why does Carnival have such a bad "partying" reputation

[glrounds]

I was on one of Imagination's 4-day cruises. The age range onboard was mostly 25 to 55. There was a noticeable amount of partying, but nothing crazy or disrespectful: just a lot dancing (PG to PG-13), sitting around in hot tubs, and walking in zig-zags, although that could have been due to choppy seas. In other words, just enough to make the Fun Ship a fun ship without stepping on any toes.

 

The one place where there WAS a lot of partying was in Cozumel, where the ship stayed until 10:00 PM (9:00 PM local time). Now that's where it resembled Carnival of the old. People were doing limbos and conga lines, pole dancing, drinking giant frozen mararitas, singing off-key, and pier-running back to the ship. What was interesting is that many older and/or non-party people seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere as well.

 

OR

 

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin. Sometimes it is fun to see all the drunks make fools of themselves. I cruise Carnival for price alone so I must put up with whatever comes aboard. Most of the time I enjoy the show.:)

 

You decide :)

 

[GTO-Girl]

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin. Sometimes it is fun to see all the drunks make fools of themselves. I cruise Carnival for price alone so I must put up with whatever comes aboard. Most of the time I enjoy the show.:)

 

I totally resent your comment. Just because a person likes Carnival does not make them "lower class". I have enjoyed ALL of my Carnival cruises and have not found them to be any more of a party crowd than the ones I took on Royal.

 

I am a hard working, educated 60 year old who loves to cruise on a line that's not so stuffy. If that makes me "low class" then so be it!!!!

Edited September 14, 2012 by GTO-Girl

[yogimax]

Yes, it does definitely vary with the season and length of the cruise.

 

Let's be honest, though, and admit that younger party-goers are the focus of Carnival's advertising.

 

Begin with the "Fun Ship" branding. Carnival's advertising department is targeting an audience that will spend more money on alcohol to make up for their lower base price.

 

That lower price also attracts a different demographic in general.

 

Add to this the dancing waiters and waitresses and Las Vegas decor and you have created an atmosphere that encourages drinking and sometimes, drinking to excess!

[Jumbiecruiser]

OR

 

 

 

You decide :)

 

 

Both. That was an easy choice. :)

[Amy Giard]

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin. Sometimes it is fun to see all the drunks make fools of themselves. I cruise Carnival for price alone so I must put up with whatever comes aboard. Most of the time I enjoy the show.:)

 

 

 

Class and income level have nothing to do with each other. Some of the most classy people I have ever meet do not have a penny to their name. I have also met a lot of very rich people that have ZERO class.

 

And "drunks", as you put it, come from every income level as well.

[cruiseguyforever]

If you can read I said "not judgein, just sayin." If you think the average Carnival cruiser is highly educated and a socialite you must be blind and deaf. I did not mean to hurt feelings. I just speak the truth that I have seen.:)

[Room Service!]

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin. Sometimes it is fun to see all the drunks make fools of themselves. I cruise Carnival for price alone so I must put up with whatever comes aboard. Most of the time I enjoy the show.:)

 

You people crack me up. "You people" being people, like you, who have the gall to make such comments. You've admitted that you book "for price alone". Does that make you "lower class"?

What does class have to do with money? NOTHING!!!

I hope I never have to "put up with" you. :rolleyes:

[ib4cruzn]

Class and income level have nothing to do with each other. Some of the most classy people I have ever meet do not have a penny to their name. I have also met a lot of very rich people that have ZERO class.

 

And "drunks", as you put it, come from every income level as well.

 

Actually "class" can be better defined by level of education.

 

Not sure if that helps your argument...

[sail2sea]

A "Party ship" is the reputation Carnival is hoping for. Low price party (aka, fun) is the sales pitch. Younger, lower to medium income first time cruisers who want to party make up the target market.

 

Nothing wrong with it. But it's not for everyone.

[Bobby_Mac]

Reputations are usually generated by those who haven't seen the issue first hand, but love gossip.

[cruiseguyforever]

I do book for price alone, so I can go on more cruises to get away from "people" like yourself. So I must put up with the less interesting and dull. Iam willing to pay that price.:)

[jules815]

I too am guilty of thinking Carnival was nothing but a partying, Walmart of the Seas. For us it was RC or nothing. Then one of my friends thought it would be fun to do a short girl's cruise. At the time we were in our late 40's, and two of us brought our daughters who were in their early 20's. I told her to plan it and tell me what to book, and she chose a 4 nighter on Carnival Destiny. Oh the horror...Carnival and Destiny! :eek:

 

It turned out to be nothing like what I imagined. Yes, it's an older ship, and I had to get over the fact that it had no Promenade or Windjammer, but that would have been true of any other line. Sure, there were groups of people having lots of fun in the bars on board, but it turned out they were other groups of women, our age, having a ball! We sang in the piano bar, danced in the dance club, and sang karaoke. The food was very good and service exceptional.

 

Came home from that cruise and booked Dream, which was new at the time, for our family vacation that summer. Had a wonderful time. Again, never witnessed excessive partying; felt like any of our RC cruises, minus the Royal Promenade and WJ. :)

 

The ONLY excessive cruise drinking I've witnessed was on our 2007 RC cruise. We had booked an excursion in Cozumel through RC; I think it was called Afternoon Beach Break (all inclusive). Turns out they were serving minors at this beach, and one of them stood up on the bus ride back to the ship, and threw up in my friend's hair! (He was in the seat behind her) So it can happen on any cruise line.

 

We will still sail with RC, would love to try other lines as well, but have found that Carnival is pretty much the same product. They have a lot of nice itineraries out of Florida too; not just the usual eastern/western. I think people who have never tried Carnival are missing out.

[ATL2LAS]

I like Carnival:D

[Room Service!]

