Nicest carnival Ship?

[DeRon]

I've only sailed on 1 Carnival years ago. Since I have been with Princess/Celebrity/RCCL, and we are considering tryng Carnival.

 

What do you think is the nicest Carnival ship...for those who have been on several?

[*Mach*]

Nicest? I think the most attractive is probably the Dream. My favorite, however, is the Conquest. The theme of the design is Impressionist Artists and she's loaded with gorgeous reproductions...

:)

[firefly333]

I think "nicest" is relative.. my favorite is Ecstasy, never had a bad cruise and service is always excellent. Good reason this ship wins awards as the favorite Carnival ship (crystal award).

 

Maybe you could tell us what you mean by nice.. Dream is the newest ship .. does that make it nicer?? Only if you prefer more crowds and a enlarged Conquest design.

 

Some might say nicest means the best waterpark. I really am not sure what a nice ship would be? I have enjoyed Triumph, but it lacks extra food venues, even little Ecstasy has. The most food venues?

[JerrynClaire]

My vote also goes out to Conquest. My second choice would be Fantasy. She is the oldest ship in the fleet and still as beautiful as ever!

[Tapi]

If you are asking for "nicest" as in "most tastefully decorated", our favorite is the Liberty. The theme is European Artists, with muted and toned down colors throughout. The atrium is inspired in a Mediterranean villa, with wrought iron columns and lighting fixtures. You can also find rich woods, art commissioned by local artists specifically for this ship, as well as Murano chandeliers.

 

We've sailed on her twice, and both cruises have been delightful. Great ship, crew, and itineraries..

[mrs141]

I think "nicest" is relative.. my favorite is Ecstasy, never had a bad cruise and service is always excellent. Good reason this ship wins awards as the favorite Carnival ship (crystal award).

 

Maybe you could tell us what you mean by nice.. Dream is the newest ship .. does that make it nicer?? Only if you prefer more crowds and a enlarged Conquest design.

 

Some might say nicest means the best waterpark. I really am not sure what a nice ship would be? I have enjoyed Triumph, but it lacks extra food venues, even little Ecstasy has. The most food venues?

 

I would also agree about the Dream. I went on it last year and it was insane with the crowds. There was one day we went chair hunting and just said screw it, we layed our towels on the floor and got some sun. The food and service was good but its not my favorite ship. I am looking forward to the Magic in May. I really liked the Freedom and the Legend.

 

What do you think of the Destiny?

[firefly333]

I would also agree about the Dream. I went on it last year and it was insane with the crowds. There was one day we went chair hunting and just said screw it, we layed our towels on the floor and got some sun. The food and service was good but its not my favorite ship. I am looking forward to the Magic in May. I really liked the Freedom and the Legend.

 

What do you think of the Destiny?

 

I havent been on Destiny, but they built Triumph next, and said it was a new class, but I believe they are close, Triumph just is a tiny bit larger. Its very toned down. Lots of black marble, some little white lights. The only christmas type lights were strung in the casino, and it was Dec, so I didnt know the first time if they were for christmas.

 

The theme is the world I think, as there are flat art work of renditions of a flat view of a globe. They have this theme on the ceilings in the promenade and I think its beautiful and the glass art work at the aft end of the promenade. The seats at the casino bar have the same theme and the tables along the windows too. Its a great promenade. The best Iv seen.

 

But they dont have Mongolian BBQ or the rotissie chicken, which is my favorite lunch... thats my only negative. Im thinking they will get something their dry dock later this year.

 

I lost count. Iv been on Triumph 4 or 5 times now and always a good cruise. One was really special, we got to watch the Saints on the big screen and the fun farewell party aftwerwards from a winning game was such a fun day.

 

Oh yea.. Triumph does have the big screen for those into that. Im kinda ambivalent on it. It was nice for the football game though.

[mrs141]

No Mongolian BBQ :( That's the first thing I make a beeline for when I get on the ship lol. I can live with that. Triumph sounds like a nice ship. Thank you for the information. I've heard people say they really like the Destiny. I haven't been on it yet.

