should i try carnival.....

[angel41]

I have never sailed on Carnival. I'm always afraid to b/c of how people talk about them. A friend of mine just returned from the Conquest and she was a big Carnival fan, but after the customer service prior to her cruise and the lackluster service on board, she isn't any longer. I'm still considering giving Carnival a try. Does anyone have suggestions as to the best ship, time of year, way to book, etc. I don't want to go and have a bad opinion just b/c I didn't obtain enough knowledge before making a decision on something.

[habby]

What's the worst thing that could happen? You'll have a vacation of being served breakfast, lunch and dinner, not have to do dishes, get involved with activities if you want to, just sit back and chillax if you want to, see some different places, etc.

[VentureMan_2000]

Is your friend picky... picky... picky...?

 

If you have expectations for a $6000 cruise at a $800 price, then yes, you will want HAL or some other cruise line.

 

The cruise is what you make out of it. The staff on the cruise ship is there to make your cruise enjoyable... not to be critiqued and ordered around like someone's personal slave and servant.

 

I have never had bad service on a Carnival cruise... but then again, I don't have my head in the clouds either.

[Jasonsterling]

I've never had any real customer service issues with Carnival so it's easy for me to say definitely you should give it a try. I'd say Conquest class ship would probably suit you best if you don't mind sailing with a lot of other people. As well, if you can sail out of hurricane season you most likely will have less chance of disappointment based on the weather.

 

I can't speak to your sister's situation but I would say when you sail on Carnival or any middle of the road cruise line you're only going to receive a certain level of service. Now, don't get me wrong. I think Carnival does a wonderful job and you get far more than you pay for- in my opinion but it's not Silver Sea or Crystal ect. Just as a Marriott Hotel is not the Ritz. A Marriott is a great hotel but you're going to have a different experience there than at a five star facility and the same goes for cruise ships. Sometimes it would seem as though people's expectations are too high. Not saying this was the case for your sister as she may well have a very valid point in her dissatisfaction. I know however, that the first time I sailed the Elation the disembarkation was a horrible mess and I came home swearing I'd never sail Carnival again- I've taken three Carnival cruise since then after stopping to think about the situation and the position Carnival was in that day. Often times the things that upset us most will fade after a week or two.

[angel41]

Honestly, I only get the chance to cruise once a year, maybe less. Carnival has the best pricing but I also don't mind paying a little more to have a nicer experience. The service thing, in my opinion, they crew is there for that reason. They are not there to be ordered around. I had two cruises where the staff always seemed like they really wanted to go the extra mile. Not for anything that we asked for, just random things where they would stop by to do things. The other two, it seemed more like a job and they did it b/c it was their job. Nobody was rude just didn't seem like they loved their jobs as much.

 

I'm really trying to figure out why it is that Carnival has such a bad rep and if there are things that can be done to make sure to avoid the stereotypical "problems" that go on with Carnival.

[DreadPirateRobert]

It has been my experience that people who come away disappointed with Carnival went in uninformed or had unrealistic expectations.

Too often they jumped on the low prices but expected 5 star treatment every minute of every day. It's the old, "I don't want to be surrounded by people who could only afford what I could afford" problem.

Carnival is far from perfect so I'm sure some of the complaints and issues have merit.

The bottom line is that the food is good, the rooms small but generally comfortable, and the crew helpful and friendly. It is a good value.

The DW won and we have booked a land vacation this spring. The condo alone is costing us $2300. That's not including food, transport there and back or any expenses once we get there. We could probably do a Cat 12 for less than that but like I said the DW won this round. :rolleyes:

[DreadPirateRobert]

Oops

[Jasonsterling]

I really think all cruise lines have their "problems". You can read reviews for most of the lines here on this site and you'll not find one that everyone loved- even Disney has bad reviews and I mean, come on, it's Disney! They're usually well known for their service. There just isn't a perfect company out there.

 

As far as avoiding problems that's a little tougher to address. For sure I would say go into it with an attitude of enjoying yourself regardless. That can be hard under certain circumstances and there may well be a time when one or more of the crew doesn't live up to expectations. I personally try to cut them a little slack, I mean they work like fourteen hours a day, seven days a week. I could do that schedule about two weeks without losing it-LOL

As well, I would think though exactly what I want out of the experience and try to find a line that suited those desires. If it meant I had to wait a little longer in order to pay for a premium lines thats what I would do.

 

The things I cruise for are being on deck at sea with a warm sun and a breeze just relaxing- and seeing different islands and cultures- and having someone else cook and clean for a week. As such it's easy for me to have a good time. I really just need a boat and if that boat just happens to have production shows and a casino and a dozen different bars and lounges and several swimming pools well who am I to complain- LOL I hope you find a great line to cruise on no matter what you end up deciding

[momofzeke]

I'm really trying to figure out why it is that Carnival has such a bad rep and if there are things that can be done to make sure to avoid the stereotypical "problems" that go on with Carnival.

 

Ok, I'll bite. What are the stereotypical "prolems" with Carnival?

 

I've only been on 1 cruise; have another booked ~ both Carnival. I've been extremely happy and satisfied. Our Pride cruise couldn't have been better. Great service, beautiful ship, great food, fun activities, exemplary crew.

 

Next we sail the Miracle March, 2006. I had a problem after I booked directly through Carnival and the PVP I booked with has left the company. I worked with customer service, and they resolved the issue for me yesterday, beyond my expectations! It took several phone calls on my part, but in the end they came through, so as far as I'm concerned their customer service is great!

 

If you're looking for a fun time and a relaxing vacation, I don't think you can go wrong with Carnival!

[Wennfred]

If you're looking for a fun time and a relaxing vacation, I don't think you can go wrong with Carnival!

