Carnival Luminosa Reviews
Most new vessels hang their hats on one new experience. And Carnival Luminosa, the fun ship line’s newest and biggest offering in Australia, is no exception.
So no point in hanging around, right? I headed straight for the much anticipated crowning glory – the Green and Gold waterpark named after its two centrepieces, the Green Lightning and the Twister Waterslide.
Summary
Mixed experience with significant pros and cons. Guests particularly appreciated Crew was amazing and helpful, Wide variety of food options, including Indian food and deli, Leedo buffet offers many different options, among other positive aspects. However, concerns were raised about Food quality was inconsistent, with some describing it as bland or subpar, Bad service and indifferent crew in some cases, Issues with room AC causing bad odors and lack of resolution by staff, and other issues. This cruise may be suitable for many travelers, but consider if the noted concerns would affect your enjoyment.
Pros
- Crew was amazing and helpful
- Wide variety of food options, including Indian food and deli
- Leedo buffet offers many different options
- Sit down dinner was highly praised
- Enjoyable excursions, such as ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta
- Thalassotherapy spa with great views
- Recently refurbished in 2019
- Good entertainment options like live music, trivia, games, and theater
- Nice amenities including pools, hot tubs, and various bars
Cons
- Food quality was inconsistent, with some describing it as bland or subpar
- Bad service and indifferent crew in some cases
- Issues with room AC causing bad odors and lack of resolution by staff
- Carnival’s attempts to charge for extras felt excessive
- Lack of diversity in staff, mostly from the Philippines
- Some amenities missing compared to newer ships, such as Alchemy Bar and Guy’s Burgers
Other Traveller Reviews
★★★★★
Alaska is so beautiful, glaciers, icebergs, bears, whales, salmon. People were so friendly.
jorge1378 – Aug 22, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Overall, the ship is old, not fancy and should be retired. The food was low class and never hot, either in the dining room or the Ledo deck. Ledo food was limited times, not all day option. Spend the extra money to get a bit pampered..
ShariBritton – Aug 15, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★☆
We turned Platinum this cruise only because Carnival had no records of our earliest. We go all the way back to the original Mardi Gras. May be our last on them.
Mychal – Aug 08, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
It was an interesting cruise. Ship is clean and well maintained. We been lucky with weather.
marinaios – Aug 01, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Was excellent in every way . Saw probably 100 humpbacks, orcas , seals , sea lions , Mola, dawless porpoise, eagles , glaciers
searstrv – Aug 01, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
I would never sail on the Luminosa again. Most everyone I chatted with all felt the same way about the Luminosa. The excursions were amazing but the ship was sub par to the other ships they sailed on. The chatter around the decks was generally people complaining
captainjude65 – Jul 18, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
My husband and I went with our daughter. We had an awesome time seeing Seattle and Alaska. Many memories.
linkdj – Jul 18, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
I’m afraid to book another cruise cuz I don’t think it would live up to the same expectation.
Artist13 – Jul 18, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
The cruise was nice. Tyler the cruise director was good.
jerry1995gmc – Jun 20, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Overall experience was enjoyable. Would recommend this trip.
csmc – Jun 20, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★
NOT “NOT” ENOUGH BANG FOR THE DOLLAR, SAGWAY WAS NOTHING, TRACY ARM FJORD, NOTHING WAS THERE, NOT MUCH ICE. NOT ENOUGHT TIME IN GOOD PORTS LIKE “VICTORIA BRITISH COLUMBIA”.
TurkeyR – May 30, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★☆
Overall it was not what I expected. The service is not good, the ship is old, the food is “ok” at best. They do not offer the same entertainment as on other ships. It is a different experience and the ship seems to shut down about 10pm. Very little to do, i suggest you bring table games, radio, etc. Alaska is beautiful and worth the destination but if i were to do it again, it would have to be on another ship.
yellaboi – May 23, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★☆
Not sure as if I’ll ever do Carnival again, was so disappointing. Itinerary was great. Carnivals food and service not so much. Many people, even long time carnival cruisers were complaining
spencersurvivor – May 01, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Workers were all very friendly and helpful. Food was good, not great. It’s sad when you have to get off of ship to get a good cup of coffee. I suggest getting Folgers coffee!
jly36ford – Aug 31, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Great cruise in Alaska great weather in Alaska Had a great time
MPCBAC – Aug 17, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Overall, I’d highly recommend this ship, we all had a wonderful experience and would definitely go again!
JeffreyAnn – Aug 10, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
In all, the cruise was great! The embarkation was the easiest we’ve ever had! The food was plentiful, tasteful and well prepared. The servers and attendants went out of their way to be helpful and to see if there was anything we needed. We had need of the medical clinic and were treated courteously and professionally by Dr Heale and his staff. The ship was kept clean and tidy. Thanks to the entire Luminosa crew!
mdc6566 – Aug 03, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
We were fortunate to have great weather. The ship was very clean. Staff was friendly and helpful. The cabin was great. Loved the balcony. Plenty of room in our cabin for three of us. It took me a while to figure out the hub app and found it helpful once I figured it out.Probably wouldn’t buy the internet package again, it really wasn’t worth the extra expense. Overall we really enjoyed our cruise, the ports and the tours we took.We did the Best of Juneau Whale watching tour, the White Pass Summit and Suspension bridge tour in Skagway, and Tracy Fjord Arm excursion – HIGHLY recommended.
