Thoth

On 2/18/2022 at 10:23 AM, eh24fan said:

Hello all!  We will be in Grand Turk in May on the Carnival Legend.  In the past we have done a dune buggy tour that was tons of fun, but it seems it isn't being offered either by the ship or my usual source for outside excursions.  Has anyone been to GT lately?  Any suggestions?     

I was wondering the same thing ! Where are the dune buggy and ATV tours ?   I recently booked a cruise with that in mind. 

On 12/19/2019 at 5:54 PM, coevan said:

 

 

Touche, we are sailing a river cruise in Europe this summer, no slides, no casinos, and thank goodness, no singing waiters.

Enjoy !  I've done two European river cruises.  The ports are fabulous and tours are included. The ship's food features local dishes such as schnitzel  .  Entertainment included some Opera singers and a local pop band, but usually consisted of a guy on piano singing Tom Jones songs or sometimes just a jukebox. While I count river cruises in my tally of cruises, they are really a different experience, being all about the port cities and the ship mainly being a bed and food. 

12 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

No surprise. If a famous "cruise bible" cannot put their facts together, what do you expect from the "advisers" that are stuck to their "preferred cruise line" and have no idea of what is happening next door... 🙂

NCL? "Oh, my god, I don't need climbing walls and water slides.." 🙄

What about beautiful open promenades, quiet relaxing sun deck, first class spa,  specialty dining options, professionally done entertainment? 

Of course all that may be nonexistent  for those who choose the Breakaway for things like alcohol package, frat parties, poolside games, silly comedy shows, etc.

 

Happy cruising!

Oh wow !  Remind not to go on a cruise with THOSE people !!  Funny thing is most who have never been on Carnival and swear not to, think Carnival is like that. Miami crowds have a certain edge I suppose but Fort Lauderdale and New Orleans ( my favorite ports) seems to attract an older/ gentile cruiser. 

12 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

Hi Thoth,

Which of four different Carnivals are you comparing with the ocean liner? 🙂

Even the best Carnival differ greatly from the Cunard product and the QM2 in particular. I like them both and cruise on them both for different reasons.

 

It does not matter how much credit incompetent travel magazines/books  give to the imaginary Carnival.

Berlitz Book (some pics in the video taken before  the water slides replacement):

 

Carnival has a few really nice ships that I love no matter what magazines say.

 

Happy cruising!

 

I've sailed on Carnival's  ...Inspiration, Legend , Destiny , Holiday, Triumph, Splendor, Fantasy, Dream, Vista, Conquest, and Glory.   Thanks for the video. I was on the Glory back in September. I like Berlitz book, but they don't explain WHY the rate ships the way they do.  Glory gets a 1316 out of 2000. QM2 = 1675 out of 2000. 

One downside of enforced dress codes...lost luggage.    I came very close to being denied entry to the dining room. In New York, Cunard had a contract with a hotel. In order to prevent luggage from collecting in the lobby, porters must retrieve bags.  The Cunard representatives instructed me to ...sit down and wait and they will assure luggage arrives at pier.  At the pier, I told the Cunard staff that I had no luggage and was assured that bags will be sent to stateroom.  No bags ever showed up !  I did have a small carry on .  I arrived at the elegant Britannia restaurant and was told "you can't eat dressed like that" . It was not my fault that all my elegant dinner clothing  was in a lost bag.  Fortunately for me the front desk loaned me some cloths !  Of course nothing matched or fit perfectly, but I was most grateful for the staff's assistance. The ship also laundered my one change of street cloths from the carry on. I paid for a bow tie.   I certainly cannot blame the ship's crew...they were great, but their land-side customer service was poor. The Cunard NYC staff failed me. After I returned the California staff was no help in locating my bags. They did offer incentives for future travel, but only after several nagging attempts.   I called New York and found my bags a month later. 

My points are ...1) dress codes are nice, but flexibility is better. 2) customer service is equated to selling cruises, not post- cruise. 

