Go ahead, flame away!!!

[cruizinisthebest]

There is no way I'd flame someone for what you say you've experienced especially the boarded up window, but you also posted the following yesterday...

 

" I think I can find negative reviews for every ship I've been on, yet I've never had a problem. In 30 cruises, I've really only had a negative experience 1 time, and that was due to the passengers, not the crew/staff/ship. I love cruising and just go and have fun. I enjoy reading reviews of cruises I've been on and see the different perceptions of other passengers. I hope you enjoy all your future cruises.:D"

 

So op, according to that post (which is from a Carnival thread) you've only had 1 negative experience in 30 cruises but in this thread you've had so many you are leaving Carnival? I also see you haven't returned to this thread which is odd especially when everyone is agreeing with you.

If you want me to buy this I only ask that you explain your 2 totally different stories.

 

It looks to me like that one post several people keep quoting is based on the OPs cruising experience onboard. Not the rotten customer service, which if you go by the cruising history, has obviously not been a deterrent to rebooking with Carnival. The OP is already booked on ready to leave this weekend. Apparently the loss of this $200 OBC for that cruise has rendered him/her fed up with the customer service. Not the cruising experience itself. The post is about customer service or lack thereof. OP also stated they wouldn't post on here again. Therefore I don't find not returning to answer questions odd at all. I don't think there's a concern if any of us "buys" the story; although most have.

[rlkubi]

If all you said is true then I don't blame you. Can you come back with pictures of the boarded window, etc.? It's hard to imagine that.

[2Shoes2Go]

Did see some postings back in 2008 about Sensation having some windows boarded before leaving port of Tampa. A different poster reported it being a precaution for a hurricane threat. Could this be what the op mentioned?

[jackparts]

As far as having a copy of the OBC promised, doesn't matter. NCL gave us $150 OBC per room, by their own agent (pvp) for a cruise in 2013 and since I used the AARP 5% credit for two rooms I was denied OBC for all three rooms. Denied while on the ship and also back home. Didn't matter it was their employee that messed up, I still lost all three room OBC. Paid by credit card so I filed and NCL gave us OBC good for a year. This took 5 months and by then I had booked two cruises with Carnival and one with RCCL, covering the next 18 months. Nine cruises with NCL, Bye Bye OBC AND NCL.

[golfb4cruzing]

Come on over to Princess. I always feel welcome (so far) and cruising at the level it was meant to be.:)

[NCTribeFan]

Well, I'm apparently in the minority, but I don't think Carnival's service or food quality has declined all that much over the past decade. I still over eat and enjoy my meals. I get good service. I have actually starting attending shows again (I enjoy the "decade" or "era" of music shows).

 

I have a great PVP. I can't imagine being Platinum and not using my PVP for everything. If an OBC didn't show up where I expected it to show up, I'd contact him and it would be explained/taken care of immediately. I "could" book everything myself because I know exactly what cabin I want and what I'm going to pay before I even call him. :)

 

But when you need something, having a PVP makes life so much easier.

 

Now, having a boarded-up window might be a problem, but I tend to refuse to pay extra for a window anyway. I personally think it's a waste of money, but if that's what I'd paid for, I'd want to be moved (that isn't always possible; ships do actually sail full at times), or I'd want some sort of compensation.

 

Luggage? Probably not Carnival's fault, but the fault of the dock workers. That's well known. Why should Carnival pay for that? Use your trip insurance! What? Didn't buy any? Paid for the cruise with a credit card? Did you check to see if they cover any trip issues?

 

However, I am to the point that as soon as I reach my 25th Milestone cruise, I'll branch out to either X or HAL, even though they aren't really in my budget when I sail solo. The free cruises to everyone else and the lack of gratitude to a loyal Carnival cruiser has just about pushed me over the edge. I don't have a problem with the cruise experience. I've had wonderful cruises over the past several years and expect to have a wonderful cruise in November, and again when I sail to Bermuda.

 

Oh, and to the person who was going to leave the cruise because they booked a cabin in the bow but were assigned to the aft dining room - YTD is midship and set dining is aft; you must have elected set dining so it was YOUR choice, just like booking a cabin in the bow, which you had to realize would be some distance from the stern! :rolleyes:

 

I think I've now officially heard the most ridiculous complaint on these boards ever! :p

[gregg204]

Well, I'm apparently in the minority, but I don't think Carnival's service or food quality has declined all that much over the past decade. I still over eat and enjoy my meals. I get good service. I have actually starting attending shows again (I enjoy the "decade" or "era" of music shows).

 

p

 

 

Believe me, as much as some people on this board would want you to think that, you are definitely not in the minority. Many feel the same as you. :)

[nitro2448]

No flaming, just a goodbye

[golfadj]

Believe me, as much as some people on this board would want you to think that, you are definitely not in the minority. Many feel the same as you. :)

 

Think service and food are still good but entertainment is way down from what it used to be.

