The only excitement was their lies
Carnival Liberty Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: March 25, 2022
Ship: Carnival Liberty
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 6337
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
I had a lame cruise but what's worse are the people who don't work on the ship and how little they care about your vacation. The following is what I sent to Carnival customer care after getting off the ship (which I was directed to do). "I am upset with the lack of information and service you have for younger guests right now. I am a single mother sailing with my 3 year old. For our vacation I debated booking with you or going to an all inclusive resort, both offering kids club options. I chose to sail with you because of your camp ocean program and the activities that includes for kids. Before sailing I called guest support to ask about covid testing and and camp ocean to get some clarification. I was unsure what my child would be classified as for vaccinations since there is currently no covid 19 vaccine for children under 5. The representative assured me that my 3 year old would be able to attend camp ocean as long as she was tested within 3 days prior- the same information available on your website currently. In pre check in I was able to enroll my 3 year old into the Penguin program and check the box that said she is unvaccinated. Upon arrival to the port I was told my child needed to be covid tested again. A very frustrating process to do again with a 3 year old on the first day of vacation. The paper given to me during testing led me to question the availability of camp ocean. I asked guest services before getting on the ship and again was told that she can participate in camp ocean since she is negative. As soon as I got on the ship I went to camp ocean to check my child in because I had scheduled a massage. The camp ocean staff told me they were not accepting any children under 5. Even after pre-enrolling and being told by 2 different carnival cruise staff that she was eligible, I was immediately disappointed as soon as I got on the ship. The lovely staff members in the spa were very kind and (Removed) offered to watch her during my massage. I cannot thank her enough for that. But what is ultimately upsetting to me is the lack of information and communication about what my child was not able to do. I paid the same amount for her that I did for myself and she was not able to get off the ship without an excursion or attend kids activities, this in turn restricted me from attending adult only activities or any other late night activities. Not only that, but I check my account to find a $150 charge for the covid test that we had already had the stressful experience of doing 3 days prior to boarding. If I had been given all of this information beforehand I without a doubt would have chosen a different vacation. I understand having covid restrictions for safety and that some of those restrictions are out of your control. What is in your control is the communication and accomodations to guests who don't even have the option to be unvaccinateed. It's not her fault that there is not a vaccine, but carnival cruise allowed her vaccination status to take away from both of our vacations." Now I do my research. It was my first crusie and first vacation with/since the 3 year old, so I studied their website. It was a month before I got a reply that basically said "sorry you didn't understand" I have screenshots of their website where the incorrect information backed what I believed which I included in the follow up email. I also provided the information about the phone call where I told the agent "if there's no kids club then I will cancel, thats the whole reason we're going." And to that email, no reply. In addition to the multitude of lies I was fed about the wonderful things we could do on the ship- bingo was the main entertainment. Along with the comedy club I didnt get to go to. We stayed up a couple nights and there were hours before midnight when there was absolutely no food available that wasn't an additional charge. I really want to know why the deserts would close sooo early. This was a 4 day cruise and our activities included going to the hot tub (the pool was too cold), getting ready to eat in the dining room, and watching the 2 kid friendly tv channels in our cabin. Yay. Needless to say tye cruise was sub-par and we were bored a lot. The positives: the main dining was great! The crusie staff were awesome-they were the only actual entertainment for my child and I besides the hot tub. My friend told me the activities sucked because Liberty is an old ship which I noted. But I presented evidence support the fact that Carnival lied to me and they have shown no care in even replying. I will NEVER sail Carnival again. I ended up paying more than I wanted/should have and getting less than I planed/needed in addition to this disrespect.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Emile's Lido Restaurant
Sub-par food that closes way too early. I would never eat there instead of the dinning room.
Silver Olympian Restaurant
Great food and great service!
Grand Buffet
Sub-par food. Closed too early.
Golden Olympian Restaurant
Fantastic! Service was incredible and so was the food!
Alchemy Bar
I really like this style of bar. The drinks were delicious and I wish I could have tried more!
Onboard Activities
Spa Carnival
The spa staff was incredible. I was crying canceling my massage because I had been lied to by Carnival (about the kids club) and the receptionist was so accommodating! She watched my daughter, painter her nails, got her a necklace... they became best friends and she went above and beyond!
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Camp Ocean
SHAM!! They advertise a club Penguin for kids 2-5 and when you call they tell you about all the things kids this age can do. But my 3 year old was turned away because all the sudden club Penguin doesn't exist so neither do all the kids activities and this mystery kids buffet.
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Don't. Unless you only like trivia and bingo and maybe being lied to.