A disappointing cruise
Carnival Pride Cruise Review to Mexico
7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)
Sail date: October 22, 2006
Ship: Carnival Pride
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Large Group
Reviewed: 14 years ago
Review summary
First, Carnival should have cancelled the trip once it became aware that Hurricane Paul could potentially affect the itinerary within 24 hours. The captain decided to go ahead although there was indication of hurricane on the way. Second, less than a few hours after the ship set sailing, the captain informed us that there would be an itinerary change. From the satellite image we saw that the hurricane would only briefly affect a portion of the scheduled course, and the ship could easily wait for half a day until the storm cleared before continuing. At any event, the storm would only affect the last port of visit (Cabo San Lucas) and would not have any impact on the first two ports (Puerto Vallarta and Martzlan). Third, on the second day, the captain announced that the itineray had to be changed completely. We were going to Ensenada, San Diego, and Catalina instead. I wanted to get off the ship, but my family members as non-US residents would not be given refund for the unused portion of the trip, according to Carnival's policy. Furthermore, two of my family members, age 70 and 65, would be too ill to suffer the long bus ride from Ensenada to Long Beach, and had to drag the luggage to past the border patrol in San Diego. As a result, we all had to stay to visit San Diego and Catalina, places that we had visited numerous times in the past. We paid more than twice the amount of money for the same itinerary of another cruise that only goes to these three places. This is unfair. I feel we have been cheated. Fourth, after we arrived in Ensenda, we learned that the storm was over and it would be safe to sail to Cabo San Lucas. I asked an officer of the ship that we should go to Cabo San Lucas and perhaps one other port. We could stay for two days in Cabo San Lucas in order to save time. I was completely ignored by the officer, who simply said that the decision had been made by the captain, and then walked away from me without further explanation. I tried to talk to the service desk. I was also completely ignored. The staff simply said that I should have gotten off the ship if I didn't like the itinerary change. The service by the offiers and service staff was rude, lack of compassion and reasoning, and frankly, discriminating against people of other nations who paid the same price as US or Canada residents. Many passengers expressed sympathy towards us. But none from the crew members. The waiters and waitress who served in restaurants, however, were very friendly. They were the only people who gave us some happiness. The whole trip was a waste of money. It could have been handled better in numerous ways in spite of the storm. I would not recommend Carnival again. I am going to ask Carnival to refund at least a portion of the money.Pros: The ships and accommodations
Cons: The change of itinerary for the benefit of the cruise company, and discrimination against passengers based on their nationality
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