Carnival Legend 9/1/06-9/9/06

[battersea]

This is the first time I have ever used this type of service...but the cruise we just returned from has made me soooo angry...I had to vent!! We spent about $100.00 in the Golden Fleece thinking we would have live entertainment as the brochure said...no live music. We went on a ship sponsored tour in Tortola which included a tour of the island plus 1 1/2 hours at Cane Garden Bay. My husband and I could not believe that beach!! I would not even estimate the number of people there, how dirty the rest rooms and beach were. We ended up waiting to get back on our bus for the 1 1/2 beach time! I would never have booked this cruise had I had any idea about "The Groups" on the ship. We actually witnessed in the casino a young man shaking one quarter machine to make the quarters fall (it was on the left side of the casino as you entered). The way the people piled the food on their plates from the Lido buffet was sickening. We saw one lady shove a small box of cereal in her purse! We spent our time during the day reading on the adult pool deck in the back of the ship...it was about the quietest place on the ship. We will never go on Carnival again...We have cruised on Princess and Royal Caribbean and were so disappointed when those cruises were over...we couldn't wait to get off the Carnival Legend.

[LHP]

This is the first time I have ever used this type of service...but the cruise we just returned from has made me soooo angry...I had to vent!! We spent about $100.00 in the Golden Fleece thinking we would have live entertainment as the brochure said...no live music. We went on a ship sponsored tour in Tortola which included a tour of the island plus 1 1/2 hours at Cane Garden Bay. My husband and I could not believe that beach!! I would not even estimate the number of people there, how dirty the rest rooms and beach were. We ended up waiting to get back on our bus for the 1 1/2 beach time! I would never have booked this cruise had I had any idea about "The Groups" on the ship. We actually witnessed in the casino a young man shaking one quarter machine to make the quarters fall (it was on the left side of the casino as you entered). The way the people piled the food on their plates from the Lido buffet was sickening. We saw one lady shove a small box of cereal in her purse! We spent our time during the day reading on the adult pool deck in the back of the ship...it was about the quietest place on the ship. We will never go on Carnival again...We have cruised on Princess and Royal Caribbean and were so disappointed when those cruises were over...we couldn't wait to get off the Carnival Legend.

 

 

Sadly, I have read about that "group" from others on this board. As I told them, it is a shame that it appears decent folks are going to have to spend more money on more exclusive cruiselines to avoid such behavior.

 

That being said, I can tell you that in 20+ years of cruising with Carnival....we have never had such an incident. Yes, there is some "buffet" behavior that could be improved...but certainly nothing that ruined our cruise.

 

I can actually excuse the box of cereal in the purse...since I have a special needs child and I always carry a box of cereal in my purse to make sure he will have something to snack on while we are in port. I would never take unopened food (sandwiches etc) or fruit...but a sealed box of cereal is acceptable.

 

Yes, the speciality dining room should have had a pianist and vocalist to entertain you. And I would have seen the Purser about at least a partial refund on the ship excursion that was less than advertised.

 

I think the port you sailed from (and sadly the people from that area) are more to blame than Carnival itself.

 

However, now that you have "vented"...I would stop and think about the things you did enjoy (there had to be something) and then write a letter to Guest Relations at:

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Place

3655 NW 87 Avenue

Miami, Fl. 33178-2428

 

IMO, I would start with the positives and then say ..."however, the reason for my letter is..." and then list exactly what happened. No judgments, personal exaggerations...just good ole facts. I try to always write a letter in a manner where the reader can actually picture themselves there. And I have always gotten very good results.

 

No matter which cruise line you sail in the future....may you have calm seas, lots of sunshine and cool breezes.

[atroop711]

I was on the same cruise and I posted my review this morning. I have to tell you that I am disappointed too about some of the ppl on board.

 

With that said...I have sailed Carnival 2 other times before (and other cruise lines) and never had experienced this. Please don't let this one experience turn you away from Carnival. I think we just didn't have luck on this one. I know many ppl who sailed on the Legend out of NY and have amazing times.

 

I agree with you the food situation was disgusting...but I think next time I will ask in advance about the groups situation.

 

Annette

[LizaMM]

It seems that many of the reviews from this particular sailing have negative comments about the people on board. Most of them refer to a "group".