julianorth07 – Aug 03, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
very commendable. deck attendant Shashi on smoking deck exceptional, supervisors on lido deck for helping me find my dentures, went thru linen bin with them myself and they found it dish station after 2 hours. Extremely thankful for all your assistance. EXCELLENT
sammysantos5145 – Jul 27, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★
The overall trip was a wonderful experience. Alaska was a great choice, and the CruiseLine was also a good choice. Carnival has shown to be a great host for these cruises and I thoroughly enjoy their shows, their service, customer service was super efficient and courteous, very helpful and I have no complaints. I only wish the ship had a waterslide or playground, but otherwise it was a wonderful experience both the ship and the excursions/scenery made my vacation unforgettable.
CarleneQ – Jul 20, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Bernadette Asst Photographer did awesome job in pictures she took of us also. It was a great experience
dawgbone2 – Jul 13, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
This was our first cruise as a couple and we treated it as our honeymoon since we got married during Covid19 pandemic. This trip met all of our expectations, the weather was just gorgeous, the ocean was smooth sailing, the mountains and ports of call were breathtaking.
ken22306 – Jul 06, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
i purchased a bubbles card for pop and had to go to the bar everytime, basically no place to get one for breakfast no bars open and bars cater to people buying drinks ignoring you for pop.
pbulach – Jul 06, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Overall, this is an excellent cruise. I would highly recommend to do the excursions sponsered by Carnival. All our excursions were amazing! The ship is clean, the food was wonderful, the personnel were friendly, and the activities were fun! This is a good cruise for families.
jpappasfam – Jun 21, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★
Great ship if you don’t like food or service! Avoid like the plague if you have taste buds and speak English.
Ozzy7 – Jun 15, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Very disappointed in the cleanliness and staff of the Luminosa
oceansidegirl1 – Jun 01, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
All the activities for kids is really well organised. Only negative is only 1 pool for kids a little crowded if school holidays.
Loraineruth – Dec 11, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★☆
RECOMMENDATION SACK EVERY STAFF MEMBER INCLUDING THE CEO!!! Completely re-educate, re-employ with KPIs and provide a customer centric serviceAbsolutely horrible experience! Rude staff. Incapable management. Archaic processes. Detestable food. Complete rip off! Avoid like there is no tomorrow! Disgusting experience! So many other fun pleasurable alternatives available that do not result in memories so bad that will last for a lifetime! Heed my advise
DJCIO – Jan 26, 2025
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This cruise to North Queensland and the Barrier Reef is just a nice length (7 days) and very popular with families and schoolies at this time of year. Our weather was perfect with good shore days and calm seas.
RaymondoCoombo – Nov 17, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This was a birthday celebration cruises. A short getaway that was worth every moment. Excellent venue & great company. Much enjoyed.
Geepeejay – Oct 12, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
The jury is still out on this. We would t have booked this cruise if we knew they weren’t going to show any football games.
Juneinmn – Sep 19, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
We went on this itinerary because it was on our bucket list. We’ve been sailing with carnival since 2010. This was our last with them. They don’t enforce any rules for dress codes in the dining room ( tank tops with holes in the jeans along with flip flops) , people on speakerphones, bluetooth speakers or smoking rules. Not a lot of stuff works on the ship, ice cream, ice and water machines , bathrooms and some of the standard equipment on the ship. Food was just ok, bland, dining room service was good after we complained about the service we had after 3 meals. Breakfast in the dining room was terrible. Carnival wants you to use your phone for everything. If you ask for a menu, your wait staff looks at you have 2 heads and then they have to find them. The usual answer is , we only have a few. Perks are going away all the time. We had a good time, because we made our fun.
bud56 – Sep 19, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Our cruise was good, staff was great , food ok, ship has nice design.
jerseyjim – Sep 12, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Not a “Once In a Lifetime” trip because we’ve already booked again for next summer. If you have to choose between packing camera gear or clothes, take the camera. You’re going to buy the clothes anyway. Do not skimp and think you’ll just wander around and see what you want to see. Trust an expert, get off the ship, and enjoy, this wonderful wonderful place.
dfisherwv – Sep 12, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
7 day Alaska cruise where we visited Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan and Victoria. Every port was breathtaking.
tt75 – Sep 05, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★
This was one of the most beautiful cruises I have ever went on. I highly recommend going..
bebefirk – Sep 05, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Very nice cruise. All staff extremely helpful and personable. Marty CD excellent. Would definitely put this cruise at the top. Yes Alaska helps with the rating however this ship is perfect for this cruise. Would not hesitate to book again on this ship.
CheffieG – Jul 25, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This was a trip of a lifetime. Beautiful views at every turn. Spotted lots of whales, dolphins, eagles. Food was mostly good. We had such a great time we are now planning on returning.
mlreidgtcc – Jul 25, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★
Overall it was a decent cruise with decent entertainment. Would not choose this ship again.
luvthiscrzylife – Jul 25, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Carnival service has gotten very poor they seem extremely short handed and don’t seem to care
hendu442 – Jul 11, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
