Will not be returning to Carnival.

Carnival Freedom Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Freedom

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 09, 2017

Ship: Carnival Freedom

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7404

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I will admit that Carnival is not the cruise line for us. Their guest service was terrible and for the most part we felt as if we were stuck in Walmart for 7 days. We usually prefer to fly to a destination but decided to compromise on this because we were in a large group. Do not expect any customer service from Carnival!

Embarkation

1 out of 5
We boarded with some reluctance. We were hopeful that they would cancel the cruise because of the hurricane conditions but they did not. Because we were paid in full, we could not cancel without losing our money. They offered no other alternatives because they did not shorten the length of the cruise. Rather than offer a cruise at a later date, they insisted we go under these terrible conditions. They reserve the right to change the itinerary. Instead they decided to change our itinerary to an area that we did not wish to go. To make matters worse, the gulf was extremely rough and the boat was moving constantly for the first three days. Some passengers got quite seasick and even the staff remarked that it was the worst they had ever experienced. The pools were closed down and drained within hours of our embarkation and did not reopen until 2 days later. There was no credit for these days given nor was it offered.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5
If you enjoy Golden Corral, you will enjoy your Carnival Cruise. There were a few exceptional items. Guy's Burgers, and the steakhouse were very good. The melting chocolate cake dessert was delicious as well.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
Pools were closed for the first 2.5 days because of the rough conditions. As I do not gamble, I was very disappointed with this development.

Entertainment

4 out of 5
There were some very good musician's on board. Donny James sang predominantly country music and he was very good. There was also a funk band onboard that was exceptional.

Children's Programs

No kids in our party

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Although guest services and customer service was very poor for our cruise the restaurant staff, bar staff and all other staff aboard the ship were extremely professional. They actually were the only positive experience that Carnival had to offer. Staff was a 10, Carnival a solid 1

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Most of the ship's design reminded me of the old Fremont street casino's in Vegas. The cabin's were not terrible though and we had done some investigation and knew what to expect. The bathroom's near the adult pool were very dirty and didn't look like they were cleaned regularly.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Our cabin was pretty comfortable. The bedding was clean and quite comfortable and our room steward did an excellent job. The rooms are small but not unpleasant and the balcony was inviting once the waters calmed down.

Ship tip

Try the Serenity Spa area at the front of the ship immediately. They have an outdoor lounge area that is not usually crowded and has comfortable seating and lounging.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas Did not visit port

Key West, Florida Did not visit port

Itinerary change

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island Did not visit port

Itinerary change

Nassau, Bahamas Did not visit port

Itinerary change

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
We had paid for Faster to the Fun so our disembarkation process went fairly smooth. There was about an hour wait between the time that we had to exit our cabin and the time that we were able to exit the ship.
Was this review helpful? 49

26 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe     5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

DFromATX    7 years ago

Carnival is by no means Disney, but they still have fantastic customer service!

Anne60    7 years ago

I've Cruise Carnival over 15 times and never had a bad experience love Carnival they've gone out of their way in above

ambakergirl    7 years ago

We will be on the freedom on November 11th . 4 adults and a teen......ready to have fun, feel free to join us 😀

ambakergirl    7 years ago

We are going on our 3rd carnival cruise in November. We have travels with child and as larger group and never had any problems ...just great times and great service . I agree with mason2x...... but even then Carnival treats even “those kinds” with respect and courtesy

BlancaGuajardo    7 years ago

3 cruises 🚢 w/carnival never had an issue here

yukonner    7 years ago

4X on Carnival. No problem with guest services.

ajont    7 years ago

Customer service on Carnival is awesome. They are always so nice, and are very cordial. I think people get the same vibe that they give off.

TNTGreen    7 years ago

OP probably won't respond to anyone's comments since chances are they are trolling. They came on here threw an insult to get everyone riled up and it's working. If the post is legit who cares Carnival won't miss them:

darby81    7 years ago

My wife and I have been on 2 different Carnival ships and are about to leave on our 3rd cruise this Sunday. We have never had a bad experience at all. Maybe you shouldn't do cruises for vacation, everyone will be happier.

davidc1962    7 years ago

I have only been on carnival once and it sure isn't for everyone. I like to have fun so I just booked another on the fun ship. Carnival is more geared for family and children . My wife and I like to have so so carnival is for us. Wish you would have made your vacation better.

Dutch3901    7 years ago

You tried it, you prefer not to cruise, okay... Most of us here feel differently, but having different preferences certainly doesn't mean having higher standards...

mason2x    7 years ago

Why is Walmart associated with low class? I shop at Walmart, not because I have too. But because I know a good bargain. I will never understand people who's noses are tilted so far up they'd drown if it rains.

Summerholiday    7 years ago

You can shop in Macy's and get an attitude... so why pick on Walmart ???

Summerholiday    7 years ago

Never had a problem with customer service have always found them extremely helpful and polite .. as said if you go with a attitude you may get a different reaction but we have had nothing but great service we love carnival it as we have never had an issue ... we return we're from Australia and we never had a problem in Walmart don't mind a trip when in the USA ... 😊

Richardslid1    7 years ago

I have been on the Carnival 3 time,different Ships never had a problem with the service, went on the Royal Caribbean. bigger ship more people.......The food on Carnival is much better, service is good,♥️ Carnival

ididit    7 years ago

This person has zero cruises listed, no pictures and this review is sad. I understand that some people do not like Carnival, but my first experience with them was excellent. I keep hearing people call Carnival Walmart, yet I also understand that a lot of people shop at. Walmart. Never explained what the issue with customer service was, I am sure they wanted gold spoons when dining or they need money toilet paper for their room. I like Walmart and I LOVE Carnival, ship we sailed on in NO way reminded me of Walmart, other than it had A LOT of happy people on board.

mason2x    7 years ago

Customer service will treat you on how you treat them. I've always had a good experience with customer service because I was NICE to them. And to state you felt you were stuck in Walmart for 7 days shows what a pompous stuck up jerk wad you are.

chadley77    7 years ago

So what ship were you on?

chadley77    7 years ago

We have been on Carnival twice and loved it. Customer service was awesome and never had any problems whatsoever.

shingaling    7 years ago

Have always received excellent assistance from Carnival's Guest Services staff, as well as excellent service from the whole crew. Of course we greet them with a big smile and "Hello! How are you doing today?"

slbaker68    7 years ago

after your review, you make Walmart customers look a lot more classy

Lovescruisin    7 years ago

The last time we were on Carnival we exceptional customer service...service period...thats why we booked with them again!!! Cruises aren't for everyone and I'm happy that you won't be on Carnival again because that means I won't have to look at your nose stuck in the air and a sour face!!!

batch123    7 years ago

Carnival is our favorite line. They are definitely the fun ship when compared to others we've been on. What was your customer service issue? I've always found them to be professional and prompt. But then again, I'm not much of a complainer.

katiej512    7 years ago

I always think the service on Carnival is great!! And I don't shop at Walmart. I guess we aren't classy enough for you.

llbanddjb    7 years ago

so sorry to see this. we enjoy our cruises on carnival. there are always good and not so good experiences.

Other reviews of this sailing