Is Carnival really a low income cruise line?

[dhkhth]

After reading this post I started really thinking about what cruise line was my favorite, what ship was my favorite, etc. I have to say there is no favorite cruise line for me. I have been on Princess Grand, NCL Dream, Carnival Dream, soon to be Carnival Legend. My favorite ship was the Grand I think only because it was my first. I have read that Carnival likes to nickel and dime you. Well the 3 cruise lines I have been on they all did!!

To the OP, enjoy your vacation do not worry about what friends say or what others say on posts about bad experiences. You may have a bad experience with something just like you would have any other vacation spot weather it is a cruise or a resort. My feeling for food is, if it is comparable with Mcdonalds and I am not cooking it it will be just fine for me. If it is better then Mcdonalds then that is a plus for a great vacation.

I have read a couple of books on how the crew works. LONG Hours and they are away from family for a long time. If they are not smiling that is ok. I will smile and hope his day gets better. I know I appreciate everything the crew is doing to make this a great vacation.

[Philly Steve]

We're taking our first Carnival cruise in about a decade. I'm looking forward to packing light and enjoying a more casual vacation. :)

[buddylover]

Well what I mean is the differance small things, you dont see the designer clothes, more kids which is expected and I dont have a problem with, there is a broader range of people on these ship, sets of teeth missing (I kid you not), table manners, more of a party crowd. Just to name a few.

 

Also people tend to throw other peoples stuff overboard if you chair hog is what I came to find out yesterday on a chair hog post on here. Just and example Ive never seen it. Who in their right mind does that?

 

Beg to differ with you....think those of us who have upscale clothing would be offended by your assuming remark, but maybe you don't know what "designer clothes" are???

As for the "more kids" comment, it all depends on when you travel. At school vacation times (Thanksgiving, X-Mas, Spring Break, summer) yes, there are more kids, but NOT at the other times. Have you been on any other cruise lines??? RCI is filled with kids??

"Sets of teeth missing" ..... REALLY?? I have NEVER seen a ship full of people with teeth missing, much less 1 single person on any CCL cruise we have been on....Yes, there is a broad range of folks cruising on CCL, but so was there on RCI , Princess and Disney when we cruised them too!!

To condemn and classify an entire cruising population with the kinds of comments you have made seems narrow minded, unjust and just plain incorrect! Check out the other cruise lines demographics, you may change your opinions drastically.

[mousey]

No one is throwing people's stuff overboard! That OP on the other thread the poster is talking about was just trying to make a point. Sometimes I wonder why some posters say such ridiculous things. To say that people who cruise on Carnival are low class and missing teeth is so lame you just have to laugh!:D

[maggy387]

We have ten Carnival cruises and we are middle class - you might see some of what you were referring to but 98% of Carnival is great (or we would have tried something else) There are lots of people having a lot of fun - if it is your type of fun join in but if not there are plenty of other choices - we cant wait from cruise to cruise and would not go with anyone but Carnival (we are a couple in our 50's but I have taken my 13 year old grandson and he also loves it

[pauleydm]

I have only been on Carnival and I have always had a great time. The thing I like about cruises is that there is a cabin and price point for most people, whether it is an inside cabin or the Presidential Suite. So no matter what cruise line you go on, you will find people of all financial backgrounds on the ship that are there to have a great vacation.:)

[pauleydm]

Well said, trust me we are far from snobby people but at the same time I don't want to be around people cussing and getting drunk, etc etc.

 

I am not so much worried about it but my other half is now JUST because we are a Interracial Marriage. Have you guys noticed other similiar couples on the cruise?

 

The ships are big enough that you will always have a place to go if you were to encounter people not behaving their best. That being said, I have not experienced people getting too out of hand on a Carnival Cruise.

 

As far as your marriage, I really don't think people will have any issues with you being in an interracial relationship. You will see all walks of life on the ship and that everyone is there to have a great vacation. :)

[Spring1onu]

Like :)

 

Another LIKE!

 

We will cruise whatever line we can afford and the itineraries that appeal to us.

 

Personally, I don't cruise to dress up everyday. I follow the dress code and while I don't don a cocktail dress and stilletos for elegant night, and my dude doesnt rock a tux, we still clean up pretty nice.

