magsbags

there was a post here earlier by someone who was on the Sensation, and had a similar experience with badly behaved cruisers on the ship. Don't know what happened to the post but it seems to be gone,

 

 

 

anyway, with regard to your situation and experience, I recommend trying a cruise that is 6 days or longer, on a conquest class ship or newer. I have nothing against the fantasy class ships, and I loved my 7 day on the sensation back in 2000, but they are generally only now on the shorter cruisers, and I seem to hear more complaints about noisy, loud, badly behaved people on those short cruises.

 

 

 

Try a newer, bigger ship, 6 day or longer cruise, and steer clear of major holiday or march break/spring break cruises, and you will likely have a different and probably more pleasant experience.

Thanks for your input! School had just let out for many during the time we went... there were so many rowdy kids! Not just being kids either. Completely out of control. 😳

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Seeing as you've been here since Nov 2011 with over 100 posts, you should have an idea as to the type of responses you will receive. Anyway, on to addressing some points you mentioned.

 

Overcrowding: Carnival typically has a lower passenger to space ratio than other cruise lines. An example would be the Carnival Destiny -> Carnival Sunshine transformation. A ship that already had a crowded feel to it in some areas had lost many public areas and new staterooms were added. To compare the Carnival Breeze's space ratio of 29 with the Oasis of the Seas' space ratio of 36, you will find the Breeze to be more crowded and congested than a ship that can take ~2,000 more passengers. The Carnival Ecstasy has a space ratio of 28.5, whereas Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas can boast a space ratio of 44.

 

Demographics: As you mentioned the passengers were "low class," I'm not going to get into that argument. However, you will find an older demographic on cruise lines such as Princess, Holland America, Celebrity and Cunard once you drift away from Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Others will add their two cents and may suggest to sail Royal Caribbean, but you'll find the same type of onboard demographic that you saw on your short cruise on their short cruises, as they are both priced pretty similar. Royal Caribbean has dipped below $100pp, just as Carnival has.

 

Length of cruise: The onboard passengers will be dramatically different when comparing a 3 night weekend cruise on the second oldest ship in the fleet to an 8 night cruise on the Carnival Breeze.

I have no preconceived notions as to what kind of responses I'd get. I asked because I'm not bashing the whole Carnival enterprise at all. I'm willing to go on this just being a bad experience.

I'm sorry "low-class" bothered you. It is what it is.

I think you're on to something... The length and the price have got to be it. Thanks for your input! 😊

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Hi there, all! My 1st cruise with Carnival was in June and I really didn't love my experience. I got the idea of what Carnival was trying to accomplish, but it really left me feeling kinda blah. It was the Carnival Ecstasy, one of the older ships. It was a "Live" cruise.... Jennifer Hudson.

Aesthetically, it's really blah. The good wasn't great and the choices the same. Our cabin was a standard outside cabin. No complaints about that really. I just felt like the cruise was crowded, rushed and dinky. Many of the passengers were kinda low-class (having every 5th word being a curse or yelling at kids at the top of their lungs, etc). Now, I only have one other cruise with a different company to compare it to. I'd really like to try Carnival again, but maybe a different (newer) ship? Maybe it was just the length of the cruise?

What ship would change my mind? I don't want to be so rigid as to say that is never cruise them again. But I definitely don't want to waste money on another beneath mediocre experience! 😊

Thanks in advance for any and all helpful input!! 👍

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My Kids Are Spoiled!!! And I love bringing gifts for the kids for each night when they go to bed! DD 7 I had the Bon Voyage decorate the room, bring cookies and the arnival sweat shirt. Night 1 she got a teddy bear, Night two she got a Barbie in a bikini, Night 3 she got inflatable surf board and googles for florida, Night 4 she got coloring books, crayons and pail and shovels, Night 5 she got Light up tiara and lias and glow bracelets, Night 6 silly putty and comic books, Night 7 back pack to take her presents home in. They are only Little ONCE!!!

 

DS is 17 and we gave him the sweatshirt, and cookies, new sunglasses, new hat, new watch, surprised him with the behind the scenes tour, and decorated his door all crazy (his first room w/o parents) He didn't care for the sweatshirt, but loved everything else, well....the door decorations, he acted embarrassed, but I no he liked it ;)

They are only little once... I agree! I have a teen (gotta wait a few more years for the other one to turn into one :p )...he'd probably love all that stuff. Great ideas...thanks for sharing!

