PLEASE STAY AWAY

Item: Carnival Pride
Rating: 1
Author: mil2892

Carnival Pride Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

mil2892

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Baltimore Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 07, 2018

Ship: Carnival Pride

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not travel on Carnival Cruise Lines. Biggest rip-off I have ever experienced.This cruise was for a family reunion, which I paid in installments for over a year. When the date finally arrives, I drive to the port. While I am driving into the parking lot, an attendant stops me and tells me that I have to check my luggage, which I soon discover is a lie. Attendant was obviously trying to get more tips. After I get to the boarding area, I am told that I cannot board ship without my passport, which is still in my luggage. Even though the paperwork that Carnival sent me clearly states that no passport is necessary if departing from and returning to same U.S. port.So this was the second lie... So now they will not allow me to go to the baggage area to retrieve my passport, saying that they would locate it. Mind you, this was at 1:00 for a cruise departing at 5:00. Long story short,they claimed that they could not find my luggage in four hours and still refused to let mego on and find it. I suggested they have security accompany me in the event I couldn't produce it and they refused. I eventually was denied boarding and forced to miss my family reunion. As for the rip-off portion, Carnival refused to refund any of my money, saying that this was my fault and that I should have purchased trip protection.I sent them all of the paperwork showing that they were at fault, and they still refused. They offered me a $300 credit on another cruise, but I wouldn't go to the corner store with Carnival. I am in the process of taking legal action, which I am assured that I will win. But it is ridiculous for a customer to be treated this way. I would implore you to select another cruise line with much better customer service.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 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

Baltimore, Maryland

1 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

39 Comments

Lmelliott4215 5 years ago

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1036/~/baltimore-cruise-ship-terminal-directions-and-parking You evidently have no clue....simple directions. You pull in check your luggage pull around if you're paying for parking you pull up pay and pull around and park.... I am not sure what the lie is? We have done this twice. As for not needing a passport...it does state you don't need a passport on closed loop cruises but it does say ! You will need a birth certificate and other forms identity. This did not mean you can just waltz in a U.S. port and expect to meander onto a ship with no clue who you are....if you left your passport in your luggage (a rookie mistake) how did you expect to get on? It is posted all over the port and in line to embark what you need what you should have...not to mention it is all over any paperwork and booking info you have.... Imho I smell bullpuck ...you screwed up so own it. When they say have your paperwork and identification ready...they actually mean have it ready. That is not carnivals or any ships fault that is yours.

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granny1857 5 years ago

Really? Passport in luggage? Was this your first cruise? No insurance and you expect to get money back? Wow! On what planet do you live?

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marylandgrrl 5 years ago

Lemme guess ..your one of those people who write to their congressman to 😂

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Pinkie60 5 years ago

You are either a troll or a dumbass. Take your pick 😂

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kbiedlingmaier 5 years ago

Too bad you weren’t trying to board Royal Caribbean or Norwegian or better yet, Disney. Then you could have said “Never use ........... they are a total rip off. They didn’t let me board after my ID was already on-board.” And Carnival wouldn’t get the blame for your mistake.

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jessykaw 5 years ago

Not Carnival’s fault. You have to present your passport or birth certificate/driver’s license to board. Also, you do check your luggage with the porter. Your cabin is not ready until a couple of hours after boarding. You don’t want a couple of thousand people walking around a ship with their luggage in tow. As far as locating your luggage, they are rushing to load probably 3000-6000 bags in the matter of a couple of hours. It sucks you missed your cruise, but it would be no different if you arrived at an airport without your passport to fly to another country where it is required. They can’t let you board. As far as a refund, it was nice that they even agreed to give you a future credit. Your empty room actually costs them money. They could have filled that cabin with another paying customer and made additional money by them spending while on the ship.

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DiegoZZ 5 years ago

I can read, go back to school!!! love the Pride and Carnival. Never had a problem at check in.

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Pinkie60 5 years ago

It is absolutely your fault. You never ever put your passport in your luggage. It should be with you all the time. This was really stupid on your part. Have you ever sailed on a ship before. Maybe your relatives could have helped you but this is definitely not Carnival’s fault.

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lilracer 5 years ago

Here is the info regarding proper identification directly from carnivals website. What travel documents do I need to bring? The following information is for US Citizens. Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. Even though a guest has completed registration using Online Check-in, it is still the responsibility of the guest to present the required travel documents at the time of embarkation. Guests should check with their travel agent and/or government authority to determine the travel documents necessary for each port of call. Any guest without proper documents will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of proper travel documentation. Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel (unless otherwise noted). This will enhance the debarkation experience as delays may be expected upon return to the United States for those without one. Additionally, this will enable guests to fly from the United States to meet their ship at a foreign port should they miss their scheduled port of embarkation and allow guests who must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the United States without significant delays and complications.

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TheVegasSphere 5 years ago

So you didn’t get your luggage back either?

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tydaedae 5 years ago

Actually it is your fault I guess u didn't do your research. It clearly says it depends on which ports your going to depends on if you need your passport. Who puts their passport in their checked luggage. I would always keep it on me incase my bags got lost. Dont blame other people for you not doing your research. My first cruise I researched everything.

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nyrpack 5 years ago

Why would you have your documents in a checked bag, I think that’s the biggest fault of all , as for them telling you to check your luggage that’s the ports call not cruise line !! I’ve been on carnival 5 times Ncl once Disney once Never had any issue !!