 

 

I am sorry to hear about your experience. I think thet LHP offers some wonderful advice!!

[vincenzo0506]

We went on a ship sponsored tour in Tortola which included a tour of the island plus 1 1/2 hours at Cane Garden Bay. My husband and I could not believe that beach!! I would not even estimate the number of people there, how dirty the rest rooms and beach were. We ended up waiting to get back on our bus for the 1 1/2 beach time!

 

Cane Garden Bay used to be the most beautiful place on the Planet, until cruise ships started coming to the BVI. That crowd of people? Came from the two cruise ships in port that day. I agree, it was crowded, but it was still a beautiful beach. As crowded as it was, we all had a great time there.

I would never have booked this cruise had I had any idea about "The Groups" on the ship. We actually witnessed in the casino a young man shaking one quarter machine to make the quarters fall (it was on the left side of the casino as you entered).

 

Groups are hard to avoid. I have only cruised 3 times and have always had groups on board

 

The way the people piled the food on their plates from the Lido buffet was sickening. We saw one lady shove a small box of cereal in her purse! We spent our time during the day reading on the adult pool deck in the back of the ship...it was about the quietest place on the ship. We will never go on Carnival again...We have cruised on Princess and Royal Caribbean and were so disappointed when those cruises were over...we couldn't wait to get off the Carnival Legend.

 

Pigs are pigs no matter where they go. As negative as these events are, we won't let it deter us from crising with Carnival again. We still had a good time, in spite of the crowd, in spite of the HUGE group(over 400 people in one group), in spite of the pigs.

 

And as others, I was also guilty of grabbing a couple of boxes of cereal when we went ashore. We have 4 kids and it was good to have some snacks for the cab/bus rides.

 

vincenzo:)

[Nanatravel]

I see this is your very first post. Was this your very 1st. cruise? I am sorry it was such a poor experience for you. I have friends on the Legend right now with a "group" of about 100 square dancers from New England. Not exactly your party animals but they have good clean fun dancing the night away. The leader/caller has cruised a few times on NCL and Princess. I will be very curious to hear their review especially with Hurricane Florence out there in the Atlantic.

 

Unfortunately the guests on board any cruise ships are out of our control. Some folks just don't get common courtesy at all. I loved sailing the Legend and her sister the Pride (2) but from different embarkation ports and times of year. This does make a difference in who is sailing. As for the upkeep of the beach, it is unfortunate that general cleanliness was not evident. A lot of countries do not have the same hygene values that we do; sea weed and ocean debris is natuaral but I don't like to walk or swim in it either.

 

Do not judge all cruises by this one. I do hope that you voiced your thoughts about the Golden Fleece to the Pursor or Hotel Director. We had a wonderful combo and signer when we dined there.

 

Bon Voyage

Nanatravel

[cousindee]

Anxiously awaiting our first cruise on the Legend - 10/3 - can someone elaborate a little on "The Group" problem? I don't know if I'm seeing alot of complaints about one particular sailing, or complaints about alot of recent sailings? Maybe I'm a little too naive?

[vincenzo0506]

Anxiously awaiting our first cruise on the Legend - 10/3 - can someone elaborate a little on "The Group" problem? I don't know if I'm seeing alot of complaints about one particular sailing, or complaints about alot of recent sailings? Maybe I'm a little too naive?

 

On the 9/1 cruise there were 2 groups, one was rather large, over 400 people. The other was a family/friends reunion. I'm not sure how big the second group was.

 

People on the cruise had different experiences with the groups. Mine was very positive, others were negative.

 

I have always seen groups on the cruises I have been on and don't assosiate and rude passengers with the group, even if they belonged. I'm sure there were those in the group that would have preferred not sailing with some of those people that were being rude.

 

vincenzo:)

[Leo Jay]

 

And as others, I was also guilty of grabbing a couple of boxes of cereal when we went ashore. We have 4 kids and it was good to have some snacks for the cab/bus rides.

 

vincenzo:)

 

You see, this is why you and I had such a great time on this cruise -- WE were part of the PROBLEM! You with your cereal pilferage, and me shlepping down food from the buffet to eat breakfast on the balcony with the little miss. Not to mention me usin' a walkie talkie, takin' pitchurs of the food, takin' pitchurs on the funn -- I mean on the water slide... :D I guess I jes don' know how to act. I did leave m' gangsta gear at home, tho this time around -- I's proud o' that.

