CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Wow, I hadn't re-looked through all the original pages to see the updates! Love it! You did a great job with this thread. I, too, love when people come back with reviews. Even though everyone's experience is their own, you can usually pick out key things that you would like or not like based on their descriptions.
One thing, I didn't see, except in a passing comment, is how bad is the smoking on the Carnival ships? Do they allow smoking in the casinos? One thing I like about Celebrity is they have banned smoking in the casinos so one can be in there without choking.

Thanks! I do my best...

They do allow the smoking in the Casino. I'm certainly no fan of it but I can't say I noticed the smell anywhere else than inside the Casino and in the stairs leading to the Casino.

I'm hopeful they will change their policy someday.

 

[robinb]

Thoughts regarding the incident on the Carnival Legend:

-Bad passengers can happen everywhere.

-I'm surprised by the intervention of some security guards...

-I heard they were prison cells in cruise ships. Don't know if is true or was the protocol is.

-I am slightly irritated but not surprised to see Carnival haters jumping on the band wagon going at it and seizing the opportunity to trash talk the cruise line.

Looking forward to get official statements from Carnival regarding this.

I read the thread over on Cruise Critic. My biggest issue with the whole thing was that the security was obviously not trained appropriately to handle a rukkus like that. I understand that they were pretty frustrated after 3 days of bad behaviour but there are other ways to gain control of two people who are fighting than to kick them like they are dogs. I see this as a huge failure on the part of Carnival.

The unruly passengers were locked in their cabins. I think some ships have a brig but I don't think any of them can hold that many people!

FWIW, I am not a Carnival hater and I am in the process of planning a cruise on the Dream out of NOLA.

 

[mevelandry]

Has anybody seen the pictures John Heald posted today from the new Carnival Horizon? OMG! It's going to look even better than the Vista!

 

[mevelandry]

I read the thread over on Cruise Critic. My biggest issue with the whole thing was that the security was obviously not trained appropriately to handle a rukkus like that. I understand that they were pretty frustrated after 3 days of bad behaviour but there are other ways to gain control of two people who are fighting than to kick them like they are dogs. I see this as a huge failure on the part of Carnival.

The unruly passengers were locked in their cabins. I think some ships have a brig but I don't think any of them can hold that many people!

FWIW, I am not a Carnival hater and I am in the process of planning a cruise on the Dream out of NOLA.

I agree with you. I don't think the security guards were properly trained to handle that kind of situation... But we live in a violent world and they should be.

I'm hoping Carnival will react to this incident by taking specific measures.

 

[Tikitoi]

Has anybody seen the pictures John Heald posted today from the new Carnival Horizon? OMG! It's going to look even better than the Vista!

This is the ship we are planning for a Cruise to Cuba...

 

[robinb]

This is the ship we are planning for a Cruise to Cuba...

Really? Isn't it huge? I thought there were size restrictions on ships that can dock in Cuba due to the size of the harbors.

 

[mevelandry]

This is the ship we are planning for a Cruise to Cuba...

I only see the Paradise going to Cuba on the listing...?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Horizon will not be going to Cuba. After it's initial deployment to NY it is moving to Miami to take of the 6/8 Caribbean runs from Vista.

 

[mevelandry]

The good news is...


Ship: Carnival Paradise

Dates: February 22 - March 25, 2018 (DRY DOCK)

 

[mevelandry]

Here's a copy-paste from John Heald's page on Dacebook... Great news for the Carnival Paradise!



CARNIVAL PARADISE UNDERGOING MASSIVE, MONTH-LONG RENOVATION THAT WILL ADD NEW WATER PARK, NEW CABINS,
BALCONIES TO EXISTING STATEROOMS AND EXCITING FOOD AND BEVERAGE INNOVATIONS


MIAMI (February 22, 2018) – Carnival Paradise is undergoing an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will add a wide variety of spaces and innovations, including a spectacular water park, 38 new cabins, 98 balconies to existing staterooms, and an a host of exciting food and beverage concepts.
Following the month-long dry dock, which takes place in Freeport, The Bahamas, Carnival Paradise will resume its year-round schedule of four- to eight-day cruises from Tampa, Fla., March 26, 2018.
The new features include:
· Guy’s Burger Joint: a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries enjoyed amidst a décor that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture.
· RedFrog Rum Bar: a poolside watering hole offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own private label draught brew, ThirstyFrog Red.

· BlueIguana Cantina: a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, as well as an elaborate toppings and salsa bar.