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kbiedlingmaier 5 years ago

Feel bad this happened to you. It definitely was not the fault of Carnival or the Pride. You need your documents at check in. The whole parking/luggage thing can be confusing the first time you do it, but if you have traveled anywhere out of the country, you are never more than an arms reach from your documents, especially when going through a check point.

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deannadeis 5 years ago

We've been on several cruises. Worth every penny. The relaxing vacations ever! No worries about parking, what, when or where to eat, or finding a place to stay.

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amber1003 5 years ago

This would have happened wheyher you were on carnival, royal, Norwegian. You need your passport or your birth certificate and ID. I researched so much before my first cruise. It sucks this happened but This was your fault not carnivals.

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Babydoll336 5 years ago

Wow. Another person who wants to blame everyone else when they have no personal responsibility. I never head to the cruise port without checking my papers and passports at least 10 times! Hope your frivolous lawsuit is quickly shut down and doesn't cost Carnival a dime!

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johnbibbs 5 years ago

Great story and a great example of not reading and then trying to others for your inability to read. As many have said you have to show either your passport or a birth certificate to board the boat. I hope you didn't pay anything to your lawyer because you've got zero chance of winning anything. Hahahahaha.

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sigrom 5 years ago

"Assured you'll win". I doubt it. You ALWAYS carry your ID with you. You obviously didn't do enough research on this. Hopefully you learn from your mistake.

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BeachSunSand 5 years ago

Your fault entirely. You may not "need" a passport, but you have to present either that, or a vaild photo id and birth certificate at embarkation. Why in the world would you put your passport in your checked bags? Carnival owes you nothing for your mistake.

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cbelc2 5 years ago

Was this your first cruise? If you attempt another one, carry your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid driver’s license. You can’t get on any ship without it. One must follow the rules. I feel your pain. They handle thousands of bags and do a good job delivering them to rooms, but it’s a needle in a haystack to find one when you wanted to find yours. It isn’t Carnival. It’s cruising.

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Englerts 5 years ago

Been on multiple Carnival cruises and all have been fabulous, Baltimore harbor is our favorite....

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CruisinCallieC 5 years ago

Nope sorry I won't stay away. Never had a problem cruising Carnival.

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eddiemac1 5 years ago

You don't need a passport if leaving and returning to the same US port but you do need a raised seal birth certificate and drivers license to get on without one. This is your fault. READ READ READ the rules!!!

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cbyron3 5 years ago

Funniest story I read all month...hilarious. .wish there was video.

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RobertYbarra 5 years ago

Why wouldn't you want to keep your passports with you? All our passports, wallets, ID's, and cash stay with me. This was an unfortunate turn of events...

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joyandjerry 5 years ago

Why didn't you take your passport out? Do you think you will stop millions of happy passengers by complaining about your error? Why did you rate a cruise and things like dining that you never experienced? And let's hope you don't do anything that involves reading instructions for a living! That said, it is really a shame about your reunion, as you would have had the time of your lives!

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regalone 5 years ago

Sorry this happened to you.

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Darrelljones 5 years ago

We carry on our passports, certified birth certificates and marriage license (and we’re coming up on 34 years of marriage). We’re 100 days away from our 12th Carnival Cruise. We love Carnival. Just curious, was this your first cruise? I’m constantly on Carnvial’s web page reviewing and reviewing, they have the right to change things anytime that they want too. Gotta stay up on everything.

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BabyCrab 5 years ago

(Quick correction to my post...I was on The Ecstasy and not The Pride. But the rule about passports is true for ALL of Carnival's ports!)

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BabyCrab 5 years ago

Uh, which part of "you MUST show your passport before boarding", didn't you understand? And I believe that's the government's rule, not Carnival's. As for having to check in your luggage, the rules for carry on luggage are clearly stated. Oh, and having sailed out of Port of Charleston numerous times I can vouch for the fact that tips for the folks who take your bags are appreciated but not required! And considering the security of the 2500 or so other passengers who were cruising that day, I completely understand and agree with the decision not to allow someone (ESPECIALLY someone without a passport!) to go climbing around the secured luggage area! Oh, and fyi, my hubs (at the same port!) once was unable to locate his passport when we were checking in. Luckily, at the last minute we found it stuck in with some papers or he would have missed the cruise. This is one of the many reasons we ALWAYS get cruise insurance! In the end, Carnival was being extremely generous when they offered you some credit on a future cruise because technically they owed you nothing. Sorry you missed your reunion, but you're blaming Carnival for your own mistake.

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krbow 5 years ago

Unfortunately, it is your fault. It’s true you don’t need a passport but you do need some type of identification (all posted on Carnival as well as the government website.)You’re boarding a ship that is going through customs. Also, all luggage does need to be check if you can’t fit it though the scanners inside the port (similar to an airport). Researching is always a good idea as Carnival isn’t going to refund you for your lack of awareness.

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Xena22 5 years ago

Ummmm that’s your own damn fault not carnivals.

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MrEstev 5 years ago

Why Carnival in the first place, you get what you pay for.

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BRTNY 5 years ago

Be prepared. Your fault

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brad1312 5 years ago

Do your own research before you arrive at port. Consider it a good lesson learned. Better luck next time.

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dawnrod 5 years ago

No Passport or no birth certificate no boarding. It's all over the website

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BUKINATER 5 years ago

😭

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mrsTAM 5 years ago

Sorry, but you are the only one to blame.

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KofiNaija 5 years ago

Unfortunate story. It does happen from time to time. Sad to say, it's your fault.

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