Passengers Report Problems on Newly Revitalized Carnival Cruise Ship

[kerrytens]

These types of problems are why I would never sail on an inaguaral cruise.

I'm with you Stu. I'd never expect to have to temper my expectations to sail on any ship, inaugural or not.

[seannyice81]

If more paid attention to the thread where the member's husband was working on Sunshine, they'd have known there would still be kinks to work out. Such it is with any new/refit ship as well. After 2.0 upgrades, they're still wrapping things up the 1st or 2nd cruises after.

 

Honestly none of the issues would really set me off. BUT, if I had kids and brought them on this trip then I would be upset about the waterwork's water not working, and lack of main pool. Must make the best of it though.

[DancingBunny]

John Heald Just before I go to bed I wanted to assure you there are no mechanical problems and I am sure your Mum is having fun. She sailed today on its inaugural voyage from Venice, Italy. Some limited areas of the ship, including the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare recreational area, are still undergoing final finishing work which has been hampered by inclement weather. The Serenity pool, waterfall and adjacent whirlpools are open, however, technical issues have precluded the opening of the Lido pool. All dining venues, bars, lounges, entertainment, spa, youth areas, casino and other public areas of the vessel are operating normally.

 

As is sometimes the case with both new ships and major refurbishments, some minor issues are being reported with guest staterooms and those are being addressed on an individual basis.

[undertheradar]

John Heald Just before I go to bed I wanted to assure you there are no mechanical problems and I am sure your Mum is having fun. She sailed today on its inaugural voyage from Venice, Italy. Some limited areas of the ship, including the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare recreational area, are still undergoing final finishing work which has been hampered by inclement weather. The Serenity pool, waterfall and adjacent whirlpools are open, however, technical issues have precluded the opening of the Lido pool. All dining venues, bars, lounges, entertainment, spa, youth areas, casino and other public areas of the vessel are operating normally.

 

As is sometimes the case with both new ships and major refurbishments, some minor issues are being reported with guest staterooms and those are being addressed on an individual basis.

 

Interesting that all the money making venues are complete, but some guest staterooms and free use venues aren't.

[howielovescruisin]

Interesting that all the money making venues are complete, but some guest staterooms and free use venues aren't.

 

Very interesting indeed.

[declansdad]

Interesting that all the money making venues are complete, but some guest staterooms and free use venues aren't.

 

 

For the love of God. :rolleyes:

[Sargent_Schultz]

Interesting that all the money making venues are complete, but some guest staterooms and free use venues aren't.

 

The main attraction for us, the 3 deck Serenity area, is FREE. :rolleyes:

[Goldwolf]

The people have known for 6 weeks or so that they would be on the Inaugural sailing. It should not be a shock to any.

 

That's not the point, the point is that when they booked the cruise they expected it to be the 3rd cruise and that there would have been 2 cruises always to iron out the kinks. They did not knowingly book onto the inaugural cruise, which is why all the comments saying "I would never book on the first cruise after dry dock..." are missing the point.

[undertheradar]

The main attraction for us, the 3 deck Serenity area, is FREE. :rolleyes:

 

So is your stateroom. Don't you honestly believe that the staterooms should be 100% finished prior to worrying bars and specialty restaurants?

[cruise_girl2002]

Just put me on a ship with food so I don't have to cook and make sure at least 1 pool is available and im a a happy camper. would rather be there than here. you either look at the glass half full or half empty. is it really what they paid for? no. but im sure in the end carnival will do something for them

[sailincajunns]

Bon Jour!!!

 

I find this conversation pretty interesting, actually, and with many more fact-based posts than most CC threads, IMHO.

 

I think there are good points on both sides of the issue.

 

The fact that most folks who booked this cruise picked an EARLY but not MAIDEN voyage hints that many are seasoned cruises, and made the decision to avoid the maiden voyage to avoid the very types of normal and 'minor' issues with which they are now dealing probably makes them more sensitive to the problems that they would have been had they not planned to avoid them in the first place.

 

Based on MOST of what has been posted so far, it SOUNDS as though most of the issues in the passenger staterooms were 'minor', and that most of the staterooms were returned to full service fairly quickly (they fed those impacted lunch and wine)

 

I don't suppose we'll have a really clear 'vision' of what took place until post-cruise when we get a good cross-section of passenger reviews.

 

In any case, as a paying passenger, I expect every cruise to include a fully-functional ship. Water (hot and cold) in my stateroom....... and even public attractions such as the Waterworks should be 'up and running' for at least the majority of the sailing (which still may be the case before this trip is over)

 

I also do understand Carnivals focus on completing as many interior public areas as possible......since those are seen/used by all passengers........while having a 'block' of cabins a few hours late for 'check in' directly impacts "only" those passengers.

 

We don't sail Sunshine until March, 2014.......... so really looking forward to the review and pictures by SS after his voyage.......

 

While I do feel for the folks who are onboard now, I hope that by the time their cruise is over they can have days and days of positive, happy memories to 'over write' the bad first impressions Carnival has created for them.

