My Parents Just Got off the Fantasy - Bad Experience with some pax

[LHP]

Excellent explanation. Thanks! Maybe that's what I was hoping :) . Agree fully.

 

Thanks...I try. Some days the ole thinker is clicking and sometimes it isn't!!

 

Kinda like groups...just the luck of the draw!! :D

[LHP]

Back on topic: I don't want to cruise with ANY group simply because I don't believe it's fair to all the other cruisers that areas of the ship may not be available to them due to group activities.

 

:confused:

 

Every cruise you go on will probably have some kind of "group". They are the life blood of the cruising industry. On the Holiday on Saturday, we have several "family reunions". One lady said she and her family and friends have 20 cabins booked. This won't be a problem.

 

Generally, the spaces they take over are the bars that are not used during the day. Not always of course, but most times. Carnival tries to work it out so that other passengers are not inconvenienced. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[KruznKel]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but, personally, I detest the "popcorn" comments. I think they are incredibly rude and add absolutely NOTHING to the discussion. If someone doesn't want to read and/or participate in a thread, just click "back" on your browser. If you have nothing to add, then don't post.

 

Sorry. One of my pet peeves on this board. :mad:

 

Those are the special posters I call them.. Or those that think they are:mad:

 

Back on topic: I don't want to cruise with ANY group simply because I don't believe it's fair to all the other cruisers that areas of the ship may not be available to them due to group activities.

 

I have cruised with 2 CC groups and we have never taken over anywhere.. there are specific rooms booked for any private occasion.. as for bigger groups I have been privy to a PH cruise that took over the whole ship.. did I let it ruin by cruise NO.. did it bother me YES.. there were certain main public areas that were unaccessible late at night.. then there was NO where else to go.. other than that cruise was great.. won't sail with that group again.. (even tho the peeps are great)

 

Off topic: I'm afraid I don't understand the "prepaid" comments about tips. Don't we all prepay these days? Aren't the tips simply added to your S&S account? So, how can you "prepay" AND have the tips added?

 

You don't pre pay and have tips added... you can not pre pay as we do and just have it show up on the SS bill.. pre paid is paid with your cruise fair

 

:confused:

 

MY 2cents!

[MrPete]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but, personally, I detest the "popcorn" comments. I think they are incredibly rude and add absolutely NOTHING to the discussion. If someone doesn't want to read and/or participate in a thread, just click "back" on your browser. If you have nothing to add, then don't post.

 

Sorry. One of my pet peeves on this board. :mad:

 

 

Well, I guess you're talking to me.

 

No flames, but it's a lot easier than having to subscribe to a thread. Especially after being paged for "PETE's" sake.

 

I have pet peeves as well, but I usually keep them personal, as I'm sure no one cares.

[LHP]

Well, I guess you're talking to me.

 

No flames, but it's a lot easier than having to subscribe to a thread. Especially after being paged for "PETE's" sake.

 

I have pet peeves as well, but I usually keep them personal, as I'm sure no one cares.

 

WE love you!!!!! ;) (pet peeves and all)

[MrPete]

Aw, you're just sayin that for my Victory reviews......

 

LOL :) :D ;) :p

[RolexRider]

First, YES, a man fell overboard. See this web site:

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/5346262.html

 

 

Second, debark was delayed on 1 Dec due to the luggage coming off the ship in "mixed" containers. Every container had mixed numbers in it instead of one container having all #3s and the next container having all #4s, etc. This resulted in the SeaCaps having to sort each piece of luggage to the correct location. WHY did this happen? It was reported to me that the majority of the "Cash Accounts" on the ship "removed" their tips from the account. Your Room Stewards and Dinning Room Stewards are the "luggage fairies" who take your luggage from your rooms and "sort" it for Debarkation. This is called "pay back." It was also reported to me that the shops sold more booze in 3 days than they normally do in 5. I could go on, but I will stop here.

