Is the "I sail Carnival because it's cheap" meme your deciding factor?

[Indytraveler83]

Carnival frequently offers a better price, and that definitely keeps our eyes on the CCL website, but we are flexible enough on dates to get a good deal from another line if we chose to. Our main reasons for sailing CCL are:

 

1) Atmoshpere. Unlike some cruisers, we prefer an informal atmosphere, informal dress code and a generally relaxed environment. I would honestly be very uncomfortable with a more formal line. My parents sail Princess and while they love it, it sounds much less fun to me.

 

2) Departure ports. We heavily prefer not to fly, as airfare can sometimes double the cost of the trip, and our cars are both newer and get 30+ MPG making driving extremely cheap. Florida and Texas are too far for us to travel in a day, leaving NOLA, and the east coast ports to be the most accessible. Unfortunately cruises from other lines are more limited in these ports.

 

On that note I fully intend on trying NCL someday, just hasn't come across as the right trip for us yet.

[summersigh]

Mainly price and Carnival has more ship/itinerary options sailing from Florida ports...

 

Agreed on the price and itineraries available in FLA.

 

Another factor for us is that the level of service in cabin stewards and dining staff on CCL has been as good as on HAL and RCCL ... we just avoid stuff like the hairy chest contests :D

[hotsauce126]

Yes, mainly because of the price but also because I'm 24 and the only other cruise lines that are even of any interest to me are Royal Caribbean and Norweigan.

[jonbgd]

Cheap price was biggest reason

 

Grew up cruising on Carnival and look forward to cruising on them again Especially thre Breeze and New Vista

Than after Uncle Bob retired And CS went downhill

 

Started cruising on RCCL and now with balcony discount and 3 hrs free drinks every night our cruises are usually cheaper overall than CCL

 

Besides we are doing more TA's lately and CCL doesn't offer them much anymore

Edited January 2, 2016 by jonbgd

[soozles]

Mainly price. I never had a bad cruise on carnival, and having been on most other major players besides RCI (which always seems to cost so much more when I'm looking) and I never felt like the differences justified paying more. We had a great deal on an Alaska cruise on celebrity where we had a drinks package, prepaid gratuities, and $300 OBC and an additional $150 from the site we booked with, that it turned out to be the cheapest option. For our next upcoming cruise, we price shopped, looked at the various offers available, and even though carnival didn't include any drinks package or prepaid tips like other lines, the cost was so much less on carnival that even if we added in the drinks package which we hardly even use and the tips, carnival was still cheaper. And it was going to better ports, and 8 nights instead of 7.

 

Although there are definitely things other lines did better... The shows on NCL were much better tan carnival, and i prefer the food on celebrity or princess, but I've never been hungry on a carnival ship, and frankly, living in NY all my life and getting rush tickets to see Broadway shows every other week, it takes a lot for me to be impressed by a cruise show. We always find something else to do if the shows aren't that great.

[deborahjo]

We have sailed Disney and Princess plus Carnival. We keep coming back to Carnival because the price plus what they offer keep us coming back.

 

We love Carnival and our family does also.

[elainmir]

I do like the prices..I've noticed as I search NCL or RCCL that their sales don't seem like sales. Now granted I've not sailed on any other line except CCL but I'd rather find the best price I can on a cabin and use my VIFP benefits and find a great casino or pack and play rate then do 3 or 4 cruises a year. I love to cruise..any cruise day is better than a work day!

[JohnSpo]

I go back to Carnival for the great service and food quality and options. I also like the itineraries. I enjoy the on board entertainment and the night life. The price also falls into my budget. I also like that most of the ships have similar layouts so it is easy to navigate the ships.:cool:

[v3cruiser]

We sail Carnival mainly when "the younger generation" goes with us because they truly like the activities that are geared to them. Otherwise we tend to choose other Cruiselines when our group is "adult".

 

Personally I would rather limit my number of cruises, even on Carnival, and choose more expensive options: balcony rooms, money for the steak house, money for food and drink extras, more exotic shore excursions, longer cruises, interesting departure ports where we can extend our vacation.

 

Does Carnival pull you in because of its price points? And are the number of cruises more enjoyable than a cruise where you can "frill up" your vacation?

 

 

From where i come from, i dont think any cruise is "cheap". Figure in airfare, excursions, drinks, and other items, certainly takes some planning for us.We usually do one a year and its usually a big deal and book out early to pay for things as the years progresses. However, ship amenities are secondary to ability to see places around the world for a great price which Carnival does, which is why we cruise carnival! Will likely to continue to do so with the advent of the Journey Cruises!

[esdoorn]

We will be cruising on our very first cruise in March 2016 on the Sensation. Originally when we booked it was to be on the Victory, but the dance of ships changed the ships.

 

Our factors for the choice of Carnival was:

 

1) we live in Canada, so we wanted a warm weather port that was easy to get good flight times and costs into;

 

2) A cruise that left on a Monday that allowed us to travel a couple of days before to cruise to ensure that even with a flight delay, we wouldn't miss out cruise;

 

3) Price;

 

4) Ports of call - visit islands that we have yet to visit.

 

5) Length of cruise - didn't want a short cruise (i.e. 3 day) and felt a 7 day cruise would be too long.

 

 

That us how we ended up with the 5-day late March 2016 sailing on the Sensation/ Ports are Grand Turk, HMC and Nassau. We decided that we would give a cruise a try after years of going to AI's throughout the Caribbean.

 

In the end, we will see how we enjoy cruising as compared to our past AI experiences.

[bingo3]

They actually are not always the cheapest. You have to compare. I cruise based on several factors; itinerary, port of departure and price. And you also need to factor in any associated travel costs that will be incurred. It may actually be cheaper to sail a ship where the fare is more, because travel may be less.

