• Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines

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Overview

Carnival Cruise Lines has a rating of 1.7 stars from 224 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Carnival Cruise Lines most frequently mention customer service, cruise line, and guest services problems. Carnival Cruise Lines ranks 67th among Cruises sites.

  • Service
    117
  • Value
    112
  • Shipping
    53
  • Returns
    58
  • Quality
    97
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 8.7%
Positive
2
Neutral
2
Negative
19
51
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How would you rate Carnival Cruise Lines?
Top Positive Review

“Refund for fund”

Dekendrick J.
2/18/24

Hi my name Dekendrick Johnson I was supposed to sail ship Valor February 29 out of New Orleans booking Z0H4M8 I'm having to cancel the trip due to my wife passing away January 1,2024 to a heart attack.I was texting to see if I could get a full refund.

Top Critical Review

“Cant contact the Cruise care dept post cruise”

Rita P.
3/20/24

I returned from a cruise on the carnival valor on March 19,2024 and was shocked at the charges they put on my debit card. I put $500 cash against my charges while onboard and it is not reflected. I have been trying to contact customer care since I returmed home to no avail. Its amazing how easy it is to contact them before sailing but impossible to contact them post cruise. I am trying to get an itemized statement of my charges and an adjustment for the cash I paid that does not show.

Reviews (224)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (58) carnival cruise (50) cruise line (56) guest services (19) drink package (12)
Thumbnail of user lanas396
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 23rd, 2023

I was affected here in Calif by the hurricane that came from Mexico.I have never been in a hurricane but if a tropical storm can cause so much damage I have a fear of being on a ship in the middle of hurricane season.I will however reschedule sometime in Jan after hurricane and holidays are over.Please refund my $200 paid for my casino fun...Thank you Lana Simmons booking # NOVOM6 code 1132

Thumbnail of user jenniferp2450
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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September 28th, 2022

Worst cruise ever! Never have I ever been around the people that they allowed on that boat! The most disrespectful people ever and Carnival did not enforce any rules! Fights, screaming, loud music, banging doors, etc! Seriously the worst group of people on that boat. Never again!

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Thumbnail of user dedae5353
Florida
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 16th, 2023

I have been on a Carnival cruise before. The Liberty ship experience was the worse. First, the information that I received from my personal planner wasn't the same when I boarded the ship. Secondly, it was too many people on that old smaller ship. Thirdly, the directions on how to get around the ship was very confusing. We spent most of the time being lost from point A to point B. Lastly, the departure process was so unorganized left people confused again. This past past weekend was my first experience on Liberty and my last!

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Thumbnail of user brianh3253
Louisiana
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 11th, 2023

So last night I entered a raffle to win a Rolex watch out here on the carnival cruise celebration ship. We left port on the 9th. So I won the raffle and the associate comes over to put the Rolex on my wrist to adjust links to fit my wrist and I had asked so am I getting a box with this and the associate said yes so me and my fiance are standing there in disbelief for 20-25 minutes for the associate to come back over and say how are we going to be paying for this today. I told them I won it and he replies with a laugh saying you didn't win a Rolex and hands me some trash DIY bracelet. These folks owe me a Rolex. I have the flyer I got with the raffle ticket clearly saying enter a chance to win

Tip for consumers:
The cruise owes me a watch!! Or

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We spent great money on this trip and we are people that planned on returning but after this uncalled for bs and embarrassment of working me up for 25 minutes with My wife to telling me I won and go through that whole process. This is false advertising even other ship mates thought I won one as well

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Thumbnail of user stevew2109
North Carolina
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 1st, 2022

Please read reviews before booking. One would think in todays economy it would a lot easier to book a cruise and give money to a company that is in the serivce industry. Please read fine print, large print, and all print in between, because this company makes no mistakes. Please consider before getting this cruise line at any cost. Pay more for better.
Steve W

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Thumbnail of user johnr5427
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 3rd, 2022
Verified purchase

I was flying to Tampa for a cruise for my birthday. My plane (American Airlines) was suppose to leave at 7:00 so I could make my connection in Charlotte at 8:45. At 8:20 it still had not left the gate. The 8:45 flight was the only one that gets to Tampa in time to make the boarding.
When I called to cancel, for a reason that was beyond my control, I was informed that Carnival was going to charge me $538.00 for canceling. Happy birthday to me!

