Good cruise, but probably not something we would do again, at least not with Carnival. Wasn't really impressed with the overall aspects of the cruise. Certain staff members surely outshined other employees during our cruise. Carnival doesn't really go out of their way to handle disabled individuals, at least in my opinion, and I am also 100% disabled, but only my mother in law needed a wheelchair.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
The embarkation was terrible, I had seven people with my party, one was disabled and I had previously requested wheelchair assistance, and also paid extra for the Carnival Fun to Pass experience. Had to wait for almost 3hrs before a wheelchair was brought to us after clearing TSA. Carnival made us wait in the lobby of the ship, while everybody else was boarding, before they took care of us. Numerous complaints by myself to guest services were ignored.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Main dining room for breakfast was excellent. Some of the best breakfast's were served. Dinner however wasn't so great. First night my flank steak I ordered medium, was rare, and the second night, my prime rib I ordered medium, was cooked, but bland, almost like it was boiled. Our parties head server was Anna for our first 2 nights, and she was wonderful. Our last night dining started off wrong, as they couldn't accommodate the wheelchair and actually made another disabled guest get up out of his chair so they maneuver our wheelchair by their table. I did complain to the maître d and did receive an apology for the way we were treated, and received free drinks for dinner.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
This was the Carnival Victory, was apparently is one of their oldest ships, so, there was no rock climbing wall, the pool was big enough,but always crowded, the lido deck with its buffet style dining was a big hit.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
There were no headline shows on this cruise, just the run of the mill entertainment, the 80's music was good though. The casino was the best thing on this ship.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
John, our room steward how handled our three rooms that we had, was the best employee this cruise ship had. He was outstanding. The waiters besides Anna, were also good. The only main problem was when you would ask a carnival employee in different parts of the ship for directions, they themselves really didn't know how to get around and would give wrong directions.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship was clean, but old. Maintained, but could use a makeover.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The three balcony staterooms that we had were excellent. Still could use a new makeover, but overall, were really comfortable. plenty of room for two per stateroom, and we even had three stay in one of them, and it manageable.
Ship tip
I would say that Carnival doesn't really pay as much attention to the needs of the disabled as I think they should be. The first wheelchair that they got for my mother in law, was bigger than the doorways and most of the walkways on the ship to get around in. After complaining to guest services, they brought a smaller version, but then that one didn't have any feet rests on it. Very inconvenient to get around. Not very disabled friendly was this ship.
Docked at key west at 7:30am and had to leave at 12:00pm. Not enough time to explore key west, seeing as how nothing really opens up until around 9am. Disappointing. Also ship docked in the Navy yard, a secured facility, so it took time to shuttle back and forth from and to the ship.
Again, Carnival docked at their own area, away from the main areas of Cozumel, and we had purchased a package deal for one of the resorts that was all inclusive. Food, drink, etc. It was fun, but something I wouldn't do again. It really did cost a lot for 7 people. This cruise was for the first one my wife and I have ever been on, and her family from South Korea was also with us on their first cruise, and it was good overall, but it really didn't wow me like Carnival would like you to believe it should, based on the amount of money that we did spend for this cruise.
Now here was the great part. After 4 days of cruising, the disembarkation went to the way it should of gone for us at embarkation. It took us only about 5-10 minutes to clear customs and TSA with the help of a Carnival Employee who I cant remember her name, helped my mother in law with the wheelchair all through the process to include the rest of our party. The pass to fun part worked exceptionally well here. Should of worked boarding the ship as well.
Oh wow I did not find that at all we had the good experience!! Same when u have a bad experience maybe next time hopefully all will be worth ur time ..
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