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Carnival Spirit cruise from Sydney - Sydney Adventure Cruises

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• New South Wales    
• Sydney    
• Sydney - Things to Do    
• Sydney Adventure Cruises

2nd cruise with Carnival and again was very pleased with the wonderful service, the amazing quality... read more

We went on the Carnival Spirit from Sydney for a 3 night taster cruise. Before sailing we... read more

Carnival Spirit cruise from Sydney

There is one important thing that you MUST KNOW before going on this cruise (and from what I've seen, the competing P&O cruise): 99% of those traveling on your cruise ship will be RSL aficionados or elderly people. I am in my 30s and travelled with my sister. I'd say about 40% of people on board were extremely elderly (with walkers and wheelchairs etc) and 55% were family types who like football, leagues clubs, football, not having to look after their kids, football, beer, football, loud ocker wisecracks, and football. I only say this as a warning because if you're in your 20s-30s and single and hoping to get lucky, it WON'T HAPPEN HERE. We met two other people on board who were in their 20s (men) who were extremely angry at being surrounded by a lack of single young females. And vice versa: if you're going on the cruise to get drunk and party, there won't be many young people to hang out with. They literally constitute 5% of less of those on board. The staff were LOVELY. The on-board hospital staff were LOVELY. The hospital staff bit is very, very important: if you haven't been on a cruise ship before, there's a likelihood you will get sick. Most of the people I met (about 70%) either got seasickness or the same illness I had (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea). Most likely it was a virus I caught from someone on board, or picked up on one of the islands where conditions of course are very, very basic. (The island visits were however a highlight - you see a very different society to our Western world.) I should say I met a few other travelers from the P&O cruise which was doing a similar circuit, and I only came across elderly travelers and families with children. The food on board was pretty good and the drinks were CHEAP (alcoholic beverages were strong and delicious), which surprised me. The stuff you could buy on board was also relatively cheap, such as clothing and jewelry and stuff. Cheaper than most stores and same amount of quality. The open air is fantastic and the ocean was beautiful. The advertising for the cruise says free room service and indicates you can have pizza or icecream brought to your room at any time. This is incorrect: you can get food round the clock, but if you ring up room service you pay for whatever food is brought to you. Also, if you like coffee, there is no kettle in the rooms and no coffee. We had a basic room - the beds were comfy and it was pretty decent. The shower water temperature is never consistent however. Our room had only one power outlet, so if you want to charge two things at once I'd take a power board. Advised for elderly people and those with families who want some time away from their kids (their are child-monitored areas).

Just got back from a very relaxing cruise with carnival spirit. Left Sydney for 8 nights sailing to New Caledonia. If your a lover of the RSL then this cruise is for you. Comfortable stateroom, with basic amenities. Having said that the room was cleaned twice a day and the bed pulled down for sleep at night.food was a plenty ranging from buffet to restaurant with a cover charge to eat there. Drinks were only a couple of dollars more then if buying at a club. Entertainment was fantastic and plenty for both adults as well as kids. As this was my first cruise I feel the carnival would rate as a 3.5 star. Now that I have experienced cruising the seas I will be looking for a 4 star to 5 star for my ne trip. The staff on the ship work tirelessly and always with a smile. So if your after a week away where the phone and Internet won't work, jump on board. It real is value for money.

I had a fabulous time... wear tennis shoes or sneakers and take Dramamine if you tend to get seasickness. Partner didn't fare too well when boat hit the ocean from the harbour, but I had no trouble at all! Bring your own water and a fast camera!

Well this is the second time 2014 and noow 2015to take the Sydney Adventure Cruise for Australia Day. What an outing the weather was lousy but it did not dampen the crowd, the fun, the action,the BBQ lunch had by all. There were even tourists from various overseas countries joining in the fun. A wonderful 5 hour cruise on our magnificant harbour. No complaints and definately recommended, We have already made our minds up to go again in 2016, Congratulations to the Organisers...

