Frustrated with Letter just received from Carnival

[Raxter54]

WTH is wrong with some of you CC'rs. Some of you are so rude... it's no wonder so many people are choosing other social media networks....

 

Not that it's any of your business... but I invited my bff so that her and I could relax together! She was just diagnosed with 2 cerebral brain aneurisms and MS... so yes, we had planned on relaxing while checking her kids into Camp Carnival as much as possible!

 

As soon as you posted it, it became everyone's business. ...

[lizardhowson]

Ummmm.... while some of you might find spendign time with someone elses young kids fun.... this cruise was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for me and my daugthers :D

 

I have to agree with some of the other posters ... :eek:

 

Why did you invite someone with young children ?

[QTPieRye]

As soon as you posted it, it became everyone's business. ...

 

Meaning the health issues are none of anyone's business :D My bff needs as much of a stress free vacaton as possible before having major brain surgery! I originally booked this cruise with just my 2 adult daughters and myself... then the diagnosis came and bff wanted to get away, but has 2 young girls. Our plan was to relax and spend quality time together as much as possible.... obviously spend time with the girls too, but preference would be for them to be involved with Camp Carnival as much as possible.

Edited August 19, 2016 by QTPieRye

[First and Ten]

Just curious....Did they cancel "Camp Carnival" totally or just the area will be going under renovation and they will hold it someplace else? If its just being relocated, you can still enjoy your cruise time with your friend "stress free"....good luck, I hope it works out

Edited August 19, 2016 by First and Ten

[firemanbobswife]

I get what you're saying. We cruised almost every year when the boys were young. They loved Camp Carnival and I would be a little concerned if I received an email like that too. It's not that I wanted to dump the kids off and forget them, but it was nice for them to have a place to go to do things and hang out with other kids. We ate dinner together every night and did things throughout the day as a family too. I have no doubts that Camp Carnival helped to make their cruises more fun for them.

 

I'm sure they have a back up plan like others have said. Don't stress. It will all work out.

[cruizinisthebest]

Sounds like camp is still taking place. Trust me, the kids won't care where the activities are. And the letter assures they will still have tons of fun.

 

They would never dry dock a ship JUST to revamp camp. Don't be frustrated. I'm sure you and the kids will have a blast!

[BeachyGirl64]

WTH is wrong with some of you CC'rs. Some of you are so rude... it's no wonder so many people are choosing other social media networks....

 

Not that it's any of your business... but I invited my bff so that her and I could relax together! She was just diagnosed with 2 cerebral brain aneurisms and MS... so yes, we had planned on relaxing while checking her kids into Camp Carnival as much as possible!

I understand your frustration - it's not that your BFF is bringing her two young girls, it's that you were given short notice about the makeover to Camp Carnival that would have taken longer than 2 weeks to plan. If you had been given more notice, you might have been able to adjust your cruise dates...

 

I'm not familiar with the children's programs, but it sounds like just the original location will change since, from what the other posters have said, the kids are engaged in different activities outside the drop off location anyway.

 

I'm so sorry for what you BFF is going through and kudos to you for getting her to go on a cruise. As a planner, it's frustrating to me when something changes - I vent but I've learned keeping a positive attitude makes all the difference. You and your daughters are still going to have a fabulous vacation and you'll help your BFF to relax and and enjoy herself while her kids have a great time in age appropriate activities.

 

Hang in there and I look forwards to hearing about your fun and relaxing vacation when you get back.

[Havingfun2010]

I think I get it after reading it over. You have adult kids, who you are going on vacation with to enjoy time together. You friend was convinced to go, but than she had to ruin it by bringing the kids. Now you are concerned that you won't get quality time with the kids. On the other hand, the kids are not worried, and don't even know. They will be provided activities and fun stuff with kids their age. So....you are upset. Good thing the kids aren't!

[tgirl25]

Someone mentioned that it will just be held elsewhere. I think on my 1st cruise years ago there was an issue with the rooms, kinda hazy because it has been near 15yrs ago and I had to take my 7yr old son to the theater area instead and all of the activities progressed from there and that was where they had pick ups for part of the cruise.

