Carnival Stigma?

[*Mach*]

OP checking in here...

Thx again for all the replies. I am really looking forward to our vacation now. As you can tell we haven't been a repeat on any cruise line. Not because we wouldn't want to but there are just to many other ships to try. We've got a 7 day cruise for a fabulous price at thanksgiving. My kids are 13 and 10yr old boys, who eat like there's no tomorrow- kwim.

Cruise vacations are a good choice for us since they can do there thing and DH and I can have fun with and without the kid's. Thrilled about the balcony. I usually cruise on the bottom decks with a port hole happily. The best part may indeed be driving 30 minutes to the ship and bringing whatever luggage I want without having to worry about it costing a fortune to check at the A/P.:D

 

 

The posters here speak the truth. Carnival is not what others would want you to believe. It's a quality cruise line with a quality product priced at better than competitive levels.

Do us the favor of a report on your voyage upon your return...

:)

[GXmanDC]

It might sound strange, but I sort of like these threads. I love hearing all the positive comments about people's cruise experiences, rather the the complaints. I haven't had the chance to cruise CCL, but I know many people who sail this cruiseline quite often and I've never heard a negative comment from them.

 

A couple of weeks ago I was at a beach in Grand Cayman, one of the beaches where you meet people from every ship in port. It was so much fun talking to everyone. We discussed our ships, the weather back home, where we'd been and where we were going. We met a group from the Carnival ship, had so much fun that we agreed to meet the next day in Cozumel.

 

The experiences are more common than different. Happy cruising!

[CruizinMom2c]

I can care less what others say about carnival, all the matters is Carnival is perfect for my family of 3 :)

 

 

The only other cruiseline we would probably try would be Disney, just because..well its Disney lol ;)

[PaulMedik]

Catching alot of flack here for booking a cruise on Carnival. I thought some of stigma associated w/ CCL had quieted down over the years. Yet still, I keep hearing, "I won't do CCL, to much party and drinking." Definately wouldn't take the kid's on that ship. :confused:DH and I aren't big drinkers but enjoy live music and entertainment.

Please reassure me regarding CCL. We booked w/ them this time because the ship is 30 minutes from our house, worked for our school schedule, and yes...budget friendly. I'm tired of watching the ship sail by every weekend without me on it! We could have tried RCI or Celebrity too but figured why not give Carnival a try. This cruise is our first on Carnival, first time in a balcony cabin and first time trying your time dining. I keep telling myself that vacation is what you make of it. I sure hope I'm right.

 

 

rbird,

 

I hear the same comments quite often when people ask me what cruise line I'm going on and I reply Carnival. Honestly it used to be annoying that people would judge my actions based on something they heard or something they once experienced years ago. Now when someone asks 'why Carnival?' I explain how nice the ships are and how big our rooms and private balconies are. (We are aft wrap fans) When I encounter someone who insists they know better and that the balconies are small, I whip out my iPhone and show them photos or logon to my Webshots albums and overwhelm them with pics I have taken of our Carnival cruises. Confronting ignorance with pictures seems to work better than using words alone.

 

Without a doubt, Carnival is the Fun Ships with late night partying, but they are also the Fun ships with late night relaxation and all you could ask for in terms of a great family vacation experience.

[Aoumd]

I went on Carnival for my first cruise with my fiance -- a 4 day cruise around spring break -- when one might expect to see the "Carnival Stereotype" of drunken craziness -- and the only drunken craziness we saw was a single can of beer hanging precariously from a light fixture in a hallway.

 

I've also cruised once on Royal Caribbean -- a 4 day cruise again out of Florida again -- and I saw a similar clientele, with similar (if not more) levels of alcohol-related behavior. I mention this because oftentimes when Carnival is being criticized as a company by cruisers, it's done in specific contrast to Royal Caribbean.

 

I've had a lot of fun on both my Carnival cruise AND my Royal Caribbean cruise. The RC ship had more fun features on board, and a better ship design; Carnival had a bigger cabin with a more comfy bed. Service was great on both ships. And when my RC ship was docked next to a Carnival ship in Cozumel, you couldn't tell the passengers from either ship apart (except for the lines they walked into to reboard).

 

You'll have a great time.

[HoosierCruisin79]

The only time I saw anyone who looked like they had to much of a good time (read stumpling drunk) was leaving the various ports and watching teens and some adults stumbling back down the pier to the ship. Some of the most funny is when everyone was watching over the rails telling people to hurry. Or watch some folks who really had trouble walking. Can't wait for Cozumel... When leaving the beach that is the only thing that keeps me from crying...