[golfb4cruzing]

I would rather save a little longer and not go on Carnival. It was okay in the beginning but I'm over the non stop noise, games, drunks (sorry my opinion). I don't live that way, so why would I vacation that way. Vacation is all about new places and relaxing.

[Podna's]

I would rather save a little longer and not go on Carnival. It was okay in the beginning but I'm over the non stop noise, games, drunks (sorry my opinion). I don't live that way, so why would I vacation that way. Vacation is all about new places and relaxing.

 

 

Been with Carnival since the 90's and I have yet to notice this noise and drunks you speak of. I do get a lot of the relaxing on Carnival.

[sfaaa]

Millions of repeated Carnival cruisers can't be wrong. Cheaper is indeed better.

[renza]

Prices are not that cheap any longer. We sailed oasis in June for about same cost as our breeze cruise. I am sailing breeze again in March, but going on the Allure in June too. I prefer royal ships to carnival.

[smyliecruising]

We sailed on carnival the first time as a couple because it was an affordable getaway for us. We loved Carnival!! We loved the way we were treated. We loved that we could always find a deck nearly anytime of the day or night that was empty and just enjoy the beautiful ocean. We loved the steakhouse. The new pizza is awesome. We had a porthole the first time so we had a balcony size room at an interior price. The price is great but the ships are beautiful and the staff has always been so courteous to us. I can't make myself try another line because I am afraid it won't be as great and Carnival has made us so happy. With the new restaurants for fee and for free, I always enjoy my meals. Great vacation at a fantastic price.

[IslandCurls]

We live in Barbados, and there's always a Carnival seven day Southern Caribbean round-trip that leaves on Wednesdays.

 

We chose this for our honeymoon and we were blown away by the food and excellent service. I can't speak for what others may have experienced, but every cruise we've taken since then with Carnival has been a very pleasant experience.

 

Plus, as I said, it's not like we have to fly anywhere...there's nothing like living where a ship home ports.:D

 

We'd love to try another line and itinerary at some point, but frankly, the cost of flying plus a hotel stay, plus a cruise just gives me a headache:(

 

The other lines that leave from here are either too expensive or really old, so really, Carnival is pretty much the default option. That being said, I still can't wait for my next cruise with them.:)

[crabbdock]

If money was no option, I would love to take a cruise on Windstar...lol...That being said, the CHEAP prices is not why I end up choosing Carnival, a factor yes...

I am looking for a cruise now in late 2016 or 2017, and I am checking them ALL out. But the more I research, the more I come back to Carnival. I cruise for the ship and Ocean, the atmosphere!!! I don't care for the giant ships with all the bells and whistles, even though there are a lot of things I would love to see and do on them. I just don't think I would like the trade off of more people and children on those ships. If zip-lining or a carousel was what I wanted, I would go to Worlds of fun, 10 minutes from my house for $50, and save a lot of money..lol

I want to try another line someday, and I am sure I will once I have been on more Carnival cruises and want some variety, or other reasons. But for now, Carnival FITS me and what I want from a cruise.. A ship in the ocean, good food, plenty of smoking areas, lets me bring my diet Sunkist, and prices I can afford...

I only get to cruise every few years right now, I know I LOVE Carnival, why risk another line that I might not like, unless I had a GOOD reason, like a REAL GOOD price...lol

[Warm Breezes]

It all depends on what we want out of our vacation. Usually price is a factor but normally only after other factors are met first. Factors such as embarkation port, itinerary, ship type, who is going with us, and usually most importantly does it fit the time we have available including travel time.

[fam2cruise]

I agree carnival isn't always cheaper. I just priced 7 days during the last week of summer August 13/14 on RCCL and Carnival and RCCL is only $100 more but offers a $300 obc.

[bluefins]

The first time we sailed Carnival was because it was the easiest on the wallet, but 13 cruises later we are still with Carnival because we really like them!

[joeyancho]

Price is not the sole determining factor for us any longer. For us Carnival is no longer a good fit. Sure you get a cheap price, but you get what you pay for. We prefer Princess. You pay a bit more, but get a lot more. The ship's are classy, not garish. The food is much better. The buffet is open non stop from early morning to late at night. The entertainment is superior. While I have never had a bad carnival cruise, princess is just better. It is a more upscale experience.

Edited January 3, 2016 by joeyancho

[NotTheBatesMotel]

Yep, that's what drew us back this time. We love balcony cabins and they tend to be so much more affordable on Carnival. We found the cruise on The Dream to be pretty comparable to RC (although I really missed the promenade/design of RC's Freedom class ships). I really want to take my son on a Disney cruise while he's still little, but don't know how I'll ever justify spending that much when we could get 2-3 cruises out of the cost of 1 DCL cruise.

[Babycat]

Money and time no option? I'd cruise Disney with my wife and 2 year old daughter. The New Orleans port is a 20 minute drive from home. Also, Carnival is all we know and my wife is a bit uneasy about an unfamiliar line.

[Who Cares?]

We sail Carnival mainly when "the younger generation" goes with us because they truly like the activities that are geared to them. Otherwise we tend to choose other Cruiselines when our group is "adult".

 

Personally I would rather limit my number of cruises, even on Carnival, and choose more expensive options: balcony rooms, money for the steak house, money for food and drink extras, more exotic shore excursions, longer cruises, interesting departure ports where we can extend our vacation.

 

Does Carnival pull you in because of its price points? And are the number of cruises more enjoyable than a cruise where you can "frill up" your vacation?

 

I'm the complete opposite. I much prefer to book cheaper cabins on a less expensive cruise line and spend more days at sea. I don't need "frills".