Why Carnival?

[hazz24]

My husband and I are RCI Cruisers and the thought has crossed our minds to try a Carnival cruise. We tried NCL last year and it was awful. What ships should we try? What are the activities on board? We have cruised on RCI's Voyager class ships and really do not want to go on a smaller ship than they are. NCL's ship was smaller and we hated it.

[MrPete]

Try a Spirit class ship.

 

Experience the FUN.

[kellywhitehills]

Weve sailed both and prefer Carnival..Mr. Pete is right try the Spirit Class ship..They are well laid out with lots of room..I personally think they are beautifully decorated..and I love the dining room..They are 2 storied with big open ceilings..

[sandy toes]

I really have enjoyed the Spirit Class of ships but I also like (my family has some members that do not want to sail on anything but the Conquest Class...maybe you should consider trying Liberty, Freedom or Splendor?) the Freedom. I am a RCCL C&A Diamond+ member and CCL Platinum after this Nov Cruise. I cruise the itinerary that fits my family sail dates the best. So have been on NCL and Princess also. I enjoy CCL variety when it comes to planning a holiday time together with my family. Hope you find a ship you will enjoy.

[caribbean dreams]

If you want to really be impressed by carnival.......try Liberty or Freedom.

 

most of us here also agree with you about NCL.

[elaineb]

Hazz - I disagree with the other posters. Since you said you don't want to go on a smaller ship than Voyager class, Spirit class would not be for you. We went from the AOS to the Miracle, and though my DH and I liked it, my family thought it too small. There were not many bars/showrooms. I think you should go with the Conquest size (Liberty, Freedom, Glory, Conquest, Valor). Spledour will be the newest/biggest which comes out next year - mostly European itinerary. Keep in mind that they do not have the mall-type atrium of RCCL's Voyager class. It is a traditional atrium. I would advise you to look at pictures and see if they appeal to you. For food and entertainment, I think Carnival is better than RCCL. The service about equal. Rooms are larger - just don't like Carnival orange! I love the water slide on Carnival, but overall the pool area is smaller than the Voyager class. If decor is important to you, you might find Carnival loud. I am trying to give you a fair assesment. Though my DH and I love Carnival, I am not a cheerleader. It is very hard for my DH and I to save to go on a cruise, so picking the right ship is very important to me. There is nothing like the Voyager class on Carnival. But there is something about the overall fun on Carnival which I find very hard to find elsewhere.:)

[caribbean dreams]

Spledour will be the newest/biggest which comes out next year - mostly European itinerary you might find Carnival loud.

 

I mentioned Carnival Liberty to the OP, it is not loud, very Elegant with lots of wrought Iron.

 

The Splendor will only be in Europe 1 season, then will head off to Florida, from there it will go around South America on it's way to it's permanent home on the West Coast Sailing weekly Mexican Riviara cruises starting in 09.

[elaineb]

Dreams- The Liberty is my next pick for a Carnival Cruise. I'm hoping for next summer, but pocketbook isn't giving an inch! (Neither is DH!) Usually cruise with my brothers and their families - they're talking Niagraa falls.:( But my family motto is "where there's a will, there's a way", and I certainly believe that!!! So I'm secretly planning my Liberty cruise into reality.

[caribbean dreams]

Dreams- The Liberty is my next pick for a Carnival Cruise. I'm hoping for next summer, but pocketbook isn't giving an inch! (Neither is DH!) Usually cruise with my brothers and their families - they're talking Niagraa falls.:( But my family motto is "where there's a will, there's a way", and I certainly believe that!!! So I'm secretly planning my Liberty cruise into reality.

 

And might i suggest when that secret cruise gets planned that you book the 8 day Liberty eastern Caribbean, beautiful ports on a beautiful ship.

Sorry.......there is still a touch of orange in the cabins but the rest of the ship is fabulous.

[BeyondKen]

What ships should we try?

I humbly recommend:

[AD5ZA]

Agreed, NCL is awful. Rude staff, poor food etc. Conquest class is wonderful and is on a par with Royal Carribean. Try it, you'll like it, I promise.