[tomsmom]

We have like each of the Carnival ships that we have been on. It was very nice to be on the Paradise when it was smoke free.

[mjl1960]

The nicest ship would be the one that I am on...period.

[DeRon]

I think "nicest" is relative.. my favorite is Ecstasy, never had a bad cruise and service is always excellent. Good reason this ship wins awards as the favorite Carnival ship (crystal award).

 

Maybe you could tell us what you mean by nice.. Dream is the newest ship .. does that make it nicer?? Only if you prefer more crowds and a enlarged Conquest design.

 

Some might say nicest means the best waterpark. I really am not sure what a nice ship would be? I have enjoyed Triumph, but it lacks extra food venues, even little Ecstasy has. The most food venues?

 

Fair enough...my "nicest" comment is a bit vague. Here is what I call nice (for me): crowds not a problem, good food/restaurants, more upscale vs cheap feeling, plenty of room around chairs, and just a better overall cruise.

[G'ma]

I've only sailed on 1 Carnival years ago. Since I have been with Princess/Celebrity/RCCL, and we are considering tryng Carnival.

 

What do you think is the nicest Carnival ship...for those who have been on several?

 

My favorite ship is always the one I'm on...

 

Seriously.

 

I do like the Liberty, Miracle, Fascination and (now) the Pride, however and find myself checking those prices first....but I've never found a ship I didn't love....truly.

[victoryred]

If you are asking for "nicest" as in "most tastefully decorated", our favorite is the Liberty. The theme is European Artists, with muted and toned down colors throughout. The atrium is inspired in a Mediterranean villa, with wrought iron columns and lighting fixtures. You can also find rich woods, art commissioned by local artists specifically for this ship, as well as Murano chandeliers.

 

We've sailed on her twice, and both cruises have been delightful. Great ship, crew, and itineraries..

 

I agree with Tapi! Liberty hands down!

[frazzledrazzle16]

Fair enough...my "nicest" comment is a bit vague. Here is what I call nice (for me): crowds not a problem, good food/restaurants, more upscale vs cheap feeling, plenty of room around chairs, and just a better overall cruise.

 

In terms of layout/design/crowds, you may want to stick to a Spirit class ship. I have never felt crowded on them and there is good flow to it (the decks run all the way fwd/aft as opposed to some of the other Carnival ships where you have to go up or down a floor in some areas to stay on the same deck).

 

Personally, my favorite hands down is the Miracle... I think the decor is beautiful througout the ship, however the only area that some people are put off by is the dining room. The theme is Bacchus and it has a lot of purple "grape" lights throughout the space (kindly referred to as "skittles on steroids"). :)

[elcuchio24]

Liberty

[luvmysox1]

The prettiest ship I've been on is Elation. My favorite ship was Triumph or Victory, both the same class ship.

[Tapi]

..more upscale vs cheap feeling...

 

In general, I wouldn't call Carnival ships "upscale" or "elegant". Glitzy is a better word to describe what you'll find. While some, like the Liberty, are more toned down, others are over the top.

 

Decoration aside, Carnival delivers quite a bit of "bang for your buck". Nice cabins, decent food, and a pretty long list of daily activities (which tend to be more on the "fun" side, like Hairy Chest Contests, Bartending competitions, Karaeoke, etc).

 

In my opinion, if you're trying to avoid a "cheap feeling" cruise, don't take one of the older Fantasy class ships built in the early 90's. They do have that "cheap Vegas hotel, neon sign" feel. Also, because they are normally used for short, inexpensive cruises out of "drive-to" ports, they attract many fellow cruisers looking for a good bargain, and not so much interested in an upscale experience...

[DeRon]

Triumph and Conquest, etc...aren't those super crowded??

[Tapi]

Triumph and Conquest, etc...aren't those super crowded??

