Let's Accentuate The Positive

[Luckysll]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

[BeeBeeCee]

That would be great......being new to the boards, I have come to the conclusion that.... that is why it is called "Cruise Critic" and not "Cruise Commender"......

 

Critic= One who tends to make harsh or carping judgments; a faultfinder

 

Commend = praise

 

I too, would enjoy more positive posts!...:)

[ivycruise]

Good idea. Wish we saw more of this. I posted this back on April 16th after I returned from our second Glory cruise. The thread was "simply glorious trip on the Glory". The thread didn't last long. I suspect this one won't either as the threads that are negative, confrontational or controversial seem to generate the most energy.

 

As an update to the email I sent to Gerry Cahill, I received an email response thanking me for taking the time and some other kind words. I also received a call from one of the individuals we praised in the original email and he had mentioned how thankful he was. He mentioned that this had never happened before where an email had been sent to the President and CEO and that it had been passed on to him directly. He was so appreciative and mentioned how he and his co worker had been selected as employees of the month.

 

All of us in our group had also named all those crew members who had made our trip special in our comment cards at the end of the trip.

 

The original email:

 

Sir,

 

Seems that in our normal environment most only send communication when they are dissatisfied. I want to take a moment to complement the staff on the Glory.

 

This was our second trip on the Glory and this time we brought along two new families who were first time Carnival cruisers. They too are now converts that will book future travel on your fun ships.

 

I'd like to single out some truly outstanding staff members that made our experience a memorable vacation. While all staff encountered were pleasant a few truly stood out.

 

Our room steward, Junior, who took care of us in suite 7329 was the best we've encountered on any previous cruise over various lines. He was thorough, quick to accommodate any need, always pleasant, and meticulous while continuously exceeding our expectations.

 

The dining experience was perfect. Food every night was tasty, hot and cooked to order. How you can do this with 750+ at one time is quite the accomplishment. The buffet's were also very good whether it be breakfast or lunch, the consistency of how good it was each time over the 7 day cruise is an amazing reflection on your staff.

 

We were at the 6PM seating in the Platinum Lower room, table 428. Our waiters were Onesimo from Honduras and Jeffre from Costa Rica, I hope I have that right, they were the best ever! We have never been so entertained and pampered. Our teen girls were so thrilled with being treated like Queens and loved the attention. The attention, tricks and other activities that Onesimo and Jeffree initiated with the girls is something they will never forget. The ladies at the table will also miss the pampering. How they were able to balance this with their efficient and throughout function of serving us and other tables is quite impressive. Then seeing them later working in the Lido deck area, Red Sail, while still smiling, greeting us and joking is nothing short of amazing. I hope you are truly proud of these individuals and wish I had staff who possessed their enthusiasm, professionalism, customer service focus and pleasant and entertaining disposition. The songs and entertainment during our dinner was a blast and the entertainment of the dining staff enhanced our experience. Far superior to our experiences on other lines. We will certainly be back and hopefully in even larger numbers!

 

Our dinner in the Emerald Supper club was also a memorable experience, the food and service was perfect. Staff was attentive, prompt and professional.

 

The activities between the color teams was very entertaining and exciting. Cruise Director Butch and his staff were amazing for their enthusiasm and ability to get so many to participate.

 

Our teens loved club 02, they've never had as much fun on a previous cruise as they have on this one and are actively recruiting more friends for our next trip.

 

Also, thank you for moving the Pride to Baltimore, many of us are now looking to experience a cruise from a closer location to us in the Washington DC/Virginia area. While we are also looking forward to a possible groups cruise with more families on the beautiful new Dream.

 

Keep up the great job you and your staff are doing. We look forward to cruising with Carnival again.

[stu & SAND]

On our last cruise a few weeks ago, our ds, 9, was suppose to go to the Kids Club. We were on our balcony when he left (we let him sign in and out) and about 10 minutes later the door to our room opens. Well, lo and behold our son had forgotten his S & S and was trying to get back into our room. Someone from the pursers desk had come up with our son to get him back into the room. At that exact time, someone else called (can't remember who) to see if we were in the room and would we be able to pick up our son. Also, another cruiser (thank you very much by the way) was trying to help our son find us. After thing had quieted down (ds was a little upset), we had another call from another purser to let us know that our son was looking for us. I just want to thank the cruise line employees for their diligence and persistance trying to help our family and again thank the cruiser for her concern regarding our family.

