Just back from a Carnival cruise....

[tevagirl]

and believe me when I tell you there was no 'Magic' on board! I cannot believe the difference between Disney and them.

 

[tvguy]

They are the McDonalds of cruise lines. I hear on some of the shorter cruises folks never use the cabins....ah, "The Party Ships".
Also hear it's fun to watch those folks get off the ship at the end of the cruise after 3 or 4 days of straight partying.

But it is a good cruise for those who don't want to spend a lot.

 

[markey]

We are going on DCL #6 in August and have #7 booked for 2006, and we love DCL. We go on DCL because we take our GK's. But DH and I went to Bermuda in May on RCI to try different lines. The ship was beautiful, but entertainment was lousy, staff was ok, and we never got to enjoy the dining room because we were bumped from our guaranteed main dining and received a bottle of wine and no real explanination except probably someone booking a more expensive room deserved it more. The ship was full of retirement home stuffy, rude people and a few young people who could not control their drinking. We still enjoyed our time alone and Bermuda but would not set foot on RCI ships again if the cruise was free. This December we are trying the Carnival Glory. Tell me what I will not like about this cruise. Thanks

 

[pppiglet]

What ship and where did you go Tevagirl?

 

[mmouse37]

They are the McDonalds of cruise lines.

McDonalds sells billions of burgers though, don't they!!! I have cruised Carnival a few times the older ships do tend to get a more younger crowd but I saw more drunks on DCL than I have ever seen on Carnival.....most recently June 30 to July 8th on the Legend (build 2 years ago) out of NYC to San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola....we had a great time....it in no way compares to Disney as far as service, but they do a great job. We were a group of 50 people and all had a great time....

Carnival surpasses DCL in their pool deck areas and breakfast/lunch buffet areas....several buffet lines, more variety of food than DCL, plenty of seating. The decor of the Carnival ships are very lavish and a bit over the top but they are meant to be that way. They surpass DCL as far as amount and size of elevators as well. I did not see any lower class of people than I have seen on DCL.

We encountered nothing that would keep us from cruising Carnival again....On the two formal nights people were dressed to the nines.....there were no drunks to be seen anywhere....food was great (and they even turned people away from the dining room if they were not dressed appropriately....i.e. shorts!)....there were all ages of people from infants in strollers to grandmas and grandpas....a strictly enforced adult only pool area and club area. Our kids liked the nightlife much better than DCL. They had a great time.

So many people knock Carnival but unless you have gone recently don't be so quick to judge. I would never really compare Carnival to DCL as it would be like comparing apples to oranges...they are different and both have their good and bad points.

Anyone on these boards for any length of time knows that I love DCL and have sailed with them 13 times....I just want to say that DCL will always be my favorite but there is an enjoyable time to be had on other cruiselines. Oh and the Carnival promo line is "The Fun Ships", not "The Party Ships"....

I also would like to know what ship the OP was on.

Here is a link to our pics from our Carnival cruise this month in case anyone would like to take a look....

Part 1 http://community.webshots.com/album/392088732kqsOep

Part 2 http://community.webshots.com/album/393162528ZUjTWh

Part 3 http://community.webshots.com/album/393162528ZUjTWh


MJ

 

[sln88]

McDonalds sells billions of burgers though, don't they!!! I have cruised Carnival a few times the older ships do tend to get a more younger crowd but I saw more drunks on DCL than I have ever seen on Carnival.....most recently June 30 to July 8th on the Legend (build 2 years ago) out of NYC to San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola....we had a great time....it in no way compares to Disney as far as service, but they do a great job. We were a group of 50 people and all had a great time....

Carnival surpasses DCL in their pool deck areas and breakfast/lunch buffet areas....several buffet lines, more variety of food than DCL, plenty of seating. The decor of the Carnival ships are very lavish and a bit over the top but they are meant to be that way. They surpass DCL as far as amount and size of elevators as well. I did not see any lower class of people than I have seen on DCL.

