RCVoyager

Due to a number of factors, my wife and I were on our first cruise (Carnival Mardi Gras) since 2016 last week (with mother in law and son in separate cabin).  The ship is beautiful.  The food opportunities are amazing.  But, beyond that we found lots of disappointment most of which can be blamed on the simple fact there are just too darn many passengers on the ship (5200 to 6500 depending on double occupancy vs max occupancy).  There are people everywhere all the time.  The elevators are horrible, during peak times almost impossible.  If you try to wait your "turn" someone will cut you, and you will wait longer.  Then it was almost always to case, just as we were about to board, someone on a cart or wheelchair would show up, and we would mostly make a spot for that person... causing more delays.

The food was ok to good... and there are about 25 eateries of one sort or another on that ship... most of which are included in the cruise price, but again flocked with passengers all the time.  A few dishes we had were really good, but for the most part, the food was just ok.  It was often delayed or not as warm as it should be when it arrived.  Three times during the week, our entrée arrived before our appetizer.  Three times! 

We did meet a woman who had none of those issues.  There is a level at which you face none of that.  She dined at the highest end eateries all week (up to $100 per person per night), and in fact claimed there is a special elevator to her deck with few passengers.  We saw that hall down a discreet door that appears to be a crew only door.  We thought that interesting.

At first, our Cabin Steward seemed slow and not interested.  That was until we had a minute to talk to him.  The guy had 35 cabins to take care of.  35.  I don't know what it should have been, but 35 seemed ridiculous to us.  It seems that about half of that should be the "norm".

We did not see this as a service problem in the least.  All of the crew on board seemed worked to their limits, yet all kept a smile.  To us, it all came down to the problem of too many passengers.

So, here is the question:  Is this sort of thing happening on RCCL's mega ships?

That was my 20th cruise, and I was left glad we did it, but will not do that ship again.

One other thing, and my wife thought it a non issue, but it was a big issue to me is this:  When I walk to a rail to look at the sea or the coast of an island, I am accustomed to a rail that is about chest high to my 5'7" stature.  All of the public rails on the Mardi Gras are at least 5 feet high, and it fact are double wide with a thick piece of glass on the back of them.  Somewhere I have a photo of this and can share once I dig it out.  I've always enjoyed standing at the rail and watching that beautiful world unfold around me, and with this set-up a full 1/3 of my field of vision (at the bottom) was blocked.  I hated that.  A huge disappointment for me, and I don't believe it enhances safety at all.  If someone want to jump, you still can.  If someone wants to throw you over, he/she still can.  I contend no-one ever "fell" overboard without doing something stupid, and you still can.  Is this the case on RCCL's newest ships?

Thanks in advance for feedback.

On 9/21/2023 at 6:51 AM, KJ777 said:

@tonyfsu21 Total dumpster on Carnival!  We cruised on them ONCE - never again!

This forum is about opinions, Carnival included.  My wife and I haven't cruised since Covid.  Thankfully, we are finally going on a cruise in two weeks.  And the choice is:  The Carnival Mardi Gras. 

The choice was not hard for us.  First, my wife wants to go to Grand Turk.  Carnival owns the pier there.  Second, the food choices, and importantly, the included food choices are better on Carnival... in our opinion.  From a Pre-Covid memory, the menus are at least equal on Carnival... maybe better.  And the Chocolate Melting Cake, available nightly, is the best desert we've had on a cruise.  All of this is opinion of course.

I should mention, the Mardi Gras is a new ship.  We only considered the Magic, the Breeze, or other newer Carnival ships.  I would agree with most here, Carnival's older ships are farther past their prime than Royal's older ships.

On 9/16/2023 at 10:14 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

That’s purely a turnover issue I’m guessing. Much better for the crew to turn over that big ship every 7 days. 

I think behavior has a lot to do with it as well.  A shorter cruise is a cheaper cruise, and that in and of itself invites a younger more boisterous crowd.  I bet the public area clean up "incidents" happen at a much higher rate on short cruise.

23 hours ago, Momof4crazytocruise said:

I clicked on this thinking it might be Indy, and describing the trashy behavior we saw on our last cruise on her, which convinced us we're never taking less than 5 night cruises and never from Port Canaveral again... alas, it was about Indy, but not about drunk topless lap dances in the hot tubs while kiddies are watching a movie by the pool in the early evening. Sigh. 

We're going to need to see photos to verify that this even happened.   TIC

4 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Low probability the company will offer compensation for an itinerary change due to a major storm. Mexico or not, I would be content with just being able to vacation at all during the height of hurricane season. 

I agree, no need to complain. We're booked next month.  The crown jewel of our trip is Grand Turk.  Happy this storm will slip by the the North of it.  Got to stay lucky another month, but yes, we are prepared for the possibility of West rather than East.

This has been debated here before, and I have thought about it quite a bit.  If I lived within 3 or 4 hours of NYC and could drive there (as about 30 million Americans can), I would consider a Winter cruise out of the city.  However, if I have to get on a flight, as I do in Indiana, I would much prefer to fly to a warmer climate to embark. 

