NO !! I would definitelly NOT recomend Carnival Cruiselines to anyone, not to friends or relatives, or anyone who asks me about it.

Item: Carnival Freedom
Rating: 1
Author: rrrangel01

Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

rrrangel01

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

Western Caribbean

Sail date: September 10, 2016

Ship: Carnival Freedom

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6255

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We have cruised to different parts of the world on several other Cruise lines, and I can honestly tell you that YOUR Cruise ( which we were on from Sep-10th thru the 17th of Sep.2016, on the Carnival Freedom ) was NOT up to our expectations. One of the main disapoinments was when we got the final bill from our Sail and Sign account, we were charged an outrageous amount of gratuities, since out total expenditures were only less than $300.00 and were charged over $ 180.00 on gratuities, which amounts to over 65 % of our total bill., And, our Cruise agent ( Ms Linda Clifford ) never told us about, and if we had known that we would be charged such a rate on gratuities we would NEVER had booked this last cruise. We have never been charged such an outrageous amount of money for gratuities, and you can bet that we will NEVER again book another Cruise thru your Cruise line ( Carnival). We will go back to Royal Caribean, Holland or Celebrity, Unless we hear from you with an appology and a reduction of those charges, we WILL dispute the amount you charged us to American Express, making sure you do NOT get all that money from us. Also, the amount of "Onbard Credit" that Ms Clifford promised us was never deducted from our final bill. To say that the service , food and entertainment was " UP TO PAR " on this last cruise, would be an overstatement !!! Waiting to hear from you. Sincerelly, Rogelio Rangel and Linda Cline

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Not up to par, when compared to Royal Caribean or Holland or Celebrity.

Ship tip

NEVER AGAIN, unless apology and bill adjusment is issued.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

3 out of 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica

3 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

24 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks

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OIIIIIIIO 8 years ago

Seriously? Every line charges gratuities and they're all about the same amount! How about taking some responsibility and doing your research. Also, you can adjust gratuities as you see fit so you should have had some sense to look at your bill before debarking the ship!

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cganesh 8 years ago

You might want to start a new post for your request. You'll have much better chance of getting a response.

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corinneok 8 years ago

Hey so if anyone has any photos or videos of the pier runner's in Montego Bay Jamaica from this cruise (9/10-9/17) can you please private message me??

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kdlovescruising 8 years ago

I guess you won't ever cruise again on any cruise line. Because as been stated several times,the cruise lines ALL charge a per person per day gratuity. This is not a secret and shouldn't have been a surprise for someone with over 7 previous cruises. I guess it's possible that you pre-paid them but you would have known. Gratuity charges have been around since at least 1997 (my first cruise). Carnival's charge is the lowest. Not sure what you thought you paid on Celebrity and RCL, but their charges are definitely higher.

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cganesh 8 years ago

Post just sounds like someone who just likes to stir the pot...this is not the place to post and think the cruiseline will see it and respond. If there are real issues get on the phone with Carnival and talk to customer service. They have a special group that handles concerns from previous cruisers.

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DeRika1 8 years ago

Research they let you know everything you need to know about gratuities before hand. Sorry I don't think you getting or should get that money back.🤔😬

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sassi 8 years ago

See and that's why I pay my gratuity before I even get off the boat

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mcutler 8 years ago

I find it hard to believe that someone who claims to have cruised all over on many cruises would not be aware of the gratuities that are charged during a cruise. Carnival charges what, $12 per day per person? Not much at all in my opinion as the crew bends over backwards and always provides great service. They deserve more in my opinion which is why we always give extra.

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Regina36 8 years ago

You could have went to the customer service desk and changed your amount up or down. You can even have it completely removed.

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Cindy184 8 years ago

On the last cruise I was on we also got a flyer/letter from Carnival, during the cruise, asking which night the gratuities would be added to the sail and sign card if not already prepaid. Standard was the 2nd night but some may wish to wait later in the cruise I guess. Either way it was brought to attention.

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segovia8357 8 years ago

Jjd1975 to be fair I've been on other cruises too but this is the first year I joined this app (which I love now lol) And I have a question, why is he complaining about gratuities?? Lol and isn't that something you pay upfront? I know I did on my booking directly with carnival!

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jjd1975 8 years ago

If you have cruised other lines then why isn't it on your profile?

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tolondon2012 8 years ago

Gratuties are per day and u do have the option to prepay gratuities with Carnival. On all cruise lines they charge gratuites on purchases. Prime example if u eat in a specialty restaurants on NCL they charge a fee and 18% gratuity on top of that. Also any cruise credit should be on ur sell and sign card upon coming onboard, and should rflect in ur email. I would suggest to get week with ur ta to make onboard credit issue right, and book directly through cruise lines in the future. If you do need a good ta many people on this app are diamond members with different cruise lines and can recommend a good one to help you.

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stevenstair 8 years ago

Gator I agree, must be there other travels had no tips no tax's free cruises flew em there an back free, where do you sign up for that?🙋

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kknorr0320 8 years ago

As has been stated, every cruiseline charges a per day per person gratuity that goes to the room steward, housekeeping staff, and dining room staff, so if you dispute them you will be hurting them, not Carnival. And if Carnival can show the charges are legitimate your card will not revoke them. It says in your cruise contract, on the website, and several other places about the daily gratuity so if you didn't know about them it is due to lack of research on your part. You found this app, so I would assume you checked Carnival's website or other cruise sites to research your trip.

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deepcman 8 years ago

They must have just defrosted this guy. He makes a point to tell us he's cruised the world and will go back to Royal or Holland so how can he not know about tipping. Also, I'm sure ms. Linda Clifford would be impressed that he throws her name around so willy nilly.

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galaxy5 8 years ago

Every drink you purchase,be it soda or alcohol has a 15% gratuity added on plus the 11.50 per day per person. Pretty much the same for all cruise lines.

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sunshine220 8 years ago

Gratuities doesn't have anything to do with how much you spend on your sail and sign card. It's a certain amount per day toward folios for all the staff that works to keep you happy even the behind the scenes people. Somewhere in your paperwork this is stated it may have been unexpected to you but everyone pays it.

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rich0219 8 years ago

All cruise lines charge gratuities. Basically Carnival is $12 per day, per person. Considering someone cleaned your room the whole cruise and waited on you in the dining room (plus all the behind the scenes people you never see), I wouldn't exactly call the gratuities outrageous. I'm sorry your travel agent didn't tell you and that you didn't take the opportunity to research.

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gatoraugustine 8 years ago

Here we go again! Never took 5 minutes to research online prior to going but sure could take the time to complain.

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mslgrl2003 8 years ago

Those gratuities weren't from your sign and sail purchases.. It was for your room steward and dining staff.

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jbattle48 8 years ago

I agree banaford. Carnival does have the lowest fees I know of. And have never had a problem that was not solved by customer service on-board.

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banaford 8 years ago

Cruiseline nor travel agent will see this. ALL cruise lines charge gratuities, unless you have not cruised in the last 5 yrs. Carnival is some of the lowest fees. And you could have gone to customer service to remove. Please contact whoever you booked with. They are to blame. And I suggest a new TA.

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