We encountered nothing that would keep us from cruising Carnival again....On the two formal nights people were dressed to the nines.....there were no drunks to be seen anywhere....food was great (and they even turned people away from the dining room if they were not dressed appropriately....i.e. shorts!)....there were all ages of people from infants in strollers to grandmas and grandpas....a strictly enforced adult only pool area and club area. Our kids liked the nightlife much better than DCL. They had a great time.

So many people knock Carnival but unless you have gone recently don't be so quick to judge. I would never really compare Carnival to DCL as it would be like comparing apples to oranges...they are different and both have their good and bad points.

Anyone on these boards for any length of time knows that I love DCL and have sailed with them 13 times....I just want to say that DCL will always be my favorite but there is an enjoyable time to be had on other cruiselines. Oh and the Carnival promo line is "The Fun Ships", not "The Party Ships"....

I also would like to know what ship the OP was on.

Here is a link to our pics from our Carnival cruise this month in case anyone would like to take a look....

Part 1 http://community.webshots.com/album/392088732kqsOep

Part 2 http://community.webshots.com/album/393162528ZUjTWh

Part 3 http://community.webshots.com/album/393162528ZUjTWh


MJ

thanks for posting this. I get weary of the Carnival bashing that goes on(go over to the RCCL boards on cruise critic and you will see what I mean- LOL). Most often from people who have never cruised on them. I have cruised a few times on Carnival and will be taking my 1st cruise on Disney this fall, so I guess I will see then if they are head and shoulders above Carnival at that time.
Cruise lines are different because people want different things out of their vacations. This time, I am taking my 2 young boys, so I am choosing Disney because I think it will be a good fit for us at this point. If we go again when they are teens, or go without the kids, Disney may not be the best choice, so it is great that there are other styles of cruises to pick from.
I am not a seasoned cruiser like you(I am sooo jealous), but the BEST cruise I ever had was almost 20 years ago on a 3 day on the Carnival Mardi Gras. Compared to the ships of today, that was a tugboat, but it was MAGICAL!


Sorry you had a bad time Tevagirl. You will have to give us more details.

 

[aprilgail2]

They are the McDonalds of cruise lines. I hear on some of the shorter cruises folks never use the cabins....ah, "The Party Ships".
Also hear it's fun to watch those folks get off the ship at the end of the cruise after 3 or 4 days of straight partying.

But it is a good cruise for those who don't want to spend a lot.

I went on a 7 day carnival cruise that was like that! The whole time it was like a drunken frat party on board....swore me off cruising for awhile after that!!

 

[markey]

Thank you mmouse37 I enjoyed your honest review and am looking forward to enjoying Carnival. Like I said RCI was a beautiful, clean ship, but the treatment of our problem was not handled correctly, even after returning home and calling asking why, filling out the evaluation upon leaving got no answers from RCI as to why we were bumped from main dining. The bottle of wine showed we were bumped, I had our reservation saying quaranteed main, our ship card had main (but no table #), the purser said we had main and after returning home customer service pulled our reservation and said we had main, but when I went to the dining room upon boarding for a table number all they said was main was full even after showing my card and reservation. So we have checked RCI off our list and are trying Carnival for our adult only cruises.

 

[bicker]

One of the things about cruise lines, beyond the fact that each cruise line differs from each other, in terms of its quality of service and the quality of its patrons, even different ships within the same cruise line -- or more properly -- different itineraries within the same cruise line differ radically, especially with regard to the manner of passengers.

On average, it's understood that shorter cruises often attract a more raucous, less respectful crowd than week-long cruises. When you get past week-long cruises, the crowd apparently changes again, to a significantly older, less family-friendly group.

Different ports of departure affect the demeanor of passengers as well, from what I've read. I've read things about passengers on cruises from Galveston and Baltimore that make me glad I've not cruised from those ports.

