Loyals to Royal: What would it take for you to sail on Carnival?

[richard1s]

I would not set foot on another Carnival ship again, even if it was free. It is still not worth the expense for travel, insurance, kennel cost etc. - not to mention using vacation time for something so bad and of such little value to me.

[Aquahound]

?...but the bottom line is, the quality of our vacation is created by US, not the cruise line.

 

I'm not throwing in my .02 of what it would take for me to sail Carnival, but what I will say is that I totally disagree with this comment. I guess if I was of the mindset a cruise is what I make of it, I would always pick the cheapest bargain basement cruises out there. Heck, I would probably even cruise a tanker ship. But I'm not. To me, a cruise is what they make of it, not me, and as long as I am spending my hard earned money on a vacation, they damn well better deliver. There are a lot of cruise lines out there and what makes them different is what attracts certain people.

[evelyn51]

I'm not throwing in my .02 of what it would take for me to sail Carnival, but what I will say is that I totally disagree with this comment. I guess if I was of the mindset a cruise is what I make of it, I would always pick the cheapest bargain basement cruises out there. Heck, I would probably even cruise a tanker ship. But I'm not. To me, a cruise is what they make of it, not me, and as long as I am spending my hard earned money on a vacation, they damn well better deliver. There are a lot of cruise lines out there and what makes them different is what attracts certain people.

 

 

My sentiment too!

 

One reply reminded me of a 65th Birthday party my husband and I had for almost 100 guests. It was his Mother's birthday. The hall we rented could not keep up with the number of servers they had.

 

One sister-in-law was up filling water glasses to the guests. Maybe some would think we were wrong to ask her to stop and went to rectify the problem.

 

Somehow they were then able to supply the needed staff. We paid for it so we wanted service.

[ryano]

Nobody can ever judge an entire cruiseline by one experience, .

 

I do! I judge Carnival based on ONE cruise on their oldest, smallest, crappiest ship in the fleet at that time! Even a ship that most diehard Carnival cheeleaders absolutely hated!

 

I LOVED that cruise! What a blast I had! Old ship, so what! The food was great and the service was as good as any ive had on RCI ships.

 

If I knew for a fact Carnival could duplicate that again, I would sail on them tomorrow! :)

 

I just hear from even a lot of Carnival enthusiasts that they are really cutting back though and things just arent near as good as they use to be. Of course that can probably be said about any mass market cruiseline.

[rjrpar]

We are Royal Diamond cruisers and just returned 2 weeks ago from a 12 night Carnival cruise to the Baltics. It was one of our most enjoyable cruises ever, and the price was 30% lower than the "same" cruise on RCCL. Not sure I would gamble on a 3-4 niter on Carnival, but probably wouldn't on Royal either. Just remember, both lines are mass-market lines using the same food vendors, entertainers, labor pool, etc.

[evelyn51]

My sentiment too!

 

One reply reminded me of a 65th Birthday party my husband and I had for almost 100 guests. It was his Mother's birthday. The hall we rented could not keep up with the number of servers they had.

 

One sister-in-law was up filling water glasses for the guests. Maybe some would think we were wrong to ask her to stop and went to rectify the problem.

 

Somehow they were then able to supply the needed staff. We paid for it so we wanted service.

[abridalmaven]

First Carnival would have to do a complete redesign of their ships. And then I might think about it for a minute or two. It has nothing to do with loyalty but everything to do with I can't stand the look of their ships.

So true.

 

 

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[LadyLion_AP]

It doesn't take much reading of the Carnival boards to see they appeal to more of a trash le blanc crowd. I can't vacation 4 or 5 times a year; not going to risk my limited time potentially dealing with the same crowds I try to avoid on land; loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate, F-bombs constantly, DJ pumping out loud and obnoxious music, crowds of people pushing, shoving, stomping for sales, fights in bars and casinos.

 

Not my experience at all! My husband and I have cruised Carnival twice and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...Met many great people as well. There were more people like us than not. To give you more background...We are very well educated, upper-middle class professionals.