 

I think it should all work out. If you are worried though call CCL annd ask them about how it will be handled. They should be able to get you a handle on things so you know what to expect when you are onboard.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[cruizinisthebest]

Meaning the health issues are none of anyone's business :D My bff needs as much of a stress free vacaton as possible before having major brain surgery! I originally booked this cruise with just my 2 adult daughters and myself... then the diagnosis came and bff wanted to get away, but has 2 young girls. Our plan was to relax and spend quality time together as much as possible.... obviously spend time with the girls too, but preference would be for them to be involved with Camp Carnival as much as possible.

 

A little risky relying on camp "as much as possible." There's a chance they may not enjoy it. And even if they do, they may want to be with mom more than you may want them to. I love there's camp, but when I bring my kids I do want to spend some tine with them. I would be bothered if I knew my friend was annoyed at their presence. Hope it all works out.

Edited August 19, 2016 by cruizinisthebest

[Sparky2]

I am so frustrated with Carnival right now! I am cruising on the Miracle in 14 days with my 2 daughters (young adults) and my best friend with her 2 young daughters (ages 4 & 6). After 20 years of me begging her to go on a cruise, I finally convinced her to go after bragging about how much fun her girls will have at Camp Carnival, etc. ........

 

This morning I woke up to a letter from Guest Services advising me that "Camp Carnival will be getting a makeover during the next few weeks. This means that camp area will not be open during your sailing, but the programming will still be in the full FUN force."

 

SERIOUSLY, RIGHT NOW?!?!?! I am pretty sure this makeover wasn't just decided 2 weeks before cruising! GURRRRR

 

Go with an open, positive attitude, and I'm sure you'll have a great cruise.

 

You'll get to enjoy your daughters as well as your friend.

[cruzinlisa]

A little risky relying on camp "as much as possible." There's a chance they may not enjoy it. And even if they do, they may want to be with mom more than you may want them to. I love there's camp, but when I bring my kids I do want to spend some tine with them. I would be bothered if I knew my friend was annoyed at their presence. Hope it all works out.

 

I echo the part about the kids might not even want to go to camp. They don't make them stay. If the kids want mom, they will call, which may mean leaving a show or whatever to pick them up. I had that experience with my daughter even on a DISNEY cruise, where I figured she would LOVE camp because of all the Disney theming. It was really unexpected because my DD is very independent and often entertains herself/plays alone. It can be a real bummer when you expect/anticipate having some down time and it does not work out that way.

 

I have not had the experience of the camp space being closed, but from the language, I would agree with the assessment of others that it is just the physical camp room that is closed. I am confident that they will devote another space/spaces to the camp and take measures to make it clear and secure as possible. I say this because if you think about it, providing secure children's program is in Carnival's best interest. When you have small children, short of leaving them at home with someone else (not always an option) or bringing along a full-time nanny (again not always an option for everyone), if you go on vacation with your kids, you usually are going to be with them 24/7. SO what better selling point for a family with kids than secure kids programing, where the kids can have fun and mom/dad, get a little alone time, but you can also have plenty of quality family time. You can appeal that that market. Plus, you can appeal to the market of people who want to vacation without kids (or without other people's kids) because they know that there are things to keep the kids busy.

 

And, if mom/dad have a safe, secure and fun place for the kids, they are more likely to be in the casino, bars, bingo, etc. spending money. So really, having safe, secure programing for Kids is in Carnival's best interest.

[heffa72]

I am so frustrated with Carnival right now! I am cruising on the Miracle in 14 days with my 2 daughters (young adults) and my best friend with her 2 young daughters (ages 4 & 6). After 20 years of me begging her to go on a cruise, I finally convinced her to go after bragging about how much fun her girls will have at Camp Carnival, etc. ........

 

This morning I woke up to a letter from Guest Services advising me that "Camp Carnival will be getting a makeover during the next few weeks. This means that camp area will not be open during your sailing, but the programming will still be in the full FUN force."

 

SERIOUSLY, RIGHT NOW?!?!?! I am pretty sure this makeover wasn't just decided 2 weeks before cruising! GURRRRR

 

 

I totally sympathize with you and while others are not as understanding, I think a BIG reason I choose carnival is b/c of the great carnival camp. The room is inviting, the activities are fun and they have so many things to do in that safe/designated space. On top of it all, you've been selling this to your friend forever.

