Will we like Carnival?

[abitaturbodog]

My parents (in their 60's) have been on quite a few cruises in the past 10 years. They never went on Carnival because they believed that it would not be "up to par" for them. However, they joined us on our Carnival cruise 2 years ago---and loved it!

 

A couple of months later they went with a group on Princess and were soooo disappointed! They kept comparing Princess with Carnival and it was Princess that was not "up to Par" !! (Especially for the price that they paid :eek:)

[hdawson]

With so much talk about low price or value I offer the following. This comparison may anger some.

Not everyone chooses to shop at Macys, Bloomys or Saks. Just like not everyone shops at Walmart, Kmart, etc.

The cruiseline, like any business, will provide exactly the level of quality demanded by it's clientele.

[abitaturbodog]

With so much talk about low price or value I offer the following. This comparison may anger some.

Not everyone chooses to shop at Macys, Bloomys or Saks. Just like not everyone shops at Walmart, Kmart, etc.

The cruiseline, like any business, will provide exactly the level of quality demanded by it's clientele.

 

I'm not sure if you understood what I was saying. My parents spent twice as much to have the same type of room on Princess that they had on Carnival, and Princess was not as good as Carnival.

[hdawson]

abitat. My comments were general in nature. Not as a response to your post. BTW. I have friends that will only sail on Princess. There's a cruiseline for everyone.

[abitaturbodog]

Oh, sorry dawson.

 

Tell us what we can do to get your friends to try Carnival! Maybe some of your CC buddies could stage an 'intervention'? Also, a kidnapping might work...

[baseballdad]

Hubby & I have been on 8 cruises, 6 with Celebrity, 1-RCCL & 1 Princess and liked them all. We are planning on taking our adult children and their spouses on a Caribbean cruise in February and didn't want to saddle them with an older demographic. This would be their first cruise and we wanted it to be memorable for them and enjoyable for us. What kind of experience can we expect? Will the "party" atmosphere be over the top with lots of drunks all over? Or can we expect another sublime cruise experience with good food, activites and nice rooms? We are looking at Glory or Triumph.

 

Thanks to all that reply.

 

If you like it dull and asleep by ten, Carnival is becoming just what you like. The Prudes are taking over...

[hdawson]

abitat. LOL. Since they have been on 35-40 cruises, I think they already know what fits their style and taste best. I know one thing that impressed them alot was on a Princess cruise and I think they were in Istanbul, on 9-11 and the Capt and crew couldn't have taken better care of them and keeping them informed. The crew was extremely compassionate.

[abitaturbodog]

they were in Istanbul, on 9-11.

 

Wow, talk about scary...I was shaking in my living room. I can't imagine being in the Med at that time.

[shofer]

Thanks to all of you who posted. Our last 2 cruises were in Jan/Feb and the average passenger age was about 75. A friend of mine was on Glory Jan 27 and said the same thing. So I'm thinking maybe this is more of an industry thing for the time of year. We really enjoyed escaping the Chicago winter for a short time so we probably will stick with the same time.

 

We were just on Princess and yes, we did make a lot of comparisons to Celebrity but still enjoyed ourselves immensely. My DH usually rents a tux but it looks like from what I've read on this board the guys could get away with a sports coat on formal night and still be dressed up.

 

Still a little early to book it but we are leaning toward CCL this time around.

 

thanks again,

Sue

[kristen2007]

And a friend from the Miracle is just off the Celebrity Galaxy.............he said even the crew were calling it the cemetary cruise.

 

 

hahaha OMG I burst out laughing on that one. Glad I gulped my water before I read it. I have never heard it put that way . So funny!! :D

[rgreenpc]

Not putting down CL but there are overall differences. one small dif, dress code is not even thought of by some passengers . not being a jerk but i enjoy my dinning experience with my family ,only to have surrounding tables with tank tops and ripped up jeans on formal nights . I try to teach my kids a little class in fine dinning and adequate. We have a wonderful time ,but kids always second guess my judgment in proper attire.This never was an issue on celeb cruises.

