Complaint Review: Carnival Cruise Lines - miami Florida

It started when the boat was delayed due to weather.  I understand delays, what I did not understand was how Carnival showed no concern or accountability for people that had traveled in from out of town based upon a certain embarkation time.  That was our situation.  We should have been able to board about noon on Nov 18, 2012, but were unable to board until almost 7 pm!  We lost an entire day of our vacation!  We were refused access to the parking lot at the port, which meant that we had to drive around, pay for parking elsewhere, and find something to do for 7 hours.  When we were finally allowed access into the check in building, we sat for almost 2 hours,  During this time, security barked threats at everyone, threatening to "confiscate the next telephone they saw!"  Not a great way to start off a vacation.

No organization when we boarded.  Balconies so small the door could not open the entire way.  Dried cereal on the floor of the balcony.  Buttons on the phone, to include the wake up call button, not working.  Sporadic bathroom light.  Children in the casino's, and in the restaurant without shoes.  Children allowed to get alcoholic drinks for parents -- parents on other side of the room.  Tried to play Bingo onboard -- $25 for one game!

Spoke to the Director of Guest Services about issues.  His response?  "Obviously we can't do anything regarding compensation."  I responded telling him that was not the reason that I had contacted him to make him aware of the issues.  His response to that was "well, if it is not money you are after, what is it?"  I was speechless.

Irate that he neither offered an apology for such a blatantly rude comment, or to get maintenance to fix the mechanical issues, I told him that I would escalate my issues through another avenue.  He said nothing.  Contacted several people in management (all while on the cruise) and eventually heard back from the onboard Hotel Director, who claimed concern, and yet, ultimately did nothing.  I told him that I thought the Director of Guest Services owed me an apology -- to date never received one, nor did anything change. 

Last night of the cruise -- my mother gets food poisoning.  Horrible food poisoning.  In the bathroom all night.  Stopped by Guest Services in the morning to make them aware.  The did and said nothing other than "ok, we will make a note of it".  Never asked what had been eaten, how long, etc. 

Followed up with corporate headquarters and heard nothing until yesterday.  A representative from the office of the president called me, made alot of excuses and expected me to just understand.  I told her that I was not interested in any kind of voucher from Carnival, and that I would never take another cruise with them again.  I informed her that I wanted a partial refund for the day that we boarded, and lost an entire day of our vacation, as well as reimbursement for the parking that we had to pay for that day when we were denied access to their lot.  I was told "However, I must be honest and inform you that our position remains unchanged; we are unable to offer any compensation in this regard."

This cruise line is horrible!  We wasted close to $1200 per person going on this less than mediocre cruise, with rude and incompetent staff!  Carnival assumes no accountability for this, or for the lack of customer service, and cares only about making money!  Never again!