Disappointed in Carnival

Item: Carnival Horizon
Rating: 3.4
Author: kelgirl13c

Carnival Horizon Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

kelgirl13c

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 27, 2021

Ship: Carnival Horizon

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 1449

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Ship had documented propulsion issues prior to our sailing but Carnival decided to take us out anyway. Poor decision. Engine went out, hot ash sprinkled out exhaust, banging under our room 3 days 5am-10pm until they got tired of us complaining. Had 11 excursions cancelled and missed 2 ports. We were given $100 OBC and 25% to use for future cruise. 6 days on the ship is not what we wanted. Same food, same entertainment, no escape. But we had beautiful weather.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Packed and unavailable because we couldn’t get off at 2 ports to eat different food.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pools were very crowded because we couldn’t get off the ship at 2 ports. You can only see and hear the same things so many times before you give up and hang at the pool.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Stage shows were bad. Poor performers. Unlike other cruises we only saw the cruise Director 3 times. Other cruises the cruise Directors were out mingling with guests, answering questions and participating in events. Donkey was heard but hardly ever seen.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Customer service attendants were less than helpful but probably because they were overwhelmed with cancellations. Very rude when we complained about workers banging on machinery starting at 5am below our room after the engine went out. Other than those 2 staff members the rest were amazing.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Obviously there are issues with the design of the propulsion system. The engine went out during our cruise. This issue was documented on the 2 prior sailings, but Carnival chose to send us out with a broken ship. It was clean but broken.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

It was a standard room. Not much to say.

Ship tip

Horrible ship. On it’s way to dry dock after an engine went out.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5

Loved Aruba. Had excursions canceled.

Thumbs Up 0

Bonaire, Netherlands Special Municipality

4 out of 5

Beautiful but not enough excursions available. The ones we had paid for had been canceled.

Thumbs Up 0

La Romana, Dominican Republic Did not visit port

Broken ship

Thumbs Up 0

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic Did not visit port

Broken ship

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

16 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 3 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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Darrelljones 2 years ago

My wife and I were on the same cruise. We had a great time even with the missed ports and slow cruise. We weren't home, didn't have to cook and enjoyed relaxing on the balcony watching the water go by.

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CaribLifestyle 2 years ago

CRUISE CANCELLATION AND ITINERARY CHANGE POLICY Carnival reserves the right to cancel or substitute any scheduled port of call at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice and shall not be liable for any loss to guests by reason of such cancellation or substitution. This policy can also be found in Section 7 of your Cruise Ticket Contract.

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CaribLifestyle 2 years ago

FYI.. IF you get insurance you loose nothing.. money back.. I was on ship first week November had No!! Engine issues but did have rain..

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izrgreen 2 years ago

Thanks for the review

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AuntPinkie 2 years ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

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Steve11101955 2 years ago

11 excursions are not possible when you have only two ports it would be a tough stretch even with all 4. Also if Carnival had canceled on embarkation day there would have been just as many complaints so sail no sail was a no win for the company. I'm not defending Carnival just pointing out that they were in a bad position either way. I've sailed on the Horizon in early November 2021 and the ship wasn't experiencing navigational issues at that time the same four ports that the above comments sailed on and I didn't see 11 excursions worthy of booking. Donkey was the CD on that cruise as well he was out and talking with guest during that cruise, perhaps he was tired of being bombarded by upset and unhappy guest during your failed cruise( for which as a loyal cruiser I'm sorry that you were so unhappy with your trip, though I prefer RCC, I'm just so thankful that cruising is back.... Hopefully for good with no more shut downs the people who work these ships don't deserve another job interruption.

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KurryandTyler 2 years ago

Thanks for the review

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willwork4cruz 2 years ago

You're right, Carnival should have just canceled your cruise the day you were supposed to board. I'm sure you wouldn't have complained about that.

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hollysmomtravel 2 years ago

I wanna know how you were gonna do do 11 excursion in 2 stops.

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purpl 2 years ago

Sorry your trip was disappointing.

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javawoody 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing, sorry about the disappointing experience

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byhisgrace 2 years ago

Thanks for your review. I am glad that you and all the passengers and crew made it back safely.

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cruising2004 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience

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CruzeFan 2 years ago

Thanks for the review. Issues happen with ships for a variety of reasons. The cruise lines do what they think is best at the time. Regardless of what compensation is offered, some will always be unhappy.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great ship, bad engine.

Great cruise. Had some engine problems but still had fun. Would like more ventilation in casino

waste of money