 

I know I now sound like the snob... but I have to agree...

 

... not about your kids mind you, but in the choice of attire for some adults.

 

I know, I know, I know... its about having fun, but I can point to at least 3 places on the website as well as the CCL Capers on the cruises we have been on that say proper attire ( suit, or tux etc ).

 

There is always one though who thinks his Polo and "good jeans" cut it.

 

My wife and I enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up, I do own a Tux and look at cruising as an excuse to get dressed up. My wife loves to wear nice gowns/dresses.

 

That is probably my only CCL complaint. I have never seen anyone trying to do this on PCL. However on PCL the staff made it clear that you would be turned away at the door if you failed to follow the rules. CCL has made the same threat but seems to cave in.

 

I could go on about this all night, as this is my one true peeve about CCL. I think the food is usually good and generally has a great variety.

 

The ships are kept clean, the drinks are strong (but I may have two the entire cruise... we are not drinkers really), the staff is curteous and attentive (even if you have to ask for something on occasion).

 

We "TRY" to avoid any issues, we don't go looking for them at the very least. If we do have something to complain about, we go to the correct member of management. I have yet to have one issue on CCL not be resolved to my satisfaction in the end. Usually, they have exceeded my expectations. Its all in how you present your case... maybe its the "southern thing" of "flies.... honey.... vinegar"

 

As you will find on this forum, as in live... you get out what you put in.

 

OK time to turn off the soapbox and go back to planning the next cruise.

[rgreenpc]

If you like it dull and asleep by ten, Carnival is becoming just what you like. The Prudes are taking over...

 

I don't think thats fair...

 

You can close out the dance clubs, bars, see the adult comic and be out till 3 every night if you want.

 

My wife and I generally are in bed by 1 (except on the late comic shows), so I guess that makes us quasi-prudes.

 

If people want to get smashed and not remember their cruise thats fine with me, its their right... we are all there to have fun, its just that some people have different expectations of fun.

 

On my last cruise I heard a older teenage girl (17 -19 (I am bad at guaging girls ages)) talking to her friends in front of us in line getting on the ship saying.... "I am going to get sooo drunk and hook with as many guys as I can this week" My wife and I had about 10 years on this girl, we were just floored at her saying this but I guess thats our quasi-prudishness coming out.

 

I go on a cruise to relax, see new things, decompress and have some fun. I can do it with limited levels of booze and can do it being in bed at a normal hour... during the week I am in bed at 9:30pm (pilot) so trust me 1AM is VERY LATE for me. If you normally go to bed at 11 then its about the same if you are closing down the bar.The staff will be there for you if you want to close the ship down each night... just don't look down your nose at those of us who choose not to.

[halos]

It will definitely be different than your experiences with Celebrity.

The two lines cannot be compared. They are apples and oranges. Celebrity is more formal and (in my opinion) more stuffy. To be honest, my last cruise on X was a 2 week cruise and poolside in the afternoons was terribly boring. I enjoyed myself, the service was top notch and no cruise is bad...but when I stepped back on Carnival a couple weeks ago, it was like a breath of fresh air. Carnival is fun, that's the bottom line. I think that because you are bringing your kids, chosing Carnival to avoid the older demographic was a good idea. I'm going to be 45 this year and Celebrity was too old even for me.

Oh...and the food on Carnival was better than the food on Celebrity AND the beds on Carnival ships are FAR more comfortable.

Don't sweat it, you will have a wonderful time.

[rgreenpc]

I can say that the PCL cruise to Alaska I took my mom on for her birthday was a SNOOZER.

 

Wanna talk about nothing after the 2nd show?!?!?!?!

 

Yes the bars and clubs were open but other than the people trying to act much younger than their ages they had no one.

 

Sadly I wasn't married at the time, but I could have been as there wasn't a woman within 20 years of me on that ship... save for the crew.