 

Making more or having more $ doesn't exactly mean people have more class or respect for others.

 

We thought our cruise on carnival was well worth it and the fact we didn't break the bank was icing on the cake!

 

We work hard for our money - just like anyone else - and are careful where we spend it. We love to be social, meet new people, relax, enjoy a nice meal, have a few drinks, laugh, and explore new places. We achieved that on our cruise.

 

OP enjoy your cruise! Hope u have a fabulous time!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[killian25]

I really need some feedback on this topic. Me and the misses were discussing a cruise that we booked with some friends last night and heard more than I expected in the negative field about Carnival.

 

I have no opinion as I have never cruised before on ANY cruise line but they way they explained to me on several situations how they were treated and also the class of people on board. I am not rich by any means but we did book a very nice 7 day trip for 2 just under $5k (which I thought I was really going all in).

 

Not sure if many of you guys have experienced Walmart at 11pm-4am, if you haven't, it's more than your human eyes can bear.

 

Hope I booked the right cruise. :mad:

 

BTW, it is the Magic that we booked. AND they told us we should have booked Celebrity. :confused::confused:

 

 

I will be honest the wife and I are far from low income and we take CC no problem. A few years back all we cruised was RC but we cruise CC with no issues at all. Is CC perfect no not at all but for the $$$ I think its a great deal and cruise. If you are looking for something real fancy then maybe you should cruise another Cruise line but I think you will be happy.

But don't try them thinking that the people on the cruises are low income becasue to be real honest I thought the same thing my 1st Carnival cruise....I think its for all budgets.

[jillmom2]

I have only been on Carnival and I have always had a great time. The thing I like about cruises is that there is a cabin and price point for most people, whether it is an inside cabin or the Presidential Suite. So no matter what cruise line you go on, you will find people of all financial backgrounds on the ship that are there to have a great vacation.:)

 

 

I totally agree with you ..I have enjoyed all my cruises no matter what line...and even though I can afford more "upscale" lines..I enjoy value..and I usually book a suite on Carnival for the price of a standard room on other lines...which is a win/win for me!...it all depends on how people view spending their vacation $$ Aside from the $$ spent for cost of the cruise..all other experiences and fellow passengers were similar on all cruises...very good people..and a few jerks now and then...didn't matter what cruise line it was with..enjoy your vacation...ignore the rest..

[greatam]

I really don't think Low Income people have money to spend on a cruise. Iwould say it's more middle class, not the rich snooty types !!! Just my opinion.

 

Take a look at the new laws in both Arizona and Nevada. California has not made a law yet BUT all three states have had a LOT of welfare money used on cruise ships. 2011-Calfornia had over $160,000 used on cruise ships via welfare debit cards. They now ban use of welfare debit cards on cruise ships but have not made a law banning use in other places where welfare debit cards SHOULD NOT be used.

 

Arizona and Nevada have actually put in laws BANNING use of welfare debit cards for anything other than fast food, groceries, utility bills, gas, car payments and car insurance. Get caught using your welfare debit card at a hotel, casino, restaurant (NOT fast food), cruise ship or amusement park and you are OFF welfare unless you can repay the amount of your debit within 30 days. AND you will thoroughly investigated to make sure your application is correct and correctly reflects the income of the household.

[Cruzface]

Just off the Carnival Dream and we had a great time. Saw some of the best entertainment (lazer show was awesome). Comedy club is excellent. Food is better than RC by a long shot. People are the same. You will see drunks and jerks on any cruise. Only obnoxious guy we saw was on the first day. He was drunk by sail away, went to the muster drunk and constantly talked. Also had his life jacket on with the light blinking. LOL. We never saw him again after that. We met great people from all walks of life and most importantly, our kids had a blast and made many new friends.

Maybe when you go on your cruise you will make new friends who aren't so stuck up and judgmental.

[Sorin174]

Last year my wife and I took a cruise on Norwegian, after a few days we were discussing with some people we met that we had decide that we liked Carnival better. Well, I couldn't believe the reaction we got from that couple and others we later had similar conversations with! I couldn't get over the opinion some people had of Carnival and I couldn't understand it!

