Anyone done Carnival, how is it?

[welshrich]

Hi, We've done 40+ with RCI, we are going to do a Celebrity cruise later this year but have seen a great itinerary on Carnival from Singapore to LA.

 

Has anyone cruised Carnival and can advise whether it's comparable, I've heard good and bad but want 1st hand experiences to help decide.

 

Usually would sail RCI but have to look at other lines to see different parts of the world.

TIA.

[FionaMG]

I can't answer your question as I've never sailed Carnival either but I do vaguely remember reading somewhere that the demographics and hence the entire ambience on the "Carnival Journey" itineraries are completely different to your more "normal" Carnival sailing.

 

Anyway, I had to check out the sailing you're talking about. Wow! It does look great! Not for us yet; maybe a few years from now. But I totally agree if you're looking for more interesting itineraries you need to look elsewhere than Royal. Again, not something we've done yet but I have a feeling it won't be long before we do.

[cruisegirl1976]

Hi, just recently sailed on Carnival for the 1st time at the beginning of Feb, it's a one and done for us.  We were only the Mardi Gras, the ship is nice, but the service and food wasn't that good. We were rushed in the dining room, never offered any drinks at dinner, really no bread service, they give you one piece of bread per person at dinner, and the portions are very small., the buffet had very limited options and only one section open, and no washy washy at all when going into any restaurants or the buffet. No one washed their hands or used the sanitizer, and there was no staff to make sure people did. We wanted to try Carnival, but nope never again. I will stick to Royal from now on.  The only good thing was drink package..lol

[Cruise5life]

Shouldnt this be a carnival section ?  
 

carnival is like going to Walmart on Friday night.   
they’ve been classes as the booze cruises of the industry.   For smaller cruises.    
I personally won’t travel carnival anymore unless it’s more than 7 days 

[crzndeb]

I did the Long Beach to Singapore on the Splendor in 2019. I am Diamond on Carnival, but most of my cruises were longer, so a totally different demographic. If you like sea days (I do), you will have an amazing time. Singapore is one of my favorite cities, and I eventually want to go back. I have several friends doing this cruise, and I haven’t ruled it out myself. Just wish we got some better perks at their highest tier. The Panorama is a Vista class ship, which, despite the layout of the theater, is my favorite class. Good selection of free lunch choices.

25 nights is a lot different than 7 nights. And the prices are great.

if you have specific questions, ask, and I will try to remember. 😬

Ps….they also have self service laundromat’s 

Edited March 6, 2023 by crzndeb

[smokeybandit]

There is a whole forum devoted to Carnival.

 

Though I'm glad RC doesn't have to beef up security and send out warning letters to all spring break cruise passengers reminding them to behave.

Edited March 6, 2023 by smokeybandit

[time4u2go]

They are very similar. Both have their pluses and minuses.

 

As suggested above, if you have not already asked this on the Carnival board, you should.

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by time4u2go

[Norwich Cruiser]

We’ve cruised with Carnival on four occasions all in the Caribbean three seven nighters and one four nighter from Tampa.

 

Always enjoyed the food and entertainment never had any issues at all with them.

 

I actually think they are quite similar.

 

Looking at the itinerary you may book I’d honestly have no hesitation in booking it looks superb.

[Denversail]

I haven’t cruised Carnival in several years. I recall finding them pretty similar unless you are on a party cruise (shorter itinerary/school break). I was curious about them recently and was considering booking one. The daily drink limit makes it a non-starter for me though.

[welshrich]

Thanks Everyone.   I wanted to post here to get an RCI cruisers prespective rather than over on Carnival with someone having only done one RCI or even none and not having anything to compare.

[maryann2]

34 minutes ago, welshrich said:

Hi, We've done 40+ with RCI, we are going to do a Celebrity cruise later this year but have seen a great itinerary on Carnival from Singapore to LA.

 

Has anyone cruised Carnival and can advise whether it's comparable, I've heard good and bad but want 1st hand experiences to help decide.

 

Usually would sail RCI but have to look at other lines to see different parts of the world.

TIA.

I am booked on this cruise. 

Diamond on Carnival like Debbie.  Love Carnival. 

I sail most lines. Costa Toscana from Dubai to Rome next week,  Carnival Venezia TA Barcelona to New York May 29th and Celebrity Vancouver to Japan in September.

[Ret MP]

1 minute ago, welshrich said:

Thanks Everyone.   I wanted to post here to get an RCI cruisers prespective rather than over on Carnival with someone having only done one RCI or even none and not having anything to compare.

That's the way I took your post, a request for information, to get a comparison from actual RCCL experienced cruisers that have also cruised on that other line (I call it Rustbucket Cruise Lines which has nothing to do with "rust", and it seems to trigger some folks).  

 

Having said all that, I'd suggest you try, at least once, whatever sparks your curiosity.  If it sounds good to you, go for it.  We are all different in our own way.  What I dislike, you may like.  

[Husky1987]

Only one Carnival cruise on our list.  Passenger demographics were pretty much the same.  No horror stories of drunk passengers all over the ship.  We'd do it again if the timing was right.  Carnival does a few things better:

 

1.  Free food - Guy's burgers.  Blue Iguana.  Pizza was far and away better...Sorrento's is for people who think Domino's is good pizza.

