My 1st Ever Carnival Complaint

[Banks822]

We have always found the best in every situation while cruising, but our recent cruise was one disappointment after another. We just returned yesterday from an 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Conquest. This was our 7th Carnival cruise and the most expensive one so far. We have 4 teenagers and 3 of them graduate next year. We knew cruising next year would more then likely not be an option with 3 children graduating, so we saved up and decided to have a big vacation this year.

We were really excited about the itinerary which was Princess Cays (9:00 - 4:00), Grand Turk (12:00 - 7:00), Sea Day, Curacao (10:00am - 11pm), Aruba (8:00 - 4:00), and 2 more sea days. It was going to work out where we were in Princess Cays on our anniversary and Grand Turk on our oldest sons 17th birthday. We also wanted the 2 sea days coming home to rest up.

On Friday night around 8pm we were packing the car up to drive to the airport when I got an email from Carnival saying our itinerary had changed. The new itinerary was not very well thought out. Now we would have 2 sea days, Aruba 10 am - 11pm, Curacao 8-4, sea day, Grand Turk 7-2, and Half Moon Cay 8-2. We were all really disappointed with the changes especially the new times in the ports. While we do love HMC, being there from 8-2 is not worth it.

So then on the 1st full sea day we get a notice that our excursion in Aruba was cancelled and that the day we would be in Aruba was their Labor Day and everything would be closed except a few stores. We picked another excursion and went snorkeling, but my in-laws are not able to snorkel so they did a tour of the island with Carnival. We did enjoy the snorkeling, but even the guide said he didn't understand why Carnival would of changed the dates to the 1 day a year their government makes things close down unless it's for tourism or convenience stores. My in-laws said their guide said the same thing because most of the places the tour took them to were closed and the people on the tour even had to pay money to use the bathroom on another bus. They were on a Carnival excursion and had to pay to use the bathroom because nothing was open! The stores inside the port were open, but some closed at 4:30. We were there until 11pm with the town basically closed down on holiday. That night we walked to Starbucks, got a coffee, and used the Wi-Fi to message home. I would of liked to of been able to do more, but that was not possible.

We really liked Curacao and would of liked to had more time there. We had planned out our day and night since we were supposed to of been there until 11pm and had to change everything around last minute when it changed to 4 instead.

In Grand Turk and HMC we had very short days. Grand Turk was 7am until 2, so back on board by 1:30. Nothing in town opened until 9 and it was cloudy until noon. We love Grand Turk and were looking forward to being there until 7pm. By time it warmed up and we were all ready to swim, it was time to be back onboard and we were tired from getting up so early to be off at 7am. Then since HMC had its last tender back at 1:15 they did not do the BBQ on the beach and the only thing you could purchase were drinks. We had to tender back at 12:30 because we were all hungry by then.

These things may seem minor to some, but they were disappointing for my family. We saved up for a year and our original Aruba excursion was part of our children's Christmas because they all wanted to go there and it was pricey. To have our itinerary changed, such short times in the last 2 ports, no sea days before coming home, and to be in Aruba during a national holiday were all downers for us.

The changes were said to be made because of Princess Cays getting storm damage. I would of much rather them gave us and extra sea day and kept the rest of the itinerary the way it originally was. The changes were just not that great.

I do understand we could have just not gone and that they are allowed to change things. But, after all the planning and getting the kids excused from school, and the airfare, canceling wasn't really and option. Also, I can handle change when it makes sense, but these changes made no sense to me.

[Saint Greg]

Of course if they just gave you an extra sea day people would be complaining that Carnival did it to keep people on the ship and sell more alcohol and make more money off of the casino and bingo.

[salty dingo]

Bummer about the port change, but sounds like you made the best of it.

[kona_wahine]

I don’t blame you for being upset. I cruise for itinerary and if it changed that drastically I’d look at changing the cruise or cancelling if possible. and only staying until 2:00, i don’t understand that at all.

[Keys2Heaven]

I take it you didn't take Carnival up on their "Great Vacation" guarantee? You could have had your cruise fare refunded and flown back home if you were that disappointed.

 

WE'RE 110% CERTAIN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.

 

The Carnival Great Vacation Guarantee™ is the greatest guarantee you’ll never need to use. If you’re not happy with any 3–14 day Carnival vacation you take to The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Bermuda, Canada/New England or Alaska, just let us know within 24 hours of your departure. We’ll refund 110% of your fare and our Guest Services will get you back to your home, free of charge. With no hassles and no questions asked.

[firefly333]

Well, Im sure there was a reason for Carnival to change like the port was full and no room for the ship at the original port etc.

 

I was once on a ship that missed a port due to weather and a lot of first timers onboard who decided to stage a protest. One was a lawyer, had to kick them out of the area by customer service.

 

says in the contract ports are not guaranteed.

