Disappointed we can't disembark with daughter

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

exFATmatt

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 7

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

5 Night Bahamas (Charleston Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 31, 2022

Ship: Carnival Sunshine

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1508

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Despite my wife and I both being vaccinated and boosted, we aren't allowed to disembark the boat because our 4 year old daughter can't legally get vaccinated yet. Nevermind the fact she had to pass two COVID tests before getting on the boat -- one of which Carnival charged us $150 for. Before the trip we talked to a Carnival agent who told us we would just need an exemption for my daughter but never mentioned the fact we couldn't get off the ship even with the exemption. We also never got the exemption letter itself. We read the paper we signed for her and it is vague by design -- no where does it mention age or the exemption is just to ride the boat itself. We shouldn't have to ask clarifiying questions for enjoying a $1k+ trip. We feel Carnival pulled one over us and was intentionally unclear to get our money -- we won't be coming back.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

This was by far the best part of the trip. The Carnival staff is amazing and deserves recognition as such.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The cabin was very clean and larger than expected. The crew who maintained the cabin are some of the nicest people I've ever met.

Ship tip

If you have children under 5 make sure you only book cruises for private islands like Princess Cays or you won't be able to get off the boat

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Charleston, South Carolina

3 out of 5

Bimini, Bahamas

1 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

If I could give it a 0 it would be more applicable because we weren't allowed to disembark. I'll 100% take responsibility for not researching further but we actually talked to a Carnival agent before the trip and never was it menioned we couldn't disembark unless we wanted to actually put our daughter in a bubble. I just feel a bit bamboozled and am extremely disappointed.

14 Comments

javawoody 2 years ago

Appreciate your view

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GriffFamily 2 years ago

That’s too bad. COVID does not affect kids like it does older people and they should have different rules. I look forward to a country that is free and trusts it’s people to make choices for themselves and their different circumstances.

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izrgreen 2 years ago

Thank you for the review.

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AuntPinkie 2 years ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry you were I’ll informed concerning your youngster.

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hollysmomtravel 2 years ago

It is not a literal bubble, however you may not have enjoyed the excursion as much as you would have doing something else. Sorry you feel cheated or unhappy. It isn't a secret about the kids unvaxxed cruising right now

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CVCruiser 2 years ago

Makes zero sense to cruise with young kids / unvaccinated right now, until the hysteria subsides to a rational level.

Thumbs Up 5

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with. Policy clearly stated, little kudos or not.

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cruising2004 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience. Sorry about the miscommunication.

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jmutt24 2 years ago

Everyone has seen enough stories like this at this point to realize it is risky, expensive, and potentially makes for a not so good vacation to go cruising right now with unvaccinated people. Probably better to take a different type of vacation right now.

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NJCruiseGuy 2 years ago

You can get off the ship with unvaccinated children by booking a Carnival excursion.

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zzhwvw01 2 years ago

Carnival's website clearly states the policies of some ports denying disembarking of unvaccinated travelers

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picalo 2 years ago

could you have checked her into the children's program for the day?..seems like she would have enjoyed that more anyway.

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Bonny99 2 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to review. Sorry you couldn't disembark. It's so hard right now to travel with young outside of the U.S.

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CruzeFan 2 years ago

Thanks for the review. The requirements for non-vaccinated guests is similar on all major cruise lines currently. It’s always important to read all of the information ahead of time. The restrictions for non-vaccinated passengers and those traveling with them is listed on the cruise line websites and in the documents sent to all travelers prior to boarding.

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