Thumbnail of user sullivanw6
Florida
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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June 12th, 2017

I have been on 9 cruises, 7 of them were on Carnival. My most recent was on the Vista. We got an RV so it has been a while and as soon as we got on the ship I realized how much I missed it. The ship is beautiful, the food is amazing and the people are incredible. I've been on a romantic cruise with just me and my hubby, I've been on family a cruise with our two kids, and I've been on a cruise with a group of 88 people. No matter what kind of vacation, Carnival exceeded our expectations every time.

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Thumbnail of user rosemaryh296
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 26th, 2024

This was my first cruise ever, 6 days to Cabo.
First day in Cabo we were having the best time on the whale watching tour and then decided to get some lunch.
As we were unfamiliar with the town we stopped at senior frogs and had some margaritas and lunch. We sat with another couple who was happy to share the table with us.
I had to go to the restroom and there was an attendant in the ladies room cleaning the sinks and he stated that I was OK to use the restroom so I did.
I washed my hands then was pushed against the wall by the attendant and sexually assaulted.
I was in shock. I wiggled away from the man as he was trying to have sex with me and got out of the bathroom as he had the door blocked with a trashcan to keep others from coming in.
This was a horrible experience but when I got back to the Panorama ship and went to guest services to let them know I was told repeatedly that this happened because I was drinking and they couldnt do much about as I did not go to the federales and report this, when I explained this happened because I went to bathroom and this man is going to rape someone at some point.
Well needless to say I got really upset after this and was kicked off the ship the next morning.
Im pissed about how carnival handled this and some kind of training needs to happen regarding situations like this.
Its a never again for Carnival cruise and Mexico entirely.

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Thumbnail of user stefanies64
New Jersey
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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July 6th, 2023

We booked in February a cruise for April 2024. We payed the required deposit and added also insurance on it because things can change but no one told us that that had to be paid right away too. We was told it has to be paid before full payment of cruise. Now 3 months later we saw that we had to move the cruise for 2 weeks later ( that cruise would be even more expensive) guess what out of luck. We spoke with 10 different people. No help. Even if we had paid the insurance right away there would be no guarantee we get the deposit back. We did not even mind loosing the extras who came with the other cruise we just wanted that the deposit get transferred to the next cruise or a board credit ( which had ended up in their pockets anyway) but no, absolutely no help. So we canceled completely and lost our deposit 3months after we booked., but I refuse to give a company who cares so less about their customers or even keeping customers for their business any penny more. NEVER again Carnival

Products used:
cruise

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Thumbnail of user juttad
Australia
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
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March 16th, 2015

Just returned from a 9 night South Pacific Cruise with my 3 boys and have to say that we'll definitely be doing this again.
Staff were fantastic and very friendly. Food was available 24 hours a day! Entertainment was great and there was so much to do that we have to do it again to see what we missed last time.
We had a balcony cabin, which was great, and we got an amazing deal directly with Carnival rather than a travel agent. (About $1000 less for the balcony cabin than the travel agent offered for a window only cabin. The children had so much to do that they didn't want to go home, especially my 4yo.
I was fortunate to be able to get assistance disembarking. Only had to pack my luggage by 11pm the night before and leave it outside my cabin. The next morning we only had a day bag to take to our relaxing breakfast and our luggage was waiting for us off the ship!
It was a wonderful holiday experience from start to finish!

Thumbnail of user dianan23
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 19th, 2016

This was a Christmas present for my husband; are flight was cancelled due to the weather in st louis. We would like credit on another cruise, this would of been my husband first cruise.Are booking number is 3TV2C6. There wasn't any flights on any airline to get us there before the ship left. Help us carnival!