 

Playlist productions is just awful when compared to the quality shows they used to put on.

[elliair]

I have been a very loyal customer and have overlooked the decline in food/service over the years because I felt I was still getting good value for my money. I overlooked Carnival ruining my luggage on my Dec. Dream cruise and being told they would only consider paying for a repair (even though the repair man told me there was no way to repair it), I overlooked when my oceanview cabin on the Sensation had the window boarded up for the duration of the cruise with no offer of compensation of the difference between an oceanview rate and inside rate, I've overlooked cabins with constant construction noise and my request to be moved denied, I've overlooked the free cruises going to many others to others but never having anything like that offered to me, I've overlooked my Platinum status being downgraded, but they have finally pushed me over the edge. I booked in June on a special rate which gave $200 OBC for my 7/26/14 cruise on the Freedom. Today I called to find out why the credit isn't showing on my cruise documents. They insist that is not the rate I booked, even though I know for a fact that is the rate I chose. They have website problems (admitted by the tech I talked to), but they won't fix my problem. $200 obc is not a huge thing, but combined with all the other aggravation I've dealt with over the last 2 years, I have had it. I have always been positive on all my cruises and have never let little things ruin my cruise. Carnival supervisors are totally unwilling to admit their website has problems and will not give me any type of compensation for their problem. This may sound petty to a lot of you, but I'm just not willing to keep allowing Carnival to get away with their poor customer service any longer. So, you won't see me posting here anymore, and you won't see me booking anymore Carnival cruises. The aggravation has now outweighed the enjoyment of the cruise. Goodbye to Carnival. Let the flaming begin.

 

No flames from me, I think your grievances are legit and I believe you'll be much happier on another cruise line. As for the free cruises that were offered to people, well, it's wasn't for free. I got one but didn't take Carnival up on their expensive "free" offer. Free to me is all expenses paid by Carnival. Good luck in your travels.

[bradm77]

No flames from here, I feel the same way. DW & I have cruised 10 times since 2007, all with Carnival, and anyone who says they cant see cutbacks just isn't looking!

 

We have always been the carefree, happy, "A Bad day on board is better than a good day anywhere else" mindset, but our upcoming cruise in Sep on Victory will be our last CCL for the foreseeable future (NCL Getaway next April).

 

I'm no insider, but it does feel like Carnivals response to the increasingly tough market is to cut back and squeeze the customers they have hard for every extra penny.

 

We are booked in September under a casino/players club promo rate - it's not that great a rate, maybe $40 pp less than Early saver was. I managed to get cabin 9293, which is just a hop, skip & jump from Lido pool area. Inquired last week about possibly adding our son to the cabin, said a trundle bed was OK if need be. Carnival responds that our current cabin doesn't support 3 guests, so we would have to move to another cabin, lose our casino rate, pay the full no discount/no offer highest published rate so that the extra charge would be almost $1000!!!

 

Our response is to leave the son at home, book NCL for next April, and see what non-CCL cruising is like.

 

Both angry and sad - I miss the 2007-2010 version of Carnival Cruise Lines. It really does feel like (to me, at least), that they just don't care about long term customer retention anymore.

[RuthlessBoss]

No flames from here, I feel the same way. DW & I have cruised 10 times since 2007, all with Carnival, and anyone who says they cant see cutbacks just isn't looking!

 

We have always been the carefree, happy, "A Bad day on board is better than a good day anywhere else" mindset, but our upcoming cruise in Sep on Victory will be our last CCL for the foreseeable future (NCL Getaway next April).

 

I'm no insider, but it does feel like Carnivals response to the increasingly tough market is to cut back and squeeze the customers they have hard for every extra penny.

 

We are booked in September under a casino/players club promo rate - it's not that great a rate, maybe $40 pp less than Early saver was. I managed to get cabin 9293, which is just a hop, skip & jump from Lido pool area. Inquired last week about possibly adding our son to the cabin, said a trundle bed was OK if need be. Carnival responds that our current cabin doesn't support 3 guests, so we would have to move to another cabin, lose our casino rate, pay the full no discount/no offer highest published rate so that the extra charge would be almost $1000!!!

 

Our response is to leave the son at home, book NCL for next April, and see what non-CCL cruising is like.

 

Both angry and sad - I miss the 2007-2010 version of Carnival Cruise Lines. It really does feel like (to me, at least), that they just don't care about long term customer retention anymore.

 

You've cruised enough to know you can't change cabin capacity and know about current rates and changes in different promos. Sorry. NCL is not a bad cruise line, but it's not Carnival atmosphere.

[sprint180]

It's the ''little things'' isn't it. I would be frustrated too. I don't frequent businesses that have bad service.

