We paid over $800 per person ABOVE the standard
($1,100)cruise rate to sail on Sun Cruises,
Carousel Millenium cruise and it was a DISASTER!!
The entire itinerary was wrong, we never got to see
Jamaica (either the boat did not pass the customs
inspection or did not pay the docking fee)
MANY passengers endured broken plumbing and raw
sewage in the cabins, the crew was most unpleasant,
especially with the American Passengers, and out
of the 3 land tours we purchased all three had to
be fully refunded for lack of quality, or unable
to complete (left on broken bus in Grand Caymen
for 2 hours)not to mention the Jamaica tour
we could not take since the boat U-turned from
that port 1/2 hour after reaching Jamaica.

This is just the tip of the iceburg!

I VERY STRONGLY ADVISE you DO NOT book
with Sun Trips / Sun Cruises / Air Tours."

Author gives e-mail address on said forum for comment

MV Carousel

Your Rating: One Star
Reviewed by: L. Downey
# previous cruises: 2
Date of Trip: December 25, 1999
Itinerary: Caribbean

This cruise isn't worthy of even a single star. A catalogue of disaster from start to finish. This was booked as a "Millennium Cruise" to take in five different Caribbean ports. We didn't even make it to Jamaica which would have been the highlight of the week - still waiting for the full explanation from Airtours. To sum up - the ship was shoddy, entertainment abysmal, food bland and service appalling. More than 800 passengers signed up to register their discontent with the cruise. I will never travel with this company again.

Some of the main areas smelt of sewage - we believe there were some on-going sanitation problems. The ship was probably last refurbished in the seventies. The pool was aimed for the kids on board - very small and not suitable for swimming in. Casino OK - bit dingy. The main lounges were very old fashioned.

Buffet breakfast and lunch meant huge queues for mediocre fare. Sit down breakfast was much better. Evening meal was European bland food - sounding far better on the menu than it looked or tasted. No Caribbean options available at all. Ordering drinks was a battle - you often had to ask three or four times before you received them.

We had a standard outside cabin on B deck - it was tiny. It was, however, functional enough for two people - but I dread to think what it was like with four in there! Shower very small - larger passengers must have struggled. Only plus point was that it was quite quiet.

Shows were poor. One night there was a juggler on - not our idea of a fun night on a cruise ship! Comedian was quite funny but the jokes were definitely British ones and I think a lot of the humour was lost on the Americans and Canadians on board which was a shame. On New Year's Eve the show was based around songs from famous musicals and wasn't really very "special" considering the fact it was 31.12.99.

We stopped at four of the five scheduled ports. Not one excursion booked on ship went to plan. Most people got their money back or a proportion of it for the tours. I would not recommend booking any tours on board if you are unfortunate enough to be going on this ship.

The fellow passengers were what made this miserable week worthwhile. We met some lovely people from the US and Canada whom we hope to keep in touch with. There was a great mix of Brits, Americans and Canadians and despite everyone's notable disappointment with the cruise we all seemed to get along really well.

You can also see what happened to the former RCL ship (and any other fleet for that matter) by looking under "former ships" on our RCL page at http://www.travelpage.com/cruise/rcl.htm .

It seems to me that so many things went wrong with that New Year cruise that there may well have been some sort of unrest among the employees. Just not that many things can go wrong in one week.....ummmmm

For 800 or so people to complain before the end of the cruise is incredible that is why I think this may have been the problem. I would not be surprised if there is a completely new staffing for this next cruise with no problems at all. Staff are paid a dreadful wage, and can be away from their families for 6 months or more....maybe they were unhappy? Just seems odd...so many problems.

I am sailing on Sunbird later today, and looking forward to this very much, the reviews have been good, I just hope that the crew from the recent Carousel have not been transfered to Sunbird today!!!!!!!

Anyway I will write a review on my return, and hopefully it will be all good!!!!!!

Poolbar - Please watch your language in future posts.

Joe at Travelpage.com

Me again,

Yes one of the pumps was out of action which made the ship list coming into Honduras. The captain explained the reason for not stopping at Roatan Bay as they had to have more time sorting and getting rid of the stuff in the pumps.

The meals during the day were a help yourself outsideon the Lido Deck . Breafast was english breakfasts, or ommlettes, cereal, fruit or toast. Lunch was salad, cold meats, chips, rice etc. with pork, bbq ribs, steak, pasta etc etc. Also fresh fruit.

You could go in the al la carte restaurant for breakfast and lunch which is more formal and you choose from a menu.

Evening meals were lovely. Normally five courses, starter, soup, salad, main course and pudding. Too much food to mention!!!

Kelly if you want my email address to find out more:

Jenkins@unrealqueen.freeserve.co.uk

Poolbar - Again, please watch your language in future posts.

Joe at Travelpage.com

Poolbar,

That is true, we met a good dozen people who were on their second cruise with the Carousel!!!

I would go back!!!