Just back from a Carnival cruise. My impressions of Carnival vs Disney

[anetnmike]

Thanks for sharing your insight!
I had heard about the hairy chest contests but I could only have hoped to have covered my DS9's eyes in time to prevent the anatomy lesson at the air guitar contest! Of course DS16, being male and 16, would have been thrilled...

 

[bunny]

Do you have any pictures of your cabin you could share? I have been considering a cruise on another ship in the same Carnival category and have been wondering how a quad cabin is set-up. Thanks.

BTW, the hairy chest contest is hilarious but I can see how some kids may be grossed out.

 

[TexasGirl]

In Carnival's defense they did try to deter the "ready to strip"woman. They kept saying it's not THAT kind of contest...and trying to block her. She was drunk and uninhibited and wanting attention I guess.



We did take several pics of the room but have no idea how to post pics here. We ended up not using the 4th bed and the little one just slept in the big bed with us. The 2nd and 3rd beds were upper bunks. One was over the master bed and the other was across the room.

 

[dbenlee]

TexasGirl, if you are interested in posting pictures, here are some instructions that I have copied and pasted from another thread. These instructions were posted by Robo and I feel they are some of the easiest to follow.

You'll need to have your pictures digitally loaded
into your computer, of course,
then go HERE:

http://www.photobucket.com/

(or sign up for any photo-server that you like)

Sign up (its FREE),
and follow the directions to upload your pictures to
them.

You will then see each of your pictures in a window on
that site.

Copy and Paste the numbers from the "IMG Code" window
(below each picture) into your post.
Your image(s) will appear in your DISboard post after
its posted (you can click "Preview Post" to see them
before you post).

 

[bettyann29]

Love this thread! Me and DH have cruised many times with Carnival and we do love it.. for many of the same reasons you have stated.. We have cruised other cruiselines, not Disney, and so far Carnival is our favorite.. That being said, next month we are going on a 7 day Carnival cruise and then the day after we get back we are staying in Port Canaveral area and getting on the 4 day Wonder Cruise.. Cant wait so we can compare also!

 

[sdchickie]

Had to put in my 2 cents.... The french fries on Carnival are the best!!! my daughter always compares the fries we get at different places to the ones on Carnival and the last cruise we went on was a year ago. She's still waiting for our next cruise so she can have those fries. Also, you are right about the rooms being sound free, I didn't hear anything on our last cruise and we were in an inside room. I slept like a baby the whole trip, of cource that could have been the coctails???? We're taking our first Disney cruise on Halloween this year and can't wait, this blog has been very helpful!

 

[TexasGirl]

LOL, they did have great fries!!

What a great idea! 7 days on Carnival followed by a short DCL.

 

[Charleyann]

Cheeseburgers were to die for on the Carnival too! I love that you are giving honest opinions. Sometimes here, die hard disney fans will not except something could be better then Disney.

Last year was my first cruise which was was a 4 nighter on Carnival's Imagination. It was my 13 year old son and I. He and I both loved it! Loved cruising, loved the food and loved the shows. The bed were so comfortable.

This December we are doing the Carnival Valor, followed by Disney land and Sea package! We Will try our first Disney cruise. Then December 2010, our cruise is booked with Royal Carribean's, Oasis of the Seas. I am going with the belief that each cruise line will offer great amenities in their own way...

I know I will love them all!

Thanks for Sharing

Charleyann

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Thanks so much for this comparison - we have considered Carnival for future cruises because we really like some of the intineraries - but have always been put off by some of the negative reviews and criticisms. Nice to hear that they are not all bad!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Thanks for the review!
We are considering a cruise on Imagination or Inspiration for May 2010 since there are no Disney Caribbean cruises then!

 

[Charleyann]

Thanks for the review!
We are considering a cruise on Imagination or Inspiration for May 2010 since there are no Disney Caribbean cruises then!

You'll love Carnival's Imagination! Shhhhhhhhhhh, my 13 year old son said he like cruising better then Disney after our cruise on the Imagination last December!!!!

He still loves disney and can't wait to try the Disney cruise, but he loved the Carnival Imagination. So, if a kid loves it that much, as much as Disney or better, it can't be half bad!

They have a lot of game shows. We loved playing those. They also did a little course on how to make Towel Animals. Gosh, you could take that back to Disney and make towel animals for the mousekeepers. imagine their surprise!

The food is so good. One night was lobster and giant shrimp. That was the Captain's party and dress up night where they did the photos....

Charleyann

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for your honest feedback.

