Obnoxious, rude security worker

Carnival Triumph Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

UnhappyNurse

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 25, 2016

Ship: Carnival Triumph

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

If I had allowed the heinous experience of getting through security determine our sailing on this cruise, my family and I would have made our way back to the parking garage immediately. The Port of New Orleans has a crew of cork sniffers, one in particular, who humiliate cruisers if their bottles of wine do not meet their standards. My husband and I dabble in winemaking (yes, we do that in Louisiana), and had brought a couple of bottles of our own wine. One particularly rude woman in security actually tore off the wrapper from the top and started sniffing the cork, yelling “Bourbon, this is bourbon!” in front of everybody in security, passengers and Carnival team members alike. When I tried to explain that it was white muscadine wine, she said condescendingly, “Lady, I have a cork screw, I’ll open it and we’ll just see what it is.” At that point, my husband and my family were completely mortified. I suppose we should have asked for a supervisor at that exact moment. Or maybe we should have just asked for our wine back and left. It was THAT bad. We were all upset for the rest of the day, not because our wine had been confiscated and wasted, but because we, as customers and patrons of Carnival, had been treated in such a demeaning, deplorable manner simply going through security.

It is a crying shame that someone of her caliber and loathsome distaste can overshadow an opinion regarding an entire vacation experience. Once we were on the ship, the crew could not have been happier, kinder, or more respectful and pleasant. BUT, because of that one encounter, particularly the obnoxiously offensive “cork sniffer” in security at the Port of New Orleans, we will not board another Carnival Cruise.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship staff was excellent, security in New Orleans for embarkation was horrible

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ship tip

Do not bring wine that you have made yourself. It will be taken by the cork sniffers in security.

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16 Comments

shadylady21 8 years ago

I know the exact person that you are referring to. She did the same with us accept it was a bottle that we purchased. She said our bottle had been tampered with and that screw topped bottles didn't have seals. We kept saying she was wrong but she just got loud and then proceeded to open the seal & wouldn't let us take it back to our car.

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kerebesa 8 years ago

No one even checked my bag for wine or anything else. I didn't notice till I was in my state room that I forgot to take out my mace from my purse amd it went right thru security. Not a good thing either. Makes u wonder what could be brought on board so easily

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Teekno 8 years ago

As others have said, this was a port issue, not a Carnival issue. Your restaurant comparison isn't the right one; the airport comparison is. If you had a bad experience at airport security or an airport restaurant you wouldn't blame Delta for it This was an awful experience for you, but we'd be more understanding if you said that you'd never sail out of New Orleans again.

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Katievp 8 years ago

She's not listening. It's 2 separate companies. Neither have anything to do with the other.

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pacrat 8 years ago

Must be a first time cruiser. You definitely do not know how things work at the ports

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sandrakaymorgan 8 years ago

With the world as it is why the bell would you bring a bottle of homemade brew? If not sealed and a liquid...there is a 3 ounce limit...Next time go to Wal-Mart and stick your brew in those 3 oz plastic bottles....who, but you, knew what you were bringing on board? Unless factory sealed you can not bring a can of soda.

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Steven112 8 years ago

To put it in perspective would be if you eat at a restaurant but get a ticket from a parking lot attendant. This issue was not with the wine, or Carnivals policy, but with the agent. You should have made her open it to prove her wrong. It sucks this happened to you, but don't hold it against carnival.

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UnhappyNurse 8 years ago

Well, to put things into perspective, if you go to a five star restaurant and have the most delicious meal of your life, but get home and get sick from food poisoning, it is going to affect your opinion about the ENTIRE experience. Sorry guys, but, if the wine bottle police are not affiliated with Carnival, then why would it matter if I have muscadine wine, Bourbon, or Kool-Aid in a bottle? Think about it. If I ever do climb on board a cruise ship again, I guess I'll just put my homemade wine in a Listerine or hairspray bottle in my luggage and call it a day.

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Katievp 8 years ago

Port Authority is not employeed by Carnival. She could have been at the port for Royal Caribbean, NCL, Disney or any other line and acted just as rude. She was out of line but don't blame the cruise line.

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cajun204 8 years ago

Sorry nurse but I agree with wildcat and everyone else. What does the security person have to do with Carnival? Absolutely nothing. I do agree they handled you incorrectly, but that shouldn't sway your opinion on Carnival. Two different companies.

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pacrat 8 years ago

Biggest mistake was bringing the homemade wine. Not that it is not any good, but that if it had sealed by a manufacturer instead of your seal . But also like has been said these people do not work directly for Carnival.

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canefan84 8 years ago

As stated above, the people working at the port, whether wonderful or heinous, do not work for Carnival. 😕

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rachcate 8 years ago

That's like saying that the person in security at the airport works for one particular airline. Don't judge Carnival because of that woman. Give them a second chance!

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Steven112 8 years ago

I would've told the B to open it. Let's drink!!

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Kmassey 8 years ago

This person wasn't tied to Carnival. You could encounter someone just like this any time you go through customs on any cruise line or airline. This person was obviously way out of line. I am glad you enjoyed the he rest of your cruise and glad you didn't let a miserable person ruin your fun!

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pbh317 8 years ago

Good for you! Port authority are fed and state employees. Not hired by carnival... Can't ruin my good time! They have to live like that all the time and suffer themselves. Rise above! The 💩😇

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