To say that Carnival gets more than its share of complaints would be quite an understatement. We get more complaints about Carnival than about all other crise lines combined. We'd recommend reading this section carefully before you put down big bucks -- not after.
Here are just a few of the more recent complaints ...
Bonnie of Victoria, TX October 7, 2008
Bonnie of Victoria TX (10/07/08) I purchased two cabins on the Carnival Conquest, which left out of Galveston, Texas on September 7, 2008. This was a combined, wedding gift for our daughter and her husband and happy retirement gift for me. We all had such high hopes of a grand vacation, but what we received was a horrible experience due to Carnival's lack of compassion and good sense.
A day before the cruise I contacted Carnival cruise line, because we were worried about Hurricane Ike who was out to sea, yet. I was assured that all would be well, no worries. While on board ship, we were worried because when we watched the news, Texas was going to take a huge hit from Ike. We kept being told that we would be informed as soon as information was available.
A port was cancelled due to high waves and a mere 20 was refunded to each of us. So our seven night cruise was down to two ports. When we contacted family back home, they informed us that Galveston was pretty much swept out to sea and there was nothing left there to return to. (No cars, whether personal or rental, were left; no dock; no electricity; and Houston was not much better of--curfew and no electricity.)The captain postponed telling us on Sunday, until he announced over the loud speaker that we had two choices: Stay on the ship until the port of Galveston opened or get off in New Orleans and pay for own way home.
We were astonished, because we knew there wouldn't be a possible docking at Galveston for maybe years and getting back to Texas required more monetary resources that we had available to my family. Thank God we had a friend who booked and paid for airline tickets to Houston, for us. She told us that she couldn't understand the choice of waiting for Galveston, because there was NO GALVESTON left.
Amelia of Richmond, TX October 7, 2008
Amelia of Richmond TX (10/07/08) This was supposed to be our belated honeymoon/family vacation with my parents. My husband and I were sailing for the very first time and were excited, afterall my mother (who's cruised multiple times) kept telling us how much fun this would be. So we set sail out of Galveston on 9/7/08 in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
Seemed like we avoided Ike the whole trip, the first few days were awesome although Jamaica was slightly disappointing. Cozumel was great but by the time we got to Cozumel we knew that Ike was beginning to impact the ship's route. We were told (by the cruise director) that our ship would not be able to dock in Galveston due to the horrific damage it sustained. This was common sense to my family and I as we are Texans. However, no date was set for re-entry into Texas and our Cruise Director could not provide us with any other info. I felt bad for her because it was almost as if she was facing a firing squad each time she came to speak on behalf of the Captain Mossimo (in my opinion a chicken) and deliver some bad news.
By the second message he (the Captain) gave over the loud speaker no less, we were all frustrated beyond compare when he stated that our options were to disembark in New Orleans and find our own transportation home, or stay on the ship and arrive in Texas God only knew when. Well two out of four of us had jobs we had to get back to, so we all decided to try to book flights from New Orleans to Houston. Nevermind that all the ship's phone lines were busy and cellular phone reception was a crapshoot and when you had reception it cost 4 a minute (roughly). My mother was able to reach a friend in TX who booked us all four flights from New Orleans to Houston (Bush Airport just opened that day).
So we get checked by customs in New Orleans and soon learn that if you get off the ship, Carnival doesn't care what happens to you! The consolation prize, if you stay on is free boarding...you can see why we were upset right?
Katrina of Cramerton, NC October 7, 2008
Katrina of Cramerton NC (10/07/08) My husband & I took a cruise 06/08 on the Carnival Destiny, which according to the website was a recently rennovated ship. IT WAS NOT!
The entire ship was in poor repair! There were chips in the counter tops and toilet seat of our cabin bathroom. Our bathroom was laid out in such a way that you couldn't even sit straight on the toilet...had to sit sideways!! We would be showering and just like someone flipped a switch, no hot water, only cold!
The service was mediocre at best. We asked the purser's desk if we could get a fridge or mini bar in our room (for medication we needed to store) and we were told no. No other discussion, just no. We had a category 8A balcony room, how is there not an option for that? We also had gnat-like bugs in our room. We had a broken closet door which didn't close...so, everytime we opened the balcony door the closet door slammed into the other closet door! While our room stuard was great, the rest of the housekeeping staff was terrible! There was no teamwork! Miserable does't even begin to describe what we experienced.
We filed a complaint after returning home and were offered a 50.00 per person onboard credit (100.00 total)! WHAT THE HECK MAKES THEM THINK THAT THIS IS SUFFICIENT? So, I called them up to explain this was not sufficient. I was instructed to write a letter about what we experienced, what compensation we would like, and why we thought that amount to be fair. So, I thought long and hard about how to be fair. I sent the letter...had 3 explainations justifying the amount requested. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!! All we asked for was a sufficient onboard credit...not a refund....just an onboard credit! I got a letter basically saying too bad, so sad. After placing a phone call to complain about the second letter, I was met with an attitude of well, that's the decision.
Rebecca of Winter Haven, FL October 6, 2008
Rebecca of Winter Haven FL (10/06/08) I fell on Friday April 13 2007 and broke my right arm and my permanent crown. Went to ships Dr. He was off duty and was sent back to my cabin to suffer.Then I had a group of shipers officers invade my cabin with questions. I assure you no alcohol was involved. They new that but going from the ships floor to carpet i fell.
When i was finally able to get to the Dr. It was worse than nothing. The first nurse that saw me came back to check on me she was so concerned and found me a sling. I was given something for pain which did nothing and sent back to my room for me to sit up all night crying. I have never seen a more uncaring staff.
I was off from work for 6 weeks. Hospital bill 1785.12 Clinic bill 1284.00 Dental bill 975.00 Radiology bill 795.00 I have a arm that will not function like before. I have croninc pain I have had to learn to live with. I have mailed copy after copy to carnival and yet as my letter was promised they would pay what my insurance did not they have not. Then I was prommised a on board credit and when trying to book a family reunion cruise aboard another carnival no credit will be issued. I have tried and tried. I have credit agengys calling me on the phone day and night.
Please I need help. At first I would take what my insurance didnt pay but now [they] have my credit score so low and I am in a pickle with my utilities. I got behind when i was off for 6 weeks and lost all my vacation for the year and my medical leave for the year. It has been a nightmare.
Gregory of London, OTHER September 24, 2008
Gregory of London OTHER (09/24/08) Carnival Freedom Cruise, June 27/08, Mediterranean. We chose Carnival because their brochure promised in writing shore excursions for 15-17 year old passengers. Our agent received confirmation that this was offered, and relying upon this we booked with our 16 year old, assuring him that he would not be spending every day going to museums with his parents.THERE WERE NO EXCURSIONS! We spoke to the Purser who promised that the Youth Director would contact us-he/she didn't.
Carnival absolutely failed to fulfill their promise. Also, our room #1367 was over a service hatch and we were subjecting to noise, banging, offloading of luggage and garbage and, on our last day, the sound of metallic ratcheting began at 4:44 am and continued for 30 minutes. This totally ruined our sleep. A room like this should not be offered to the public without informing the consumer of these problems. Carnival offered a 150 credit towards our next cruise which is less than the money my 16 year old spent in their arcade when the shore excursions didn't materialize.
We had to adjust our excursion plans to accomodate our reluctant son. Our last night, with interrupted sleep made for a difficult day. In my mind, compensation of 1000 would be appropriate. I will NEVER sail with Carnival again. There were other issues with incessant campaigning for tips on departure and food, but chalk that up to Buyer Beware.
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