We are going on the Carnival Triumph 8-29 on a 5 night to Canada....I'm sooooo excited. We are going on our 1st DCL....the 3 night.....Ahem....which cost More than the 5 night

This is my DD's 1st cruise

I sailed on the Victory last yr....and I can attest....the food is very good AND those BEDS
Kerri

 

[TexasGirl]

Glad you guys are enjoying the thread. Yes the FOOD and BED were tops. We are going on DCL later this year but are not booked for 2010 at the current time...2010 prices are so high.

I think we may do Carnival out of San Diego in 2010 instead. My kids can hang with Fun Ship Freddy instead of the Mouse.

 

[tampabrat22]

Great comparisons, thanks for posting!

We are Carnival cruisers, going on our first Disney cruise this Oct. We love Carnival, but I wanted to take the kids on DCL before they get to big to really appreciate the "magic".

I wanted to agree that yes, the Carnival beds are AMAZING!! The food is outstanding and the prices can't be beat!

 

[Fatima1922]

thank you for this thread. I have traveled Carnival prior to becoming a mom. Going on a three night Carnival cruise with my best friend and our children. I must admit, I have been quite stressed over it. I am excited to know your children enjoyed it. That is quite comforting.

 

[Dave and Micha]

What a great thread... and true to our experiences on Carnival, too.

We took a back to back cruise on Disney earlier this year and it was my 69th cruise overall. Although we were a bit sceptical at first, we thought Disney was absolutely one of the best cruises EVER!

That being said, we have always had good experiences on Carnival and are quite amused by the army of Carnival bashers out there (many of who have never stepped foot on Carnival and don't know what they are talking about.)

The thing is, for the money, a Carnival cruise is hard to beat. Not everyone can afford Disney every time and the quality, while a different style, is hard to ignore.

Good for you for being brave enough to write your opinions here.

 

[TexasGirl]

My son sleeps with his stuffed "fun ship Freddy" every night...and he has tons of Mickey Mouses. I thought that spoke volumns that he loved the cruise.

Don't get me wrong...we still love DCL...but Carnival did exceed our expectations.

 

[Narnia_girl]

One thing I greatly preferred on Carnival was the "real" orchestra accompanying the show. I am disappointed DCL has "canned" music.

That's great to hear. Our son has played in the pit orchestra for three musicals so I'm impressed that Carnival takes that extra step to include real music.

Thanks for your honest review!!

 

[Morgey24]

Very interesting. I can say that the ONE Carnival cruise I did (because I won it in a contest) on the pre-renovated Fascination was, by far, the worst cruise ever (ship dirty and busted up, cabins in need of renovation, decor horrible, fun ship freddy gives me the willies...) BUT I have a dear friend who loves Carnival and won't cruise any other line and I put my in-laws on the Glory last February and they loved it and would go Carnival again in a heartbeat. I have to say that the prices are always fabulous, but after a disgusting first experience I am hesitant to try again.

 

[TexasGirl]

Very interesting. I can say that the ONE Carnival cruise I did (because I won it in a contest) on the pre-renovated Fascination was, by far, the worst cruise ever (ship dirty and busted up, cabins in need of renovation, decor horrible, fun ship freddy gives me the willies...) BUT I have a dear friend who loves Carnival and won't cruise any other line and I put my in-laws on the Glory last February and they loved it and would go Carnival again in a heartbeat. I have to say that the prices are always fabulous, but after a disgusting first experience I am hesitant to try again.

We went on the Carnival Fantasy once before... many years ago...in 1993...when it was still new and had a great time. Then we just went again in 2009 post Multi-million dollar renovation...so I can't really speak to the few years leading up to the recent rehab on the Fantasy.

We liked the decor. They said they took out literally miles of Neon. The cabins were nice.....most of all the beds...and the bathrooms were brand new and very good.

I laughed about Fun Ship Freddy giving you the Willies. My husband and I think he is weird too...what is he? A half man half ship monster LOL?

The kids liked him tons though so that was what counted. They both begged for a stuffed Fun Ship Freddy and of course we bought them both one.

Little one sleeps with the stuffed Freddy every night...we call it his sleeping pal. And he took it to pre-school for show and tell.

I think one reason they like him ...is the very first night they had a family dance party...Fun Ship Freddy strolled in and...they were eying him with a bit of caution. Well Fun Ship Freddy judged the dance contest. And he picked our family as the winnerand gave us a gold trophy.....so that cemented him in the kid's eyes as 'greatness.' He gave them a trophy...why not love him.



We haven't booked yet...but are very strongly considering doing another Carnival cruise with the kids in 2010.