I'd suggest Markey think twice about crossing Royal Caribbean of the list. The specific issue is actually quite minor, by comparison to some of the really horrendous things a cruise ship can do to passengers, and something which I've not read a significant amount of reports to constitute it as a routine thing for RCI. We have had two RCI cruises and were very well-treated, with regard to every aspect and consideration. We also didn't like the entertainment, but that's really our problem, not RCI's: There were many other passengers who did enjoy the entertainment.

 

[lilkitty819]

Hi
I Love Disney but I would never do another Disney Cruise. Partly due to the fact that nobody was controlling there children. Was always chasing kids out of the restrooms, got smacked on my butt by what appeared to be about a four year old who's father was rough housing with her, I didn't get a sorry or anything from the child or the parent.And that happened while we were looking at pictures, and anyone who has been on a cruise knows the areas for pictures are never all that roomy.Have been on 2 CCL and have never seen kids being so out of controll and yes both times those cruises had full capacity of children. Maybe it was the time of the year which was a Halloween cruise for DCL. Now if I could take the wait staff off of DCL and put them on my next cruise I would, being they were the best I have ever had so far. I did send 2 e-mails and made phone call and never got a response from them either, So I'll stick to WD themeparks instead of there cruiseline. But everyone will have bad and good to say about every cruiseline, So all you can do is try them and use your own opinion.

 

[markey]

Well maybe bicker will make me think a little different about RCI. We cruised out of Baltimore on a 5 day cruise if I get the right price out of Florida in a few years maybe they would deserve a second change.

 

[over50visits]

Over the past 18 months we cruised Disney 3 times, and we just got back from a Carnival cruise to Alaska. We found ourselves comparing the two during the entire cruise. Disney has an attention to detail that Carnival different, in design, cleanliness, organization, etc.

Carnival plus: the informal dining on the top deck had (I think) about 9 stations with different kinds of foods, and PLENTY of seating, all with nice views (an important part of an Alaska Cruise). Personally, I prefer the single bathroom, it is much more roomy than the split Disney ones that seem so crowded. But, everyone to their own taste there. This also was an older crowd with very little partying. It was nice to walk around in the evening and not be walking through noisy party crowds.

Carnival minus: upkeep of the ship's public areas, food, entertainment, photographers.

We loved the cruise. The Captain was a jewel, as was the cruise director. The waiter was wonderful (can't say the same for the food).

But...we did feel like another of the masses. We couldn't wait for our next Disney cruise, where the feeling of "family" is definitely there, the ship is sparking clean, the food is better, and the entertainment is much better!

 

[mommasita]

I for one am glad to see this post..There will always be different strokes for different folks, and the differences in ships are obviously there. I believe it will be what you make of it, and having an open mind to the fact that there will be differences, some better perhaps, and some worse..

Having said that, MJ, I do not know (but i think i did) if I have said this, but your family is absolutely Gorgeous...And i want to thank you for the pictures, as we are on a more limited budget, and that is the exact cruise we were contemplating... My son will be thrilled to see the slide, extra bonus.....Thanks again..Marvelous photos..

 

[mmouse37]

I for one am glad to see this post..There will always be different strokes for different folks, and the differences in ships are obviously there. I believe it will be what you make of it, and having an open mind to the fact that there will be differences, some better perhaps, and some worse..

Having said that, MJ, I do not know (but i think i did) if I have said this, but your family is absolutely Gorgeous...And i want to thank you for the pictures, as we are on a more limited budget, and that is the exact cruise we were contemplating... My son will be thrilled to see the slide, extra bonus.....Thanks again..Marvelous photos..

Thank you very much for the nice comments about the family.........

We all love DCL on these boards but I do want people to know there is life after a DCL cruise and an enjoyable time on other lines....as you said there are always going to be folks who like different things but we found this to be very economical for our very large group and all had a great time. The slide was great...there were no restrictions...anyone could go on (even adults)!!

