Disney(!) vs Carnival

[pReTtYpRiNcEsS]

i have a cruise predicament! My friends and I (all are 16 y/o) would like to take a cruise (using our own money) this summer or fall. Ive convinced my friends but not their parents that a Disney cruise would be best... we live in Houston i.e. 45 minutes from Galveston. In Galveston the Carnival Celebration sets sail. All my friends' parents think that a Carnival cruise would be more practical b/c of the 1) location 2)price! I've only been on a three night Disney cruise but im afraid i might be spoiled...

so basically the problem is: 1)do i go w/ my friends now on a carnival w/ my friends 2)or wait and use my money to help pay for a Diseny cruise later...

Also, I would like to know what ya'll opinions on how much different the price really is??... ive been doin my hw and it seems like a disney cruise would only be about $80 per person (not including airfare, etc.)

Hope i made myself clear!! Thanks!!

PS: i would also like to point out i know either way one or two parents would need to come w/ us!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

This is a hard one since carnival sets sail so close to you. I love the Disney cruises, but if it came down to now or later, and $$$. I would go on the cruise that my friends could afford. Since you have already been on the Disney cruise it would be fun to go and be with your friends. I would shoot for Disney, but be prepared to settle for Carnival just to be with my friends.

 

[bkline]

Money is always an issue, but you get what you pay for. Location obviously favors Carnival, but you may be unhappy with carnival. I have never been on Carnival, but I have heard bad reviews from Carnival clients. Someone on the last Disney cruise mentioned Carnival as the Kmart of cruising. You have to consider what you will be getting in return for your $$$. Personally, I would wait until you could do Disney. At least see if some other lines have cruises closer to you. Norweign and RCCL might do trips closer and I think you would be happier with them. They still aren't Disney, but a good to great cruise experience.

 

[wovenwonder]

Maybe you can approach your friends parents with this topic -- Carnival is well known to be a 'party ship'. It may not be unusual to see overly intoxicated people on board the ship. PLUS they are not known to enforce the adults only areas as well as Disney. There are lots of bars on board as well as casino's (on carnival). Is this the atmosphere that they want their 16 year olds to have free roam over for the week? Or would they rather have the wonderful 'family' atmosphere that Disney is known for. PLUS the security of knowing that the adults only areas of the Disney ship are strictly enforced. The teen area aboard the Disney Ship (common grounds) is run by responsible conselors -- and is a great place for teens to hang out. This will give the adults time to enjoy the 'Adult only' activities without having to worry about what the teens are being exposed to.


Sorry, this was not meant to be a 'carnival bashing' reply -- just to suggest a way that this teen can approach the adults to promote Disney!


Also, be sure to tell your friends that the Teen Area (Common Grounds) is GREAT - and it is OFF LIMITS to adults! Plus, nothing beats Disney's Private Island (Castaway Cay) which has its own special beach just for TEENS!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I have done Carnival and it is a big "party ship". My husband and I had a good time, but did not like it as well ad Disney. The food was good, The entertaintment pretty good. I would only choose Carnival again if I like the itinerary a lot. However I am not a teen who has to choose now, or waiting to go with or without friends. If I had a teen who wished to cruise I would pick Disney 1st.

 

[pReTtYpRiNcEsS]

well my friend's parents decided to stick to their original decision (which to put in immature terms) just plain "stinks" (hehe) so i decided to hold out for the disney cruise w/ my family! thanks for all the opinions!

PS: i'd just like to say how great these boards are!! This thread really isn't THAT old and i practically had to dig it out of the archives!! lol keep these board hopping ya guys! im gonna keep checking it out as i wait for my far-off cruise!!

 

[nearlychildless]

I am glad to hear you liked Disney so much. My family is going for its first cruise on March 16 on the Magic and we are from Houston also and my daughter is 15. Do you have any tips for her on what to take or do?

 

[mickybean0816]

I went on a Carnival cruise with my mother and my brother when I was in 8th grade (my brother in 9th grade)...and we were all so excited about it...until we were there...at my brother and I's ages, it just wasn't much fun. Most of the people on board were 21 and older...so it was mostly a big party the whole time. Not to say that parts of it weren't great...but I would've rather waited until 2003 (when I'll be 21) to go on Carnival.

I went on a Disney cruise last April...on the Wonder...after I had turned 18...with my friend that was 19...so we didn't need parents. Disney cruise line is the only cruise line that you don't have to have a parent if you are 18 and older. My friend and I had a blast...and it was just great fun. There are tons of things to do for every age on board...and I GUARANTEE you that Disney will offer the best of what you're looking for. I have tons and tons of pictures from both cruises if you would be interested in at least seeing the differences onboard (staterooms, restaurants, excursions, etc). And I honestly think it is worth the extra money to go on Disney...like everyone says, you get what you pay for. I can vouch for this...I payed for my entire Disney cruise by myself last year (which is tough to do with a part-time job)...it was approx. $1,300. Hope this helps you make a decision!

Mickybean0816

 

[pReTtYpRiNcEsS]

thanks a bunch for backing me up! im keep on feeling better and better bout my decision!
Neways as far as suggestions on what a 15 yr old can do i don't know what all there is to do on the seven-day since i took the three day so long ago when there wasn't even a seven-day!! hehe! but my few general tips are:
1) i wouldn't wait to long to sign up for nething b/c things fill up fast... i waited till after dinner the first day to call in for a teen spa treatment and the lady said it had been filled up right after the cruise departed-- majorly disapointing
2) go to Common grounds.. especially if ur not goin w/ ne one you know b/c its a great way to meet ppl and even though it maybe uncorfotable at first, everyone is in the same boat (literally! hehe)
3) most important: BE YOURSLEF!! by the time i realized i would probably never see these ppl again i had already wasted precious criuse time being shy! now i know better!

there are so many things to do, but im sure she'll have a great time even if she just sits in a lounge chair all day and soaks in the sun (and loads up on those virgin strawberry daquiers! lol)

 

[pReTtYpRiNcEsS]

i just wanted to bump this up just incase anyone eles had any aditional opinions!! thanks bunches!!

 

[PJB]

Pretty Princess...I'd say you need to be commended for your decision to wait until you can afford the Disney Cruise instead of going with your friends on the Carnival Cruise.Wow!! You certainly are mature I've only been on the Magic so I have nothing to compare.Dh and I are going on the Wonder(alone this time)and when we went to book it I asked if he wanted to look into a different cruiseline(since the kids would be staying home with grandparents)and his response was definitely not! LOL.
I'm disappointed in the other parents though.I know $$ is an issue with everyone but there's no $$ that can compare to safety in my book.I wouldn't want my teens to be surrounded by partyers and have access to the casino life.I have no right to judge Carnival either but I've heard a lot of stories.It's just not for me.