For DCL cruisers considering Carnival...hopefully this helps someone....

[luv2sleep]

Just posting to help other DCL cruisers who might be looking at other cruise lines.

We are back from our local Carnival cruise. I hate to report that I had such a negative experience and will likely never sail Carnival again. It was a 4 night cruise. Yesterday morning after 3 nights sleeping in room, I flung back the covers further than I guess I had before and discovered a body fluid stain and other areas that looked liked they came from a dirty body parts or possibly other bodily substance. Oh my gosh I was beyond disgusted. I had slept in that bed for 3 nights and it looks like the sheets were not changed between us and the prior guests. I tried to call customer service but was placed on hold a couple of times. I went down there and talked to them in person. They called someone to basically smooth things over who offered to change all of the linens, vacuum, clean, and disinfect the room. That didn't help me feel much better. I stayed out of the room for the bulk of the day. I hated being in there. Thankfully last night was our last night. I then started noticing how even though there are hand sanitizer stands everywhere no one seemed to use them except us. I then was sanitizing my hands before and after I got my food because I was touching tongs and other utensils and equipment that others had been. I was just really grossed out in general so now I was on high alert. On DCL they hand everyone walking in to an eating area a hand sanitizing wipe (except on deck where they are located at the various places to eat for you to self serve). The last thing I noticed that no one was cleaning common surfaces like they do on DCL (banisters, buttons, door handles, etc.). On DCL it seems like they are constantly cleaning these items throughout the cruise. Makes sense because they can't possibly do all of that cleaning between trips and have it be effective. But, low and behold they were starting to clean them as we were disembarking today. I am an easy going laid back person about budget travel. Not everyone can afford to travel and pay as much as others can afford to so I tend to not look down on cheaper cruise lines and accommodations. Well that's over. I am just so grossed out and so so glad to be home.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm actually surprised about their lack of service. I never put them on the level of Disney but always enjoyed their level of service more than even Royal Caribbean.

 

[2prettygirl]

Our very first cruise we did on Carnival and we had a nice experience but once we sailed Disney, it was hard to compare the 2. I will say that we are traveling with family in a few months on another Carnival cruise only because they didn't want to spend the money on a Disney cruise, which is understandable. We enjoyed Carnival the first time but I will admit that it will be hard to not compare the two lines while cruising but I will not let it ruin my vacation. I plan to go and enjoy it.....and look forward to my next cruise on Disney! Sounds like you had bad room service altogether, sorry it happened to you. You are right that Disney goes above and beyond to make sure all areas of the ship are clean for everyone using it.

 

[Ofinn]

Sorry you had a bad experience. Im really excited to try the new Carnival Vista. Our last two dcl cruises were nothing exceptional. Im just looking forward to something new.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've also only done one Carnival cruise. Also a 4 nighter. Typically, a 3 or 4 night Carnival cruise is a bit rowdier, more party atmosphere than longer cruises. And I didn't really care for the Vegas-y chrome/neon light decor. I also learned not to expect much from the entertainment onboard (especially if you're not into adult language/subjects).

While I wasn't particularly highly impressed with Carnival after our cruise, I wasn't turned off from them entirely. I think we'll try a longer cruise with them sometime in the future.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We just returned from an 8 night Mediterranean on the Carnival Vista and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The morning we disembarked they had all brand new linens including duvets waiting in the halls and as people were exiting the cabins they were pulling all old linens out. The Vista also has the awesome hand sanitizers, that the DCL kids clubs have, at the entrances to the buffet.

Our next cruise on Carnival is June 2016, 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Vista. For 4 people in 2 insides with prepaid gratuity is less than $5000. The same week for a 7 night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy not including gratuity is over $10,000. For that kind of savings, I can deal with some people not using the sanitizers.

I personally don't watch what other people are doing, if I start that I'll never want to leave my house. Think about when you're at a fast food restaurant or convenience store, do people sanitize their hands before they put their fingers on the button to dispense soda? Germs can live there just as easy as anywhere else.

 

[perditax]

Just posting to help other DCL cruisers who might be looking at other cruise lines.

We are back from our local Carnival cruise. I hate to report that I had such a negative experience and will likely never sail Carnival again. It was a 4 night cruise.

When you say "local" and "4 night" I'm assuming it was one of the older ships. For me, local/4-night = Charleston SC and one of the very oldest ships in the Carnival fleet, IIRC.

I know it doesn't make your situation any better, but my expectations for one of those cruises would be very, very low.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'm looking forward to trying the Vista. That ship looks amazing!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Our next cruise on Carnival is June 2017, 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Vista. For 4 people in 2 insides with prepaid gratuity is less than $5000. The same week for a 7 night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy not including gratuity is over $10,000. For that kind of savings, I can deal with some people not using the sanitizers.

