Negative Reviews of the PRIDE: Any Ideas why?

[Sailfish]

I'll be on the Pride in two weeks; we're planning on having a great time! But I have to say, a lot of the reviews I have been reading (not necessarily at Cruise Critic) while poking around the net have been more negative than positive.

 

I'd like to get more current informaiton, so if you have been on the Pride lately, I'd like to know your impresions of the ship. I'd also like to hear about your experience concerning Carnival's new past guest program.

 

Any and all input is very mcuh appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Suzi

[billsgirl]

I read many reviews before our cruise on Victory, and several were negative...which concerned me. We didn't encounter any of the negative things posted (except for the saving of lounge chairs on the pool decks:mad: ) We went with the attitude of having a good time...we were going on a caribbean cruise in January!! How great was that??

So don't be too concerned about bad reviews...enjoy your cruise..we sure did!

[lstrong]

We were on the Pride in June 2005 and had a blast. Food excellent; ports great; service great. Only negative - slide closed. Enjoy!!

[UCFKnight85]

I did the Pride last year, enjoyed it with my friends, but.....

 

I got the feeling alot that some members of the crew were brushing us off. There was a group of 5 20-22 year olds. We dished out big money for the cruise and spent alot on board, however alot of times the crew would kind of act like we're just dumb kids. For instance I'd be at the bar waiting, an older man would walk up, and the bartender would instantly go to him despite me waiting there longer.

 

We asked for more towels 2 times and both times we had to call to ask for them again because they forgot. In the casino I was playing blackjack with a drink in my hand and was hastled TWO nights in a row and had to go run back to get my ID. I by no means look young.

 

I liked it, just thought the crew could have been more considerate to people dishing out big money for the cruise, young or old.

[pppiglet]

We are going on the 12th. Almost all the reviews I read had been excellent! (I think I only read 2 bad ones) Our friends went in November and had a great time!

[Smooth Sailing]

For instance I'd be at the bar waiting, an older man would walk up, and the bartender would instantly go to him despite me waiting there longer.

Hey - That older man was probanly me.:D:D:D We can't stand for too long - and if our blood alcohol level gets too low - we may pass out.:D:D

[kellanderson]

we are going the 19th, and i have come to realize the trip is going to be what you make of it....i too have heard mixed reviews on each of the ships i have been on, and now know....you make the bed you sleep in....

 

no worries..this is a great time of the year to go too..

[VentureMan_2000]

Seems like the crabbie people go out of their way to post crabbie reviews.

 

I wouldn't put any credence in the nagative reviews. Let's put it in perspective:

 

About 125,000 people cruise the Pride a year... and only 30 or 40 people post their reviews. I would trust the views of the 150,000 people that put their money where their mouth is... and keep coming back.

 

The folks who post negative reviews are a bit off the edge, in my opinion. They are not easily pleased it appears, and generally look at life through a half empty glass... never full.

 

It appears that anything that goes wrong on their cruise is someone elses fault, never their own.

[Wennfred]

We were on the Pride in June 2005 and had a blast. Food excellent; ports great; service great. Only negative - slide closed. Enjoy!!

 

Same here, we took the Pride Oct 23rd with a group of Cruise Critic members I met on here, we all had a blast. The ship is awesome along with the crew. Go and have some fun.

 

Fred

[UCFKnight85]

Seems like the crabbie people go out of their way to post crabbie reviews.

 

I wouldn't put any credence in the nagative reviews. Let's put it in perspective:

 

About 125,000 people cruise the Pride a year... and only 30 or 40 people post their reviews. I would trust the views of the 150,000 people that put their money where their mouth is... and keep coming back.

 

The folks who post negative reviews are a bit off the edge, in my opinion. They are not easily pleased it appears, and generally look at life through a half empty glass... never full.

 

It appears that anything that goes wrong on their cruise is someone elses fault, never their own.

 

Are you paid to defend Carnival?

 

The poster asked for some opinions, and they were given. Perhaps people do have legitamite complaints and aren't just "crabbie".

[Wennfred]

Are you paid to defend Carnival?

 

The poster asked for some opinions, and they were given. Perhaps people do have legitamite complaints and aren't just "crabbie".

 

Ventureman has a good point, I have read some Outlandish negative remarks from people that cruise on other cruiselines, always nickpicking every little thing about their cruise.

 

Example: We sailed on this Ship and it was a total mess, after a couple left their table on Lido deck, it took the wait staff 3 minutes before they cleaned that table.. This totally ruined my cruise, Its totally Carnivals Fault this had happen and I want my money back LOL.

