Not my idea of a first cruise.

Item: Carnival Paradise
Rating: 1
Author: Ashes023

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Ashes023

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 24, 2017

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I would not recommend Carnival if you expect good Customer Service. On the first day of boarding, my boyfriend and I went to take a nap. I woke up to wash my face and shut the bathroom door behind me. I hear a loud crash and my boyfriend yells. I came out and turned on the light to find the lighting cover above the bed, on his face. It fell off and broke while smashing into his face while asleep. Not exactly a great start to our first cruise ever. I called Customer Service to let them know and was asked if he needed medical attention. He said no but someone needed to come fix this. So at this point, twenty minutes later, no one has contacted us in any way. I call Customer Service and they say someone is on their way. I was waiting in the hallway when our Steward came by, Rini, who by the way was fantastic! She was the person who took care of getting it out of the room because after she saw me standing there, came down to ask if everything was ok. Fast forward. We are at Customer Service speaking to Andre about our incident. He tells us that there is no supervisor available to assist us. Are you kidding me? We are only a few hours in to boarding. My boyfriend at this time is furious. He demanded to see someone who would take care of the situation. Andre then throws his hands in the air and states, "Well we are humans you know, we have to sleep too". I'm sorry, whhaaaatttt? I wasn't aware that was acceptable customer service. I work in customer service and I would be looking for a new job if I reacted that way to a customer. We got another attitude when we asked to be called at a certain time the next day, between 10am-noon. I don't think that is being unreasonable considering I should be able to plan and enjoy my vacation. We were told we would not be moved to any other room. They would not compensate us. Basically they were unable to help. After my boyfriend talked with the person for about 10 minutes, the representative said they'd give only him a $50 credit and a bottle of wine. He stated he was not satisfied with that. It was kind of like getting the finger. We don't drink wine. This isn't all of the, less than incredible experience we had but sets the tone. Bottom line is, we won't be returning to Carnival.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

3 out of 5

Traveler Photos

33 Comments

Cruizers17 7 years ago

Who naps after boarding???? Come on it's a cruise!!!!

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scarleigh 7 years ago

*to

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scarleigh 7 years ago

I would be upset about the lack of customer service but I will say that $50 and a bottle of wine would have been compensation enough for a minor issue. Ships usually sail at full capacity and they may not have had a room available in the same category as they usually won't move you yo an upgraded room.

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KLUVS2TRAVEL 7 years ago

Oh crap what have I signed up for? ð¤ a boat load of mediocrity .. yes I expect great customer service and if a light fixture fell on my face while I was sleeping or just breathing.. Carnival is liable.. end of story! If you slip and fall on my property I'm calling my insurance company.. not giving you a bandaid.

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batch123 7 years ago

I just accept the fact that some people have become too overly sensitive and entitled feeling.

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twopaints 7 years ago

I didn't say I wouldn't be ticked briannav97. I just don't think carnival did anything wrong either.

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briannav97 7 years ago

I love carnival. But honestly! If this happened to me, I'd be beyond ticked off too! You pay a nice chunk of money for a nice, relaxing vacation. And yes, if I was napping and a light fell on my bed and face I would be irritated! No, it isn't the crews fault, but when something like this happens, you want it to be fixed. I have no idea why people are bashing her for this review, I would have reacted the exact same way if this happened to me. they did NOTHING wrong people!!! Get a grip.

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tinabridget 7 years ago

I truly understand your frustrations Ashes023!!! I'm new to the (cruise vacation scene) too.... Although, both experiences were different and magical in there own right. "Disney and MSC Splendida" both cruise lines could make a few changes my family and I had went during - Spring Break the past two years. "Communication" is a big one!!!! Once you'd informed them of the incident. Yes! Someone should have contacted you back IMMEDIATELY!!! The light fixture falling onto your sleeping boy friend face, is totally "NOT OKAY"! You and your friend have every right to be upset, from your experience. I would've been too. Don't feel bad, for an "controlled incident" as such as the (light fixture screws, beeing checked - once the bulb gotten changed).... A simple safety check. Would've prevented your "VERY EXPENSIVE" trip from being interrupted with foolishness.

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twopaints 7 years ago

i agree dottiediehl. every one who takes a vacation has differant expectations on their trip. I don't expect to be nor want to be catered to hand and foot. I am going to have fun no matter what and I'm not gonna whine about anyone or anything. if you give respect then you get respect in return. there are those who expect to be spoon fed, pampered, and get a daily butt kissing. that it the truth. that's all I'm saying. you should hear some of the stuff I hear every day from these types of people. just yesterday I heard someone who demanded free meals for a family of 5 just because the small bottom core was on a tomato on the ladys salad. that's what I'm talking about. there are lots and lots of people use tactics to their advantage. but she stated that all she wanted was too be moved to another room but was upset when non were available.

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DottieDiehl 7 years ago

My last cruise on Princess we had a broken slider latch & the door didn't close right...causing a constant whistle from the air. We simply cracked the slider open at night & slept to the enjoyable sounds of the ocean.

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DottieDiehl 7 years ago

Twopaints...I simply view things differently. I'm not a person that gripes my way thru life & I enjoy every vacation. I don't let little things ruin my vacations...that being said, I still think the attitude she received caused her outrage.

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eleclairful 7 years ago

you are being an asshole.

