I Don't Drink Alcohol, Will I Hate Carnival?

[Daruma]

Just now, MistyRo76 said:

... I would look at booking late April or into May to have lower pricing and less kids around. Also, weather in the Caribbean that time of year is just ideal to me! 

 

Thank you, I'll check those months. 

[Daruma]

4 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

... I would look at booking late April or into May to have lower pricing and less kids around. Also, weather in the Caribbean that time of year is just ideal to me! 

 

Just checked, sailing out of Tampa, you can book 3 - 6 day cruises in April or May of 2025, but not 7 day cruises... March is the latest until October. 

 

Even then for a 6 day cruise, for a solo passenger, the prices range from equal to March 2, 2025 to up to $500 more for the same room, (Balcony)... and that's with a day LESS... so, as of now the winner appears to be March 2, 2025 from Tampa, on the Legend for 7 days in the Western Caribbean. 

[elcuchio24]

The differences in crowds on CCL and other lines is very incremental. Much more alike that different. Only caveat--if you book a 3 day cruise over spring break, your going to get a party crew on CCL or most lines.

[Daruma]

1 minute ago, elcuchio24 said:

The differences in crowds on CCL and other lines is very incremental. Much more alike that different. Only caveat--if you book a 3 day cruise over spring break, your going to get a party crew on CCL or most lines.

 

Thank you. 

 

Yeah, most definitely not... I'd be throwing drunk college kids overboard all day, lol 😂🤣

[mamiamjo]

59 minutes ago, Daruma said:

 

The 7 day cruise on which I've put a reservation hold is March 2, 2025... looking up Spring Breaks for Elementary and High School in my area, they are usually the end/last week of March... seems to be the week after college Spring Breaks... so March 2 appears to be safe, lol. 

Keep in mind the people on your sailing might not be from your area and therefore have different Spring Break Weeks. Regardless, I've seen kids on every cruise I've gone on no matter what time of year. Also keep in mind that even with a low number of children on board, you still could run into the few obnoxious ones that are there. With that said, I'd still go. We have a cruise booked for the first week of April next year and can't wait.

[mz-s]

I rarely drink and have fun on Carnival.

 

What gets me more on Carnival here lately is the cigarette smoke from the casino. It's really bad on a lot of ships and fills up most of the promenade deck.

[Daruma]

6 minutes ago, mamiamjo said:

Keep in mind the people on your sailing might not be from your area and therefore have different Spring Break Weeks. Regardless, I've seen kids on every cruise I've gone on no matter what time of year. Also keep in mind that even with a low number of children on board, you still could run into the few obnoxious ones that are there. With that said, I'd still go. We have a cruise booked for the first week of April next year and can't wait.

 

While I'd prefer not to be overrun by kids, I do love kids and I'm more concerned about being overrun by drunks... which presumably won't be them, lol. 

[dctravel]

2 hours ago, Daruma said:

 

I'm looking both at a September 2024 4 day cruise

Check out the mid-week cruises v. the weekend cruises (they alternate 3-4 in various ways on various ships). The midweek should be less raucous than a weekend cruise.

 

That said, we have sailed with our children several times over the years, starting when the youngest was 4. They loved the vibe of the ship and there is always something going on. I drink only a little when I am vacationing with them (glass of wine with dinner, maybe a beer in the evening), partly to cut down on the cost and partly because I'm there to enjoy the family, not to get drunk (and then to have to share a room with them!). On Carnival, we have found all types. When you settle into the cruise, people tend to gravitate to space and others that feel in their comfort zone, or at least we do!

 

dctravel

[elcuchio24]

17 minutes ago, mz-s said:

I rarely drink and have fun on Carnival.

 

What gets me more on Carnival here lately is the cigarette smoke from the casino. It's really bad on a lot of ships and fills up most of the promenade deck.

 

A few of the recent ships we have been on, MSC World Europa, Wonder of the Seas, I believe Carnival Celebration, they have glass partitions separating smoking/non smoking areas in the Casino. That was VERY nice. 

[mz-s]

8 minutes ago, elcuchio24 said:

 

A few of the recent ships we have been on, MSC World Europa, Wonder of the Seas, I believe Carnival Celebration, they have glass partitions separating smoking/non smoking areas in the Casino. That was VERY nice. 

 

It is becoming more common, and it is good to see that they're taking it more seriously. I hope that one day soon smoking will only be allowed outdoors or in very well ventilated (and preferably separate areas like you're talking about), but I also firmly believe that the last place in the world where indoor smoking will be allowed is in Carnival casinos.

Edited March 5 by mz-s

[elcuchio24]

4 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

It is becoming more common, and it is good to see that they're taking it more seriously. I hope that one day soon smoking will only be allowed outdoors or in very well ventilated (and preferably separate areas like you're talking about), but I also firmly believe that the last place in the world where indoor smoking will be allowed is in Carnival casinos.

 

I'd agree with that for sure. If its walled off, its less of an issue. Even outside can be tough. On the last MSC cruise the whole starboard side was smoking on the lido/main open decks. Walking with my kids, I'd just have to cross over and walk on the other side.

