TERRIBLE!!!!

Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 42

Overall rating:

1 out of 5
Carnival Splendor

7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 05, 2017

Ship: Carnival Splendor

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 2284

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I chose this cruise for its itinerary which was supposed to be Cozumel, mahogany bay, Belize and cayman island. However, the day before the trip we received an email that the propeller wasn't working at maximal speed and that there was a change of itinerary and the ship was now only going to the Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport- which is a FREE port at no cost to the ship) we had already flown to Miami so we agreed to make the best of it and go on the cruise. However it was an AWFUL trip. We went from going to 4 ports to only 2 ports on a 7 day cruise. Many members were asking to go to one extra port but carnival wouldn't allow it. We were stuck at sea for most of the trip. This ship is SO outdated. The decorations are ridiculous and terrible to look at everyday. The safe box in our room broke and it had our excursion tickets in it. I had almost missed the excursion because we had to call the service desk 3 times to open the safe. The only good thing about this ship was the food and servers were great- very friendly and welcoming. However, during the day at sea, the workers were washing down the chairs at 11am while people were trying to relax for the day. So RUDE!!!! At the end of the trip we were billed $97 PER PERSON for "tips". When questioned, the service desk was so rude and asked "I don't know why you're so surprised, it was written on a paper you signed" well maybe it was but I had been tipping people every day and then we get billed the LAST day for all the tips? This should be taken out at the beginning of the trip. Plus, were tipping the "behind the scenes workers? For what? Doing their JOB? I wish I got tipped everyday being a nurse for just DOING MY JOB! We were supposed to get half of our money back for this trip but we only got 1/3 back. I have never been so disappointed on a trip. If I could turn around time I would have cancelled this trip. My extended family were in the process of planning another cruise later in the year but I can NOT recommend this line. I recommend booking a trip with another cruise line- NOT CARNIVAL!!!!!! Awful awful experience 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 42

13 Comments

alleycat51699    7 years ago

Just because the place is called "Freeport", that doesn't mean it's a free port.

sarahpatton    7 years ago

Geez, I'm a nurse too. Do you also compare yourself to waiters making minimum wage and not give them a tip because you don't get tips for your job? I'm really just trying to understand the logic behind that statement. Please don't take another Carnival Cruise. Good luck with the other cruise lines.

kayleighw    7 years ago

As others have said, with any cruise line you pay gratuities either in advance or at the end of the trip. We opt to pay them in advance just because it is easier. As others have also said, it sounds like you were a first time cruiser and didn't do enough research. I am also a nurse; you and I get paid FAR BETTER than the crew on the ship. I can't even believe you are comparing the two. I'd suggest you do more research before cruising again.

venusofwisconsin    7 years ago

I pay gratuities when I book my cruise. We had the same ports on splendor last January. Not sure what ship you were on... it was fantastic and a once in a lifetime experience for my husband and I! Yes your situation was unfortunate, but you are also being whiney... sorry!

stevenstair    7 years ago

I have done 14 cruises with Carnival an have two more booked with them an never had a single problem!! apparently you haven't complained to them as much as on here, Carnival does not read these postings..

Corinth    7 years ago

When was your cruise trip? This past week?

TNTGreen    7 years ago

You can either prepay your gratuities or get a bill at the end of your cruise and that's with all cruise lines not just Carnival. Sounds like a new cruiser who forgot to research that in the beginning. All cruise lines have in their contracts that you agree to "Itinerary Subject To Change". With that said going in there is that chance you may not make it to all the ports whether it's a propeller problem or bad weather to where it's not safe for the ship or passengers to go to a port i.e.: happens frequently with Grand Cayman during the winter months due to it being a tender port. You have to be prepared for that. I've sailed on RC and missed a port due to weather; oh well over it and still had a fabulous time on an extra sea day.

cruise4lf    7 years ago

you can also ask for your gratuity back and tell them you tip as you go....hope the ship get fix before my July 22nd cruise

rhodencruise1    7 years ago

Carnival is horrible. Won't ever cruise with them.

Jdm13    7 years ago

This cruise was March 5-12

twangster    7 years ago

If you have it in writing that you should get 1/2 off call your credit card company.

tensign83    7 years ago

when was your cruise?

radioguyaz99    7 years ago

every cruise line charges you tips. you can either pre pay them or they'll charge you at the end.

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