[NO1LKME]

We are leaving on our first carnival cruise on Aug. 1st. I will tell you one thing, if any of the aforementioned things happens to me, I will not sail with them again. There are too many other choices out there. We wanted to do Carnival to change things up a bit and see what they have to offer. Traveling options are too vast to put up with what you did.

 

Good luck finding a new line!

Edited July 23, 2014 by NO1LKME

[gregg204]

No flames from here, I feel the same way. DW & I have cruised 10 times since 2007, all with Carnival. We are booked in September under a casino/players club promo rate - it's not that great a rate, maybe $40 pp less than Early saver was. I managed to get cabin 9293, which is just a hop, skip & jump from Lido pool area. Inquired last week about possibly adding our son to the cabin, said a trundle bed was OK if need be. Carnival responds that our current cabin doesn't support 3 guests, so we would have to move to another cabin, lose our casino rate, pay the full no discount/no offer highest published rate so that the extra charge would be almost $1000!!!

 

 

 

Our response is to leave the son at home, book NCL for next April, and see what non-CCL cruising.

 

 

You are changing to NCL because they will not allow you to put 3 guest in a room for 2? And you are upset they will not change the rules for that particular promo for you? You've cruised 10 times in the last 7 years. You'd think that you know better.

Edited July 23, 2014 by gregg204

[cruizinisthebest]

No flames from here, I feel the same way. DW & I have cruised 10 times since 2007, all with Carnival, and anyone who says they cant see cutbacks just isn't looking!

 

We have always been the carefree, happy, "A Bad day on board is better than a good day anywhere else" mindset, but our upcoming cruise in Sep on Victory will be our last CCL for the foreseeable future (NCL Getaway next April).

 

I'm no insider, but it does feel like Carnivals response to the increasingly tough market is to cut back and squeeze the customers they have hard for every extra penny.

 

We are booked in September under a casino/players club promo rate - it's not that great a rate, maybe $40 pp less than Early saver was. I managed to get cabin 9293, which is just a hop, skip & jump from Lido pool area. Inquired last week about possibly adding our son to the cabin, said a trundle bed was OK if need be. Carnival responds that our current cabin doesn't support 3 guests, so we would have to move to another cabin, lose our casino rate, pay the full no discount/no offer highest published rate so that the extra charge would be almost $1000!!!

 

Our response is to leave the son at home, book NCL for next April, and see what non-CCL cruising is like.

 

Both angry and sad - I miss the 2007-2010 version of Carnival Cruise Lines. It really does feel like (to me, at least), that they just don't care about long term customer retention anymore.

 

Don't see how this situation is remotely close to anything the OP mentions. Carnival will not add passengers to a room designated for a certain number. Will NCL do that? I thought that was a capacity/safety issue. And anytime you book a room whether initially or changing, you have to choose from the rates being offered at that time.

[NO1LKME]

Don't see how this situation is remotely close to anything the OP mentions. Carnival will not add passengers to a room designated for a certain number. Will NCL do that? I thought that was a capacity/safety issue. And anytime you book a room whether initially or changing, you have to choose from the rates being offered at that time.

 

 

No, NCL will not do that for them either. I am not sure why some people feel entitled to have rules bent and broken for them.

[crusinpsychRN]

When they again changed the format of the site, my OBC disappeared. I called for a rte reduction and asked about it. She told me it was still showing and didn't know what I was talking about. I walked her through how to get to Manage my cruise and she saw it didn't show.

 

I got the price reduction and when she sent me the email, the OBC showed up. It's still not on the MMC page on Carnival. PIA.

 

$200 is a big deal. I'd call and speak to someone until it got fixed.

 

It took them one month to give me my lousy $20 promo credit from when I bought the gift card during the promo and the email was screwed up, didn't show numbers, just xxxxx where numbers were supposed to be. They fought me me all the way...After I asked if I needed to call Gary Cahill I got the $20 the next day.

[Cruising Rules]

Sorry you are having so many issues. I know you & know you are the calm, carefree cruiser who doesn't let the little things bother you. I don't blame you a bit. The good old days of cruising the Fun Ships are long gone. :( It's sad watching the decline over the last few years.

Hope we can get together soon for a land cruise.

 

Well said, "the good old days of the fun ships are gone". It's sad to see Carnival management "kill the golden goose". It's a very misguided marketing approach!

To your post, ditto ditto and more ditto!!! :-)

[gregg204]

Well said, "the good old days of the fun ships are gone". It's sad to see Carnival management "kill the golden goose". It's a very misguided marketing approach!

