Carnival Cruise vs. DCL

[justmestace]

Hey there Stacy!.good to see you again!


I grant your points that a Fire or any of the problems COULD happen on a DCL or any cruise line.

The difference is in proper operating, disign and maintaince.........doing these things properly prevent fires, sinking etc.

The other line dont seem to be having these issues and CARNIVIAL INC *IS* having these problems, which leads one to beleive they are not doing things right or safely.

I also disagree that everyone here is a DCL fan and will not give you a fiar review...........most will........ever read Carnival Line blog on Crusie Critic.??.........hell they tear apart Carnivail line more then anyone!

AKK


PS...........So whens the next cruise.......my wife and did the Fantasy for our 25th...had a great time. I want to do Bermuda out of NYC on RCL...............

AKK

We went on two cruises last summer, both on Carnival, and had a great time. The Carnival Magic is truly an awesome ship.
And we went to an all-inclusive south of Playa del Carmen, so my "fun" trips are used up for a while.

The next "trip" is to see our son graduate from boot camp at Ft Benning.

 

[justmestace]

It looks like we've decided on a Disney Cruise, hopefully April 20, 2013 on the Magic out of Galveston.

You'll enjoy it. Galveston is a bit harder port to get in and out of.....in that transportation to and from the port isn't as readily available as most, and the hotel choices if you stay the night before the cruise aren't the best. I just wasn't impressed with Galveston Island at all. I'd heard so much about it over the years, I think I was expecting something nicer.

But you WILL have a great cruise!

 

[dan and scott]

Things happen on Disney just like any other cruise line.
They do have fires just like the early morning funnel fire in 2002 on the Magic which buckled the rear stack. Everyone was called to their muster stations at 5 in the morning--READY TO ABANDON SHIP!
The Magic's funnel did not get fixed until drydock the next yr.
The Magic 07's small fireworks fire engaged the sprinklers inside of Palo and made a huge mess.
Norwalk viruses also have created bad publicity on DCL years ago but the cruise line is better at being pro-active with their procedures.

Scott

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We went on two cruises last summer, both on Carnival, and had a great time. The Carnival Magic is truly an awesome ship.
And we went to an all-inclusive south of Playa del Carmen, so my "fun" trips are used up for a while.

The next "trip" is to see our son graduate from boot camp at Ft Benning.

I do know you love the Magic, Carnivial that is! In all honesty, the pictures you posted did show a pretty vessel.( gee did I say that *G*)

My congradulations to your son!, We were very impressed with our sons Air Force Graduation in San Antonio!

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Things happen on Disney just like any other cruise line.
They do have fires just like the early morning funnel fire in 2002 on the Magic which buckled the rear stack. Everyone was called to their muster stations at 5 in the morning--READY TO ABANDON SHIP!
The Magic's funnel did not get fixed until drydock the next yr.
The Magic 07's small fireworks fire engaged the sprinklers inside of Palo and made a huge mess.
Norwalk viruses also have created bad publicity on DCL years ago but the cruise line is better at being pro-active with their procedures.

Scott

Somehow a insultation fire that was only smoke and scorking( not flame) does not level out with repeated fires and various vessels,that endangered all lives onboard, had the vessel adrift and not under way or command and in 3 cases, the Estexy, Spendlour and Allergo were poorly handled. There are numous other minor fires. Temporay repairs to the Magic stack, were done on the next cruise, per class reqiurements and final repairs in the yard.


And yes everyone was mustered at the boat stations, just in case.....or maybe you would prefer to do what the Captain and Costa office did, wait a hour and discuss it over the phone before mustering the passigners............losing 32 lifes when the Concordia sank.

The Magic Palo was so small and only smoke, gee............you don't see the the difference????


Yes, sicknees effects all cruise lines...never said it did not. I disgree DCL more then others, but I can't seem to find any numbers.


Things do happen to all lines, but the number of Carnivail Inc, inccidents, fires, design, operational and machenary problems, even after taking into account the number of vessels are mounting up! The lastest is the triumph(and that class of vessels) having more and more propulsion issues. The Triumph sailed late and stated they may not make the port calls. Please, freel free to sail with whatever line you feel comfortable


AKK

 

[disneylover2170]

Yes totally kid friendly and adult too it is worth the money way better than a carnival cruise they even have their own island and your hour yr old can see all the characters and all of the crew on the ship are very very nice they will do whatever u want them to do its awesome!!!!