Thumbnail of user darshayb
Utah
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 10th, 2022

I've been calling over the last two days regarding Hurricane Nicole. 1st carnival had us on standby to not come unless they say so and as of last night after 5pm est I received a text informed Carnival will cruise, but everyone come an hour later and be on the ship by 2:30pm. That's cool make sure we are safe. Carnival has decided to cruise on 11/11/22 and MCO (Orlando Airport) closed still, and flights been cancelled for the last 2 days with no flights coming into MCO until after the ship leaves on 11/11. Yet, carnival do not want to refund me in whole nor give the credit towards my next trip. Where is the customer care or service here. I wanted to see my family on our family reunion cruise. This is the response after going on multiple cruises with carnival and this was beyond everyone's control. So, tell me how will I fly in when the airport is closed just to get on Carnival Liberty tomorrow afternoon? Please contact me thanks

Thumbnail of user daniell1859
Tennessee
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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May 2nd, 2022

We booked a cruise and purchased the "Insurance" I have MS, and a month before the sail date, I had an attack and realized I could not make the cruise. I got about 25% of the total cost returned. If I wanted more, I needed to call another business that handles the insurance (The insurance company is part of Carnival.) The service person at the insurance company was so rude I hung up and called back to get another agent. The following agent was worse than the first! I realized that this "Insurance" is a racket. You have to jump through so many hoops and get Doctor's signature to get SOME of the money back. I know they have it all in writing on the site about how the insurance works, but it is nothing but a sweet fairytale. After 4 cruises with Carnival that we enjoyed but I won't take ANY cruise with any line in the future.

Tip for consumers:
Read the insurance information, and then, DON'T GET IT! You are paying for nothing!

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Thumbnail of user kalim64
North Carolina
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 10th, 2023

We went on a carnival cruise in 2017 & enjoyed it. We booked again but then Covid happened & carnival gave us a refund no questions asked. We booked a 3rd time but had some guest complications where one guest couldn't go and then a second ended up backing out, so we attempted-after fully paying for 4 people- to change the guest a final time and they charges us not only the $59 fee for changing but another $1300 and their only response why this fee was so high was because its what we are charging now-but i'm looking at the website and it says $350/person?!? We cancelled and got most of our money back. Its cheaper to just go book elsewhere than to pay that crazy amount. Their customer service reps were nice and polite and they gave me a refund no questions but thats not how you take care of returning customers.

Tip for consumers:
I received 75% refund and put a claim in for the additional amount

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Thumbnail of user sarag625
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 2nd, 2022

I will never book Carnival again. & will be very vocal to everyone I know as well as on social media. I was told by Executive Resolutions on 6/5 that I could change cruise dates & not lose my money (after a few calls of others giving conflicting info on cancellation) I call today to change cruise dates as I work in healthcare & Covid has not gone away! I was told Carnival changed their policy on 6/29 without notice to customers OR staff! Now I will lose all but $150 on my $2400 cruise. Shame on Carnival. I will be contacting BBB & posting this same message to other sites as well. There are other cruise companies to chose from…chose those!

Thumbnail of user carolync1242
Connecticut
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 14th, 2023

I cruised June 8-12 on the Carnival Sunrise. It was the most terrible experience I ever I ever had out of 6 cruises I have been on. The food choices were terrible especially for ppl who don't eat pork or beef. The chicken products they had they added pork or beef. All I while I was on the ship I ate salads, deli sandwiched and cheese pizza. The night before the last day I found Lobster, shrimp and crab legs. I went to purchase my pictures which I was charged $234 for 8 pictures, when my fiancé when back to picture booth, the guy stated I paid for 12 and he made a mistake and gave him the other 4. Kids were running up and down halls slamming doors 1a-4am no supervision, along with playing on the steps. All the pools were occupied by children even serenity. I paid for services I did not get.