 

I would imagine they're going to re-purpose another room, such as Club O2 or another safe place to corral the little ones. I wouldn't worry too much about that. Small ones are hard to keep track of so I can't imagine Carnival exposing themselves to that liability. That being said, I would most certainly call to just get a better understanding of what the experience will be like.

 

Also, I keep seeing the comment of "it needs to get updated sometime" popping up. As I understand it, aren't they supposed to be doing these major renovations during dry dock? There must be some big reason why they need to do this during a scheduled sailing, otherwise there really isn't any good excuse to shut it down without months notice to paying customers who expect the same consistent experience. The short notice leads me to believe this was a update that couldn't wait.

[meatloafsfan]

You'll find more stuff scheduled in Circle C and Club O2 - especially in the morning while those clubs aren't in use by the tweens/teens. In the afternoon and evening, they will have a conference room set up with many of the toys, games and electronics that are currently available in the kids club.

 

The biggest thing will be knowing where they are being dropped off and where to pick up as those will change through the day.

 

It's happened on other ships where they re-did the kids clubs during a voyage.

 

Its not beneficial for you that it happens on your cruise though I'm certain there are lots of parents who are now thrilled because the kids club will be updated for their cruise after yours.

[mediccruzin]

WTH is wrong with some of you CC'rs. Some of you are so rude... it's no wonder so many people are choosing other social media networks....

 

Not that it's any of your business... but I invited my bff so that her and I could relax together! She was just diagnosed with 2 cerebral brain aneurisms and MS... so yes, we had planned on relaxing while checking her kids into Camp Carnival as much as possible!

 

You must have a thick skin here. Many here are downright ruthless.

I would not sweat the changing of the Camp Carnival. On our first cruise there were so many kids for Camp Carnival that they had to meet at the theater, but once they meet they split them up into manageable groups and they went and did their activities.

 

Do your best to enjoy your cruise.

[dulcimergirl]

Sounds like camp is still taking place. Trust me, the kids won't care where the activities are. And the letter assures they will still have tons of fun.

 

They would never dry dock a ship JUST to revamp camp. Don't be frustrated. I'm sure you and the kids will have a blast!

 

Just so you know, Camp Carnival will have wonderful things going on, even if in a different place. Now, saying that, if the girls don't want to stay with the group, you and BFF will still be stuck with them. They will not keep them there if they don't want to be there.

Hope you have a relaxing vacation no matter how it works out.

[Bookbug53]

I am so frustrated with Carnival right now! I am cruising on the Miracle in 14 days with my 2 daughters (young adults) and my best friend with her 2 young daughters (ages 4 & 6). After 20 years of me begging her to go on a cruise, I finally convinced her to go after bragging about how much fun her girls will have at Camp Carnival, etc. ........

 

This morning I woke up to a letter from Guest Services advising me that "Camp Carnival will be getting a makeover during the next few weeks. This means that camp area will not be open during your sailing, but the programming will still be in the full FUN force."

 

SERIOUSLY, RIGHT NOW?!?!?! I am pretty sure this makeover wasn't just decided 2 weeks before cruising! GURRRRR

 

 

A slight disappointment to be sure but:

 

"the programming will still be in full FUN force."

 

Camp Carnival is still happening just not in the same venue is how I read it. I am sure they aren't just packing everything up for the duration and will utilize the equipment and décor they have in different venues. The kids will still have fun and you will still have some away time.

 

Kids are resilient. Don't lead them to expect a certain décor and they will not miss it.

 

Go with enthusiasm and they will feel it!

[RuthlessBoss]

Just so you know, Camp Carnival will have wonderful things going on, even if in a different place. Now, saying that, if the girls don't want to stay with the group, you and BFF will still be stuck with them. They will not keep them there if they don't want to be there.

Hope you have a relaxing vacation no matter how it works out.

 

This might be a time to go to Serenity and excuse yourself. They are her children. If she needed a "break" isn't there someone who she could have left them with so she could get away?

[SadieN]

You must have a thick skin here. Many here are downright ruthless.

 

...........

 

 

Two ways to look at the posts. Either laugh or cry. I choose to laugh especially when I finally look to see who posted what.