My husband and I spent the NYE in the Sydney Adventure Cruises on Sydney Harbour. We think that was a great view from the boat. The cruise offered good options in drinks and not expensive, but not to many options of food, so BYO. The other negative thing that was to many people on the boat, around 200. So when the fireworks started (9pm and midnight) that was too many people on the same side of the cruise, so you have to fight for a spot to take a photo or just look. Other observation is, we departured from the wharf at 7pm and went straight to the spot that we should stay for a hole night, so its not really a cruise, you jump inside the boat, stay on the same spot until 1am and come back to the wharf. This hours from 7pm until midnight can cost you a looong wait. There was a DJ and a dance floor, but if you are not into this,there is nothing else you can do, just seat and wait. We probably wont do it again, for $320 each without food or drinks its a lot expensive.

Went on a groupon. The company was good. Handled things well. boarded the boat. No one lined up as usual with people just pushing their way from the side of the line to get a seat on the top deck. I sat on a wet seat which was not water, I think a kid had peed as it stank. Perhaps staff didn't notice seat was wet before letting us board. It was a choppy ride and quite a number of people on the boat was sick right till the end on the trip. The company provided sick bags. The whales, we didn't see much. There was 2 mother an child. They were far and didn't jump out of the water. Disappointed as I was hoping for a nice big jump. I guess if you are unlucky or experience sea sickness then the TV is a better option. A staff on board provided very useful information on whales, mating process etc. Overall not to bad.

Dear Rietva R., We are glad to hear that you were satisfied with how the trip was handled and that you enjoyed the commentary from our whale guide. I am a bit concerned with your comment of the smell of the wet seat as we take pride in the presentation and cleanliness of our vessels and ensure they are washed, cleaned and checked over before any cruise. I have checked with our crew and they were not brought to the attention of this seat. The only thing I can think of is this could have been the ocean spray if the seas were a little choppy as you had mentioned. We hope to have you back with us again and maybe next time you will get that 'Breach' shot that you wanted!

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Carnival Cruise Line Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

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Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports/islands, formal nights, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, carnival australia, final thoughts.

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Carnival Cruise Line has been around since 1972. While it is mostly known for Caribbean cruises, it actually offers cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe, as well. Carnival Cruise Line Australia covers destinations like Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Carnival ships, also known as “Fun Ships,” have a reputation for lively atmospheres and numerous onboard activities. With 26 ships sailing across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe, there’s something for everyone on a Carnival cruise.

Name: Carnival Cruise Line

Parent Company: Carnival Corporation (which also owns Carnival Australia, Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , Cunard Line, AIDA Cruises, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises)

Number of Ships : 23 (3 more debuting in 2022-2023)

Loyalty Program: VIPF Club

Credit Card : Carnival ® World Mastercard ®

Carnival Cruise Line currently operates 23 ships, with 3 more coming by the end of 2023.

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Ecstasy
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Celebration will debut in November 2022. Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Luminosa will debut in 2023. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination were put into long-term storage in 2020 with no timeline for return.

Carnival Cruises sails to lots of destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe from 26 departure ports.

Cruises to Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Islands can be found on Carnival Australia.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific, check out Carnival Australia. This is Carnival’s sister company that offers different itineraries and ships.

While Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t own any private ports, it does make use of 2 of the ports owned by other cruise lines.

• Princess Cays is a private resort on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas that’s owned by Princess Cruise Line. This destination offers everything you would expect — beaches, kayaking, sailing, a kid’s area, an adults-only area, and more.
• Half Moon Cay is another private destination located in the Bahamas. This island, also known as San Salvador Island, is owned by Holland America Cruise Line. You’ll find everything you need for a relaxing day on the beach — swimming, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, a water park, and more!

Hot Tip: Be sure to get the most bang for your buck! Check out our guide to the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices.

Onboard Activities

These days cruise ships are full of things to do, and Carnival Cruises are no exception.

Carnival offers much of what you would expect to find on a cruise ship these days including pools, a casino, themed parties, Broadway-style shows, youth programs, and art auctions.

Lots of additional activities are offered to ensure you won’t be bored at sea. Not all activities are available on every ship and activities marked with $ come with additional fees.

• Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster ($)
• Cherry on Top candy stores ($)
• Cooking classes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Build-A-Bear Workshop ($)
• Family Feud Live
• IMAX Theater
• Lip Sync Battle
• Make It With Michaels arts and crafts ($)
• Martini tasting ($)
• Mixology competitions
• Outdoor movies
• Punchliner Comedy Club
• Sky Zone trampoline park and challenge zone ($)
• SportSquare
• Video arcade ($)
• Waterslides: WaterWorks and Twister

Formal nights (or Elegant nights) are those in which formal dress is encouraged. That means dress pants with a dress shirt and sport coat for men, and for women, this means cocktail dresses, a pantsuit, or a skirt. If you want to go all out with a tuxedo or evening gown, that’s acceptable, too!

While formal dress is encouraged, it’s not required throughout the ship. However, the main dining room will require formal attire on Elegant nights. On those nights, shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suits, jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats are not permitted in the dining rooms.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our ultimate guide to using miles and points to book a cruise.

Dining and Beverages

You don’t have to worry about going hungry on a Carnival cruise. You’ll find lots of complimentary choices as well as specialty restaurants that come with additional charges.

You don’t have to pay an extra dime to eat on your Carnival cruise if you don’t want to. All of these options are included in the price of your cruise (however not all locations are offered on every ship).

• Big Chicken
• BlueIguana Cantina
• Guy’s Burger Joint
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que
• Lido Marketplace
• Main dining room
• Mongolian Wok
• Pizza Pirate
• Pizzaria del Capitano
• RedFrog Pub & Brewery
• Seaday Brunch
• Street Eats
• The Captain’s Pasta Bar
• The Carnival Deli

Carnival also features many specialty dining options that aren’t included in the price of your cruise.

• Bonsai Sushi
• Bonsai Sushi Express
• Bonsai Teppanyaki
• Cucina del Capitano
• Emeril’s Bistro 1396
• Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse
• JavaBlue Cafe
• JiJi Asian Kitchen
• Rudi’s Seagrill
• Seafood Shack
• The Chef’s Table

There is no shortage of bars available onboard a Carnival cruise ship. Most beverages including soda come with an extra charge, however, Carnival offers drink packages if you would prefer to pay for all of your drinks ahead of time.

Bottomless Bubbles is a drink package that included unlimited soda and juice and can be purchased on your ship. It must be purchased for the entire length of your cruise (meaning you can’t just buy the drink package for a day or 2). The cost is $8.50 per day for adults and $5.95 per day for kids.

Cheers! is Carnival’s prepaid bar package. With this package, you’ll enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks (with a few exceptions) for the entire length of your cruise. This package can be purchased ahead of time for $51.95 per person per day or, once you are aboard, for $56.95 per person per day.

Hot Tip: Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles packages aren’t available on European itineraries.

Here are some of the bars you might find on your Carnival Cruise:

• Alchemy Bar
• Beer Station
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar
• RedFrog Pub
• RedFrog Rum Bar
• SkyBox Sports Bar

Hot Tip: The drinking age on all Carnival ships is 21+, regardless of the drinking age at any port.

There are different levels of staterooms you can choose on Carnival Cruise Line — interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite.

Regardless of what type of room you have, you’ll enjoy the following amenities:

• Dedicated room steward
• Carnival Comfort Collection linens
• Stateroom climate control
• In-room safe

Carnival also offers 4 unique room types to accommodate families or anyone looking for something a little special.

Family-Friendly Staterooms: These rooms will accommodate up to 5 people, and some even come with a second bathroom. Adjoining rooms are available if you need even more space.

Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms: This type of room is available for those looking for a little more relaxation. These rooms come with Elemis toiletries, plus bathrobes and slippers. You’ll also get priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, access to thermal suites, and spa discounts on port days.

Havana Staterooms: These unique rooms are for guests 12 and older. They have an island vibe and come with unlimited access to the Havana Bar & Pool. If you upgrade to a Havana Cabana room, you’ll get a larger balcony with a hammock chair. Upgrade to a Havana Cabana suite to indulge in a luxurious rain shower.

Family Harbor Staterooms: These family-friendly rooms are decked out in nautical decor and are located close to the Family Harbor Lounge which features food, games, and movies. Plus, when you’re staying in a Family Harbor Stateroom, your kids will eat free in most of the specialty restaurants, and you’ll enjoy 1 free night of Night Owls babysitting service.

Hot Tip: Make sure you don’t forget anything — check out our printable cruise vacation packing list!

