can somebody please help me?

[krhardy]

DH and I have friends who had thought about going on a cruise this spring, but have since found out that a relative wants to go on a "family cruise" this summer. The problem is that the family member wants to go on Carnival. My friend does NOT want to go on Carnival. She knows that Carnival has the "worst reputation" among the cruise industry. She doesn't think that many of her family members can afford Disney, but she's hoping to talk them into RCCL or some other line besides Carnival. Can anyone direct me to a site that gives information (preferably negative...I know, that's horrible, but she needs written info to convince family) about Carnival? Her family is the type that believes anything they read (that's sometimes not good, but in this case, it'll work).

Thanks!

 

[BowlingAriel]

There is a site called cruisecritic and it has info on all the cruise lines. People like here on the DIS boards. Avid cruisers and newbies.

Besides the fact that Carnival is the pits - its NOT a family atmosphere too much partying and drunks.
Disney is the best - but yes it is pricey.
I am a RCCL fan so that would be my choice - with the Ice Skating and Rock Walls and Ben & Jerry's. Voyager class ships have something for everyone.

Pick a great TA - cuz if u are cruising as a family you might get a group discount. Cruises-N-More are very honest and nice people.

Good luck

 

[pppiglet]

I've been told the Carnival ships are like "motel 6 on water"

 

[mmouse37]

Sorry you all have been misinformed. Carnival did have a bad reputation with their older ships in the past that did shorter cruises to the bahamas....but in the last five years or so Carnival has gotten their act together. I have sailed their new ships and they are nothing like a motel 6. The decor is very fancy, not like DCL but different.

The average age of a Carnival cruisers is the mid 40's. On any line you will get a few drunkards but any of the Carnival 7 day or longer cruises will have tons of families with grandparents, etc. The worst drunk I ever saw in all my cruises was on DCL, as a matter of fact...so bad that security had to be called.

DCL is my favorite cruiseline in the world (just off our 13th DCL cruise on Sunday), but do not count out Carnival. They have great prices and a great product.

My parents who are in there 70's and have been to all the most upper class hotels in the world love Carnival (even better than Princess). They have sailed on their new ships several times and always enjoy it!!

We are actually having a family reunion on the Carnival Legend this summer out of New York. I would not have booked 20 cabins if I thought I was bringing my entire family on cruise with drunkards.

MJ

 

[jkmmah]

Try cruisemates.com for a wealth of info, good, bad and in between. It's a much friendlier board than cruisecritic I've found.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Now be careful, some of the Art is rather shocking for children on the Legend.

I thought the ship was very nice and the Itinerary coudn't be beat - 2 days at seas at the beginning and end. But it was darker than I like and not at all like RCCL but that is my opinion.

 

[mmouse37]

I know my DD16 was on the Carnival ship with our friends that went to Bermuda out of New York last summer (not the Legend) and the decor was Renaissance Art (which they learn in school). There were a few "nude" statues and artwork from that time period, but nothing really shocking. I do not know the "theme" on the Legend, but have seen many of the public spaces online and looks very nice....please let me know what is shocking with the artwork. I assume you mean it may be shocking to younger cruisers?

Thanks.

MJ

 

[logan1_2000]

I have never sailed Carnival, but have also seen commentary that the newer, "mega" ships like the Conquest out of New Orleans (I hope that's the right name) are very nice and attract a family crowd much like many of the RCCL ships or like many of the DCL passengers. I very upscale co-worker of mine has cruised on the Conquest and recommended it highly, and that is a family of an Orthopaedic Surgeon married to a lawyer with two daughters in private school living on a prominant street in our community. Then again, she was raised in Louisiana so you never know...seriously, keep an open mind, I have flown back from New Orleans with cruisers fresh off the Conquest and they didn't seem any different from folks I would cruise with on DCL.

The older Carnival ships with the low end pricing--never for me.