cotract out of Miami. Look her up if you are on these ships.

 

I rarely write reviews but had to share my thoughts on this experience. No, the billfold never showed up and we never heard from Guest Services, Security or any other department on board.

 

We wasted our money...never again on Carnival

[AgileBoxer]

I'm sure the loss of your wallet kind of set the tone for the trip, but like others said, that can happen on ANY cruise line. Unfortunately I think it might have made you a little more sensitive to the other things that you spoke about.

 

I've had the complete opposite experience. I sailed ONCE on RCCL and had a horrible experience, one thing after another. Everything from my shirt getting bleached by some chemical not wiped from one of the ship's bathroom counters (at least the bathroom was clean;)) to our luggage going missing and turning up unattended in the lobby the next morning (without a call to us about it) which we just happened to find on our own, to the crew absolutely REFUSING to give us a second towel to use on their private island. I seriously thought they were joking when they flat out said no-with a straight face I might add. ...To being booked for different dining times than the friends we were sailing with after we requested a table together. There was also nothing going on after 10pm on the ship and we were bored to death.

 

Now my parents are die hard RCCL fans (diamond/platinum members or whatever) and they cruise on their ships all the time, multiple times a year. They have always had good experiences and the fact that sometimes they have to ask their room steward two times for a bucket of ice, :eek: they don't let it ruin their their trip. Vacations aren't always perfect, but hopefully people can make their own fun.

 

Granted, our cruise with RCCL was a long time ago. I seriously think ours was a fluke and that RCCL is probably not so bad anymore now that they have upped their game a bit since we cruised with them. I'd even consider cruising with them again sometime, despite the poor experience we had. I don't think that one single experience should pave the way for your future cruising choices. Either way...I have just always enjoyed Carnival, their kids programs, their wide variety of activities/shows/bars/etc. and the "fun" atmosphere as soon as you step foot on the ship. Everyone has their own opinion.

 

Looking forward to leaving this weekend :D

[RubyGold]

I think that people let one bad situation mar their perception of the service received in other areas.

 

I work in a hotel, and always find that when people become upset by one thing it is far easier to become unhappy with everything else around them. Some people are high maintenance and some are just buttholes.

 

If you look at reviews you might find there is one event that pisses someone off (lost wallet) so they then tend to exaggerate other issues (ommlettes/black cats crossing ones' path)

 

I, for one am more than happy to not have to experience the same living space as another person who is ok having a terrible time, and makes their vacation worse for themselves.

[richard1s]

Why wasn't it kept in the safe?

 

"like", thank you - really.

[richard1s]

"a vacation is what you make of it." I don't think truer words have ever been written, thank you.

[mousey]

OP, I'm really sorry you had your wallet stolen...that would have upset me greatly also. I don't think that Customer Service gave you bad service...they just didn't say whatever it was you wanted to hear.

 

What makes you think the crew members that crossed your path were paying attention to you at all. It could have been an accident. I would have given them the benefit of the doubt.

 

The lady behind you in the omelet line apologized and explained that she didn't know that you hadn't ordered yet. I can't answer for the crew member that was making the omelets...so you may be right about that snub.

 

Saying that the things that you declare happened to you on Carnival would "never have happened on RCCL" is absurd and leaves you open to criticism.

 

I take issue with the fact that you posted that you were giving a review of the Paradise... but you didn't give a review of the cruise. All you did was complain and condemn...that's not a review of the Paradise. Again, you left yourself open to criticism.

 

Having said all that, I truly am sorry you had a bad cruise as I wish that on no one. I hope that your next cruise is all that you could wish for.

Edited March 14, 2014 by mousey

[splash_in_the_water]

On one of our previous cruises I lost my wallet for a bit. It was sort of a pain in the butt, not too mention sort of stressful.....

 

The details are a bit hazy, So I don't remember everything exactly how it happened.

 

When we got on the ship, at some point I realized I didn't have my wallet. I think we went to guest services and asked if someone had turned in a wallet or whatever. Turns out a nice old boy we were sitting near in the terminal while we were waiting to board saw that my wallet had fallen out of my pocket. He grabbed it and took it to carnival staff. So when I went to guest services and asked about a lost wallet, they said "hey, good news, we have your wallet over on the terminal side". Awesome!

 

So I headed back over to the terminal, found a staff member and was escorted to an office. They had my wallet, confirmed the amount of cash/contents inside from how they received it were correct. From there I was escorted again up to the elevator and a quick return to my wife and the boat.

 

I can't say this is a typical carnival response, because this was only my experience, but I feel per the situation they did a pretty decent job.

Edited March 14, 2014 by splash_in_the_water

[BenjiRodney]

So, after almost 20 cruises with RCCL, we decided for schedules sake, to try Carnival Cruise Lines. Wow...what a mistake. Shortly after we arrived, Tori's billfold was stolen and when we discovered it was gone, we immediately went to Guest Services to contact security. Our thought, with camera's all over the ship, it would make sense that a camera somewhere would pick up something somewhere. We were told however, that there probably wasn't anything security could do, but they would allow us a "Free call home to have someone cancel the cards" and would notate our account and to check back with them to see if it was turned in. Not happy with this response, I then found a "white uniformed" officer and told him our plight, asking to speak to ship security. His response was that we had to go to Guest Services. VERY disappointing. As we were still going through the city of Tampa, we had signal on the cell phone and was able to cancel the debit and credit card. But the response from Carnival personnel aggravated a difficult situation.

