OT- thinking about booking a Carnival Cruise

[MacFam4]

My hubby and I (more so I) am thinking about booking a Carnival Cruise for our 15 year anniversary. We have never been on a cruise before. Most people I have talked to either love them or hate them, not much in between.

Thinking about leaving from Galveston, TX for a 5 night cruise to Progresso and Cozumel on the Ecstasy.

Can anyone give me feedback on this ship/locations/or just cruising in general?

By the way, I'm getting my Disney "fix" in May

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

check out www.cruisecritic.com it is the cruise version of this board

I cruises! We went on Carnival once and really enjoyed it. I've also done Royal Caribbean (love them) and Norwegian (not a fan)

 

[hiddenj]

We just got back from our cruise and had a fabulous time. Even my dh who hates people had a great time! I say do it and definitely check out cruisecritic.com.

 

[PrincessTeresa]

We went to Progreso and Cozumel on Carnival this past December - Book early with Carnival to get a better rate!

We LOVED Progreso - I traded my $5 sunglasses for a sterling silver bracelet!!!! And the couple we went with - she traded her lipstick for one!! The people who live there who are selling stuff come right up to you on the beach! Plus, they have $1 Corona's that come with a free shot of tequila!!

Cozumel is more commercialized - We liked Progreso better -

We had really heavy seas - 10 foot seas and gale force winds - Make sure to take some dramamine or something similar -

It was a wonderful trip! We're going back this December!!

Let me know if you want to know more!

 

[Leleluvsdis]

WE went on a carnival cruise for our honeymoon, and are going on another on in september. Dh has been on one other one several year ago. We loved our cruise. I know carnival has the reputation for a party ship, but we didn't have that experience at all. The service was wonderful, and our stops were beautiful! Every time we saw the stewards they always called us by name which really makes you feel special.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Great experience with Carnival it is a very fun ship & 5 days is not that long where you are "dying" to get off the boat and on land. They have so much to do while on board you will never be "bored" have a great time. Cozumel is a fun place!!

 

[ICF]

check out www.cruisecritic.com it is the cruise version of this board

I would agree with this...they are a great resource on all things cruising...type of ships, exursions, meals, food, you name it they cover it.

We've been on 2 Carnival cruises and loved them both. IMO, most people that dont like to cruise dont like the fact that they are locked onto the boat for 3 or 4 days (on a 7 day cruise) and don't like that aspect.

 

[sorul82?]

I frequent cruisecritic as well! My name over there is Mrs. Chernabog.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

My Parents love Royal Carribean!

 

[WAHMto5]

We just went this past October on the Carnival Freedom and LOVED it! We also heard good and bad, but I have to say that there wasn't anything we did not like/enjoy about the trip. We went on a 7-day to Key West, Caymen Islands, and Jamica. SOO much fun! Our oldest two children went with their grandparents on a Royal Carribean one and did not like it at all, they said there were all old people, lol

 

[WAHMto5]

One more thing, is if you can get a balcony room you will love it. There was nothing like having a glass a wine on your own balcony every night watching the sun set

 

[Brit_Jude]

I have been on a Carnival Cruise 5 times, while they are not the super luxury cruises they are a lot of fun. I love to go in December before Christmas - gives me something to look forward to at the end of the year. They are a lot of fun (did I already say that?). I have also done Celebrity Cruises. Would like to try Royal Caribbean next.

The thing I love the most about a cuise is that you are completely away from telephone, internet (unless you really seek it out) and TV. I can leave work and worries behind

For my first cruise I was worried I would not like it or get stuck trying to avoid people I did not like but it was nothing like I imagined and you can do as little or as much as you like and also be as social or solitary as you like.

 

[sdmom]

I thought I would never cruise. But my MIL paid for us to go with her and my DH's sibling's families on an Alaska cruise last August. It was great. Everyone could do what they wanted during the day, (my kids loved the kid's club) and then meet up for dinner in the evenings.
Great family vacation.
And Alaska is amazing.
have fun!

 

[thebeesknees]

We just booked one last night and it leaves in 2 weeks! This will be our second cruise with them and I can't wait! Tons to do on and off the ship, so you are never bored. The only part DH didn't like was sharing our table every evening with some other couples, because he isn't much for socializing, but I really enjoyed getting to know some new people. The food was amazing, the shows were fun (not knock-'em-dead terrific, but fun, anyway), and the stewards were great, too.

 

[lindsey]

We went on our 4th Carnival in January. We enjoy cruises. We had great tablemates. Another vote for cruisecritic.com - If you book a cruise, join a roll call - it's a fun way to meet others who will also be on the same cruise.

 

[erinlaw]

I would absolutely do a Carnival cruise--we have done 4. Now with our second DD's arrival, we are going to wait until she is old enough for Camp Carnival I have cruised Carnival, Royal Carribbean, and Holland America-Carnival is our favorite. I would also add another vote for Cruise Critic--their discussion boards are just at lively at this one!

 

[sorul82?]

I would also add another vote for Cruise Critic--their discussion boards are just at lively at this one!

I love the "strangest things you have seen on a cruise" thread and the ones that keep popping up about tomato juice.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

I have sailed on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney. Of course Disney was my favorite for activities, quality of service and "extra" touches. Carnival was my least favorite but that does not mean I don't care for it, it was just a different experience. Would I go on another Carnival cruise? Sure, if that was the itinerary I wanted and I was being more budget minded it would be just fine.

If I was rating the three on the scale of WDW resorts I would call Carnival a value, RCI a moderate and Disney a deluxe. But fun can be had on all!