We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Club Disney Chandler]

I have heard nothing positive about Carnival and that generally it's the lowest class of all cruise options with RCL, NCL, Princess, DCL, etc... I have no experience with Carnival to form my own opinion so I am really looking forward to your trip update OP and also to black magic's trip update

I also have heard that their muster drill activities aren't taken as "seriously" or organized as well as DCL's and if this is true this would support Tonka's theory that the corporate culture doesn't value safety as well as the other cruise lines... once again this is what I've heard reading the cruise forums but open to be informed based on others' experiences

Have a wonderful cruise OP!

ETA: given the price increases from DCL, year over year, I applaud others for trying other lines, been thinking of venturing myself and therefore appreciate threads like these so I can learn more...

I posted this a few days ago if you're interested in reading it. I didn't mention anything about about the muster drill in the report because it was uneventful, but at the end they did ask for people with mobility issues to please raise their hands so they could get special instructions from the crew in the event of an actual emergency.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/thoughts-on-the-new-carnival-vista.3521334/

 

[hanscarlet]

I posted this a few days ago if you're interested in reading it. I didn't mention anything about about the muster drill in the report because it was uneventful, but at the end they did ask for people with mobility issues to please raise their hands so they could get special instructions from the crew in the event of an actual emergency.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/thoughts-on-the-new-carnival-vista.3521334/

Thanks! Will definitely read your thread. Did the muster drill seem similar to Disney? Not the disney one was anything eventful but just curious if there is any merit in any significant differences between DCL and Carnival musters... DCL seemed kind of detailed and annoying but I get that it's good for safety

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Thanks! Will definitely read your thread. Did the muster drill seem similar to Disney? Not the disney one was anything eventful but just curious if there is any merit in any significant differences between DCL and Carnival musters... DCL seemed kind of detailed and annoying but I get that it's good for safety

Not at all different except we were in the casino on the Vista instead of the Walt Disney theatre. They actually had a bunch of crew members spread out in all the areas for questions and demonstrations since we were spread out in different areas, that was the only time I was in the casino.

 

[mevelandry]

I have heard nothing positive about Carnival and that generally it's the lowest class of all cruise options with RCL, NCL, Princess, DCL, etc... I have no experience with Carnival to form my own opinion so I am really looking forward to your trip update OP and also to black magic's trip update

I also have heard that their muster drill activities aren't taken as "seriously" or organized as well as DCL's and if this is true this would support Tonka's theory that the corporate culture doesn't value safety as well as the other cruise lines... once again this is what I've heard reading the cruise forums but open to be informed based on others' experiences

Have a wonderful cruise OP!

ETA: given the price increases from DCL, year over year, I applaud others for trying other lines, been thinking of venturing myself and therefore appreciate threads like these so I can learn more...

I'll be able to do a very detailed report in 105 days.

 

[Hundredacre]

I have not found dcl muster drills very serious for some time. Is this just my experience? For the last couple of years, we basically have gone to a restaurant or a spot on deck, had a cm check off our name on an iPad type device and after two minutes said you can go. I vaguely remember them yelling out, "meet here in an emergency." When you used to have to wear the life jackets to the drill there was more detail. But lately it seems somewhat pointless.

 

[hanscarlet]

I have not found dcl muster drills very serious for some time. Is this just my experience? For the last couple of years, we basically have gone to a restaurant or a spot on deck, had a cm check off our name on an iPad type device and after two minutes said you can go. I vaguely remember them yelling out, "meet here in an emergency." When you used to have to wear the life jackets to the drill there was more detail. But lately it seems somewhat pointless.

I've had the unfortunate experience of only having musters on deck 4 where they pack you in like sardines... and we have to wait around until everyone shows up and they will call out people's names if they didn't check in and then finally they start the demo and they force you to pay attention to the life jack rules and stuff.. ours always lasts about 15-20 min

 

[phinz]

With the exception of the servers in Palo and Remy, and one or two persons here and there, I've never found the servers or cast members to be THAT awesome on DCL. None of them ever remembered what my drinks were. I don't think it will make much a difference for us.

You see, I have Cast Members... OK, Cast Member *bartenders*... who recognize me as soon as I come in the bar and come around to give me a hug.

