Unless you really want to try this cruise line, try other. Stateroom was really unclean. Even left few notices to steward without any improvement. In the end, we all got sick with sore throat, fever, etc. There were noticeable carpet dirty spots on room with a lot of dust in the corners (room 8115). All calls to "front desk" were unattended or phone even not attended.
Overall this ship is average in my opinion. With the exception of main dining room, I had a better experience with the Carnival Valor on 2010 (just as a clue if you are undecided between these two ships).
Of course, they will try to sell everything from pizza (which is free on a limited time at the buffet, afterwards and in room for $5/order) to overpriced drinks. I brought a soda case from home and it was "suspiciously delayed" by security personnel and sealed as "liquor" . After various requests to steward, it was delivered to room. Bring all the water and soda if you like, because it is pretty expensive onboard and dining rooms/buffet only offer free UNSWEETENED TEA and ICED WATER. No lemonade, no more. If you buy the soda card/cup, be prepared to receive refills out of 2 liter bottles not from fountain (so it is not necessarily fresh and sparkling).
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Indigo Main Dining room was excellent, both food and crew. Tried Summer Palace only once, but did not like the service/room itself. Buffet was average, with a lot of stations with the SAME thing. Desserts were a fraud, most of them sugar free and the others "flavor free"; main dining room desserts were quite good. Ice cream was good, they had by the scoop and machine type.
I still refuse to consider Pizza and Mexican (not high end, simple common tex-mex) a specialty. THIS IS THE FIRST SHIP I SEE THAT ACTUALLY HAS A COVER CHARGE FOR PIZZA AND A BURRITO.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Entertainment was average, but that is really affected by the time of year and people itself. It is pretty subjective so don't take this review as the general view, just personal.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
They made their best even with 14 hour plus shifts.... They were overworked and even with that offered a "good morning,afternoon, night" and a smile!
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Ship public areas were a lot cleaner than the Valor; however the second is bigger than the Pearl. They really take care of cleanliness of public areas (I think the room problem was a local one- anyway they did not take care!)
In other hand, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME that I see a ship with a blocked front view. Most of the good views are only available from balconies/suites, so THEY EVEN SELL YOU THE BEST SEA VIEWS! Have this in mind...
Cabin / Stateroom
1 out of 5
I think a Howard Johnson, Days Inn or even a Motel 6 is cleaner than room 8115. It was a small but well organized room. However, it is a dirty room. I don't think it was Steward fault, more a cruise line fault. I find really impossible to have a SINGLE person doing a lot of staterooms, almost from 6 am to 12 am. When these persons take a rest? I never saw a ship exploiting the personnel as hard as this one. The guy at buffet in early morning, was in other restaurant at 12pm, then seen at 9pm on main dining room! Quality needs to be affected with that working pace!
Pros: Food on Indigo Main Dining Room, Blue Lagoon
Cons: Stinky, dirty motel-like cleaning on stateroom, lack of variety on main buffet, bad/flavorless desserts
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