Carnival Cruise

[lisaland]

I'm also contemplating a Carnival Cruise. Never been on Carnival but have cruised on Celebrity and RCCL before. If you haven't found the boards on cruise critic yet, I highly recommend them. I have gotten tons of info there over the years.

www.cruisecritic.com

Lisa

 

[jilljill]

Thank you everyone for your input! I'll have to mull it over a little bit more. I think I would enjoy it because from what everyone says, it's a Vegas type atmosphere and I love Vegas! It's only me and my DBF, we don't have any kids, so there's no need to worry about the clubs. The only thing I was worried about was the service but on any line, it gets mixed reviews. I guess it's just what you make of it!

As to the Vegas atmosphere, think old time tacky Vegas. We went on 2 Carnival cruises last summer and both ships were tacky and ugly, the worst was the new ship the Splendor it was ugly pink everywhere and ugly orange in the cabins.
The dining room service on our short cruise was very good, the DR service on the brand new ship was horrible and the table next to us had great service. So service definately can very. But I have to say that I love the 'free' cappuccino in the dining rooms.

Since you don't have kids I won't comment on the kids programming or lack of it for the teens.

 

[jenny105]

I know what you mean about the tackiness though. I saw a picture of one of the dining rooms on a Carnival ship, I forgot which one, and everything was purple! It was hideous. The Freedom doesn't look too bad though.

I'm on my way now to check out cruisecritic. Thanks!

 

[BaxFam]

A vacation is what you make of it.
I have taken 5 cruises on Carnival, 2 just last year, and would absolutely go again. Had a great time, every time.

My 3 yr old nephew had a great time at Camp Carnival, didn't want to leave and LOVED Funship Freddie.

A previous post mentioned someone drunk in the hall.
We went to Vegas last year, someone had literally passed out across the sidewalk, in his own mess.
People had to step over him to get past him.
That stuff can happen anywhere unfortunately.

I do agree the longer ones are more family friendly and less spring breakish.

That being said, I can't tell you how excited I am for our first DCL this year!

 

[jenny105]

A precious post mentioned someone drunk in the hall.
We went to Vegas last year, someone had literally passed out across the sidewalk, in his own mess.
People had to step over him to get past him.
That stuff can happen anywhere unfortunately.

I do agree the longer ones are more family friendly and less spring break.

That being said, I can't tell you how excited I am for our first DCL this year!

I agree. That isn't Carnival's fault. I had friends that did that kind of stuff in college. Again, it wasn't the university's fault. It's unfortunate that it happened but...hey, it happens!

When are you sailing on DCL?? My first DCL is this year too!

 

[Orlando Disney Guy]

Just one more quick comment, no one and I mean NO ONE does debarkation better than Disney! That is really the only bad experience I had with Carnival.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Just one more quick comment, no one and I mean NO ONE does debarkation better than Disney! That is really the only bad experience I had with Carnival.

Disney has it down to a science Now RCCL on the other hand that was the worst I have ever experienced.

Rob

 

[jenny105]

Disney has it down to a science Now RCCL on the other hand that was the worst I have ever experienced.

Rob

Me too. We had to wait while they called someone to go through customs and they didn't show up for almost 2 hours. They would not call any of the decks until this person was found. And when I finally got off the boat, I couldn't find my luggage!

 

[Orlando Disney Guy]

After my first disasterous experience with Carnival debarkation and luggage on the Valor we decided to carry everything off when we left the Liberty. Here was the problem with that: If you carry your all your stuff you are free to leave anytim after they they call your deck. People so many people took advantage of this (maybe they sailed on Carnival before too! ha ha) and were waiting in the stairways and lobby areas for their floor to be called. The elevators were all jammed becase people were stuck in them cause there was no room when they got off at the lower deck due to so many Guests and their luggage in the hallways. After attempting to exit (when our deck was called) we went up to the pool deck with our stuff and waited for it to calm down. You would think that a cruise line that has been in buisness since 72 would have a better grasp on this!

Surely someone in the Carnival organization has sailed on Disney to check things out! Now don't get me wrong I did not let this spoil my Carnival experience. I am after all planning another cruise for fall 09!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We have found Carnival to be pretty comparable to Royal Caribbean. There were some things I liked better about RC, and some things I liked better about Carnival actually. Definately try it!

 

[BaxFam]

I agree. That isn't Carnival's fault. I had friends that did that kind of stuff in college. Again, it wasn't the university's fault. It's unfortunate that it happened but...hey, it happens!

When are you sailing on DCL?? My first DCL is this year too!

We are sailing Oct. 10th on the Magic.
We are so very excited! Can't wait...

 

[jenny105]

We are sailing Oct. 10th on the Magic.
We are so very excited! Can't wait...

We're sailing Sept 24th! I'll tell you all about it We can't wait either!!

 

[RobbNJ]

Just one more quick comment, no one and I mean NO ONE does debarkation better than Disney! That is really the only bad experience I had with Carnival.

I agree with you a MILLION percent!!

Have a great cruise with your Sister! I am sure you are going to have a great time!

Robb