Disney vs. Carnival

[chicklily36]

We took a Disney cruise in April and just loved it. However, we have a chance to go on a Carnival cruise with some friends (on the Elation). Of course, I would rather go on a Disney cruise- but there is no chance of changing the cruise line. We either go with them or we don't go. And based on Disney prices, it will be awhile before we go on another Disney cruise. If you have sailed both, do you think we will like Carnival? Or has Disney spoiled us to the point that we will be snobs???

 

[xlRacerXlx]

Carnival is just what they advertise. Party ships. Something always going on. At night anyways. My siblings disliked the kid programs, and while I had fun with no supervison, as a parent, you don't want that for your teen.

And if you liked the food on the disney cruise, you may be disappointed by Carnival.

Nevertheless, a cruise is a cruise. If you'd be going with good friends, there's nothing better.

Friends > Luxury

 

[pppiglet]

It depends on the ship. They aren't all party ships. Our first cruise was on DCL Magic and 2nd on Carnival Pride. We liked them both. Disney of course had the magic with the characters, but we thought Carnivals food was better and more available. Our room was the exact same size, but Carnivals bathroom was bigger.

Basically, you just have to do some research on the Carnival ship you are going on. The longer the cruise, the less party atmosphere. The newer the ship, the better supposedly.

 

[PhotoLisa]

We were disappointed in Carnival when we cruised on the Inspiration. The service just wasn't there. No happy faces, no dining staff to rotate with you. It left us with much to desire. However . . . if it was a choice of Carnival or nothing, I'd probably do the Carnival instead of nothing.

 

[markey]

We have sailed DCL 7 times. We sailed on he Carnival Glory in December, no kids. The ship was as clean as Disney and the rooms the same size. The food was better and as above poster said more available. The staff was friendly and we had no problems. Pool area was amazing, 3 tiers of seating at the main pool. We booked an OV and were upgraded to a balcony. This was not a party ship, mostly older people at this time of year. The price for all this for both of us was less then 1 sailing on Disney in an OV room. The only thing I missed was the soda stations and free soda at meals, and the Disney shows, my husband liked the more adult feel of the shows and ship. As for the casino you could very easily ignore. One thing I really enjoyed at dinner was not being reminded every night how excellent our dinner was and to be sure and sign the form at the end that way, last month it was really bad. This is the only Carnival cruise and ship I have to compare, we followed the Magic around to some ports and to be honest I never felt like I wanted to jump ship. Disney is great when you have kids but I felt for the money I did not miss anything I really needed by sailing Carnival.

 

[covereddish]

For what it is worth, we sailed Carnival Sensation just this month (9/14/06) and we will NEVER do it again!

We will NEVER sail Carnival again!!!

The ship was dirty, the atmosphere was less than to be desired, and the food was poor. The staff was NOT friendly, and not a bit helpful, and we absolutely have nothing good to say about Carnival.

Now, we had a great time, because we were together, just hubby and I with no kids, and another couple. So, we made the best of it, just being together. But, as far as the cruise line, I would not recommend it to anyone!

We will sail Disney over and over..............you get what you pay for!

Just my .02

 

[scrapbookworm]

My dad sailed on the Carnival Holiday (the old ship in Mobile), and they HATED IT. So much, in fact, it may have ruined them from ever wanting to cruise again. I am trying to talk them into taking a Disney Cruise with us, but it's an uphill battle right now.

 

[mmouse37]

I have to jump in here.....the Holiday, the Inspiration and the Sensation are older ships of Carnival and do tend to draw a more "party" crowd...but that does not mean that all Carnival ships are like that.

We sailed Carnival last summer with 50 family members ranging in age from 1 to 75...all loved it. We sailed on the Legend (comparable to the Elation) and the food was excellent...cabins large, bathrooms large, beds extremely comfy, service great....and they really enforced the formal night dress code...if you were wearing shorts you were not getting into the dining room on formal night (I liked that very much).

I have also sailed on the Carnival Victory (newer ship) and the Carnival Ecstasy (older ship) and the experiences were like night and day.

Don't let Carnival's bad rep from years ago or from their older ships keep you from trying one of their newer ships and try not to compare...DCL is in a league of their own. Go and have fun...there is a world of vacations out there that are not Disney related and any vacation is as good as what you make of it.