 

I always laugh at those Negative reviews because I never see or go looking for problems, There are problems everywhere, theyre not going to stop me from having a fun vacation.

[Sailfish]

Hi Everone!

 

As the person who started this thread, I want to say thanks to all who responded. I can't speak for others, but I do get concerned when I see the same type of complaints in reviews over and over. I am not what you would call a hardcore Carnival fan, but I also keep an open mind and go with the idea of having a good time while on vacation. I'm going with a large group, so I'm sure we'll all have a great time. We picked Carnival because they specialize in groups - they do more for groups than any other cruiseline out there!

 

Some of my concerns are with less subjective issues like the water slide being out of commission. I know to take what people say about food quality and service with a grain of salt. You will never please everyone. But the overall tone of quite a few of the reviews I have been reading of late has been more negative than positive. Old reviews, to me, mean nothing - I try to focus in on those within a few months of our cruise. That's why I was looking for input from people who recently sailed on the Pride.

 

Like I said, I know we will have a good vacation. Thanks again for you input!

[Astronomer]

Ventureman has a good point, I have read some Outlandish negative remarks from people that cruise on other cruiselines, always nickpicking every little thing about their cruise.

 

Example: We sailed on this Ship and it was a total mess, after a couple left their table on Lido deck, it took the wait staff 3 minutes before they cleaned that table.. This totally ruined my cruise, Its totally Carnivals Fault this had happen and I want my money back LOL.

 

I always laugh at those Negative reviews because I never see or go looking for problems, There are problems everywhere, theyre not going to stop me from having a fun vacation.

 

I noticed the same thing Wennfred, which is why I happily booked the Pride and have no reservations at all about the Pride as a ship or Carnival as the Cruise line. The negative reviews I read were from some people that would not be happy on any cruise.

They seemed to let small things "ruin their entire Cruise"

[LHP]

as with any ship (or cruiseline for that matter) you can get a waiter or cabin steward that isn't the greatest...or maybe the "kitchen" has a new chef or is having an off week. The point is that this can happen on any vacation...at any hotel or resort.

 

After 12 cruises on Carnival (11 different ships) I have found their food to be consistantly good....(some better than others, but none "bad"). I have found the service to be consistantly good.

 

So much so that we are booked on the Pride on March 12th. One only needs to read reviews for awhile to see one person "hate it" and another person "love it" and they were on the same cruise!

 

If you are pleased with the value you get for your cruise dollar, then it doesn't matter who else "loved it" or "hated it". Only you can decide this!

 

Go and have a great time.

[cruzeluver]

I'd be willing to bet that every ship has more negative then positive reviews posted out there. Because people are more likely to share bad opinions then good ones, and because no matter how perfect a cruise could possibly be (and none are) there will always be those who find fault. Sad to say. :(

[buggsie10]

i love carnival and will be going on the Pride 3/26/06, for a second time. no complaints. BUT ships can vary from time to time. We were on the Legend, the first time and everything was great. We went on Lengend again last 2/05 and the service was poor, the food was not up to carnival standards nor was the entertainment. You are right, the casino crew hassled my son (21 yr old) every night for ID.So, you just may hit a bad week sometimes. We switched to Princess in 10/05 and returned to Carnival for 3/06. Gotta love it!!!

[VentureMan_2000]

I went on the Pride over a year ago, and it was a great cruise. We missed one port due to a huricane chasing our itinerary, but the Captain stopped at another port instead. It's a beautiful ship, and I hope to sail her again.

 

And I don't remember the buffet stations having bad food. And the beef wellington was to die for...:).

 

I too have read reviews for the same ship where one person had a blast, and another said it was the worst. But you can tell in the tone and story line of the negative reviews that these people are rarely happy with anything in life.

 

I mean, come-on... someone actually complained in their review that they saw some rust in the pool area, in a tone that was implying the ship was crappy because of it. Who would notice rust on a vacation... and then write about it? :rolleyes:

 

 

I stand by my words...

 

Seems like the crabbie people go out of their way to post crabbie reviews.

The folks who post negative reviews are a bit off the edge, are not easily pleased, and generally look at life through a half empty glass... never full.

 

And anything that goes wrong on their cruise is someone elses fault, never their own.

[Astronomer]

My personal favorite negative comment had to do with the artwork, there were nudes, even naked men!!!!!!

Then I saw pictures of the Pride, classical art and a statue of David, I almost fell over laughing. I showed my wife the risqué artwork in question and she busted out laughing as well.

