Carnival has really changed and cruising is not as special anymore.

Carnival Valor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

phillipsannette

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 10, 2015

Ship: Carnival Valor

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 2354

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

I have taken many cruises most of them on Carnival ( I am now Premier) and am very disappointed in the the changes they have made and the many downgrades that have been made. Small gifts in the bathroom, chocolates on the turned down bed, small bottles of water on the dresser,( a bottle of water now cost $3.75). Now all gone. We did get one small bar of soap. At one time when people cruised they were made to feel pampered and special for the few days that were able to get away. It is so bare bones and you spend much of your time trying to dodge all the waiters carrying high price drink " specials". Non drinkers who would just like to sit in the lounge or out front and listen to music for a while are made to feel uncomfortable when the waiter comes again and again to ask if you would like a drink. A

soft drink is very expensive and most people only can drink one. We have limited our visits to the clubs for this reason and it seems so for many other people.

Yes, I know prices have gone up for Carnival, but so has their cruises. For a couple more dollars per person they could restore some of the small pampering and good will. Some people have saved and sacrificed for a long time for their trip. Make it special again.....

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Would have liked to have gone more, soft drinks too high for non drinkers. made to feel uncomfortable not ordering alcohol.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Bed made every day. Room not as clean, need dusting.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Old with odor.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

comfortable beds. Musty smell. Had booked 3 rooms, brought 4 adult children as I have done many times before . We have sailed on the Dream 4 times and so it makes it hard to be impartial. We sailed from Italy when the Dream was brought over to the United States. Great trip.. All missed the small special pampering you use to give. Certainly made it seem "bare bones". That is a mistake that should be restored since it is the trip of a lifetime for some people who have sacrificed and saved. It is not the value, It is to be made to feel special for a few days.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

We have sailed from there many times. We always stay at least 1 extra night.

Thumbs Up 1

Nassau, Bahamas

1 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

6 Comments

wsr2112 8 years ago

I talk with carnival what i was told ...... house keeping had complained that people were wasting the chocolates letting it melt on the decks balconies sheets Exedra Exedra

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chainshot 8 years ago

What is Premier ? We are Diamond with over 40 Carnival cruises and I've never heard of "Premier". Sounds like someone is trolling.

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glomarrone 9 years ago

We have never on any ship been made to feel uncomfortable in any way ordering a glass of water with ice. On HAL, if a server knows our wishes, glasses of water appear before we even request them.

Thumbs Up 1

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cpfritz 9 years ago

I have to say that my husband and I do drink but the group of 6 or so people we met every night at one specific spot to listen to music were served continually through the night tap water by the waiter. He was extremely accommodating and happy to do so.

Thumbs Up 5

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wsr2112 9 years ago

I think with some of the cut backs is because of law suits of little stuff , Im not saying death of a passenger is small / carnival Triumph was bad / dont know was not on it But im sure it was bad...its a ship..... Ship happens / just like an airline you dont keep it moving you loose money...Carnival has some ups and downs. ...and have to learn from there mistakes witch inturns cost money to put back-up generators on ships Titanic sank and thay leard to put more life boats on ships / and dont for get the mustard stations drill that came after titanic

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terry115 9 years ago

You don't have to make your bed or do dishes for the time your on the ship and you can say no to the wait staff its still FREE COUNTRY

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