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Topic: Carnival Destiny

Evan
Just Boarded
Member # 1211

posted 04-03-2000 11:17 PM

Did anyone else "experience" the 3/26 Destiny cruise? We have been on over 40 cruises, and this was by far the worst. Embarkation was delayed over 5 hours due to another mechanical failure, and Carnival never contacted us the day before when the problem occurred, during the long wait in the terminal (full of 2000 people) there was no ongoing communication from anyone at Carnival except a letter at the terminal stating that a refund was available and that there were some tours planned during the wait - the itinerary was changed removing St. Croix and adding Nassau (there was then no way to cancel reservations made in St. Croix except by using the ship telephone at $9.95/minute (why do calls cost so much when internet access aboard other ships is only $2.00/minute?); we were told at check-in not to check the "past guest" box since we had a past guest number and would be invited to the past guest party based on that number which we had given during the reservation process - after we had not been invited to the party that had occurred a day earlier we were told that the box should have been checked at check-in and that the past guest number was merely for "record keeping purposes" (what "record?" - if there was any record, they would have known by the number that we had taken several previous Carnival cruises - after all it is a "past guest" number....); disembarkation was delayed for 2.5 hours upon arrival back in Miami (so we all just sat in the common areas); elevators full of people often got stuck (which was particularly bad during disembarkation); several elevators did not work at all; it seemed like few of the employees except for the cruise director and purser staff (which generally was unresponsive) spoke English so asking questions was an exercise in futility; there was no breakfast room-service except danish, plastic plates and cups were used throughout the ship instead of regular dishes and glasses; security guards were everywhere on the ship, as were interesting odors from time to time (and the smells often mysteriously appeared in the cabins); the 2 formal night dining opportunities for many meant wearing a clean t-shirt and jeans; the queen bed was merely 2 twins, with twin sheets, pushed together; soda and ice machines did not work; pay per view videos often didn't work and yet we were charged for them even after we were told we would not be; the in-room music had such a loud hum you couldn't listen to it....it was quite a cruise, and many many other passengers, including 1st time cruisers, expressed to us their extreme disappointment as well. On the plus side, the cabins are large, the bars are located conveniently together, the exercise area is great, the dining rooms are nice (but service was poor) and the pizza is very good. However, overall, for a fare that was comparable to other cruise lines that have much better service, this cruise was quite a negative experience.

Posts: 2 | From: Longboat Key, FL USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

patty
Just Boarded
Member # 1239

posted 04-17-2000 05:23 PM

You are very right about the lack of ongoing communication. I was not on your cruise, however, I got off the ship the day you got on. So, I know exactly what you are saying. We have cruised before too, and never again on this ship. After being told this was a 25 and older cruise, there must have been 250+ kids with only walkie talkies as supervision. Dont get me wrong, I have kids, love kids, but went to get away from them. It might have been tolerable had the parents (some) been watching (protecting) them. Then when they announced on Sat. we were delayed due to mechanical trouble, we knew we would not get our flights out. They used the medical emergency that night as the main reason we were delayed. That was so tacky on thier part, since we were allready too far behind. Then they hurried to get us off the ship so the new crew of guest (you) could get on, shipped us to a motel to meet with a carnival rep. who never showed up until the next day.(Monday) Told to wait some more, then told we had an early flight out that we missed, so had to wait some more. The communication from the staff to the guests was just horrible, not to mention all of the things you stated, I ditto.I am sorry your experience was a negative one, as I am sorry for the other 4,000 (your group and mine) that were treated like cattle and continually kept uninformed. We have written to Carnival, but have not heard a word, I don't expect we will. Good luck on your next one.

Posts: 1 | From: Corning NY USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Ms Montreal
Just Boarded
Member # 1241

posted 04-17-2000 09:27 PM

Well, I wasn't on the Destiny but in January I took a Panama Canal cruise on CCL. We arrived at Miami and had a 2.5 hour wait there just to get to the boat! Not a good start! When we got to the port area our ship wasn't at the terminal. We had to board through the service entrance and we were taken to a lounge for sign in. It was slow but at least we were sitting down! Seems like there are alot of complaints about CCL lately! Not my favorite that's for sure!

Posts: 1 | From: Montreal, Canada | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 04-18-2000 11:13 AM

Evan, a few things surprise me for you being on 40+ cruises. First, I've been on NCL, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival and all beds convert yet they are still mearly twin beds. I've not been on a cruise yet that didn't have singles that coverted to a large bed...still having individual sheets etc. While on the Grand Princess and NCL Dream plastic dishes were common on deck, at the pizzarias, etc., not just Carnival uses them. Soda machines? Never once saw a soda machine on ANY cruise I've been on. I've always had to pay the bar staff for sodas. Yes I'm sure embarkation was bad considering the ship didn't get into port until late due to mechanical problems. I can't imagine ANY cruise line calling 3000+ people the day before unless the ship just wasn't going to show up at all.

Patty, what kind of travel agent do you use? I've never been on any cruise (especially during Spring Break) where there weren't kids. A travel agent wouldn't/couldn't possibly know that a cruise (especially Carnival) would be 25 year olds and older only! And if your writing to Carnival was reasonable they WILL respond. I got off the Paradise the same day you got off the Destiny, wrote a letter immediately and have gotten a response along with a certificate for a discount on a future cruise and for the most part my comments were positive as the Paradise was simply put...PARADISE!

The Destiny has had it's share of mechincal problems lately but overall can you really say you had a BAD time? Or did a day or two ruin the whole trip for you?

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 04-19-2000 08:53 PM

Carnivals policy is - if you are under 21 you must be in a cabin with someone 25 or older. This cuts down on the teen population (especially during spring break time) but doesn't mean no one under 25 will be on the cruise.

Cruiseman - I agree, have been on all major lines and have always had two twin beds put together. Might come across a true queen or king in a suite but not in a regular cabin. Also if you travel in March and April you are in Spring Break time and will have loads of kids, cannot believe a TA wouldn't bring this to your attention.

[This message has been edited by jwine (edited 04-19-2000).]

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

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