Can I find something really different with Carnival?

[AandBmom]

DH and I have sailed on the Legend, Sensation, Imagination and Breeze. We're looking to book our next cruise. I love Carnival b/c of past good experiences and b/c I feel so familiar with the whole process. DH would really like something different. Sailing always on Carnival (well we did Princess once many years ago) is starting to feel repetitive and redundant. The Breeze was a fresh change but now we want something different. Can anyone suggest something about a ship we haven't done that makes it different? (obviously other than itinerary). Something like neat different restaurants, different set up completely, something..... Or do we need to try other lines to change it up a bit. Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

[ekatiel]

If you are looking for a ship that's completely different, try Oasis or Allure on Royal. They will cost you, though. They are amazing ships. Nothing else like them.

[Tapi]

I would strongly suggest another cruise line. If you are already feeling that its getting repetitive after just a handful of cruises, believe me, it doesn't get better (from personal experience). I call it "getting Carnivaled out" :o

 

I STRONGLY recommend that you try other cruise lines. Not because there's something wrong with Carnival, but because it seems like you're ready for something different. There are many cruise lines to choose from, each with its own vibe and which one I recommend will vary depending on the person asking this question.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Tapi

[Warm Breezes]

DH and I have sailed on the Legend, Sensation, Imagination and Breeze. We're looking to book our next cruise. I love Carnival b/c of past good experiences and b/c I feel so familiar with the whole process. DH would really like something different. Sailing always on Carnival (well we did Princess once many years ago) is starting to feel repetitive and redundant. The Breeze was a fresh change but now we want something different. Can anyone suggest something about a ship we haven't done that makes it different? (obviously other than itinerary). Something like neat different restaurants, different set up completely, something..... Or do we need to try other lines to change it up a bit. Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

 

Let me start by saying we have enjoyed all of our Carnival Cruises, but we are not loyal to Carnival. We have found that the best way to get something other than the "Carnival" experience was to sail on a ship that is not "Carnival". In fact after our Freedom, Destiny, and Glory cruises right in row, we decided to try one of the newer non-Carnival mega ships. To avoid the temptation to book Carnival for the value, we didn't even look at any Carnival ships that may fit our wish list. We ended up narrowing down our choices to NCL Epic and RCCL Oasis. Same type of rooms (2 inside), same itinerary (FLL/MIA, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Nassau in opposite directions), and same week. NCL Epic was $1000 less than RCCL Oasis so it was a no brainer for us to choose that. We did not regret our choice.

 

The entertainment on Epic ranked up there with our Disney cruises (which had our favorite cruise entertainment to date) and was much better than what we have seen on any of our Carnival Cruises. Freestyle is like anytime but there are more choices if you want upgrade your dining experience. DH didn't like the crowded feeling, but I did not notice it as much as he did. While there are some aspects that have a similar feel to Carnival (MDR food & service)....there were many that were different. It was not the same value as a Carnival Cruise....but we were paying for an upgraded experience and that is what we received, especially in the area of entertainment.

 

My advice....by being brand loyal you are just limiting your own options. Why do that to yourself? We define what we want out of cruise and then find the "ship" not the "line" that fits our wants. More often than not it is a Carnival ship that has most of our wants at a price we are willing to pay. This is why we have sailed with them on 6 of our past 10 cruises. But I am more than willing to look at other lines and sometimes pay a premium, like we did for our Disney cruises and NCL Epic if those ships are what we are looking for in our vacation.

[cjknox]

DH and I have sailed on the Legend, Sensation, Imagination and Breeze. We're looking to book our next cruise. I love Carnival b/c of past good experiences and b/c I feel so familiar with the whole process. DH would really like something different. Sailing always on Carnival (well we did Princess once many years ago) is starting to feel repetitive and redundant. The Breeze was a fresh change but now we want something different. Can anyone suggest something about a ship we haven't done that makes it different? (obviously other than itinerary). Something like neat different restaurants, different set up completely, something..... Or do we need to try other lines to change it up a bit. Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

 

You sound as if you should try another cruise line, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that! When a cruising experience on a particular line becomes "repetitive" and predictable it's time to broaden your horizons. There are many other wonderful experiences (albeit different ones) on other cruise lines. This is the exact reason why I don't like to cruise the same line multiple times in a row. When you try a variety of lines it keeps things interesting.

[Tapi]

Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

 

When do you normally cruise? And are you only interested in sailing in the Caribbean?

 

Price-wise, NCL may be the closest to Carnival. One thing to consider is that other cruise lines may cost more for the 1st and 2nd passenger, but may offer deeply discounted (or even free) fares for kids. We sailed to Alaska this summer and chose Holland America partly because our kids sailed for a deeply discounted rate which brought our total to an amount considerably less than all others.

 

Royal (specially Oasis and Allure) are absolutely amazing, but the do charge a hefty premium. Only you can decide how much you are willing to pay, but we considered the price difference well worth it.

 

MSC is coming to Miami with very competitive rates. They'll be sailing year round on a beautiful, new ship (the MSC Divina). Check them out.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

You sound as if you should try another cruise line, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that! When a cruising experience on a particular line becomes "repetitive" and predictable it's time to broaden your horizons. There are many other wonderful experiences (albeit different ones) on other cruise lines. This is the exact reason why I don't like to cruise the same line multiple times in a row. When you try a variety of lines it keeps things interesting.

 

Where do you get those pics from?

 

Do you take them yourself?

 

If so what kind of camera.

 

They are amazing.:)

 

Bill

[firefly333]

I love my Carnival cruises, I had the best ever conquest in July comparing to some other Conquest cruises, very good.

 

And I just came back less than a week ago on Miracle and it was beyond fantastic.

 

But if I do 4 or 5 Carnival in a row I get Carnival'd out and started rotating. I do whatever line I find cheapest to be honest, but like RCL.