 

[andychris14]

We went on a disney cruise last month and 2 carnival cruises 2 and 3 years ago. We were on the victory and the miracle. We liked the disney but there were many things that we liked better on carnival.
We were not happy with the food on disney. We loved the food on carnival.
We also felt that there were more organized activities on carnival. We are planning another carnival next summer.
I would say go for the carnival cruise. You will have a great time.

 

[jodifla]

I was on the Inspiration, and we had a great time. Food was better than Disney. The service was about the same. Didn't care for Carnival's theming, too Vegasy for me, but kids looked like they were having a great time in the clubs.

I say check out cruisecritic.com for more info.

 

[ga9497]

Be sure you compare apples to apples. You can't compare any cruise lines older ships to Disney but their newer ships are usually great for the price and amenities. It is like comparine a Datsun brand car to the new Toyota's, totally different

I too found the food on Carnival better then on Disney. Holland America also had good food compared to Disney.

 

[chicklily36]

Thanks everyone for your info! We have decided to give it a try- I know it will not be the same as Disney but we'll just have to make the best of the beautiful Caribbean and the sun and the sky. I think we'll manage to have fun! I'll try to post my thoughts sometime after we get back.

 

[aan1701]

I first would like to say, that if I was given a Carnival cruise as a gift I would tell them to go get their money back. I have taken two Carnival cruises and Hated them both. They are rude and don't care about any of your concernes. and I would rather eat at McDonalds than eat their food. The food on the Disney Cruise I just got off of was much better than the last, and I loved every meal I had. Thats just my .02

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

Try not to compare your Carnival cruise too much to DCL. To make this cruise special, upgrade to a suite and splurge on some special excursions. Enjoy!

 

[Folklore]

DH and I went on the Elation two years ago for our 10 year anniversary.

Since it was a celebratory trip we splurged on the balcony suite. During our stop in Cozumel one of the Disney ships pulled up and docked right next to us. DH and I spent the next hour drooling over the Disney ship. While I have never been on a Disney cruise the ship looked a lot cleaner and the balconies were definately bigger than ours.

I am not sure if they have done a refurb on the Elation since then but if not it is definately old and dated. Other than that the staff and cruise overall was a blast!

 

[Mjasp]

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

After 2 Disney cruises we sailed on Costa and on cruise critic half the people love Costa and half hate Costa. We went, we had a great time. No Disney, but neither was the price. You make your own fun.

I'm doing the Wonder in February and RCCL Explorer of the Seas in August.
Can't wait to do both.

HAVE FUN!

 

[Kcross3625]

The one thing I really liked on Carnival is that the shows were after dinner regardless of your dining time. We choose late seating because we do not like to rush after coming in from ports. On Disney if you have late seating your show is before dinner so we were rushed trying to make it on time.

One thing we found better on Disney is no lines. I don't know how Disney does it because the Magic is a bigger ship that the Inspiration (CCL) but on Carnival we always encountered lines, to get on the ship, off the ship and at buffets. My husband noticed it too, no lines. Pretty cool.

 

[Mollie Jo]

We have sailed both and we loved both. I do love the sailaway party on Disney and no one beats their disembarking. Don't know why other lines don't do it like Disney!!! But we found the service, food, and entertainment great on both. Disney is more family oriented than Carnival with their entertainment, but you will see lots of kids on both lines. Plus, even adults can use the slide on Carnival. Have fun on your cruise!

 

[fltink]

Ok, I would like to throw my two cents in too!

This is all you need to know....you ready???????
"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"

And that's all it comes down to. Disney, let's face it, is expensive. In return you get excellent food, phenominal service, a pristine ship and unbeatable shows. Carnival is (comparitively) cheap. In return you get (not ALWAYS, but is has been MY experience) bland food with not much variety, just so-so service, an ok ship (we were on the Fantasy) and horrible shows! Now, before all of you Carnival fans bark at me (including you, Donnica) I will give Carnival it's due...... for what you pay, to get to sail the beautiful Caribbean waters and see some gorgeous beaches, it's worth it. I'd sail Carnival again, keeping in mind that YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR and that for us, Carnival is a cheap way to do our favorite thing, CRUSIE! Nothing will ever take Disney Cruise Line's place in my heart and I will stick with short cruises only for Carnival but again, I WILL CRUISE CARNIVAL AGAIN but i will always. always choose Disney when I have the chance!