 

Bon Voyage!:D

[H82seaUgo]

So is your stateroom. Don't you honestly believe that the staterooms should be 100% finished prior to worrying bars and specialty restaurants?

 

odd as it may be, you often read posts here where as long as it's not their cabin affected, nor the areas they intend to hang out in, all will be well for all, and state that enfatically, when it is clearly not.

[Flying is for Planes]

I can see an OBC of $150 per passenger making headlines soon for the doomed Sunshine

[Goldwolf]

Doomed? :o

[Sargent_Schultz]

That's not the point, the point is that when they booked the cruise they expected it to be the 3rd cruise and that there would have been 2 cruises always to iron out the kinks. They did not knowingly book onto the inaugural cruise, which is why all the comments saying "I would never book on the first cruise after dry dock..." are missing the point.

 

I believe most were delighted when they found out they would be on the Inaugural. Inaugural cruises normally sell at a premium. I also believe most are still delighted.

 

So is your stateroom. Don't you honestly believe that the staterooms should be 100% finished prior to worrying bars and specialty restaurants?

 

I think that is an absurd statement. At any point there might be several thousand workers working on all areas of the ship. You don't stop work in one area while another catches up and only some many workers can cram into a stateroom.

 

Some seem to be specializing in speculating on rumors.

[winddawn]

I would be surprised if there weren't any issues after a refurbishment this extensive. I'm happy that Carnival chose to sail and not disappoint passengers by delaying the voyage. The delays appear to be largely out of Carnival's control being attributed to poor weather that delayed work toward the end of the dry dock.

 

I can't wait to get more details about the makeover and for passengers to start posting their reviews and pictures. I am thinking about booking this ship for later this year after I get to read some reviews and see the pictures.

[Sargent_Schultz]

It's clear to me that many don't understand the magnitude of the changes and what was involved.

 

Anyway, stay tuned for lots of pictures. :D

[Brg21]

The main attraction for us, the 3 deck Serenity area, is FREE. :rolleyes:

 

I am looking forward to that as well, but if the Lido pool is closed or has issues, then wouldn't the Serenity area become much less serene when all the kids and families start flooding there?

[Sargent_Schultz]

I am looking forward to that as well, but if the Lido pool is closed or has issues, then wouldn't the Serenity area become much less serene when all the kids and families start flooding there?

 

I doubt it. All the kids clubs are open and are at the back of the ship. And why aren't the kids in school, anyway?

 

Who's to say the pool hasn't been fixed? Besides, the weather doesn't look like pool kind of weather.

[Brg21]

I doubt it. All the kids clubs are open and are at the back of the ship. And why aren't the kids in school, anyway?

 

Who's to say the pool hasn't been fixed? Besides, the weather doesn't look like pool kind of weather.

 

Good points! I am on the 17th out of Barcelona and I am pretty sure that the kinks will be worked out, but am nervous as I hear the rumor/reports, or "rumorts" as I like to call them, are that the cabins on 9-12 are the ones with water and electrical issues...and of course my new wife and I are honeymooning in a spa balcony room on 11!!! :eek:

[Sargent_Schultz]

Good points! I am on the 17th out of Barcelona and I am pretty sure that the kinks will be worked out, but am nervous as I hear the rumor/reports, or "rumorts" as I like to call them, are that the cabins on 9-12 are the ones with water and electrical issues...and of course my new wife and I are honeymooning in a spa balcony room on 11!!! :eek:

 

The water issues sounded to me like a burst pipe or similar which would require the water to be shut off in the area while it was being repaired. I would think all of it has be resolved by now.

 

The ship has been sailing as scheduled and has left Dubrovnik and is on the way to Messina.

 

The ship will be in Barcelona on the 17th, no worries. They have important people to pick up - like me. :D

[Flying Scot]

I doubt it. All the kids clubs are open and are at the back of the ship. And why aren't the kids in school, anyway?

 

Who's to say the pool hasn't been fixed? Besides, the weather doesn't look like pool kind of weather.

 

 

Kids under 5 don't go to school mostly

 

Temps in the 50s is outdoor pool weather if you're from Scotland

[grandmacani]

The water issues sounded to me like a burst pipe or similar which would require the water to be shut off in the area while it was being repaired. I would think all of it has be resolved by now.

 

The ship has been sailing as scheduled and has left Dubrovnik and is on the way to Messina.

 

The ship will be in Barcelona on the 17th, no worries. They have important people to pick up - like me. :D

Can't wait until you finally get on and give us the whole scoop!

[Sargent_Schultz]

Kids under 5 don't go to school mostly

 

Temps in the 50s is outdoor pool weather if you're from Scotland

 

If they aren't tall enough, they wouldn't be using the slides anyway.

 

We'll be in Scotland in September. I don't anticipate going swimming.

[Flying Scot]

If they aren't tall enough, they wouldn't be using the slides anyway.

 

We'll be in Scotland in September. I don't anticipate going swimming.

 

 

Any idea what the height restriction is? My 4 year old will turn 5 on cruise but is pretty tall for his age and in 7 yr olds clothes. He has his heart set on these water slides. He was able to do a lot of the big ones in Florida last October.