[Leo Jay]

Anxiously awaiting our first cruise on the Legend - 10/3 - can someone elaborate a little on "The Group" problem? I don't know if I'm seeing alot of complaints about one particular sailing, or complaints about alot of recent sailings? Maybe I'm a little too naive?

 

 

Only one "group", really: Classic Soul -- A 70's Soul Music fan club, mostly mature (40+) African-Americans -- I've heard estimates between 400 and 600. There was also at least one family reunion, which to my eye, seemed to include a couple of teenaged wanna-be gangsta poseurs -- they were also AAs, and there were other random AAs on board -- most nice, a few not so nice -- I'm sure some people thought they must have ALL been part of some huge "GROUP", though I'm sure the punks wouldn't know the Isley Brothers from the Osmond Brothers. :D

[natcolb65]

As I was reading these post refering to "the group", I was wondering what some of you ment by this. Now I see that someone has confirmed that you ment exactly what I thought. I as highly offended as I am an african american female. I am 41 years old and I am no "gangsta". And the majority of african americans are not!!! Maybe some of you have never had the pleasure of being around black people but if you have a problem with it then maybe you should stay home. I will continue cruising and try by best to aviod people like you.

[EngIceDave]

I was waiting for race to come into play regarding this cruise and the complaints

 

I'll be standing over there ------------------------------>

[natcolb65]

I hope that you are not suggesting that I am the one that started the race issue. The poster before me let it be known that "the group" that these posters was refering to were african american. I had an idea when i was reading the post that with the " " around it that thats what they were refering to. I read these boards almost everyday, I rarely post anything I read people having disagreements all the time and I think some of them are ridiculous but when you start bashing people that are all a certain race other than your own than I feel like I have to respond. If they had been bashing any other race I would have spoken out against it also. I love cruising and I'm not gonna stop as a matter of fact I am on the smae cruise as you. I have posted on the Valor roll call for Sept. 24. Like I said before if you don't wanna be around black people then don't go on vacation.

[vincenzo0506]

I hope that you are not suggesting that I am the one that started the race issue. The poster before me let it be known that "the group" that these posters was refering to were african american. I had an idea when i was reading the post that with the " " around it that thats what they were refering to. I read these boards almost everyday, I rarely post anything I read people having disagreements all the time and I think some of them are ridiculous but when you start bashing people that are all a certain race other than your own than I feel like I have to respond. If they had been bashing any other race I would have spoken out against it also. I love cruising and I'm not gonna stop as a matter of fact I am on the smae cruise as you. I have posted on the Valor roll call for Sept. 24. Like I said before if you don't wanna be around black people then don't go on vacation.

 

I really hope that you are not reffering to either Leo Jay, or me. Neither one of us had a problem with the group or any issue. He was simply pointing out that the group thatthe OP was referring to might have been the Classic Soul group. You did exacly what others on both sides have done, lumped us all together.

 

I don't have an issue with race. I met some really nice people from both groups that were on board. You should really be specific. If you are angry with a specific persons post and think it is raceist, that point to that specific person. Please don't pile us all in the group.

 

vincenzo:)

[natcolb65]

I was actually not refering to you or leojay. I was refering to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd posters and a few other people that have written a review about this particular cruise. I was not lumping everyone in one group so if it came off that way then please accept my apology. I do not condone what the man you are talking about did. He was also wrong but I also think that had he and tho others that have been refered to as "gangstas" not been african american then you or the others would not have refered to him as a "gangsta". Just as you don't want to be lumped together neither do we. So if you go on vacation with a "group" of black people don't think that thats what we all think or how we all act.

[Leo Jay]

Okay, there were, in fact, a large number of black people on the cruise -- that much was obvious. A good number of them belonged to the one official group on the cruise -- the 'Classic Soul' group. I put the term "group" in quotation marks to distinguish the CS group as an officially Carnival-recognized "group", as opposed to the other assorted unofficial family groups, friends, etc. that you would see on any cruise.