The VIPF Club is Carnival’s loyalty club. You can join at any time, even if you’ve never been on a Carnival cruise. You’ll earn 1 point for each night you spend at sea.

There are 5 levels of membership in the VIPF Club:

• Blue: first sailing
• Red: second sailing — 24 points
• Gold : 25-74 points
• Platinum: 75-199 points
• Diamond: 200+ points

The benefits you’ll receive vary depending on your membership level. Every member will receive members-only offers and an e-newsletter. Other benefits you can earn include complimentary bottled water, priority check-in and boarding, free drinks, VIPF parties, collectible pins, complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant, and more.

Hot Tip: Don’t miss out on valuable points — check out our guide to the best credit cards to use to book your cruise.

Carnival Australia has an entirely different website and offers cruises to different destinations than Carnival, however, it’s not really a different company.

Carnival Australia Ships : Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor

Carnival Australia Departure Ports :

• Brisbane, Australia (beginning in 2020)
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Melbourne, Australia
• Sydney, Australia

Carnival Australia Destinations:

• Australia (including Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, Adelaide, and Moreton Island)
• New Zealand
• Pacific Islands (including Noumea, Mare, Lifou Isle, and more)
• Papua New Guinea

Carnival Cruise Line offers cruises to the U.S., Caribbean, and Europe on 26 different ships! Onboard, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you busy including waterslides, games, movies, shows, and even Build-A-Bear Workshops!

When it comes to dining, you won’t go hungry. You’ll have plenty of complimentary options to choose from or you can check out one of Carnival’s specialty restaurants like Emeril’s Bistro 1396 or Bonsai Sushi.

When it’s time to settle in for the night, you’ll be able to choose from lots of different types of staterooms including spa-themed rooms or family rooms with a second bathroom that accommodates up to 5 people.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed vacation or just want to relax on the sea, Carnival Cruise Line has something to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is carnival's newest ship.

The newest ship in the Carnival fleet is Carnival Panorama which will start sailing December 11, 2019. Carnival Radiance and Carnival Mardi Gras will debut in 2020.

What is the biggest Carnival ship?

The biggest Carnival ship is the Carnival Panorama which can accommodate 4,008 passengers and 1,450 crew members. A close second is Carnival Horizon which can hold 3,974 passengers and 1,450 crew members.

How much is the drink package on Carnival?

The Bottomless Bubbles package gives you unlimited soda and juice while on board and costs $8.50 per day for adults and $5.95 per day for kids. The Cheers! package comes with alcoholic beverages and costs $51.95 per person per day if you purchase ahead of time or $56.95 per person per day if you purchase onboard.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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'I've always wanted to try a cruise, I just wasn't sure what to expect'

By Shelly Horton | 1 year ago

M Cruising is the coriander of the tourism industry. You either love it or hate it.

I was worried I would fall into the latter category.

So, when I was invited to come cruising on to the Carnival Luminosa, it was a mix of excitement and trepidation because while I've always wanted to try a cruise, I just wasn't sure what to expect.

READ MORE: Travel essentials to pack for anyone heading overseas

To me, cruises are either packed with oldies who struggle to get around and therefore relish in the ease and accessibility of cruising, or families full of screaming kids who equally find solace in kids clubs, pools, and freedom to let them run amok.

However, once on board faced head on with buffets, shows and activities galore, I heard the sage words "just go with it" echoing in my ears – and I leant in.

Being cruise ship virgins meant the first few hours were trial and error until we found our rhythm.

We boarded in Brisbane, a new port for Australia, and before we'd even departed, my husband Darren and I went straight to the buffet, in our first rookie error of the trip.

READ MORE: Cruising tricks every first-timer needs to know

We quickly learned that food on cruise ships is much more than gorging yourself in the buffet, in fact it is quite the opposite.

Carnival Luminosa boasts a number of fine dining restaurants, including Fahrenheit 555 where we went for dinner on the first evening.

They had incredible dishes like smoked iced oysters and a chocolate dessert art where the chef actually comes and creates it tableside. It was fantastic!