 

[avinsmomma]

We are driving 850 miles to Galveston for this cruise, any suggestions on parking for the cruise? I think we can time it to drive straight into Galveston that day, is there parking at the port?

 

[dan and scott]

Somehow a insultation fire that was only smoke and scorking( not flame) does not level out with repeated fires and various vessels,that endangered all lives onboard, had the vessel adrift and not under way or command and in 3 cases, the Estexy, Spendlour and Allergo were poorly handled. There are numous other minor fires. Temporay repairs to the Magic stack, were done on the next cruise, per class reqiurements and final repairs in the yard.


And yes everyone was mustered at the boat stations, just in case.....or maybe you would prefer to do what the Captain and Costa office did, wait a hour and discuss it over the phone before mustering the passigners............losing 32 lifes when the Concordia sank.

The Magic Palo was so small and only smoke, gee............you don't the the difference????


Yes, sicknees effects all cruise lines...never said it did not. I disgree DCL more then others, but I can't seem to find any numbers.


Things do happen to all lines, but the number of Carnivail Inc, inccidents, fires, design, operational and machenary problems, even after taking into account the number of vessels are mounting up! The lastest is the triumph(and that class of vessels) having more and more propulsion issues. The Triumph sailed late and stated they may not make the port calls. Please, freel free to sail with whatever line you feel comfortable


AKK

WHOOOOAAA! My post was not intended to be a "snarky" post.
We have been posting on these boards since 97 and don't pretend to no everything about DCL just stating what I recall. I must have not had all the "facts" correct.--Sorry
Rememberd the buckled stack as it was so ugly sailing a beautiful ship.

Scott

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

WHOOOOAAA! My post was not intended to be a "snarky" post.
We have been posting on these boards since 97 and don't pretend to no everything about DCL just stating what I recall. I must have not had all the "facts" correct.--Sorry
Rememberd the buckled stack as it was so ugly sailing a beautiful ship.

Scott

No problem, not trying to be snarky myself, I guess it came off as such, my pardon!

Yes I do remember how bad she looked, and they tryed to do some creative painting and hide it, but it still stood out!

I am a big fan of the classic liners and that *look*.......one reason I enjoy DCL.

In fact I still think the S/S United States and disney magic and pixie dust would be a great match..........alas I know it will never happen,but I still never say never on anything Maritime related.

AKK

 

[justmestace]

We are driving 850 miles to Galveston for this cruise, any suggestions on parking for the cruise? I think we can time it to drive straight into Galveston that day, is there parking at the port?

Good thing you're driving!! That makes it so much easier. There is a LOT of parking at the port. There will be people there to direct you when you arrive.
One nice thing about the cruise ports, most of them run like a well-oiled machine. Traffic control, parking guides, porters.....you won't have a problem.
But for more info, just Google "Galveston Cruise Port" or "Galveston Cruise Port Terminal Parking"....something along those lines, and you may find a couple of good maps, pictures, all the info you need.

 

[justmestace]

I do know you love the Magic, Carnivial that is! In all honesty, the pictures you posted did show a pretty vessel.( gee did I say that *G*)

My congradulations to your son!, We were very impressed with our sons Air Force Graduation in San Antonio!

AKK

8 weeks from today!! Not that I'm counting..... He's our baby, and only boy, so I'm missing my buddy.

And I DO love Disney's Magic, too. I really like the "classic" ships much better than the Dream....haven't been on the Fantasy, but I was glad to see they made a few changes in the adult pool area and by adding Satellite Falls.

 

[ilovetexas]

Yes totally kid friendly and adult too it is worth the money way better than a carnival cruise they even have their own island and your hour yr old can see all the characters and all of the crew on the ship are very very nice they will do whatever u want them to do its awesome!!!!

Carnival has their own island (shared with HAL, who uses it infrequently), RCI has their own island (shared with Celebrity, who uses it infrequently), Princess has their own island, and Norwegian has their own island.

DCL crew will not do "whatever you want them to" any more than any other cruise line would. Like all lines I've sailed with, they do accommodate any request possible.

You are right that it's an awesome cruise and they do have the Disney characters. Seeing the little girls interact with the princesses on Wonder was one of my favorite cruise memories. That and Stitch belly sliding down the stairs into the lobby!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[ilovetexas]

WHOOOOAAA! My post was not intended to be a "snarky" post.
We have been posting on these boards since 97 and don't pretend to no everything about DCL just stating what I recall. I must have not had all the "facts" correct.--Sorry
Rememberd the buckled stack as it was so ugly sailing a beautiful ship.