My vacation time is precious, so spending a couple of days in cold weather on a ship is not ideal for me... and I know for my wife.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts.  Has anyone used Port Canaveral Quick Shuttle?  Thanks.

I know this comes up from time to time.  Who's got some good ideas regarding transfers to and from the port?  We are booking air and hotel together to save $.  Need transfers from hotel to ship and then from Cocoa Beach area back to airport.  Looks like a 7:30 PM flight after the cruise, so no need to go from the ship to airport, but will spend a good part of the day post ship in the area.  Or we are open for other ideas as to how to spend 4 or so hours after leaving the ship but before returning to the airport. 

Thanks in advance.  As always, this board, the people on it, and the advice available here is a real treasure.

3 minutes ago, Zacharius said:

While flying in a day ahead is wonderful, it's still a bit risky with these airlines that have limited presence on routes (or even limited presence in a city). For example, Allegiant only flies 3 or 4x weekly CVG-SFB, so while that extra day might buy them time to get in a new aircraft or crew should there be an issue, there is still more of a concern to me than someone like DL, for example, who not only flies CVG-MCO at least 2x daily but can re-route you via ATL, DTW, MSP, and more. 

Thanks for the great points.  Probably going to look more at the legacy carriers for that extra bit of safety.

Just now, Zacharius said:

I have nothing against Allegiant, but I am always hesitant to book an airline like Allegiant, Frontier or Spirit in the case of a time sensitive event like a cruise, wedding, or business trip. Their limited schedule and general lack of being able to re-route/re-accommodate you can cause serious issues. I've taken Spirit and Allegiant to, for example, a guys weekend in Vegas...if I am late or flat our miss it, it stinks but isn't a big deal. I wouldn't risk it to something like a cruise where, if I miss it, I'm in a lot bigger trouble. In that case, an airline like AA, DL, UA, or WN can offer a myriad of re-routing options with a better chance of getting you there. 

That's a great point.  We are flying in a day early for a cruise, so I wasn't as worried about it.  Haven't booked yet and can go out of Indy or Cincinnati.

Thanks.  The chorus of boos has been heard loud and clear.  That's pretty much what I thought too.

Has anyone ever the used above mentioned website?  I think there is a catch in that you have to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight or will be marked as a no show.   It is half the price of Travelocity from CVG to MCO in October.  Anyone tried it?  How was the experience?  

My wife found Ladybug.  As she explained, you input your dates of travel and a target price.  When they can match or go below your target price, they contact you with an offer.  She found $187 Cincy to Orlando on our dates on Delta (free carry on).  I'm finding between $300 and $400 and because it is on Frontier we would have to pay for our carry on bags taking it to $400.

Thanks

16 hours ago, OutToSea said:

the main part of the question was " has anyone had experience with this?". I was told to go to hawaii instead or that there many posts about this (which do not meet the scenario I am talking about).  All I ask is you actually read the question before you respond and have actual information before responding. Are you the board police??? Not sure what 6 posts you are talking about?

Here's the deal, you were incredibly rude to good people on this board who were only trying to help you.

Just be nice.  Be humble.  You will get all the well meaning help of the collective group.  They, myself included,  are nice people.

On 6/1/2023 at 8:21 PM, OutToSea said:

Where did I say I was concerned about leaving the usa????????

That really not the question I am asking. I am asking if I have to get them a special visa or not.

From your replies no answer you would have any value to me.

 

 

Hold the phone.  People here are only trying to help you.  They only have part of the information from what you stated.  A little bit of niceness goes a long way.

The people on this board have value to you because they tried to help you.  I guess maybe you can take your 6 posts and go somewhere else.

Hardly knew ya.  Thank God.

On 6/1/2023 at 8:45 AM, steverk said:

On my experience that I mentioned above, I spoke to the MDR manager and the Windjammer manager about them.  The change was immediate.

Food on the last few days of the cruise was hot and delicious.  

I've since had another cruise on Navigator and thought the food and service were both excellent.

Dude, you get results.  One word with the Manager, and boom everything changes for the good fleet wide.

Just yankin your chain.  Couldn't resist.  

This situation needs to be fixed and with the recent price increases RCCL should be able to do so.  If not, people will jump the fence.  We just booked the Carnival Mardi Gras for October.

On 5/29/2023 at 2:22 PM, Matt said:

It's just like airfare. Closer you get (and more booked up it gets), higher prices go.

It's why booking early is so critical.

It really has nothing to do with Early Bird.  Jan 25 also over $1400 in San Juan.

Has anyone noticed substantial price increases?  I've been watching the Jewel out of San Juan for Jan or Feb of 24.  A month ago, I could have booked a balcony for 2 for about $1,000 each.  Now they are between $1400 and $1600.  Same ship.  Same time frame.

Is this happening other places?

For me there is one other thing to consider regarding these drive-by one and done posts.  It seems to follow a script, or close to the following scenario:  He and his family were planning the vacation of a lifetime.  They had been planning for X amount of months.  Made their deposit.  Made monthly payments.  Researched every aspect of the trip.  Considered excursions.  Maybe even reserved a couple of them.  All of these things and an amazing build up of excitement about the trip until RCCL torpedos the whole thing.