Tip for consumers:
No

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n/a

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Thumbnail of user ellab172
Pennsylvania
1 review
4 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2022

My experience last year changed my opinion of Carnival Cruise. I booked a cruise early last yr. I sent and email on Dec 28,2021requesting cancellation for 100% refund of my deposit. Carinival allowed until February 2022 to cancel with full. Refund. I have gotten the run around, been on hold 3 times. Each time over 2 hrs. I still have not received my refund. Rep I did finally speak to advised I would be charged $100 cancellation fee. UNACCEPTABLE! I will file complaint with BBB and Attorney General

Thumbnail of user patriciaw344
Georgia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 12th, 2019

This last cruise was not Google. Didn't go to Freeport. It was raining bad. The food wasn't good. Same food. Change your menu. Onboard shops not good. We bought a drink charged us $39 with the glass. Really! Have me a birthday gift which expired the day I was leaving plus they choose what I should use it on. Really. I love the gunship but the last couple of times I bought friends after I told them how great y'all are but disappointed my last voyage with my friends. Ugh! Smh!

Thumbnail of user bonnies757
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 11th, 2022
Verified purchase

Our booking# X61PB1.We flew into New Orleans, the airline was late with our luggage we were held at the airport for over an hour and half that cause us to be late and the port denied us to board the ship, we want to cruise again with carnival in September and we want to know if we could get a credit on our next cruise, thank you!

Thumbnail of user hanzgrouber
New Hampshire
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 18th, 2024

I have no problem with the cruise lines EXCEPT! With the Spa. I had a wonderful massage then I thought I'd treat myself to a straight razor shave the next day. I talked with the person who does that there and she seemed to be confident. The experience was a good one til she asked me if she could trim my goatee. I told her not to reshape it, to keep the sides straight up and down and the bottom flat and square across the bottom and NOT TO TAKE ANY LENGTH OFF IT. When she was done I found she took half the length and rounded the bottom sides. I find I am still pissed off 6 days later ever time I see myself and not feel my stolen goatee. I mean. What part of what the CUSTOMER WANTS doesn't apply here. I have lost ALL faith now. I WILL NEVER let anyone touch my face again.
This was on the Freedom ship starting on Feb 8th FYI.
Oh. And the comment of "it'll grow back" was heard. By whom this came from i don't recall but. Try this to a womans haircut. Give her something entirely different and shorter than what she asked for and just say. Well, It'll grow back!

Thumbnail of user nicoler1268
Tennessee
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 21st, 2022

I would like to cruise. I miss it. I feel that after the Superbowl, the message was CLEAR that the plandemic is OVER. Cruise lines need to get with the program on that. Anyone who gets a vaccine just to take a cruise is crazy. I don't want that poison in my body.

Thumbnail of user timd271
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 19th, 2019

I booked a Reservation on the sunshine cruise for March 2020. I canceled my reservation in April and the itinerary changed and May 2019. I called to get a refund of my $100 deposit and was told I am not able to get a refund. A good customer service would have given me my refund. This really makes me want to cruise with carnival in the future NOT! Although $100 is not a lot of money I will not book with carnival in the future. Royal Caribbean here I come. Hopefully carnival will do the right thing and refund me my money.

Thumbnail of user dianab801
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 8th, 2021

They decided to cancel my reservation! NO EMAILS- NO PHONE CALLS.
When my travel agent called to ask why, they could not come up with a reasonable explanation other than offer their apologies! Totally ruined our holidays/vacation!
What a mess!

Thumbnail of user carolk1007
Georgia
1 review
2 helpful votes
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June 15th, 2021

Booked a 6 night, Ocean view to Jamaica, Mexico, and Cayman Islands. 3 weeks before sailing, Carnival changed the itinerary to 2 Carnival privately owned islands and the Dominican Republic! None of these were places I booked or even remotely cared to travel to! Carnival would not do anything to compensate after 2 days of conversing with them other than about a $200 discount to travel 80 miles from Miami at the farthest point! Not even any loyalty rewards for being my third time to book with them, NEVER AGAIN! CANCELLED!

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Thumbnail of user dellag33
Louisiana
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 21st, 2023

I purchased a cruise booking # noh7x4 for 8/20/23 on dream - i was denied access i was told by an agent on 8/14 i needed a birth certificate for the child that was with me and valid drivers license - i purchased the insurance on 7/28 and before i could pay it the agent i spoke to took it off without my permission - my name is Della Genna - contact # *******717 - please help me in resolving what happened to me

Tip for consumers:
heartbroken in Louisiana

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