 

Glad we decided to self debark. it went very fast for us and very smoothly. i think i'll always do this from now on since it was so easier than i thought it would be. like i said before i was on the 11/26 sailing with my DH, DD (4 yr old) and my mom and we had a great time and had no problem at all with other pax. i NEVER once encountered a rude crew memeber they were all very friendly and nice. we loved the bartender Darma at the majestic lounge. as for people removing tips i thinks htat horrible that carnival allows it just because someone just doesnt want to pay. i was at the PD once and a lady in front of me had had a long time at the spa and spent well over $400 i dont remember exact bill but she was there mad and demanding they remove the $50 tip that had been added. i was standing behind her thinking OMG i can't believe this. when asked was the experience no good and the crew member rude she said no she loved it but wasnt paying a $50 tip. i was floored when they removed the tip. she got a service and loved it but was to cheap to give a tip? this is the only time on the enitre cruise that i was really disappointed in carnival at all cause i personally dont think they should have removed the tip. that lady in the spa could have been giving a treatment to someone else more that glad to give a tip.

i did see that a lot of booze had been sold that last night when they were delivering to the rooms. but again like i said maybe i just missed all the bad pax and rude crew that the OP was talking about cause i had a great 1st cruise and will be cruising again soon.

[cf32521]

I just returned from this cruise. I did not witness any of the bad behavior but other passengers did. I talked to some people who were kept awake every night by loud, obnoxious behavior in the halls. Apparently there were also some kids running down the halls the last night and removing tags from the luggage. I talked to several people who said they would never cruise Carnival again. The music around the pool was definitely catering to the group which seems a bit unfair, would have liked to have heard more fun, cruiseship music. However, I had a great time and won't hesitate to sail the Fantasy again! This is only my second cruise and the other one on the Holiday had a large group on board also, I thought it was just the norm.

[UncleInci]

Well, I know each cruise is different; however, when I'm on the Fantasy next week, I'll just wear that much bigger of a smile and be that much more generous with the tips. It is staff that makes the cruise so special, and even if you are having a bad day, generally they are there to help and make it better!

[LABecca]

Not a problem....we know where your Roll Call lives!!! :D

 

Amish cruise would NOT be fun....all that rowing!!!! :eek:

Wouldn't the horses drown?????

[LHP]

Wouldn't the horses drown?????

 

Cute...very cute!!

[LHP]

I just returned from this cruise. I did not witness any of the bad behavior but other passengers did. I talked to some people who were kept awake every night by loud, obnoxious behavior in the halls. Apparently there were also some kids running down the halls the last night and removing tags from the luggage. I talked to several people who said they would never cruise Carnival again. The music around the pool was definitely catering to the group which seems a bit unfair, would have liked to have heard more fun, cruiseship music. However, I had a great time and won't hesitate to sail the Fantasy again! This is only my second cruise and the other one on the Holiday had a large group on board also, I thought it was just the norm.

 

Glad to hear your cruise was not all that affected by it. From the cruises that have had problems, this does not seem uncommon.

 

For example, the fiasco on the Liberty did not affect cruisers without teenagers as much, because one of the biggest problems were thug teenagers harassing other teens. (blocking entrances of Club O2 so they could not leave etc). If you did not have a teen there, you would have been completely unaware that this was an issue.

 

I know another couple on that Liberty cruise that went to bed early every night and was completely unaware of the Lido brawls.

 

And for those cruisers who may have been "aware" but not directly affected...it has to leave them scratching their heads.

 

That is why I am so cautious about dismissing the complaints of others just because "everyone" did not have the same experience.

 

We are sailing on your Holiday on Saturday and can not wait!!!

 

Happy Cruising.

[LABecca]

The only group issue I had on the Fantasy, was that the Cat's Lounge (our fav spot) was closed one night due to a private event. :(

 

I have no doubt that the OP's family witnessed that behavior and that is a shame. I don't understand why folks feel it is OK to use that kind of language in public, let alone in front of children and nuns!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last year during Christmas time, a woman was yelling at the top of her lungs, MF this, and MerFer that, it caught me off guard, and I said (out loud) "Oh, my goodness", so the lady and her friends followed me around the store making fun of me yelling "Oh my goodness". People can be really disgusting sometimes!