READ MORE: Google reveals Aussies' top travel searches for 2022

Our next foodie win came the following day when we stumbled across the Mexican station which was packed with fresh food, freshly made-to-order tacos and delicious burritos – it was officially the nail in our buffet coffin.

The main dining room, Vella, is where everyone can eat. Vella is included but is not a buffet but a beautifully set restaurant with white tablecloths and singing waiters.  So much fun.

As for the activities on board, you really are spoilt for choice.

My advice is, try and do all the extracurricular activities – really immerse yourself into the cruise – just make sure you have some extra money in your budget so that you have the option of doing some of the more exciting added extras.

We did a pasta making class, I've never made fresh pasta before, and to my surprise it was incredibly enjoyable, not to mention how utterly delicious it was to eat what we'd made – I guess it's the equivalent to eating your homework.

Once I had fully leant in, and my motto had become "just go with it", I went full cruise mode. By day two I was drinking Toblerone cocktails from the '90s saving one turtle at a time with straws made of edible candy – my eco-friendly and diabetes dream come true.

The entertainment is another huge aspect of cruising, so of course we went along to see what shows were on offer.

We saw cabaret performances which were a showcase of six talented people on stage, and we even went along to a comedy show. While sex, drugs and vaginas are my sense of humour, I am not sure about my fellow passengers quite feeling as comfortable with routine that was bawdy and belonged in the '80s.

This virgin cruise snob ended up loving it. In fact, I want to do more.

Now don't get me wrong, food, drinks and entertainment are fabulous, but there is also a lot to say for how relaxing cruising is.

Having downtime was so easy to do on board, enjoy some of the quiet spots around the ship to read your book or listen to your audio book. Darren and I disappeared a couple of times just to have a chat and drink in private. 

I had a massage, which was lovely. Although, keeping true to most holidays whether it be on a cruise, in a hotel or anywhere touristy, they were excessively overpriced. Also, the moments following a massage are too often ruined by the upsell. Whilst you stand there in your post-massage trance, they are pushing products and extra treatments onto you in a very, "do you want fries with that?" sort of manner.

We also did a day trip in Cairns, and I've been to Cairns three times this year, so I figured I'd seen it all, but again – I leant into it.

READ MORE: Sample the best of the Greek islands when you cruise with Celestyal Cruises

We were luckily enough to be picked up in a stretch Hummer thanks to the PR Team, and despite not being allowed to go through the drive-thru bottle shop for French champagne and having to drink XXXX Beer instead, I added a bit of lemonade to my XXXX, and made a Shandy like my Grandma used to drink. 

We drove to the Crystal Cascades where you could swim in fresh water and thankfully it was too cold for crocodiles. I would say having that dip was absolutely a highlight of the week.

So, there you have it. This virgin cruise snob ended up loving it. In fact, I want to do more. The fact that you only have to unpack once is a huge selling point for me to start with.

Next time, Darren and I have hopes of cruising around the Caribbean or even somewhere off the coast of Norway through the fjords.

But as I've said, no matter what cruise you do – Lean in. Do the extras. And enjoy it!

The writer was a guest of Carnival Cruise Line.

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Carnival Cruise Line   Reviews

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I am disgusted with how Carnival…

I am disgusted with how Carnival treated some friends of ours. They refused to let my friend on because her birth certificate was her original (which the team member checking us in said she accepts all the time). They were told they would be able to rebook or possibly get their money back and now Carnival is refusing to do either. They banked off of them and are refusing to make it right. I am disgusted with them and will NEVER give another cent to them. I will also ensure that everyone we come in contact with knows how they treated our friends and encourage them to use another cruise line. So disappointed in Carnival. We have cruised many times with Carnival and have loved it but NEVER AGAIN.

Date of experience : 09 March 2024

My first and last time on a cruise with Carnival. Apart from the boat and food etc being very average, the staff were shocking. I booked two rooms and my kids (who were in one room) decided to leave the cruise in Sydney. Upon boarding after our day trip they gave my room to other passengers without even asking me. I booked and paid for that room, along with internet etc for the entire trip. The customer service staff both on and off the boat are shocking.