We have sailed with Carnival 3 times and have been 100% satisfied every time. We have always had spectacular service from everyone on board, and have always been very pleased with the food. My wife and I make very good money and we could afford to spend a lot more money on our cruises but frankly we don't see any need to, we are now loyal to Carnival.

To the OP, I think the people running down Carnival have never even been on a cruise with them. We have met great people on all of our cruises, and met some great people working on these ships. I think you will be quite happy with your cruise, so don't listen to what these people are saying and have fun and relax!

[jonbgd]

Maybe when you go on your cruise you will make new friends who aren't so stuck up and judgmental.

 

I would never cruise with someone like you. I can already tell i dont like you as your a NYGiants fan:eek: IM JK Congrats on SB

 

 

I will say the cruisers are less snobby on CCL than on some of the other lines. Not much difference between the cruisers on NCL/CCL/RCL

[lizjoemom]

Last year my wife and I took a cruise on Norwegian, after a few days we were discussing with some people we met that we had decide that we liked Carnival better. Well, I couldn't believe the reaction we got from that couple and others we later had similar conversations with! I couldn't get over the opinion some people had of Carnival and I couldn't understand it!

We have sailed with Carnival 3 times and have been 100% satisfied every time. We have always had spectacular service from everyone on board, and have always been very pleased with the food. My wife and I make very good money and we could afford to spend a lot more money on our cruises but frankly we don't see any need to, we are now loyal to Carnival.

To the OP, I think the people running down Carnival have never even been on a cruise with them. We have met great people on all of our cruises, and met some great people working on these ships. I think you will be quite happy with your cruise, so don't listen to what these people are saying and have fun and relax!

 

I agree, Carnival beats Norwegian hands down, at least the new Norwegian. We used to sail NCL in the old days before Freestyle cruising and it was excellent, but now, I thought the last one we went on was terrible. The food, the service and the entertainment, Carnival blew them out of the water in every category. I dont know from upper class, lower class, blah, blah, blah. I dont so much judge the ship on who is on the ship as HOW the ship is-servicewise, foodwise, etc....

[newbieMom]

Take a look at the new laws in both Arizona and Nevada. California has not made a law yet BUT all three states have had a LOT of welfare money used on cruise ships. 2011-Calfornia had over $160,000 used on cruise ships via welfare debit cards. They now ban use of welfare debit cards on cruise ships but have not made a law banning use in other places where welfare debit cards SHOULD NOT be used.

 

Arizona and Nevada have actually put in laws BANNING use of welfare debit cards for anything other than fast food, groceries, utility bills, gas, car payments and car insurance. Get caught using your welfare debit card at a hotel, casino, restaurant (NOT fast food), cruise ship or amusement park and you are OFF welfare unless you can repay the amount of your debit within 30 days. AND you will thoroughly investigated to make sure your application is correct and correctly reflects the income of the household.

 

Awesome!

[kayhold]

Take a look at the new laws in both Arizona and Nevada. California has not made a law yet BUT all three states have had a LOT of welfare money used on cruise ships. 2011-Calfornia had over $160,000 used on cruise ships via welfare debit cards. They now ban use of welfare debit cards on cruise ships but have not made a law banning use in other places where welfare debit cards SHOULD NOT be used.

 

Arizona and Nevada have actually put in laws BANNING use of welfare debit cards for anything other than fast food, groceries, utility bills, gas, car payments and car insurance. Get caught using your welfare debit card at a hotel, casino, restaurant (NOT fast food), cruise ship or amusement park and you are OFF welfare unless you can repay the amount of your debit within 30 days. AND you will thoroughly investigated to make sure your application is correct and correctly reflects the income of the household.

 

You need a new news source.

The amount was $16,000 that was used on cruise ships.

[greatam]

You need a new news source.

The amount was $16,000 that was used on cruise ships.

 

Better read the whole report direct from the State of CA website, not just the headlines from the news. $16,000 was pulled from ATM's ON CRUISE SHIPS (not just used on cruise ships). Another 1.5 MILLION of Calif welfare money from debit cards was used in Florida of which the State Comptroller determined AT LEAST another $100,000 was pulled from ATM's within 1 mile of the cruise ports.

