d'oh!

skygoddess:

They call this one of their "fun ships" but my sister and I renamed it the "make you own fun ship".

And?  The rest of life isn't like this, as well?

A cruise will attempt to provide opportunities for various types and styles of "fun", but there is a discreet limit to what can be had on a ship, no matter how large it is.  And yes, it is "make your own fun".  Apparently you enjoy dancing and carousing -- and you did it when you had the opportunity.  So the reason you're barking ... is ...?

The band at the pool played the same 15 songs everyday.

I've always counted 18, but, yeah, they're a typical cover band.

skygoddess:

the food is supposed to be really good, the entertainment Vegas quality, and the activities constant.

The food is "good" depending on what kind of food you like.  If you are like many children and young adults whose palettes have never been stretched, the mixture of textures and spices will be unfamiliar to you, and your instinctive survival mechanisms as relates to food will kick in and tell you that unfamiliar == "not good".

The singers/dancers are Vegas-style, not Vegas-quality.  If they were Vegas-quality they'd be in Vegas [or on Broadway] where they'd get paid better.  As it is, they are talented but unpolished, and they try hard.

The activities are constant, and you only need to review the daily tear-out list from your Capers to verify it.  Now, I'll be the first to tell you that the majority of the activities will not be to your liking. Perhaps even the vast majority of the activities.  ...almost none are to my liking.  But that doesn't mean they don't exist.  And this goes back to the concept of providing opportunities for "fun" to a wide variety of people -- some of whom think dancing and carousing is bo-o-o-o-oring.  ...again, like me.

Some people actually like those 25 year old trivia contests -- because 25 years ago is when they were in their prime and they [go figure!] like reliving those days.

Some people actually like goofy hacks doing bad impressions of Elvis.

And some people actually do not need to drink their weight in expensive alcohol while being passively "entertained" constantly.  To some people, drinking just half their weight in expensive alcohol is entertainment enough.

First Time Cruiser,
What a perspective! Because of those little glitches in your trip, you were able to do some things you may not have gotten to. We make it what it is and roll with the tide.
So sorry for your loss of the vehicles,though.





Celebrating my 37th birthday on the Holiday October 20, 2008

 First let me explain something to you. I am not a child or even a young adult.  I have probably eaten more exoctic foods in more countries than you have even heard of.  Also, I don't find "drinking my weight in expensive alcohol entertainment".  That is what I am "barking" about.  The only thing I expected out of this cruise line was what was advertised, God forbid I expect that!  As it happens I made friends with quite a few people on this cruise that ranged from the early 20's to early 60's (the best part of the cruise) and they were not happy with the lack of and quality of the entertainment either. So, I can only assume that you were not on this particular cruise and that you have had better luck with Carnival than we had. Maybe it was the new entertainment director that was to blame or maybe it was just normal for Carnival, I don't know, but I do know that I have the right to complain if what is promised by the advertisement is not what is delivered. 

SERENITY NOW!!! ... SERENITY NOW!!!

rwilymz:

The singers/dancers are Vegas-style, not Vegas-quality.  If they were Vegas-quality they'd be in Vegas [or on Broadway] where they'd get paid better.  As it is, they are talented but unpolished, and they try hard.  

It's hard to comment on the quality of the dancers, as the cast changes and even within the same cast and show, the quality of the performance can vary.  But I have known top notch dancers who have worked for a cruise line, dancers who could surpass what I've seen in Vegas.  They are often limited by the choreography.  Also, the audience makes a difference as well.  From what I've observed during many shows, people were drinking and talking during the performance, many paying little attention to what was going on onstage, hardly bothering to applaud afterwards.  And not because of a poor performance.  Who knows if much of the audience had / would ever buy tickets to a dance performance in their home cities.  It's hard to give your all doing 2 shows a night, when the audience (and I'm not saying everyone, but sadly, many) are paying no attention - but from the shows I saw they did just that.  A good job on a stage the size of a postage stamp, with much of the audience more interested in drinking / smoking & chatting than seeing the show.   

But yes, I agree with you rwilymz that the cruise, like life, is pretty much what you make of it.  

Skygoddess, never was the old adage "Birds of a feather flock together" more apt than when it is applied now.  Perhaps you should have hung around with people who were having fun and maybe you would have had some also.

skygoddess:

I have probably eaten more exoctic foods in more countries than you have even heard of.

That's doubtful.  My job requires dealing, in one way or another, with all countries.  I'll grant that your diet is eclectic. 

The only thing I expected out of this cruise line was what was advertised

Ah!  Okay, and what was that?  What were your expectations?

skygoddess:

they were not happy with the lack of and quality of the entertainment either.

Here's one of the things that makes me think you're kinda young [despite your claim to the contrary]: In every situation, ever, no matter where it is or who designs and controls it, there are going to be people who do not like it.  That's just the way life is.  And frequently, because I'm kinda hard to please myself, I'm the one who doesn't like it.  But I'm old enough, and experienced/mature enough, to understand that there will be those times that I'm on the outside looking in.  And ... well, okay.  I just don't do that activity again, I guess. 

You didn't like the entertainment?  Honestly, "sky", stand in line.  You're in good and plentiful company.

Very few people in that crowd, however, have a public hissy fit about it.

skygoddess:

I don't know, but I do know that I have the right to complain if what is promised by the advertisement is not what is delivered.

Without question!

And the things about "rights" is that others have the right to complain about your complaints.

Everyone's happy.

I would like to know why this message was forwarded to me?  First Time Cruiser

For gosh sakes already!  I have said before that everything is what you make it. If these folks who are venting here about their lack of their satisfaction about entertainment, food, fun or the absence of..... by all means go for it!  Chances are that these folks aren't happy with too much in life otherwise they wouldn't be so focused on the alternate form of entertainment they've chosen........Complaining and having a good time seeing what people have to say about such negativity! 

If you didn't like the cruise -fine, if you didn't like the food - fine, if you didn't like the weather - fine.  STAY HOME -COOK FOR YOURSELF AND STAY IN YOUR BED BECAUSE THERE'S PROBABLY A STORM NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE! 

amen brother ben!