Triumph(4-7-07)Sewer smell+kids gone wild.

[islahopper]

2 of my employees just got back from thier first(and last) cruise. They were on the Triumph (4-7/4-14). They are both 51 along with wife and boyfriend also 51. They are bartenders at a private members only social club so they do know how to have a good time. I have thier comment card here with me and over the next couple of days I will post. there was a lot of things they liked about the cruise along with problems that caused them to decide not to cruise again. They said the whole ship smeled like a open sewer,very bad in the cabins.(They were part of a group of 28 and had cabins on 4 floors and all smelled bad.) the smell was also in the buffet and public rooms. Kids were running wild everywhere, out on deck, playing tag in the show lounge, hide and seek during dinner. There were kids sitting at the bars, playing slot machines, in the adult pool and hot tubs. Running up and down the halls at all hours, even dancing in large groups in the casino. The staff was sluggish and unresponsive to any complaints and did nothing to control the kids. There was also alot of under age drinking at all bars(remember these are 2 bartenders who are trained at spotting underage people in a bar), they staff again did nothing when this was pointed out to them. I'm posting this at work so I don't have much time and may not get back until Wed.. On the good side they enjoyed the food in the dining room, loved the pizza and the desserts. Enjoyed the weather and the ports of call. Thier cabin steward did a great job and they liked the decor. They also said a number of guests came up to them and told them this was not a normal cruise experence and to try again. Which is what I've been telling them for two days but they will not change thier minds, out of the 28 in the group they are writting letters to Carnival and through thier TA, and all 28 agree not to cruise again. I am telling just what they are telling me as they are both at work today. I myself am looking forward to my next cruise on the Legend 7-15-07 and booking the Freedom in Jan 08. If you have any questions for these two, I will be back Wed morning.

 

Thank-you and happy crusing.

[Glama]

That's really a bummer that their cruise experience was so bad that they have decided that cruising is not for them. :( A first cruise with crazy kids, underage drinking, and sewage smell can really sour people's whole outlook on cruising. I'm sorry this happened to them. I would imagine that there is no convincing them that most cruises aren't like that, especially on a line that doesn't cater to families.

[L2J]

A shame the first cruise turned out like that and I certainly hope they join here and post a review of their experience. Much better to get a full review from the actual cruiser rather than hearsay.

[CynLovesCrusing]

Hummm, that's kind of weird b/c I was on the EXACT SAME CRUISE and I had a lovely time. Yes, there were tons of teenagers, guess what, IT'S HIGH SCHOOL SPRING BREAK. I get tired of hearing people complain about the amount of teenagers on spring break cruises. The sole reason for us booking this cruise, OUR TEENAGERS SPRING BREAK. If you want to avoid kids, cruise during a time that most kids are in school or chose a cruise line that caters to older couples without kids.

 

The ship smelled fine. The smell in the buffet, was FOOD. Personally, I like the smell of food cooking, but I guess I'm just weird that way. The "dancing in the casino" was actually to the side of the casino at the bar area. Guess why they were dancing.....because there was a BAND there playing dance music. Wow, who would guess people dancing to music. The dancing wasn't inside the casino. There were no kids running wild in the later show, I can't confirm nor deny about the early show. In the 8:00 seating in the Paris dining room I saw very few children at all. Lots of teens but no smaller kids. Again, I can only speak of what I encountered in that seating of that resturaunt in the area where I sat. I agree there were lots of kids in the hot tubs. There were also tons of chair hogs. I chose not to worry about those few things, I simply stayed away from them. My choice. Life nor are vacations totally perfect no matter where you go. Deal with it.

 

I would suggest that if the couple likes total seclusion free of children, they should spend their money on the cruise lines that offer very private & sophisticated crusing. Like it or not, Carnival "Fun Ships" during March / April is full of kids & teenagers. And personally- I like it.

[Debra Lynn]

I was on the Triumph in February and although I didn't have the problems with unruly children the smell of sewer was a bit overwelming at times.... This is the first ship I have encountered this issue. The Cabin Steward was well aware of it and said it was a drainage issue that the ship has....

It got a bit better toward the end of the cruise...or maybe I got use to it....:eek:

[imacruzinma]

I'm sorry your employees had a bad experience. If they chose not to cruise again, that is their option. We all know that personal experience and attitude vary from passenger to passenger on every ship.