 

 

QTPIE--

This will be a different type of cruise for you, especially since you want to give your friend the best experience possible. Only you can decide what's best.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited August 19, 2016 by SadieN

[poobears]

Bottom line is you didn't just invite her, you invited her and her 2 children. As soon as they were invited this was no longer an adult only cruise and you shouldn't expect it to be one. I think you and BFF need to sit down and have a frank discussion prior to the cruise and get some perspective going in. If you both go in expecting this to be an adult retreat you are both going to be stressed out and the kids are going to suffer too, no one is going to enjoy this trip.

 

Reality is way different than fantasy, there is a real chance at least one of the kids won't even want to stay in camp, at least not for an extended amount of time, especially if they know about Moms diagnosis and are already feeling vulnerable and scared. Being separated from her in a strange place knowing Mommy is "sick" is going to be hard on them even if there are fun things to do. These are little kids, not teenagers. You can't expect them handle things like adults and just go off on their own so you can chill out with BFF in paradise. You may get lucky and it works out that way but go in expecting for BFF to have to stick with the kids 24/7, that way if it works out any different it's a bonus.

 

Talk it over with her now how you will handle if they won't stay in camp and she has to have them with her all the time. How you still want to do things alone with your adult girls and it's nothing personal at all against her kids. That you love them but you want to spend quality grown up time with your children too. That way no feelings are hurt if it happens.

 

Expect the worst and hope for the best and everyone should have a great time. And next time if you don't want to spend time with little kids it's probably not a good idea to invite some one with little kids on a cruise because there is no guarantee they will stay with a sitter or in camp. I understand why you wanted to take her on the cruise but it's just not practical to assume the kids will go to camp and stay there when they've never been there before or even cruised before from what I'm reading.

 

There is no way mine would have stayed in camp carnival at 4. No bribery in the world would have made them.

[Arzeena]

Ummmm.... while some of you might find spendign time with someone elses young kids fun.... this cruise was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for me and my daugthers :D

 

Carnival should have taken your approval before the makeover.

Edited August 19, 2016 by Arzeena

[rainbowflag]

Karma.

[VASOXFANN]

My daughters (ages 20 & 21) have made it clear that they will not be babysitting on this trip.... thus, not having the camp area may put a glitch in my bff's plans. Hoping they still have the night owl program available in another location... the letter did not mention it.

 

With those attitudes, I hope that your daughters paid their own cruise fare. I wouldn't be laying conditions down on my mom if she paid my way, no matter how old I was.

 

Regardless, considering the circumstances, you'd think they'd be willing to give your poor friend a night off should the kids not like camp. It would be the decent thing to do.

[QTPieRye]

It amazes me how much gets assumed when you don't post step by step details of how things occurred....

 

 

Based off some of your responses, I get the feeling that some of you have NO friends and are literally just cyber bullies! I did NOT invite my bff to join me with her 2 young children... for those of you that have a difficult time understanding... once again, I was booked, she was diagnosed with a horrible brain issue and debilitating disease. During a conversation, she mentioned how lucky I was to get to travel, relax and spend quality time with my family, so I suggested she join me to get away. Originally, her hubby was going to watch the girls; however, he will be travelling that week.... so we discussed bringing them along. During that discussion, I raved about Camp Carnival, and explained that she could have the best of both worlds on a cruise. Relax, lounge by the pool during the day while girls were checked into camp and spend quality time with them during other times. Given her health situation and upcoming brain surgery, for obvious reasons she wants to spend quality time with them and yet have some downtime to relax. Is this really that difficult for some of you to understand????

Edited August 19, 2016 by QTPieRye

[QTPieRye]

With those attitudes, I hope that your daughters paid their own cruise fare. I wouldn't be laying conditions down on my mom if she paid my way, no matter how old I was.

 

Regardless, considering the circumstances, you'd think they'd be willing to give your poor friend a night off should the kids not like camp. It would be the decent thing to do.

 

Now my daughters have bad attitudes because they don't want to babysit on their vacation and what difference does it make whether they paid for their cruise or not. They've already agreed to watch the girls a couple of evenings, but do not want to spend their time babysitting during times when the girls could be checked into Camp Carnival.... SMH.