 

In the footnotes, the Comptroller extrapolates that $100,000 went directly ONTO cruise ships. Evidently, from reading the footnotes, the State sent an investigative team to Florida and about 95% of the ATMS where money was pulled within the 1 mile radius were DIRECTLY in line with the path to the cruise ships.

[kayhold]

Better read the whole report direct from the State of CA website, not just the headlines from the news. $16,000 was pulled from ATM's ON CRUISE SHIPS (not just used on cruise ships). Another 1.5 MILLION of Calif welfare money from debit cards was used in Florida of which the State Comptroller determined AT LEAST another $100,000 was pulled from ATM's within 1 mile of the cruise ports.

 

In the footnotes, the Comptroller extrapolates that $100,000 went directly ONTO cruise ships. Evidently, from reading the footnotes, the State sent an investigative team to Florida and about 95% of the ATMS where money was pulled within the 1 mile radius were DIRECTLY in line with the path to the cruise ships.

 

I googled but can't find the link anymore, do you have it handy?

When I read it last year, it was stating that the money was spent out of state, and there was no proof as to where the majority was spent - only out of state. ATMS being used ion a tourist area NEAR a cruise ship mean nothing more than people vacationed there, imo. Key West would be an example of this - its a high tourist area and it doesn't mean people using ATMs there were on a cruise.

But as I also said, I'd like to re-read the article if you have it handy because it was easily a year ago.

[lil nemo]

we started our cruising life on Carnival 15 some years ago. but haven't been back to carnival in about 10 years, we have crusied since almost yearly, we have done Carnival, RCI, Norwegian, Princess,western itin. eastern& soutern carib, exotic soutern, exotic easteran, and a Mediterran.

 

All crusies service all kinds, the snobbist.. hands down wannabe Princess crusielines.

We found this time (and I think it depends on what time of year u cruise) Carnival was dominated by 55 plus, but hey 70 is the new 60 so they were all there and ready to have some fun! Economy of a carnival probably was a draw, many multi generational groups also,

 

carnival, over all this time met my expectations. My young adults had a goodtime also.

[greatam]

I googled but can't find the link anymore, do you have it handy?

When I read it last year, it was stating that the money was spent out of state, and there was no proof as to where the majority was spent - only out of state. ATMS being used ion a tourist area NEAR a cruise ship mean nothing more than people vacationed there, imo. Key West would be an example of this - its a high tourist area and it doesn't mean people using ATMs there were on a cruise.

But as I also said, I'd like to re-read the article if you have it handy because it was easily a year ago.

 

There was 69 MILLION spent out of the State of CA between 2007-2010 using ATM welfare debit cards. If you are so poor that you are getting CA welfare, what are you doing OUT of the State of CA except for emergencies-funerals/hospitalization of family members?

 

What would you be doing in Key West (WELL more than a mile radius of the cruise ports in FLL or MIA) or Disneyworld or Orlando or any of the other "touristy" places in Florida with your California welfare debit card??? Scamming the system, most likely.

 

The info I posted was not from an "article". It was from the State of CA report after hearings on the misuse of welfare debit cards. It was after the CA hearing that the States of AZ and Nevada wrote the laws about using welfare debit cards for anything OTHER than necessities.

 

PS-there is NOTHING touristy anyplace close to Port Everglades within the radius the investigators looked at. But there IS a convenience store/gas station by the rental car places, all within a few blocks of the cruise terminal. Hmmm, why would someone be using their welfare debit card in a non touristy location very close to the cruise port??? Something for you to ponder all day long.

[kayhold]

There was 69 MILLION spent out of the State of CA between 2007-2010 using ATM welfare debit cards. If you are so poor that you are getting CA welfare, what are you doing OUT of the State of CA except for emergencies-funerals/hospitalization of family members?

 

What would you be doing in Key West (WELL more than a mile radius of the cruise ports in FLL or MIA) or Disneyworld or Orlando or any of the other "touristy" places in Florida with your California welfare debit card??? Scamming the system, most likely.

 

The info I posted was not from an "article". It was from the State of CA report after hearings on the misuse of welfare debit cards. It was after the CA hearing that the States of AZ and Nevada wrote the laws about using welfare debit cards for anything OTHER than necessities.