[hazz24]

Thank you. I really appreciated the advice. When it comes to looking at pictures on line it can be a bit deceiving (as we found on NCL Dawn) First hand advice is best. We have this years and next years booked on RCI Explorer but are cruising out of Fl the year after with our kids (they will be 18 and 15) What kind of programs are there for them or activities. If Conquest is the biggest I will try and look at at that one. Also how long doe's it take to be preffered members on Carnival? We are Platium on RCI as of next year.

[miami]

Agreed, NCL is awful. Rude staff, poor food etc.

 

I've been on 2 NCL cruise (Dawn and Star) and I found the staff to be wonderful and the food good. Trying CCL next and I have to say I'm a little leary about the traditional seating and formal nights. Not my style.

[MrPete]

Agreed, NCL is awful. Rude staff, poor food etc.

 

I tried NCL once. Never went back!

[Cobra1365]

I think the only fair way to assess if Carnival is for you is to first ask yourself what you like so much about RCL, then look for answers to those questions about Carnival and compare them.

My wife and I are Carnival fans. Several years ago, we sailed the Mariner of the Sea with some friends and went in with an open mind to do an honest comparison. The ship was beautiful! But, the mall type atrium we found to be too congested...especially when they would hold a skit in the middle of it! Crowds jammed up and you couldn't move! The Ice rink/show and the "Quest" on RCL are great...Quest was hilarious! The other shows were mediocre at best in comparison to those we've seen on Carnival. Food....much better on Carnival IMHO. RCL's inside rooms with a view are a neat concept...rooms aren't as dark, but you best make sure your curtains are drawn when changing!:eek: RCL's adult solarium area was heaven! I rarely nap on deck, but had no problem falling asleep there! Freindliness of staff goes to Carnival.

Bottom line, give Carnival a shot...if you don't like it, chalk it up to something new tried. You'll still be having fun on a cruise and seeing beautiful places!

 

BTW, we sailed NCLA Pride of America in Hawaii...other than a fancy taxi around the islands and a place to sleep, I would not recommend it to anyone!:(

[DqALEX]

I tried NCL once. Never went back!

Yep I went once only once. Costa I would try again

[Nikobaby]

Hi...I just noticed that you will be going to be on the Triumph 11/10/07 cruise. I am going with 2 of my girlfriends and its my first cruise. Have you been on this ship before...

[pwopp]

Hi My wife and I have cruised Carnival 3 times and on RCI's Mariner of the Seas. I guess my 1st thought would be to not let a slightly smaller ship be a turnoff for you. Most ships are smaller than the Voyager class ships. But that is a relative thing. Yes I would definetely try Carnival. Starting with the Spirit class and above they are great ships. Yes they don't have a promenade but no one else does either. Carnival is a great value and we would be hard pressed to say anything negative about them. We say go for it. We've sailed on the Triumph and the Conquest and are going on the Miracle next year. Give Carnival a try. We think you'll like it. John and Pam, Franklin Wi.

[LHP]

I have often asked myself the same question. We did try to branch out to RCCL in 2006, but the 3 RCCL cruises I looked at were an average of $1000 more for our family of four. And (as wonderful as I am sure RCCL is) I did not see $1,000 per cruise difference. (especially since I don't climb walls, ice skate or flow ride)

 

Do I applaud RCCL for their inovative thinking where the adult solarium is concerned. Watching RCCL from afar, I have found them very appealing.

 

Currently our 16 year old AS son is in love with Club O2. I do not see us leaving Carnival until he is past the Club O2 age (which they may extend past 17 because of his special needs). So until then, we are hooked.

 

Basically, Carnival has given me my karaoke every night, our sons the Camp Carnival/Club O2 experience they love and my husband the cruise fares that make him happy.

 

I do not tell folks that you will find 5 star dining on Carnival. I do however tell folks that you will get your money's worth if this is the product you will be happy with.

 

RCCL is looking better now that they still offer cargo carriers the Interline discount and Carnival restricted that to airlines in April 2006. I also like RCCL's new "no smoking" in the cabins policy.

