hammybee
August 17th, 2004, 08:46 PM
Like many, my first cruise was with Carnival, more than a decade ago. I said then, never again. So it was with much trepadation that we joined friends ( with 5 kids) for a Carnival cruise, in early August.
I have read on this board how many think HAL has been Carnivalized. I am going to tell you that Carnival has learned a thing or two from HAL. Here is, what I hope will be, a brief compare/contrast between HAL and Carnival:
Food
The food was often very good. Steaks and prime rib were always available and better than what is had on HAL. Soups were every bit as good as HAL. Salads were excellent, far superior to any I have had on HAL. One night we had a mushroom fettuccini that was sijmply out of this world. Deserts were also pretty darn good. The big difference between the two is that HAL has more variety and is a little more ethnic.
Despite there being more than 3500 passengers, all the ice makers dispensed ice and all the coffee makers worked. Both of these are issues on any HAL ship. Why this is, I do not know.
Carnival offered premium coffee drinks and ice cream for a fee. Humongeous slices of premium cakes were also offered for a fee.
Service
Hands- down, overall service was better than HAL's recent service.Our cabin was cleaned while we were at breakfast and dinner. Never once did I return to an unmade bed. Roving waiters carry glasses of ice water and are happy to take your cocktail order but were not pushy. Tables in the inside and outside LIDO were promptly cleared, another HAL sore point. DIning room service was adequate. Staff catered to older passengers and those with disabilities. Generally, the entire staff seems happy and concerned about passengers.
Cold cloths were handed out to all passengers returning from shore.
Way back when, the majority of Carnival's staff was comprised of Caribbean islanders. Now it is the melting pot of humanity. Eastern European seem to be the slightly dominate ethinic group. There were a few women room stewards and even a handful of Americans which makes a statement about the employment situation in the USA. I have noticed that it is becoming increasingly challenging to communicate with many of HAL's staff because they just do not yet have the language skills. This includes, at least on the Oosterdam, the purser's office. English was spoken and understood by all on Carnival.
Non-discretionary tipping ( that is what it is) is relatively new to Carnival as it is to HAL. Unlike HAL, there seems to be no griping or sour pusses from the staff. During the disembarkation talk, a few passengers complained about children being charged the same tip as adults. The cruise director easily handled this one. There were about 1700 kids on board and the fact that passengers did not realize this was because of the Carnival Camps. She spoke of the extra work it takes to maintain a cabin full of kids and how so many order multiple entrees and generally make a mess.
Announcements
They were minimal and BINGO was not pushed as it is on HAL.
Entertainment
This has always been a Carnival strong point. There was always something going on at night. Karioke is very popular.
Passengers
We departed from Galveston so more than half the passengers were from Texas. What a gracious and well mannered bunch of folk. We had huge extended family groups on board. Carnival managed to get most of them in side by side cabins. Many, many cabin doors were simply left open for the duration of the cruise. Was this Texas hospitaity or were parents tired of their kids loosing their room cards, I do not know. All one had to do was take a peak inside of some cabins to see what kind of mess the cabin stewards were up against.
Despite the number of passengers, it never felt crowded and lines were minimal with the exception of the "viewing" of the midnight buffet line which was an event separate from the eating of the buffet.
Finding an empty Lido table or lounge chair was never a problem.
Security was always obvious. All young people were carded after 10:00 when many of the ship's venues are restricted to those over 18. Carding for drinks was constant. Why they did not card me, I'll never know. I did not see one person that was overserved, dispelling another Carnival assumption.
It was not until the last day that the abundance of kids became obvious. Maybe the Carnival Camp put them out to sea and brought them back for the final day where they were indeed binging off the walls.
Shops
Same ole junk. New concept was the $10 store. Still junk.
Cabins
Same size as HAL but not as nice. And yes,there were indeed chocolates on our pillows every night.
Summary
HAL offers a more refined cruise experience and their ships are substantially more attractive, than Carnival. Reportedly, the new Carnival ships are spectacular and are rated as high as HAL. Interestingly, cruises on the new Carnival ships are priced higher than HAL's. As for me, I continue to prefer HAL but would again consider a Fun Ship if the intienerary was right. I am also very curious as to what the experience would be like when kids are back in school.