 

I had that same experience in Cabo on Elation. We were maybe about 20 min late leaving Cabo because of one pax who was so drunk he was passed out cold and had to be carried (read dragged) back onto the boat. It was hillarious. That's what vacation was for... and who cares if we were 20 min late getting our last sea day started. Vacation is what you make it... He made it a horrible hangover, I made it an amazing memory.

[sailincajunns]

I love Carnival, always something going on. I did NCL a few years back and it was so boring. They had boring entertainment except for one couple that was awesome. So go and enjoy yourself:)

 

Hi there, CajunChick! Houma LA here

[Casino Player]

Catching alot of flack here for booking a cruise on Carnival. I thought some of stigma associated w/ CCL had quieted down over the years. Yet still, I keep hearing, "I won't do CCL, to much party and drinking." Definately wouldn't take the kid's on that ship. :confused:DH and I aren't big drinkers but enjoy live music and entertainment.

Please reassure me regarding CCL. We booked w/ them this time because the ship is 30 minutes from our house, worked for our school schedule, and yes...budget friendly. I'm tired of watching the ship sail by every weekend without me on it! We could have tried RCI or Celebrity too but figured why not give Carnival a try. This cruise is our first on Carnival, first time in a balcony cabin and first time trying your time dining. I keep telling myself that vacation is what you make of it. I sure hope I'm right.

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO rbird: My wife and I have sailed on Carnival more than any other cruise line. The only time I saw someone really drunk was on RCCL. On Carnival if you come to the dining room too late you will be turned away. Celebrity is good too. RCCL and NCL I would recommend only if you really hate yourself and or family.

[EMBFlyer]

It's a complete myth!

 

Growing up, my parents like to cruise. We did quite a few when I was growing up. My first Carnival cruise was in 1987 on the Holiday (when she was fairly new). We didn't have much to compare it to, as our only prior cruise was on the Star/Ship Royale in 1986. We enjoyed it.

 

Four years later, we decided to another cruise. We had been kicking around Carnival again (and almost booked on the then brand-new Ecstasy). We decided to give RCCL a try and sailed on the Sovereign of the Seas. This was when RCCL was considered the "Cadillac" of cruise lines. Service, food, decor, entertainment, the ship itself...all were outstanding! We did a short Premier cruise to the Bahamas on the Oceanic (disappointing compared to the Sovereign) We sailed again, 4 years later, to Alaska on the just-launched Legend of the Seas. Again, everything was fantastic. We decided to another cruise in 1997 and wanted to try out the first ship over 100,000 tons, the Carnival Destiny. Apparently, RCCL had spoiled my mother because she was very disappointed in her. I enjoyed myself, but still held RCCL to a higher caliber. From then on, I was an avid RCCL cruiser (I'm currently Platinum Crown & Anchor).

 

I started to cruise again in 2006 with friends of mine. We first did the Navigator of the Seas and I was very impressed. RCI still seemed to be the top. Next year, we tried the Adventure out of San Juan. I wasn't that impressed with things. Food seemed to be slipping and service wasn't 100%. The following year, we did the Freedom and I wasn't the least bit impressed! Food was not good at all. Service was poor and ship was VERY crowded. Previously on the Navigator and Adventure, even though the ships were big and at capacity, they didn't feel crowded. Everywhere I went, I felt crowded with very rude fellow passengers on the Freedom. RCI definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

Last May, I decided to take my fiance on her first cruise. We lived in California at the time and wanted to do a short 3-day. We priced the Monarch out of LA as well as the Paradise out of Long Beach. We found an awesome deal on the Elation out of San Diego. I figured what the hell? I was getting what I thought was Carnival service on RCI, why should I have to pay a premium for it?

 

Long story, even longer...we had an absolute BLAST on the Elation. Those 3-days out of SoCal are considered "booze cruises" and whatnot. This certainly was it. We did see partying and drinking, but they stay sequestered in their own little area and didn't bother us or any other guests one bit. The food was outstanding and service was beyond great. The ship was in great condition and didn't feel crowded one bit, even though we were sailing full.