 

my last cruise it was in the 50s in miami and not much better in the ports, 61 in belize. I felt sorry for those who booked non refundable water excursions. We got there, so they were stuck. Sometimes you wish you could cancel last minute or the ship couldnt get in. miserable weather the whole cruise.

[TrinaLC]

That is disappointing, but there had to be a pretty compelling reason for the change. Carnival itself would much rather stick to its schedule, for a variety of reasons.

 

Unfortunately one can’t count on ports when cruising though it is of course human nature that we do.

 

 

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[camijo]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know that would be a disappointment to me as well. My cruise in July, I have been planning it since January 2017, I'm not sure how I would be if all those changes to took place. Probably the same as you, suck it up and make the best of it.

[Micahs Grandad]

Odd that they would go to Aruba on a day the island was basically closed. Bet if you would have booked private tour there you would have found what was going on before leaving.

[pe4all]

I wonder if they had some kind of propulsion problem! Originally you were going to the closest port first, leaving the longest distance back to FLL, with 2 sea days to do it in. The change then left you 2 days to get to Aruba (the furthest port) and shortened the stays in the other ports to leave more traveling time to get to the next port. HMC is the closest port to FLL, being in the Bahamas. Just a thought.....

 

That last minute itinerary change was really not a good one. I can see how - after all the planning you did - you were disappointed. Why they didn't know this more than 24 hours before is a mystery. We have actually missed Grand Turk AND Half Moon Cay a few times due to wind conditions - unsafe to tender at HMC, and unsafe to try to dock at GT.

[Bert64]

I take it you didn't take Carnival up on their "Great Vacation" guarantee? You could have had your cruise fare refunded and flown back home if you were that disappointed.

 

WE'RE 110% CERTAIN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.

 

The Carnival Great Vacation Guarantee™ is the greatest guarantee you’ll never need to use. If you’re not happy with any 3–14 day Carnival vacation you take to The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Bermuda, Canada/New England or Alaska, just let us know within 24 hours of your departure. We’ll refund 110% of your fare and our Guest Services will get you back to your home, free of charge. With no hassles and no questions asked.

 

It's great Carnival offers this. But, when you've been planning a vacation for months, arranged time off of work and school, coordinated schedules, paid for plane tickets, etc. it's hard to just up and abandon a vacation like that. Especially when it's more of a disappointment, than a complete and utter disaster. And it doesn't sound like they're making a huge deal about it (asking for compensation, writing the CEO, telling people not to travel Carnival, etc.)

 

I appreciate the info about Carnival deciding to change ports around like that, and understand the frustration in all the planning going down the tubes, and the excitement dwindling because of a last minute change that alters the cruise in such a way.

[Keys2Heaven]

It's great Carnival offers this. But, when you've been planning a vacation for months, arranged time off of work and school, coordinated schedules, paid for plane tickets, etc. it's hard to just up and abandon a vacation like that. Especially when it's more of a disappointment, than a complete and utter disaster. And it doesn't sound like they're making a huge deal about it (asking for compensation, writing the CEO, telling people not to travel Carnival, etc.)

 

I appreciate the info about Carnival deciding to change ports around like that, and understand the frustration in all the planning going down the tubes, and the excitement dwindling because of a last minute change that alters the cruise in such a way.

 

I just threw that out there, because Carnival does offer recourse if someone is truly disappointed. The guarantee doesn't say the cruise has to be a complete and utter disaster. And this wasn't an attempt to bash the OP either.

 

Far too often we see threads bashing Carnival because someone did not have fun (the OP's scenario I understand though), yet nobody takes them up on this guarantee.

 

But, the cruise contract does make it clear that Carnival is free to change itinerary at will. I can understand the frustration after all that planning, but this is one of the negatives that come along with cruising.

[serene56]

Small disappointments can snowball into a bad vacation. Sorry that the itinerary changed on you. It happens. Something must have prevents Princess Cays for the ship not being able to dock there.

[brookeq]

Wow that stinks. I would have been upset. I still would have gone on with the vacation just as you did. But that is very disappointing. :(

[Banks822]

Odd that they would go to Aruba on a day the island was basically closed. Bet if you would have booked private tour there you would have found what was going on before leaving.

 

We were suppose to go to Aruba on Day 6 and after the itinerary change it ended up being our 1st stop. If they would not of changed the the dates we wouldn't of been there on a holiday.

[AmBear]

The itinerary change I believe had to do with 'something' about Princess Cays tenders, which was where we were originally intended to go, not Half Moon Cay!

I also thought had Carnival flip flopped the Aruba-Curacao stops, we wouldn't have been on Aruba when there was a holiday!

But, Curacao might have observed the same holiday? So who knows!

We actually stayed on the ship in Half Moon Cay as the weather wasn't the greatest, and the next day we were disembarking.

