Overcrowded! Would not do again!

Mardi Gras Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

tunicam28

Contributor Level: Second Mate

121 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 46

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 17, 2022

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11277

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

We were really looking forward to this ship but overall we were very disappointed. The crowds were crazy! It was not relaxing at all. Thankful we got the thermal spa package so we did get some relaxing time. Our cruise director was Chris Williams (the flaying Scotsman). He was wonderful. A 10 out 10. We've been on many RCC Oasis ships that are large like this ship and have never experienced lines and crowds like this. Not sure how Royal is doing it differently??

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Easy! Almost no waiting.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Good not great! The lines were so long at most places it ruined the experience and stopped us from eating there. Most times the pizza place had 50-70 pp waiting.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Many activities but again some were hard to do because of the crowds. The bolt (roller-coaster) was canceled 3 times because of weather (understandable) but we were never given any help to reschedule. The carnival cooking kitchen was great. We did cake decorating, pasta making and BBQ.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

What were saw was decent but dont expect to see the comedians in the punchliner unless you stand in a long line and then fingers crossed you get in.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Very good as usual.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

The ship was very nice except for the god awful buttons to open the bathroom doors. It was a peep show all week. Also the buttons you had to push to open doors around the ship. Seems to go against all things Covid. Instead of an automatic door you and 6000 other cruisers had to use a button to open what used to be an automatic door.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The bathroom was very small but in return you got a larger shower. I'll take the larger shower! The room seemed a little bit smaller but was comfortable. Tons of storage. We didn't use all of it.