 

It seems that in this instance, many of the assorted random miscreants, which you would see on any cruise, have been somewhat carelessly associated with this one official "group" and/or lumped in together in reports of "problem groups". My point was that there can be a tendency to notice a large group of black people and assume that they're part of some cohesive group. That's what concerned me about various cryptic references to "The Group"/"the problem groups" that I've seen in various threads regarding this cruise. I see rude people/families everywhere, but I wouldn't have any reason to associate them with part of any "problem group" so large and pervasive that it's going to swear me off an entire cruiseline!

 

The few somewhat punk-looking young black kids that I happened to see were definitely part of some family reunion. I know that for a fact because they were wearing T-shirts to that effect (along with their coordinated do-rags and droopy-drawer basketball shorts. The CS cruisers that I saw were by and large 40+ and dressed to the nines for dinner. Now, I suppose it's possible that some of these teenaged wannabe gansta-punks are big fans of 70s Motown and flew from all points of the celebrate the soulful sounds of the Seventies, but... I would doubt it. :p

 

As for the Classic Soulers themselves, it's my understanding that they represented individuals from all over the country, and as such were probably about as (un)cohesive as any Cruise Critic cruising group, so again, I don't see why any misbehavior on any members' part should reflect on the group as a whole, any more than I'd want the behavior of obnoxious CCers to reflect on me should I happen to participate in a CC cruise.

 

So, bottom line I had some concerns about the ill-dressed, ill-mannered kids and various other garden variety rude-boobs and miscreants being carelessly lumped in with the only official "group" of people on the cruise into some great big melange of misbehavior.

 

And let's not diss Noo Yawkuz, neithah.

[vincenzo0506]

I was actually not refering to you or leojay. I was refering to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd posters and a few other people that have written a review about this particular cruise. I was not lumping everyone in one group so if it came off that way then please accept my apology. I do not condone what the man you are talking about did. He was also wrong but I also think that had he and tho others that have been refered to as "gangstas" not been african american then you or the others would not have refered to him as a "gangsta". Just as you don't want to be lumped together neither do we. So if you go on vacation with a "group" of black people don't think that thats what we all think or how we all act.

 

I can accept that. I certainly know that no one person or even a group of people is any indication of what is typical for all people of that race.

 

I met some really nice people from both groups.

 

vincenzo:)

[mamaskittles]

I was actually not refering to you or leojay. I was refering to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd posters and a few other people that have written a review about this particular cruise. I was not lumping everyone in one group so if it came off that way then please accept my apology. I do not condone what the man you are talking about did. He was also wrong but I also think that had he and tho others that have been refered to as "gangstas" not been african american then you or the others would not have refered to him as a "gangsta". Just as you don't want to be lumped together neither do we. So if you go on vacation with a "group" of black people don't think that thats what we all think or how we all act.

 

Hello

I am one of the previous posters who had a few not so nice experiences on the 9/1/06 Legend cruise.

I firmly believe that "groups" of any one type have the capacity for causing problems.

My Dh and I are members of a yacht club that rents out it's community hall for private parties. The only time we have ever had issues is when a "group" rents the hall.

Police officers, Firefighters, College Grads ETC.

When one is part of a very large group unfortunately the bad behavior of a small percentage of individuals in the group may (not always) infect others who under normal circumstances would not behave in any antisocial way.

I am not the only person who has ever heard of this. Psychologists and sociologists refer to it as "mob mentality". It has been used as a defense (quite successfully) many times.

I personally could care less the race of those involved in creating spectacles of themselves, however the spectacles, when loud and in your face, can put a damper on your own enjoyment of a cruise.

I understand your immediate indignation but, In my opinion you had to be there in order to understand. I would be no more tolerant if the Group I am referring to was a convention of shriners.

I DID for the most part enjoy my cruise. BUT THERE WERE ISSUES FOR ME.

I spoke to people from both classic soul and one of the family reunions. In fact the classic soul group intrigued me so I asked a lot of questions. The people I spoke to were friendly, intelligent, well spoken people who I would love to cruise with again. Others whom I recognized as group members were people who exhibited behaviors that no one should have to be exposed to any where.

[natcolb65]

I believe that when you and the others were refering to these people as "the group" that you were talking in code about black people. I have been on a cruise with this particular group and i had no problems with anyone acting gangsta. and like I stated before if they had not been black I don't think you would refer to them as "gangsta" or "thugs". I think that your comments were very insensitive. I feel the way that I do and i"m not going to sit on here and argue or defend myself to you or anyone else.

