Best Carnival Ship

[myn]

I know this question is very opinionated and perhaps a little subjective but I was wondering what you guys though was the best Carnival cruise ship.

 

Demographically myself and my soon to be wife are younger (under 30) and are looking at this cruise for our honeymoon.

 

We are having a hard time deciding what cruise line to go on. Carnival seems like it's more fun (judging from the forum posts) to some people where as Royal Carribean may be a little more laid back?

 

To be blunt, I really don't want to be stuck on a cruise with 80% retired folks. It would be nice to be around people our age.

 

Thanks for your help.

[b8tzm]

Best Ships for Nightlife

 

 

by Anne Campbell Carnival Cruise Lines - If any cruise line has higher quality and more extensive entertainment than the fleet of Carnival Cruise Lines, I have yet to see it. From lavish Las Vegas-style reviews to a cool jazz club, one can choose from cabaret, a classical trio, country, rock, disco and blues. You'll find the best entertainment aboard Carnival's Spirit-class (Carnival Spirit, Pride, Legend, Miracle) and Conquest-class vessels (Carnival Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty).

[habby]

First, congratulations on your upcoming marriage. May you be as happy married as you are single!

 

Next, figure out how much you want to spend for a cruise. Don't forget to take port charges, taxes, air fare (if necessary), etc. into consideration.

 

Think about where you'd like to visit.

 

Find a Carnival cruise that fits your criteria (I'm sure there will be more than one) and BOOK IT!

 

Then, you can start asking questions about a specific ship or ports of call.

 

As we've only sailed on Carnival, I can't tell you anything about other cruiselines. I can tell you that there have been people of all ages, shapes, sizes and nationalities on the past two cruises we've been on and we've had a blast.

[simkoreb]

I'm in my mid twenties, and sailed Miracle last year. I loved it because it has a diverse itinerary, it's a newer ship, and it's one of their smaller ships (holds around 2500 people I believe, you'll have to look it up to get the exact number). It was a lot of fun! Good luck. No matter what you choose, you'll have a blast!

[FitzLA]

My favorite is still the Carnival Pride, and the like class. It has 3 nice pools, one adults only and is spaced out VERY nicely.

[Knights on the Beach]

My favorite Carnival ship is whichever one I happen to be on at the time! ;) So far, I'd have to say the Glory is probably my favorite. We're looking at booking the Legend for our 25th anniversary at the end of this year because we'll get an extra day (8 days) and I like the itinerary.

[DASA]

MYN we are in our 50's and have had more fun with entertaining and outlasting couples your age on all our cruises.

 

Don't judge having fun with age because i truelly beleive you are as young as you feel.

 

Most ccl cruises are very geared to people who want to have fun, like one of the previous posters replied pick an iten. that you like and enjoy. You will meet lots of couples your age and that might or might not be interested in doing the things you and your future partner choose to do.

 

Carnival should be the right choice for you if you are looking for a wide range of ages to be with.

 

Wife and will be celebrating our 34th anniversary in 1 week, Hope you and yours enjoy and have a wonderfull life as we have had.

 

IN SHORT DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE AGE THING WITH CCL , YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE TO HAVE FUN WITH.

[Vanessa L]

Holy cow....I would love to be the person that had been on them all so I could give a true objective opinion. Will enjoy following this thread and hope you get lots of opinions!! As a general rule though, I've found that the big mega ships (>100,000 tons) tend to have a higher "lost in the shuffle" feel to them. I enjoy the mid sized ships, 70-90 thousand for a "homier" feel. But overall, I agree that Carnival has the best all around to offer; bigger cabins, great entertainment, good food, and guests of all ages that, yep, you guessed it, love to have a good time!!!

[Live_2_cruise05]

So far it's the Elation for us!!

[myn]

Thanks guys for all your great suggestions. You've done a great job swaying me from Royal Carribean to Carnival!

 

I talked with my sister who just got married and she was on a Royal Carribean cruise (Adventures of the seas) for her honeymoon. She loved it although she has never been on any other cruise either. My fiance's parents have been on 4 cruises, 3 of them have been on Carnival and they are saying the same things you guys are: more fun, bigger cabins, etc.

 

Keep this thread going. I am really interested in what everyone's experiences have been like and what ships they have liked the best.

 

Thanks again.

[IBEEMOM]

My vote for you would be to sail on the Miracle. I am one of the older group you speak of and have found that the age group on all cruises are a mixed bag. There is a lot of fun things that young people enjoy on all of the Carnival ships. Most of us are only older by years, but not necessarily old in our outlook on life and fun. Go with Carnival and have a wonderful honeymoon and cruise. Best wishes for you both.

[GoinCruisin]

I'd say my favorite so far is the Sensation, will be on her for the 3rd time next year... smaller ship, great condition, more intimate, not as crowded, great nightlife.

 

The Valor was great... alot bigger, alot more people... good nightlife.

 

The Miracle was probably my least favorite... perhaps it was just that particular sailing, but the ship basically died at 11, not sure what it was but the ship itself didn't seem as "fun"... which I'm sure alot of people would really enjoy. I'm 34 and not quite ready to go to bed at 11PM on a cruise :D

 

Whatever you decide, a cruise is what you make it! I always have a great time and would cruise on any ship!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

[sd1029]

I am getting married 1/22/06 on the Miracle and the cruise is our honeymoon. Several people from theknot recommended Miracle as a fun honeymoon cruise. I will be posting a review of the wedding/cruise on the wedding/honeymoon board of this site when I get back.

