A Disappointing Experience

  This was our 3rd cruise on Carnival having been on the Liberty twice & would never recommend this ship to anyone who is used to  relaxed open plan sitting areas.  This was our 18th cruise & thought we'd try this newly renovated ship.

  First upon entering our oceanview cabin the window was so dirty it was hard to see out.  We looked for the refrigerator & cabin steward told us that there were no fridges anymore.  The bathroom had a shower curtain (really?) & was too short & not wide enough. The cabin was nice enough & Edmund was very attentive with our request of ice everyday.

  The comedy club had different comedians throughout the week.  There were PG shows with adult shows following which were carefully monitored so no kids could get in which we appreciated. Very enjoyable & funny.

  If you have kids this is the ship for them with the Sports Square on top deck. So many activities to do & the Splash Zone for the smaller kids.  Watching them wait for the giant bucket to tip over was a riot.  The Sky Course was challenging with all the ropes & boards to walk on & wearing the required safety harness I felt I did pretty good for a 68 yr. old. The waterslides were so much fun & 2 were super fast!

  The pool was smaller & always had hard rock music playing. Where was the live band that plays Caribbean music to get you in the Caribbean vacation mood? 

  I always purchase a soda package & was surprised that the insulated cup was not included in price like other ships.  So this leaves a soda drinker having to stand in line at a bar behind all others who order specialty drinks that take longer to make or flag down a waiter.  I find it hard to believe that a recently renovated ship did not have self serve soda machines throughout the ship. The mugs had a chip which activated the machine. When is Carnival going to catch up with the rest of the cruise industry?

 The entertainment production shows were outstanding with their high tech lighting in background & their wonderfully talented singers & dancers.  Theater was smaller than most.  Very surprised & disappointed  there was never any line dancing or dance lessons.

  I know Carnival is known as the party ship but there are people who like to sit & read or just people watch & there were no seats along public areas or quiet lounges one could sit & relax. 

  We found the food to be ok but was totally surprised to see no antibacterial soap dispensers at entrances to the buffet or dining room. Other ships have a crew member standing by to remind people to use them.  The buffet seating was so crowded together you had to rush to stake out a table before getting your food.

  Breakfast every morning was the same except for way potatoes were fixed. Scrambled eggs were runny, bacon & sausage undercooked.  Dinner menu was limited. If you didn't like the main menu you had to pay extra if you wanted a steak. I just got the impression that Carnival was penny pinching most of the time in a number of ways.  As for Guy Fieri's hamburger & fries- forget it.  The most greasy I've ever tried and only once!

  My husband's arm got caught in  closing elevator doors which are supposed to stop when a hand or body is there.  They were about 3 ft. apart when he grabbed one side to reopen the door when the door refused to stop & caught his left arm in the doors scraping a large patch of skin off.  We went to the infirmary to report it & showed the receptionist his bleeding arm.  She gave us 3 large bandaids & 3 packages of antibiotic ointment.  They never asked our name or cabin number.  Because of their indifference we went to the pursers desk & insisted they make a report of this.  A woman with bars on her shoulder came & was very concerned & took our name & cabin #.  My husband is diabetic & also on coumadin & bled for about 3 days.  I think you need to update your medical procedures in the event of injury aboard.  Not once did they offer to have a doctor look at his injury.

 Overall, I would not recommend this ship to friends.