Unfortunate Magic Cruise

[pmms052999]

Thanks for all of the feedback and potential reasons our situation occurred. Not trying to be inflammatory, but you folks either didn't read closely, or misunderstood what was written.

 

1) All written documentation, both from the TA and Carnival clearly states that all reservations are linked and Early Dining is confirmed. We had this documentation available. They didn't even offer to move us to ATD until the 3rd day. This is a Carnival issue, not a TA issue.

 

2) I clearly stated that it would have been easier to ASK the guests that were not attending the early seating table if they would prefer Any time dining and at the very least see what they said. I did not ask that they be MOVED without their permission or knowledge. Simply asking a question should in no way make anyone upset. This is called customer service, and is done (usually) with a smile in most other venues, when an error has been made.

 

3) The dining rooms were being monitored very closely, and everyone attempting to attend ATD was required to give room number and # of guests. The assigned seating was equally monitored, so there was no way to "buck the system", which we would not have done anyway.

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, I just feel this situation would have been handled far better in just about any other venue I've ever been in.

 

We can debate all day long, but facts are facts, and there is very little "opinion" or subjectiveness about this situation. It was handled poorly, period.

 

We know we now prefer both RCI and NCL over Carnival. This review was written as an opinion, and intended to be as honest as possible. We DID have fun, and we DID enjoy ourselves, but Carnival is not going to get our business again.

 

 

Just a quick question....where on your boarding documents does it show the others cabins that yours is linked to? We've done 4 cruises with several other families and always had our reservations linked. Never once did I see on my documents the other cabins listed as being linked to mine.

[sjn911]

Had one of our best out of 26 Carnival cruises on the Magic over New Years. Sorry things happened. We enjoyed the entertainment and other features. Sounds like the dining issue helped drag down other experiences.

 

When one is not happy with a bigger mix up that is not resolved..it does bleed into the whole cruise and feelings about it. The OP did enjoy many parts..and yes a couple of lines about firing and best cabin payers and removing tips...that is a power play thing that can get in way of others helping...most of us have failed at this kind of goof in some way...when fried...and on Carnival..their real aim is everyone is equal...even the perks are not that big if a deal..their aim is to offer a soild experience for everyone with a smile and some fun and maybe a little less polished service..but amazing kindness and happiness.

 

Getting there with the taxi issue and then having the dining happened at beginning and second deal not being fixed make two stresses in beginning and not eating with friends,,,,than is big issue...I know it is important to have those booking numbers together,,,have heard my friend TA do that back in the day...LOL.

 

I had a bad taste literally in my mouth on a bad timed Easter cruise on Spirit when she was changing everything to go down under. Just mayhem in dining room and some old cleaning it out food...one night of 5 it was really food..one ok..3 bad.

 

I think OP needs a different line usually....but when budget insists..and you need a trip badly...try Carnival again...with some booking number caveats and I think Carnival works better on assigned dining..just do..there are pros and cons but this is my experience..especially with more than one one group..change if horrible servers or get to know them and work activities around whatever you choose...as I recall you all wanted assigned.

 

Glad you still had some fun and you were honest about that OP...better cruise travels next time...Sarah

Edited April 10, 2015 by sjn911

[oldvato]

We have never gotten an evelope to tip the Maitre D. I don't think they do that anymore. In addition, he is a salaried employee and I would not give him $20 to correct a mistake that was not my fault. That is wrong on so many levels!

You are correct. Here's a thread on that issue. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1837808

 

Yes, I know he is salaried, and maybe they don't tip him anymore. But I don't think he would have turned down a tip in order to accommodate the OP. I wouldn't give him a $20.00 either. Like I said. I have never found a reason to tip him. I have in the past, tipped the Cabin steward, and the waiter and assistant, something extra, besides the customary gratuity.

Edited April 11, 2015 by oldvato

[CarnieAddict]

Im not sure how you were assigned to a certain table when you were on anytime dining. Tables aren't reserved for anytime diners. Its first come first served. So more than likely there was no one assigned people to the empty chairs in front of you. The other couples with you should of asked for anytime dining.

[xeroxme]

Thanks for all of the feedback and potential reasons our situation occurred. Not trying to be inflammatory, but you folks either didn't read closely, or misunderstood what was written.

 

 

 

1) All written documentation, both from the TA and Carnival clearly states that all reservations are linked and Early Dining is confirmed. We had this documentation available. They didn't even offer to move us to ATD until the 3rd day. This is a Carnival issue, not a TA issue.

 

 

 

2) I clearly stated that it would have been easier to ASK the guests that were not attending the early seating table if they would prefer Any time dining and at the very least see what they said. I did not ask that they be MOVED without their permission or knowledge. Simply asking a question should in no way make anyone upset. This is called customer service, and is done (usually) with a smile in most other venues, when an error has been made.

 

 

 

3) The dining rooms were being monitored very closely, and everyone attempting to attend ATD was required to give room number and # of guests. The assigned seating was equally monitored, so there was no way to "buck the system", which we would not have done anyway.

 

 

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, I just feel this situation would have been handled far better in just about any other venue I've ever been in.

 

 

 

We can debate all day long, but facts are facts, and there is very little "opinion" or subjectiveness about this situation. It was handled poorly, period.

 

 

 

We know we now prefer both RCI and NCL over Carnival. This review was written as an opinion, and intended to be as honest as possible. We DID have fun, and we DID enjoy ourselves, but Carnival is not going to get our business again.

 

 

Exactly and I appreciate your post and sharing your experience with the hope your post helps others. Sorry you have to be attacked.

