Carnival's Holiday, Yea or Nay?

[northerner]

I have not found any recent reviews on this older ship. Wondering if it has been updated? What is your opinion of this ship as a first time vessel for sea weary kids and husband? Yea or Nay for this cruise classic?

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[Cotton]

Get packing! I love the Holiday. I think she's a great ship for a first time cruise - or any cruise, as you'll see at the bottom of my post. I wouldn't steer you wrong...OR my son! He's going on his first-ever cruise, and just booked on the Holiday. Now would I send my son on a bad ship for his first cruising experience???

 

OK, so she's the oldest ship in the fleet. No matter. She's just been refurbished (in December, I think), and has totally new bedding, carpeting, etc. in all cabins. The crew and staff are fantastic, friendly, fun, and very professional.

 

The food is wonderful, although I can't vouch for the buffet on Lido, as I have all three meals each day in the dining room. The entertainment is top-notch. Well, at least the two productions shows are. (I don't go to the others, as I'm not wild about magicians or comedians.)

 

Even tho she's older, she's kept in really good shape, and you'll see constant cleaning and polishing from the crew the entire cruise. Just say hello to any one of them, and you'll get a big broad smile.

 

That's my kinda ship!

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[kruisinkat]

I totally agree. I've sailed the Holiday before. Am am doing so again next month!

 

06/04 Holiday Cruise

 

 

Nordic Empress 10/92

Ecstasy 10/98

Holiday 10/02

[phinfan63]

Cotton - when is your son cruising? I am also booked for my first cruise on the Holiday , 8/23/04 ( out of NO) and still trying to find someone else going.

 

8/23 Holiday

 

[teedee]

My brother and sister in law just got off her and they had a wonderful time. They said the ship was very clean and there was lots to do. They enjoyed the food, but said it's definitely better in the dining room than on the buffet. It's been 10 years since I sailed on her, but she remains one of my favorites.

 

Terri

 

Skyward - 1989

Carnivale - 1991

Holiday - 1994

Fantasy - 1998

Century - 2002

Century - 2003

Jubilee - 7/04

Century - 9/04

Coral Princess - 3/05

Valor - 10/05

 

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Any cruise is better than NO CRUISE - however my opinion (all else being equal) would be to opt for a newer and larger ship...

 

As I said, that is what I would do... I know others totally LOVE this and other older ships - that's great!

 

Are you looking for a particular departure port or itineraries? Perhaps a cruise of specific duration or cost?

 

In other words, is this your ONLY choice? If so, go for it!

 

Tom

 

Sensation - July 1st, 2004

 

Legend - THANKSGIVING - Nov. 19th, 2004

 

Miracle Spring Break, March 20th, 2005

 

 

 

MIRACLE.........3/05

LEGEND.........11/04

SENSATION.....7/04

GLORY............3/04

SENSATION.....1/04

SENSATION...10/03

GLORY............7/03

SENSATION.....7/03

INSPIRATION..11/02

PRIDE.............7/02

FANTASY.......10/01

FANTASY.......10/00

FANTASY........8/00

SENSATION.....6/00

DOLPHIN IV.....3/00

FANTASY........9/99

 

[Cotton]

phinfan ~ Sorry, he won't be on your cruise. He's waiting till the Holiday homeports from Mobile. His cruise is Nov. 8.

 

Never fear, every time I've been on the Holiday, it's been a pretty full ship.

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[Wmiller86]

I sailed the Holiday in December and had good and bad experiences. I posted a review that was on the review list for a few weeks, but now it is no longer there. I do not know why.

I have it saved, if you would like a copy send me an email.

The bottom line on the Holiday, in my not so humble opinion, is that if you want to party, she is great. But my kids had a hard time staying entertained while onboard. The ports were great. The kids programs were sub par. And really, my kids are not that hard to entertain! They were 13 and 8 when we sailed.

Food was OK. Not as good as I expected, maybe. But the ship was really clean. Cabin was fine, but zero water pressure.

The ship employees were very helpful, courteous, and professional.

Engines died once while at sea, and we drifted a while.(Scary)

Computer problems caused late boarding and departure, so no sail away party.

