Carnival Cruise lines - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

marlynnp · 02-09-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

The bad about Carnival and really most cruise lines, except Disney is that they nickel and fine you.

Carnival is apparently one of the worry offenders. They apparently charge for ice cream, sodas (even with dinner), even room service.

They aren't the worst though, I just read about one line (I forget which) that everything, except your room is extra (including food).

What are you talking about??? How ridiculous! You really should educate yourself on a topic before posting.

Carnival does not charge for ice cream or room service (you should tip for room service though). Yes, you will pay for any beverages other than water, ice tea, coffee, and lemonade -- that's pretty standard across all lines.

mdsoccermom · 02-09-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

The bad about Carnival and really most cruise lines, except Disney is that they nickel and fine you.

Carnival is apparently one of the worry offenders. They apparently charge for ice cream, sodas (even with dinner), even room service.

They aren't the worst though, I just read about one line (I forget which) that everything, except your room is extra (including food).

Oh, and the cruise line you are referring to is Easy Cruise. It's business model is different than mainstream cruise lines. They charge for everything because its typical passengers aren't looking for a cruise vacation. They use the ships merely as a means of transportation between ports (the ships sail mostly at night to allow maximum time in port).

As someone else said, you really need to educate yourself.

ICF · 02-09-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

The bad about Carnival and really most cruise lines, except Disney is that they nickel and fine you.

Carnival is apparently one of the worry offenders. They apparently charge for ice cream, sodas (even with dinner), even room service.

They charge for soda....not ice cream or room service.

declansdad · 02-09-2013, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

The bad about Carnival and really most cruise lines, except Disney is that they nickel and fine you.

Carnival is apparently one of the worry offenders. They apparently charge for ice cream, sodas (even with dinner), even room service.

They aren't the worst though, I just read about one line (I forget which) that everything, except your room is extra (including food).

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

They do charge for soda but I think most cruise lines do. Even DCL charges unless you use on of the self-serve locations I believe.

IheartMickey · 02-09-2013, 05:25 PM

I've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and NCL. The only cruise I disliked was the Princess one. And I totally recommend cruise critic as well, I've been on there for years.

The shorter the cruise, the more of a party atmosphere it will have. That's with almost all the regular lines.

NancyK · 02-09-2013, 05:27 PM

DH and I are in our 50's. We have cruised on Disney once and Carnival twice. I would sail Carnival again in a heartbeat. All cruises were 7 days. Definitely pros and cons to each line.

We never found Carnival to be a "frat party." On our cruise out of Tampa on the Carnival Legend, we were among the younger couples.

We enjoyed the food on Carnival more than our Disney cruise but enjoyed the restaurant atmosphere on Disney Magic. Out of the three cruises, our best room attendant was on one of the Carnival cruises. The shows on the Disney cruise were definitely better than Carnival. Carnival has the casino, but Disney has the movie theater. So lots of pros and cons to both.

Our budget doesn't allow us to cruise Disney all the time. We're cruising on the Fantasy in August but that's an extended family get-together (we're all Disney crazy). We can cruise twice on Carnival for the same price as one Disney cruise. So if that makes me "Walmart people" so be it.

Now, if in future I can take advantage of a last-minute Disney sale, I'll be all over it.

I think that any vacation as a family can be a good vacation.

happygirl · 02-09-2013, 05:44 PM

Thank you everyone

We just booked our first cruise out of Jacksonville. We are so excited!!

cmwade77 · 02-09-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlynnp

What are you talking about??? How ridiculous! You really should educate yourself on a topic before posting.

Carnival does not charge for ice cream or room service (you should tip for room service though). Yes, you will pay for any beverages other than water, ice tea, coffee, and lemonade -- that's pretty standard across all lines.

I am just repeating what I was told by both the cruise line and others that have been. And with Disney, you don't pay for sodas. We also don't like having casinos on the ship, so Disney is a good choice for us.

As for prices, there are many, many ways to lower the prices. Disney quite often offers various discounts.

SLCborn · 02-09-2013, 05:49 PM

We just got home from a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I've been on NCL, RCCL, Carnival and DCL. My favorite and my kids favorite has always been hands down Carnival! We all HATED our last DCL cruise. It was awful.

I've never run into the frat party on Carnival ships but did on RCCL. I've been on 11 Carnival, 1 NCL, 3 RCCL and 2 DCL and as you can tell Carnival is the one I continue to go back to. I'm in my 40's and my kids range from 13 to 20. We've never had a bad time on Carnival.

They do NOT charge for ice cream, 24 hr pizza, room service or the basics lemonade, juice, water, coffee, hot chocolate. We never had an issue with the soda cards and the bar staff never coming back in fact we had just the opposite and that goes for every single cruise on Carnival. My kids preferred the kids club on Carnival over DCL and frankly so did I as a parent.

Everything however is subjective. Just because I've had really great experiences on Carnival doesn't mean everyone does. I think it's just a "gamble" you take and hope you are a good fit for the brand. We just booked a 7 night Western Carribean cruise out of New Orleans for next Feb and cannot wait!

princesspumpkin · 02-09-2013, 05:51 PM

I have taken two Disney cruises and about ten Carnival cruises. Disney was by far above and beyond Carnival in decor and amenities. That being said, you paid greatly for that advantage.

Now I also have to say that I absolutely LOVE Carnival cruises. To be honest, even though I feel that Disney is far and above Carnival, it's like saying that the Animal Kingdom lodge is far and above the Hampton Inn. I LOVE Hampton Inns and try to stay at one whenever possible, but the AKL, to me, is luxury at its best (like DCL to me).

declansdad · 02-09-2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

I am just repeating what I was told by both the cruise line and others that have been. And with Disney, you don't pay for sodas. We also don't like having casinos on the ship, so Disney is a good choice for us.