I have read on this board how many think HAL has been Carnivalized. I am going to tell you that Carnival has learned a thing or two from HAL. Here is, what I hope will be, a brief compare/contrast between HAL and Carnival:
Food
The food was often very good. Steaks and prime rib were always available and better than what is had on HAL. Soups were every bit as good as HAL. Salads were excellent, far superior to any I have had on HAL. One night we had a mushroom fettuccini that was sijmply out of this world. Deserts were also pretty darn good. The big difference between the two is that HAL has more variety and is a little more ethnic.
Despite there being more than 3500 passengers, all the ice makers dispensed ice and all the coffee makers worked. Both of these are issues on any HAL ship. Why this is, I do not know.
Carnival offered premium coffee drinks and ice cream for a fee. Humongeous slices of premium cakes were also offered for a fee.
Service
Hands- down, overall service was better than HAL's recent service.Our cabin was cleaned while we were at breakfast and dinner. Never once did I return to an unmade bed. Roving waiters carry glasses of ice water and are happy to take your cocktail order but were not pushy. Tables in the inside and outside LIDO were promptly cleared, another HAL sore point. DIning room service was adequate. Staff catered to older passengers and those with disabilities. Generally, the entire staff seems happy and concerned about passengers.
Cold cloths were handed out to all passengers returning from shore.
Way back when, the majority of Carnival's staff was comprised of Caribbean islanders. Now it is the melting pot of humanity. Eastern European seem to be the slightly dominate ethinic group. There were a few women room stewards and even a handful of Americans which makes a statement about the employment situation in the USA. I have noticed that it is becoming increasingly challenging to communicate with many of HAL's staff because they just do not yet have the language skills. This includes, at least on the Oosterdam, the purser's office. English was spoken and understood by all on Carnival.
Non-discretionary tipping ( that is what it is) is relatively new to Carnival as it is to HAL. Unlike HAL, there seems to be no griping or sour pusses from the staff. During the disembarkation talk, a few passengers complained about children being charged the same tip as adults. The cruise director easily handled this one. There were about 1700 kids on board and the fact that passengers did not realize this was because of the Carnival Camps. She spoke of the extra work it takes to maintain a cabin full of kids and how so many order multiple entrees and generally make a mess.
Announcements
They were minimal and BINGO was not pushed as it is on HAL.
Entertainment
This has always been a Carnival strong point. There was always something going on at night. Karioke is very popular.
Passengers
We departed from Galveston so more than half the passengers were from Texas. What a gracious and well mannered bunch of folk. We had huge extended family groups on board. Carnival managed to get most of them in side by side cabins. Many, many cabin doors were simply left open for the duration of the cruise. Was this Texas hospitaity or were parents tired of their kids loosing their room cards, I do not know. All one had to do was take a peak inside of some cabins to see what kind of mess the cabin stewards were up against.
Despite the number of passengers, it never felt crowded and lines were minimal with the exception of the "viewing" of the midnight buffet line which was an event separate from the eating of the buffet.
Finding an empty Lido table or lounge chair was never a problem.
Security was always obvious. All young people were carded after 10:00 when many of the ship's venues are restricted to those over 18. Carding for drinks was constant. Why they did not card me, I'll never know. I did not see one person that was overserved, dispelling another Carnival assumption.
It was not until the last day that the abundance of kids became obvious. Maybe the Carnival Camp put them out to sea and brought them back for the final day where they were indeed binging off the walls.
Shops
Same ole junk. New concept was the $10 store. Still junk.
Cabins
Same size as HAL but not as nice. And yes,there were indeed chocolates on our pillows every night.
Summary
HAL offers a more refined cruise experience and their ships are substantially more attractive, than Carnival. Reportedly, the new Carnival ships are spectacular and are rated as high as HAL. Interestingly, cruises on the new Carnival ships are priced higher than HAL's. As for me, I continue to prefer HAL but would again consider a Fun Ship if the intienerary was right. I am also very curious as to what the experience would be like when kids are back in school.