 

I think it is silly that another poster's list of generalized complaints, included, that no one won in the casino, and that there were not enough "fun" activities on board.

 

If you go on a cruise to win big at the casino slots, boy are you in trouble. Cruiseship casinos cater to a captive audience, their slots don't have to "pay big" to lure customers, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. Most folks go into the cruiseship casino to be entertained, and maybe win a little if they are playing slots. Table games and poker are games that the house can not control.

 

Carnival cruiseships (Fantasy included) have a ridiculous number of activities daily.

 

I am saddened that others have not had the wonderful experience that I had aboard the Fantasy. It goes to show you that every cruise is different, even aboard the same ship. It can be hit or miss, fortunately my cruises have all been hits!

[kayceecc]

LABecca, you are right on the money about the cruise ship casinos! Actually, all casinos! While in Vegas a couple of years ago, I was talking to our Blackjack dealer. He was telling us that he had a guest complaining that he came to Vegas to make money, not give it to the casino! Our BJ dealer told him that if he came out to make money, the HR dept. was on the 2nd floor, and was accepting applications!! Casinos are NOT the place to "make money"! The fact that our group won more than we lost is just a fluke! We went to have fun, and Boy, did we do that!:D

[crusinmama06]

Rowan - we had the same type of situation on Sensation. I call it the cruise illiterates. People that shouldn't be allowed out of the house let alone on a cruise ship. :rolleyes:

 

We haven't ever seen such behavior on any other cruiseship (including another Carnival ship, Elation)

 

There was a huge group on our sailing, never did find out who it was. They closed down some lounges to have group parties. That didn't bother me because I didn't need those lounges. But their attitude toward the crew was disrespectful. And I couldn't stand seeing the crew mistreated like that.

[travelgrammy]

Even though some people think your parents and aunts are just "grossly exaggerating"...I do not.

 

I believe that it was thought _you_ were grossly exaggerating, not the OP's relatives. You do seem to have read a lot into the original post that wasn't there.

[LHP]

Even though some people think your parents and aunts are just "grossly exaggerating"...I do not.

 

I believe that it was thought _you_ were grossly exaggerating, not the OP's relatives. You do seem to have read a lot into the original post that wasn't there.

 

This has already been discussed and dismissed, if you will take the time to read all the threads.

 

But here is MIKEKV's answer if you just want the Reader's Digest Condensed Version:

 

"Excellent explanation. Thanks! Maybe that's what I was hoping . Agree fully."

[LHP]

Rowan - we had the same type of situation on Sensation. I call it the cruise illiterates. People that shouldn't be allowed out of the house let alone on a cruise ship. :rolleyes:

 

We haven't ever seen such behavior on any other cruiseship (including another Carnival ship, Elation)

 

There was a huge group on our sailing, never did find out who it was. They closed down some lounges to have group parties. That didn't bother me because I didn't need those lounges. But their attitude toward the crew was disrespectful. And I couldn't stand seeing the crew mistreated like that.

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

Some cruise lines do actually have a "no sail list". Unfortunately, lately it seems Carnival's list would be long to keep up with.

[Wennfred]

Here you go:

 

 

Thanks !!! I'm also surprise that some people on here don't like Popcorn :D

 

Now I'm out of BUTTER, be right back.

 

 

 

Fred

[LHP]

Thanks !!! I'm also surprise that some people on here don't like Popcorn :D

 

Now I'm out of BUTTER, be right back.

 

 

 

Fred

 

I still vote that Fred be put in charge of Security on the ships!!~~~!!! :D

[travelgrammy]

 

This has already been discussed and dismissed, if you will take the time to read all the threads.

 

But here is MIKEKV's answer if you just want the Reader's Digest Condensed Version:

 

"Excellent explanation. Thanks! Maybe that's what I was hoping . Agree fully."