 

I agree with a previous poster, Holland Am is often cheapest because they have 3 ships to fill and Carnival only one, but Carnival was amazing and the food above other Carnival ships and it still had a full orchestra and was a tad above Caribbean cruises to be honest, even for Carnival and the naturalist onboard was the best.

 

I really like RCL too so maybe look a class down, say Freedom class if you want the surf rider, but Ive found the best deals for me on Voyager class and since I dont surf its fine. I think the two smaller ships are not quite up to snuf, but thats why they are often so cheap, cheaper than Carnival or as cheap, but cabins are very small on the two smallest ships (used to be 4 of this class, 2 sold now)

Edited September 10, 2013 by firefly333

[janetz]

DH and I have sailed on the Legend, Sensation, Imagination and Breeze. We're looking to book our next cruise. I love Carnival b/c of past good experiences and b/c I feel so familiar with the whole process. DH would really like something different. Sailing always on Carnival (well we did Princess once many years ago) is starting to feel repetitive and redundant. The Breeze was a fresh change but now we want something different. Can anyone suggest something about a ship we haven't done that makes it different? (obviously other than itinerary). Something like neat different restaurants, different set up completely, something..... Or do we need to try other lines to change it up a bit. Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

 

Look for a deal on RC Freedom Of The Seas. Great shows, children's activities..:)

[cruising maniac]

We have been on 20 different cruises on 6 different cruise lines. Most of the big things are the same line to line and ship to ship. Just the small things are different and they vary from ship to ship on the same line. Example- one line may have a little better food- one a little better service- one more pay restaurants- one a little older crowd. We cruise for the pampering, food, and journey- not so much the destinations since we have seen most of them already. No one line or one ship will be perfect. DH and I have truly enjoyed trying to find one that is as close as possible.

[Surfwench]

DH and I have sailed on the Legend, Sensation, Imagination and Breeze. We're looking to book our next cruise. I love Carnival b/c of past good experiences and b/c I feel so familiar with the whole process. DH would really like something different. Sailing always on Carnival (well we did Princess once many years ago) is starting to feel repetitive and redundant. The Breeze was a fresh change but now we want something different. Can anyone suggest something about a ship we haven't done that makes it different? (obviously other than itinerary). Something like neat different restaurants, different set up completely, something..... Or do we need to try other lines to change it up a bit. Other lines for similar cruises always seem to be about $2000 more (we're a family of 6). Ideas? We'd like to do the Caribbean.

 

Try sailing out of San Juan and doing the port-heavy itinerary... only 1 sea day! I think the Valor is doing that one right now. Fly in a day or two early and have a mini-land vacay along with.

 

Or really mix it up and head to Alaska...Miracle or Spirit is there now.

 

Outside of that, I'd take a gander at the Allure or Oasis of RCL. They are much larger than the Breeze and I hear an incredible destination ship. Cruise prices are seasonal, if you can go first week of December the rates are the lowest of the year.

 

:)

[jcearth]

You have done a Spirit class ship, two Fantasy class ships, and a Dream class ship. That's about as different as Carnival gets -- the Spirit class is the biggest departure in design - most other ships are pretty similar. My suggestion would be the Sunshine (coming to New Orleans this fall, and then reposition to port Canaveral in the spring of 2014). It has a few more choices in restaurants - JiJi Asian, Havana Bar, Cucina del Capitano, Shake Spot (all at a slight upcharge), and has a lot of the amenities of the Breeze (Waterworks, Ropes Course, RedFrog Pub, etc.) plus an Adults only Serenity three deck area with a pool and waterfall feature. The biggest question most people will have is how crowded it will be once it gets to the Caribbean and families start sailing on it (during the recent refit, some public space was replaced by more cabins).

[crusinpsychRN]

Sounds like a marked change is needed. I just did Alaska on the Miracle and it was still Carnival but everything was very different and it was a fantastic experience!

 

If you stick with Carnival, you could try to make a theme to all your excursions like adventures you've never done, maybe ATV's, ziplining, even cooking. Find a similar excursion in each port then compare.

 

Or make a list of all the things you haven't done on Carnival like the waterslide, dance class, the Spa (even the hot tub there!), some game you haven't been in before, staying on the ship in port.

 

Let us know what you decide.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

Have you thought about mixing a land vacation with a cruise at the end?

 

There are lots of ports that would make for an interesting few days and then a cruise at the end to relax.

 

I don't know what your interests are but perhaps a few days enjoying some theme parks in Orlando or a few day in the Keys or a week on St.Pete Beach then sail on a CCL ship that you have not been on yet. The Sunshine seems to have some nice things added that would work for visiting in Orlando or the Tampa area, just rent a car and drive over the evening or morning of the cruise.

 

Just a thought.

 

:)

 

 

.

[AandBmom]

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to come back and thank everyone that suggested we try something new. We tried the RCCL Freedom of the Seas and loved it! I now have 2 cruise lines that I love (Carnival and RCCL) which opens up a whole new list of ships, itineraries, etc.

 

So glad we ventured out of our comfort zone.

 

May even try NCL next.

[Georgiagolfer]

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to come back and thank everyone that suggested we try something new. We tried the RCCL Freedom of the Seas and loved it! I now have 2 cruise lines that I love (Carnival and RCCL) which opens up a whole new list of ships, itineraries, etc.

 

So glad we ventured out of our comfort zone.

 

May even try NCL next.

 

This is the same response most cruisers will have if they try other lines. Too much of anything can get repetitive, IMO.

[TheCalicoCat]

Most of the big things are the same line to line and ship to ship.

 

I have to agree, I find all of the mass market lines (I've only been on Carnival, RCCL, & HAL) to be more a like than different.