Not a good first experience

Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 44

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Splendor

4 Night Bahamas (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 14, 2017

Ship: Carnival Splendor

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 1397

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Overall this was not a good first experience; it's to the point that I do not care to be on another cruise again if it's always like this. I prefer an all inclusive resort, it seems more personable and not as overwhelming with a lot of people.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Very frustrating. Please see details below.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Buffet and dining room were good once we got a hang of their food schedule. The pizza line is ridiculous, I spent an hour waiting. The staff working in the pizza section need to think of another operational way to get those pizzas out faster; even the employees working in that section look frustrated. To top it off, the pizza was not even good.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
There's literally one guy that does everything. Although he works very hard at entertaining everyone, he's the only one that does it. We went to the comedy show and the comedians were not funny.

Entertainment

4 out of 5
The DJ was good. The Spanish performers in the casino was pleasant to here; I wish they were around more.

Service and Staff

1 out of 5
When u finally enter in the ship, the staff does not greet you and are not helpful at all. They automatically assume that you know where you are going. The staff is very robotic and is not engaging at all. The housekeeper was the only one that was friendly and greeted me every morning. For someone that does not know anything about cruises, I was very frustrated with not knowing where to go. I felt like a number or just another cruise sailing.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
The room was clean and tidy. The staff is very focused on assuring the facilities are clean. The pool design is very weird, I am not sure if it's because it's on a ship but we had no desire in going in the pool.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
The room was very small but I guess we'll know if we ever consider on going on another cruise again.

Ship tip

First time cruisers should have a personal concierge at least for the 1st hour of their arrival. The cruise should have multiple activity engagement people. Carnival should not slave their employees to the point that they cannot even talk to the guests. They work hard but they are very robotic and they look overwhelmed.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

1 out of 5
The Ft Lauderdale port is very confusing. There are no signs hinting where to go and the elevators were out. There are two entrances to the main security area and we were told to go all the way to the back since the other people we coming from the other entrance. .

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

3 out of 5
The water was beautiful but it's literally an island with nothing to do. Carnival nickel and dime you for everything.

Nassau, Bahamas

4 out of 5
We took a tour and it was a pleasant experience per the tour guide. We immediately got back in the ship once we completed the tour.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Happy to leave!
Was this review helpful? 44

13 Comments

cruisefreak11    7 years ago

ctav    7 years ago

Cruising is something you either love or you don't.

trenstravels    7 years ago

Well sounds like cruising isn't your cup of tea, too bad. Since i've never had such a bad cruise before (and I've been on some of Carnivals oldest ships) I can't really understand. I absolutely enjoy cruising, but I do understand that not everyone will love it as I do. Best a luck on your future vacations, hope you find what you love.

harveyrr    7 years ago

why even suggest another cruise. I don't get it . didn't like it let him move on

markcross    7 years ago

Different cruise lines, times and destinations all have an effect on a cruise, doing your homework to plan a vacation can really pay off

GIL155    7 years ago

Cruising is not for everyone. I understand about the crowds and for people watchers, that may be one of the pleasures on a cruise ship. I have lots of resorts and lots of cruises in my past. Both are good. BEST wishes to you on your next vacation, wherever it may be.

trenstravels    7 years ago

As much as I love cruising, I do get that not everyone will share my cruise passion. Before you assume all cruise lines are the same, try another cruise line. If you do decide to take our advice and try another cruise line, be open and try to just go with the flow. I've personally never had a cruise so bad that I've thought about never cruising again.

karlkleinpaste    7 years ago

"If it's always like this…" without saying what "this" is. This is not a review, it's a non-specific whine.

llbanddjb    7 years ago

I agree with rgbenning. Try another cruise and different ship. you just may be one who does not prefer cruising. But do try again you might be pleasantly surprised.

rgbenning    7 years ago

To each his or her own. Cruising is not everyones cup of tea. I would suggest another cruise on another line before giving up on cruising.

J60406    7 years ago

That is understandable. Cruising is not for everyone.

bienfang10    7 years ago

its a bunch ca. ca.. ! your not cut out to have fun.....

majmom96    7 years ago

Care to provide more specifics? These comments are too general to be helpful.

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