Thoughts on a Carnival Cruise...Help!

Hi everyone!

Just need some insight on what everyone thinks about a Carnival cruise if you've been on one. I've cruised with Holland America in the Meditteranean, and Alaskan cruise with Princess and we're going on a Disney cruise this August to the Bahamas.

I'm looking into possibly booking a cruise with Carnival for my 5 year old sons spring break April 2017. The prices are substantially less and after dropping a ton of cash on this Disney cruise coming up the lower price tag looks awesome to me.

If you've been on a Carnival cruise what are your thoughts on it?

I think that you'll find mostly positive opinions on Carnival on the Carnival board. Our younger boy was 9 on his first cruise, so I'm not sure about the Kid's club activities for a 5 year old. I think you'll have fun, but it may not seem as elegant as the other lines you've cruised on. I think that Carnival has an unfair reputation as a party line, they really cater to families. All the ships have mini golf, and at least a reasonable waterslide, and the newer ships offer a lot more as well. If you could provide the ship and itinerary that you are considering, you might get better information. Enjoy your cruises!

we cruise mostly on Holland America but a few years ago we decided to give carnival a try and were pleasantly surprised. we are going on our 5th carnival in September out of port Canaveral. it is not the same as hal but we have very good cruises we still sale on hal but now can add carnival. try it.

We have cruised Carnival and Disney. My daughter was 4 and my son was 8 o our Disney cruise. Disney had nice features. The Fantasy was a beautiful ship (sister to the Dream) and the kids club was great. But I found the service and food to be equal to Carnival. We just did not see the value for over twice the money as Carnival. We were traveling with friends that had cruised mostly on Royal Caribbean and they agreed with us.

The only drawback is a Spring Break cruise to the Bahamas can be kinda "busy" (I don't want to say "rowdy" because that is not my experience, but I've read some stories). They are generally 3 or 4 days, which makes them relatively cheap. Put college kids on there and it becomes what is known as a "booze cruise".

That being said, we've twice cruised in March during Spring Break and had a good time. Cruising in the fall is much more mellow. Not coincidentally, our next cruise leaves Sept 30.

The shorter cruises on Carnival can be a more "booze cruise" type crowd, but the longer ones are just fine. I avoided Carnival for many years, but have been very pleasantly surprised.

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Pretty much everyone on this board is Carnival loyal. Disney is a premier line geared for children, that is why so expense. Holland, same thing, premier cruise line. Princess is mid range line. Carnival is geared to young adults that want to let loose and let go but they have a wonderful kids program and very reasonably priced. You have to try one to see.

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I've completed 13 Carnival Cruises with 4 more booked, Completed 3 Royal Cruises with one more booked, I do prefer Carnival. I agree with you the prices are good.

Have sailed Disney and Carnival and the kids clubs aren't the same not even close Disney wins hands down. But we sailed the breeze in February and kids clubs seemed to have a lot more activities and larger spaces. If your sailing during spring break avoid 3 or 4 day cruises they tend to be a little rowdy.

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We have been on 4 Disney cruises, and 11 Carnival, only 1 with the grandkids. I was worried they would not like Carnival kids club compared to Disney but they did. It is not Disney and there is really no comparison, but for the money you pay it is good. A little kid is going to be happy most anywhere on vacation!

I would not suggest a 3 or 4 day cruise during spring break. You run the risk of more loudness in the hallways late at night, and a lot of rowdiness on the pool decks. We are not much on partying but sometimes observe the activities on the Lido deck from a higher deck. You can avoid them if you want but for a more enjoyable time I agree with the previous poster you should go for a week long cruise at that time of the year.

I have been on Royal Caribbean once, Princess twice, and Carnival 5 times, and have another booked. Royal Caribbean was very nice and I enjoyed my cruise, but it seemed somewhat subdued. Princess was also nice and I enjoyed my cruises with them as well. But when I am planning the trip, I always go to Carnival not only for price, but I just have more fun. Hard to explain, but I just really like Carnival! Give it a shot - you have to be really trying hard not to have fun on a cruise no matter who you cruise with! :)

Pretty much everyone on this board is Carnival loyal. Disney is a premier line geared for children, that is why so expense. Holland, same thing, premier cruise line. Princess is mid range line. Carnival is geared to young adults that want to let loose and let go but they have a wonderful kids program and very reasonably priced. You have to try one to see.

 

 

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DCL is more expensive because 1. It's The House of Mouse, and 2. DCL has no Casino to offset the cost.

Great cruise line for little kids. He will love it.

We did 7 days on Dream and 5 days on Elation. The kids loved both. They can't wait to go again.

I was on the Sunshine and the ship seemed to have a pretty good kids program and a very nice water park area. I agree that none of the ships are going to have the same elegance as a HAL ship but they probably do a better job with children.

I'd also compare Carnival with RCI's older Adventure and Freedom class ships, which are going to be less expensive than their newer ships. The Freedom class ships in particular seem to cater well to families and have well developed kids programs.

The shorter cruises on Carnival can be a more "booze cruise" type crowd, but the longer ones are just fine. I avoided Carnival for many years, but have been very pleasantly surprised.

That is the true secret to a great Carnival Cruise, just stay away from the short cruises. I will not take another 3 day to the Bahamas.

I didn't know that the 3, 4 and 5 day cruises are what you call Booze Cruises. That is interested. I have booked a 5 day cruise to Key West/Nassau an am thinking of cancelling it. I will lose $50 but I just feel like it will be a party cruise.

Thanks for the info, it was very helpful.

You drop off your Lexus for service and the give you a Pinto loaner.

In my opinion, the answer to this is always more about you than about the cruise line. What are your expectations? What will disappoint you and make you regret your decision?

I went on Carnival for my first cruise and thought it was amazing. I felt like we were treated like any 5 star hotel on land. Since then I've been on Disney and Princess. Disney is a different animal since they don't have a casino so their economics are a bit different and they also spend money on some things that cater to kids. Princess I could tell the difference but really when I look at the cruises and the price, I'd rather cruise more often on Carnival than less often on one of the more expensive lines.

Again, it all depends on what you expect. I feel like I'm getting 5 star on Carnival so I'm back again now. I don't need to pay the extra to get even better. You may feel different. Hard for anyone else to know. Keep the right attitude when you get on the ship though, and you'll love it!

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice!! I'm really thinking I'm going to book it...my husband is now wanting to wait and do it early next summer instead of during spring break. We're looking at the 6 day Eastern Caribbean that leaves out of Ft. Lauderdale on June 18th.

We had a 4 day cruise over the weekend and I definitely saw more younger people drinking and partying. We are booked for a 4 day during the week starting on a Monday. I'm thinking that the party atmosphere won't be there since we are sailing during the work week. Am I wrong?

A 4 day weekend cruise included a Thursday and a Friday, correct, so you could probably still have the party crowd, just not as many.

My son was 4 when he went on his first cruise. He has been on several since and will be 12 in a few months. He LOVES the kids club. He would want to be in the kids club from the morning he woke up and when we came to get him, he would always want to stay longer. Most kids enjoy it.