Nancy N. Sellman

Age: 25
Occupation: preschool teacher
Number of Cruises: 2
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Ship: Carnival Spirit
Sailing Date: April 21st, 2002
Itinerary: Hawaii

Our honeymoon trip on the Carnival Spirit 12 day cruise to Hawaii proved to be an unique trip. If you like to be delayed at everything by hours, stand in extremely long lines, miss hours of time on shore due to unorganized tender boat trips, like to ride on tender boats that are driven by people who don't have a clue as to what they are doing, I highly recommend the Carnival Spirit. Our arrival time on the ship was supposed to be early evening. My new husband and I arrived in our room at approximately 2:00 a.m. Carnival did give everyone on the ship a $200.00 credit for this, this was just the beginning. Our week at sea was great. We have no complaints there. However, when we arrived at our first port of Hilo, we yet again experienced huge delays. Our time on Hilo was cut short due to the hours of waiting to clear customs. My previous cruise, I have never experienced such delays when it came to customs. Hilo was wonderful. Our next stop of Kona, yet again met us with delays. In addition to these delays, we had the unfortunate experience of the tender boats. After waiting hours to get on the tender boat, we were met by what seemed to be an extremely inexperienced boat driver. Not only was the short trip to shore extremely rocky (due to the driver, not the water) it took forever for him to dock the tender. However, our trip on Kona was great. Maui, our third destination proved for the third time, that this ship should have just stayed at sea and not visited any islands. We woke up to find that the air condition was broken. Carnival said it would be fixed by noon (if you go by Carnival time, add about an eight or so hour delay). My husband and I enjoyed our visit to Maui. Unfortunately, it was here, that we found out that our cruise was going to be cancelled due to the fact that the ship could not be repaired. As we returned to the ship, we had the worst tender boat ride that anyone could imagine. The sea was extremely rough causing a rough ride. Half way to the ship, the tender driver stopped. As we sat there literally rocking up and down the sides of the tender, many people put on life preservers. The tender driver finally let us know after about 10 mins. of waiting, that he could not get to the ship because the captain needed to move the ship due to currents. I understand this was necessary, but what was unnecessary was making us wait on this tender for close to 40 mins. while the captain moved the ship. We should have been taken back to shore to wait. Once the tender boat driver finally got us to the ship, it was at this point that I was told that I could not leave the tender until I returned the life preserver. The tender at this point was still rocking extremely rough, and I was astounded at the fact that I was told I could not leave the tender with the life vest on. I understand that they have to have the jackets on the tender, but what was so difficult about me getting off, and then handing the jacket back. Needless to say, I did not even attempt to take the jacket off until, I was off the tender. When we returned to our room, we found out that we were going to be reimbursed for the cruise, and put up in a hotel by Carnival for the remainder of the trip in Honolulu. While it is extremely unfortunate that Carnival Spirit was not the honeymoon that we had hopes for, I will give Carnival credit for making up for it. Our hotel in Honolulu was absolutely amazing, and we are very pleased with the fact that all our money will be returned. Our overall experience with Carnival is this--when it comes to disorganization, delays, and horrible tender trips, Carnival is the worst experience. However, Carnival fully acknowledges these problems and is absolutely wonderful at compensation. So, if you want a trip, that will more than likely end up refunded due to serious problems, travel with Carnival.

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