 

stu

[Insel]

I am always impressed with the friendliness of the Miracle crew. Their "hellos" in the halls, despite where we walk are a welcome change. The steward knowing our names by the second day ( I know they have a roster..still impressive) and our waiter knowing what we drink and having it waiting last year was pretty cool. In today's society where so many people complain, I make it a point to comment on the people who do a great job and are well deserved of a compliment.

 

 

I work with a surgeon and the number of patients who criticize medicine in general is mindblowing these days. My days are made much brighter by those who stop to say thanks. A little bit goes a long way and thank you's are so apprecited, even if they are "doing their job."

[jessemon]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

I have been fortunate enough to do may cruises. I have only had one I found not to my liking in general. That being said.....Everyone has the right to thier opinion whether I or anyone else likes it or not.....;)

On the positive side I have had many great things happen onboard all the lines I have cruised.

This is an open forum to voice what people feel.....I am glad I live in America.....:cool::cool:

[michiganirish]

thank you for this positive thread - we will be on our 8th Carnival Cruise this Jan/Feb - have sailed 7 different ships - each ship has an ah ha moment from the start to finish for different reasons. the staff goes out of their way to learn our names and likes/dislikes - we always call them by name and make it a point to say more than good (what ever time of day it is). By the end of the trip we are old friends - it's fun to come home and talk about our freind from ....... for us the ship is just as much the destination as the ports. the terrific staff is a huge reason for that and we thank them and look forward to each and every journey with Carnival without hesitation :D

[lisab411]

I've been reading these boards for months, trying to decide whether or not to cruise. Some of the negativity is so discouraging to read, so I hope a lot of people contribute to this thread! We are leaning towards a 4 day cruise in Sept to try it out, maybe Sensation or Imagination. Thanks for all of the great info so far, and sharing your reviews and stories.:)

[momofzeke]

Good one, Sandy! :D

 

I don't have anything specific, just 3 cruises...all totally fun. Loved all 3 ships, had great food on all, wonderful staff on all, loved all the ports, our family just had a wonderful time on all of our cruises. :cool:

[LTC loves to cruise]

I have LOVED all my cruises, as long as I am not at work or having to cook, clean... I'm happy. You just can't make everyone happy, some people will find something to complain about no matter what.

[Ally22]

We had a fabulous experience with the nurses and Drs in the infirmary. Our ds-2, developed breathing issues ( a runny nose to lung problems within hours!!) The infirmary went above and beyond, staying open late for breathing treatments, entertaining him while I tried to keep the mask on and calling our room to see if we needed anything.

 

We had never even seen the infirmary on previous cruises. We wrote a glowing letter to the home office! Carnival then sent us the nice 45 day letter!!!

[gtouch]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

 

Sandy there have been several random acts of kindness on these boards. For example I have had people help me out with my spelling and others have even taken the time to show me the errors in my opinions. Just kidding hope everyone has a great cruise.

[Thirsty Cruiser]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

 

Spoken like a true whale tailer! :)

[mr. cruiser]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

Before we left for our cruise on the Panama I had what I thought preordered Bailys from gift department. When I got on the ship they tried to deliver something else and I had to refuse it. It turned into something of a minor inconvenience trying to get the money refunded. It took a couple of days calling different departments to make sure it was refunded. It wasn't that big of a deal but our room steward had been in the hallway when I told the person making the delivery to take it back. The steward approached my wife later and said he was sorry that I didn't get what I had asked for and asked her if it was alright if he purchased a bottle from the ship and if I would buy the bottle from him. It ended up costing, with a $10 tip, less than Carnival was going to charge for a cheaper brand. I had never asked for the favor and was ok with not having it, but the steward took it upon himself to make sure I was happy.:) Above and beyond.

[LADYBUG34113]

I can't think of a better vacation....$84 per day and my room, food, entertainment is all included. hmmmm Can't hardly find a decent hotel for that amount and everything is not included.

