This was our 42nd Carnival cruise. It did not meet our expectations of what Carnival should be. We were saddened by the condition of the ship, lack of crew and "oh well" attitude by the staff. If this had been our first cruise, there may not have been a second.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
Unique to this sailing we needed to be boosted (if eligible) and test not more than 72 hours prior to boarding. Then be tested again at the port. For us this became a major issue (note the other 4 in our party had no issues.). We had a 35-minute complete stop at check in due to a backup in the chain ahead. Once the check in restarted it was smoothly because we had all of our paperwork in order. After security on the next line, where we picked up a bag with an empty vial and moved to another line. Went to a cubicle for nasal swab with instructions to wait in sitting area for 10-15 minutes for results. Please social distance while waiting. If the wait was more than 30 minutes, please contact one of the personnel. At 35 minutes we got into another slow line only to find out our results had been sent to our email not our phones. We were cleared with a shoulder shrug saying things happen. The next lady didn't want to let us through because nothing was on our phones, but finally agreed that the notation on our boarding pass was acceptable (we can't have been the first to have this as it was 2:00PM) by then. Then standard check in. Finally on the ship after 2.75 hours.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Major kudos for tablecloths on table in the MDR every night. Demerits for opening 10-15 late half of the time for YTD. Frustration using the HUB for dinner reservations. Nice variety of meals for the 16 days of the voyage. On special food nights (lobster, prime rib, etc.) food delayed and often cold. Our wait staff of three only had two until 7:00PM as the third person was still working on the Lido. Made it difficult for us to make the shows at 7:00 or 7:30 because of delays. We ate breakfast and lunch on the Lido. A standard of breakfast offerings and regional changes for lunch options. Guys, the Deli, Bule Iguana always fine options. One of the two soft serve stations not working. Ice machine not working so crew member serving ice for each person.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Lots of trivia from 10:00AM til early afternoon. Soul Play had several crafting events. Large puzzles (4000 pieces) from the library became a big draw. Frequent bean bag and ladder toss games on the Lido in the afternoons. Ballroom dancing classes daily. Obviously, the casino was an option. So many things scheduled at the same time, but a nice variety of activities. Negative points for putting the mini golf at the front of the ship making it untenable to play while the ship was in motion.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Several special entertainers brought in that were very good. Mark Brenner magician/comedian was good. Unfortunately, they brought in a second magician/comedian for the second half of the cruise that was not as good and tried the same illusions. Only one of the four comedians was funny, and we stopped going to the shows. The DJ on Lido was great. He kept the music low enough that people could have a conversation AND he stopped the music when announcemets were being made.
Children's Programs
There were 13 children on this cruise. None of them were ours.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Room steward was okay. Met his as we got to our cabin upon boarding. He asked what we needed. We asked for morning service, ice and extra hangers. He promptly got the ice (good start). Once in the cabin found sticky spots on nightstand, coffee table and by the ice bucket. Obviously not wiped clean. Had to ask two more time for hangers. When everyone received the letter requiring the wearing of masks (and 2 masks) we didn't. Others that our room steward serviced did. Did not receive our airport transfer tickets, had to go to customer service morning of Debarkation. This actually went smoothly but they should have been delivered by room steward. While waiting for our Covid test results, a lady comes through scolding people for putting their carry-on luggage net to themselves because others needed seats. Somuch for social distancing. The Fun Squad was great, especially Nat, Jenn and Rado.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
While the ship was easy to navigate, too many things were concentrated in one area. Trivia across from coffee shop (noise from grinding ice and/or beans) and Red Frog Pub where loud music often played in the afternoon. Not enough sitting places in the lobby for trivia. As mentioned, poor placement of mini golf. Ship didn't seem ready to be put in service with so many things not working properly. The outside speakers on deck 3 were not functional. This was a problem during the transit because the narrator could not be heard. It was most concerning because this is the lifeboat deck and if an emergency had occurred these speakers would be essential.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
We booked late and only had two balcony cabin options. We chose the one above the seating area in the Pharaohs main lounge. We were not bothered with noise from there but often had it filter down from Lido during the evening parties. The extended balcony was nice but not something we would normally book. As stated before, it wasn't as clean as we expected.
Ship tip
Sometimes you have to adjust and then readjust yourexpectations
We took a historic shore tour. Our guide was proud of his country and shared many interesting things. We went to the Emerald Museum/gift shop and general downtown shopping area. Many food vendors, ice cream vendors and miscellaneous vendors wandering the streets. Bought a fan for the heat.
The whole reason for the trip. We were disappointed that no presentations were given concerning the Panama Canal construction or history. The narration during the transit was at best minimal and not available throughout the ship. Glad we had been before and knew what we were seeing.
