Carnival Cruises

[nibbo]

I've been having a good look now at various cruises and am even more confused. The disney cruise is the one we'd like to do but for Christmas Day is much too expensive, Carnival however do a 3 day cruise departing on Christmas Eve. If I order it on the US site it's $1700 (about £900) but if I order it on the UK site it's £1033. Does anyone know if it's ok to order it on the US site?
I know it's not going to have the same feel as the disney cruise but I think it will still be enjoyable. Any comments about Carnival cruises will be most appreciated.

Nick

 

[junior27]

Sorry I can't answer your question about paying for your cruise.

My wife and I were on Carnival Liberty's inaugural cruise in 2005. We visited beautiful cities such as Venice and Dubrovnik and had a wonderful time. The decor was lively and colourful but the service was of a high standard. We really enjoyed the food. I would definitely consider cruising Carnival again.

Hope that helps.

John

 

[wayneg]

Hi Nick,
Not done Carnival, the 3 & 4 night crusies did get the reputation of being party cruises all drinking and gambling, I know someone that went on about 2 or 3 years ago and didn't enjoy it at all, said it was OK for adults but not children. Maybe they have changed now I don't know.
RCCL are good, now done 2 cruises on Sovereign, (she is being replaced later this year with Monarch) but for a 1st cruise with children Disney is far better. Shows and staff not in same class as Disney but food is great.

As for US agent, I used Cruisedirect.com for our last one because they gave 5% cashback thru rpoints.com but they have stopped this now. Would use them again, had to ring them in NJ and they were great. Next years Disney cruise is with Dreamsunlimited, DIS sponsors, they know Disney cruising better than anyone IMO.

Not an easy decision is it?

 

[nibbo]

Not an easy decision is it?

No it isn't!

I think I know what you mean about the carnival ships. Looking on their website they seem to concentrate on the casinos and Las Vegas style shows etc. Although they cater for kids it seems to be a 'put them in the clubs while you enjoy yourself in the bars without them' attitude. Not really a family holiday in my opinion.
It just seemed cheap and also covered Christmas day too. I tend to enjoy value for money, DW just says I'm tight!!

Nick

 

[dossie]

Hi

Don't wish to be negative but just to add my two penneth.....

we did a Carnival Cruise a few years ago now and we weren't that impressed - we were a couple (no kids at that time) on our honeymoon and it was fine as, in line with other posters, the cruise was geared to nightlife etc. There were activites for the kids but we found it all a bit tacky - obviously very American (what else!!) which may or may not be your cup of tea when you're stuck at sea for a week - we found it all a bit like a floating Reno.

However, the food was great and we visited some amazing ports around the gulf of Mexico. It's a cheaper option that a lot of other cruises and, I suspect - as is always the way - you get what you pay for.

Hope you find what you're looking for - personally we wished we'd stayed at Disney for another week.

Have a lovely time, whatever you decide

 

[wayneg]

With Disney you struggle to get them out of the clubs, we have had to get DS out to goto bed more than once. Totally agree though should be childs decision to go not parents to send them.
I get called tight all the time, yet I spend £12-15k a year on holidays, I just want value for money and 4 good holidays a year for that amount. Last week was our anniversary, I wouldn't buy a card because they were £3.50 each, I am a Yorkshireman, £3.50!!! not a chance.

 

[nibbo]

RCCL are good, now done 2 cruises on Sovereign, (she is being replaced later this year with Monarch) but for a 1st cruise with children Disney is far better. Shows and staff not in same class as Disney but food is great.

Thanks Wayne, just been looking at RCCL prices and can get 3 nights, 18th Dec on Monach for £620 with Thomas Cook, £20 cheaper than RCCL website. Thats £400 cheaper than the Disney cruise. I've discounted Carnival now so it's between DCL and RCCL....decisions decisions!

Where's the best place to be on the ship? Top, bottom, middle, front, back? It's cheaper on the bottom but why?

Nick

 

[wayneg]

If you have the money then Disney is worth the extra, obviously not worth it you will struggle to pay it.
If you do 3 days you will wish you had done 4 but if 3 fits in better with your plans its better than not doing it at all.
Lower decks tend to have all staterooms, hundreds of cabins and nothing else so very crowded. Higher, like we prefer deck 5 on Disney has the Movie theatre and Kids clubs and very few cabins. Again better on deck 2 than not at all.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Where's the best place to be on the ship? Top, bottom, middle, front, back? It's cheaper on the bottom but why?

Nick

Hi!!! Are you planning on a dcl room with a view?? (if not then I don't think it matters where you are) - if you do want a window or a verandah then try to get a starboard view (most chance of a great view at Castaway Cay - thats if the ship backs into the port - which it does the majority of the time!!!)

Otherwise - people tend to say that mid ship is the best in terms of motion - so perhaps a good idea if you get sea sick!!

hope that helps a little!!

 

[penlanspice]

Definitely use a us travel agent you can usually save quite a bit, both carnival and RCCL can be booked via a US agent, I've used http://www.vacationstogo.com/ and had a great experience with them.

We sailed with RCCL a few years ago and loved the ship/people etc and wouldn't hesitate at going with them again. A disney cruise doesn't really appeal to us and nor would I like to pay their prices, but we don't have kids so it's personal preference.