[Bobba22]

We sailed the Legend last Easter and loved it . Better layout than the Conquest that we sailed in 2004. So we are going to book on the Miracle,sister ship to the legend for New Years 2007!!!!!!

[myn]

Don't take me wrong, like you guys said, age is only a number and regardless of how old or young you are it's how you feel that counts. I have had more great experiences with people older than myself.

[jshawnh]

I'll have to make a goal of experienceing all of the Carnival ships. So far, I have been on the Jubilee(no longer in the fleet), which was my favorite. I have also been on the Holiday (sister to the Jubilee, smallest of Carniva;s line), the Ecstacy and her sister ship, the Elation. THe Elation is a beautiful ship, with better crew and food that the Ecstacy. I did enjoy the small ship experience of the Jubilee and Holiday. The crew was more personable, and friendly. THe fellow passengers were easier to talk to and mingle with also. I won about 2,800 dollars in the Ecstacy's casino. I love them all. So, just pick one, keep an adventurous spirit and cast off the lines. There will be something to do from early morning 'til the wee hours of the night. THere are activities to suit all tastes. I have thought of booking Princess or RCL, but I know Carnival already. We're booked for the Conquest April 26. I can't wait.

 

Good luck, and have fun!!!

 

Shawn

[DougD137]

I have only been on the Legend but I loved it. When I get of the Valor in April I'll be able to judge which one is better.

[Butterfinger1954]

My DH and I have been on 3 cruises. 11 years ago we went on Regal Cruises (no longer exists from what I hear) which was a small ship (very OLD too, but kept up pretty good) and was 95% elderly people. We did hook up with 2 other couples in their 30's and had a pretty good time.

 

10 years later we cruised on Carnival Glory (this past Jan, 2005 ) for our 30th anniversary and we had a blast (with our 2 teenage girls, my inlaws (age 73), and my sister and her daughter.) The Glory is a large ship, a beautiful ship, the food was fantastic, the entertainment was great , the staff was wonderful. We loved getting involved in the games everyday such as trivia, scavenger hunt and such, and enjoyed the ice carving and food carving demonstrations. The music was great at all the different lounges. So much to choose from all day everyday or just find a quiet place and lounge around if you wish.

 

Last month we sailed on Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas. This was a midsize ship. The entertainment was good, but I didn't find the food quite as good in comparison, but it wasn't bad either. The dining waitstaff was fabulous, but I didn't find my room steward to be as good as it was on Carnival. I enjoyed some of their games (but not as much as on Carnival), and I enjoyed the napkin folding class and the animal towel folding class very much and these were not offered on Carnival.

 

I do believe that a cruise is what you make of it no matter what ship you sail on. Everything will not always be perfect all the time. People are human and we are not always the center of attention by staff when their are so many other people onboard. Always be patient and have a great time.

 

About your cabin.... Everyone has a different opinion, but for us, we always get the cheapest inside cabin as we spend so little time in it except to sleep, shower, or change clothes. We are too busy out and about on the ship just having fun, fun, fun. I come home exhaused from my cruises cuz I am so busy having fun. LOL My sister got a balcony room and only spent a few min. on it 2 times all week. And she paid a lot more than we did.

 

Kathy in Maine

 

I know this question is very opinionated and perhaps a little subjective but I was wondering what you guys though was the best Carnival cruise ship.

help.

[pardoni]

Starting in '76, spent a week on the Mardi Grau, one of Carnivals first ships. Piece of real junk, but one the best vacations I have ever been on. Since, have been on the Elation, Victory, Conquest, and this March the Valor. All were great ships. Renewed our vows (25th aniv.) on the Elation with our two girls. Only thing that I can add to what others have stated is there are certain times when there will be alot more children on board, namely Xmas/New Years, Spring break (middle of March to middle of April), and all Summer. Carnival not only attracts the young and young at heart, but also families because of their great value. You will still have fun, but just something else to consider. Good luck with your wedding plans and honeymoon.

[Wennfred]

The basics, People our age that do work, usually do a 7 or 8 day cruise, normally we have to get back to work etc. Most retired people do 10, 12, 14 or 16 day cruises. So the rule is, as long as you keep it to a 7 or 8 day cruise you're ok.

 

Now I do have to say, I have met tons of folks in their 60+ to well in their 70's that rock the boat, these are the ones from that movie Cocoon LOL, lots of life and lots of fun, these folks cruise on Carnival. The Grumpy Old types can be found on Lines like Princess and or Celebrity.:cool:

[wwbill4]

The last 4 cruises we have done were more than 7 days. Once you do a 10 day cruise or better it would be tuff to go back to 7 day cruises. People that work do cruises more than 7 days. Those who don't do 10 day cruises should try them, they might like them and never go back to 7 day cruises. You don't have to be over 60!!!

The best cruises Alaska, Panama Canal, Hawaii are more than 7 days. Enjoy!

[thebets]

I may have just had a freak experience, but we just came off the Carnival Legend New Years cruise, and it was the worst entertainment across the board than we've ever seen (this was our 9th cruise). Not only were the entertainers bad, but there wasn't alot going on - it was the quietest cruise I've ever been on. I saw a couple of honeymooners, and felt sorry for them having such a sedate ship experience. We've enjoyed RCL much more!!! I guess to each his own!

 

Regardless, I personally love having a window in our cabin, and would highly recommend this. It's nice getting the daylight in the morning, and being able to look out as you arrive in port if you haven't managed to get out on deck yet. We were lucky enough to have a balcony once, and we thought it was great! We sat out there each night and had a cocktail. I think it would add to the romance of the cabin, and would be worth it if you could afford it! Good luck!