Anyone ever sail Carnival?

[Rock'n Robin]

Now don't get upset! I am just dreaming about a weekend getaway for DH and I the first weekend of December. I have found that Carnival has a free upgrade deal where if I booked an oceanview room (which, incidentally, is cheaper than the $379 rate for cat. 11 inside on the Wonder) I will automatically be upgraded to a verandah. So for less $ we would have a verandah. We would not have the kids so the kids programs, etc. won't matter. Just wondering if anyone has actually done the 3 day on Carnival.
Robin M.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have sailed carnival and there is a reason they are cheaper LOL...you get what you pay for. I personally would never ever sail on a carnival ship again, it was like a giant frat party!

 

[Corl4]

Rockin Robin,
My DH and I are sailing on Carnival in a few weeks. We are definately Disney fanatics and the thought of sailing another line is a bit worrisome but we leave from NYC (no airfare for us) and going to Bermuda ( Disney doesn;t sail there...yet!) I'm trying to go with an open mind and not do too much comparing!
I'll let you know what I think when we get back....by the way..we are booked on the Magic next June!!!

Beth

 

[Niagara2]

We have done 3, 4 and 7 days on Disney and they were GRAND!!! We have done these on various Carnival ships also. Now the 3 and 4 day cruises on Carnival had more of a party feel but the 7 days we did, newer ships like Pride and Legend were very, very nice. My kids really enjoyed the childrens programing on them too. I would not be afraid of Carnival at all. We are now trying Royal Carb. and hope it is as nice or better than Carnival 7 day trips. The new ships are really nice, much less glass and neon, and very attentive staff. The shorter cruises were bargains - and well - you get what you pay for. Alot of locals who party for the weekend. Actually, wish we had the opportunities to do that once in a while. but the airfare would be more than the cruise!

 

[diz4me]

Hi! My 4 sisters and I recently took my mom on the 3 night Carnival from Miami, and as I like to say, "Despite Carnival's best efforts, we managed to have a great time." Don't get me wrong, the ship was clean and we encountered little trouble, but you get the feeling from the crew that they are mad you are there. No crew member went out of their way once to make us feel welcome. We are not demanding people either. The food was average, service was average, and some of the crew were downright rude. Having cruised very often in the past, I was surprised at the lack of service and courtesy. Having said all that, I will say that the price was unbeatable and it was a way to get away for a short trip without breaking the bank.


Good luck with your decision!

 

[bigsky]

We just went on the Pride, (Carnival's newer ship) last September. We got an upgrade to a Verandah. It was wonderful!! The ship was beautiful! We had a wonderful time and thinking about going next yr. again. The Pride will start going to Mexico in Sep.
I would def. give them a try. Only one way to find out if you like it. Everyone has their own opinion.
I would stay away from the older ships. Especially once you go on there newer ships and gone on Disney, you probably won't be too happy.

But yes do go with an open mind. People are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Have a wonderful time!
Any questions, feel free to email me. I have been on others of Carnival, and again, I wouldn't go on there older ships.

Laura...but just my opinion.

 

[rsschneck]

We have cruised on a few different cruise lines. Carnival was not one I would highly recommend. They are building new ships all the time and some might be better than others.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com

Put in the ship, sail time,etc. and this web sight rates the ships from 1-6. I would stick with the 5 and up category.

The Carnival ship and activities were fine. I go for the food and service and let's just say my whole family ate pizza for a week because that was the best food on the ship. We did not care for the dinning room food. Service was ok, not outstanding.

Just my opinion. Try to check out any cruise reviews you can find before spending the money.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

We love Carnival Cruise lines.We have been on the Fantasy twice and enjoyed it both times.We will be going next April on the Miracle, a brand new ship that will be sailing out of Jacksonville.For 700.00 i am getting 6 nights with a Verandah.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I have figured out that if I can somehow rent ONE DVC point from someone we can cruise on points, so I guess I'll have to check Carnival another time.
Now we'll see if this really happens! I have to call MS and check on availability. But according to my calculations I have 141 points and need 142, so before I beg on the DVC boards I thought I'd check to see if it was open.
Robin M.

 

[Incharge]

I enjoy my Carnival cruises also. I am going on the new ship Miracle as well, Sept 2004 out of Baltimore. What sold me was not having to fly, because I can drive to Baltimore in 1 hour. I have never been on Disney, so Sept. will be my first sailing. I do know that the room size on the Magic is comparable to the newer "Spirit-class" Carnival ships. I will enjoy the Magic, but I also enjoy Carnival. I like casinos, clubs, etc. However, I would rather take my grandson on Disney.

 

[Mjasp]

Beth...Let me know how you like the Carnival cruise out of NY. Are you taking kids with you?

Joanna

 

[Corl4]

Joanna,
No, we are not taking our kids with us this trip...we are celebrating our 20th anniversary! I'll let you know what I think of Carnival once we get back!

Beth

 

[Mary Anne]

I saw an ad for Carnival out of NYC today-- very, very cheap. So cheap that it scared me off. LOL I too will be very interested in your thoughts. We have sailed with Disney, Holland American, Celebrity and the old Home Lines. I'd be interested in how Carnival compares.

Thanks!

 

[Corl4]

We have only ever sailed Disney and have loved it so I was a little concerned about booking with Carnival...but as I said before being able to drive to NYC and going to Bermuda were what sold it for us. I've been doing lots of research and talking to people on Cruise Critic and there seem to be lots of Carnival fans out there. But it doesnt really matter what line you look at..everyone of them has a few people who were not happy with their cruise....even Disney! So we are going with an open mind and the cruise will be what we make of it! As someone once said "one man's hamburger is another man's filet!"
We will be sailing on the Pride which was voted by the Travel Channel as the best ship afloat ...the Magic and Wonder were 4th or 5th....I'll let you know!

Beth

 

[bigsky]

Like I had said, we just went on the Pride and she's beautiful! If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
I hope you'll have a verandah. It was well worth the price. Actually, it isn't much to get one. We had got the free upgrade. With a 7 day, I wouldn't have anything but a verandah.

Enjoy!!!

 

[Corl4]

bigsky,

We do have a veranda...it was a "must" for this trip! I'd love to email you with some questions but couldn't do it through this board...let me know how to contact you!
Thanks,
Beth

 

[bigsky]

Hey Corl4 ....my email address is jlsbfam@in-tch.com~
Would love to answer any questions. We might next yr again on the Pride. This time to Mexico.

So ask away!
Laura