 

 

Like Sue said above, If you want to have a Blast on your vacation, sail with Carnival Carnival Carnival, if you like to settle for just an ok cruise then sail elsewhere.

[mrdood]

Not sure I understand the "bad rep" they always come close to selling out all their cruises, probably sell out a significant portion.

 

They are obviously doing things right, they piss people off every cruise, but so does every cruise line. The only issues are levels of service. You get what you pay for on Carnival, don't expect it to be beyond that.

[canuck rick]

Go on the Valor or ANY NEWER Ship and you wont be dissapointed . I always hit their new ships in January and eveything is ironed out by then.

[Cruising89143]

What other cruise lines have you sailed? What do you like in a cruise? More info like that will help us to let you know if we think Carnival will be a good fit.

[momof4boys]

After a year on this board and one wonderful cruise on the Elation, I believe *****ATTITUDE****** is everything! :) If you expect to have a wonderful time, knowing that there may be a few unexpected events, you will have a wonderful time!

 

A hurricane, wild seas, and lost luggage not arriving until day 4 of the cruise did not stop our group of 10 having a wicked awesome time in July. This time our group has expanded to include a third family and we are going to do the Conquest. We can hardly wait! :D

[habby]

I had a problem after I booked directly through Carnival and the PVP I booked with has left the company. I worked with customer service, and they resolved the issue for me yesterday, beyond my expectations! It took several phone calls on my part, but in the end they came through, so as far as I'm concerned their customer service is great!

 

If you're looking for a fun time and a relaxing vacation, I don't think you can go wrong with Carnival!

 

Sue,

 

I'm so glad things got squared away.:) I didn't get a chance to get back to reading your thread and didn't know what happened.

 

For our upcoming cruise, DH called our PVP from the year prior. Got his voice mail and left a message. Being impatient as he sometimes is, he didn't want to wait for Jean to call us back, and within five minutes dialed the 800 number. Spoke with a PVP and made the arrangements for this year's cruise. Not two minutes after he hung up the phone with her, our phone rang. It was Jean. He had been trying to call. (I felt like ........:o ) Since by DB and SIL are planning on booking also, they will be calling Jean. From now on, we will call Jean, and wait for his call. He was so helpful to us in 2005 and as long as he's with Carnival he'll have our business.

[cruise crazy mick]

go carnival if you want fun ,service , if you want to moan go rccl out of the uk in august when it is full of children , and the ones without children want to throw them overboard

[Cruising89143]

go carnival if you want fun ,service , if you want to moan go rccl out of the uk in august when it is full of children , and the ones without children want to throw them overboard

 

I guess you have never been on a Carnival ship during spring break? If I could have tossed some kids overboard a couple of years ago I would have.

[cruise crazy mick]

I guess you have never been on a Carnival ship during spring break? If I could have tossed some kids overboard a couple of years ago I would have.

well then take a adult only cruise with somebody like p&o and reserve your lounger, just before your coffin .

[gfsmith]

IMO i love Carnival.... We have been on 6 and the worst one was still great! I prefer the reg size ships, imagination, elation, ect.... The smaller ships dont offer quite as many activities in the afternoon and the larger ships you feel a bit like a cattle herd at times.(as i a am sure you friend did) The Elation is a wonderful boat with a wonderful crew. We have sailed twice and are scheduled for a 3rd in Sept. The staff is always wonderful, and very attentive. ( not that we are too needy...lol)

 

like i say its just my opinion. I hope whatever you choose you have a wonderful trip!

[Cruising89143]

well then take a adult only cruise with somebody like p&o and reserve your lounger, just before your coffin .

 

Just going from your response above I bet your one of the parents who thinks that their little hellions are angels and we should all just love their running the halls at 3:00 AM while mom and dad are oblivious as to what in the hell is going on. Yep, picked you right out of the crowd!!:rolleyes:

[cruise crazy mick]

Just going from your response above I bet your one of the parents who thinks that their little hellions are angels and we should all just love their running the halls at 3:00 AM while mom and dad are oblivious as to what in the hell is going on. Yep, picked you right out of the crowd!!:rolleyes:

no you got that one wrong completly, if they are not with us , they are in the kids club , or watched by us in the pool if they can get in for all the old moaning farts . or asleep in the cabin. so you did not pick me right out of the crowd you know it all moaning arsehole

[Cruising89143]

no you got that one wrong completly, if they are not with us , they are in the kids club , or watched by us in the pool if they can get in for all the old moaning farts . or asleep in the cabin. so you did not pick me right out of the crowd you know it all moaning arsehole

 

Your last word that you used above tells me that I did have you pegged correctly!!!;)

[cruise crazy mick]

Your last word that you used above tells me that I did have you pegged correctly!!!;)

ok we should leave it there,i appologise for using that word to you and anyone else who read it . i was angry about you prejudging my kids ,without meeting them especially as most people who meet them comment on their good and kind behaviour ,we too have met the type of children and parents you thought we were and although it is not nice i never want to throw them overboard

anyway good luck with your cruising

mick

[Cruising89143]

ok we should leave it there,i appologise for using that word to you and anyone else who read it . i was angry about you prejudging my kids ,without meeting them especially as most people who meet them comment on their good and kind behaviour ,we too have met the type of children and parents you thought we were and although it is not nice i never want to throw them overboard

anyway good luck with your cruising

mick

 

And it will leave it here also. I also apologize if you took my comments the wrong way. My comment about throwing kids overboard was said tounge in cheek. Happy cruises to you too.

[Tamolio]

Glad you guys ironed that one out! I am looking forward to a new cruise experience on Carnival Glory. Been a loyal RC cruiser. We are bringing our mostly well behaved 2 year old. We'll keep him out of your hair if he gets fussy. No Worries! that is what cruisin is all about.