Date of experience : 14 March 2024

Literally the worst customer service ever

Had issues with our room location on the ship as we were located right below the kitchen. The noise from this was insane. Was Kept up all night throughout the cruise so we enjoyed very little sleep on our vacation. Additionally, we had hundreds of dollars in mysterious charges on our bill. We tried to call carnival to discuss our experiences over 20 times and it’s literally IMPOSSIBLE to speak to anyone on the phone who can help you. It’s been 4 months since we sailed and we’ve emailed probably a half dozen times or more and called 20+ times and no one has ever even got back in contact with our family. If you call the phone number to discuss an issue, it’s literally impossible to get someone on the line to help. However if you tell them you are considering spending your money, you’ll literally have someone on the line in seconds. Quite honestly, that really describes what appears to be the values of their company. They will take your money, but when it comes to actually CARING for their customer, they could care less. Truly horrible customer service

Date of experience : 28 December 2023

Carnival Cruise Birthday Ruined

Had to cancel my cruise for June '25 because of another commitment and tried to transfer the deposit to another cruise this December and was told today they couldn't do it!! 😡 So Carnival pocket my substantial deposit and i'm left empty handed!! 🤬 I'm so ticked off!!! It was supposed to be my first cruise with them too!! Obviously I won't be booking with them ever again!! Especially since they knew it was for my 50th birthday!! #BeWarned Don't let them ruin your birthday too!! #AvoidCarnival

Date of experience : 03 April 2024

The website is the WORST

I don’t have any complaints about the actual cruise, but their website makes me want to shoot myself in the head every damn time. I cannot believe such a well established cruise line has such a crappy website.

Date of experience : 24 March 2024

Least genuine apology. Ever

After a rude interaction with a customer service agent, who hung up on me when I asked his name, I received a form letter apology today saying he is "receiving training". But also... They can not "locate" the staff member who had been assisting me with requests over the past 2 months. Can't locate. Their staff member! Needless to say, it was a bulls£1t apology and I don't believe a word.

Date of experience : 20 March 2024

Unsanitary, horrible food, smells of sewage on ship

I am filing a complaint because conditions were very unsanitary around the buffet areas and foods were definitely NOT as you pictured them on your flyers and websites for example the Burger cafe served only ultra thin patties that were so thin the sides got burned. The deli did not make what was on the menu, a panini was toasted white sandwhich bread as were most of the other items. The salads were luke warm and I felt they were not safe to eat. Tables were full of left over food plates for hours and nobody cleaned the tables or wiped them down. You post that there is no waiting for buffet foods on the ship yet there were 30 minute + lines for most buffets. The ice cream machines were filthy because kids ran rampant and made messes that were not cleaned up at all. Dirty spoons in a jar right next to the clean ones near the coffee machines and I witnessed that most people grabbed from the wrong jar. When I complained to one of two managers, the first evening, I was told they would talk to someone. Understaffed pizza and hamburger cafes where the one poor cook had to serve lines that went around to the seafood shack the whole cruise! Not enough cleaners to keep the food areas sanitary. My daughter developed a type of mouth ailment that made her lips and mouth burn which is a candida transferable contagious disease typically caused by unsanitary dishes. The whirlpools were extremely unsanitary overloaded with way too many kids (30 in a regular sized whirlpool) with the adult whirlpool being the same and no personnel on duty to check or correct capacity, we observed one lifeguard attending the pool area. So we did not use them, wanted to, but decided we did not want to end up with health issues. The hallways leading to the rooms reeked of marijuana and sewage. The casino allowed smoking which permeated to other inside areas and to get to the Silver restaurant we were assigned to for dinner and breakfast, we were told to go through the casino and as I have lung problems it caused some breathlessness and distress. The portions in the restaurant were too small (2 spoons of mashed potatoes, 2 small glazed carrots, with a tiny steak and three medium sized shrimps for an appetizer, or half of a waffle (where the menu stated waffles) for breakfast. A croissant without butter nor jelly served, and if I asked the attendant for more, he did not bring it. I weigh 135 lbs so the portions even for me, were tiny. Scrambled eggs seemed to be made of a powdered substance really I can go on and on. Yes, it was that bad. The maitre d was a rather gruff man who got very short when I complained because although I selected 6 pm dining, they changed it to late dining without notice. They are so severely understaffed that sanitation, quality and quantity suffers. It was embarrassing at times and what should have been fun turned into a frustrating experience. What we also noticed is that marine protocol was not followed about safety measures while onboard. Nobody explained to us when we boarded where life vests were located or what to do in an emergency. The lady that was supposed to just asked to see our badge to check us in. I felt very unsafe and I have been on cruises before with Carnival, Disney and P&O but this was really a trip that I don’t elect to remember. I am filing a complaint with the VSP Inspectors and Consumer Advocate Office Florida Attorney General. I have filed a complaint with Carnival with no response except automatically generated emails. I welcome other cruise guests with similar experiences to contact the VSP inspectors or FL attorney General.