[wework2play]

Okay, I did not realize until now that Carnival Cruise Lines is categorized at the bottom of quality in cruiseships. I'm actually paying more for my upcoming CCL cruise than I did on RCCL ( alot more due to time of year and taking kids)

 

Can anyone tell me what exactly has made CCL inferior to others? I have always loved to read these boards, and found them very informative. Now I need someone to be brutally honest.

[Drew B]

I've been on 19 cruises. Carnival - 5, Celebrity - 5, Royal Caribbean - 4, HAL - 1 and a few others.

 

There will be differences. Food is pretty darn good. Not as good, not as imaginative and the presentation is not equal to Celebrity. Again, the food is good.

 

Service, while good is not quite as polished and refined as Celebrity.

 

There is no steward at the end of the buffet line to carry your tray.

 

You will see more boistrous people onboard, whether drunk or not.

 

The burgers on the pool deck are not as good on Carnival. But the pizza is a little better.

 

There will be announcements on the PA to hawk bingo, and other events such as sales.

 

Overall Carnival is a great "bang for the buck".

 

 

I've sailed both Carnival and Celebrity, and while not necessarily similar in details or style, I found them to be EQUALLY enjoyable.

 

Food was mixed on Carnival, but the best things (the cold soups) were better than anything on Celebrity. Celebrity was more consistent, but there were fewer "wow" dishes. Also, with the extra course and the bigger portions, I felt that X simply had TOO MUCH FOOD each night in the dining room. I was taught to "clean my plate", so I left each night stuffed to the gills. Carnival was much more managable.

 

Service was "better" (more perfect) on Celebrity, but somewhat warmer and friendlier on Carnival. Forget somebody to carry your tray on Carnival -- you don't even get a tray!!! I actually prefer not having tray-carriers, though, as I found they were always standing around waiting for the patrons and blocking traffic in already congested areas.

 

Carnival is DEFINITELY more boisterous, but there were plenty of drinkers on Celebrity, too! From 11:00 to 1:00 on Celebrity, there's not much going on except the casino, and after 1:00, it's dead as a doornail!!!

 

Decor is a mixed bag on both. Celebrity is known for being more elegant, but they have their share of ugly, over-the-top art. Carnival is much more themey, but it's mostly done in a (relatively) tasteful way.

 

Celebrity has fewer announcements. Carnival has more and better TV channels.

 

Finally, as to price, I don't know that even THAT is so far apart. On both lines, you can get really good deals on certain sailings on certain cabins. It all goes up from there. I'm paying a MUCH HIGHER per diem on my next Carnival cruise for an ocean view cabin than I paid on my last Celebrity Cruise for an FV cabin (fabulous suite-like cabins with HUGE balconies). The reason is that the Carnival cruise is a 3-day cruise on a holiday weekend while the Celebrity cruise was a 13-day off-peak repositioning cruise.

 

If you are very particular about any of the things you like about X or the other lines you've sailed, ask about them specifically. For example, if the welcome glass of "champagne" is hugely important to you, you're not going to get it on Carnival (I for one never understood why such a big deal is made about that!). If you're open-minded and flexible, there is as much to like about Carnival as there is to like about Celebrity.

 

Good luck and happy cruising!

[Sand&Sea]

Honestly, I think your vacation will be what you make of it. If you want to nit-pick about everything and look for the worst, you'll find it. But, if you want to have a great time and enjoy your cruise, you absolutely will.

 

We went on a 4 day out of FL with RCCL and had miserable weather, poor service, cold bad food, but still had a great vacation!

 

I think CCL is the perfect cruise for people of all ages, there is so much to do on a cruise that everyone can find something to suit them and everyone can have a great time, if they let themselves!