13 hours ago, nybumpkin said:

I think there is a certain snob factor (particularly QM2 with the large Queens Room) by having space specifically designed for dancing. During the day there are ballroom dancing lessons which seem to be very popular with newer dancers, but at night the folks for whom dancing is more than a hobby come out in force. The beginners don't stand a chance.😮

 

Funny story: During our WB two-week crossing, DH participated in the Guest Choir, which was led by one of the pianists and rehearsed after lunch on sea days and had a performance on the final sea day.  The conductor also doubled as a social host for the dancing lessons, dancing with the single passengers.One day he arrived late for choir rehearsal, saying "Cha Cha! I HATE the Cha Cha!"😀

that's me !  I took the dance class, but did not "stand a chance" that evening.  >LOL  One great thing about Carnival and Princess is giving it our best seems appreciated, many time being encouraged to try. 

On 12/19/2019 at 7:02 PM, nybumpkin said:

We spent three weeks on QM2 this past summer.  As I said in my post after we returned, comparing Carnival and Cunard is apples to oranges - completely different products. We loved QM2 - but if you're looking for water slides, games and the like, you won't find it on Cunard. Here are my thoughts on OP's list:

 

1. Dancing - DH and I love dancing, but OP is right - the dancers were downright intimidating. If you aren't a regular dancer, you'll get run over on the dance floor. We passed on the dancing and  spent our evenings listening to music in a lounge.

 

2.  Price - Certainly more than we usually pay on Carnival, but we found the inside cabins to be reasonable. We originally planned to fly to London, spend a few days touring, and then join the ship in Southampton - but it turned out to be cheaper for us to sail from Brooklyn to Southampton the week before and do a BTB. We had a balcony for the return trip and since our return was a two-week crossing via Iceland, the balcony was worth it - but for a straight 7-day crossing with no ports, I'd happily book the inside cabin again.

 

3. Waterslides - I used to do them on Carnival, but I can't manage them now. My sons are partial to the sports deck on Carnival, and QM2's sports deck is limited. The pools on QM2 are nice - two outdoors (one adult only) and one inside.

 

4. Activities - OP is right, you don't have the same type of games other than trivia. QM2 does have planetarium shows that are very good and lecture series on varied topics. We didn't lack for things to do - they were just different from Carnival activities.

 

5. Karaoke - We don't like karaoke so we didn't miss it.

 

6. Singing Waiters - We don't mind them on Carnival (I have been known to get out and dance😀), but we loved our wait staff on QM2.  And on the next to last gala night the Entertainment Director took time after dinner to bring out and introduce the galley staff, who parade out to (I think) "Rule, Brittania."

 

7. Diverse Music - I agree that the music is more "staid" on Cunard, but we didn't lack for variety. No country music - the Brits aren't into that. But we did have two jazz groups, two orchestras, a pop group, and a string group.

 

8. Dress Code - Yes, they're serious about the dress code - but some of the Cunard "purists" think they've loosened it too much. There was one night when a guy entered the dining room in a tux and a "joke" baseball cap (which would set off some Carnival cruisers); the cap didn't last long.

 

9. Ship on a Stick: No comparison. I love my Ships on a Stick. I do have a Cunard shot glass, though.

 

10. All Ages and Backgrounds - Aside from the 19 YO granddaughter of one of our tablemates, we were the youngest people at our dinner table for 10 on both crossings (we're 58 and 59). There were some families on QM2, but a midsummer sailing on Cunard is nothing compared to Carnival. I like a variety of ages, and I agree about the Seuss at Sea events. Two year ago on Carnival Pride I was near the atrium when the kids were lining up for the parade, and one of the entertainment staff handed me a pom pom and a noisemaker and said, "You're in the parade." I stayed in the lounge for the "Cat in the Hat" reading and it was fun. Still, I have to admit I enjoyed sailing on QM2 without lots of kids.

 

OP didn't mention food. I like Carnival's buffet better than QM2's King's Court. The lines are longer,  but Carnival (at least on the newer ships) has much better lunch buffet options. I missed Guy's Burgers. The Cunard buffet is fine, but not great.

 

On our Westbound crossing on QM2, one of our lecturers was Bill Miller, nicknamed "Mr. Ocean Liner." One comment he made during a lecture was about the state of the cruise industry, to the effect that it's great that the industry has developed so many options for people who want different types of sailings. I love my Carnival cruises and we have two booked, in 2020 and 2021. We also have a Danube River cruise booked for 2020. Bill also mentioned that if it wasn't for Mickey Arison and Carnival Corporation, there would be no Cunard. I'm looking for our next chance to sail Cunard.