We're also looking at that cruise. It's less than $6500 for a family of 5 in a Family Harbor oceanview room. That's around $4000 cheaper than the least expensive stateroom on the Fantasy in June.

 

[Ofinn]

We just returned from an 8 night Mediterranean on the Carnival Vista and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The morning we disembarked they had all brand new linens including duvets waiting in the halls and as people were exiting the cabins they were pulling all old linens out. The Vista also has the awesome hand sanitizers, that the DCL kids clubs have, at the entrances to the buffet.

Our next cruise on Carnival is June 2016, 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Vista. For 4 people in 2 insides with prepaid gratuity is less than $5000. The same week for a 7 night Western Caribbean on the Fantasy not including gratuity is over $10,000. For that kind of savings, I can deal with some people not using the sanitizers.

I personally don't watch what other people are doing, if I start that I'll never want to leave my house. Think about when you're at a fast food restaurant or convenience store, do people sanitize their hands before they put their fingers on the button to dispense soda? Germs can live there just as easy as anywhere else.

I agree with you everything you touch has germs on it. You can sanitize your hands until your blue in the face, but as soon as you touch something it's all for naught. I'm not saying not to wash your hands you should, but people survived for years without hand sanitizer.
People should worry more about keeping their immunes system strong. Exercise, eat right, a little sunshine and plenty of sleep will go along way to keeping you healthy. I'll get off my soap box now.

 

[Ofinn]

We're also looking at that cruise. It's less than $6500 for a family of 5 in a Family Harbor oceanview room. That's around $4000 cheaper than the least expensive stateroom on the Fantasy in June.

I'll give you my opinion in 3 months. I've cruised 13 times on DCL in the last 5 years on all 4 ships so I think I can give a good comparison.

 

[julibbysgrammie]

My husband and I have sailed 10 times on Carnival ships, we have never experienced anything like you have described. Someone is always cleaning, beds stripped, it's terrible that you had that much trouble. We are cruising on our first Disney cruise in October and are very excited but I do not expect the experience to be the same,it's Disney I am expecting much more as I would expect much more from a disney park vacation vs a six flag park vacation to me it's apples and oranges not comprable. And since we have mentioned price 2 cabins 5 people 8 day cruise on carnival during kids spring break week cost almost the same as 1 cabin,2 people 7 day cruise in oct, my expectations are very high for our upcoming cruise

 

[Ofinn]

My husband and I have sailed 10 times on Carnival ships, we have never experienced anything like you have described. Someone is always cleaning, beds stripped, it's terrible that you had that much trouble. We are cruising on our first Disney cruise in October and are very excited but I do not expect the experience to be the same,it's Disney I am expecting much more as I would expect much more from a disney park vacation vs a six flag park vacation to me it's apples and oranges not comprable. And since we have mentioned price 2 cabins 5 people 8 day cruise on carnival during kids spring break week cost almost the same as 1 cabin,2 people 7 day cruise in oct, my expectations are very high for our upcoming cruise

I would assume since Carnival has so many ships and cruises that occasional there is going to be some issue with quality control. I don't doubt OP's story, and it's unfortunate she had to go through that. I always check the bed wherever I stay. Enjoy your cruise. You should have high expectations for Disney considering what your paying. I hope they live up to your expectations.

 

[kaseyC]

We returned a few weeks ago for a 10 night Eastern Med cruise on the Carnival Vista. Fantastic itinerary. Our experience was nothing like the OP's. Beautiful ship, excellent crew and one of the best and most engaging cruise directors we have ever sailed with on any cruise line. Crew members were always out and about cleaning.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

21 cruises on 4 different cruise lines and the only time I got Noro was on Disney.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We returned a few weeks ago for a 10 night Eastern Med cruise on the Carnival Vista. Fantastic itinerary. Our experience was nothing like the OP's. Beautiful ship, excellent crew and one of the best and most engaging cruise directors we have ever sailed with on any cruise line. Crew members were always out and about cleaning.

We loved Matt too, he's an excellent CD. My teen daughter loves him a bit too much though, I'm so not ready for a daughter who will start dating soon!!

 

[kaseyC]

We loved Matt too, he's an excellent CD. My teen daughter loves him a bit too much though, I'm so not ready for a daughter who will start dating soon!!

All 3 of my daughters (20, 15 & 13) were crushing on Matt. LOL

 

[Jennifer777]

My first cruise was on Carnival 16 years ago and it was an awful experience. I could not wait to get off the ship and swore off cruising after that. I was bored, the bed and room were uncomfortable and the food was mediocre at best, which was especially frustrating considering eating was one of the only activities they offered I was interested in.