 

To your post, ditto ditto and more ditto!!! :-)

 

 

I guess it's lucky for Carnival that myself and 90k passengers a week disagree with you.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

We are leaving on our first carnival cruise on Aug. 1st. I will tell you one thing, if any of the aforementioned things happens to me, I will not sail with them again. There are too many other choices out there. We wanted to do Carnival to change things up a bit and see what they have to offer. Traveling options are too vast to put up with what you did....

 

I agree. I am also trying Carnival for the first time. I was booked on Princess, but I had to cancel due to a schedule conflict. Carnival offered the same itinerary with a sailing date that worked for me.

 

I realize that I am not paying for a high-end cruise, and am not expecting one, however some of what the OP mentions is unacceptable at any price.

[bradm77]

You are changing to NCL because they will not allow you to put 3 guest in a room for 2? And you are upset they will not change the rules for that particular promo for you? You've cruised 10 times in the last 7 years. You'd think that you know better.

 

No, no, no, that's not why we are trying NCL. I was simply detailing my latest and most recent frustration with Carnival. We are going to NCL because over the last 3 years/4-5 cruises, we have seen the service level go down, the food quality go backwards, and the "little things" get cut-cut-cut away.

 

I remember back in our early cruises you couldn't walk 5 steps on Lido without having someone ask to see if you needed anything. Nowadays, you are better off to walk up to the bar and wait in line - the level of service is just not the same.

 

Remember the Fun Farewell Party? Memories are all we have of it now. First you move it, then you bury it in the Fun Times with ZERO promotion of it, then you kill it due to low attendance - that's a "Wag the Dog" move in my opinion.

 

Remember the "Past Guest Party"? Now it's the "Want to be invited? Drop at least $5000 on multiple cruises first and get a Gold Card" party.

 

Remember the Sushi Bar? One of my favorite places to visit on a Fantasy Class Ship, now they offer you samples of food from the premium eateries that they DONT EVEN HAVE ON BOARD THAT SHIP!! "Mmmm, this is delicious. You like it? If you book another cruise on a different, newer Carnival Ship then you can pay extra for it and enjoy it in a larger portion"

 

I'm not saying NCL is better, I don't know that yet. But I intend to find out. :P

 

As far as adding persons to an existing cabin, I have done that twice before, last time was last year on this same ship (Victory) - it costs us $209 plus taxes/port fees to add our son to our existing balcony cabin (w/ a trundle bed) on Lido (same cabin type and deck we are in now). Was that a bending of rules or exception made in our case (maybe because we are usually group leaders for anywhere from 5-6 up to 25 cabins)? I don't know. Don't tell me that I have "cruised enough to know better", because I don't read and memorize the TOS front to back - I just call and ask if I want to add a person or change a name or link together non-group bookings for seating at dinner or whatever.

 

Anyway, just wanted to clear up - our inability to add our son isn't why we are trying NCL, it's just the "Cherry on Top" of the sundae.

[gregg204]

Anyway, just wanted to clear up - our inability to add our son isn't why we are trying NCL, it's just the "Cherry on Top" of the sundae.

 

Fair enough.

[RuthlessBoss]

OP left many details out of the post. Suitcases get ruined on likely every cruise and on every cruiseline. Mine ruined on MSC and Celebrity. There was a recent thread here about suitcases, so it's not just her. What condition was the OV window upon cabin entry? If I entered a "black" cabin upon entry, I'd say "Hell, no". What steps were taken to remedy the situation? What ship was "under construction"? Was it thru the night? High end ships have set sail while under construction, AZAMARA comes to mind. As for free cruises, they are not offered, they are drawn like a lottery. The $200 OBC, what promo did you book under? That's a tidy amount unless it was a balcony or the like.

 

The OP has likely settled down a bit, and is currently on her 3rd checking in today, the clock says 1:12. Perhaps she's now very embarrassed about the post. In reading her old posts, they were calm, informative, and positive about her cruise Saturday.

[golfadj]

OP left many details out of the post. Suitcases get ruined on likely every cruise and on every cruiseline. Mine ruined on MSC and Celebrity. There was a recent thread here about suitcases, so it's not just her. What condition was the OV window upon cabin entry? If I entered a "black" cabin upon entry, I'd say "Hell, no". What steps were taken to remedy the situation? What ship was "under construction"? Was it thru the night? High end ships have set sail while under construction, AZAMARA comes to mind. As for free cruises, they are not offered, they are drawn like a lottery. The $200 OBC, what promo did you book under? That's a tidy amount unless it was a balcony or the like.

 

The OP has likely settled down a bit, and is currently on her 3rd checking in today, the clock says 1:12. Perhaps she's now very embarrassed about the post. In reading her old posts, they were calm, informative, and positive about her cruise Saturday.

 

That was my thread on luggage and was very surprised how often this happens. Nice to have wheels and roll them but it has made them much more susceptible to being ruined by airlines and cruiseships.