 

On our Inspiration cruise last week there were 1,005 "under 21" cruisers (almost 50%) because the ship was full with two HS bands. Let me say for all to hear, I did not see underaged drinking, experience any loud/rowdy behavior (other than my obnoxious BIL), see any kids running crazy or being inappropriate. Maybe it's because they were "band kids" but they were very well behaved and made for a nice experience for the families on board.

[HeidiHo]

Don't understand why they would not cruise again.:confused: Just try another cruise line (one that does not cater to families so much) and go at a time when there would be fewer kids. Simple as that.

[Kurbanfan]

I would suggest that if the couple likes total seclusion free of children, they should spend their money on the cruise lines that offer very private & sophisticated crusing.

 

Wow, I didn't read that in the OP's post..........

[LDR]

I was on this cruise and just did my own review this morning. Neither myself

or family noticed any sewer smells. Yes, it was full of kids. In fact there

were a group of kids/adults from Michigan on a senior class trip. In my review

I mentioned that I saw my son's group reprimanded by a staff member for

running. I also saw bartenders asking kids with the soda cards to please not

sit at the bar. There were many security officers out on the Lido during the day and down on Deck 5 keeping an eye on things too.

I'm sorry they had a bad experience, but do encourage them to try again at

a different time of year and maybe another line. Carnival really caters to

the family, and that is most of their passengers. Hopefully they can still

have a nice cruise experience somewhere.

[CynLovesCrusing]

"Kids were running wild everywhere, out on deck, playing tag in the show lounge, hide and seek during dinner. There were kids sitting at the bars, playing slot machines, in the adult pool and hot tubs. Running up and down the halls at all hours, even dancing in large groups in the casino. The staff was sluggish and unresponsive to any complaints and did nothing to control the kids."

 

Wow, I didn't read that in the OP's post..........

 

yeah, you're right........sounds like they LOVE kids. my bad.

[Kurbanfan]

"Kids were running wild everywhere, out on deck, playing tag in the show lounge, hide and seek during dinner. There were kids sitting at the bars, playing slot machines, in the adult pool and hot tubs. Running up and down the halls at all hours, even dancing in large groups in the casino. The staff was sluggish and unresponsive to any complaints and did nothing to control the kids."

 

 

 

yeah, you're right........sounds like they LOVE kids. my bad.

 

I was responding to your quote that if they liked total seclusion free of children. Nowhere did they say they wanted that. And again just because they posted their experience now they hate kids:confused:

 

They were just stating what they observed. Now I don't know about you but kids sitting at the bars, playing slot machines and in the hot tubs.........running down the halls at all hours......

Don't get me wrong, I love kids myself.......but that's sounds a little much....

No need to be defensive:cool:

[CynLovesCrusing]

Let's see, I was there.....you were not. K. I'm done now.

[Kurbanfan]

Let's see, I was there.....you were not. K. I'm done now.

 

 

Not a problem....Now I can understand the op's situtation:D

[truecruiser]

i'm curious...for the cruisers who did not smell the smell in their staterooms, were your cabins forward or aft?

 

for the cruisers that did smell the smell -- did you have forward or aft cabins?

[Karlyn8]

Just wondering why these two employees of your's didn't send their own message to these boards. Why did you? I think some things get exagerated in the retelling.

[basketsiam]

Just wondering why these two employees of your's didn't send their own message to these boards. Why did you? I think some things get exagerated in the retelling.

 

Also, how did you get their comment card? If the card wasn't turned in to Carnival, it becomes difficult for Carnival to make positive changes. I must add that, although I wasn't on this cruise, we routinely cruise during Spring Break or other times school is not in session. Usually we don't notice the kids, and I'm wondering whether they were school-aged or college kids. Anyone who is 18 or older is permitted to play slots in the casino, and every cruiseship casino I've ever been in polices this strictly. I have noticed, as I get "older," the "kids" seem to look younger!!!! I have seen "kids" removed from casinos when they can't produce identification to prove they are 18.

 

Ask your employees to join Cruise Critic and post a complete review. Maybe then some of these questions could be answered.

[SmileyFaceM]

I returned from a cruise a couple weeks and was told by my daughter afterwards that she had no problems getting served alcohol. The only person carded seemed to be the person paying for the drinks. ie. If she didn't try to pay, she got served every time. She tended to make many friends while she was having a cigarette and they would offer to buy her a drink. She never got drunk, but she was drinking.