Date of experience : 29 March 2024

Amenities not operational and Premium Wi-Fi did not work

The food was mediocre at best. Amenities were not kept up-to-date, jacuzzi was lukewarm, water slide was broken. Most frustratingly, I purchased 2 Premium Wi-Fi passes prior to sailing ($170) because we had scheduled our mornings for work and Zoom meetings. Their "Premium" Wi-Fi was anything but and I could barely send an email, let alone take a Zoom call. Guest services was unhelpful and stated I needed to reach out to Customer Service after the cruise was over. I was unable to do any of my scheduled work during the week of the cruise nor take any meetings, which had a domino effect after coming back. After sailing, I reached out to the Customer Service team and explained the issue. They refunded $60. I lost a lot more than $110, as there were significant delays and consequences with work after the fact. Won't be sailing with Carnival ever again.

Date of experience : 03 March 2024

Waste of money

February 4-11 Australia. Very disappointed cruise. Very cheap and not caring. No fun. No performance. Rude comedian. Horrible food (I am a chef). No independent restaurants. Some Staff passive aggressive (not happy). Room and a balcony with a view was only a pleasure. DJ’s looks like self made and not professional starting at 11.30pm when I am sleeping. Cruise director young self indulgent unprofessional. As I said only the ocean view made our trip enjoyable. Carnival a cheap embarrassment for red necks and bogans. Never again!

Date of experience : 04 February 2024

NO EXCURSION, NO REFUND!!!

We missed our shore excursion and were told getting a refund would be no problem. We stupidly disembarked without getting the refund (almost $500) and now they won't honor their word. Nothing! They apologize profusely, but because we can't produce the excursion papers they brought to our room before the excursion, they say we must have used them. I threw them away as soon as I got back to the room, thinking they weren't important anymore, so word to the wise, if they give you any papers, keep them!!! Or just skip sailing with Carnival period, the food is NOT good anymore, and their integrity is in the toilet!!! We won't be using them in the future and we tell everyone we talk to about vacations, not to use them either!

Date of experience : 26 September 2023

Dissatisfied and Disappointed

Did not get one night of sleep! Two cabins across from us had low class thug “LSU and Alabama football players” (per them, haha LIES). Loud and obnoxious ALL hours of the night, especially around 2AM when the club closed. And don’t forget all of the little thots coming in and out of the room all night long. All of them were using profanity and even racial slurs. We called front desk MULTIPLE times and they did put a person at the end of our hall. That was a waste of time because the thugs would just talk back and do as they please in the hall way. The first night we called guest services at 3am, someone came down, knocked on the thugs door and told them we were the ones that complained. Very upset about this because I literally felt threatened every time I walked out of my room, not knowing what the thugs would do in retaliation. Carnival cruise is definitely the least expensive cruise line but just remember, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!! We will never waste our money on a carnival cruise again!

Date of experience : 11 March 2024

Back in August I booked a cruise to the…

Back in August I booked a cruise to the Bermuda. Because of hurricane Franklin Carnival rerouted our cruise. I understand that Carnival can't control the weather but it seems that they didn't put a whole lot of thought in making us whole. We went to all the roughest spots in the Bahamas and was given a $200 on board credit. They laid out food that wasn't covered and bugs were flying all around the food that wasn't fit to eat. I've taken several Carnival cruises but this was by far the worst cruise ever.