[vickiw0318]

I have cruised on Carnival twice - both times out of Galveston - and both for the same reason - being with friends. I have to say that my cruise this summer on the Triumph was better than the earlier one on the Elation.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I do! I judge Carnival based on ONE cruise on their oldest, smallest, crappiest ship in the fleet at that time! Even a ship that most diehard Carnival cheeleaders absolutely hated!

 

I LOVED that cruise! What a blast I had! Old ship, so what! The food was great and the service was as good as any ive had on RCI ships.

 

If I knew for a fact Carnival could duplicate that again, I would sail on them tomorrow! :)

 

I just hear from even a lot of Carnival enthusiasts that they are really cutting back though and things just arent near as good as they use to be. Of course that can probably be said about any mass market cruiseline.

 

Ryano,

 

My first CCL when they came to Mobile was on the Holiday in 2007. Best CCL cruise we ever had. Triumph in 2011 was also really good. 2012, not bad but not great, 2013 big disappointment. See the trend? Unfortunately, we can't base the CCL of today as much as we enjoyed our Holiday back then. I think this points to the fact that fancy dancy new ships don't mean as much as the way the company runs the cruise line product and experience.

 

RIP Holiday! We loved ya!

[Sunny AZ Girl]

I am a Diamond on Royal, and while Royal is certainly my preferred cruise line I have not been completely loyal in the past, nor will I be most likely in the future. My cruise choices are governed by more than one circumstance at any time. Itinerary continues to be our biggest motivator in choosing a cruise with traveling companions, cruise dates, price, and cruise line all playing a factor.

 

My one Carnival Cruise was a very good one. It was to Alaska so I am sure the itinerary dictated a different experience than the "standard" Carnival experience. From that I can say that I enjoyed all aspects of the cruise and given similar circumstances I would choose Carnival once again. I chose to cruise Carnival at that time because it was an identical itinerary to those offered by RCI or Princess at almost half the price. I had read excellent reviews on the ship (Spirit) and was not at all disappointed in my choice.

 

I would not cruise Carnival during spring or school breaks, but I tend to avoid cruising at those times on any cruise line. I also would not choose a short 3 or 4 day cruise on Carnival, but I am considering booking one on Princess soon as Princess offers west coast "getaway" cruises and RCI does not.

[Cruising89143]

I'm not throwing in my .02 of what it would take for me to sail Carnival, but what I will say is that I totally disagree with this comment. I guess if I was of the mindset a cruise is what I make of it, I would always pick the cheapest bargain basement cruises out there. Heck, I would probably even cruise a tanker ship. But I'm not. To me, a cruise is what they make of it, not me, and as long as I am spending my hard earned money on a vacation, they damn well better deliver. There are a lot of cruise lines out there and what makes them different is what attracts certain people.

 

Agree 100%. I always get a chuckle when people post that a cruise is what you make of it. Really? Isn't the cruise line supposed to play a big part in that? Actually I believe that this "It's what you make of it" attitude is more of an attitude by Carnival cruisers than anyone else.

[Maxiecat3]

Agree 100%. I always get a chuckle when people post that a cruise is what you make of it. Really? Isn't the cruise line supposed to play a big part in that? Actually I believe that this "It's what you make of it" attitude is more of an attitude by Carnival cruisers than anyone else.

 

I agree. A cruise(vacation) is what you make of it might be true if you were camping for a week. Then I could see where the vacation would be what you make of it. But when you are paying $1,000's, the people I am paying that money to better come through.

 

That saying, a cruise is what you make of it ranks right up there with a bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work. If that were the case, you need to change jobs.

 

Gregg

[Folk Singer]

free trip and airfare. and upgrade to cl lounge.

[Desertbelle]

Anyone can make the best of a bad situation, but that doesn't mean you would go back for second helpings.

 

Our worse cruise, ever, was on a Princess cruise. It would take me a long time to tell the whole story (I have told it before on CC and believe me, there is no doubt Princess made a total mess of the cruise, lied to us beforehand and never made any attempt to make us feel better afterwards, despite letters and phone contact). We will never go back to Princess under any condition.

