Just off the Splendor....YUCK!

[cruizinisthebest]

It's amazing how quickly bad reviews rack up the comments.

 

I was just about to say the same thing. And the responses also nastier and more offensive as time goes on. Best to respond early on in threads like this. The longer it goes, the yuckier and harder the bashing gets. Very silly.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Edited December 4, 2013 by cruizinisthebest

[gusandgidgetsmom]

I think your review was a fair one. It was your opinion of what YOU like and disliked. I am also a seasoned traveler and take AI and land vacations as well as cruising. We sailed the Splendor in June. Many things I like about it--I love cruising so I was doing what I like--and a few things I did not. I would have not chosen the itinerary you did as I do not like any of those ports--unless of course I was sailing to be sailing.

I also do not understand the pj and robe thing. Tacky in my opinion but I have seen the pj's many other places not suitable for the environment--such as several other cruise lines and major upscale hotels.

I think perhaps things just added up for you and maybe you need to take a cruising break. We did this once for a year and a half as we had what we perceived to be a very bad cruise. We came back and now sail at at least 3 times a year with 2 land vacations. We as an older couple prefer the less hustle and bustle of getting to and on a cruise. Will be still do AI's, yes, we just were in the DR this summer and will be going somewhere else next.

Carnival may not be for you or you are just tired of cruising and need a change. I have one major line that I have refused for many years to go back on, but I think perhaps it is time I try it again. It was one mentioned above in a post as one you should try. Obviously they have a different perception of that line than I do. So I think trying something new or taking a break is just the ticket for you.

Good luck with your search.

[ViolaSwamp]

Thank you for your balanced review. Sorry that you had a bad time.

 

We will be on the Splendor in February 2014 and are looking forward to it. We have a Spa Balcony cabin so I am really looking forward to using those perks during the cold days down and back.

[CoconutJD]

I still wonder why the OP didn't take advantage of Carnival's guarantee, since it seems like they knew out of the gate that they weren't going to have a good time.

[funtime238]

I remember that last year quite a few school districts had to amend their dress codes to disallow the wearing of pajamas and slippers to school.. This sounds like just an extension of that. I have never seen pjs being worn on any cruises I have been on, but as a retired educator I might have not noticed. It would not be the worst of what is worn to school these days.

[3ricT]

"I have to say I found your comment regarding "these people" very offensive. I am from the NY area and have found rude people from all areas not just the NY, NE area. In fact the nicest cruises I've been on have been out of the NY, NJ ports. Please refrain from making generalizations regarding people."

 

 

I'm from New England and know many New Yorkers - that remark was somewhat tongue in cheek (it's really NJ peeps I'm talkin' about) :D

[Vitamin_Sea]

"I have to say I found your comment regarding "these people" very offensive. I am from the NY area and have found rude people from all areas not just the NY, NE area. In fact the nicest cruises I've been on have been out of the NY, NJ ports. Please refrain from making generalizations regarding people."

 

 

I'm from New England and know many New Yorkers - that remark was somewhat tongue in cheek (it's really NJ peeps I'm talkin' about) :D

 

Agreed!!;)

[awhcruiser]

I was wondering about this too!

If it was that bad, why didn't you just take advantage of the Carnival guarantee and get off at the first port?

[eroller]

 

Hmmm, I supposed ... Princess & QE2 would offer something a little different and more upscale, at their price tiers. :D ;)

 

 

 

Actually if you're flexible about when you can cruise, you can get great deals on lines like Princess, Cunard, Celebrity, etc. Pricing that I consider a better value than Carnival. I've seen $499 specials on QM2, and Celebrity has deals where a Classic Beverage Package is included, so all your liquor is paid for. In the end it comes out cheaper than Carnival for a far superior product. Princess has a deal right now where if you sail on a 4 or 5 day cruise in December or January, the full amount you paid for that cruise will be credited to a longer future cruise. Essentially you get the 4 or 5 day cruise for free.

 

It's just a matter of shopping around but the deals are out there, and even if the price is a $100 more than Carnival, it's worth it.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Sadly those who lack manners and respect for other ruin the cruise for many.

[eroller]

Hi Ernie,

First of all, thanks for all the pics on FB of your QE and RP cruises....looks like it was a great time. Next, did you write a review of your BREEZE trip? I can't seem to find it on CC.

Hope all is well (from the pics it looks like it is!)

-Russ

 

 

Hey Russ,

Here is a link to my BREEZE review.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1793166

 

Enjoy!