I read your explanation. Unlike MIKEKV, I just don't think it's that persuasive. But maybe I missed the post where the OP wrote about 12 year olds that were being threatened? Or the passengers that were being intimidated? Look, I've got a husband who developed a horrible habit of profanity when he was driving cab. It's obnoxious, no question. And I'm very glad that he's working on it. But it isn't pornography or a means of intimidation. It's just a very bad habit. So yes, I read your explanation, and after I read it, I still felt that you read way too much in the situation. My opinion, which I'm entitled to.

[LHP]

I read your explanation. Unlike MIKEKV, I just don't think it's that persuasive. But maybe I missed the post where the OP wrote about 12 year olds that were being threatened? Or the passengers that were being intimidated? Look, I've got a husband who developed a horrible habit of profanity when he was driving cab. It's obnoxious, no question. And I'm very glad that he's working on it. But it isn't pornography or a means of intimidation. It's just a very bad habit. So yes, I read your explanation, and after I read it, I still felt that you read way too much in the situation. My opinion, which I'm entitled to.

 

Did you really read all the posts, or just the ones you wanted to. In an earlier post, I went into GREAT detail about the "intention" of the words used and even used a dear friend with the mouth of a sailer as an example. GD and MF was out of his mouth every other second in normal conversation. And as I stated CLEARLY, he never spoke like that to intimiate, harass or demean. It was indeed just a very bad habit that he still has to this very day. He would not intentionally hurt someone's feelings for the world.

 

But very bad habits are not what is being discussed here. We have sailed with groups like this, from New Orleans on the Fantasy 3 times in the past year. I am speaking from personal experience. Some to more of a degree than others. This was clearly gangster language and that is not about bad habits. It is about intimidation and sexual harassment. I know, because I have been there. So don't tell me I have "read to much" into a situation that I have experience THREE times this year alone!!

 

And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I certainly hope you would just get ALL the facts before forming it.

[hdawson]

I hate to say this but in 19 cruises, five on Carnival, what your family experienced seems to be the norm. And more common on Carnival than on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, HAL and other lines. I guess that comes with a company that promotes itself as fun and "cheap". To many posting here, it seems that the ability to smuggle booze and ignore the expected standard of dress, is more important than the quality of food, service or the overall quality of the cruise experience.

BTW. The term of bad habits is just an excuse for lack of class and common courtesy.

[LHP]

I hate to say this but in 19 cruises, five on Carnival, what your family experienced seems to be the norm. And more common on Carnival than on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, HAL and other lines. I guess that comes with a company that promotes itself as fun and "cheap". To many posting here, it seems that the ability to smuggle booze is more important than the quality of food, service or the overall quality of the cruise experience.

 

Sad but true. But it isn't just cruise ships. It is our society as a whole. The problem when it does happen on a cruise ship, you feel like you are "trapped". At a resort or RV park, you can always leave. You can't do that on a ship.

 

It is true that you are going to have it to some degree everywhere. The problem becomes when there are a few bad apples, or it is 1/3rd of the ship.

The more there are, the worse the problem.

 

And it is a shame because Carnival has a good product overall for a reasonable price. I have said in the past, that it is the clientele that will drive us away from Carnival long before it is the product itself.

[halos]

I hate to say this but in 19 cruises, five on Carnival, what your family experienced seems to be the norm. And more common on Carnival than on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, HAL and other lines. I guess that comes with a company that promotes itself as fun and "cheap". To many posting here, it seems that the ability to smuggle booze and ignore the expected standard of dress, is more important than the quality of food, service or the overall quality of the cruise experience.

BTW. The term of bad habits is just an excuse for lack of class and common courtesy.

 

I've had 4 experiences with Carnival and never once had this issue. I think considering all the sailings every week, of all those CCL ships, you're making a very broad and unqualified statement. Bad people can and do wind up on other lines as well.

Hell, when these disgusting people get old, they'll all be sailing HAL FTLOG ;)