The pools leaked into the casino causing pools hot tubs, and casino to be shut down most of the five days.

When I wrote Carnival after the cruise, Carnival sent me a voucher for 10% off a future cruise.

Would I sail her again? I don't know. Certainly not with my kids. But maybe, on a really cheap price, just to party.

Don't blast me, guys, I am just stating my experiences. Others may experience the same cruise, and love it.

 

Willie

[Cotton]

Willie, I remember your post. But I don't remember if your cruise was BEFORE or AFTER the Holiday went into drydock. It was in December.

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[runningradical]

The Holiday was our fitst cruise and we loved it. Now my husband and I are addicted to cruising. Our second cruise was on the Glory we now prefer the newer and bigger ships. But we would consider the Holiday again.

[northerner]

Sorry that your cruise was not the greatest Willie. Cotton, Kat, Phinfan, Teedee,Tom-n-Cheryl and Willie Thanks for all the great, honest replies to my poll. You really helped make up my mind, that this is the perfect cruise for our family. Relaxing, low key, and not to extravagant as to scare off my husband.

To answer a few good questions, this will be my second cruise, the first being a 1990 Mediteranian cruise from Italy to Greece. To quickly state how that experience was, Iraq had just invaded Kuait and the Italian Line had sold passage to many, many deck sleepers fleeing, I felt bad for them and knew nothing about the invasion, but I remember It was a very stinky cruise. BUT I'd do it again in a heartbeat and have been pestering my husband since we were married to take me on another cruise, the right way this time. But my husband is the typical yooper, dressed up to him is a pair of jeans and flannel. The kids are 11, 5 and 3, most anything entertains them as the long winters up here are boring and cold. I have a feeling that if the engines had stopped while we were cruising my husband would have wanted to fix them. Mike's only "want" for our family vacation is to see the "big ship's engines". I told him to leave his tool kit home, I was sure Carnival had really good mechanics, I have a feeling he will bring a tool box anyhow. We are Booked For December 11th 2004. I just had heard some bad information, and wanted to know if I should cancel and rebook with a different ship. Maybe someday I can talk him into a fancy ship but I now think the HOLIDAY is the best start for him. Not too fancy, but nice and relaxing for me. (our last family vacation to a "resort" in northern Minnesota consisted of a cabin in the woods and me cooking for 65 days for Mike's parents and brother and watching 6 kids.) Some vacation. He he he, hum

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[northerner]

Thanks Radical! I'm hooked on the Idea of being a cruise addict, now just to convince the hubby. Theresa

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[Cotton]

Well, Theresa, I think you DESERVE a 'holiday on the Holiday'! That first cruise sounds awful, and the cabin "vacation" certainly was not a vacation for you.

 

Yep, book this cruise and let everybody on the ship wait on YOU! If your hubby refuses to dress up (MEN!), you'll probably end up having your meals on the Lido Deck, BUT lots of folks do, and seem to enjoy it. (However, YOU might want to slip away at least one night and be totally pampered by the dining room staff.) ???

 

Any other questions about the Holiday, I'll be happy to answer for you. I did a review in September. Don't know how to post it for you, but you MIGHT find it by going to the "FIND" button at the top and typing in Holiday reviews.??

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[northerner]

IF I pack his clothes(like I usually do pack for everyone)He will have no choice but to wear them right? I can hear the "is this my suitcase already". I'll just do some covert shopping till then, and reserve that tux rental on board. They don't sell flannel and old ratty jeans in Mexico do they? LOL

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[northerner]

And Thanks Cotton, I needed that pat on the back!

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[kruisinkat]

Your kids will love Camp Carnival onboard too. My son sailed w/ us on the Holiday when he was 7 and loved it! He's coming again next month.

 

06/04 Holiday Cruise

 

 

Nordic Empress 10/92

Ecstasy 10/98

Holiday 10/02

[RENEEG]

We just returned from the May 8 5day Holiday. This was our sixth cruise. The second on Carnival. I have read many reviews and some of the comments are well founded. The ship is the oldest and smallest in the Carnival fleet. It is a nice clean ship, but it does have problems. The plumbing is not great. There is no water pressure in the shower. The toilets don't flush real well. At times you could detect a sewer smell. It was not in our room but in the hallway.