)

thank you for sharing YOUR thoughts :)  As for food, I guess I eat to live rather than  live to eat. I think I prefer the Carnival lido buffet. I would say that the Britannia dining room on QM2 is the best . 

On 12/19/2019 at 4:18 PM, Tapi said:

More than highlighting how Carnival is better than Cunard, I think your post highlights how different these two cruise lines are and how they cater to two very different demographics. My grandparents were huge Cunard fans and that’s the line they always sailed on. They loved the dancing, the dressing up, and all the pomp and circumstance that went along with a Cunard sailing. And they’d bring the whole family along to experience it with them. In fact, my first cruises as a child were aboard Cunard.

 

Yes, you have a great list if you’re a fan of the Carnival product, but putting my “Cunard” hat on, at least half the stuff on your list sounds like pure hell and reasons to avoid Carnival. 

You should post this same thread on the Cunard board to see what kind of responses you get. 😂

no, no no ! I can only guess the insults !

3 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I understand your comment but comparing Carnival to Cunard is like comparing a Kia to a BMW. 

more like comparing  a young person's 4x4 Jeep to their grandparents Cadillac 

18 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

Hence the difference between The opera and a rock concert, a fine restaurant and mickey d's, a formal event and working in the garden. 100% different strokes for different folks. Glad you enjoy Carnival. Stay away from those aft outside rooms when the ship is in post.

I will stay clear of AFT rooms LOL.  The MDR's on Carnival are a fine restaurant, just with a more young at heart ambiance. I love the food and the service.  As for Micky D's, that would be  Guy's Burgers on the Lido, which makes an excellent burger. As for formal evenings...that's me in a tux on Carnival Fantasy.  Some of us have eclectic music taste and like both opera and rock n roll.   

I'm not criticizing anyone for liking Cunard. I took a trans-Atlantic on QM2.    I enjoyed it, but did not see...

1) why it cost 2 to 3 times the price with a single supplement ? 

2) why the snobbery about ballroom dancing ?

3)  why an all sea days itinerary is  exciting ?  

The travel magazines/ books/sites  don't tend to give Carnival much credit, but I happen to love the Fun Ships. Last year I had taken a trans-Atlantic crossing on the prestigious Queen Mary 2 . While I enjoyed the experience and therefore not knocking Cunard, I did find some ways that Carnival is better. 

1) DANCING :  On the QM2, just about all dancing was ballroom style which requires coordination & practice. At times things  could get snooty . On Carnival dancing is all about having a good time, so even those with two left feet can fit in... like me. 

2)  PRICE:  At 1/3 to 1/2 the price, Carnival delivers more bang for the buck.  Me having to pay that dreaded single supplement makes a huge difference., such as $450 + 450 = $900 as compared to $1250 + 1250 = $2500....Some of the "Fun Ship " rates seemed to be cheaper than a plain hotel per night. 

3) WATER SLIDES :  sure pools are great, but those mini- waterparks at sea sure are more fun. 

4) ACTIVITIES :  sure Cunard has good trivia, but so does Carnival plus the other games are a hoot.  There is the tower game, trivia pursuit, pool games, Sorry, Hasbro,  and Speak Out.  There is something crazy fun every sea day. Plus Carnival has different trivia for different interest. Being an American, of course I prefer baseball to soccer in sports trivia. 

5)  KARAOKE :   On Carnival it is at least every evening, and at times  during a day.  After the show I will go to the karaoke lounge and meet with the regular crowd.  On Cunard it was twice the whole week. 

6) SINGING WAITERS :  I enjoy the dinner song and dance . What fun ! 

7)  DIVERSE MUSIC :   Yes, I love classical music and show tunes. The soprano on the QM2 sang like an angel.   But I also like pop/rock   and country.  Carnival has a nice variety.

8)  DRESS CODE:  Carnival is much more understanding if your luggage gets lost and that tuxedo is lost somewhere in outer space. That's exactly what happened to me !! 

9)  SHIP ON STICK:  I have a hard earned collection ! These trophies are a wonderful souvenir.