 

Here's the space-passenger ratio for these ships, as well as some of the ones you've cruised in the past. Space-passenger ratio is a better indicator of how "crowded" they should feel:

 

(The lower the number, the more crowded it is. These are based on double occupancy:)

 

• Carnival Triumph: 39
  
• Carnival Conquest: 37
  
• Freedom of the Seas: 43
  
• Caribbean Princess: 36
  
• Celebrity Millenium: 44
  
• Disney Wonder: 47
  
• Star Princess: 42
  
• Grandeur of the Seas: 38
  
• Carnival Sensation: 34
  

[nytonowhere]

In general, I wouldn't call Carnival ships "upscale" or "elegant". Glitzy is a better word to describe what you'll find. While some, like the Liberty, are more toned down, others are over the top.

 

Decoration aside, Carnival delivers quite a bit of "bang for your buck". Nice cabins, decent food, and a pretty long list of daily activities (which tend to be more on the "fun" side, like Hairy Chest Contests, Bartending competitions, Karaeoke, etc).

 

In my opinion, if you're trying to avoid a "cheap feeling" cruise, don't take one of the older Fantasy class ships built in the early 90's. They do have that "cheap Vegas hotel, neon sign" feel. Also, because they are normally used for short, inexpensive cruises out of "drive-to" ports, they attract many fellow cruisers looking for a good bargain, and not so much interested in an upscale experience...

 

 

So weird you say that because i was just thinking about this today i was looking at pics of the Disney Dream and i was just blown away from how beautiful it is down to every little detail its gorgeous, upscale and classy i feel like i might not even be fancy enough to walk on, just the atrium chandelier blows my mind. While carnival is just kinda..glitzy verging on tacky..but i get a kick out of that too when i walked on the Victory i was like WTH this is hilarious just so over the top, i mean the dining room with those mermen and mermaids..wow, and after looking at peoples reviews w/ pics i cant believe their are carnival ships out there even more over the top, but i guess thats the carnival style. I guess both ships on either end have that "WOW" factor.

[5waldos]

Carnival is indeed glitzy and not to be taken completely seriously in its decorations as far as I am concerned. More fun than glamorous or classy. Supposed to make you smile rather than be awed- at least that is my take. And I loved the Elation- maybe because it was my first one.

[cruisekwazee]

My favorite decor so far has been the Liberty.....but I love em all!!!

[DeRon]

Here's the space-passenger ratio for these ships, as well as some of the ones you've cruised in the past. Space-passenger ratio is a better indicator of how "crowded" they should feel:

 

(The lower the number, the more crowded it is. These are based on double occupancy:)

 

• Carnival Triumph: 39
  
• Carnival Conquest: 37
  
• Freedom of the Seas: 43
  
• Caribbean Princess: 36
  
• Celebrity Millenium: 44
  
• Disney Wonder: 47
  
• Star Princess: 42
  
• Grandeur of the Seas: 38
  
• Carnival Sensation: 34
  

 

Thank you for this...but Freedom and the Millenium seemed a TON more crowded to me than the Star. ?? Maybe just the layout. And truthfully, I judge the crowdedness of how easy to get 2 chairs around the pool...ha!

[Tapi]

Thank you for this...but Freedom and the Millenium seemed a TON more crowded to me than the Star. ?? Maybe just the layout. And truthfully, I judge the crowdedness of how easy to get 2 chairs around the pool...ha!

 

These numbers are based on double occupancy. If for a particular sailing there are many families occupying 3rd and 4th berths, then the ship will feel more crowded as you mentioned.

 

We experienced this on the Carnival Liberty. One time we sailed off season, another time during Thanksgiving. Needless to say, the lines at the buffet as well as to tender ashore were much longer on the Thanksgiving sailing. Still a great time, but we had to "time" our visits to the buffet so that they wouldn't coincide with the mad rush during breakfast and lunch...

[DeRon]

The most crowded ship ever for us was the Freedom of the Seas. RCCL lost us forever on that cruise...ugh. Buffets were impossible...pools too