Now if a statue of David was not nude I might be offended.

[carnicrew]

You are right, the casino crew hassled my son (21 yr old) every night for ID.So, you just may hit a bad week sometimes. We switched to Princess in 10/05 and returned to Carnival for 3/06. Gotta love it!!!

Casino staff hassle younger cruisers for ID because if they serve a minor they get sent home!!No slaps on wrists!! Would you risk your job for some one who looks to be around 21?I sure wouldn't Where I'm from they legal drinking age is 19, and the we have a check 25 policy, that being if they look under 25 ask for ID.... some kids just look older than they are, why risk it?

[VentureMan_2000]

I think everyone should the same policy as Maui (or maybe Hawaii in general... not sure). Everyone must have ID to purchase alchohol. No exceptions.

 

Then no-one feels picked on, and no one can sneek.

[misterchatter]

Just off the Pride Jan 22. We had a GREAT TIME. Cabin steward kept the cabin SPOTLESS. Dining room staff was beyond the word "EXCELLENT." Food in the dining room was very good. Deserts were fantastic. In the buffet, the food was good, lunch and breakfast. We did not eat breakfast in the dining room, too full of the danish.

Yes the art on the Pride is "different", let's leave it at that.

We don't drink that much, but like to have a good. We both are in our mid 50's. Really enjoy the dining room activities or whatever you want to call it.

Mike & Angie

[LHP]

spent our honeymoon in Italy and saw ole' David in person. So the art on this ship will be a re-run.

[caprcorn28]

To the OP ~ Don't worry about the negative reviews!! Sift thru them and see what is useful advice about what to avoid to make your cruise easier!! But, go with an Open Mind and Reasonable Expectations and you'll have a good time. Not a perfect time probably...but what vacation is perfect?? Haven't been on one yet...darn close...but I have had some pretty nice vacations!!

Are you paid to defend Carnival?

 

The poster asked for some opinions, and they were given. Perhaps people do have legitamite complaints and aren't just "crabbie".

And VentureMan has a right to his opinion as well....

HIS point, my interpretation of what he said is - Legitamite complaints!! Complaints like "carpet is worn, it ruined my vacation" = not legitamite "I was served a bowl of chili with a finger it, I couldn't return to the dining room cuz of being grossed out" = legitimate "I couldn't believe that no one spoke English when we went to Mexico and I can't believe Carnival didn't tell us, I'll never sail with them again" = not legitimate "We missed two ports out of our three, I am disappointed and wish the weather would have cooperated." = legitimate.

I too have read reviews for the same ship where one person had a blast, and another said it was the worst. But you can tell in the tone and story line of the negative reviews that these people are rarely happy with anything in life.

 

I mean, come-on... someone actually complained in their review that they saw some rust in the pool area, in a tone that was implying the ship was crappy because of it. Who would notice rust on a vacation... and then write about it? :rolleyes:

People that are looking for it as an excuse to complain!

 

Seems like the crabbie people go out of their way to post crabbie reviews.

The folks who post negative reviews are a bit off the edge, are not easily pleased, and generally look at life through a half empty glass... never full.

 

And anything that goes wrong on their cruise is someone elses fault, never their own.

Exactly

[dan40]

To the OP,

You know zip, zero, nada, about the experience, attitudes, or expectations of the reviewers. Negative or positive, what they hate may be what you love and vice versa. So why pay ANY attention to them. You go on your own cruise and form your own opinion, don't let anyone color it for you.

 

 

I've been on 46 cruises, [2 on the Pride, I think that's a positive] and not a single one of them was perfect. But every one of them was fabulous and I would do them again. Have also done B2B's and had the 2 weeks be completely different due to the change in passenger personality. So every cruise is different, every week, even on the same ship.

But what does my opinion matter to you? I would hope nothing.

 

My experience with reviews has been so far off that today I do not read cruise, movie, or restaurant reviews at all. And have NEVER had a bad experience because of it.

 

 

Re an above posting: I understood that the S&S card is coded to show underage people. So why would one have to go get an ID?

Is the S&S not coded???

 

Dan

[Macwoman]

Hey Suzi!!! It's Barbara from the Mariner!! Joe and I and the girls are traveling on the Pride in April. E-mail me with info and pictures. We are staying at the Caost Hotel pre-cruise!!!! Hope all is well!!! Happy Sailing!!!

 

jbmcilrath@comcast.net

Macwoman (Barbara)