10)  ALL AGES & BACKGROUNDS :  On Carnival I love to see kids, especially dancing with their grandparents.  One has not lived until you have marched through the atrium singing.. "Doctor Seuss on the loose"   .  It was a stoke of genius when Carnival discovered that blue collar types also like cruise ships.   

The entertainment  sounds outstanding. We will not be bored 

cool !    thanks everyone .  

Thanks for the reply !

No, I have a "dumb phone"   ...a landline...so I cannot get the apps.  I could attempt it on the desk top I suppose.  The Bravo video sounded amazing, so I hope to see the live show myself.  

I'll be on the Regal in April and hope that Bravo will still be playing. Does anyone know of what shows are scheduled on what ships ? 

terrible, just terrible ☠️    no food except for Spartan gruel, but on a couple of nights we were given some stale bread  . There were no sodas on-board  so we had to drink this salty tasting tap water. Instead of wine we were offered vinegar to drink.  The rooms were simply converted closets . I even had bring my own bedding !  As far as the staff, NONE could speak English with the exception of a few curse words. 

No no ! !!  I am kidding. ☺️  I've been on the Crown 3 times and each time...food was delicious, the room nice, and the service impeccable.   I am being factious in order to point out that online reviews can be a bit overboard with complaining. I've been on 25 cruises and every one of them have been a wonderful experience, with the Crown being a typical ship. 

It definitely isn’t the game for your if you’re easily embarrassed.

 

then bringing a bald man on stage and having everyone (quite literally everyone) kiss him...

 

....

That happened to me;p I liked THAT part

We ask for a table of 6 as we enjoy the company of others at dinner. This normally works unless the other 4 are traveling together and don't intend eating in the MDR several evenings. This leaves us as a table for 2.

If you are with friends why not ask for a table of 8 then your companions still have company when you are dining elsewhere ?

(1) Don't miss lunch (free) in the Golden Lion Pub. However, there's usually a rush right at the start. Stop by 60-90 minutes after service starts and you should get seated easily. (Coming from the UK, the novelty factor is likely less for you, but I'm told that their version of fish & chips with mushy peas, cottage pie, chicken tikka-masala, and plowman's lunch is done well.)

 

(2) Also for lunch, or an odd snack, check out the Carpathia Lounge. It also worked out well one day when my husband found things to his liking, but I went next door to the Kings Court to grab something from there. It's also a nice way to pick up a small lunch on the days you're planning on afternoon tea, later.

 

(3) The planetarium is fun activity. If you miss on the complementary free tickets available from the desk at Connexions (I usually ran down for the two of us after we placed our breakfast order in Britannia) - just show up for a showing a few minutes beforehand and introduce yourself to the entertainment staff member managing the door. Inevitably, many more people will grab tickets and be no-shows.

 

(4) The Behind the Scenes tour is excellent. It's a three hour tour of the operating parts of the ship (the room with the spools of lines and anchors was unexpectedly fascinating). No engine room but the engineering nerds geek out in the engine control room (guess what, the engines run on Windows XP), the galley (with snacks), the backstage area of the theatre, and the bridge with a chat with the captain. It's not cheap (last year it was $160, I think) but it's worthwhile once, and numbers are severely limited. It's not publicized, but you can sign up at the Concierge Lounge, if you're in the grills or line up at the Excursions office (I recommend lining up 45-60 minutes beforehand)

 

(5) If dining in Britannia, be aware that there are other options which your waiter can get upon request, but are not listed in the menu. Your waiter will have the latest info, but traditionally, steak, chicken breast, salmon, caesar salad and shrimp starter were available.

thanks ! you are most helpful

They seem to alternate in the Golden Lion. One night is karaoke, the next night is trivia. The trivia was geared to the British contingent. If you are an American, it will mostly be incomprehensible. It's all great fun.

oh no ! :( I do know British history such as the 6 wives of Henry VIII...Harry Potter = not so much.

Golden Lion Pub.

10:30 pm to 00:30 am

3 times on a Transatlantic, likely sea days 1, 3 &5.

Confirm with the Daily Prog.

trivia in the pub as well ? That's what I've heard. If so I might just need to sleep in there so I can get the trivia + karaoke :D

Count me in on the karaoke ;p I'm on the 9 September crossing...my first Cunard vacation.

Another cutback.

Yes' date=' they turned off the water works.[/quote'] oh well ! :(