[Blk_Amish]

First, no flamed intended. I agree that one can outgrow or outdo a particular vacation type. I pefer to do land vacations and cruise as a extra treat. Being Caribbean, I do not like to cruise to the Caribbean, but it worked out my next cruise on Royal Princess will be to the Eastern Caribbean and my last on Carnival Magic was to Western caribbean. I will make the most of the ports. You picked the itinerary, as I did mine, so should be no complaints.

 

Reading you review I find it extremely judgemental, with words like 'YUCK', 'GROSS', 'Really'? so not what I consider good manners. As for the wearing of robes, it happens. I was at the Grand Hyatt Regency in Febraury and walked through the lobby to the spa in my robe. It's fabric and I was covered and thought better then wearing something that was loose and hanging. On a sailing on RCCL, I saw a huge family took a portarit in their robes, which I thought was cute and different. I get asked if it's formal night very often because I always wear a gown. I usually smile and reply, looking cruisefabulous! I see your nose so far up in the air, I am scared that if a few drops of water you could drown, because of words like yuck, geeze, who does that, yo sh%^$$t, Bugh, remarks. How much people eat and how they dress is really none of our business. Yes, I am fascinated by someone eating a pound of bacon compared to my half a pound.

 

MY QUESTION - For future vacations and to be 'proper' and not appear to be low class, I should take the robe over my arm, not wear it to the spa?

 

JMOP, your negatives are more of a judgement and indictment of PEOPLE, in all walks of life, than a vacation, you most likely should not have taken.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Blk_Amish

[kaiserek]

I agree with you on everything but mostly about the amount of food people really take in the buffet... its crazy... and then the food gets left over on plates and wasted...

I was there and it was my boyfriends first cruise my 12th -- it was the most rockiest but I liked it... believe it or not on our way back I missed the rocking at night..lol

one thing we noticed about the dining and scheduling of shows is that we always had at least half hour of nothing to do and you do have to pass through casino!!! lol very well thought of because you are bored so we saw lots of people (including myself) killing time on the machines but not too many people winning...

 

like someone said - its a vacation - and its cheap - I think what we got was well worth the money we paid.. (BF could not close his dress pants last two nights...lol - I guess he really enjoyed the food...)

 

I will try carnival again but I do not think we will cruise out of new York in winter....too many sea days .. nothing much to do but eat...just our opinion

[cruizinisthebest]

I agree with you on everything but mostly about the amount of food people really take in the buffet... its crazy... and then the food gets left over on plates and wasted...

I was there and it was my boyfriends first cruise my 12th -- it was the most rockiest but I liked it... believe it or not on our way back I missed the rocking at night..lol

one thing we noticed about the dining and scheduling of shows is that we always had at least half hour of nothing to do and you do have to pass through casino!!! lol very well thought of because you are bored so we saw lots of people (including myself) killing time on the machines but not too many people winning...

 

like someone said - its a vacation - and its cheap - I think what we got was well worth the money we paid.. (BF could not close his dress pants last two nights...lol - I guess he really enjoyed the food...)

 

I will try carnival again but I do not think we will cruise out of new York in winter....too many sea days .. nothing much to do but eat...just our opinion

 

I agree about cruising out of NY in the winter. Wouldn't be my choice either. I personally don't care how much food folks take. With buffets people tend to have that "eyes bigger than your belly" mentality.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Edited December 4, 2013 by cruizinisthebest

[cruizinisthebest]

First, no flamed intended. I agree that one can outgrow or outdo a particular vacation type. I pefer to do land vacations and cruise as a extra treat. Being Caribbean, I do not like to cruise to the Caribbean, but it worked out my next cruise on Royal Princess will be to the Eastern Caribbean and my last on Carnival Magic was to Western caribbean. I will make the most of the ports. You picked the itinerary, as I did mine, so should be no complaints.

 

Reading you review I find it extremely judgemental, with words like 'YUCK', 'GROSS', 'Really'? so not what I consider good manners. As for the wearing of robes, it happens. I was at the Grand Hyatt Regency in Febraury and walked through the lobby to the spa in my robe. It's fabric and I was covered and thought better then wearing something that was loose and hanging. On a sailing on RCCL, I saw a huge family took a portarit in their robes, which I thought was cute and different. I get asked if it's formal night very often because I always wear a gown. I usually smile and reply, looking cruisefabulous! I see your nose so far up in the air, I am scared that if a few drops of water you could drown, because of words like yuck, geeze, who does that, yo sh%^$$t, Bugh, remarks. How much people eat and how they dress is really none of our business. Yes, I am fascinated by someone eating a pound of bacon compared to my half a pound.