 

In spite of the horrible conditions of our Princess cruise we had a wonderful vacation with our family. Years later we talk less and less of the ship/Princess and just remember the good time we had together.

 

But, we will NEVER forget how Princess made us FEEL.

[DebbieActon]

It doesn't take much reading of the Carnival boards to see they appeal to more of a trash le blanc crowd. I can't vacation 4 or 5 times a year; not going to risk my limited time potentially dealing with the same crowds I try to avoid on land; loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate, F-bombs constantly, DJ pumping out loud and obnoxious music, crowds of people pushing, shoving, stomping for sales, fights in bars and casinos.

 

I work hard, I'll spend a bit more for a little more peaceful and civilized experience. I'm sure a LOT of very nice people go on CCL, but plenty of bargain basement shoppers with no common decency do too. Not for me. No thank you.

 

My family and I have been on 10 cruises (Disney, Princess, 2 HAL and 6 Carnival). I have never been shoved, pushed or stomped on, I have never seen a fight nor heard an F-bomb, that I can remember. Your opinion of Carnival cruisers actually made me laugh out loud. We are booked on our first RCI next year. I am looking forward to the ship and itinerary but I don't think, in general, our fellow passengers are going to be any more or less civil than our prior experiences. Just my opinion but at least a first hand account.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

I haven't been on Carnival in a few years and didn't plan to go back.

I was recently given the opportunity to sail, with my family, on Carnival for free.

I won't pass up a free cruise. So we're going in December.

[Piepkorn]

I am a Diamond on Royal, and while Royal is certainly my preferred cruise line I have not been completely loyal in the past, nor will I be most likely in the future. My cruise choices are governed by more than one circumstance at any time. Itinerary continues to be our biggest motivator in choosing a cruise with traveling companions, cruise dates, price, and cruise line all playing a factor.

 

My one Carnival Cruise was a very good one. It was to Alaska so I am sure the itinerary dictated a different experience than the "standard" Carnival experience. From that I can say that I enjoyed all aspects of the cruise and given similar circumstances I would choose Carnival once again. I chose to cruise Carnival at that time because it was an identical itinerary to those offered by RCI or Princess at almost half the price. I had read excellent reviews on the ship (Spirit) and was not at all disappointed in my choice.

 

I would not cruise Carnival during spring or school breaks, but I tend to avoid cruising at those times on any cruise line. I also would not choose a short 3 or 4 day cruise on Carnival, but I am considering booking one on Princess soon as Princess offers west coast "getaway" cruises and RCI does not.

 

Agreed!

 

We have done the 3 day and 4 day on Carnival and didn't like the ship at all. Did the Spirit in 2011....and it was 'ok'.

 

We are leaving a week from tomorrow on a 3 day - Golden Princess.....Debbie and I would invite you...but it's sold out :p :D

[Ocean Boy]

I agree. A cruise(vacation) is what you make of it might be true if you were camping for a week. Then I could see where the vacation would be what you make of it. But when you are paying $1,000's, the people I am paying that money to better come through.

 

That saying, a cruise is what you make of it ranks right up there with a bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work. If that were the case, you need to change jobs.

 

Gregg

 

I would actually much rather be at work than waste vacation time on something that wasn't up to par.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Agreed!

 

We have done the 3 day and 4 day on Carnival and didn't like the ship at all. Did the Spirit in 2011....and it was 'ok'.

 

We are leaving a week from tomorrow on a 3 day - Golden Princess.....Debbie and I would invite you...but it's sold out :p :D

 

Maybe I could fit in a suitcase????:p

 

Have fun!:D

[IrishCC]

Went on a Carnival Cruise 15 - 20 years ago NEVER AGAIN . . . . you couldn't pay me to get on one of their ships!

[Maxiecat3]

I would actually much rather be at work than waste vacation time on something that wasn't up to par.