In Grand Turk, which was also a short day, we just went to the pool, took a quick swim, then got out of there when kids started throwing balls around in the pool!!

The entire week was windy, not cold, but very windy!

[bingomamma19]

We have always found the best in every situation while cruising, but our recent cruise was one disappointment after another. We just returned yesterday from an 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Conquest. This was our 7th Carnival cruise and the most expensive one so far. We have 4 teenagers and 3 of them graduate next year. We knew cruising next year would more then likely not be an option with 3 children graduating, so we saved up and decided to have a big vacation this year.

We were really excited about the itinerary which was Princess Cays (9:00 - 4:00), Grand Turk (12:00 - 7:00), Sea Day, Curacao (10:00am - 11pm), Aruba (8:00 - 4:00), and 2 more sea days. It was going to work out where we were in Princess Cays on our anniversary and Grand Turk on our oldest sons 17th birthday. We also wanted the 2 sea days coming home to rest up.

On Friday night around 8pm we were packing the car up to drive to the airport when I got an email from Carnival saying our itinerary had changed. The new itinerary was not very well thought out. Now we would have 2 sea days, Aruba 10 am - 11pm, Curacao 8-4, sea day, Grand Turk 7-2, and Half Moon Cay 8-2. We were all really disappointed with the changes especially the new times in the ports. While we do love HMC, being there from 8-2 is not worth it.

So then on the 1st full sea day we get a notice that our excursion in Aruba was cancelled and that the day we would be in Aruba was their Labor Day and everything would be closed except a few stores. We picked another excursion and went snorkeling, but my in-laws are not able to snorkel so they did a tour of the island with Carnival. We did enjoy the snorkeling, but even the guide said he didn't understand why Carnival would of changed the dates to the 1 day a year their government makes things close down unless it's for tourism or convenience stores. My in-laws said their guide said the same thing because most of the places the tour took them to were closed and the people on the tour even had to pay money to use the bathroom on another bus. They were on a Carnival excursion and had to pay to use the bathroom because nothing was open! The stores inside the port were open, but some closed at 4:30. We were there until 11pm with the town basically closed down on holiday. That night we walked to Starbucks, got a coffee, and used the Wi-Fi to message home. I would of liked to of been able to do more, but that was not possible.

We really liked Curacao and would of liked to had more time there. We had planned out our day and night since we were supposed to of been there until 11pm and had to change everything around last minute when it changed to 4 instead.

In Grand Turk and HMC we had very short days. Grand Turk was 7am until 2, so back on board by 1:30. Nothing in town opened until 9 and it was cloudy until noon. We love Grand Turk and were looking forward to being there until 7pm. By time it warmed up and we were all ready to swim, it was time to be back onboard and we were tired from getting up so early to be off at 7am. Then since HMC had its last tender back at 1:15 they did not do the BBQ on the beach and the only thing you could purchase were drinks. We had to tender back at 12:30 because we were all hungry by then.

These things may seem minor to some, but they were disappointing for my family. We saved up for a year and our original Aruba excursion was part of our children's Christmas because they all wanted to go there and it was pricey. To have our itinerary changed, such short times in the last 2 ports, no sea days before coming home, and to be in Aruba during a national holiday were all downers for us.

The changes were said to be made because of Princess Cays getting storm damage. I would of much rather them gave us and extra sea day and kept the rest of the itinerary the way it originally was. The changes were just not that great.

I do understand we could have just not gone and that they are allowed to change things. But, after all the planning and getting the kids excused from school, and the airfare, canceling wasn't really and option. Also, I can handle change when it makes sense, but these changes made no sense to me.

 

Cruises are an adventure. You plan the best you can, but there are so many variables that can change things.

 

I hope you all had a great time and can remember the great memories you made being all together on a cruise.

[Banks822]

The itinerary change I believe had to do with 'something' about Princess Cays tenders, which was where we were originally intended to go, not Half Moon Cay!

I also thought had Carnival flip flopped the Aruba-Curacao stops, we wouldn't have been on Aruba when there was a holiday!

But, Curacao might have observed the same holiday? So who knows!

We actually stayed on the ship in Half Moon Cay as the weather wasn't the greatest, and the next day we were disembarking.

In Grand Turk, which was also a short day, we just went to the pool, took a quick swim, then got out of there when kids started throwing balls around in the pool!!

The entire week was windy, not cold, but very windy!

 

I did put that Princess Cays was suppose to be our 1st stop and after the itinerary change we got HMC from 8-2. My husband asked our driver when we were in Curacao and was told they were closed down for Labor day the day before as well. If they wouldn't of made the changes then we wouldn't of been at either stop during the holiday. The water was freezing at HMC and Grand Turk!! Another reason we didn't like the changes. Once the sun finally came out, we were back on board the ship. 7am is just to early to be in the ocean for us. I really wished they could of just made Princess Cay a sea day and left the rest alone. But, we did try to make the best of it.

