The worst experience especially being my first cruise

Item: Carnival Paradise
Rating: 2.5
Author: pstanley32

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

pstanley32

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 45

Overall rating:

2.5 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 28, 2018

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: M35

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

This was my first cruise and I work in hospitality I manage a resort in the keys the customer service was the worst I've sent multiple emails with no response

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Was ok didn't feel welcome felt rushed then seemed like forever to get to room

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Bought drink package waited 30 min to get drink if you don't tip them everytime also win free drinks in casino but wouldn't refund any back for package I bought. Food mis advertised on menu and requested special section for daughters birthday and we didn't get it also had to request 4 times for them to sing her happy birthday

Elation Dining Room

1 out of 5

Came on cruise for daughters birthday and they ruined it. I requested special section with a waiter who was good and magician the day before but never got it had to ask 3 to 4 times for th re m to sing her happy birthday we ended up singing to her ourselves. Also had to beg for bucket of ice for bottle of champagne we brought them had to open bottle ourselves also charged for shots but didn't tell us they were extra we thought they were with drink package

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

1 out of 5

Waited up to 30 min for a drink because we had drink package

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Comedy show was good not really a lot to do

Majestic Casino

1 out of 5

Liars liars liars says if you hit 1000 points they buy your drinks well no fine print to read so I played and played 806 dollars later and was told oh yeah they give you free drinks in casino but if you have drunk package it's no good because its non transferable and you still only get 15 drinks so you cant even get additional drinks over your 15. This is such a scam

Internet Cafe

1 out of 5

Bought messenger extra paid for best package 75 dollars only worked 2 out of the 5 days when I went to customer service I was told very rudely we are working on it that's all I can tell you

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Very very very disappointed ruined my daughters birthday experience requested magician and happy birthday the day before then when 21 e came the night for dinner we were put in a section that we asked for a bucket of ice and never got they brought shots but didn't tell us we paid for the shot glass I'm so mad at this cruise I've written emails and gotten no response. Bartenders only waited on you if you tipped th them over 2 dollars when I had drink package actually 2 of them because I won 1 in casino I couldn't use

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

Tables were always dirty on deck 9

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Dont get drunk package they limit your drinks and they treat you like an outcast. Also don't go in the casino they say 1000 points drinks are on them only allowed to use in casino and doesn't work with drink package would not ever go on another carnival again

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

1 out of 5

When leaving ship I had a box of liquor with 3 bottles in it and I was carrying 2 suitcases and the box and the box fell and bottle broke no one came to help instead the lady looked at me and said oh girl that's alchohol abuse and they pushed me forward so I was out what I spent on the liquor

Thumbs Up 1

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

It rained and a kid on the boat threw up no one came to clean it as it rolled down the aisle

Thumbs Up 2

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Mr. Sanchos excellent experience only good part of cruise

Thumbs Up 7

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

13 Comments

sheenarn 6 years ago

I am so sorry you had such a terrible time! I have traveled on many Carnival Cruises and all have been great. None have been perfect, but you get over it. I have always had the time of my life and rate them a 5....Thank you for your review this is what the forum is suppose to do... hear all sides

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garyhale4 6 years ago

Cruises simply aren’t for some people. We cruised Paradise and had a 100% opposite experience. Your daughters birthday was ruined because you didn’t get a special section and a song ( from people she don’t know). I dread the day real disappointment comes along

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eorzo53 6 years ago

We are going on paradise 3rd times this summer. She was the 1st ship we took and when we just want a shorter cruise we go on paradise. I cannot wait to see all the upgrades carnival done. Seems to me nothing was good enough for you. Hey plenty of us who loves cruising and make the best on any situation not just look for something to complain.

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honeypoop 6 years ago

I enjoyed being on Paradise so much that I cruised on that ship twice.

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renaedave 6 years ago

👏davidnlisa

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Lidodeckbound 6 years ago

We’ve been on 21 cruises and the Paradise two times and never have experienced this. Birthdays are always celebrated in the MDR and most cruisers sing along with the staff. Whoever booked your cruise should have been more informative on your drink package or maybe questions should have been asked by YOU to make sure you were clear on the policy. Don’t think cruising is for you.

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IRISHCHARM13 6 years ago

I sailed The Paradise. Very clean. Friendly service. Good food. Fun fun fun!!

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cruisebai 6 years ago

Should've stayed at the resort you manage in the keys, maybe, and maybe the service might have been better.

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joe131 6 years ago

Could not have said it better David n lisa never had a bad cruise was on the paradise in Jan leaving in july on the pride always had great service and we had birthdays and anniversaries on the ships and carnival always did something for us

Thumbs Up 1

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14Cruzdude 6 years ago

Agree with davidnlisa

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davidnlisa 6 years ago

I just can't with your review. First off when you buyva shot glass drink at dinner, they hand you a ticket to sign for the charge, why would you think they are free? Not sure what you nean by a bucket of ice at dinner? Why? Not going to happen, you can get them in your stateroom. We always get Cheers and have never waited 30 mins for a drink, we tip an extra dollar in the beginning only because we feel like it not because we won't get service, that's BS. We travel with big groups and lots of birthdays involved, that has never been a problen getting them to sing and bring birthday cake. Just because you request a special section does not mean you can be accommodated, seasoned cruisers have 1st priority in restaurants, nor providing your daughter a magician on request. How is food mis-advertised...smh..We tell John Heald on social media ahead of the cruise about any special celebrations and he has graciously made sure we had something done, we have had free spa cash, champagne, choc covered strawberries etc...Sounds like cruising is not for you.

Thumbs Up 8

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donf407 6 years ago

That surprises me I also work in hospitality industry for one of the largest Vacation and entertainment companies in Florida I don’t go on their cruise line because I like a different atmosphere I rarely find service at par with the service we provide at our resorts but the paradise was pretty close everything was clean employees where courteous and respectful and answered all my needs cabin was clean and room steward called us by name every time he saw us

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PapaRuss 6 years ago

Unfortunately it has become the way of the industry. Upon return from my LAST cruise I was met with a survey in my inbox. I filled it out less than complimentary. I figured it would as least garner a response. Still waiting.

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