Bill Allen

Age: 37
Occupation: Executive
Number of Cruises: 22
Cruise Line: Carnival
Name of Ship: Celebration
Sailing Date: January 13th, 2003
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

Wow - this was my 22nd cruise in my lifetime and the 15th on Carnival and all I can say is SELL YOUR STOCK IN CARNIVAL!!! Any company who would let their corporate name or brand image be slaughtered by allowing a ship in this bad of shape and disrepair to sail with actual passengers on it should cease operations.

This ship was both mechanically and aesthetically unsound. The moment they fired up the engines - the ENTIRE ship vibrated and shook. This continued the ENTIRE CRUISE!!! Anyway - here's my daily review:

Monday, January 13th: Arrived at the Airport (we flew in the day before to ensure we didn't miss the ship) around 11:30 and were pleased that the buss was ready to go shortly thereafter. The trip from IAH (Houston Bush Airport) took roughly 1.5 hours. Arrived at the port terminal and must say this was a major state of disorganization. No one seemed in charge at the baggage area - especially when the porter said we had to ID our bags before we got in the embarkation line. Embarkation took about 45 minutes and we were on the ship. First impression was "Wow - rust stains on the carpet and the smell of my basement". The cabin was typical for a Carnival ship, although the wall were stained. IF YOU INTEND TO CRUISE FROM TEXAS IN THE WINTER - keep in mind it is not Miami, it gets cold. I'm used to getting on the ship, checking out the cabin, and heading topside to enjoy the weather. It was FREEZING at about 38 degrees! Went to dinner (late seating) and met our Waiter and Assistant (Raymond from Trinidad and Romeo from Romania, respectively) - Although it was very hard to hear or understand Raymond. The food was surprisingly excellent. My girlfriend and I went to the disco (usually really fun on a Carnival ship) to find a nice crowd, until the DJ started... He was the WORST DJ I've ever heard! Cutting songs off, trying to 'scratch' and all that flashy stuff. THIS IS A CRUISE, treat it like a wedding where people want to dance and have fun, not be impressed by your (lack of) DJ skills. Needless to say - by Midnight there were 6 people in the club not including us!

TUESDAY (Day at Sea): Woke up looking forward to a nice day of sun and warmth by the pool only to find it grey, rainy, and cold (40 degrees). Spent a lot of time at the bar and even played a little Blackjack. Carnival should have a 'rainy-day-at-sea' plan with activities for the guests (Karaoke, games, something). Tonight was the formal night - many collared shirts and cowboy hats (a lot of Texans on board) Dinner was exceptional again - saving grace for me. Disco was vacant again (8 people). Went to the piano bar and had a nice time there... The guy from Canada was very talented. Took in the Late 'Vegas-style' show in the Astoria Lounge. WHAT A JOKE!!! Came to find out why: The lady who greeted up as a hair stylist on the first day was one of the dancers! They do not even have a dedicated entertainment staff on this ship? These dancers looked like a high school talent show! The singer was mostly lip-syncing to prerecorded music!!!

WEDNESDAY (Cozumel): Woke up late (drank heavily at the Trolley bar with some new friends - made our own fun). At breakfast we learned that it was warm enough to not wear a jacket for the first time. Grey skies still though... The sun peaked out during our meal and our spirits lifted. Went back to our cabin only to be greeted by a message stating that ALL but 4 of the shore excursions had been cancelled (including ours - no reason given). Oh well - it is Cozumel and there are things to do. Went shopping a bit for family gifts, then to Carlos and Charlies - ALWAYS A BLAST THERE!!!

THURSDAY (Calica): Now I know why I couldn't find a weather report for this port on weather.com - it isn't a town at all! Whoever decided to port a Carnival Cruise Ship at a n INDUSTRIAL PORT should be fired and never allowed to work in the cruise industry again. This port was dirty, remote (taxi was $20 roundtrip from ship to Playa del Carmen), and unsightly. One saving grace - THE ONLY SUNNY, WARM DAY - spent most of the day on board the ship by the pool. Dinner that night was good - went to the Karaoke, the DJ was rude to most of the singers, man - is this the ship that Carnival sends its problem employees? Disco was dead again.

FRIDAY (Day at Sea): Cold again and no real activities to keep the passengers busy. Went to see another 'Vegas-style' show - better than the first, but still laughably terrible and amateurish. Dinner was great again, although the service leaved MUCH to be desired.

SATURDAY: Debarkation... Hmmm, not bad except the 1.5 hour wait in line for immigration (still a joke that US citizens must go through immigration). Bus ride uneventful.

OVERALL - This was a waste of vacation days for me and has changed my impression of Carnival Cruise Lines. Yes, I know it was a bargain and I also know this is one of their older ships but PLEASE have some level of respect for yourself Carnival. There were a large number of guests onboard that had been cruising for the first time and commented that they didn't like cruising. I tried to disway their opinion by ensuring them that this was the exception and not the rule - but WHAT A JOKE!!! I am truly glad I hold stock in Royal Caribbean and not Carnival. DO NOT TAKE THIS SHIP unless it undergoes MAJOR DRY DOCK.

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