 

2.  Alchemy Bar - Tons better selection than anything I've seen on Royal

 

3.  Casino program - my wife still gets free balcony cruise offers multiple times a year even though we sailed years ago.  

[richbum]

We have cruised on both and think that they are very similar. 

[Guest phd1003]

Guess your not allowed to say the "C" word on the hallowed boards of Royal. I was interested in the responses as well. Now they will be biased. Like going to a Cubs game and asking what people think of the Cubs. I'd rather know what a Rangers fan thinks of them that way your getting a honest answer...but what do I know.

[maryann2]

4 minutes ago, phd1003 said:

Guess your not allowed to say the "C" word on the hallowed boards of Royal. I was interested in the responses as well. Now they will be biased. Like going to a Cubs game and asking what people think of the Cubs. I'd rather know what a Rangers fan thinks of them that way your getting a honest answer...but what do I know.

Glad it's been moved back LOL

[ShillyShally]

I've done a few Carnival and would again - I love their piano bars (still shake my head at the "improv" piano man on my last Royal cruise) and their comedy shows are so much better.  No complaints on food or drink package - I wasn't hitting the limit most days but still got a deal using it.  I haven't been on their newer ships and would love to try some of their suite options but I'm usually priced out when I look at those.  Royal seems to be my comfort spot though. 

[EngIceDave]

[firefly333]

50 minutes ago, welshrich said:

Thanks Everyone.   I wanted to post here to get an RCI cruisers prespective rather than over on Carnival with someone having only done one RCI or even none and not having anything to compare.

I'm 3 pts from diamond on carnival. I have one journey cruise booked 14 days. Usually journey cruises have some throwback like late night buffet or something like the olden days or a speaker. 

 

Lunch and pizza better on carnival, but I used to like rhe dinner menu better on rcl. Havent had the new rcl menu  next week. Try the white pizza, their pizza is made from scratch. Their steak restaurant I could still order surf and turf. Lobster included gone from choose, it's a upcharge on rcl. Lobster rolls on the fresh fish market good. 

[EngIceDave]

1 hour ago, welshrich said:

Hi, We've done 40+ with RCI, we are going to do a Celebrity cruise later this year but have seen a great itinerary on Carnival from Singapore to LA.

 

Has anyone cruised Carnival and can advise whether it's comparable, I've heard good and bad but want 1st hand experiences to help decide.

 

Usually would sail RCI but have to look at other lines to see different parts of the world.

TIA.

I have sailed RCCL, MSC, Norwegian and Carnival. I am only loyal to Carnival due to casino deals.

 

Keeping all you read in mind, ANY CRUISE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT.

 

Carnival does have a different vibe, but that varies by cruise length, time of year and some departure ports. The shorter 3-4-5 day cruises are total ragers many times. If you're younger and dig that, cool, I don't. Longer cruises during off seasons are quite chill and nice.

 

Up until Covid, it was my opinion that Carnival's MDR and overall food experience was better than the others. Since covid and the two cruises we've taken, my opinion on the food has dropped a notch or two. Covering up flaws with more fast food isn't better food. I don't want a floating McD's or KFC. (yes, it is better than them, but point still stands), it's cheap fried food.

 

So as for the other lines, I can't speak in an up to date manner, but if you think RCCL or Norwegian's food has dropped some since, then Carnival is still better, with more options. MSC's food is just terrible. Bottom of the list.

 

Carnival's entertainment is good overall and will also depend on the ship. You can stay busy or you can chill. No one is screaming at you to get up and boogie in the halls or quiet spaces.

[alleghator]

I've sailed on Carnival and RC and each has its perks. I don't really understand the disparaging "Wal-Mart" comments that are so frequently thrown at Carnival.

 

Some of the things Carnival does better than RC ... more variety and options for included food. Better organization and coordination of games and recreation events (trivia, other group contests). Some of the things RC does better than Carnival ... better signage, slightly more elegant decor.

 

Everything else we found to be roughly the same. I think the biggest differences in clientele are not going to be found between these two cruise lines overall, but between itineraries and what time of year you sail.

[Guest phd1003]

I've seen "Demographics" mentioned multiple times in this thread. Anyone care to elaborate? I've never cruised on Carnival and can only go by what I read on cruise junkie. However there is a extremely good deal on a school vacation week that is almost to good to pass up. 

[resetjet]

Similar.  Carnival a tad more on the tacky side but cheaper too.  + and - on both sides.   To me it depends on the ship,  not the line.  

[neverbeenhere]

While we have a rip-roaring 25 nights on Carnival ships, we know people that sail on the line regularly. All of the say the same thing... Sail on the newest Carnival ship that you can find.

[firefly333]

31 minutes ago, resetjet said:

Similar.  Carnival a tad more on the tacky side but cheaper too.  + and - on both sides.   To me it depends on the ship,  not the line.  

Not cheaper for me. Carnival is hundreds more for me out of Galveston.  I get D+ and solo discount on rcl. I dont get casino offers. I think it's a myth people say carnival is cheaper. Used to be  cheaper... though I dont book the shorter cruises hardly ever on either line. 

 

If carnival was cheaper I'd have more than the one booked. I'm solo and carnival gives me no discount but rcl does.