Perhaps it was more our fault, but it would have been nice to know where we could get food first thing. Maybe if you sent this before people board on your welcome or things to know. There were so many people. We were traveling with a toddler and it was a long day. it was difficult to find a seat. We didn't realize about the buffet room with seating until the next morning.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
It's really frustrating to be a soda drinker and only be able to get it at the bars (yes, we bought the bubbles package). You likely heard from my husband, but we were intially told at the bar that soda's were not served there because "this is a bar" and they didn't know where we could get a soda. Then customer service tells us to get the drinks at the bar. Not only that, but we were not allowed to take the can for our fridge. Not easily available for lunch. What a hassle. We ended up buying soda at port to bring to our room. In the end we figured out that we paid $140 for our package and only drank 17 sodas. why do you not just have a soda fountain and bury the cost in the price of the ticket. Also, very frustrating to not be able to easily get milk for my child at lunch or dinner in the buffet area. Finally on embarkation day after not being able to find a soda a very nice waiter offered me a fruit drink in a tumbler. I get it, there is a charge for the tumbler. but i ended up getting a 16oz drink in a take home tumbler for $27. Yes that's right $27. I was charged separately for the lid. What is that about? . I felt like I was on the Spirit Airline of cruises. Nickle and diming me for everything. Last but not least, the logistics and food in the buffet was very underwhelming. From a logistics standpoint, they have the condiments and toppings for french toast and pancakes between the cereal and the main food. Therefore, you either have to get the condiments first on the side after getting your bagels or cut in line. That doesn't make sense. Also why don't you have more common food for the kids readily available. Chicken strips and BBQ sauce, Spaghetti and meatballs. There was consistently mac and cheese at least. I know that we could get this in the "specialty lines". But when you have a 3 year old, it's hard to wait in line.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The hot tubs on the 5th deck were fantastic. they are like little hidden gems. They were never over crowded. I did get a massage on the last day. I am used to getting massages. I don't like being sold product or the therapist telling me what I need to do to get in shape. Just give me my massage.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Only went to one but it was really good.
Children's Programs
4 out of 5
We only put her in for a couple of hours 3 times. She cried the first time and then she was good. Staff is nice, but you have got to make the check in process go faster. We waited in line almost 40 minutes on the first day. What is the point of pre-registering? Also a suggestion. We had a toddler. Why don't you have spaces on the ship were kids can play and parents are allowed like you would in a playgound. I don't want to keep my kid locked up in Camp Ocean. That is not why I brought her, and you have no outdoor activities or places where the little ones can run around with parent interaction. A small trampoline, slides, even a small water feature like some large dark rocks or boards and a little stream where kids can "paint" the rocks with water. You have that big water park, but it's intimidating for little ones and it was too cold for them. She would have loved something with an inch or so of water that she could stomp around in.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our head waiter Gede was fantastic. He and the team really made up for some of the other frustrating points on our trip. The stewards were amazing. They clearly work long hours and it is very much appreciated. My daughter loved seeing what animal or towel figure we were going to find on the bed each day.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Our room was very clean and for the most part the ship was immaculate. however, the buffet often smelled like an old cafeteria. It was always clean, but it's that smell like you've been using the same wash rags for a while.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was very nice. However we did have an incident on the last day of port where maintenance was being done on our balcony and we were not informed. They are just lucky that we were all dressed. One other thing, is that it took us a while to figure out that you needed to put your sign and sail card in the reader to turn the lights on. That should be included on "things to know".
Ship tip
Make sure you walk around the ship on your first day if you can to get to know the lay of the land.
Yes. Very sad that the sandbar was closed due to weather and we were not able to see the sting rays. It was also confusing where we were supposed to go to get back on the ship. There should be signs or something for carnival. We even saw a woman with a red carnival shirt and asked her how we needed to get back. She said she didn't know, but somehow found her way onto our shuttle.
Carnival, along with several other cruise enthusiasts have constructed websites. On these websites is information about different Cruise Lines, Cruise Ships with deck plans, all kinds of interesting things to inform you about stuff. I am sorry you did not have s great time, but with a little effort your entire vacation could have been a lot better.
First off, you should have done you homework before taking this cruise. Everything is your fault. Why should your soda habit be built into the rest of our ticket price? We don't drink sodas. There are plenty of food for little kids to eat all over the ship, again, you should've done your homework ahead of time. There are plenty of things around the ship for little ones to do, with their parents. If the splash area water was to cold for your child, who's ti blame? You should've picked a warmer time to cruise. Carnival is huge on catering to families with kids of all ages and food and entertainment proves that. If you Ever cruise again, simply, do your homework, you can find out the layout of the ship, what kinds of food is served and where to find it. So all this, is on you.
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