Why Carnival?

[Cuizer2]

I have sailed RCCL, Holland, Costa, and of course Carnival. I love Carnival and have sailed them the most - Next year I'll finally be Platinum!

 

There is no question that the RCCL ships are big and awesome (at least the newest ones) and I def want to try one of those out. I would like to watch an aqua show from the back of the boat with the ocean as the backdrop ... how cool is that?

 

But typically, RCCL or any other cruise line just can't compare with ports and itineraries that CCL has! CCL pretty much OWNS the Caribbean. Every time I want to go somewhere, they have a ship that's going to work - they also have a nice mix of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 day cruises (if you haven't done an 8 day yet ... you must book one immediately! Trust me, that "extra" day makes a HUGE difference. I now feel slighted if I have to take a 7 day!) - Also they have cruises leaving on different days of the week.

 

I love the comedy on Carnival - I just wish the clubs on most ships were bigger, or wish they used the main theater for comedy instead of smaller clubs, but we work with what we got.

 

For the price and the value of the bigger cabins, and reasonable prices for balconies, plus all the port availability and variety of destinations and ships, you really cant beat carnival. Oh and I love the fun atmosphere.

 

and seriously, I wish people would STOP saying that "only drunks and cheapskates go on Carnival." ...just not true. I am in Recovery from Alcohol so trust me I'm very sensitive to drunk people and will notice them easily, and although there are always going to be a few, 95% of the ship is not falling-down drunk.

 

Cheers!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

 

I'm platinum on Carnival and Diamond Plus on Royal Caribbean. I like to take longer cruises. I have taken 10, 12 & 14 night cruises on Royal Caribbean. Carnival doesn't have many cruises longer than eight nights that interest me. However, Carnival owns HAL and Princess and both offer longer cruises. I have taken two eight night cruises on Carnival. My next three cruises are 11, 10 and 12 nights (on NCL and Princess).

 

I have not had any trouble with drunks, though they are more common on the shorter cruises. I don't drink much so I don't run into them. I only gambled once (because my friend was gambling) and that is the only time I had to deal with a drunk on Carnival. I just ignored him (he apparently didn't like my poker face). I also sat at a dinner table on Royal Caribbean with a drunk, but he didn't say anything he would later regret.

 

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have their advantages and disadvantages. One is not better than the other.

 

As to watching the Aqua show with the ocean in the background, here you go ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2016 by Cuizer2

[LMaxwell]

Only interested when they cost no more than 70% of RCI / NCL / MSC. Good for the shorter itineraries as long as not Fantasy class ships; I like going to Key West. Large rooms and good food. It's a good value as long as you don't try to make it something it is not.

[OCruisers]

Some of us who live within easy driving distance of Charleston and JAX find Carnival to be convenient. :)

[dna529]

Some of us who live within easy driving distance of Charleston and JAX find Carnival to be convenient. :)

 

Exactly. A very convenient vacation and great for kids and adults!

[golfb4cruzing]

It was Carnival 30 years ago when it still was cruising. Now it's a cheap imitation. When people say Value, they really want to say cheap. I will spend a couple extra hundred and go on a classy cruiseline. By the time we get OBC for being veterans and whatever pops up, it's even or beats Carnival. Our next cruise, we have $600 OBC already which pays gratuities and excursions, maybe even some Casino tab. All this and no one running halls at 3am, adults areas are just that and service is better. Just the fact of sitting at the buffet and drinks are brought to table is plus now that trays are gone. Carnival had it's day for us. The wife is talking taking all the grandkids and their parents on their first cruise using Carnival. I'm trying to stay home, not looking to promising though.

[SadieN]

Nvm

Edited July 6, 2016 by SadieN

[Tapi]

For me it's been all about cheap prices and convenience in the past. But with that said, I haven't set foot on a Carnival ship in a few years and a big reason why is because I've consistently been finding cheaper prices and better deals on other cruise lines. Just when I think I've found a great deal on Carnival, I do a bit more research and I find something even better on someone else. This has prompted me to try other cruise lines and sail in other regions. In the last 4 years, we've bounced between Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess and MSC. It's been neat to try new things and discover new cruise lines.

 

I do want to sail on Carnival again, and now that thy have committed to returning to Mobile (my closest port of embarkation), I really want to give Carnival my business again and support these sailings, even if it's aboard the Fantasy! [emoji3]

Edited July 6, 2016 by Tapi

[tidecat]

I haven't cruised yet, but I chose Carnival over Disney simply because a 5-night cruise beats a 4-night cruise. The Disney cruise I looked at wasn't a whole lot more (probably due to being in February) but it wasn't worth it just to ride Aquaduck - for the difference I can go to one of Disney's waterparks and even spend a day at the Magic Kingdom before or after the cruise. I also looked at Norwegian due to their solo cabins, but couldn't find an itinerary that worked for me - and of course, it's not a balcony. The new RCI ships don't interest me because of how closed off they are from the ocean.

 

 

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[LaFrimaire]

For us restricted by school holidays, they have the most ships in the Caribbean year round, which is convenient. Most other lines do not offer summer sailings to Caribbean or only one or 2 ships. Also like that It's easy to get reservations and the your time dining is very flexible. I hear on some ships you need reservations for everything which is not relaxing. Can also get reasonable fares as well, but then haven't really checked out prices on other lines since their schedule doesn't work for us.