Our room was very nice. We were on the main deck right behind the pursers desk. Some people complained about the ship's movement. A couple of times there were barf bags placed throughout the ship. My husband and I both had no problem. It did not bother us at all.

The food was hit and miss in the dining room. The seafood entries were excellent. The lobster was some of the best I have had. They were nice size and not over cooked. The portions were rather small but they were also very generous with giving you more than one of whatever you wanted. It was nice to try different things. The beef dishes were weak. My husband had a steak the first night and it was tough and dry(he ordered medium rare). We did not try the prime rib. The tenderloin(beef wellington and chateaubriand) was better but I have had much tenderer. The appetizers were good as were the rice side dishes. The desserts were okay. One night I ordered tiramisu and it was frozen. That tells me they are not making the desserts on board.

The food in the lido was not great. They did offer a nice salad bar and deli at lunch which we enjoyed.

The stops were great. The itinerary it really good. We got on the boat on Sat. Sun at sea. Mon at Playa Del Carmen(xcarat was great). Tue at Cozumel(Paradise beach was great). Wed at Sea. and back to NO on Thursday.

 

I got a good price for the cruise and had a good time. I would take this same cruise again. But the Holiday is moving out of NO and the Sensation is moving in. I don't know much about the sensation but will still be interested in that trip.

 

We are booked on the Conquest at the end of the year. I am looking forward to comparing the trips.

[SallyMay]

We have sailed her twice and would do it again if she were not moving to Mobile. Yes, its small but clean, crew was great both times we were on her. There is fun to be had and hubby took advantage of it. Loved the new bedding and will agree that the plumbling was not so good. But, heck I was on vacation and had a great time on her. Go and enjoy.

 

Sensation 4/23/05

 

Holiday 4/2004

Holiday 4/2003

[lakelodge]

hey, Sally Mae, do you know when the Holiday is moving to Mobile? This is the first I've heard of it, we are booked on the August 5 sailing---thought we were sailing out of New Orleans!! thanks, let me know, Martha

 

Mike & Martha 1992 RCI Nordic Empress 1997 Dawn Princess 1998 RCI Vision of the Seas 1999 Carnival Celebration 2000 Grand Princess 2001 HAL Veendam 2001 RCI Radiance of the Seas 2002 RCI Grandeur of the Seas 2003 Celebrity Mercury 2004 Oceania Regatta

[northerner]

Hi Mike and Martha, Looks like Holiday is moving to Mobile sometime in the fall, all of her Itenieries are from NO until then. Have a great time on your cruise.

 

12/11 Carnival Holiday Mobile, AL to Mexico

 

[SallyMay]

Like northerner, some time in the Fall. I see that you are from near Memphis. We drove down for our trip and it was not that far (about 6 hours). Enjoy your cruise to all that are going on her in the near future.

 

Sensation 4/23/05

 

Holiday 4/2004

Holiday 4/2003

[surfsup]

Quick question since you just got off of the Holiday. On formal night, do most of the women have short cocktail dresses on or are there some women in long dresses?

 

We have a convention (Radio/TV) on the holiday next week and while I've been on several cruises and always wore long, everything I read says it's not that common on this ship and everyone wears short dresses.

[SallyMay]

I wore a long dress with a shawl. There were several women in shorter cocktail dresses. Whatever makes you comfortable with dressing up for the night.

 

Sensation 4/23/05

 

Holiday 4/2004

Holiday 4/2003

[kruisinkat]

Last time we were on the Holiday I wore a cocktail dress, my SIL wore a long gown. This time it will be the opposite. LOL Just depends on your mood!!!

 

06/04 Holiday Cruise

 

 

Nordic Empress 10/92

Ecstasy 10/98

Holiday 10/02

[HOSKI]

You guys make me want to leave sooner for the Holiday then Sept. I hope we get as good of an upgrade as we just got for our June cruise.

 

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000

Victory 2000 Sensation 2001

Norway 2002 Legend 2002

NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003

Victory 2004 Holiday 2004