“‘Yay’ for the upgrades, but people were expecting more ” – guests share first impressions of refitted Carnival Encounter

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters. 

Carnival Encounter has just undergone a $65 million dry dock over three weeks in Singapore, but based on first impressions, guests have yet to be impressed.

While new spa suites, revamped pools and faster waterslides are among the updates, cruisers say work is still underway on board.

Deb and Matt Chat, popular cruise bloggers from Australia, gave a succinct summary of what they’ve been told so far by people on board.

“Passengers returning from the ship’s dry dock are reporting incomplete renovations, leaks in cabins and areas of the ship still resembling a construction site.”

Deb said: “There are a lot of disappointed people. There are some saying ‘yay’ for the upgrades that they’ve done, but people were expecting more.”

They received a message from a couple sailing onboard that rea: “Basically, the Byron Bay pool area is still a construction zone or building site. The lifts are one by one being taken offline and being upgraded to Carnival Safety Systems but that’s not noticeable, it’s more behind the scenes stuff.

“Lots of rooms with leaking ceilings, toilets not fully functioning and rooms covered in mold.

“The marquee theatre seats at the front of the theatre have been recovered but not the little tables.

“The problem with the carpets in the public areas has not changed. Still very sticky. What happened was Carnival scotchguarded the carpets before the plastic covering to protect the floors was put down.

“All pools on deck 14 have been painted and there’s a new astroturf, but the drainage was not repaired and the area floods with the smallest amount of water. 

“There are still lines for guest services with people making their concerns known daily.”

Carnival Encounter is currently sailing back to Australia from Singapore, meaning it has only just left its dry deck and these are only first impressions.

A commenter on Deb and Matt’s stream appeared to sum up the general sentiment in saying: “I wonder where the $65 million went.”

Another cruiser onboard Leanda Robbins said: “On ship now. No upgrades to seating etc in Marquee show lounge. Carnival did state that Encounter and Adventure would be kept different to their other ships with the 3 included restaurants. Luke’s contract expires early May so changeover happens then with steakhouse and burger bar.

“I guess that NZ icecream contract still has substantial time to run and not economical for Carnival to pay it out early. I myself like Encounter still having some ties back to P&O as in the scheme of things P&O were only 7 years off a century of operation in Australia and NZ which was quite a big deal.

“I think they may change things on Adventure now that it will be going to America for 6 months of the year as I feel Americans will not tolerate missing out on standard Carnival offerings but I guess only time will tell. Enjoy your cruise on the beautiful Carnival Encounter.”

In a few weeks, Cruise Passenger will be onboard to share imagery and footage of the ships new look and review the new features and changes.

Please keep those comments coming!

WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND ENJOY READING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR STORIES. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING ON THE STORIES – AND WE’LL PICK OUT THE BEST EACH WEEK FOR THIS NEW COLUMN