This was our first cruise and first vacation in 2 1/2 years, so we were really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the poor quality and selection of food was a serious disappointment which tainted the whole experience. The reliance on a phone app for all the information from schedules to menus was a headache, especially when it really didn't work well. For instance, I never personally arranged for our table reservation yet my phone would loudly announce - with the sound of the blast of the ship's horn followed by a flourish of brass, that our table was ready - at 3 AM, at 6 AM, and even after we had disembarked officially from the ship. My sister was never able to access the menu on her phone.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Well organized with lots of people directing us, but LOTS of walking. We were exhausted by the time we actually got onto the ship.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
The selection was not as good as we have had on other cruises. Some meals even in the main dining room were inedible- dry, overcooked, hard potatoes, bland seasoning, poor presentation. An order of enchiladas was dry and burned black on the bottom. A seafood dish had mussels that were clamped tightly shut, a sure sign that they were not safe to eat. The stirfry lunch at JiJi was good as well as Guy's burgers. That's the kind of food I can get at home; cruise food should be better than that. The desserts were decent - especially anything with chocolate. First vacation in 2 1/2 years and it was not as expected.
JiJi Asian Kitchen
4 out of 5
The lunch stir-fry was a nice option. The first day had the best selection of ingredients. By day 4 there were fewer choices.
Guy's Burger Joint
5 out of 5
Fast smiling service with good burgers
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
We just wanted a shady space to rest and relax. Very little of that available. Not everyone wants to sit in the sun. I had hoped the Serenity area would be more available. It was always occupied. The activities were OK but not what we were up for.
Photo Studio
4 out of 5
The photographers did nice work, better than the last couple cruises we were on. We were pleased with our selections.
Entertainment
We're not into that type of entertainment
Children's Programs
no kids with us
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Helpful and friendly for the most part. The people at the passenger services desk were rather condescending. The Carnival Hub was not working well and when we asked for help, they acted as if we were stupid for asking for print outs of daily activities rather than trying to bring them up on our phones.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Nice ship, BUT we like having a deck NOT just on the top of the ship where we can walk all the way around. Deck 3 only went part way around on each side and except for the smokers' section, there was no place to sit. The water park stuff looked like it would be fun for younger people, but we didn't see it being used much.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Room was nice but the bed was rather lumpy and hard. I didn't sleep well. The bathroom had a bigger shower than on many ships we've sailed on which was nice. Lots of storage space.
Ship tip
Be prepared for mediocre food and frustration with having to arrange everything via cell phone.
I had been there twice before, and I had gotten quite sunburned the day before, so I didn't feel up to being out in the sun and heat for any length of time.
Sorry you had a bad experience for your 1st. You were unfortunatly on the oldest ship in the fleet. Also, the worst in my opinion. I do hope you give cruising another chance on a different ship in the future. Also, remember the ship are greatly understaffed right now which is causing some problems.
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