 

While we didn't want this to spoil the entire vacation, we decided forget about it as much as we could and move on. But, there is a huge difference in the service we received onboard. For example, one night as we were leaving Elations Dining Room, two crew members crossed in front of us, making us stop in our tracks. While both understood completely what they did, they didn't say excuse me, apologize or anything, they just kept going. This would NEVER happen on RCCL. Another example...at the omelet buffet, I was next in line and there was a lady behind me from another country. The omelet maker (who happens to be from the same country) saw her and said hello, which is fine, but when it got time to make the next omelet, he totally ignored me and asked her what she wanted. I then said something to him and he looked at me with a scowl and said "what would you want". The lady behind me was very embarrassed and turned to me and apologized, saying she didn't realize I hadn't ordered mine yet. But, I was totally ignored by the omelet guy in favor of someone from his own country. Once again, this would never happen on RCCL. This is only two examples of the challenges we faced on board.

 

On the bright side, there was a bartender in the bar outside of Queen Mary Lounge that was phenomenal. Here name is Evelyn and she made sure she remembered our name and what we usually ordered. When we came into the bar, she would look up say hello to us by name and then ask if we wanted the drink we normally ordered. She is only on Paradise until 3/22, has two months off and then gets on Breeze for a six month cotract out of Miami. Look her up if you are on these ships.

 

I rarely write reviews but had to share my thoughts on this experience. No, the billfold never showed up and we never heard from Guest Services, Security or any other department on board.

 

We wasted our money...never again on Carnival

 

 

Sorry this happened.

 

On our first RCCL cruise we had a very rude encounter with a staff member and reported them, so yes they have rude staff as well. We did receive an apology letter and a bottle of wine to enjoy at dinner for the rudeness we encountered. We are going on them again only because Carnival is not going to Bermuda this year.

[KPfromCT]

I find it MIND BLOWING that you say that this would NEVER happen on RCCL.

 

You are WRONG!!!!!

 

The things you mentioned can happen ANYWHERE, and on ANY cruise ship.

 

The funny thing is, RCCL, and CCL are WAY more similar, than different.

 

SMH.......

[Shyhova]

They did NOT...walk in front of you??...My Lord!!..I would have been just completely MORTIFIED if such a thing had happened to me!! To think that some lowly crew member would have the AUDACITY to step in front of my walking path is just down right unacceptable....I will certainly be canceling my upcoming cruise and demanding a refund!!!

[KTaylore]

It stinks that your husband lost his wallet, and I am sure that set the tone for your cruise. I just don't understand why the omelet chef and the crew walking in front of you were so offensive to you? They are small insignificant blips on the radar of life. These are not things I would jump on a message board and write about. It wouldn't even occur to me? I've been on more expensive cruise lines, and we have had our series of issues with them as well.

 

I guess it just depends what vacation means to you? My husband and I go with open minds, and we make our own fun. I've been on Carnival 3x before, and I never particularly loved the food. We are still sailing Sunday on the Glory and cannot wait.

[Sarah@Sea]

There thieves every not just on carnival. That can not be blamed on them. It was a dishonest person.

I have sailed on both lines and had good and bad things on BOTH lines. RCCL has very rue employees. Not everyone is happy all the time. I love both lines but it sounds to me like you need to sail a more upscale line and not a main screen line like Carnival or RCCL.

 

Yeah RCCL in September MDR staff morning of disembarkment "it's 8:30, close the doors!"...I heard it loud and clear, he was only standing a table away from me resetting it or clearing it IDK but when I head that I thought NEVER in all my cruises...I realize anxious to stop serving so they can move on to the change over for next cruise...but do not say such things around passengers...period. Nothing that would make me say "never" again...oh and eating breakfast in MDR resolves the issue of even having to wait in line for an omelet.

[Lerin]

So....when are you going to write your review?

[CJinFLA00]

I agree with some of the other posters. Losing a wallet right at the start of the cruise would be hard for anyone to get over. Hope your next cruise will be much better (no matter which cruise line).

[Shipbound]

There thieves every not just on carnival. That can not be blamed on them. It was a dishonest person.

I have sailed on both lines and had good and bad things on BOTH lines. RCCL has very rue employees. Not everyone is happy all the time. I love both lines but it sounds to me like you need to sail a more upscale line and not a main screen line like Carnival or RCCL.

 

I've sailed on Carnival 31 times and April will be my 32 time. I have never got anything stolen but I do not leave things out for the bad guys to take which can happen on any ship. All Carnival employees that I have met on all of my cruises have been friendly and courteous. The way I see it if you are courteous and respectful toward the employees you will get that in return and that works for me. As far as the employees being happy if you see an employee that seems to be having a bad day go talk to them it might make them feel better that they are more than just an employee.

 

 

Gary

Edited March 14, 2014 by Shipbound

[babs125]

They did NOT...walk in front of you??...My Lord!!..I would have been just completely MORTIFIED if such a thing had happened to me!! To think that some lowly crew member would have the AUDACITY to step in front of my walking path is just down right unacceptable....I will certainly be canceling my upcoming cruise and demanding a refund!!!

 

I wonder if any crew member dared to try to look the OP in the eye. The help must always avoid eye contact with the Chosen.

[RuthlessBoss]

How was it determined the wallet was stolen vs being lost? When did you notice the wallet not there? Was it in the cabin? Was there a pick pocket?

[WhansaMi]

There thieves every not just on carnival. That can not be blamed on them. It was a dishonest person.

I have sailed on both lines and had good and bad things on BOTH lines. RCCL has very rue employees. Not everyone is happy all the time. I love both lines but it sounds to me like you need to sail a more upscale line and not a main screen line like Carnival or RCCL.

 

This is very true.

 

The OP needs to be careful about saying something would "NEVER" happen in some other place. I have sailed on CCL, RCI, HAL and took a river cruise. I have experienced less than stellar service from *someone* on each line, including RCI.