Caz46 Posted October 10, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 10, 2006 We were a little disappointed in our cruise on the Carnival Spirit. The staff were wonderful but the outdoor activities were lacking. :( The water slide wasn't working; the nets were down on the basket ball court so basketball and volleyball were out. The shuffleboard equipment was sparse and old. The only outdoor activity that was working was the ping pong tables. We did back to back cruises (Alaska & Hawaii) so three weeks with only the gym and jogging track was disappointing. The Casino was working perfectly along with all the bars...call me a cynic but it seemed that all the things that are making them money was working! I would think twice before cruising again. Should I be put off?:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetz Posted October 10, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 10, 2006 We just sailed our first Carnival cruise on the Legend, our 4th cruise. Funny but I was thinking about the same thing while onboard. Aside from seeing the shows, hanging at the pool, there was nothing else besides spend money. The ships certainly make their money on drinks, casino, and the spa. Bingo was 20.00 for 3 sheets, ONE game! As far as things to do, RCL has all the big activites but they cost also. You are about right on the money with your thoughts. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell36 Posted October 10, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I think it may just be according to which ship you are one. On the Inspiration last year, the basketball court was open and there was a giant chess set outside that you could play. They also had the golf swing net up next to the basketball court. We are on the Elation in less than 2 wks and they have basketball, volleyball (I think), putt putt and several other things. I have heard that there are problems with the slides. And when there is a problem it usually takes quite a while to fix them. If I were you I would give it another try, maybe a different ship this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue L Posted October 10, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 10, 2006 We were a little disappointed in our cruise on the Carnival Spirit. The staff were wonderful but the outdoor activities were lacking. :( The water slide wasn't working; the nets were down on the basket ball court so basketball and volleyball were out. The shuffleboard equipment was sparse and old. The only outdoor activity that was working was the ping pong tables. We did back to back cruises (Alaska & Hawaii) so three weeks with only the gym and jogging track was disappointing. The Casino was working perfectly along with all the bars...call me a cynic but it seemed that all the things that are making them money was working! I would think twice before cruising again. Should I be put off?:confused: I wouldn't give up on cruising, you might need to switch to another line. Many of Rccl's ships have rock climbing walls (free), miniature golf (free) basketball,volleyball,etc (free). The newest ship Freedom and the liberty have wave riders (free) . I just went on my first RCCL the Explorer and we spent 5 days not spending on any activities, except the casino an hour or so, and never had time to do everything I wanted to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DqALEX Posted October 10, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 10, 2006 When I was on the Triumph I felt the same way. I think it is what you are looking for on a cruise. I read all the time on what a great ship the Triumph is. I diden't see it that way. But I still had a good time. The ports were real good, the shows were good, The ship I thought was in bad shape. I look at Carnival as more of a passenger ship than a fun ship. I still have a good time, I like the casino, pool, shows. There shopping on the ship is not great, some of there ships are getting very old, When you look at the new RCCL ships, carnival is just a passenger ship. But carnival is still the best value out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Jay Posted October 10, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I wouldn't necessarily recommend Carnival ships for people looking for ships bursting with 'active' activities. We like it because we don't need all of that stuff -- we prefer a more relaxed, low-key kind of fun vacation, so we're happy with frisbee on the basketball court, working out in the gym, reliving childhood on the waterslide, etc. Sounds like Royal Caribbean (is that the one with the "lust for life" TV commercial?) or another line like that might be more up your alley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habby Posted October 10, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I wouldn't necessarily recommend Carnival ships for people looking for ships bursting with 'active' activities. We like it because we don't need all of that stuff -- we prefer a more relaxed, low-key kind of fun vacation. We've enjoyed the low-key vacation also. There is the possibility that the water slide was closed because of weather conditions. I understand that is a judgement call and not always explained to passengers. Of course, it may have been that there were problems with the slide itself. I don't know. Even though we sailed on the same ship three years in a row, each of our cruises was unique due to the differences in fellow passengers. Some days, or even hours, were better than others, and there were some times I wasn't having the time of my life, but all in all we had wonderful cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perrys100 Posted October 10, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I guess I like the low key stuff too: The art auction at see, the past guest party, the captians cocktail party, the midnight comic, the sun, the pool, the hot tub, the balcony..aaa the balcony, the waves, the ocean birds, the progress map, people wathcing, clouds, sunsets, dinner, lunch, breakfast, room service, clean room, fun happy fellow passengers, ports of call, hey none of theses things cost an extra cent. Were none of these available on the Triumph? I did not even know there was basketball or volleyball on the Triumph and I have sailed her twice. Vacation, like life, is exactly what you make of it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southbayer Posted October 10, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 10, 2006 For me, i'm pretty much a low key very mellow not going on cruises to get hyped out