Would you be leery (Carnival cruises)

[Deleted]

H and I have gone on a couple Carnival cruises in the past and have had great experiences, though with the problems they have had lately with their ships I would hesitate for booking another one in the near future.

My question is this: We have a cruise booked on Princess in May, would it worry you since Princess is a Carnival affiliate?  H is a little concerned and I don't think there is need to be.

[Deleted]

Yes, I would be a little concerned tbh. I might purchase travel insurance in case but I wouldn't cancel my trip or anything. Isn't Costa cruises (the ship that sunk in Europe) owned by Carnival also?

[Deleted]

Mar 14, 2013 14:30:02 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

Yes, I would be a little concerned tbh. I might purchase travel insurance in case but I wouldn't cancel my trip or anything. Isn't Costa cruises (the ship that sunk in Europe) owned by Carnival also?

Yes it is but to be honest that doesn't bother me because from my understanding (and I could be wrong) that ship sinking was entirely the fault of the Captain's negligence and not faulty equipment.

[gtkim]

I wouldn't worry at all.  I've cruised Princess many times without incident. They might be the same parent but are run very differently.

[magdala]

My friends just got back from a Caribbean cruise on Princess and can't stop raving about it.

[sushi]

I'd be more likely to go on Carnvial now as I expect they're racing to make sure everything is in ship shape (when do I get to use that in its proper context?!)

If you're concerned about similar things happening regardless of line, look at the age of the ship. I think it was 2009 when they mandated all new ships have separate engine rooms so that a fire in one doesn't disable the whole thing. So newer and retrofitted ships shouldn't have the same concerns.

[Deleted]

Ditto sushi I think you're fine. Carnival cant afford another problem!!

[Deleted]

They just had another problem (not nearly as severe) there was an article about it yesterday. Hence the sudden concern from H.

[Deleted]

tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2013/03/14/cruisers-to-be-flown-home-after-carnival-dreams-power-problems/

[Deleted]

We just returned on 3/6 from a Carnival cruise.It was our 2nd Carnival...and last.  THey just dont measure up to the cruises we have taken on Royal Caribbean or  Disney.   you get what you pay for.

Yeah, I'd be leery even tho before we left on ours people were teasing us due to the Carnival Triumph incident. We were saying they wuold be on top of their game since then...guess not!!! 

[Deleted]

Mar 15, 2013 5:34:24 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2013/03/14/cruisers-to-be-flown-home-after-carnival-dreams-power-problems/

H mm. Maybe carnival doesn't have it's shit together!!
I wouldn't cancel an existing booking but I'd be hesitant to book a new cruise.

[badatcaptcha]

Hopefully by May they will have their shit together.

I would call and voice your concern. My Uncle did so with his upcoming Carnival Cruise, and they reduced the price. See what they will do for you.

[Deleted]

Mar 15, 2013 13:25:58 GMT -5 badatcaptcha said:

Hopefully by May they will have their shit together.

I would call and voice your concern. My Uncle did so with his upcoming Carnival Cruise, and they reduced the price. See what they will do for you.

Thats a really good idea, especially if you have cancellation insurance so you can call their bluff. LOL.

[kateross]

I wouldn't be too concerned. We've sailed Holland and Carnival before (Carnival owns Holland), and I would not hesitate going back to both. My preference would be Holland because you do get what you pay for with Carnival IMO.

I did choose their newer ships. Except for Dream, the other 3 Carnival ships that had recent incidents were about 10 yo and older. And tbh, Dream's problem was that the backup generator apparently failed a routine test and had issues while on port at St. Maarten. They could have sailed back, but took extra precaution (I was just reading up on it earlier).

Opt for the trip insurance, call to see if they can reduce your price, and enjoy your trip.

[Deleted]

I would be very concerned. I feel like they've had a lot of issues lately, and I feel like if they were getting their act together it should have happened by now. Failing a routine test and sending a ship on it's way anyways doesn't speak well to me.

[fakejew]

Mar 15, 2013 12:43:44 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

Mar 15, 2013 5:34:24 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2013/03/14/cruisers-to-be-flown-home-after-carnival-dreams-power-problems/

H mm. Maybe carnival doesn't have it's shit together!!
I wouldn't cancel an existing booking but I'd be hesitant to book a new cruise.

I actually think their handling of this incident proves they do have their shit together (or are at least worried about covering their asses).  They could have sailed home and taken a chance, but they didn't.  They took the conservative CYA route and flew everyone home.

OP- just make sure it's a newer ship and buy travel insurance.  Otherwise go and have a great time.

[vegas]

Mar 17, 2013 14:20:19 GMT -5 fakejew said:

Mar 15, 2013 12:43:44 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

H mm. Maybe carnival doesn't have it's shit together!!
I wouldn't cancel an existing booking but I'd be hesitant to book a new cruise.

I actually think their handling of this incident proves they do have their shit together (or are at least worried about covering their asses).  They could have sailed home and taken a chance, but they didn't.  They took the conservative CYA route and flew everyone home.

OP- just make sure it's a newer ship and buy travel insurance.  Otherwise go and have a great time.

I think the point is that Carnival shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place.  If the fleet is properly maintained they wouldn't have had to make the decision of whether to fly everyone home or sail back.  

I'd pick another cruise line, although I do like the idea of seeking a price reduction.  I bet prices on Carnival cruises are going to decrease dramatically over the next few months!

[fakejew]

Indeed. Fair enough.

[mrsnole]

No I would not be concerned or worried.  Go and have fun!