The Inspiration left me uninspired
Written: Jan 02 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: At least I can say I've visited different countries.
Cons: The Inspiration left me without a muse!
The Bottom Line: Absolutely not! I won't do this ship again. The Carnival experience has definitely gone down hill.
|
|
|
| snelson2010's Full Review: Carnival Inspiration |
I was a Carnival faithful up until the MS Inspiration left me uninspired due to the fact that the experience I had aboard this "funship" was everything but fun.
And before I say what was bad about my cruise, I'd like to say what was good about it. My cabin attendant was absolutely wonderful. He was patient enough to assuage my every request. Every time I ran into him, whether it was during working hours or off duty hours, I received a friendly smile and casual conversation.
The cruise director was indubitably professional and courteous. I saw him on several ocassions talking to guests in a way that made them feel wanted instead of feeling inferior due to "popularity" complex. Most of the other entertainment staff members certainly displayed a cocky attitude, giving many guests a reason to talk about them in a very unflattering manner.
I was looking forward to this cruise more than any other cruise I've taken before because all my other experiences had been so good and I really needed to spend time by myself! After dealing with a cancer patient (my mother), a deployed husband (since October) and the joys of being a step-mother to an ADHD child with plenty of baggage, I wanted to trade my many sorrows for 7 days of carefree vacationing.
The so called gourmet food was either bland or too oily. The sodas and mixed drinks too expensive. Not to mention the way in which the Head Waiter repeatedly flirted with me, using very suggestive language and acting cute to ensure an additional tip at the end of the cruise. But the "romance" turned sour several times when I asked for more soup, more salad dressing, more of this or more of that. Prince Charmin turned to his fellow Bulgarians and spoke in their language, pointing at me and laughing on several occasions. During breakfast the waiters openly complained about the guests' eating habits and annoying requests, again, pointing and speaking in their native languages. These waiters scoffed, raised their eyebrows and puffed at every request anyone in my table made. And it's no wonder these waiters acted the way they did I as the tips were automatically charged to my sail and sign card the minute I checked in! They were already paid, and who cares?
The "Vegas Style" shows were colorful and filled with good dance moves but the singers were mediocre and off key. They even attempted to sing in languages they really didn't know, therefore committing linguistic homicide! I felt like I was viewed as a stupid tourist and "I wouldn't know better." As a well-trained musician, I was offended by such a production especially when I was supposed to be in awe of this average performance.
It is evident that the staff is trained to be extra nice to guests that look like they have plenty of cash in their pockets. And the gift shop attendants will not give you a minute of their time until you are ready to pay. I felt like a walking money bag, trying to escape the claws of the money-thirsty staff, hired to suck you dry.
I felt extremely uncomfortable with the way one-day sales, gambling and money-sucking activities were forced down my throat everywhere I went. I was subjected to some form of advertisement at an average once or twice every 20 minutes.
The shore excursions are way overpriced! I can't believe that I paid $45 to walk through a backyard, into the woods with a dirty, unshaved and stinky guide for 3 hours to receive a thorough lesson on the kinds of weeds that grow on Belize. Were we supposed to be impressed by this? The Baboom Sanctuary turned out to be a baboom hunt because we had to walk through water, mud and mosquito-infected puddles to see 2 monkeys hang from a branch! Then, the guide stood there suggesting that we tip him for his work, as if paying $45 wasn't enough. And forget about going to the bathroom while in the Sanctuary. The bathroom/outhouse made many of the guests sick to their stomach.
Finally, the debarkation process was extremely unorganized and tediously slow! I can't believe that it took us from 8 AM to 12 PM to even begin to call the first color-coded group of people. I decided to just go with the next color they called and no one stopped me! And I was glad because I couldn't get out of there fast enough to save my life.
I was a faithful Carnival customer up until my meeting the MS Inspiration and its "wonderful" staff. I have already purchased a pair of tickets for my husband and I to go on a cruise when he gets back from Saudi Arabia but they are NOT for Carnival, that's for sure!
Recommended:
No
Best Suited For: Seniors
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
snelson2010
|
|
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.