Question on carnival cruise

[gracie1]

Thank you all for your replies. What are your reviews of the Bahamas? I found an awesome es rate on carnival for next year for the bahamas.
Although I would still like to go to Bermuda they haven't listed anything for next year yet

 

[WDWjen]

Thank you all for your replies. What are your reviews of the Bahamas? I found an awesome es rate on carnival for next year for the bahamas.
Although I would still like to go to Bermuda they haven't listed anything for next year yet

We just got off the Carnival Fascination from JAX to Bahamas. Its an older, smaller ship but we got a really cheap rate so we took it. Had a great time with great weather but just keep in mind you get what you pay for - - kind of like choosing the all-stars at WDW as opposed to the Deluxe. But I still think any vacation is better than nothing and this is what we could afford right now.

BUT as for the Bahamas we had one day at Half Moon Cay (private island) and it was the most incredible day!!! Really beautiful, relaxing, worth every penny of the trip to float in crystal clear water in FEB!! Check out the cruisecritic boards for more info on HMC. I learned through those boards that you can rent a private cabana thru carnival for the day and it was awesome!! It came w/some food and drinks, snorkel gear and floats.

The next port was Nassau which I had been to 15yrs ago. We walked through town, brought kids to the Pirate Museum, and window shopped but didn't stay long - we went back to the ship and it was empty so we liked that better. We had the poo, buffet,l and waterpark to ourselves. A lot of people we talked to bought a day pass at Atlantis but it was too much $$ for this family of 5!!

My kids all used the kids camp off and on- just keep in mind they separate by ages so if you have more than one child they might not be together. This was only a problem for my 5 yr old who wanted to be w/his siblings.

Overall... glad we went away - it was nice to get away from the snow and cold in NY but if I were saving up for a trip of a lifetime I would not choose Carnival - I didn't like the customer service - however for a quick cheap vacation I'd do it all over again.

 

[gracie1]

We just got off the Carnival Fascination from JAX to Bahamas. Its an older, smaller ship but we got a really cheap rate so we took it. Had a great time with great weather but just keep in mind you get what you pay for - - kind of like choosing the all-stars at WDW as opposed to the Deluxe. But I still think any vacation is better than nothing and this is what we could afford right now.

BUT as for the Bahamas we had one day at Half Moon Cay (private island) and it was the most incredible day!!! Really beautiful, relaxing, worth every penny of the trip to float in crystal clear water in FEB!! Check out the cruisecritic boards for more info on HMC. I learned through those boards that you can rent a private cabana thru carnival for the day and it was awesome!! It came w/some food and drinks, snorkel gear and floats.

The next port was Nassau which I had been to 15yrs ago. We walked through town, brought kids to the Pirate Museum, and window shopped but didn't stay long - we went back to the ship and it was empty so we liked that better. We had the poo, buffet,l and waterpark to ourselves. A lot of people we talked to bought a day pass at Atlantis but it was too much $$ for this family of 5!!

My kids all used the kids camp off and on- just keep in mind they separate by ages so if you have more than one child they might not be together. This was only a problem for my 5 yr old who wanted to be w/his siblings.

Overall... glad we went away - it was nice to get away from the snow and cold in NY but if I were saving up for a trip of a lifetime I would not choose Carnival - I didn't like the customer service - however for a quick cheap vacation I'd do it all over again.

Thank you very much for your review!! I definately have been researching on cruise critic and will keep checking it out and then will make a decision whether to go for carnival or rccl. I will be taking my mom for vacation....so maybe I will let her make the decision (as I can be very indecisive)!

 

[muffyn]

I have sailed on Royal Caribbean and were looking to do another cruise either late this year or early next year, and carnival is less expensive (of course). I am looking for some feedback on carnival (do they really party all night? Is it all age groups or all young college kids?)

suggest NOT doing a 3 or 4 nite cruise during spring break.....

other than that carnival is great. never had problems with loud partiers (10 cruises with them)

all age groups, you can't beat it for $ value. don't expect seven seas or Cunard & you will have a great time.

 

[momof5boys]

Loved,loved,loved the Pride! We went in April last year and it has me hooked on cruising! Our room was a good size(had obstructed balcony, the only obstructed view was looking straight down.) I loved the towels(even bought 2 of them and they have held up well) We did not go to Bermuda, did the port canaveral one, but I got to see Disney! I want to go again! It was so easy to drive to Baltimore, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The food was great, my pucky husband even tried new things! I have been looking at cruises for my whole family this time, but I think we will stick with Carnival, just not sure what port we will be leaving from. I have a hard time swallowing the airfare for 7! I will never regret going on the Pride, it was a beautiful, well laid out ship! And keep checking out cruise critic, I did all of my research there(I'm an obsessive planner) It helped alot!

 

[gracie1]

Loved,loved,loved the Pride! We went in April last year and it has me hooked on cruising! Our room was a good size(had obstructed balcony, the only obstructed view was looking straight down.) I loved the towels(even bought 2 of them and they have held up well) We did not go to Bermuda, did the port canaveral one, but I got to see Disney! I want to go again! It was so easy to drive to Baltimore, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The food was great, my pucky husband even tried new things! I have been looking at cruises for my whole family this time, but I think we will stick with Carnival, just not sure what port we will be leaving from. I have a hard time swallowing the airfare for 7! I will never regret going on the Pride, it was a beautiful, well laid out ship! And keep checking out cruise critic, I did all of my research there(I'm an obsessive planner) It helped alot!

Thanks for the great review!!! The cabin we were looking at on the Carnival Pride was with the obstructed view (balcony) and were also thinking of doing just an inside cabin since that one is so much cheaper! We probably would be doing the same one you did, it goes to florida and then to the bahamas.
It comes to so much less than RCCL and you get more time on the islands, which I love. Thank you for your review!