I cancelled Disney for a Carnival Cruise? Am I crazy?

[golfgal]

Disney is great but there are other things to do and see (I know, blasphemy). If your DH is tired of Disney then you did the right thing. I also think your kids are a great age for a cruise. We are thinking about doing one for Spring Break next year as it will probably be our last time for a family trip for a while with DS16 going off to college in a year.

 

[boltfans]

We cruise a lot and prefer it to WDW in most cases. Carnival isn't our favorite cruise line, but having never cruised before I'm sure you'll enjoy it. We really love Celebrity cruise line, DCL, and RCCL, in that order. Then Princess and Carnival. Really though, any cruise is fun, IMO, and just a break from routine vacations.

 

[ICF]

we love cruising and once the kids get a little older will probably start doing that with them.

We've been on 3 Carnival cruises and they have all been a lot of fun.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I guess I am going against the majority here. I have been to Disney at least 25 times, and also have been on the Disney 3 and 4 day cruises several times. Last month, I was on my first Carnival Cruise to Cozumel and the Grand Cayman Islands for my father in laws wedding with my husband and three children

This is the exact cruise we are planning on booking. Thank you for your honesty. We feel the need to try something different and sometimes you (we) get what we pay for. I would rather do an all inclusive to Mexico but i am not sure how that is set up. I'm a big payment maker. LOL
I like making payments, thats why Disney was so perfect for us.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I love cruising. I have been on 7 Carnival cruises. You'll have a great time.

Which ship did you book?

Make sure you check out cruisecritic.com

I think it's the Inspiration we are going to book. That or the Legend. I can never remember which. They both leave out of Tampa, I suppose thats why I can't keep them straight!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'll go against the majority too and say I would have never cancelled Disney for a Carnival Cruise.

We have cruised before and we don't like Carnival. Plus it all depends on the ship also (new vs old) .

I would have picked an AI over a cruise A cruise seems cheap in the begining but once you add in all the extras, it could end up costing you alot more then what you originally planned.

Plus Cozumel definetly isn't a favorite of ours either.

DH and I cancelled a WDW trip a couple years ago to go on a trip to Riviera Maya. Our trip was horrible. It rained 4-5 days. I think it was a sign from Walt. Don't cancel. We thought about it this year again to try something different, but DH and the kids voted against me. So WDW it is.

Sorry to be such a downer, but you asked. Yep you are crazy IMOP!

 

[DisneyBlonde]

Check the boards at Cruise Critic for reviews of the ships

This link is the Carnival board.

This link is the Reviews by Ship.

There is a Roll Call board, with a thread for each sailing...so you can "meet" the people you'll be sailing with. And a board for each Port of Call you'll visit, so you can see what excursions to do.

 

[Angelhalo]

I guess I am going against the majority here. I have been to Disney at least 25 times, and also have been on the Disney 3 and 4 day cruises several times. Last month, I was on my first Carnival Cruise to Cozumel and the Grand Cayman Islands for my father in laws wedding with my husband and three children (7, 13, & 15).

We thought the food on Carnival was terrible, and we would only rate the food on the Disney cruises as a little above mediocre. But, there were many entre's and and desserts that I just couldn't eat at all on our Carnival cruise (at least I didn't gain weight on this cruise). The kids camps' were a joke as they were closed many hours thoughout the day, and other times required a family member to be present. We are not ones to actually send our kids to camps for long periods of time, but when they asked to go, we could barely find things on the schedule that they would have the slightest interest in attending. Also, the actual facilities were a complete joke in that they were small with very little to do. Some of the "organized" teen activities actually indicated "no supervision" which I don't consider something I would want my teenagers to attend.

The evening entertainment was not something that a family would enjoy together (as much of it was not family oriented). We struggled to find things to do together as a family and the entertainment we did attend together was average at best, while entertainment on a Disney Cruise was always their best asset.

Honestly, I will absolutely never do a Carnival Cruise again, but to each his own. I can't compare it to other Cruise Lines other than Disney, and while it is less expensive, you certainly notice the difference in quality big time. Even the rooms are different in size and quality. There is just no comparison.

I am going to stop here. I feel fortunate that my father-in-law paid for this cruise for us to be there for his wedding, because I would be highly disappointed if I had paid for this cruise myself. Although, he even mentioned the lack of quality in many areas himself. We definitely managed to have a good time considering what we were there to celebrate! We had a much better time, though, when we got off the boat and checked into the Grand Floridain for a short stay afterwards.

Just my two cents... It appears many others have had a better experience.

You're not alone. We hated Carnival, and now only cruise the Disney Line which we LOVE. BUT I know tons of people who LOVE Carnival! I'm sure you will have a GREAT time OP!!! I'm a Disney Freak extraordinaire but its always nice to throw something new into the mix!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I appreciate ALL opinions. I wanted the good, bad and ugly. Keep em coming...good or bad.

Also, anyone know of an AI that takes payments? I might start looking into one of these.


TIA!

 

[Vallie]

Ive been on a Carnival Cruise and I had a Blast! SOooooo much to do, the ports of call also give you a great variety of things to do, you can do a excursion or just relax on a beach or go shopping!

Also the food is just delish! You'll have a great time and you can always go back to Disney for your next vacay!

 

[LoraJ]

I think it's the Inspiration we are going to book. That or the Legend. I can never remember which. They both leave out of Tampa, I suppose thats why I can't keep them straight!

The Legend is my favorite Carnival ship. I have never been on the Inspiration, but the water park area in the back looks really cool. The only problem with the Inspiration is only the suites get balconies. I have been on sister ships of the Inspiration and had a blast.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

The Legend is my favorite Carnival ship. I have never been on the Inspiration, but the water park area in the back looks really cool. The only problem with the Inspiration is only the suites get balconies. I have been on sister ships of the Inspiration and had a blast.

