Overall, we had a great time because of the people who we are with. But be prepared for a whole bunch of add ons, drink package limitations and crappy service. The time at the port is very limited due to shuttles and chaotic embarkation process. This will be my first and last cruise.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Embarkation is an easy process, similar to TSA screening at the airport. However, be aware that parking in NYC Manhattan terminal for an 8-day cruise is $360. So plan that into your budget or cost accordingly.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Drinks: The drink package may not be worth it to many, like myself. Day 1 you are not allowed to use the drink package due to Manhattan law (you don't get charged for it), but you are allowed to buy drinks on the boat. The drinks cost anywhere from $5-13 and they automatically add a 18% gratuity. On Wed in Half Moon Cay, it is a Carnival private island so they grill food outside for you, but your drink package doesn't work "off the ship", so you can buy drinks from Carnival (it's the same bartenders as on the ship) - seems like a scam right? When you are on a port day, you get back to the ship around dinner time, so that's when you can use the drink package. What they don't tell you is there's a limit of what you can get. One alcoholic drink and one soft drink at a time. Want a water and a soda? You can't and you have to wait 5 minutes between each soft serve option. Want to get your 60yr old mother-in-law a drink while she's at the pool? Be prepared for the bartender to harass you about "where is she" before serving you, although you and all your family members have a drink package.
Food: Buffet and "free" dining option food quality was poor. It was edible; however, it lacked seasoning of any kind. People are savages in the buffet lines, cutting each other, and overloading plates (stacking 3-4 meals per person), making it a very time consuming process. The paid restaurants were phenomenal, but expect to pay $40-50pp.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Many of the on board activities were just "okay". At the Venenzia ship, the pools are small and filled with kids jumping and screaming in it. The Serenity deck is adults only, but it's a hot tub which isn't enjoyable during the sunny mornings. At night the Serenity deck was closed most nights due to the excessive wind.
Many activities are also billed, want to play Bingo? Expect to pay $30-60pp. The ships calendar is filled with many "useless" events, such as Whiskey Tasting. Sounds great, but it's a liqour store trying to sell you a bottle for a tiny tiny sip.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
DJs, performers, and the Cruise Director MarQ were great.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Staff have an attitude and are not hospitable in the slightest, especially the bar tenders. Room steward and dinning room staff were very kind and attentive.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Well maintained, great layout and easy to navigate.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was comfortable and had the amenities needed.
Ship tip
Be prepared to add on so much money to your base rate. Prepaid gratuities, Drink Package, Drinks even though you have the package, premium dinning, bingo, etc.
Port was nice and we did an excursion to the private beach island. Great food and local staff! Elevators going back onto the ship was chaotic, people pushing and shoving to get a spot on the elevator. Plan to get back earlier to avoid the stampede and chaos.
You have to wake up at 7am to get inline and get a ticket for a boat shuttle. Although I was there at starting time, we were on boat shuttle #27. Your time gets limited because of the worry to catch the shuttle to and from the ship. Because it's a private island, they cook for you (decent BBQ food), but the drink package doesn't work - although it's their island and bartenders. So be prepared to spend additional money on the ship. Also, if you don't get there early, you won't catch a seat at the beach.
Chaotic disembarkation process if you elect to do it yourself. Everyone rushing and cramming themselves into the elevators, with no regards to one another.
Thanks for the review. It sounds pretty accurate. As with most things in life, there are pros and cons. Those are the negatives about cruising and if that’s all you noticed then cruising is not for you.
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