 

MY QUESTION - For future vacations and to be 'proper' and not appear to be low class, I should take the robe over my arm, not wear it to the spa?

 

JMOP, your negatives are more of a judgement and indictment of PEOPLE, in all walks of life, than a vacation, you most likely should not have taken.

 

I commented to the OP that her title and way of saying things didn't really serve the review well. I also said it seemed to be done to ignite flaming. So not necessary.

 

Nice pics in your signature by the way!;)

[crzndeb]

I started cruising on Sitmar in 1980, and my first Carnival cruise was on the Carnivale in 1985...swore I would never cruise Carnival again. It was definitely a step down from Sitmar. But there was an itinerary on the Spirit, that was too hard to resist in 2003, so I ventured back. Most of my cruising in the 90's was on RCI...I continued to sail mostly Carnival in the 2000's...

 

That being said, I have seen what I consider a very relaxed dress code. So much so, that people ask if dress jeans are OK on elegant night, even though Carnival asks that there be no jeans in dining room. But personally, if more people choose to dress more casually, and Carnival is OK with it, that's fine. There are plenty of other cruise lines I can cruise with a bit more elegant atmosphere. Some people don't like to dress up and that's fine. But I came from the days when cruise lines were a lot more formal than now.

 

I think Carnival is a great cruise line for newbies, and for those that are perfectly fine with the product...there is something out there for everyone.

 

I will be taking the Legend to Australia next year, as I did with the Spirit last year. But since I am 18 days from Diamond on RCI, I will be focusing on that, especially since I will get extra day points now for cruising solo.

 

And since I'm retired, I won't usually book anything that less than 14 nights...

 

I think there is a cruise line for everyone...There is no right or wrong answer.

Edited December 4, 2013 by crzndeb

[Linerguy]

Hey Russ,

Here is a link to my BREEZE review.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1793166

 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks, pal, great review.

[RCmommy]

Thank you clarkrock7. I think you answered my question. :)

 

I've been reading reviews on here for a while. And for some reason, people always comment on their fellow passengers who sail out of NYC being very New Yorkish. Don't know what that means. I've never been there so I can't say for myself. I usually sail out of Florida, New Orleans or San Juan. I like to start my winter vacation WARM. :D

 

We just got back from NYC this past October and it was our first trip there. We have heard about the "new york" attitude. I have to say, I found them friendly. Not the type to strike up a convo as you stand waiting to cross a street, but if you needed help someone was always willing. I appreciate their 'tell it like it is attitude'

 

We did a double decker bus tour in which a woman yakked away on her cell phone in a loud manner oblivious (or ignoring) the man doing the commentary. He stopped his speech, walked up to her and said "Mam, can you please show some respect for the people who paid for this tour and to learn about the history of NYC. You are being very rude" I would have gave him a fist pump if it wasn't for her irate looking husband.

 

I found New Yorkers will say what many others won't, and that is not always a bad thing. Go, check out the city, it is great! :)

[cj'smom]

I haven't read through the entire thread so some of this may have been mentioned already but I do have a few suggestions for you.

 

Don't give up on cruising but do give up on Carnival. Their style of cruising obviously isn't one that you enjoy. There are many other options out there and often there are deals that rival or surpass Carnival's. We just paid about $360 pp for an 11 night S Caribbean on NCL. :D Looking online right now I see a 7 night last minute for $219 and an 11 day European for $269. Tons of great deals out there esp. if you can travel off season or last-minute.

 

Stick to 7 night or longer cruises. We've found that the short cruises are more casual and attract a different clientele. The 10 - 12 night cruises offer a great value per night and the guests are more "upscale". We just came off the above mentioned NCL 11 nighter. Even though they are "freestyle" we were pleasantly surprised at how many people dressed for dinner not only on the 3 "dress up or not" nights but every night. On the dress up nights there were quite a lot of people in full gown/tuxes or cocktail dress/suit. They had 2 MDRs one of which was more formal and had a dress code (which we did see enforced.) We only saw a few people in bathrobes and some of those were wearing them for the "white hot party" so it was kind of fun. Just a very different atmosphere and type of passenger on the longer cruises.

 

Try a European cruise. There are often dirt cheap deals on some very nice ships and itineraries. Europeans in general tend to dress a step above most Americans. You may find that you like the atmosphere and clientele. It's a wonderful opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world.