 

She is 20 and close to being 21 and was responsible on the ship. I let her drink while we were in Jamaica and Mexico while under my supervision. I do think Carnival should do a better job in trying to stop as I saw some teens on the elvators that looked to be wasted (guessing they were part of the High school trips due to some of the conversations I heard). They could at least check all the IDs of those they are serving drinks to.

 

Probably hard to stop all of it, but they could attempt more.

 

Michelle

[islahopper]

Still at work. I just posted what they told me, they were in my office while I was posting. They can not join CC because they do not own a computer and I won't let them use mine. I posted this because I did a lot of resherch for them on this site and they asked me to post for them. They have children and grandchildren and are not children haters. They just do not like unruley and unsupervised children. The cabins with the smell were 6380, 6382 ,2374 and a couple more that they do not remember the cabin numbers. Sorry if the post upset some of you, but the fact of the matter is these folks spent thier money on something that did not live up to thier expectations. I have never been on a cruise I didn't like and have only encountered small problems that in no way ruined my vacation. Folks, have a good day, I'm going to punch out and have semi foo foo drink. Thank-you.

[Harleysmom]

On our Sensation cruise last weekend there were kids gone wild as well.

 

I DID see underaged drinking, loud/rowdy behavior, saw kids running crazy, saw adults in the main atrium talking to a group of underage girls saying and I quote, "Don't worry about it, we can share all our fake id's" -I stuck around to eavesdrop more and gathered that they were going to Senor Frogs. I am not a parent and don't mind children but when adults are condoning teens to be drunk, when they are running wild than it gets annoying.

 

I will say though, I truly believe vacation is what you make of it and I am choosing to cruise again (at least two more are currently being planned). Aside from the "naughty children", the cruise itself was wonderful and I will definately go again. Perhaps you can tell your employees to try going during offseason when school is in session?

[mom2NnB]

"There was also alot of under age drinking at all bars(remember these are 2 bartenders who are trained at spotting underage people in a bar)"

 

I was not on this cruise so can't say for sure, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. I am 38 and still get proofed very frequently. When I am out with my kids (11 & 5) I am asked if I am babysitting. :) Its even worse when I am with my best friend who is 26 and looks 16, she is a mother of 3.

[catkins]

We stayed on the main deck port side of the ship in cabin 2384, more aft than middle or forward, and there was a definite sewage odor More so the more forward you went. It was noticeable but not Overwhelming. It didn't seem to come about until halfway through sailing.

[Mikel1733]

A sewer smell would definitely put a damper on a cruise if it lasted the majority of the cruise. We've been on a ship with the smell but it was only for about 1 day. One definitely needs to choose the time of year they cruise if kids get on their nerves. But I've seen adults that are more irritating than some of the kids. At least the kids have the potential to grow up, the idiot adults are who and what they are at this stage in life.

[Bagbklyn]

While we didn't take Carnival my girlfriend and I took Crown princess from 3/31-4/7/07. When we were disembarking we thought we had a lot of kids on board so we asked where there a lot of kids on this voyage, they said it was 800, which was up there, but the sailing leaving the night of 4/7 had 1300 kids. It seems that your workers picked the wrong dates to go on a cruise. They need to try an go off season if they don't want to deal with kids.

[GayleR]

One definitely needs to choose the time of year they cruise if kids get on their nerves. But I've seen adults that are more irritating than some of the kids. At least the kids have the potential to grow up, the idiot adults are who and what they are at this stage in life.

 

How true!!!!

[nycruiser2006]

While we didn't take Carnival my girlfriend and I took Crown princess from 3/31-4/7/07. When we were disembarking we thought we had a lot of kids on board so we asked where there a lot of kids on this voyage, they said it was 800, which was up there, but the sailing leaving the night of 4/7 had 1300 kids. It seems that your workers picked the wrong dates to go on a cruise. They need to try an go off season if they don't want to deal with kids.

 

I was readng the same stories over on the Princess board. It seems if you have to travel during the spring breaks weeks you are going to have a larger-than-normal amount of kids. Just as a FYI: on our feb Triumph cruise we never once smelled a sewer smell. I was fully prepared to smell it as it had been mentioned MANY times before on this site. We were in Panorama 1025 & 1031.