I guess that might mean I spend too much time in the bars, though. Right?

 

[mevelandry]

I just found this about the cruiseship we're going to sail on in October. I know they started refurbishments on cabins but this is also very encouraging:

http://carnival-news.com/2016/04/06/carnival-victory-earns-perfect-100-u-s-p-h-inspection-score-3/

 

[RedSox68]

It's quite true that everyone can have a difference experience on the same line. On the Carnival Breeze, the crew was simply amazing. Always smiling and friendly and always offering to help me when I had my hands full with a baby and two big kids. Carrying trays in the buffet and grabbing high chairs and just generally doing whatever they thought I needed without me even asking. The dining room staff was good, on par with the six DCL cruises we've done. Although honestly, I prefer not to be "best friends" with the crew because I'm an introvert--and the excellence speech on DCL makes me shrivel up inside every time. But trust me, my husband has never met a stranger and he has just as much fun with the Carnival crew. Try one of the bigger, newer ships if you want (which the Sunshine is NOT, technically--and the Freedom is RCL). Try the Breeze and Vista and I bet you'll be surprised. And for half the price.

We sailed on Carnival Glory out of NYC and we were stunned at what a great ship it was having read such awful reviews over the years. The decor was gorgeous, the oceanview room much bigger than Disney's, the food was very good and we found the staff to be helpful, polite and informative. I'd do another Carnival cruise without hesitation.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just found this about the cruiseship we're going to sail on in October. I know they started refurbishments on cabins but this is also very encouraging:

http://carnival-news.com/2016/04/06/carnival-victory-earns-perfect-100-u-s-p-h-inspection-score-3/

That's great news for Carnival and all the passengers that board the Victory. We loved our Vista cruise last month and are looking forward to our next one!

 

[DnA2010]

When you pay the DCL price and then have even a single cruise with them where you don't get that exceptional service, it can really impact your overall view of the line (and yes, I'm speaking from own experience).

Our first cruise (DCL) we had the most amazing assistant server. I mean, it was like he was a mindreader, and he insisted on cutting my mother's food (she has only the use of one hand) so I didn't have to, one night I wasn't feeling well and he walked with my parents back to the stateroom with a covered dinner for me (my dad was pushing my mom's wheelchair and she couldn't balance the plate). Our cabin steward was okay, our head server was good but it really was our assistant server who set the bar for us.

Follow up cruise and well, very different experience. Our head server was terrible, our assistant server was very new and all through the meals she kept repeating, "I feel so sick." again, and again, and again. (I don't hold her sea sickness against her but it was just constant). Our cabin steward was good but again, nothing outstanding.

And of course, by the time we had our second DCL cruise, I had cruised on Carnival and had good servers in the MDR and one of the best cabin stewards. It made me realize that "excellent" service on DCL was not guaranteed and other lines weren't as bad as some people made them out to be.

I wish you all the best service on your DCL cruise. I however, will not be surprised if you continue to sail other lines realizing that at many points in your cruise history, you've experienced service at that same level - or gasp - even better.

This was us when we tried Disney last year- maybe we were just too built up- while we LOVED the cruise, all 3 of us (DH, DD10 at the time and myself) had just as awesome of a time on our other cruises. Our dining room service team on the Fantasy wasn't great and we found the food a bit bland (Palo service and food excellent though!) although enjoyed the changing of rooms, the pressure for ratings got old fast, DD loved getting to go into Edge (she was turning 11 in a month) but liked the regular clubs on royal better as she liked the structure and the more segregated groups better, she really missed the fact there weren't any pools on the Fantasy (no way she was getting into the kids-bobbing-in-life-jackets soup) although loved the Aquaduct- so while we had an amazing time, we didn't see the value in the cruise given it was twice the price (and that was a VGT rate) I can't say we won't cruise DCL again, but will have to get a good GT rate and once the exchange rate is better for us Canadians. More than likely we will save Disney for the parks.