[mamiamjo]

34 minutes ago, Daruma said:

 

While I'd prefer not to be overrun by kids, I do love kids and I'm more concerned about being overrun by drunks... which presumably won't be them, lol. 

Same concept applies though. No matter the date, there will be people drinking and you may just encounter an obnoxious one. We've been on about 20 Carnival Cruises and have never really had an issue. Sure we've seen people that were obviously drunk but none that ever caused us any problems or issues. I think you'll be fine

Edited March 5 by mamiamjo

[firefly333]

4 hours ago, Daruma said:

Hiya, folks. 

 

I don't drink alcohol, and as I'm sure you all know, Carnival has a rep as a "Party Boat."

 

My concern is of course, can a none-drinker enjoy Carnival, or am I going to hate it because it's just a bunch of obnoxious, raucous partiers? 

 

I'm not casting aspersions on anyone, you do you Boo... it's just not an environment I'd personally enjoy. 

 

Thank you for any insight you can provide. 

How many days is your cruise. I did b2b breeze 4 or 5 days and hated it. Left for a while but had booked a 14 and it was wonderful. My food complaints went away on the longer cruise. I think they improved the menu also. 

 

I tried cheers twkce thinking those drinks look so good. Was wasted on me. I guess my days od drinking are behind me. Bothers my stomach now. There are others on carnival not drinking. 

[jsglow]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

I rarely drink and have fun on Carnival.

 

What gets me more on Carnival here lately is the cigarette smoke from the casino. It's really bad on a lot of ships and fills up most of the promenade deck.

WHAT? Your reputation is permanently ruined!!!!! 😉

[tscoffey]

4 hours ago, Daruma said:

I'm not concerned about my ability to enjoy it per se... but moreso whether or not OTHERS

It seems to always be the case that drinkers are far more uncomfortable being around non-drinkers than the other way around. I think it’s a self-conscious thing. 
Truly, I don’t care if you drink - unless and until you start to act stupid, aggressive, or harmful. But so many times, drinkers have this curious idea that I can’t enjoy being around them, unless I am likewise partially intoxicated. 

[Butterbean1000]

3 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Might be aware of when Spring Break is.

 

Carnival does have a minimum age to book cabins.

My grandson is in college in Florida and his spring break starts next week.  It's going to be party central for the next couple of months.

[Butterbean1000]

3 hours ago, Daruma said:

 

 

Oohh... hadn't thought about under age Spring Breakers... whike they, (likely, lol), won't be drinking... having a bagillion kids running around could be annoying.

 

Thank you for pointing that out. 

I don't really mind kids on the ship unless they are unsupervised which sadly is mostly the case.

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, Daruma said:

 

Thank you. 

 

I'm not concerned about my ability to enjoy it per se... but moreso whether or not OTHERS, (raucous partiers), will negativity impact my enjoyment, or is it pretty easy to avoid them.

when you say them, it's a very very small percentage of pax. You'd see the same on other cruise lines as well. As stated above just avoid the 3/4 night ships on any line. You are way overthinking it .

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

WHAT? Your reputation is permanently ruined!!!!! 😉

What can I say I try to call it like I see it 😉

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, mamiamjo said:

Same concept applies though. No matter the date, there will be people drinking and you may just encounter an obnoxious one. We've been on about 20 Carnival Cruises and have never really had an issue. Sure we've seen people that were obviously drunk but none that ever caused us any problems or issues. I think you'll be fine

The most obnoxious person I meet on my last cruise was stone cold sober..want to hear her health aliments?  Me, neither.

[ChuckF]

Avoid the Thursday to Monday cruises. The Breeze does these out of Galveston and they do have a reputation for being Booze Cruises. And it really doesn't matter what time of year, because school is not an issue when considering a weekend bender. 

[Lee Cruiser]

My wife and I don't drink and we've been on 23 Carnival cruises. Always have a good time.  I noticed you are considering a four day cruise.  I will say that the least favorite cruise was the one four day cruise.  It was a Thursday-Monday weekend wrap around cruise out of New Orleans that many did treat as one long weekend party.  Wouldn't do another four day, but have enjoyed the other cruises.

[lasvegascruising]

NOPE, you will not hate it!  You will have so much fun.

[lazydayz]

7 hours ago, Daruma said:

 

Just checked, sailing out of Tampa, you can book 3 - 6 day cruises in April or May of 2025, but not 7 day cruises... March is the latest until October. 

 

Even then for a 6 day cruise, for a solo passenger, the prices range from equal to March 2, 2025 to up to $500 more for the same room, (Balcony)... and that's with a day LESS... so, as of now the winner appears to be March 2, 2025 from Tampa, on the Legend for 7 days in the Western Caribbean. 

Good choice! 

[ninjacat123]

We were on a 4 day out of Jacksonville over Thanksgiving and noticed a rudeness/oblivious attitude toward others. As far as we could tell, not alcohol based, just bad manners. Our 5 day in January out of Port Canaveral was better and in keeping with what we experience with Carnival. 
I hope your cruise is great!!