 

I don't even have to worry about driving home :D

[SCUBADOO414]

On our last cruise a few weeks ago, our ds, 9, was suppose to go to the Kids Club. We were on our balcony when he left (we let him sign in and out) and about 10 minutes later the door to our room opens. Well, lo and behold our son had forgotten his S & S and was trying to get back into our room. Someone from the pursers desk had come up with our son to get him back into the room. At that exact time, someone else called (can't remember who) to see if we were in the room and would we be able to pick up our son. Also, another cruiser (thank you very much by the way) was trying to help our son find us. After thing had quieted down (ds was a little upset), we had another call from another purser to let us know that our son was looking for us. I just want to thank the cruise line employees for their diligence and persistance trying to help our family and again thank the cruiser for her concern regarding our family.

 

stu

 

This is really good news! I'm happy to hear that the ships staff takes childrens safety seriously. I'd rather have twenty staffers help my child find their room than none at all... this is so refreshing to hear! :)

[lhuggi1]

I too would like to accentuate the positive .... especially with all the negative with this SWINE FLU this ...I am a little sick of hearing about it....

I know I know I will get FLAMED for saying it but ....You can't help with port closures etc.....

 

I love to cruise and am going in 5 Days so I would like to give you

MY TOP TEN POSITIVES:

1. DOD

2. THE LIDO DECK

3. ROOM STEWARDS - for the next 7 days I will never have to make my bed

4. GALLEY CREW - for the next 7 days I will not have to cook or clean my own dishes and for this I LOVE THESE PEOPLE - plus they work tremendously hard

5. ENTERTAINMENT - again for the next 7 days I don't have to seek this out, but just check out the caper and make my way to it

6. NEW FRIENDS - SHOUT TO MY ROLL CALL - plus everyone I will meet

7. COLD BEER - need I say more

8. CHOCOLATE BUFFET - again need I say more

9. THE SLIGHT SWAYING OF THE BOAT THAT ROCKS ME TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT

10. THAT I AM HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND GET TO CRUISE WITH MY FAMILY

[Ladyvdr]

DH and I just got back from a 3 night weekend cruise with extended family to celebrate my grandma and her twin sister's 90th b-day. We had a blast.

 

We have become a bit jaded due to the many cruises we have been on, and hadn't really been looking forward to a "little" 3 night cruise on an "older" ship (the paradise). Well, weren't we in for a surprise. We had a great time. We splurged for a suite (category 12), and loved it. VIP boarding was great! So was the VIP priority escort off the ship (we drove to the port, and we were home by 8am!).

 

We also had the best room steward we have ever had on any cruise/ cruiseline. His name was Fernandy. I love towel animals, and Fernandy gave us 4 for a 3 night cruise. We usually get skipped a few nights, but not on this trip. He also knew our names, greeted us in the hallways, and genuinely seemed interested in our days. Great guy. I made sure to give him an extra cash tip above the autotip. He really made our trip.

[LHP]

Mark Price (now retired) - Cruise Director that went above and beyond to make sure one young man with Autism got his very first "Ship on a Stick".

 

Ria Bennett (now retired) - Club 02 Director that instantly became this same young man's big sister for an entire week AND did everything and more on the Club O2 schedule....even though he was the ONLY ONE in Club O2 the whole week.

 

More names than I can possibly list....which is why this young man (now 17 years of age) is sailing on his 31st Carnival cruise in 2 weeks!!!

[Lady_Jag]

Okay, let's counteract all these negative posts lately. You know....the ones complaining about rude people or slipping service or poor food, or run down ships, etc., etc., etc.......

 

Let's focus on the positive things that we've seen/done. Were you a recipient of a random act of kindness? Did you witness someone going above and beyond for a passenger or crew member? Did you, yourself, do something nice for a someone onboard (come on, toot your own horn :D)?

 

It's time for some GOOD news!

 

You read my mind! :D

It's been 5 years since my last cruise, but I've met some fabulous people who were our table mates in the dining room. We STILL exchange Christmas cards and emails!

[junior 1]

I really like that CC can have a positive Thread. I cringe when some one writes an opinion, and they are so worried that they will be "flammed" that they are apologetic before they are thru posting what they wish to say. I know that we members of CC are 99% VETERN cruiseers but we all were first time cruisers at on time in our lives. :)

[DaDivaMom]

On our first Carnival Cruise it was our anniversary, I think 10 years at the time and our first vacation away from our Heathens. We asked to be seated at a large table for dinner. At dinner no one showed up but us! We had ordered and were waiting for our first course when a lady at the next table sent our waiter over to ask us to join their table as they had two available seats. The table was seated with 8 couples at least 40 years older than us! What could we do but move.........turned out they were all newlyweds and we were the old married couple at the table! When they discovered it was our wedding anniversary each couple bought us a bottle of wine one a different night. It was the most special thing that could have happened for us. We were not big drinkers, then, and were sailing on a very limited budget. Their graciousness and company were a true gift.