 

The biggest down side to Carnival is probably their clientele due to their lower prices on the 3 and 4 day cruises. So we avoid those. We also do not cruise when school is out. Again, lower fares draw more families and more kids.

 

I would try a Spirit class ship (our favorite). Do not do an interior room though. Do an OV or 5A or better. They only do 7 days or longer...which eliminates a lot of the college party crowd.

 

May all your future cruises (which ever cruise line you choose) have smooth seas, warm days and cool drinks!!

[TexasAlexus]

I agree 100% with everything that elaineb wrote in her original post- I think she summed it up nicely and right on target. RCCL is our favorite, but we enjoy Carnival as well. We have sailed on some of Carnival's oldest and tiniest ships because they sail from ports within driving distance and have still had great sailngs. I really don't care for the "Carnival orange" and neon lights either, but it isn't a big issue for us. The Conquest however, is a very pretty ship.We sailed on NCL once, and have yet to be able to bring ourselves to sail with them again. We had fun on the cruise because it was a Hawaii itinerary and the staff tried really hard to make our vacation fun and memorable, but they were way understaffed in the dining rooms. We had reservations and still waited most evenings to get into the dining room as long as 40 minutes past our assigned dining times. Then once seated the wait for someone to take our order or the wait between courses sometimes was 20 to 30 minutes. Meals in the dining room were very frustrating, but my husband would not just give it up and go to the buffet. Also, the evening entertainment line-up was very limited. Only 3 "production" show on a 10 night cruise. So RCCL is my favorite,then Princess and Disney, but I also love sailing on Carnival, and do so as often as I can! Ncl, well maybe some day when the memory fades I'll give it another try.

[nothomeonacruise]

We have friends who are die hard RCCL fans. They have been on many cruises, but they only sail on RCCL. They talked us into booking our first cruise with RCCL. We thought our cruise was good, but there were a few things we didn't like.

Then, we tried Carnival, and we were hooked. We're going again this year. I thought the food was far better on Carnival and the staff is friendlier. We found the guests on the Carnival to be more nicer, too.

I think the Freedom, Liberty, or Splendour sound splendid:D

[sandy toes]

Hi...I just noticed that you will be going to be on the Triumph 11/10/07 cruise. I am going with 2 of my girlfriends and its my first cruise. Have you been on this ship before...

Check out our roll call...Triumph 11-10. Looking forward to meeting lots of new friends...

[hazz24]

What kinds of things are there to do at night besides party? i am not a big drinker (my DH says I am a cheap date 2 drinks and I am done) We enjoy the casino but that only entertains for so long if you are winning. We like to attend shows but not go to bed at 10:00. I wish I had discovered these boards prior to our NCL cruise I might have changed it and flew south. Everyone's help is wonderful.

[BeyondKen]

What kinds of things are there to do at night besides party?

You can go to movies - I never did until the last night because I thought "Why go to movies on a CRUISE SHIP?", but on the very last day I just didn't want it to end, so I went to see "Night at the Museum" at midnight on the Carnival Glory. (And ate a cheeseburger from the Grille which is open at midnight)

[PelicanBill]

We've been on Carnival Glory and Destiny, and RCCL Voyager of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas. All in balcony cabins.

 

All were comparable to us.. minor differences only. Food is slightly better and better variety on Carnival, and we love 24 hr ice cream and pizza, and the different stations, and the 24 hr accessibility of the drink stations.

 

The Kid's programs are comparable but facilities vary... Only Glory and later have good facilities on Carnival. On Destiny the kids are taken to the upstairs of the buffet restaurant in the evening. Facilities were huge and great on Voyager and Explorer. Entertainment seems to be a bigger focus of RCCL but I've seen good and bad shows on both. Slightly lower score to Carnival Destiny for having only one show some nights, at 10:30 (too late!)

 

Activities and staff, equal on both.

 

A lot of the difference in experiences had to do with passengers, weather, and ports. But they were different, not better or worse. For example, the teens on the Explorer were a large group and not well supervised, and that was annoying. But that happened on only 1 of 4 cruises.

 

By all means give Carnival a try!