It's at that point the OPs find this website?  That's a little hard for me to believe.  It seems if 8 or 15 or 20 people were so excited about their upcoming trip and were constantly on-line looking at all aspects of their upcoming trip, someone in their party would have found this website by the second or third day of researching all of the great experiences they would be having.   Someone or multiple someones from their party would have been on this site months ago asking questions and talking about how excited the group is.

But instead, it's only when the trip is cancelled that this website pops into their search?  Hard to understand.  Actually, it's hard to believe.

I say all those things and stand by them.  In this particular case, I feel a little for the OP.  I don't necessarily believe all the stuff about not being notified and poor to non existent customer service.  But being caught off guard by a cancellation is a major bummer.  I would be a little upset too.

From the other viewpoint, I have been on three chartered cruises.  Two of the three were two of the best cruises I've ever been on. 

Mine were music cruises.  You have all the trappings of a regular cruise (food, ports, casino, ect), except all of the on board entertainment, with the exception of comedians, is replaced by your special interest.  In my cases, it was called Ships and Dips and featured the 90s rock band the Barenaked Ladies.   None of those stuffy music, dancing, and singing shows that bore me to tears.  Just great music from 20 or more acts all over the ship from about 10 AM til about 3 AM every day.  For my brothers and me it is/was the best of both worlds.

I do think the "offending cruise line" should be very generous with it's compensation in these cases.  Very generous to the point of someone like the OP from this thread coming on a website like this to say "we were displaced and received a 50% refund, were rebooked on a similar trip with room upgrades and reduced drink packages, and any cancellation/change fees from our airline would be paid by them"... or something similar.

This OP's post, is one of the few, perhaps the first, of these drive by "rants" that actually has merit to it... at least that I can remember.

7 hours ago, mac66 said:

I have a contrary opinion. When I was looking at diving classes I found the cruise certification to be about the same in cost as doing it through a private shop. When all things were considered. Some places make you buy a mask and fins, nearly all make you buy the PADI or other online course before you take the class. Not to mention the cost of the OW dives.

As for time...not really a big thing. A couple 3 hour (often less) pool sessions before the open water. You do those first thing in the morning before most people are up and before you would likely be doing anything anyways.  I met people who specifically went on a cruise to get dive certified in warm water in the Caribbean.. The cruise part was a bonus.  I've also met some of the cruise staff diving instructors. They sometimes go along on cruise ship dive excursions. All of them have been very good and look out for their passengers. It's really no different than if you went to a resort to learn to dive. You're learning while on vacation. Not a bad thing.

The OW sessions are no different than if you booked a two tank dive . If you've cruised enough you don't really have to do a lot of shore excursions. If you have a understanding spouse it's no big deal. I did 4 two tank dives in a row on a cruise, and have done multiple 3 day in a row 2 tank dives particularly when we go to the ABC islands, or Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan.

 

Good enough Mac.  I get it.  But, I will say, I've seen it negatively impact one trip.  If I can help someone else avoid the same issue, I'm happy to do so.  In my opinion, it will turn out to be more, much more than two three hours pool sessions.  There will be a lot of time spent at the dive shop, talking to the instructors, looking at the equipment, preparing for the sessions, going to bed early because you have to get up early, ect.  If the people the OP is traveling with have a lot of patience for him (or her) to be doing something else while on vacation, then have at it.  My experience was quite negative.

My opinion, having been with someone who did it on a trip is... DON'T DO IT.  It will monopolize your trip.  It takes valuable time away from the vacation with your family.  It is much better to do it another time... either before of after your trip.

It really depends on which islands you get and which ship you get.  Eastern or Western can mean many different things  I prefer an itinerary which includes San Juan and Grand Turk.  I love Cayman, but there can be as many as 6 ships in there each day in the middle of the week.  I don't get the fascination with Cozomel.  I wouldn't avoid a cruise that goes there, but it's not a great port in my mind.

The sweet spot is finding a ship you want combined with a nice itinerary.  

On 2/14/2023 at 8:27 AM, AshleyDillo said:

They're actually playing The Rock Boat this next year. It's on Norwegian, though.

There are many bands that are well known, and many bands with a huge concert following.  This band is so great, and they normally play small venues.  Not expensive.  Great musicians.  

Let me ask you this:  Do you know any band that comes out after the show to talk to their fans, sign anything, and take photos until the last fan has gone?  This band does.  Every time I've seen them.

On 2/13/2023 at 8:49 AM, fa-li said:

I had to look this up - thank you!  A good laugh!  Wouldn't it be great to have them perform onboard sometime?

Glad you liked it.  They have almost 30 years of amazing music.  Some funny.  Some more serious.  Funny you should mention that it would be nice to see them on board.  That's exactly how we (my brothers and I) discovered them.  They were on the first two Barenaked Ladies cruises.  They have done the Rock Boat several times since then.  A great unknown live band.  Never spent more than $40 to see them.  Usually $20.  Sometimes free.  Seriously, a great band.

"The Night I Punched Russell Crowe in the Head" by Gaelic Storm (live version)