· BlueIguana Tequila Bar: a fun and festive outdoor bar offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool.

· Camp Ocean: a colorful marine-inspired play area designed for kids ages 2-11 that showcases the wonders of the sea through fun and engaging interiors and more than 200 ocean-themed activities, including arts and crafts, science-oriented programming, and more.

· New Cabins, Stateroom Enhancements: Thirty-eight cabins have been added – two Grand Vista suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows, 22 junior suites, two scenic ocean view cabins and 12 interior accommodations. Additionally, private verandahs have been added to 98 existing staterooms, creating spacious new 230-square-foot balcony staterooms. All staterooms will offer new island-inspired interiors with bright colors and soothing pastels inspired by Carnival Paradise’s tropical itineraries.

· WaterWorks Aqua Park: Located on Verandah Deck, this expansive all-ages water park features an enclosed 300-foot-long Twister water slide full of exhilarating twists and turns, two 82-foot-long racing slides, and a splash zone for kids.

· Miniature Golf Course: A nine-hole miniature golf course has been relocated to Deck 14, providing a fun and relaxing pastime for families to enjoy in the fresh sea air.

· Retail and Photo Enhancements: The ship’s retail shops are being completely reimagined with a new design and enhanced product offerings with multiple brand boutiques, including Pandora and Guess. A guest favorite, the Cherry on Top sweets shop, is also being added, while the printed photo gallery is being replaced with a digital Pixels-branded platform that allows guests to identify and purchase images via their smartphones or at a nearby kiosk.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Great news about the photo gallery. I love the digital one on Vista.

 

[mevelandry]

Great news about the photo gallery. I love the digital one on Vista.

Yes! And I loved being able to see our pictures on the TV, too!

 

[Tikitoi]

Really? Isn't it huge? I thought there were size restrictions on ships that can dock in Cuba due to the size of the harbors.

I only see the Paradise going to Cuba on the listing...?

Oops my bad...Trying to plan too many cruises Was actually going to go with NCL for the Cruise to Cuba because I like the way they do it overnight. The Carnival Horizon was going to be for a Caribbean Cruise to Mexico Jamaica and Cayman Islands.

But may look into that Carnival Paradise.

 

[mevelandry]

Oops my bad...Trying to plan too many cruises Was actually going to go with NCL for the Cruise to Cuba because I like the way they do it overnight. The Carnival Horizon was going to be for a Caribbean Cruise to Mexico Jamaica and Cayman Islands.

But may look into that Carnival Paradise.

If you sail on the Horizon I will officially be jealous...

I could be wrong but I think the Carnival Paradise does overnight as well sometimes.

 

[RedSox68]

Thoughts regarding the incident on the Carnival Legend:

-Bad passengers can happen everywhere.

-I'm surprised by the intervention of some security guards... (EDIT: I don't know where they have been trained but I don't think kicking someone who's on the floor is part of the training).

-I heard they were prison cells in cruise ships. Don't know if is true or was the protocol is.

-I am slightly irritated but not surprised to see Carnival haters jumping on the band wagon going at it and seizing the opportunity to trash talk the cruise line.

Looking forward to get official statements from Carnival regarding this.

I don't think security helped with the situation and in some instances made it worse. A couple of the passengers they interviewed said that they saw one security guard punch a 16-year-old in the face.

This "family" group dynamic of 23 were acting insane throughout the ship, including bullying kids and families. It is unfortunate that they chose to act that way, but that can happen on any cruise line -- you never know what you're going to get with the passenger crowd.

 

[mevelandry]

I don't think security helped with the situation and in some instances made it worse. A couple of the passengers they interviewed said that they saw one security guard punch a 16-year-old in the face.

This "family" group dynamic of 23 were acting insane throughout the ship, including bullying kids and families. It is unfortunate that they chose to act that way, but that can happen on any cruise line -- you never know what you're going to get with the passenger crowd.

I have a feeling that story will create a precedent regarding security on board cruise ships.

 

[RedSox68]

I have a feeling that story will create a precedent regarding security on board cruise ships.

Hopefully -- and that can only be a good thing.

 

[mevelandry]

Oh, here's a follow-up on the story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5416489/Family-kicked-Carnival-Legend-cruise-sore-sorry.html

 

[RedSox68]

Oh, here's a follow-up on the story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5416489/Family-kicked-Carnival-Legend-cruise-sore-sorry.html

OH YAY -- nice pictures of them with assault rifles. UGH

 

[mevelandry]

OH YAY -- nice pictures of them with assault rifles. UGH

Yeah...