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Great ideas so far! We're taking our two boys in their first in June, so I've been trying to figure out a little something I could get for them. I'm sentimental like that! ;)

I think I'm going to get them a Tervis. They love them and they'll be able to use them to put their drinks in on the cruise. Plus, they can use them when we get back home.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure they'll love it. Have fun! :D

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I don't have anything poignant to add other than enjoy yourselves! What a great mom! Your kid will remember this forever. :thumbup:

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Life is too short...go for it. Tell your hubby to relax! Your son isn't going to fail at life because of missing a week of school. :D

Sounds like all of you could use a vacay...enjoy it, have fun, make memories. School will be there! :-P

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Hello

 

I'm getting ready to book my flights for my Glory cruise. Wondering if 1:00 or 1:30 is a safe flight time leaving Miami airport or should I look play it safe and book a 3:00 or 3:30?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeanne

I'm thinking you should be fine, especially if you're getting off the ship around 9-10. We did the same kind of return flight. We plan to get off the ship and head right to the airport. :)

We shall see...

--Mags

We are flying in the late morning of the day of our cruise (June 29th)....please tell me this won't be a problem!!?!?!?

Living on the edge, I see. Keeps ya young! :D We fly in a day or two before, so there isn't stress... I'd go mad wondering if I'd make it to the port on time. Kinda like you are! I'm sure everything will be fine... once you change your flight, of course. :p

--Mags

Yay! Have a great time! :)

--Mags

"I have no problem keeping track of my Sail&Sign card.

It's only the most important access tool on my cruise = my key to the kingdom.

It goes in my wallet along with other cards.

Punching holes in the card is sacrilege! Not cool.

___________________________

Check out these cards...

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=27470"

This! I didn't realize it until just now, punching a hole in my card would not make me feel good...LOL! :p

On the other hand, Vera Bradley has some really cute lanyards. :)

--Mags

This is great to know. We're off in June and I wanted to allow my teens some leeway with the S&S card. Thanks for the info!

--Mags

We like to prepay. For us, it's just a part of the cost of the cruise and I love that when we get on the ship all of our necessaries are paid for. Any money we spend while on vacation is for our enjoyment.

 

With that said, we ALWAYS tip extra to those we interact with of the ship. Our room steward gets a meet & greet tip with a request to keep our ice full. He gets extra at the end of the trip as do our waitstaff and favorite bartenders.

This is our way, too. :) Works out great for them and for us!

I did a search before starting this thread. :)

We'll be cruising Carnival Ecstasy in June. We're carrying on soda/juice. I've only ever been on one other cruise (RCI--can't take drinks on there).I didn't want to take an extra carry-on suitcase. I was thinking about purchasing an inexpensive, collapsible rolling duffle bag to store the soda/juice in. Something I can pack in my luggage so I don't have an extra bag.

Has anyone ever used a rolling duffle that they could just store in their main suitcase when going to your port city and coming back home?

What kind of bags is everyone using for the soda/juice/water you bring aboard?

Thanks for any and all input!

I just purchased for our two cabins! Money well spent. I'm rushing to start my vacation and I'm impatient. :p

Think it's silly? Don't buy it. Easy.

--Mags

I'm glad I looked here... I just purchased tickets for the City View tour. :) We are only going to have about 4-5 hours in Key West in June. Thanks for all the info, all!

Great thread! :) Great tips, curlies! :p

I've been wearing my natural, soft and kinky hair for about 7 years now. For vacations what I usually do is two strand twist it all! It's easy to do and it lasts for the week.

Just to touch them up during the week, I will either conditioner the twists well in the shower (to get all that salt water and sand out), then retwist the areas that need to be touched up OR I use a small spray bottle (if I want to refresh and haven't been swimming) of water and spray the sections/twists that I want to work on and use shea butter to touch up areas.

Works well, isn't time consuming (I guess that's objective tho... only takes me about 20 minutes in the evening before bed to do this most times and when I wake up--awesome hair :D), and I can get many styles out of the twists.