We booked a balcony cabin GTY and were upgraded several decks to Deck 7. We paid $1,400 per person for hubby and I and the kids were $1100 ea. for their cabin (1st and 2nd person and $800 for 3rd person). Our balcony was roomy with lounger and chair and table and the cabin was great...had tons of storage, comfy bed and the bathroom was roomy with nice amenities....our girls were booked in an inside stateroom but were upgraded to an O/V and my son and his cousin were booked in an inside but were upgraded and happened to get an O/V handicapped room that was very large!!! Oh....and we had great towel animals every night!!!

Leaving out of NYC was really great!!!

Again, thanks for your nice comments...I love when the family is all together and that was probably our last family cruise as DD starts a real job next year and my other two will be college still....hard to get time off all together!!!

MJ

 

[Euphscott]

Any sort of generalization or stereotyping is dangerous. I notice some think of Carnival as a frat party drunken binge. Others talk about Galveston being a poor port of embarkation. While some of those things may be true in certain instances, it's certainly not a rule of thumb. I've sailed on a number of different cruise lines and several ports of embarkation and encountered boorish behavior on all of them, but have never once had a bad cruise.

You make of it what you will and even poor behavior does not have to ruin your cruise. These days the big ships have plenty of space to spread out and numerous activities to keep you busy. You can always go find something else to do.

 

[mickey2000]

Thank you very much for the nice comments about the family.........

We all love DCL on these boards but I do want people to know there is life after a DCL cruise and an enjoyable time on other lines....as you said there are always going to be folks who like different things but we found this to be very economical for our very large group and all had a great time. The slide was great...there were no restrictions...anyone could go on (even adults)!!

We booked a balcony cabin GTY and were upgraded several decks to Deck 7. We paid $1,400 per person for hubby and I and the kids were $1100 ea. for their cabin (1st and 2nd person and $800 for 3rd person). Our balcony was roomy with lounger and chair and table and the cabin was great...had tons of storage, comfy bed and the bathroom was roomy with nice amenities....our girls were booked in an inside stateroom but were upgraded to an O/V and my son and his cousin were booked in an inside but were upgraded and happened to get an O/V handicapped room that was very large!!! Oh....and we had great towel animals every night!!!

Leaving out of NYC was really great!!!

Again, thanks for your nice comments...I love when the family is all together and that was probably our last family cruise as DD starts a real job next year and my other two will be college still....hard to get time off all together!!!

MJ

I think everyone should try DCL, its co$tly but fun when your kids are young!
I totaly agree with the above post after being on other cruise lines there is LIFE AFTER DISNEY!

 

[michellejed]

My sister and I did a back to back over spring break on Carnival and loved it.
Every one said we were crazy(both in our 50,s) !

I have always wanted to try DCL but frankly it is just too much money, but maybe someday.

I am sure you find all walks of life on every cruiseline, I am just glad I was able to be part of it.

 

[chasbos]

Cruised Disney back in January - loved it!

Booked an adults only cruise on Carnival for this January becuase they offer the Golf Cruises.

I am going into Carnival with an open mind and will try not to compare to Disney (it is just not fair!)

Each cruise is different, enjoy what you are doing at the moment! After all you could be at home working!

 

[TMTIP]

We have cruised several times and we always love Disney for the family but dh and I love to cruise by ourselves sometimes and when we do it is usually Carnival or Royal Caribbean. We have never had a bad cruise but some are more suited for families and some more for couples only.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Very well said mmouse37, and all who responded in favor of other cruise lines.

We were apprehensive about sailing Carnival Glory this past spring as we wondered if it could live up to any of our 3 Disney cruises. We were right. It couldn't. For many reasons, I believe DCL will always be our favorite cruise line. However, we still had a WONDERFUL time on Carnival. And we're glad that we did it, because it's sparked our interest in even more cruise lines and itineraries as well.