 

PS-there is NOTHING touristy anyplace close to Port Everglades within the radius the investigators looked at. But there IS a convenience store/gas station by the rental car places, all within a few blocks of the cruise terminal. Hmmm, why would someone be using their welfare debit card in a non touristy location very close to the cruise port??? Something for you to ponder all day long.

 

Excuse me - even though I thought I was clear - do you have a link to the REPORT handy, because I can't find it anymore.

 

And please show me where I said any of it was okay?

As for why people would be out of the state, I'm sure some people were abusing the system, sure. But that doesn't mean everyone. I often pay for my sister and her kids to join us on vacation, because she can't afford to go otherwise. Just because someone on welfare is going on a vacation, does not really mean they are doing so on the governments dime. What is a family member paid for it, and they NEEDED something while on it?

 

 

There is nothing to ponder, I just realize that sometimes, things aren't black and white.

[tracyanns]

I kind of made this point very early on in the post...that people on welfare can afford to cruise because they not only get money from the state to live, but also food stamps, free or very low cost healthcare, free or reduced rent and free or reduced utilites. So, they have plenty of money to other things since those that work are paying for their living expenses.

 

They need to implement that system in NJ. I see so much abuse of this here it is digusting. Drive through a low income or subsidized development around us and you see mostly new cars...and not cheap new cars, Escalades and Navigators, BMWs...I guess if I only paid $200 per month for all of my living expenses I could buy a $50,000 car with no problem too!

 

The systems are completely a joke! People choose to work less so they don't have to pay more. It should be like unemployment...every week you should have to apply for full time jobs...it shouldn't be a choice. They move a boyfriend in that works full time and don't add them so there is an additional income that just gets spent on whatever.

 

What they need to do is PHYSICALLY go to these apartments every few months. See what type of car people have, see how many people are living there and see what type of things they have...sorry, but if you have a 60" flatscreen hanging on your wall you should not be receiving state aid!

 

Also, foodstamps should only be able to be used for certain things, much like WIC. I love going to Sams club and seeing the CARTS of food that they use for this...Soda, Chips, Ice Cream...junk food. Too much sugar or no nutritional value...can't buy it.

 

But my FAVORITE is the fact that when you work all year and pay taxes...a majority of us get back little or none or even owe. Why is it that they get all of these perks and still get a BIG FAT REFUND check for THOUSANDS? AND get to spend it on whatever they want. I

 

If you owe child support or student loans, the government or state will take that money...if you are in subsidized housing or receive assistance, they should take that as well...

 

I don't have or never have had an issue with people that need it, but I know people that need help and can't get it because people that don't need it are in the housing and their are no vacancies...

 

It seems like they make it as hard as possible to get into it, but once you are in, you are in for life.

[Casino Player]

Excuse me - even though I thought I was clear - do you have a link to the REPORT handy, because I can't find it anymore.

 

And please show me where I said any of it was okay?

As for why people would be out of the state, I'm sure some people were abusing the system, sure. But that doesn't mean everyone. I often pay for my sister and her kids to join us on vacation, because she can't afford to go otherwise. Just because someone on welfare is going on a vacation, does not really mean they are doing so on the governments dime. What is a family member paid for it, and they NEEDED something while on it?

 

 

There is nothing to ponder, I just realize that sometimes, things aren't black and white.

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO kayold and everyone else: To put the matter to rest about what kind of people like to cruise on Carnival Cruise Line I saw some people on most every Carnival cruise I was on that appeared to be well off. So much for Carnival being a low class cruise line.

 

We cruise on Carnival because you do get the biggest bang for your dollar on Carnival. Many cruise lines do nickel and dime you a lot. Carnival doesn't. Yes they do have places with a surcharge. However they don't have as many as other cruise lines. Besides the surcharge goes to cover the person who works there since that is the only place where that crew member works and does not share in the general tip fund.

[Cruzface]

I would never cruise with someone like you. I can already tell i dont like you as your a NYGiants fan:eek: IM JK Congrats on SB

 

 

I will say the cruisers are less snobby on CCL than on some of the other lines. Not much difference between the cruisers on NCL/CCL/RCL

 

LOL. I have to admit to being a little obnoxious on our cruise 2 weeks ago. I wore my Giants hat all week and my Cruz'n 80 t-shirt at least 2 days. All the Pats fans must have hated me. All in good fun.