Scott

Your post wasn't snarky. I was going to reply earlier with a LONG list of fires, drugs, drinking, arrests, sexual misconduct etc. (complete with links to actual news sites, as opposed to just my opinion) on DCL but I refrained. Some posters are convinced that Carnival is dangerous and DCL is safe and comments to the contrary are met with resistance.

To each his own, don't worry about it.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[quentina]

I have done Disney, Carnival and RC. All kids clubs were great!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

8 weeks from today!! Not that I'm counting..... He's our baby, and only boy, so I'm missing my buddy.

And I DO love Disney's Magic, too. I really like the "classic" ships much better than the Dream....haven't been on the Fantasy, but I was glad to see they made a few changes in the adult pool area and by adding Satellite Falls.

Satellite falls was great.............best place to hang for us older folks. I still cant understand the position of the elevator doors by the Adult pool.

AKK

 

[justmestace]

Satellite falls was great.............best place to hang for us older folks. I still cant understand the position of the elevator doors by the Adult pool.

AKK

When I was on the Dream, I sat in the loungers up there....there was only ever one other person up there at the same time. And when I got too hot, I used the outdoor shower that was there to cool off.
As I was up there, I really thought alot about what DCL could have done differently. It seemed like a neglected space to me. Maybe add some shade/rain covers, a water feature....and low and behold!!!....they must have realized it themselves!
Going back on the Dream next fall, and I sure wish they'd make the changes up there, that they added to the Fantasy.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

When I was on the Dream, I sat in the loungers up there....there was only ever one other person up there at the same time. And when I got too hot, I used the outdoor shower that was there to cool off.
As I was up there, I really thought alot about what DCL could have done differently. It seemed like a neglected space to me. Maybe add some shade/rain covers, a water feature....and low and behold!!!....they must have realized it themselves!
Going back on the Dream next fall, and I sure wish they'd make the changes up there, that they added to the Fantasy.

I beleive that next year she goes into the yard for the first time, hopefully they will add the features .

AKK

 

[Docmom]

Disney Magic, Wonder and Dream got rated top 1,2&3 large cruise ships (Fantasy was #8) on recent Conde Nast Traveller poll. Wouldn't let me post links but google Conde Nast Traveller and 2013 top cruise ship poll.

I went on a Carnival cruise years ago when I was single. Seemed more of a party cruise to me. Did Princess with hubby over a decade ago..also seemed more adult oriented. Could be both of my observations were because we did adult things. Going on first family Disney cruise in April...Wonder 5 day western Caribbean out of Miami. I'm finishing chemo in March and is a combo celebration cruise and birthday cruise (mine in April, DD 10th in March, DD 8th last December and DH Dec also). DCL seems to have the perfect combo of family, adult and kid friendly activities. I understand the cost issues but we got a great deal with kids sail free. Looking at both Carnival and Princess I think the Disney cost is comparable with the special. Agree the other ships have more variety in their ports but we're mostly going for the cruise experience, especially since I have some limitations on what activities I can do and how far I can walk. That being said, we've never been to Cozumel so that will be a new port. I went to Grand Cayman on the carnival cruise and really enjoyed it; will be fun to experience it as a family.

Your son is at the wonder years age. If he likes the Disney characters then I'd say the DCL cruise is worth the cost. Life is short...build memories! My DDs are still in the age of innocence too and love the Disney characters. We're all looking forward to our cruise!

 

[CMOORE185]

Here is my biased opinion. I am a DCL snob. I will cruise on no other cruise line. I gladly pay extra for it. Oh, I also am a Disney vacation club owner. I love all that is Disney.

 

[mcmckuf]

I've been on both several times. Carnival overall is not geared to the younger crowd where Disney is. The shows, environment (smoking & Casinos), clubs, entertainment on deck, etc.

Last year we did one of each. Normally it's just Disney at Spring break but we had to get away and Carnival is much cheaper for last minute cruises.

Did my kids (DD3 and DD10) enjoy Carnival? Yes, for the slides and deck buffets. No for the clubs, MDR (80's anyone?) and the deck parties were out of hand for their age range. I just don't care to have my daughters around that kind of entertainment. Very inappropriate.

Disney is our default. Each to his own....