I like Carnival:D

 

 

I do too ... in spite of ... . ;)

[DeloreanGirl]

I too am guilty of thinking Carnival was nothing but a partying, Walmart of the Seas. For us it was RC or nothing. Then one of my friends thought it would be fun to do a short girl's cruise. At the time we were in our late 40's, and two of us brought our daughters who were in their early 20's. I told her to plan it and tell me what to book, and she chose a 4 nighter on Carnival Destiny. Oh the horror...Carnival and Destiny! :eek:

 

It turned out to be nothing like what I imagined. Yes, it's an older ship, and I had to get over the fact that it had no Promenade or Windjammer, but that would have been true of any other line. Sure, there were groups of people having lots of fun in the bars on board, but it turned out they were other groups of women, our age, having a ball! We sang in the piano bar, danced in the dance club, and sang karaoke. The food was very good and service exceptional.

 

Came home from that cruise and booked Dream, which was new at the time, for our family vacation that summer. Had a wonderful time. Again, never witnessed excessive partying; felt like any of our RC cruises, minus the Royal Promenade and WJ. :)

.

 

I used to be a "RCCL or nothing" gal so this review helped me, lol! Glad to hear Carnival is so upbeat. Can't wait to try it in January. :rolleyes:

[Mxlady]

Personal opinion "BUT" I like Carnival,

I am not lower class,

I am not cruising to judge you,

I do not drink to get drunk,

I do not care what you wear, have, sing, eat, drive, or live,

If you are bothering me with what you are doing, well, I am able to relocate someplace else to continue my vacation.

I go on cruises to enjoy myself, have time with my family, see beautiful blue water.

Will you notice me? Probably not

Will I bother you? Probably not

Are you something considered life threatening enough for me to worry with you? NO YOUR NOT.

[coevan]

If you can read I said "not judgein, just sayin." If you think the average Carnival cruiser is highly educated and a socialite you must be blind and deaf. I did not mean to hurt feelings. I just speak the truth that I have seen.:)

 

 

You speak your opinion, not the truth.

[Wolfie48]

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin.

 

 

 

If that is not a judgemental statement then what is? :rolleyes:

[gusandgidgetsmom]

honestly--the word class can be associated with any social level--i.e. lower class, higher class, etc. It does not necessarily have to do with education, except in the term of 'What class level are you in', but does normally have to do with monetary level in the context of most of the posts.

This being said I do not feel I am going down in class traveling with Carnival vs. any of the the other brand names- that I travel on, but I am paying less and getting what I want at that time. I am comfortable with the amenities on the ship and I like the itineraries.

As far as education--I do not think my multi-degree education plays much part in which line I am going on at the time.

I honestly do not know why so many use this as an indicator as to which ship they are going on. I have seen drunks from all walks of life. I work in the court system and I have seen lawyers, doctors,judges as well as construction workers,minimum retail workers and the unemployed in drug court. I do not think it has anything to do with what class is involved!

Wow on my band wagon today! Not a Carnival cheerleader by any means, but I feel as if some want to make others feel bad about themselves by choosing one line over another.

Actually "class" can be better defined by level of education.

 

Not sure if that helps your argument...

Edited September 14, 2012 by gusandgidgetsmom
verbiage

[2PinaColadas]

Class and income level have nothing to do with each other. Some of the most classy people I have ever meet do not have a penny to their name. I have also met a lot of very rich people that have ZERO class.

 

And "drunks", as you put it, come from every income level as well.

 

 

Well said. Some of the trashiest people I have ever known had tons of money. Some of the drunkest people I have ever known had tons of money and/or were druggies. "Lower" class is in the mind of the arrogant.

[BeagleOne]

I blame Kathie Lee Gifford.

[davids68girl]

Well, I have first hand experience with that "party" reputation. I sailed with Carnival in 1991 on the Carnivale and it was the stereotype to a tee. Drunks falling down the stairs, puking in the halls, underage drinking, etc. I have seen how they got their reputation.

 

But that being said, I have no fear of taking my family-including my children-on a Carnival cruise. I know that we will have a great time. Times have changed and so has Carnival. It's going to be a blast. I know Carnivals reputation and know why they have it but I'm looking forward to sailing with them again.

 

On the whole class issue, degrees don't give you class, money doesn't give you class, the way you treat other human beings gives you class.

[tee3240]

It is because Carnival attracts a lower class of people, due to the cheap cruise prices. Not judgein just sayin. Sometimes it is fun to see all the drunks make fools of themselves. I cruise Carnival for price alone so I must put up with whatever comes aboard. Most of the time I enjoy the show.:)

 

I don't understand the "cheap cruise prices" comment. On our recent 7 day NCL cruise from NYC, we stayed in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath penthouse suite with butler, etc. We are trying Carnival for the first time next summer and have booked just a regular balcony room. The CC is quite a bit MORE than NCL, although it is an 8 day vs the 7 day NCL. NEITHER cruise is what I would consider "cheap"!

[tee3240]

 

On the whole class issue, degrees don't give you class, money doesn't give you class, the way you treat other human beings gives you class.

 

well said! Totally agree!!!:)

[AngAndBoys]

Perception is funny. I only really remember 2 drunks in all my cruises, neither what you'd expect. One was a clearly well to do man about 65 who was drunk every night and sometimes obnoxious with the staff. His entire party (4 seniors) made a complete spectacle of themselves getting back on the boat in Cozumel.

 

The other was 15 or so, wasted, and showed up in the casino in a bathrobe trying to play blackjack. He was turned away.

 

Otherwise, there were many people of all ages and walks of life drinking mostly responsibly and having a nice time. I love Carnival cruises. But I AM branching out to try a few other lines this year.

 

I wonder why Norwegian doesn't get the party rep with it's White Hot Party.