Fast forward 14 years and our friends talk us into taking a short Disney cruise. We were skeptical and booked a short 3 day cruise just in case it was awful. We loved it and I noticed many differences right off the bat. The constant cleaning, more activities, a brighter more welcoming environment, better entertainment, better food. I was sold. We loved cruising... with Disney. We booked a second, longer cruise and loved it just as much so we booked a 3rd and much to our surprise, we were incredibly disappointed. Very little cleaning happening around the ship, the service was very disappointing and the entertainment left lots to be desired.

This last cruise opened our eyes a little. We now know that cruising DCL doesn't guarantee a clean ship with outstanding service and entertainment. When all is said and done, each ship is like a separate hotel and is only as good as management dictates. Even more so, each stateroom host, server and cruise director has the ability to leave a negative impression on the trip if they aren't up to par. We still love DCL and will cruise with them in the future, there are things they offer that you can't find on other cruise lines and we know that our one bad experience is not indicative of what DCL is like entirely, but we are no longer afraid of trying others and have even looked at the new Carnival Vista due to it's itineraries.

 

[Ofinn]

My first cruise was on Carnival 16 years ago and it was an awful experience. I could not wait to get off the ship and swore off cruising after that. I was bored, the bed and room were uncomfortable and the food was mediocre at best, which was especially frustrating considering eating was one of the only activities they offered I was interested in.

Fast forward 14 years and our friends talk us into taking a short Disney cruise. We were skeptical and booked a short 3 day cruise just in case it was awful. We loved it and I noticed many differences right off the bat. The constant cleaning, more activities, a brighter more welcoming environment, better entertainment, better food. I was sold. We loved cruising... with Disney. We booked a second, longer cruise and loved it just as much so we booked a 3rd and much to our surprise, we were incredibly disappointed. Very little cleaning happening around the ship, the service was very disappointing and the entertainment left lots to be desired.

This last cruise opened our eyes a little. We now know that cruising DCL doesn't guarantee a clean ship with outstanding service and entertainment. When all is said and done, each ship is like a separate hotel and is only as good as management dictates. Even more so, each stateroom host, server and cruise director has the ability to leave a negative impression on the trip if they aren't up to par. We still love DCL and will cruise with them in the future, there are things they offer that you can't find on other cruise lines and we know that our one bad experience is not indicative of what DCL is like entirely, but we are no longer afraid of trying others and have even looked at the new Carnival Vista due to it's itineraries.

I think the first time you cruise DCL your caught up in the "Magic of Disney" , but the more you cruise the more that seems to wear off. I think my eyes were opened on our last two cruises. Our last cruise was by far my favorite, but that was because of the ports when I sit back and reflect on the cruise itself it really wasn't what I had come to expect from DCL. I don't want to list everything that went wrong or the cuts I noticed. It also made me realize that for my family and the ages of my kids now the ports are more important than the actual cruise experience.
As far as Carnival and some of the other lines I think they have made great improvements with some of their larger family oriented ships. I probably would not go on any of the older ships on the other lines.
I cancelled my two placeholders on DCL. It's too bad I couldn't have gifted them to someone. I've pretty much decided I won't put out the money for DCL unless I get a really good GT rate or the elusive interline rate we get occasionally. The price differences are just too much, and my kids want to see new things.

 

[Shanti]

My first cruise was on Carnival 16 years ago and it was an awful experience. I could not wait to get off the ship and swore off cruising after that. I was bored, the bed and room were uncomfortable and the food was mediocre at best, which was especially frustrating considering eating was one of the only activities they offered I was interested in.

Fast forward 14 years and our friends talk us into taking a short Disney cruise. We were skeptical and booked a short 3 day cruise just in case it was awful. We loved it and I noticed many differences right off the bat. The constant cleaning, more activities, a brighter more welcoming environment, better entertainment, better food. I was sold. We loved cruising... with Disney. We booked a second, longer cruise and loved it just as much so we booked a 3rd and much to our surprise, we were incredibly disappointed. Very little cleaning happening around the ship, the service was very disappointing and the entertainment left lots to be desired.

This last cruise opened our eyes a little. We now know that cruising DCL doesn't guarantee a clean ship with outstanding service and entertainment. When all is said and done, each ship is like a separate hotel and is only as good as management dictates. Even more so, each stateroom host, server and cruise director has the ability to leave a negative impression on the trip if they aren't up to par. We still love DCL and will cruise with them in the future, there are things they offer that you can't find on other cruise lines and we know that our one bad experience is not indicative of what DCL is like entirely, but we are no longer afraid of trying others and have even looked at the new Carnival Vista due to it's itineraries.

Which ship was that last cruise on?