Choose Your Cruise - Melrose Park, South Australia

Dixie L.

Like many others, I am writing to express my extreme disappointment and frustration regarding the change by Choose Your Cruise to the itinerary from the South Pacific to Brisbane.
When I booked this cruise, it was well-known that there were civil unrest issues in New Caledonia. Despite this, their advertisements clearly promoted the South Pacific as a destination.
I repeatedly contacted the sales manager, Jason (who is incidentally a reviewer for this company) who assured me that Choose Your Cruise were working diligently to secure an alternative itinerary that would be safe for passengers. However, just as the 100% cancellation penalty applied, we got the email notification informing us of the change of the itinerary to seven days at sea, and one day in Brisbane! To say it was a shock is an understatement.
This urban destination is a significant change to the cruise that we were originally going to and I am sure that there were multiple other places we could’ve gone to if Noumea was off the cards.
It's evident that they, and Carnival, were aware of the challenges in visiting New Caledonia well in advance. Given the ample time, they could have chosen a more suitable alternative destination closer to the original itinerary.

This sudden change has had a significant negative impact on my emotional well-being and that of many fellow passengers.

It was only after the story featured on A Current Affair that we were offered any kind of compensation at all. The $50 on-board credit we were offered, doesn’t even cover the port fees that we had paid for doing an international cruise. We were worse off!

Despite Choose Your Cruise’s assertion that this was a music cruise, I did not want to go on another music. I was going overseas to an international destination, and the music was an afterthought. It’s an insult to presume that every passenger on board was there for the music. I wasn’t.

Charles M.

The actual entertainment was very good so that is where the votes come from. However the headline act Human Nature was only on once on a pool deck which was overcrowded. People sat there all day and then stood up preventing most others from seeing. The were many confrontations amongst the crowd and security was invisible. The first 3 days were a disaster with the cruise refusing to use the theatre. So people as old as 60, 70, 80 had to stand for 3-4 hours to watch the very good acts. Passengers were furious and was the topic of conversation at dinner every night. Initially they refused to do anything but finally common sense prevailed. Poor management.
Our room was fine and cleaned well.
The food was quite average and below what we expected. It took 8 days for me to get cooked potatoes with my dinner. It is difficult to feed so many people but cold or reused food does not cut it. Wrong labels on cereal containers, slow top ups and drink stuff ups in the dining room also featured.
This was our first and last cruise with this group. The $50 drinks credit was welcome but does not make up for a cruise to nowhere, particularly when good friends went on a cruise to Fiji 2 days before us without incident.
Security was lax as said before and I have never witnessed double figures in confrontations amongst passengers before and people so selfish.
To finish on a good note we saw some fantastic artists and there were a few particularly good bar staff who should be applauded.
But no more Carnival for us and we will be returning to Celebrity or something similar next time.

April J. F.

I can't speak highly enough about Choose Your Cruise and their phenomenal music festival cruises! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The lineup of artists was fantastic, and the atmosphere onboard was electrifying.

What truly sets Choose Your Cruise apart is their unparalleled customer service. From the moment I inquired about booking to the end of the cruise, the team went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. They were prompt, professional, and incredibly helpful throughout the entire process.

The attention to detail on the cruise was impeccable. The venues for the performances were outstanding, and the variety of entertainment options ensured there was something for everyone. Whether you're a music enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable vacation experience, Choose Your Cruise delivers beyond expectations.

I highly recommend Choose Your Cruise to anyone looking for an unforgettable music festival cruise experience coupled with exceptional customer service. They've truly mastered the art of creating magical memories at sea!

Jo P.

This company is only after the $ and doesn't care about their customers. To start with they lack communication skills and how to respond to issues, both in person and via email is lacking. Secondly they are not transparent in what they are selling. We booked B2B cruises which included 5 overseas ports. However due to Noumea issues they had to change itinerary, which is for our safety, however it ended up being one port for each cruise, one in Brisbane and one in Cairns. However we were not refunded port fees we had paid for the other 3 ports.
Musicians changed or pulled out but we still didn't not get a refund for what we paid.
The venues on the ship did not have the capacity to hold the amount of guests onboard, at times it made these venues a WH&S issue. Customers asked why the theatre wasn't being used, but we're told it was a decision they had made and it won't be changing for the remainder of the cruise. However after many complaints and a physical confrontation between customers because of overcrowded venues, the next day the theatre was opened. Timetabling of acts was not well thought out, no break for lunch or you stayed and missed a meal. The performers were squashed onto a small stage with no room to show their skills and the sound system in the Ocean Plaza was inadequate. This was not valuing the performers and their abilities. I felt so bad for the performers.
The main stage on Lido deck was not adequate, it had full sun most of the day and the roof couldn't be closed due the the stage being in the way. It rained a few times on deck which caused a slipping hazard. The pool was covered and seating was placed on top, which meant one small pool for 2000+ guests to use. Even on the Lido deck a lot of people could not see the stage. The performers seemed to be struggling in the direct sunlight and heat, preforming on stage an hour or more must have been hard on them.
These cruises are very expensive and have been running for years by this company so they should know how to run them effectively.
We were extremely disappointed in the customer service of this company and their care and consideration for the guests is lacking.
The only positive for the cruise was the talented and professional entertainers.

Beth L.