By the end of the week, I'm at a twist out and it looks really good--usually I can pull my hair back with an overstretched headband and bobby pin little rolls with my hair. It turns out to be a beautiful updo. Can even put a small feather pin in there for formal nights! :D

I thought about wigs and weaves and braids and... you name it! But, it's just so much easier, FOR ME, this way. :)

Here's a video tutorial of the updo I'm talking about with natural hair. My favorite YouTuber, Toni Daley always does something new with her hair. I've learned SOOOO many great things from her videos, because before that, I'd have my hair either pulled back into a ponypuff or just twisted.

I love seeing everyone's outfits!!

 

I hit TJMaxx today and got a cute bronze wristlet purse to go with my bronze shoes....I won't have my hubby with me to stick stuff in his pockets this time :D. I needed something to carry my sea pass card and some lipgloss to dinner and around in the evening. It was $9! Not too shabby.

 

I also got this really cool jewelry organizer that looks like an evening bag on the outside, but when you open it there are pouches for jewelry, and this neat strip to tack your earrings onto and a strip to slide your rings over. Very nifty!

I really need to visit TJ Maxx! I always find some great things there for vacation (usually around this time too, because winter is when I like to plan vacations LOL). Found a really, really cute cover up at Marshall's (HomeGoods) the other day--$14.99. Super cheap and cute!

32 more days and I feel SO ill-prepared... I gotta get moving like you guys are! :D

Don't post on this thread, but I read it often! You guys have great tips and I love hearing the banter back and forth about what to wear and with what. LOL! :D

I found these while looking for something else on eBay! Sarongs! I'm going to use mine as a cover-up mostly... they're really cute and comfy. I can tie it myself, so I can adjust the fit for my body.

Just a disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with this company! I just happened across them while looking for a Victoria's Secret bathing suit that was outrageously priced on their site. LOL!! :D

Here's the link to islandwearhawaii's sarongs

I just bought a black and white one!! I'm thinking about going in for a blue one....

Just thought I'd share since you guys have shared SO much with others. Thanks and enjoy!

You guys are just... the cutest!! :-) Love the LP dresses to death. Your dad makes me chuckle. :) Lovely family. Great review so far!

I can't WAIT to go... 32 more days for me. :D

Can't wait to read more!

ailmarsh: Welcome Back!! Most CCFs do the same thing - pack a couple "extras" just in case. Better to have more than is needed;).

You are a very busy traveler! Have a Happy Holiday w/ your family.

curlymason & magsbags: Welcome to CCF! curlymason, you prove my point: Clark's can look good and still be comfortable. And thank you for telling us about 6pm.com:cool:. We're always happy to find a bargain:cool:.

magsbags: You're gonna LOVE cruising! Follow the suggestions from the seasoned CCFs who come here to post their secrets!

Thank you--we're very excited! I have been reading these threads like crazy since I found this forum a few months ago. ;) Lots of great information!

I've loved reading through this thread! I saw someone mention Clark's, which I love, so I just had to post. I have foot problems, and have to be careful about what heels I wear. Clark's are my favs, but often aren't super dressy. BUT I just ordered these in Bronze Leather for my upcoming cruise: http://www.6pm.com/clarks-fiddle-bridge-white-leather

 

I think they'll look great with my chocolate brown cocktail dress, and I could probably wear them with my black dress as well!

 

If you ladies haven't, check out 6pm.com! It's the clearance site for Zappos.

This thread is great, isn't it?

Those shoes are really cute. Love them in beige! :)

Just got to the last page of this thread today! What a great thread... I have recorded some of the tips that I think I will really need and I will be using them. Thanks for all who have shared!

Totally see where duct tape could come into handy. Just in every day life, I should carry a roll. Whew!! :p

I'll be on AOS in February, port of San Juan. So... I'm going to try for a case of water (just a 12 case, maybe) with a luggage tag.

If I try and they say no, what's the worst that can happen? They confiscate my $4 purchase and we have no cheap water on the cruise? I still would get to cruise right? :p

I'd gladly carry it on myself if they let me...

you can see any deck plan by going to the website of your cruiseline and then the ship then the deck plan OR

google: ships name deck plan.

 

 

We will need a ship name as rCI has many ships with different layouts.

 

 

I love being located by the elevator- you get no noise from the elevator. If you get rude passengers-- they will be rude in the hall too.

Oops! Newbie mistake. :o:p

Adventure of the Seas. I'll Google it now. Thanks. :)