Carnival Sunshine Review

Disappointed in Customer Service

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Sunshine
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Wayne Kibby
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Jan 2018
Cabin: Balcony

Chose this cruise to travel with friends. Booked almost a year in advance, paying top dollar for desired adjoining balcony rooms. Requested and confirmed early dining. When trying to board the ship as a VIP, waited for our line to move, and watched a gentleman enter the regular check in line and move thru before we made it thru, LOL. When walking up the gangway to enter, two lines were being checked thru, unfortunately our lines hand held scanner stopped working, so we sat there for some time while the other line proceeded onto the ship. Finally our scanner started working again, and we boarded. After getting settled, proceeded to the traditional sail away party on deck. Went to the serenity deck bar. I got my drink order, but my buddy was ignored, so waited. And continued to be ignored. And continue to be ignored. This was, what we learned, would be the theme of the cruise. We were surprised to find that we had late dining. We have never had late dining, but decided to give it a try. We showed up at 8:15, and were shown to table 508. The waiter team appeared to be confused, and completely in disorganized. This happens on first nights, so we weren't too put out. However, when we were still waiting for our dessert at 10 P.M., and the entire dining room had finished and left, we became a little miffed. Especially when the waiter teams were too busy resetting tables for the next morning, working all around us. Finally received our dessert, and ate, missing the 10 P.M. show. We decided to request the next day to be changed to early or "anytime" dining. However, when we did, we were told early was overbooked, and that anytime was our only option and that it would not be able to be changed till after that night (formal night). No problem. We arrived promptly at 8:15, were seated, and let the waiter know we wished to see the 10 P.M. show. The team started out good, however by the time the entrees were coming out, we were waiting once again for a long period for our dinner. It then got worse, waiting for the entrees to clear, and dessert menus. Yes, you guessed, repeat of the previous night with the dining room almost empty, and 10 P.M. waiting for our dessert while the waiters were busy turning the tables over for breakfast.

The next day, we went to the anytime dining queue for our table. We were told that we were supposed to be attending late dining, so we had to explain that we requested anytime. She entered some info into the computer, and we received an immediate assignment to table 311. WOW...We were greeted by Novi, menu explained, wine glasses removed without having to be asked, knowledgeable of the menu, and she ran her team. Top notch service, and we were all thrilled! The next night we entered the queue again, and found that it would be a 45 minute wait to be seated in her section (others must have found out that she knew what she was doing) So we agreed to a different section. Oops, mistake. We were sat in the rear with a nice view. Unfortunately, it took 15 minutes to get a menu, then another 15 minutes for the waiter to take our order, then 20 minutes later our apps arrived. We knew we fell into the black hole of service again. Tables around us were complaining so we knew it was not just us. Then the table next to us had to move because a leak had started in the ceiling above their table, and was streaming onto the guest. Wow! Then the floor show featuring "Happy" began. We still had not received our entrees, and our table partner exclaimed he would be "Happy if he got his plate". Needless to say, it was over 2 hours before we left. Other tables left before dessert. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my wife received incorrect dishes on 3 occasions, and my entrée was completely forgotten once. So it is safe to say the Maître D has some serious improvements to do.

As for the Lido dining, the selections have gone down every cruise, and have become more economical. I can get chicken nuggets and fries at Mcdonalds, and it is nice it is there for kids (this time of year I think there were 30 kids on board). But it has taken the place of other options that we have enjoyed in the past. We all laughed at the Chefs million ways to incorporate bland tasting Panna Cotta into practically every dessert. There was a serious sugar shortage on this ship, as a majority of desserts (pies, cakes, frosting, etc..) hinted of sweetness, but certainly needed more. The Cuban Café had good food, but I was disappointed on the last sea day. I grabbed a small cupcake from the Cuban Café which was topped with an espresso frosting and espresso bean. Looked beautiful. When I tasted it, I could not believe how disgusting it tasted. I asked my friends to taste the frosting in case it was just me, and they thought it was nasty as well. It tasted like whipped buttermilk or sour cream with instant espresso mixed in. I could not believe the Chef would allow something like that to go out. I was actually afraid it was spoiled. I went back to the Café and asked for a Manager. I asked him if he tasted the mini cake, and he said no. I explained that it was not good. He said he would take it to the Chef, and left with one. I hung out at the Café for a minute, grabbed a little Cuban sandwich, and then went back into the lido dining area. I saw the Manager talking with 2 other culinary employees, obviously talking about the little cake and then they were all laughing (Not sure if they were laughing about me or the cake) I approached them and asked if they tasted the cake and they all sobered up quickly and acted serious, with the Manager leaving saying he was taking it to the Chef. My initial concern is the staff laughing at a guest who brought a concern to them. My second concern is the nasty cake item offered to the guests. If it is acceptable to the Chef, then my confidence in his ability is greatly diminished. In my opinion, a staff member did not follow a recipe, and the food item made its way onto the buffet.

Cabin Review

Balcony

Cabin 8A

Nice, worn

Port Reviews

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)

Did an all inclusive beach break for 70$. Only included 2 light Beers, 5 watered down 70 proof rum drinks, coke, sprite and water. Full bar available, but had to pay extra. Lunch was ok, but the sea bass was outstanding. should have stayed in the port at the venue there with pools, cabanas, bars, etc...

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