 

[DnA2010]

I've had the unfortunate experience of only having musters on deck 4 where they pack you in like sardines... and we have to wait around until everyone shows up and they will call out people's names if they didn't check in and then finally they start the demo and they force you to pay attention to the life jack rules and stuff.. ours always lasts about 15-20 min

The muster drill we did on the Fantasy wasn't great- it was out on the deck and as someone who had surgery a couple of months earlier and hadn't been out of a cast long and was using a cane there was no sympathy on standing and I was very sore the next day as I wasn't allowed to sit down while we waited for stragglers...then once they finally gave some instruction it was pretty much meet here, this is a life jacket and that's it.
Our previous cruise on RCL Freedom, people that couldn't stand that long (I was also using a cane at that time as had just had first surgery ironically) were checked in, then allowed to wait just inside some doors (in the casino actually which I was expecting to be smoky but wasn't) and were given instructions in there.

 

[RedSox68]

The muster drill we did on the Fantasy wasn't great- it was out on the deck and as someone who had surgery a couple of months earlier and hadn't been out of a cast long and was using a cane there was no sympathy on standing and I was very sore the next day as I wasn't allowed to sit down while we waited for stragglers...then once they finally gave some instruction it was pretty much meet here, this is a life jacket and that's it.
Our previous cruise on RCL Freedom, people that couldn't stand that long (I was also using a cane at that time as had just had first surgery ironically) were checked in, then allowed to wait just inside some doors (in the casino actually which I was expecting to be smoky but wasn't) and were given instructions in there.

Yes, the muster drills are grueling for those of us with trouble standing and we always end up being in the sun! I'm short, so I get squashed by all those around me and they keep making you back up until the person behind you has their nose in your back! If there was an emergency and the panic that would ensue, I can guaranty no one is going to muster to their station and stand in a neat tight fitting line LOL

 

[buddyjo143]

I was seriously considering booking the Carnival Legend to Alaska for August 2017. Ultimately I booked the 5 night to Alaska on Disney, but I fear that will be our only Disney cruise to Alaska. I will absolutely consider Carnival for future Alaskan cruises.

Actually, NCL is great to Alaska. We did a one way from Vancouver followed by a week on land on our own.

 

[buddyjo143]

I'm looking at the Vista and wondering how the kids clubs are? Is there a Carnival cruise for Dummies ?

DH and I did recon on a Carnival ship before a family cruise for 9 including 4 kids. I cried when I saw the babies napping in the kids club at night and swore that my nieces and nephew would not have to go there.

Well was auntie ever wrong. Picture 5 adults trying to stay awake till midnight because we promised they could stay at the party. We seriously wondered if they gave the kids crack. Or maybe candy and a puppy.

We had ages 5 to 12 I think, back in 2006. The Camp Carnival crew is awesome and have totally age appropriate activities for every age group.

 

[buddyjo143]

I just found this about the cruiseship we're going to sail on in October. I know they started refurbishments on cabins but this is also very encouraging:

http://carnival-news.com/2016/04/06/carnival-victory-earns-perfect-100-u-s-p-h-inspection-score-3/

We were warned, so I will warn you. Watch out for the sea horses. They bite. On the staircases between decks there are brass seahorses at each hand railing. They are at a perfect height to knock into your legs and knees if you are not careful.

 

[Ofinn]

I'm looking forward to our cruise on the Vista this Fall. I gave my kids a choice between 7 nights on the Fantasy or 11 nights on the Vista. They looked at me dumbfounded for asking. Of course 11 nights...longer cruise wins. Thank goodness because it was half the price of the Fantasy, it's cheaper then a 4 night Dream cruise. I actually could not afford the Fantasy this Fall without a discount, but I didn't tell them that. We got spoiled with the 12 night cruise last month. We are booked on a DCL transatlantic next year. I think when I retire I'll be doing those 32 day world cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think when I retire I'll be doing those 32 day around the world cruises.

If you do a 32 day round the world cruise, your head will be spinning. Typically they take at least 4 months.

 

[TestingH2O]

If you do a 32 day round the world cruise, your head will be spinning. Typically they take at least 4 months.

Even Jules Verne said it would take at least 2.5 months.

 

[Ofinn]

If you do a 32 day round the world cruise, your head will be spinning. Typically they take at least 4 months.

I didn't literally mean around the world, but those long cruises are classified as world cruises. I forget sometimes on these boards you have to be exact. 4 months would be fine though.