[Joebucks]

I always like to play devil's advocate here. What could have been some of the consequences of them not changing an itinerary? Maybe a lost port day, stranded due to a propulsion issue, bad weather, etc etc? Then if the people find out, what do they do? They come on here with their 20/20 hindsight vision to complain that Carnival should have done something else. If it was truly due to not being able to attend Princess Cays, how many passengers do you think would have preferred a 4th sea day? I would have despised that option, but that is just me.

 

Now I'm not saying there is no merit to these complaints. Aruba on a day where everything is closed, sounds ridiculous, if it was as claimed. HMC leaving earlier than the BBQ is also disappointing. However, many people here would strongly argue that going to HMC vs Princess Cays is the better deal. After that, it seems to be like you let this all ruin the vacation, and started the nitpick times, sleep schedule, clouds, etc. To go on such an absolutely amazing itinerary, with your loved ones is a blessing that few get. There are endless opportunities on one to create so many good memories. My most anticipated island was removed from my cruise last week. I found fun activities to do elsewhere, didn't skip a beat. Why let it get to me?

[Towel Critter]

That would be a big disappointment for me as well and likely would be for most people. I've missed a few ports, one in particular that left me greatly disappointed. After a couple of times you just have to shrug your shoulders and say, "well, that's just cruising."

 

I am currently booked on the same ship and itinerary you just finished. This will be our fourth attempt to visit Aruba and Curacao. The first three bookings had to be cancelled due to my late mother and late mother-in-law falling seriously ill a few days before sailing. I was very disappointed in more than one way... to say the least. But we are back trying for a fourth time. Stuff happens.

[airlink diva]

While I've never had such changes to happen while cruising,I can relate to Aruba.

In 2010 took a 10 days with HAL during Easter. In St Lucia Easter very little was opened and even our tour guide stated a lot of the tour guides didn't bother. Glad I had visited year before and experience a lot. Next day in Barbados. Since it was Easter Monday a virtual shutdown. In the port,1 out of 10 ships open,alot of tourist places closed. Felt bad for those who it was the first visit because it did have a major effect on the cruise.

I truly understand

[Moviela]

I was on Horizon when they changed a port through no fault of Carnival so I have no complaint, but rather praise because they scrambled to arrange an alternate. I don't believe the original poster has a complaint either. Carnival cannot control the weather. They did make the best of the situation to allow guests to enjoy other ports.

[Organized Chaos]

Well, Im sure there was a reason for Carnival to change like the port was full and no room for the ship at the original port etc.

That is disappointing, but there had to be a pretty compelling reason for the change. Carnival itself would much rather stick to its schedule, for a variety of reasons.

I wonder if they had some kind of propulsion problem! Originally you were going to the closest port first, leaving the longest distance back to FLL, with 2 sea days to do it in. The change then left you 2 days to get to Aruba (the furthest port) and shortened the stays in the other ports to leave more traveling time to get to the next port. HMC is the closest port to FLL, being in the Bahamas. Just a thought.....

Didn't any of you bother reading the OP's entire post? Evidently not because she mentioned why the changes were made. I know a lot of people don't read entire threads before commenting, but it'd help to at least read the first post to a thread.

[sprint180]

It's great Carnival offers this. But, when you've been planning a vacation for months, arranged time off of work and school, coordinated schedules, paid for plane tickets, etc. it's hard to just up and abandon a vacation like that. Especially when it's more of a disappointment, than a complete and utter disaster. And it doesn't sound like they're making a huge deal about it (asking for compensation, writing the CEO, telling people not to travel Carnival, etc.)

 

I appreciate the info about Carnival deciding to change ports around like that, and understand the frustration in all the planning going down the tubes, and the excitement dwindling because of a last minute change that alters the cruise in such a way.

 

Totally agree. Not so easy to just abandon ship when you only get a week or two vacay a year and have other people to consider.

[firefly333]

Didn't any of you bother reading the OP's entire post? Evidently not because she mentioned why the changes were made. I know a lot of people don't read entire threads before commenting, but it'd help to at least read the first post to a thread.

 

She said she heard it might be due to storm damage.

 

Another poster in this thread who must have been on the same cruise posted he heard or thought it had to do with the tenders at Princess Caye.

 

whatever ... Carnival had a good reason or they wouldnt have tried to cancel and substitute. Probably if they just cancelled there would have been complaints too imo.

 

Of course its natural the OP is dissapointed. I would be too as Aruba would be a big deal port and would have been annoyed about it being a holiday.

 

I vote with the OP and would have been more ok with skipping Princess Caye but Im supposed to stay out of the sun. After a years planning annoying, yep.