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eleclairful 7 years ago

lol are they tying me down forcing me to listen to it? did I missed the forced bondage and nag portion of the itinerary? no I did not. I intend to have a great cruise but if something bad happens and I put it on here and then everyone says I'm lying well then that would suck. that's all I'm saying. this person never asked your opinion about what happened! she just told her story. stop saying she's looking for freebees or is a liar! that's just mean.

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twopaints 7 years ago

dottiediehl maybe I can drop a hairdryer on my foot and get a free spa package also. who knows, it could happen.

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twopaints 7 years ago

eleclairful these types of people are going to be on my cruise and on your cruise so hey used to hearing the complaining hun.

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twopaints 7 years ago

according

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twopaints 7 years ago

dottiediehl avoiding to other people it was a plastic cover that was about 8 inches long. they were concerned enough to ask if he needed medical attention when she called. I wouldn't expect maintained to be there in 2 minutes over an 8 inch piece of plastic.

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eleclairful 7 years ago

again I'll repeat - this review is true to someone's experience and isn't here to be debated. why do you care if she doesn't like Carnival!?!? she's not asking you!!!

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twopaints 7 years ago

eleclairful there are always going to be people who believe nothing ever happens out of coincidence and that it is someone else's fault that they had something happen to them that really could have happened to anyone. I personally would not have complained about spilled milk. I definately would not go on a site and bash a whole cruise line because of spilled milk either. there are much worse things that could have happened to warrant a bad rating. this was petty stuff to me.

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DottieDiehl 7 years ago

I certainly would have smiled if I came back to my cabin & had wine & a onboard credit issued without asking for it...I would have thought it a nice gesture & felt Carnival cared.

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DottieDiehl 7 years ago

Twopaints, not any small mishap. I think a light cover falling on his face was a shock to them. I took her posting meaning They just wanted Carnival to show more concern without being asked. I too work with the public everyday. I'm an Interchange Manager & I find good customer service is all in the delivery.

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eleclairful 7 years ago

wow so here's the deal - this app is really frustrating because anytime anyone tries to say something negative about an experience they had they get ganged up on. I see people being called trolls and being accused of wanting free stuff all the time when they are honestly trying to say what happened on their cruise. who cares if they never cruise Carnival again!? there's plenty of other cruise line options out there. why are the members here so precious about someone saying "I had a crappy experience and so I'm moving on"?! what's the point of having a rating system at all if they can't be honest and can only post 5 star reviews? I will be going on my first cruise on March 2018 and I'm already consodering deleting this app because I'm not convinced that if I have anything but a perfect review to give then I'll be accused if wanting free stuff as though I haven't already spent thousands of dollars on the experience. Cruise ships are huge and cruises sell out and there's NO way that every person there can have a perfect experience. I think there has to be room for people to tell the truth.

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batch123 7 years ago

^^^^ What she said ^^^^

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twopaints 7 years ago

dottiediehl, so you are saying that I could complain about any small mishap in my room and the ships staff should automatically shower me with gifts and I should have 10 people run down the hall and force medical attention even tho I said no I to it? her anger was from them not moving her to an upgraded room for free and that she wasn't offered more of a refund. I work with the public in a tourist town every day. I have to go out to eat in another town due to all the people complaining for a free meal. I don't think she had anything to complain about. that's just my opinion.

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DottieDiehl 7 years ago

I think Carnival's staff, once alerted should have 1)offer medical service 2)apologized 3)sent Maintenance to do the repairs 4)sent the bottle of wine & cabin credit to their room automatically without having to be asked. Then, Ashes023 may have felt better about the mishap. It sounds to me like her anger is more from Lack of Concern from anyone but "Rini"....who did

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cruzelady777 7 years ago

The wake up calls are automated....the computer doesn't have an attitude. Why do people like you try to trash Carnival. The light cover above the bed.....you mean the 5" long bed light ~8" above the pillow? Go tell your tall tales somewhere else.

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twopaints 7 years ago

eleclairful she said the steward was fantastic and he refused medical assistance. the room was cleaned up. they offered $50 refund and a free bottle of wine. what else could be done? seriously? he wasn't injured, the room was cleaned, a refund was offered. all they didn't do is get on all fours and kiss her feet. some people can't be satisfied.

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jhinz1979 7 years ago

I fully understand being upset about the service. I wouldn't write off the entire fleet based on the service of one ship. At least not all of the staff provided unacceptable service. I can honestly say that I have been very fortunate in the service that I have received on all of my cruises.

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eleclairful 7 years ago

it's obvious that this woman simply wanted an apology and assistance after her BF got smashed in the face while sleeping as soon as they boarded. I would be livid. free cruise? lol hardly! How about she get a staff member that was actually good at their job.

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batch123 7 years ago

they cruise booked full.

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twopaints 7 years ago

most cruises this time of year are booked up. ...that means all rooms are reserved. why was the room unexceptable just because the light fixture globe was missing. why change rooms if that was all that was wrong with it? the same thing happened to me twice in an apartment I was renting, I did not demand to be moved to a differant apartment. a vacation is what you make it. if you start off complaining before everyone was boarded that means you will never be satisfied with anything they offered anyways. at least they offered something. I think it's nothing 2 shots of tequila and some Jimmy Buffett couldn't take care of.

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Ashes023 7 years ago

Not at all. The only thing we asked for was to be moved to a different room. We never asked for monetary compensation. Thank you for the assumption.

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batch123 7 years ago

Sounds like you wanted a free cruise.

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