 

Sorry that your vacation was not all you hoped it would be. Glad there were a number of bright spots in the midst of the negative and that it was not all bad.

[luckycruzer]

I started cruising on Sitmar in 1980, and my first Carnival cruise was on the Carnivale in 1985...swore I would never cruise Carnival again. It was definitely a step down from Sitmar. But there was an itinerary on the Spirit, that was too hard to resist in 2003, so I ventured back. Most of my cruising in the 90's was on RCI...I continued to sail mostly Carnival in the 2000's...

 

That being said, I have seen what I consider a very relaxed dress code. So much so, that people ask if dress jeans are OK on elegant night, even though Carnival asks that there be no jeans in dining room. But personally, if more people choose to dress more casually, and Carnival is OK with it, that's fine. There are plenty of other cruise lines I can cruise with a bit more elegant atmosphere. Some people don't like to dress up and that's fine. But I came from the days when cruise lines were a lot more formal than now.

 

I think Carnival is a great cruise line for newbies, and for those that are perfectly fine with the product...there is something out there for everyone.

 

I will be taking the Legend to Australia next year, as I did with the Spirit last year. But since I am 18 days from Diamond on RCI, I will be focusing on that, especially since I will get extra day points now for cruising solo.

 

And since I'm retired, I won't usually book anything that less than 14 nights...

 

I think there is a cruise line for everyone...There is no right or wrong answer.

 

 

 

nothing like it since..Did you know about the Sitmar FB page?..it is great..I am blogging w/ kids and grand kids from officers, etc , that I got to know w/ many of them...74 til 84 or so.....I get teary at some of the posts.

 

Congrats on entering the DIAMOND level..I"m 306 days, just with them sinve '06..many more odd ships and days......Sometimes I'm the only one, or me and a gal pal. Other than TA, 124, of us, never more than 6..cruzin Monday.. YOWZAAH!

[Carolin]

Go, check out the city, it is great! :)

 

I've been to New York City once on a business trip. My boss was driving and he just did a drive through. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr I did go across the brooklyn bridge 4 times. He kept getting turned around. LOL NYC is on my bucket list for sure. :D

[CatlinSTJ]

I get what you're saying and appreciate your honesty. We came away from our last cruise thinking that was it for us and Carnival. It wasn't a bad cruise, but it wasn't for us anymore. I wasn't horrified or grossed out, but we decidedly didn't feel like we fit in with the overall crowd on board. We met some great people and not so great people - but that is part of traveling. We decided to give Carnival one more shot and are booked on the Breeze for 8 days and we'll see how it goes. Hoping that the new ship and longer itinerary will yield a better experience. If not, I figure it appeals to thousands of others and that's okay too.

 

I have to say though that I only let things that directly affect me matter. If someone else is in a bathrobe or eating 5lbs of bacon for breakfast, it doesn't really bother me.

[JustCruiseMe]

We just got back from NYC this past October and it was our first trip there. We have heard about the "new york" attitude. I have to say, I found them friendly. Not the type to strike up a convo as you stand waiting to cross a street, but if you needed help someone was always willing. I appreciate their 'tell it like it is attitude'

 

We did a double decker bus tour in which a woman yakked away on her cell phone in a loud manner oblivious (or ignoring) the man doing the commentary. He stopped his speech, walked up to her and said "Mam, can you please show some respect for the people who paid for this tour and to learn about the history of NYC. You are being very rude" I would have gave him a fist pump if it wasn't for her irate looking husband.

 

I found New Yorkers will say what many others won't, and that is not always a bad thing. Go, check out the city, it is great! :)

Getting off track a bit but I just wanted to say we have vacationed in NYC 3 times and found the people to be very nice and helpful and I'm SOUTHERN! Thanks NY'ers!

[Aplmac]

In just the last few years, my wife and I have discovered

that *Manhattan* is one of the coolest places on the planet

and make a great holiday destination.

Thinks Museums, for starters.

 

Manhattan is nothing like the dark grey grimey place you might imagine it to be.

The water tastes good and the air is cleaner in their city

than where I live, in my city.

 

.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Aplmac

[pamrose228]

In just the last few years, my wife and I have discovered

that *Manhattan* is one of the coolest places on the planet

and make a great holiday destination.

Thinks Museums, for starters.

 

Manhattan is nothing like the dark grey grimey place you might imagine it to be.

The water tastes good and the air is cleaner in their city

than where I live, in my city.

 

.

 

Thanks, born and raised and still living in NYC, we natives are so misunderstood.