[wecamp]

We were also on this cruise and had a fantastic time. It was Arkansas spring break and although there were kids, not as many as I thought. (Week before was Okla/Texas, bet that was nuts) our MDR experience was great and our table mates were super. My daughter said on her Glory cruise they sat a table alone, no one showed up. We actually heard a lady tell someone in they hadn't eaten in the dining room because it was $100 a night, buffet was free.

Food was great, but they only danced and sang one night.

Buffet was not crowded as my past crews, and we always found a seat. ( this is the biggest ship I have been on)

I personally don't like the new brunch menu in MDR, but that is my personal choice.

Piano guy was not that bad. It was packed every night.

Ref Frog Pub... Although we wanted to sit there this is the only place I thought service lacked. To many wanting not enough serving.

 

We did not see Eli much, but I thought the others were fun. We did all trivia and a few other things. They were always nice and upbeat.

Comedians were, ok. I've seen better on the ships, but that is not going to ruin things. I personally skip shows, personally.

But I wanted to go to the magician show. It was a cirque du soleil type thing and we left. But the next night was a normal nerdy magician. I liked that.

 

For the person that asked about boarding, we walked right on.

We do self disembark, was we went to breakfast in the MDR, went back to our room, walked right off ship. This was about 9:15am. We were on the road before 10.

 

And as mentioned before we told our table mates and servers we were going to miss one night. When you don't show they worry.

[CarnieAddict]

Why do people think they are being attacked. The OP is stating there opinion. So is the OP the only one allowed giving there opinion? The OP facts aren't right. If they were anytime dining they wouldn't always be at the same table being as anytime diners aren't assigned a certain table. People are stating there opinion and they are allowed.

[stlouistravelers]

On our next cruise we are taking a different tack. Normally we like all the pomp and circumstance. This time we will go totally relaxed. No schedule, no formal nights.

[jimbo5544]

We stopped doing assigned dining as soon as My Time/Anytime Dining was rolled out. Have never looked back ever since. Partly because of the fact that we don't go to the MDR every night, and partly because we like the flexibility of eating when we want and with who we want (or don't want!).

 

Tapi, curious as to why going or not going to dinner in the MDR had to do with your decision?

[IPlayWithString]

As for other entertainment options, there is Karaoke, Trivia, and a three-piece band--all at Ocean Plaza (deck 5 mid-ship) every afternoon and evening. Bingo is available every day in the main lounge. The casino is open when not in port. The Fun Times each day shows when entertainers are in different venues, such as Red Frog Pub and the Vibe. There are one- and two-piece live entertainers in the atrium throughout each day. In addition, there are various events scheduled on Lido each day and the Sports Square has tons of things to do, including the famous ropes course.

 

Was the karaoke in the afternoon or evening?

 

When we were on our spring break cruise on the Freedom, what bothered me most was that the karaoke was ONLY in the evening, the same time as the shows OR late at night when my son (who loves to do karaoke) couldn't participate because we were trying to keep him on a reasonable schedule so that we'd be able to make a smooth transition from school to vacation and back to school (he's autistic, so schedules are kind of a thing with him).

[euphscott]

Karaoke is held at night.

 

My guess is that is done because daytime is more given to the outdoor and on board activity. Also - the musicians that are part of the karaoke presentation likely get mornings and afternoons off since their shifts go long into the night.

[Kristi Williamson]

We stopped doing assigned dining as soon as My Time/Anytime Dining was rolled out. Have never looked back ever since. Partly because of the fact that we don't go to the MDR every night, and partly because we like the flexibility of eating when we want and with who we want (or don't want!).

 

 

This.

[IPlayWithString]

We tried My Time Dining on our last cruise and really preferred it to set time dining. We were able to get the same wait staff every night and it seemed to go a lot faster as far as getting food out when we were on My Time Dining.

[sjn911]

Just to honor OP here....I re-read and agree with following comments....it will help issues for all too..we need to be compassionate when things goof too IMHO...and it helps us all be prepared for best possible outcome and remedy option when not. In my opinion it is hard not to have high expectation for vacation...we work so hard for it...and we need it like the sweet elixir of survival in our complicated lives...and good to remember..many are not there yet or can't go as often....blessings and good travels to all.....Sarah

 

Originally Posted by Gatorj View Post

Thanks for all of the feedback and potential reasons our situation occurred. Not trying to be inflammatory, but you folks either didn't read closely, or misunderstood what was written.

 

 

 

1) All written documentation, both from the TA and Carnival clearly states that all reservations are linked and Early Dining is confirmed. We had this documentation available. They didn't even offer to move us to ATD until the 3rd day. This is a Carnival issue, not a TA issue.

 

 

 

2) I clearly stated that it would have been easier to ASK the guests that were not attending the early seating table if they would prefer Any time dining and at the very least see what they said. I did not ask that they be MOVED without their permission or knowledge. Simply asking a question should in no way make anyone upset. This is called customer service, and is done (usually) with a smile in most other venues, when an error has been made.

 

 

 

3) The dining rooms were being monitored very closely, and everyone attempting to attend ATD was required to give room number and # of guests. The assigned seating was equally monitored, so there was no way to "buck the system", which we would not have done anyway.

 

 

 

I'm not trying to bash Carnival, I just feel this situation would have been handled far better in just about any other venue I've ever been in.

 

 

 

We can debate all day long, but facts are facts, and there is very little "opinion" or subjectiveness about this situation. It was handled poorly, period.

 

 

 

We know we now prefer both RCI and NCL over Carnival. This review was written as an opinion, and intended to be as honest as possible. We DID have fun, and we DID enjoy ourselves, but Carnival is not going to get our business again.

 

Response from xeroxme...

Exactly and I appreciate your post and sharing your experience with the hope your post helps others. Sorry you have to be attacked.