 

We now try to pass this forward by sending a bottle of wine to a couple that we spot in the dining room each night. We ask the Asst. Maitre 'de to simply say this is compliments of another guest and may you enjoy your special time together/anniversary/honeymoon. On our summer cruise last year we sent a bottle to a same sex couple that had just married. They turned out to be on our excursion the next day and just raved about the gesture. Our son let it out of the bag by saying, hey my Mom and Dad do that all the time. So we shared our story with them and now they are going to continue the tradition.

 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

[jimbo5544]

I have never had a bad cruise. SOme things have happened that affect you from time to time when cruising but the whole process is just so much fun. The workers (from all over the world), the wonderful ships, the ports of call (even if we have visited them many times), the fellow cruisers. People ask we get board with it all and the answer is no.

[Luckysll]

On our first Carnival Cruise it was our anniversary, I think 10 years at the time and our first vacation away from our Heathens. We asked to be seated at a large table for dinner. At dinner no one showed up but us! We had ordered and were waiting for our first course when a lady at the next table sent our waiter over to ask us to join their table as they had two available seats. The table was seated with 8 couples at least 40 years older than us! What could we do but move.........turned out they were all newlyweds and we were the old married couple at the table! When they discovered it was our wedding anniversary each couple bought us a bottle of wine one a different night. It was the most special thing that could have happened for us. We were not big drinkers, then, and were sailing on a very limited budget. Their graciousness and company were a true gift.

 

We now try to pass this forward by sending a bottle of wine to a couple that we spot in the dining room each night. We ask the Asst. Maitre 'de to simply say this is compliments of another guest and may you enjoy your special time together/anniversary/honeymoon. On our summer cruise last year we sent a bottle to a same sex couple that had just married. They turned out to be on our excursion the next day and just raved about the gesture. Our son let it out of the bag by saying, hey my Mom and Dad do that all the time. So we shared our story with them and now they are going to continue the tradition.

 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

 

I love this idea. I may have to try it sometime.

[luv2cruz44]

Mark Price (now retired) - Cruise Director that went above and beyond to make sure one young man with Autism got his very first "Ship on a Stick".

 

More names than I can possibly list....which is why this young man (now 17 years of age) is sailing on his 31st Carnival cruise in 2 weeks!!!

 

Don't you just love Mark Price. We were with a large group called the Panamaniacs on the Panama Canal transit in March and Mark Price was our CD. In fact, Sandy, the wonderful person who started this thread, was instrumental in a lot of the activities the Panamaniacs were involved in. Anyway, we like to think that after our group, Mark had to retire as he knew there would never be another cruise to top this one!

 

On our first Carnival Cruise it was our anniversary, I think 10 years at the time and our first vacation away from our Heathens. We asked to be seated at a large table for dinner. At dinner no one showed up but us! We had ordered and were waiting for our first course when a lady at the next table sent our waiter over to ask us to join their table as they had two available seats. The table was seated with 8 couples at least 40 years older than us! What could we do but move.........turned out they were all newlyweds and we were the old married couple at the table! When they discovered it was our wedding anniversary each couple bought us a bottle of wine one a different night. It was the most special thing that could have happened for us. We were not big drinkers, then, and were sailing on a very limited budget. Their graciousness and company were a true gift.

 

We now try to pass this forward by sending a bottle of wine to a couple that we spot in the dining room each night. We ask the Asst. Maitre 'de to simply say this is compliments of another guest and may you enjoy your special time together/anniversary/honeymoon. On our summer cruise last year we sent a bottle to a same sex couple that had just married. They turned out to be on our excursion the next day and just raved about the gesture. Our son let it out of the bag by saying, hey my Mom and Dad do that all the time. So we shared our story with them and now they are going to continue the tradition.

 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

 

Your post brought tears to my eyes. In this world full of negativity and hate, your act is especially noteworthy. Pay it forward indeed! Isn't it amazing what a simple act of kindness will do!