I really, really, really wanted adjoining balcony rooms. I was so bummed to find out neither ship had them. I think we are gonna go for it. I appreciate everyones opinions. I might research Royal Carribean a little more. I think the reason I chose Carnival over RC was the departure port? I can't remember. Off to do more research!

 

[WeLuvWDWx5]

The Legend is my favorite Carnival ship. I have never been on the Inspiration, but the water park area in the back looks really cool. The only problem with the Inspiration is only the suites get balconies. I have been on sister ships of the Inspiration and had a blast.

Actually, my comments were specific to the Inspiration since that is the cruise ship we were on. I will say that my 7 yr old did have fun in the water park area with his cousins. I didn't think he would like the fact the it was salt water, but he didn't complain too much. Although overall, none of my kids swam as much as they usually do, because of the salt water, but I realize that this wouldn't be a big deal to some kids. We just prefer fresh water.
Also, this ship has been recently rehabbed, and while the rooms aren't as big or nice as the rooms on a Disney cruise, they did look clean and "fresh" as in "new". The public areas as well looked newly renovated, so that was a plus.
So, there were a few positives. Just not enough that I want to cruise again with Carnival. I do hope, however, that you have a great time if you decide to go. We all have our own preferences.

 

[tigercat]

I know I am in the minority as well in that I didn't like my Disney cruise at all but loved my Carnival cruises. We have also been on Royal Carib as well as Princess. The only cruise we didn't like was the Disney where the food and service was horrible. Princess was okay but I think it was the cruise destination and time of year that was the problem. The service and food was great. I have no desire to go to an AI. I would be bored stiff especially since we don't drink.
tigercat

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I have no desire to go to an AI. I would be bored stiff especially since we don't drink.
tigercat

Umm there's way more to do at an AI then drink.

 

[MichelleVW]

I know I am in the minority as well in that I didn't like my Disney cruise at all but loved my Carnival cruises. We have also been on Royal Carib as well as Princess. The only cruise we didn't like was the Disney where the food and service was horrible. Princess was okay but I think it was the cruise destination and time of year that was the problem. The service and food was great. I have no desire to go to an AI. I would be bored stiff especially since we don't drink.
tigercat

My girls were 11 and 13 when we went to an AI resort (Beaches Negril), they certainly didn't drink and now 5 years later they still ask when we are going back. The went snorkeling every day, even went scuba diving for FREE! Plus you didn't have to hear them whine about being hungry because they could eat all day if they wanted and not bother us asking for money, can't beat AI in my book

 

[MoniqueU]

Yes I think you are. I don't think I have ever had a vacation with such poor service, accomodations, food and poor running of the getting on and off process as Carnival. NEVER AGAIN. I don't know if you have been to vegas but it is like staying and eating at Circus Circus and excalibur. And I hate the whole well I am only in my room to sleep and get ready. Well when your toilet area smells like a sewage plant and the shower is backing water up and you can't even get maintenence to even pick up the phone there is a problem. Also I like my coffee before I greet the general public, when you advertise room service I expect you to either pick up the line or not have it be busy for 3 straight hours. I am not the type of person that will scrimp on a vacation just to be able to go, I would rather stay home. This was a free trip through my husbands work so I was obligated to go but even the dumpiest accomadations and picnic lunches at the parks are going to be a vast improvement over a carnival cruise. JMHO but we will never go again not even free in the penthouse on a ship on its maiden voyage.

 

[princessdaisy]

We loved the Carnival Legend on our spring break cruise...we have cruised DCL 6 times and thought Carnival was just as good! my teen and 7yr old even liked the kids clubs better on Carnival. It was our first "non Disney" cruise and we had a wonderful time (and got an excellent rate too!) and leaving out of Tampa port was nice and easy

Have a wonderful time!

 

[Poohlovr]

We have taken our grandkids to WDW at least twice every year since 1998. The last 2 times, it really seemed like they were just not as into it as years past. They wanted to spend more time at the pool, or even in the room, and less time at the parks.

So last year,we bit the "No Disney" bullet and took them on a cruise. Having been on three different cruise lines, Carnival has become the favorite for my husband and I, so Carnival it was, on the Legend.

We booked 2 connecting balcony rooms. One bathroom isn't enough for two teens and their grandparents.

To be honest, I wasn't sure they were enjoying the cruise as much as I had hoped they would. They refused to go to any of the teen activities and pretty much stayed together or with us. They played basketball and mini-golf a lot. The arcade was an almost nightly event. The older one enjoyed just hanging out on the balcony listening to his I-Pod, watching the ocean.

I thought they enjoyed the excursions we took.They loved going to the dining room for dinner and dressing for formal night was a big hit with them, if the number of photos I had to take was any indicator.

Other than that I wasn't sure they liked it, until we were back home, and they announced that they would like to go to Alaska for their next cruise (my husband and I had gone on an Alaskan cruise the year before).

Now we've decided that there can be too much WDW and we will be mixing the two vacations up in alternate years. This year is another Carnival cruise (not to Alaska, though). Next year, we will go back to WDW, but the year after will be a Hawaiian cruise for our 25th anniversary.

I think they will appreciate WDW all the more if they don't go as often. My husband really appreciates not going as often, because he was "Disney'd out".

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Now I'm really confused. Our county is petitioning the state to change the school calendar to longer days and 165 days instead of 180. As it stands now, they get out June 4, I think. But if this passes, school will get out May 21. This means we could take a Carnival Cruise from Charleston, SC on May 24. They only have 2 cruises each year leaving Charleston.

But then again, I looked at Royal Carribean our of Norfolk and that looks really, really good for not much more money.