[LizaMM]

I believe that when you and the others were refering to these people as "the group" that you were talking in code about black people. I have been on a cruise with this particular group and i had no problems with anyone acting gangsta. and like I stated before if they had not been black I don't think you would refer to them as "gangsta" or "thugs". I think that your comments were very insensitive. I feel the way that I do and i"m not going to sit on here and argue or defend myself to you or anyone else.

 

 

I just want to say.....when I referred to the "group" (I was one of the first few posters) I had no idea what so ever who they were or what it was about. I was NOT using a code...I was simply stating that in previous posts I had read about a "group" which people complained about....hence my reason for using quotation marks around the word.

[shabcruzn]

I believe that when you and the others were refering to these people as "the group" that you were talking in code about black people. I have been on a cruise with this particular group and i had no problems with anyone acting gangsta. and like I stated before if they had not been black I don't think you would refer to them as "gangsta" or "thugs". I think that your comments were very insensitive. I feel the way that I do and i"m not going to sit on here and argue or defend myself to you or anyone else.

 

 

I have to agree. It's not so much the reference to the "group" but the references to "gangsta" or "thugs." My nephew wears baggy jeans and t'shirts and a large necklace around his neck (a cross btw) and has cruised twice in this attire. He does smoke, drink, or use other drugs. He is a customer service rep and a talented musician (plays for the church), not a thug. I have cruised several times--I hate to think my race is a question or that people look at our clothing and make judgements? Call out the behavior as inappropiate for any race, but leave the racial stereotypes and generalizations out of it!

[vincenzo0506]

Call out the behavior as inappropiate for any race, but leave the racial undertones and generalizations out of it!

 

Well said.

 

vincenzo:)

[jnj002]

I recently cruised the Destiny in March 06! There was a lot of Bammas

(Rednecks from Southern USA) Some were rude, but a lot of them were nice

Did i let the rude ones spoil my vacation? Heck No! This is Carnival, What do you expect? Carnival Caters to both Rednecks trailer trash and folks from the Ghetto! Why do you think the prices are so cheap? I suggest to anyone

who have a problem with Those Two Types Of Americans, Sail Carnival's sister lines The Cunard or the Seabourne and see how the Rich types look down on you!

 

 

Nordic Empress 10-01

AOS 4-02

Norwegian Dawn 10-03

VOS 9-04

Amtrak across America 5-05

Carnival Destiny 3-06

Carnival Liberty 1--07

Caribbean Princess or RC Liberty of the Seas 9-07!

[EngIceDave]

natcolb65, you seem to think I was accusing you of introducing race into this discussion....it was there LONG before you got involved.

 

I was just waiting for it to be pointed out because all the others were being as PC as possible and dancing around it.

 

I saw the use of "the group" the same as you, as another way of saying "Those Black people"

 

If that wasn't their intent, so be it.

But thet's how it read to me

[battersea]

natcolb65, you seem to think I was accusing you of introducing race into this discussion....it was there LONG before you got involved.

 

I was just waiting for it to be pointed out because all the others were being as PC as possible and dancing around it.

 

I saw the use of "the group" the same as you, as another way of saying "Those Black people"

 

If that wasn't their intent, so be it.

But thet's how it read to me

 

I was the first person to post my opinion of the cruise on the Legend. I very much resent the implication that using the words "the group" automatically was a way of referring to the blacks on board. If any of those groups have been white, red or yellow the shear number of people adds to confusion in relatively small areas such a two backyard sized swimming pools, the buffet at the Lido deck and any other small area on the ship. Did anyone get pushed and shoved just trying to look at photo's??? When you have "groups" who are all trying to do the same thing at the same time...confusion will occur. Money spent to pay for a cruise (or any vacation) only comes in the color GREEN....Carnival is no different from any other airline, hotel or cruise line...GREEN is their color. That being said, I am still of the opinion that a person should have the choice to cruise with LARGE GROUPS...as that group was. Space was at a premium during the day, and the noise level was terrible during the day. Lucky my husband and I found our niche on the aft deck, by the adult pool. The only activity there was a very loud mouthed man (white man) who annoyed everyone!

I think everyone should let the race issue drop....it was a pure case of lack of "crowd control" which can happen almost anywhere in todays world.