but to relax type of guy.... I would suggest for those who like wall to wall activities to try the new RCCI mega ships... Those seem to have lots of activities, so much so that you don't even need to get off the ships at ports . But for me, Carnival is perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DqALEX Posted October 10, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 10, 2006 For me, i'm pretty much a low key very mellow not going on cruises to get hyped out but to relax type of guy.... I would suggest for those who like wall to wall activities to try the new RCCI mega ships... Those seem to have lots of activities, so much so that you don't even need to get off the ships at ports . But for me, Carnival is perfect. Yeah I agree. I wasen't trying to knock Carnival or the Triumph, I love the casino myself, and my kids love camp carnival most of the free stuff carnival has is also on every other cruise line. But I feel carnival is like a passenger ship along side that RCCL mega ship,. That is the future of cruising. Carnival led in the 1980s with there new fun ships, and carnival took off. Now with what RCCL has brought to the table, the winners will be the cruise passengers. Watch and see the new ships carnival will come out with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafn8me Posted October 11, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 11, 2006 We just sailed our first Carnival cruise on the Legend, our 4th cruise. Funny but I was thinking about the same thing while onboard. Aside from seeing the shows, hanging at the pool, there was nothing else besides spend money. The ships certainly make their money on drinks, casino, and the spa. Bingo was 20.00 for 3 sheets, ONE game! As far as things to do, RCL has all the big activites but they cost also. You are about right on the money with your thoughts. :) Does anyone else think Carnival purposely has shorter and fewer port visits in order to get you to stay on the ship more/longer to spend more money? Just got back from Eastern Caribbean (Triumph) and the RCL Navigator of the Seas went to the same (first) three ports, but they went to a 4th port on their way back to Miami. Even some of their passengers thought that was odd. I believe we all got back to Miami at the same time. Last two days of our cruise were 'fun days at sea'....was bored off my arse and ready to go home by the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Posted October 11, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 11, 2006 ..... I would think twice before cruising again. Should I be put off?:confused: Definitely not!:D Any particular cruise on any line could be disappointing to some folks. I'm sorry things weren't what you expected, but you really shouldn't give up on cruising. Even if you tried the Spirit again, it could be a totally different cruise experience...or you could try another ship, or even another line. Sometimes expections are so high, and the TV commercials are so hyped, some are bound to be a little disappointed. We all cruise for different reasons. I'm a 'senior', and retired chef, and I like quieter times on cruises. Families and young couples want different things from a cruise. I think Carnival has a nice balance for everyone. (Surely you enjoyed the food and some of the other activities?) Don't give up on cruising - your next one may be the best vacation of your life!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizaMM Posted October 11, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Does anyone else think Carnival purposely has shorter and fewer port visits in order to get you to stay on the ship more/longer to spend more money? Just got back from Eastern Caribbean (Triumph) and the RCL Navigator of the Seas went to the same (first) three ports, but they went to a 4th port on their way back to Miami. Even some of their passengers thought that was odd. I believe we all got back to Miami at the same time. Last two days of our cruise were 'fun days at sea'....was bored off my arse and ready to go home by the end. I agree with what Cotton posted and the quote above is exactly why!! Everyone has different preferences for their vacation and cruiselines and each ship has variances for just this reason. And as Cotton pointed out the same ship can vary week to week. Personally, I love sea days and I would choose a cruise with more sea days then port days every time or plan on staying on the ship. I am happy with a few hours doing something in port and then just enjoy the R&R on board. I do not long for much day time entertainment while on a cruise but love all the choices available to me at night. Carnival is perfect for me. To the OP - If you enjoyed the whole aspect of cruising then I would certainly not give up! Other ships (or even the Spirit on a different week) and cruise lines might satisfy more of your vacation needs/wants/desires. A little reading goes a long way on that and it is very likely that you can find the cruise that gives you more pleasure than any land vacay can ever offer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted October 11, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Just out of curosity, what's the difference between a "Passenger Ship" and a "Cruise Ship"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvrgirl Posted October 11, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I believe they mean it's transportation to the ports. Sounds like they cruise for ports, not the ship:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Jay Posted October 11, 2006 #16 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Does anyone else think Carnival purposely has shorter and fewer port visits in order to get you to stay on the ship more/longer to spend more money? Just got back from Eastern Caribbean (Triumph) and the RCL Navigator of the Seas went to the same (first) three ports, but they went to a 4th port on their way back to Miami. To me, this makes sense as an economic model. If you can attract a certain volume of customers who enjoy and are willing to spend time and money on gambling, bingo and spa treatments, and if you're able to manage costs in a way that affords customers the ability to enjoy a fun, relaxing all-inclusive cruise for $100.00 a day... works for me! No cruiseline is going to be all things to all people. I think each person just has to do his research, see what each ship/line provides for their money, and decide what best suits them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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