 

Needless to say, I'm now pushing for Platinum on Carnival (shame that it takes 10). We're leaving on the Destiny in just over a month. She should be fresh out of dry dock with all the problems fixed (hopefully). I can tell you that I'm excited to be cruising and excited to see the old girl again. This will be the first ship I've sailed twice on. We're also doing our honeymoon on the Liberty in July.

 

The stigma is just a myth and nothing more. Carnival has stepped it up. RCI is too busy trying to pay for that behemoth of their's and is passing the cost along to all customers. I'm pretty set on Carnival for my future cruises. I'll let you all know how much I enjoyed the Destiny when I return.

[mrpayroll]

Just returned from the Dream and it was our first Carnival Cruise. We had a GREAT time and will be looking at Carnival again in the future. :rolleyes:

[Golden Tee]

OK! Count me as someone who is totally confused by your post. You say at the beginning, "I love cruising on Carnival," and then at the end you say, "I'd rather strangle myself...than cruise on Carnival." So, which is it?

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

 

Nice catch... I meant I'd rather strangle myself with the sweater tied around the neck of an "upscale cruise line cruiser" than NOT cruise Carnival :D

[Cheeseland Cruisers]

I went on the Legend last year t the Western Carribbean. If anything, I thought the ship was too LITTLE of a party atmosphere. Our last cruise before that was the Explorer of the Seas with RCI. MUCH more of a party ship (and, I actually LOVED that atmosphere) than Legend was. I think much of it was the time of cruise and pure luck, as for the most part they are extremely similiar in guests and guest habits.

 

Carnival is no more rowdy than RCI.

[neversink4]

I have been on Celeberty and NCL and I am looking foreward to seeing what Carnival is all about.

[KULPN]

We have enjoyed all our Carnival Cruises. I also enjoyed the RCI we did and we are doing another one this year. People who tell you not to cruise Carnival are always ones who have never cruised Carnival. Cruise snobs.

[LeryJenkins]

I don't know where all of you are cruising to, but apparently I see more *drunks* at the grocery store than you do on the ships.

 

When I go on my 6 night cruise, I will be VERY drunk every night, but the only consequence of that is usually smiling contantly and over tipping the staff.

 

As long as people don't get rowdy or anygry or too loud, I say let them drink!

[rnenrick]

I've been cruising Carnival since 1995. A lot of the stigma lingers from those early days when cruising really hit the mainstream. There were three "problems" with Carnival back then. 1) Bad food. 2) Party animals. 3) Topless sunbathing. The food WAS bad and the PARTYING was worse! Carnival's "fun ship" motto didn't help dissuade that perceptions. Neither, obviously, did the toplessness.

 

But things changed. Carnival improved the food. And they revised the age requirements for passengers. Guests under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom by a parent or guardian 25 or older. (There's an exception for married couples.) That eliminated quad cabins with college age hooligans. And, more recently, the topless decks were done away with, which gave the hooligans less to like about Carnival.

 

So, while Carnival has ameliorated the problems, the stigma still remains.

[FightOnRon]

I don't know where all of you are cruising to, but apparently I see more *drunks* at the grocery store than you do on the ships.

 

When I go on my 6 night cruise, I will be VERY drunk every night, but the only consequence of that is usually smiling contantly and over tipping the staff.

 

As long as people don't get rowdy or anygry or too loud, I say let them drink!

 

I will be on a CCL ship for the first time in a month but I think this statement sums me up too. I won't be VERY drunk, I will have a pleasant buzz and a nice smile going but the last paragraph is how I feel too. Afterall if people don't get a buzz on, the prices of the cruise will go up.

[Ambrosia64]

I have only ever sailed Royal. One of our travel partners has sailed most lines and his wife and kids too - they sailed Carnival once and hated it so much they refuse to ever go on Carnival again.

 

I however am in Maryland, about 30 min from the port - the Pride is 2 days longer and hundreds cheaper. I can't pass up trying it. Cruises aren't a 'once in a lifetime' thing for me - so I can take the chance.

 

 

Catching alot of flack here for booking a cruise on Carnival. I thought some of stigma associated w/ CCL had quieted down over the years. Yet still, I keep hearing, "I won't do CCL, to much party and drinking." Definately wouldn't take the kid's on that ship. :confused:DH and I aren't big drinkers but enjoy live music and entertainment.

Please reassure me regarding CCL. We booked w/ them this time because the ship is 30 minutes from our house, worked for our school schedule, and yes...budget friendly. I'm tired of watching the ship sail by every weekend without me on it! We could have tried RCI or Celebrity too but figured why not give Carnival a try. This cruise is our first on Carnival, first time in a balcony cabin and first time trying your time dining. I keep telling myself that vacation is what you make of it. I sure hope I'm right.