Probably the best we ever had. Carried our luggage off, met in the location we were told when we were told and got off quickly. Facial recognition made it easy through customs!
Just read this because of your post in the forum. We're going on # 24 in a few months, not all on CCL. I hope this isn't the rule rather than the exception. Sad commentary on things.
Just read this because of your post in the forum. We're going on # 24 in a few months, not all on CCL. I hope this isn't the rule rather than the exception. Sad commentary on things.
Just read this because of your post in the forum. We're going on # 24 in a few months, not all on CCL. I hope this isn't the rule rather than the exception. Sad commentary on things.
Pink, Carnival rushed Spirit into service after being idle for almost two years. A crew member I was talking to about the condition of the ship was saying it replaced Ecstasy at the last minute for the Alaska sailing to make repairs and make Spirit ready for the canal. I like the smaller ships but Carnival really screwed the passengers with Spirit by not making all the necessary repairs and cleaning.
Hmmm I was looking at this ship because we have a gift card we need to use and we want to go to Alaska. Not sure I want to go to Alaska on this old ship. (I want to go on the Discovery Princess but my husband wants to use the gift card lol…)
Your cruise was only a week before mine on the Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral and we didn’t have to go through any of those Covid hoops. It was hassle free. Weird how it’s so different depending on where you are.
Sorry your cruise wasn’t the best one, but ya can’t win ‘em all. 😊
Pinkie,this saddens me because I always look for your take on things in the cruise world. With this review and the recent deal with the covid outbreak on Spirit I have a bad pit in my belly about our upcoming cruise. We are going to Alaska on June 15th.2022 They just closed the Italian specialty restaurant and I was looking forward to it. Next the anxiety of the stupid covid test. Prices for crab is off the charts and everything else, this has been a chore trying to get back aboard.
Thanks for the the review, but sorry to hear the cruise wasn’t quite up to par. However, I firmly believe if you can make the most of it, then a bad cruise is better than no cruise. And I’m sure you and your DH are experts at this point of making the most out of any cruise.
Actually, I think being a seasoned cruiser was a detriment on this cruise. We knew what things should have been like. We chatted with a first time cruiser. Her only complaint was she had late seating for dinner (friends had already scheduled it). She enjoyed herself so much that she was headed home to talk her husband into another cruise. We didn’t complain in front of her.
In the words of our famous Aunt, "Sorry this cruise did not meet your expectations." Ha ha! Great review. Glad you're a seasoned cruiser and can move past this one. Just think how much better your next one will be.
Hi Pinkie, sorry to hear that your cruise was not one of Carnivals best experiences. Some day i hope to go through the Panama Canal but I would be so disappointed if I could not hear the narration and learn the history of it. We will be going on the carnival spirit next October so I hope things improve!! Thank you for the informative review!!
AP- ugh hate that the cruise was like this, I would have been a nervous wreck at the start. Thank you for the detailed review and hope your next cruise is better!
Brian
Thank you for your review. As for robes, I always ask our steward for them when we meet on the first day (usually at the same time I'm handing them a $20). They're usually delivered to the cabin within a couple hours. As for your "ship tip" I generally apply that philosophy to all aspects of life. I find it helps.
Thanks for the honest review. we've got 6 more scheduled over the next year and a half, and I hope they're better than the last two. Somewhat underwhelmed. I knew in my heart that experienced cruisers will be aggravated just a bit more.
Thank you for your honest review AuntPinkie. My daughter and I will be on the Spirit for three back-to-backs in July and August. We have been on four Carnival cruises since last August and have noticed staffing issues but have not had any cleanliness issues. I hope this and any other major issues get resolved before our trip. We will be going to Alaska again for the first time in 4 years, so if nothing else we'll sit out on our deck and enjoy the view as we cruise. Thanks again!
We are scheduled to cruise her for halloween. I hope they have some of the problems corrected. We have sailed 3 times since they opened sailing back up. My opinion is the biggest problem is understaffed and not enough training. Thanks for the review Aunt Pinkie👍
Thanks for the review Auntie. Wish it had been a better cruise for you and Uncle Pinkie. Sounds like you handled all of the not so great with class and patience.
Didn’t ask for bathrobes but saw others with them, so that would be a yes. We did see the seafood corner open on the Lido at 5:00 PM and there also was Bonsai Sushi.
Sounds like not great, but not horrible. Couple of questions. Do they provide bathrobes like other ships? And was there a seafood shack as they advertise? I'm starting to get very nervous about my upcoming B2B on this ship. My first cruise since 2006, but was always impressed with Carnival service. Fingers crossed they get it together over the next few months. Thank you for the review!
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