As for prices, there are many, many ways to lower the prices. Disney quite often offers various discounts.

You shouldn't repeat everything you have been told without finding out if it is actually true.

happygirl · 02-09-2013, 05:58 PM

I have another question. How early do we need to get there to check in.

princesspumpkin · 02-09-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happygirl

I have another question. How early do we need to get there to check in.

My last cruise said that boarding started around noon. We got there around 10:30, to beat the crowd, and walked right on. That won't always happen (one time the previous cruise hadn't even finished disembarking all of their passengers until close to 10).

scdak · 02-09-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmwade77

The bad about Carnival and really most cruise lines, except Disney is that they nickel and fine you.

Carnival is apparently one of the worry offenders. They apparently charge for ice cream, sodas (even with dinner), even room service.

They aren't the worst though, I just read about one line (I forget which) that everything, except your room is extra (including food).

No charge for ice cream and frozen yogurt, no charge for food from room service either. I have gone on many of my cruises and never spent a penny once I got on board except my tips at the end of the cruise, I just know that I won't drink soda while on board and I don't have to go to the casino, play Bingo, buy pictures, shop in the stores on board etc. Those cruises were in my early cruising life, now I dont bat an eye when I get my Sail and Sign bill since I will remember what a great time I had

Within 24 hours of arrival home I will have already scoped out cruise plans for my annual February cruise for the next year! 15 days and counting until #23 with Carnival, sailing out of Nawlin's and can't wait to start booking #24!

IheartMickey · 02-09-2013, 07:01 PM

And if you don't want to pay for soda most cruise lines will let you bring cases onboard.

02-09-2013, 05:44 PM	#37
happygirl DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 18,006	Thank you everyone We just booked our first cruise out of Jacksonville. We are so excited!! __________________ hubby Richard 40 me Jenny 35 daughter Ashlyn 9 son Brady 8 Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

02-09-2013, 05:51 PM	#40
princesspumpkin DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,967	I have taken two Disney cruises and about ten Carnival cruises. Disney was by far above and beyond Carnival in decor and amenities. That being said, you paid greatly for that advantage. Now I also have to say that I absolutely LOVE Carnival cruises. To be honest, even though I feel that Disney is far and above Carnival, it's like saying that the Animal Kingdom lodge is far and above the Hampton Inn. I LOVE Hampton Inns and try to stay at one whenever possible, but the AKL, to me, is luxury at its best (like DCL to me). __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Marriage isn't about finding the right person, it's about being the right person. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

02-09-2013, 05:58 PM	#42
happygirl DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 18,006	I have another question. How early do we need to get there to check in. __________________ hubby Richard 40 me Jenny 35 daughter Ashlyn 9 son Brady 8 Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

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02-09-2013, 05:25 PM	#35
IheartMickey I have not been blessed by the tag fairy! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,067	I've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and NCL. The only cruise I disliked was the Princess one. And I totally recommend cruise critic as well, I've been on there for years. The shorter the cruise, the more of a party atmosphere it will have. That's with almost all the regular lines.

02-09-2013, 05:27 PM	#36
NancyK DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,088	DH and I are in our 50's. We have cruised on Disney once and Carnival twice. I would sail Carnival again in a heartbeat. All cruises were 7 days. Definitely pros and cons to each line. We never found Carnival to be a "frat party." On our cruise out of Tampa on the Carnival Legend, we were among the younger couples. We enjoyed the food on Carnival more than our Disney cruise but enjoyed the restaurant atmosphere on Disney Magic. Out of the three cruises, our best room attendant was on one of the Carnival cruises. The shows on the Disney cruise were definitely better than Carnival. Carnival has the casino, but Disney has the movie theater. So lots of pros and cons to both. Our budget doesn't allow us to cruise Disney all the time. We're cruising on the Fantasy in August but that's an extended family get-together (we're all Disney crazy). We can cruise twice on Carnival for the same price as one Disney cruise. So if that makes me "Walmart people" so be it. Now, if in future I can take advantage of a last-minute Disney sale, I'll be all over it. I think that any vacation as a family can be a good vacation.

02-09-2013, 05:49 PM	#39
SLCborn Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 81	We just got home from a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I've been on NCL, RCCL, Carnival and DCL. My favorite and my kids favorite has always been hands down Carnival! We all HATED our last DCL cruise. It was awful. I've never run into the frat party on Carnival ships but did on RCCL. I've been on 11 Carnival, 1 NCL, 3 RCCL and 2 DCL and as you can tell Carnival is the one I continue to go back to. I'm in my 40's and my kids range from 13 to 20. We've never had a bad time on Carnival. They do NOT charge for ice cream, 24 hr pizza, room service or the basics lemonade, juice, water, coffee, hot chocolate. We never had an issue with the soda cards and the bar staff never coming back in fact we had just the opposite and that goes for every single cruise on Carnival. My kids preferred the kids club on Carnival over DCL and frankly so did I as a parent. Everything however is subjective. Just because I've had really great experiences on Carnival doesn't mean everyone does. I think it's just a "gamble" you take and hope you are a good fit for the brand. We just booked a 7 night Western Carribean cruise out of New Orleans for next Feb and cannot wait!

02-09-2013, 07:01 PM	#45
IheartMickey I have not been blessed by the tag fairy! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,067	And if you don't want to pay for soda most cruise lines will let you bring cases onboard.