[LemurCat]

I personally think a Carnival Stigmata would be a lot more interesting.

[Smokett]

Catching alot of flack here for booking a cruise on Carnival. I thought some of stigma associated w/ CCL had quieted down over the years. Yet still, I keep hearing, "I won't do CCL, to much party and drinking." Definately wouldn't take the kid's on that ship. :confused:DH and I aren't big drinkers but enjoy live music and entertainment.

Please reassure me regarding CCL. We booked w/ them this time because the ship is 30 minutes from our house, worked for our school schedule, and yes...budget friendly. I'm tired of watching the ship sail by every weekend without me on it! We could have tried RCI or Celebrity too but figured why not give Carnival a try. This cruise is our first on Carnival, first time in a balcony cabin and first time trying your time dining. I keep telling myself that vacation is what you make of it. I sure hope I'm right.

 

We have been on four cruises, all Carnival! I don't drink or do the nightclub thing. My kids went on three of the cruises with me and they loved it. I can only remember 2 people that were overly drunk. One of them I just heard in the hall after I had gone to bed so I didn't actually see him. The other one was in the casino and he was very loud. Aparently they got on to him because we saw him the next night and he was trying to whisper everything he said. It was pretty funny. You will have a blast! Don't worry.

[HokieDeb]

We just returned from our first Carnival cruise and wishing we were still on it. This was the 4th cruise for DH and myself. We took our boys (ages 9 & 6) with us. We all L-O-V-E-D it!! Kudos to Camp Carnival - they have a wonderful program for the kids!:D The other plus is the cost - we were able to 'splurge' on a balcony cabin on Deck 11.

 

I have to admit that I was hesitant to first book a Carnival cruise b/c of the stigma of being a party boat. I'm so glad that I put fear aside. We've agreed that it was the BEST vacation we've had. We're looking forward to booking another Carnival cruise!

 

A vacation is what you make of it - don't let the little things spoil it. Book a cruise and enjoy!:)

[Jimnbigd]

Carnival Stigma? Sorry, I have not sailed on that particular ship. ;)

[rnenrick]

I personally think a Carnival Stigmata would be a lot more interesting.

Naw. You don't want holes in a ship. :eek:

[Chief Cruiser]

Catching alot of flack here for booking a cruise on Carnival. I thought some of stigma associated w/ CCL had quieted down over the years. Yet still, I keep hearing, "I won't do CCL, to much party and drinking." Definately wouldn't take the kid's on that ship. :confused:DH and I aren't big drinkers but enjoy live music and entertainment.

Please reassure me regarding CCL. We booked w/ them this time because the ship is 30 minutes from our house, worked for our school schedule, and yes...budget friendly. I'm tired of watching the ship sail by every weekend without me on it! We could have tried RCI or Celebrity too but figured why not give Carnival a try. This cruise is our first on Carnival, first time in a balcony cabin and first time trying your time dining. I keep telling myself that vacation is what you make of it. I sure hope I'm right.

 

I have only sailed on CCL and RCL and both have their pros and cons. Both have bars, which means people will be drinking and partying. Do some do it to excess? Yes, just like at your local dirt tracking race track, the lake, the college football game, so forth and so on. Is it a continous, falll over everybody, spilling beer everywhere kind of cruise. NO....Most folks are just out to have a good time and the heaviest drinking I've found are in the nightclubs, later in the evening. Avoiding those kinds of people is same whether you're on land or sea.

 

I took my father, who is a minister, on a cruise and he found nothing to be troublesome or that interferred with his ability to have a good time. You're absolutely right, a cruise is what you make it, so don't let someone else ruin it for you!

 

I don't like drunks getting into my space or face and with the exception of passing one or two along the way, I have not found any problems on either line. I don't frequent the nightclubs often and have found them to filled with people just wanting to have a good time. Unless you experience something extraordinary, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Don't let the worry bring you down either!

[bobbyleduck]

Nice catch... I meant I'd rather strangle myself with the sweater tied around the neck of an "upscale cruise line cruiser" than NOT cruise Carnival :D

 

That's better! Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob

 

P.S. Carnival was fun 19 years ago, 12 years ago, and 10 years ago. I expect it will be fun in September as well.