Donna Hunter

Smokey, don’t take my comments out of context.   I am simply relating my experiences and not necessarily complaining.  We booked 4 cabins with a cost of about 3k for each.  RC asks for honest reviews and I gave the good and the bad and understand the rationale for the bad.  I did a lot of planning and research for this cruise and did at least expect to dine at “my time”.  Was not allowed to do this before boarding.  Probably due to lots of people returning to cruising.    None of had a decent mattress and neither did multiple people we talked to.  Our cabin steward says there are many complaints and that the mattresses are old.  For those of you trying to dispute this, I don’t want any argument.  Just agree that some people’s experience may not be the same as yours.  Notice I did not “complain” about the food. People are entitled to their own tastes.  I love cruising and would never intend anyone to steer away from a particular voyage.  Just be aware of some things that may take you by surprise such as double billing, shops that charge $450 for a top and $600 for a pair of casual pants etc. ; that is not advertised.  Also there were signs on the ship asking you not to be in public areas between 3am and 5 am because they were doing deep sanitizing. That is a good thing.  I think they did a great job of trying to keep us safe.   And, for those of you who like to use the phrase “hit and run”, you don’t know what you’re talking about.  I’m an ER nurse.  I clean up hit and runs.   Please be nice.  

Just got off a cruise on the Harmony July 3.  This was my first RC cruise; family cruise with 4 cabins booked.  The ship was beautiful and the crew for the most part were great, friendly, helpful.  They were, however, clearly stressed and overworked.   The cruise had 6,000 passengers and was full making it difficult to access many wanted activities.  The following was our experiences:   1.  My time dining really means “ships time”.  We were only able to eat in main dining room 3 times and the only time available was 9pm.  By then the staff was harried and we were rushed.  Not a good experience.  Also don’t get the chicken Parmesan.  Terrible. 2. Worst mattresses at sea.  Hard and lumpy.  A cabin steward told us they were old and there are many many complaints. We heard them from other passengers too.    3. Not able to obtain desired seatings for shows.  Booking efforts took a lot of time.  4. One of our group couples were double charged for their ship board charges.  RC acknowledged the mistake but advised it would be 7 before they would be issued a refund.  That is astounding given they are able to withdraw your funds immediately. They should be able to refund them immediately.  5. Problem with the safes.   Either would lock you out or you could not lock them.  This is even if you were careful to follow directions.   I will have to say that they responded quickly to remedy (open) the safe.  6. Not much on TV.  Pay for TV expensive.   7. Drinks very expensive.  Bought 6 cokes to take to cabin and was charged $24.00. Included the 18% gratuity.  Beer was $9.00 each.  Mixed drinks $12.00-15.00.   8.  Very good deal on pressing or doing laundry.  9.  Shops fairly expensive.  Not all staff were friendly but most were.   10.  Room service costly if you utilize it much.  About $9.00 per service if you only get complimentary items. Many food items have extra cost.  11. Ship is beautiful with obvious attempts to sanitize. Crew does not want you outside your cabin between 3-5am so deep cleaning can be done.  All staff/crew wear masks at all times.  12. My adult son started getting cold symptoms as we were departing. He immediately put on a mask and wore it off the ship and on the plane, etc.     Today he tested positive for Covid.  He was vaccinated and boostered.  Thankfully not very sick; has cold symptoms only.  Will be off work and on isolation precautions.  13. Departing the ship very smooth and easy.  Off the ship, luggage in hand and waiting for transport within 30 minutes.   Not as easy with embarking but not too bad either.
14.   Loved the ship, but honestly loved Carnival more.  Did not have any of these glitches ever with Carnival; I am a Platinum member.  Thank you allowing me to vent my frustrations.   
 
 
 
 
 

Patty, I know it’s a process and I totally support the crew and their processes.  I love cruising and understand that these times are difficult for many.  Good for you on going on all these cruises!  You are our mentor!

Patty, I may not have been clear.  I am a Platinum member of Carnival not RC.  This was my first experience with RC.  I did like the shop and thought the crew or most of them were fantastic.  Not so much many of the bartenders who tended to be harried and curt.  They appeared over worked and I felt sorry for them and always tipped extra. In many years of sailing with Carnival, never had issues with dining times, long lines for everything, no reservations available ever.   And their mattresses and linens are awesome.  And never in all of these years has there ever been a mistake on my invoicing.   Now all of this was before Covid of course and I definitely give grace to those who are working thru this.  I am a nurse and can tell you that nothing in health care is the same since Covid.   I wrote the post just as an information only submission to alert others to be aware of glitches that may occur.    I planned this cruise for two years and had to cancel once due to Covid. It was disappointing not to be able to reserve a dining seat before 9 pm or go to any of the entertainment venues.   I believe RC will do better as time goes on.   I will tell you that Carnival seems to have for fun.  It is the FUN SHIP after all lol.  

To Pooch,  
I spoke to my experience not yours. And please understand that I can read.  The difference in my cruise and yours is likely due to the timing.  No reservations for dining  were available before 9 pm.  None were available for the attractions.  No need to be snarky. The world has enough of this. You speak to your experience. I’ll speak to mine.    I did love the ship.  They were just undermanned    And no excuse for double charging.   Thank you