This is my honest review of dealing with CYC and my experience on the Flashback cruise. I do not recommend booking with this company – buyer beware.
• Ports-For over nine months, CYC knew that South Pacific ports would likely be closed. I was assured they advertised a tropical cruise and promised they’d deliver on that experience.” Then they revealed Brisbane as our only port after the 100% cancellation period began. My only choice was to sail or lose my money.
• Inconsistent Pricing – $900 Difference for the Same Room Category: I paid $4,400 for a balcony room, while friends booked the same category for $3,600. When I asked for a refund of the $900 difference, they refused and instead offered a low-value wine experience worth $78 each , which was rescinded 2 days before boarding as the person who promised it wasnt authorized so I wasn’t getting it.
• Empty Promises About Entertainment: I was told to expect an interactive experience with artists performing impromptu sets all over the ship and mingling with guests. This was entirely untrue. The only time we saw the artists was as they walked to and from their rooms to the stage, with barely any guest interaction beyond a quick wave or “thank you” if someone shouted out a compliment.
• Basic Cruise Activities Missing: Unlike other Carnival cruises, there was no bingo, trivia, theater shows, or craft activities and the crèche was unavailable. The only onboard option was music, and even that was poorly scheduled to clash with your meals, with main artists performing for just 45 minutes.
• Poorly Organized Concerts and Safety Hazards: It took multiple passenger complaints to finally get the theater opened for shows. Before that for days , they expected people – including elderly and disabled passengers – to stand for hours or sit on the floor and even staircases. I witnessed at least six people fall on the hard tile floors as a result. Safety and passenger comfort was clearly not a priority.
• Closed Pool Area: The main pool, which had been shown in all promotional material up to the day of boarding, was closed and covered with seats. This change was never communicated to anyone at anytime at any point. This was deliberately omitted from all online posting and all communication. A Total lack of transparency! I was also told that Deck 9 roof would close in rain, but when it did rain the roof stayed opened because a carnival rep said the roof would never close for rain in any circumstances.
• Additional Entertainment: I was assured they’d add extra entertainment due to the missed ports, but there were no additional artists or unique experiences. Instead, the same acts played repeated sets. Dance classes were held a room designed for 100 people but crammed with about 500 guests, leaving no room to dance and no ventilation. It was a COVID outbreak waiting to happen.
• Dismissive Attitude from Management: I overheard a passenger say they were going to report the experience to the media again. The response from the cruise management? “Go ahead, it hasn’t affected us – we’re booked out.”
• Complete Lack of Transparency: While I understand that port closures were beyond their control, they never communicated crucial changes to the cruise experience. At no point did they inform us that this Carnival ship would have no Carnival activities, that the main pool would be closed or that basic entertainment options like bingo, trivia, shows and creche wouldn’t be available. They withheld key details until we were fully committed, knowing they couldn’t deliver the advertised experience. This cruise was a bait-and-switch at every turn, from promised destinations and pricing to entertainment and activities. They had no regard for their customers—only for getting your holiday dollar. Be warned: once you’ve paid, this company will change whatever they like, multiple times, and you’ll have absolutely no recourse. We love music but even that couldn’t make up for this disappointing and misrepresented experience. Hands down, the biggest waste of time and money we’ve ever spent on a vacation.

Judy T.

We have booked a South Pacific Island 7day cruise.
We booked this in July 2023, and paid almost $4k per head.
Just been told that we are only going to Cairns. SO DISAPPOINTED
We understand that there is problems with Noumea and its territories, but there are so many other places they could have changed us to.
Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or even Port Moresby, are just a few.
They have given us Cairns!!!

We will NEVER book with choose your cruise again..
WE WILL NEVER BOOK ANOTHER CARNIVAL CRUISE AGAIN.

I am coeliac, and I emailed 2weeks before boarding. I was told to contact the MaîtreD when we boarded.
I did this, but all they said was each night they would give me the menu from r the following night to get my meal prepared.
This was”ok”, until Mexican Night.
There was NOTHING on the menu (I cannot eat spices) for me.
So I had to pay an extra $40.au for a seafood platter for two that I only ate a few pieces from. Fortunately my table mates ate a bit of the platter.

I think Carnival Cruises are so under informed and ignorant.

Most of the staff were great, but the menu options were limited.

I can’t begin to fathom how they can get away with this.

Debbie

We are going on the Flashback cruise booked and paid for a South Pacific island cruise 8 days stopping at 3 islands now only stopping in Brisbane.
I rang Choose your cruise and spoke to a woman who didn't care at all. No compensation no apologies not even a on board credit.
Please know you have no come back on any changes made to their cruises.
Sold Mare island as one stop I have since found out that it had been closed to cruise ships since Covid-19 so we're we really ever going there.
We also weren't told of this huge disappointing change till after final payments had been made. So no option of cancellation.

mozzie_four

For those that don't know, choose your cruise changed the itinerary from south seas islands to 1 single stop in brisbane, because of safety concerns. There were only safety concerns at 1 planned port of call. So why not stop at the others? I encourage everyone on the cruise to make a complaint to ACCC. I've been advised that ACCC won't help because the fine print says they can change itinerary at any time for any reason. Such it up! Consumers should expect like for like. South Sea Islands replaced with a cheap , for the organiser, trip to Brisbane? It likely saved them a lot of money that they haven't passed on to their customers. Never give up. There is no statute of limitations on poor ethical behaviour. Make your voice heard. We won't take it any more!