[TxStacey]

Okay, I did not realize until now that Carnival Cruise Lines is categorized at the bottom of quality in cruiseships. I'm actually paying more for my upcoming CCL cruise than I did on RCCL ( alot more due to time of year and taking kids)

 

Can anyone tell me what exactly has made CCL inferior to others? I have always loved to read these boards, and found them very informative. Now I need someone to be brutally honest.

Anna,

The Conquest is a beautiful ship and your children will LOVE it. Carnival is very family oriented and has a great kid's program called Camp Carnival. In the summer there will be mostly families with kids. You will be pleasantly surprised. Don't listen to the negative posts about Carnival. Most of those people are either "blue haired' or have never sailed on Carnival. You will have a great time!

 

PS: no offense to the "blue hairs"...I took my 86 year old Grandmother on Elation last year and she had the time of her life!! Age is a state of mind not a number:) !

[halos]

Can anyone tell me what exactly has made CCL inferior to others?

 

NOTHING.

That's just bad rumor.

 

Carnival is different than Princess or Celebrity, just different. Some people like to categorize carnival as inferior but for the life of me I can't figure out why.

[PaulMedik]

Okay, I did not realize until now that Carnival Cruise Lines is categorized at the bottom of quality in cruiseships. I'm actually paying more for my upcoming CCL cruise than I did on RCCL ( alot more due to time of year and taking kids)

 

Can anyone tell me what exactly has made CCL inferior to others? I have always loved to read these boards, and found them very informative. Now I need someone to be brutally honest.

 

 

Wework2play,

 

As in all categories of business, there's one business that all others compare themselves to and strive to overcome. In the cruise business, that pinnacle belongs to Carnival. Many of the things you'll hear about Carnival are perpetrated by those who would like their cruise line to be the biggest or the best, but they fail to realize that downgrading the industry leader cheapens them all.

[milller116]

Hey Guys..

First time poster here. I have only been on 2 cruises. Once on RRCL Enchantment and Once on Carnival Fascination. I'm not sure if it's just the Fascination, but overall I felt that a lot of the public areas were very tacky.. The atrium was very dark and just had an old feel to it.. The dining room couldn't get much cheesier looking.. But overall I will say that the food on CCL was very good. The cabins were larger and more comfortable than RCCL. I also went during spring break week and I felt that there were only three categories of people on this ship 1. Drunk spring breakers., 2. Rednecks., 3. Couples... If only there were a few more people on the ship from these boards and not so many drunks I probably would have had a better time.. Until I can cruise again on CCL I'm leaning towards RCCL as my favorite so far.

[shofer]

As long as this thread is getting so much activity, I have another question. Does Carnival transfer your luggage for you automatically to the ship or do you have to get it yourself? On RCCL & Celebrity, they always take care of it. Just pondering this as we are still shopping for next year.

 

Also, for those of you wondering where Carnival got the "cheap" label, read "The Devils On The Deep Blue Sea" which is a comprehensive history of modern cruising. When the first Carnival ships were sailed, they often served surplus USDA food to keep the costs down. Since these were the original "booze cruises" most people didn't care if or what they ate or not.

[squirrelgardens]

Interesting posts. We are Celebrity and Cunarders...but are taking grand nieces, grand nephews, and their parents on a Caribbean this fall.

 

I love the prices...we could do a suites and interiors with Carnival value. Would think that Carnival also does not get as many Europeans as does Cunard. Also less smoking???:o

[milller116]

As long as this thread is getting so much activity, I have another question. Does Carnival transfer your luggage for you automatically to the ship or do you have to get it yourself? On RCCL & Celebrity, they always take care of it. Just pondering this as we are still shopping for next year. .

 

 

Yes Carnival transfers your luggage automatically to the ship. Before proceeding to the check-in area, you are greeted by porters outside and they take your luggage from you. I believe the quote from the porter was "you take care of us out here and we'll take care of you inside" meaning the more you tip the quicker you get your bags inside. I tipped 3 dollars and it took about an hour and a half to get my bags once onboard.

[hdawson]

I really do need to get that book. I've heard so many quotes from it.