Date of experience : 27 August 2023

gary anderko with carnival cruise

gary anderko with carnival cruise went out of his way to try to help us. In the day of no customer service I must say it was pleasure to work with him

Date of experience : 28 February 2024

MAKING IT RIGHT, NO WAY

Reservation hold beware … I made a reservation with Carnival & received a booking number. I asked for a reservation hold so I could pay the following day. Less than 24 hours later while I was placing my credit card info on their website, without warning I found my reservation canceled. I called customer service and attempted to pay over the phone only to find out they gave my reservation away. I asked to speak with a manager and told him Carnival was not honoring their 24 hour hold. I was literally trying to make payment when they canceled the reservation from underneath me. I was told there was nothing he can do & they had a complete booking. When asked why Carnival was not honoring their 24 hour hold I wasn’t given a straight answer. Carnival has no interest in making it right for a customer when they screwed up! My gut tells me this the norm with them. Read other reviews before booking.

Date of experience : 26 February 2024

We purchased a photo package for $199…

We purchased a photo package for $199 for 10 pictures, and we never used it and were told that we might be able to get our money back. The reason we did not use it was that we bought pictures that were $17/picture and were never told that we could use them towards our photo package of 10 pictures for $199. I spoke with the manager and asked why they would not tell us about this and have us pay more money for pictures that we could have used toward our photo package. He then retorted because there are to many people buying pictures and we do not need to ask them if they purchased a photo package. I asked for a refund and was told that I may or may not get it back but could choose 10 pictures if I liked. Of course I did not want another 10 pictures because we had already spent about $170 on the pictures we wanted. The manager told me to email carnival and see if they could issue a refund. Our stateroom was flooded and we had to use the towels in the room. We were told we would get new towels sent to our room which never happened, we had to share two towels between 5 people. It was a big mess and we just had to deal with it. I understand things happen but the way it was handled was terrible. My family and I will not be using carnival again.

Reimbursement of cancellation

I booked cruise on Carnival on Nov. 25, 2023 from LA to Mexico. They cancel the cruise due to issue with the ship which is understandable. They offer to reimbursement of air fare cancellation.When I sent in my document, they deny my airfare cancellation reimbursement saying I use E-Credit to pay for the airfare. I bought E-Airlines Gift Card with my credit card from Costco. But Carnival just denies it without any written policy. Even with written policy, such policy is illegal as they just simply deny consumer right.

Date of experience : 17 November 2023

Cruise was great until we disembarked…

Cruise was great until we disembarked in Brisbane and realised yesterday that we have been charged twice for our onboard expenses. We rang our bank who said to contact Carnival. We contacted Carnival who Initially said contact your bank and then gave us an email address to send our complaint to. We are not rich and are still waiting for a satisfactory conclusion to this which Carnival said could take up to 45 days.

Date of experience : 03 December 2023

The casino is fraudulent steeling money…

The casino is fraudulent steeling money from the carnival guests and customer service can’t do anything because it’s contracted out They are showing on your casino app that you have money you go take it out and say you have no money on your card They are saying the app is wrong but the card is write when speaking to the manager Eric he couldn’t even keep His poker face full of lies his face was beat red They are keeping your winnings and won’t let you cash out so they are always winning Lots of complaints people were saying the same thing that when they are getting their winnings they are saying there is no money this is fraudulent and they don’t care because they are on open waters Carnival Venezia from New York dec 28 2023

Disappointing cruise

I am a platinum cruiser and never been more disappointed as this cruise. Sunshine out of Charleston. Bar service was extremely slow. Casino (most popular table) had no dealer for over 2 hours. When we asked supervisors they would walk away to find out (so they said) but never came back with an answer. They changed .any dealers at other tables. Finally told us they were short staffed. Explained this is when management needs to step up and deal. Food was a c-. Organization on this cruise was very poor! My travels will not be with Carnival anytime soon.

Date of experience : 01 January 2024

We just sailed in the Carnival…

We just sailed in the Carnival Panorama. The ship was clean and very well staffed. The fun squad really brought the fun. The cruise director could shorten his overhead announcements (everyone groaned when he got started). Defiantly check out the piano bar, piano Mat was the delightful surprise of the activities. The dance team had a meet and Greet, they anre such a talented group and so genuine. Our Vista dining team Renaldo and Domingo III were amazing!! So efficient and friendly. Domingo even sings one night as entertainment in the dining room.

Date of experience : 11 February 2023

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