 

My brother went on 2 Carnival cruises before going on 4 Disney cruises and I asked if he would ever go on Carnival again. He said if he had a week of vacation and he could choose between a Carnival cruise or stay at home and work, he would chose work. That tells me I will probably never cruise Carnival unless somebody else is footing the bill.

 

Gregg

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

My brother went on 2 Carnival cruises before going on 4 Disney cruises and I asked if he would ever go on Carnival again. He said if he had a week of vacation and he could choose between a Carnival cruise or stay at home and work, he would chose work. That tells me I will probably never cruise Carnival unless somebody else is footing the bill.

 

Gregg

 

Totally get this (especially once you go CCL - DCL, like I did with 5 weeks apart!)

 

I'm not completely sure I would go even for free. It might still cost too much. (Port fees, taxes, tips, incidentals, etc.) Maybe if I could hide out in my room and avoid the bingo, photos, drink heckling, and if I could actually get service in the MDR...but probably no, not for a long time. I only can take off work so much and then have to have the dogs cared for. I'd rather drive 10 hrs to my parent's beach and run my dogs on the beach for about $100 in gas total. When people say "any cruise is better than laundry or work," well, that's just not true. Especially not once you have tried DCL, as the cruiser above has shown. (Jealous about x 4! I'm working on my second in may...)

[trvlgirlmq]

Totally get this (especially once you go CCL - DCL, like I did with 5 weeks apart!)

 

I'm not completely sure I would go even for free. It might still cost too much. (Port fees, taxes, tips, incidentals, etc.) Maybe if I could hide out in my room and avoid the bingo, photos, drink heckling, and if I could actually get service in the MDR...but probably no, not for a long time. I only can take off work so much and then have to have the dogs cared for. I'd rather drive 10 hrs to my parent's beach and run my dogs on the beach for about $100 in gas total. When people say "any cruise is better than laundry or work," well, that's just not true. Especially not once you have tried DCL, as the cruiser above has shown. (Jealous about x 4! I'm working on my second in may...)

 

Many of us can't afford DCL. I am limited to school vacation times and most lines are way to expensive. I have not had any issues on either of my CCL cruises and I don't expect to have any on Monday either. If I do encounter issues I will take it up with the correct person and give them an opportunity to improve. I won't come here screeching about how awful Carnival is and I would never set foot on a ship again. I am not a drinker, I don't "party", I travel with my mother and kids and we are definitely not low class as some here have indicated of all CCL cruisers. I find this thread to be full of pompous, self-righteous folks and I would rather travel with some fun-loving people who work hard to be able to afford their vacation.

[jsfromsc]

We only get Royal Caribbean ships (Rhapsody, Radiance and Voyager) during our Summer. I do believe that Rhapsody is due here very soon, then followed by Radiance and Voyager will be here in November.

 

Carnival Spirit is now based here year round and Carnival Legend will be joining her in exactly 1 year (September 24 2014) for our Summer season.

 

Have been considering a Winter season cruise on Spirit, but only because we dont have any RCI ships here year round.

 

Try the Carnival ship as long as there's an itinerary to your liking. The Spirit and the Legend are both Spirit class ships, which so far is my favorite class of Carnival ship. They are a good medium-size ship and a really nice layout. Loved the Serenity (adults only) area on the Legend. I was really sorry to learn we were losing another Spirit class ship to Australia. If I'm ever lucky enough to get there, I'll want to spend lots of time exploring your beautiful country and so I won't want to stay on a cruise ship. I wish Carnival would make more ships like these, but the trend seems to be for bigger ships with more cabins these days. :( We had excellent service on our Baltic cruise and every crew member we encountered was smiling and friendly. Food was mostly great. We were too bushed to attend all the shows. I never expect much from cruise ship entertainment. Some were good, some not so good. But we loved the ship. I had been considering Royal for our Baltic cruise but we got a 12 day cruise on Carnival for less than the 10 day Baltic itinerary Royal was offering. Plus some extra sea days, which I really needed with the port-intensive itinerary. Otherwise I would have needed a vacation when I got back from my vacation. :)