Say What You Want About Carnival...

[thesmiths]

I have done 6 all on Carnival, cruise number 7 will be my first on another line Royal to Alaska in 84 days and then back to Carnival for the Victory out of San Juan again, can't wait.

 

Why the switch for this cruise?

I'm going to book an Alaskan and was just curious?

[Ready 2 Go]

Or a full blown snob fest! I mean if you are that well off why don't you have your own yacht and staff??

 

 

I agree, I asked that on another post as well. Personally, just because I have the means to spend money on a more expensive cruise doesn't mean its necessary to do so to have a good time.

[Ready 2 Go]

Just curious, but isn't Princess owned by Carnival Corp.????

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

As you can tell by my signature, we've been on several CCL cruises and have NEVER seen drunken, obnoxious behavior.

I'm not saying it doesn't exist ..just that we've not been witness to it. ...

 

The only rude behavior that I have witnessed (that really stood out) has been on Carnival, though they make up a majority of our cruising past.

 

Easily 3-4 times I have seen people playing BJ in the casino using profanity (any word you can think of) towards the (usually female) dealers. I have seen the pit boss jump in and try to nip it in the bud. Twice I had to make requests of fellow players to watch their language, as Cheryl was sitting right next to me. We are not puritans, but I feel certain behavior is to be expected in public, and even more so in mixed company.

 

We have witnessed a couple of fights on Carnival - once when we were in the Owner's Suite (I believe it was the Sensation). It was late night and we heard a commotion outside our bedroom window. Looking down onto the Lido deck we saw an older man kicking the crap out of a younger guy. The younger guy was on the ground and was getting it in the face. We called security and just looked at each other in amazement. Another time (Fantasy class ship again -- short sailings, somewhat rowdier tendencies I suppose) we were in our cabin and had neighbors who fought (verbally at least). On more than one occasion we could hear the guy pounding on the door to get into the cabin -- screaming F-you this and such at the top of his lungs... nice! I have been on the receiving end (multiple times) of glaring stares from people waiting in the line at Guest Services when I have walked up and utilized the Platinum/Concierge line. Even being told once that "we must think we're special or something". Some people need to get out more!! :rolleyes:

 

That's not to say that behavior such as this does not occur on other lines, we have simply not witnessed it. So, from our perspective, there is a higher chance that you'll witness something unpleasant on Carnival than on NCL or Celebrity. I am working at increasing our sampling of those lines so that my opinion is more statistically relevant! :D

 

Tom

[fergusonvt]

I agree, I asked that on another post as well. Personally, just because I have the means to spend money on a more expensive cruise doesn't mean its necessary to do so to have a good time.

 

 

Exactly and if I can cruise twice on a cheaper line and still have a great time I'd always choose cruising twice over one more expensive cruise.

[elgato2]

That's funny...differences in experiences I mean...

The rudest people we ever encountered were on a Repo cruise w/NCL

The only fights we've ever witnessed were one on X and one on NCL some years ago.

That being said, I will never disclude a cruise line based on a few experiences that the ship has little control over.

Customer service is a biggie for us and right now CCL is at the top of our list.

Food quality and service is too...but we've experienced a decline in that across the board of all lines so for now..since we live in FL, CCL is our choice.

[texasmelrose2]

Haven't seen a full blown drunk fest yet!

 

That's great. Not sure why Carnival gets this rep...I can see Spring Break time but wouldn't that be the case on any cruise during spring break? (Except maybe Disney...)

[texasmelrose2]

Or a full blown snob fest! I mean if you are that well off why don't you have your own yacht and staff??

 

Now wouldn't that be nice. :D

[Isasprings]

Okay..we've been on many cruises..and Just My Opinion:

Carnival has the BEST price points and is the BEST value for the $!

Maybe some are more luxurious..maybe some have a little better food or are more elegant... BUT...

I just made some calls regarding a cruise we recently booked.

I spoke to the most friendly, helpful people re: two different concerns..one was a price reduction..one was casino credit.

We have consistently had great experiences with CCL from the organization at embarkation through to debark and in between.

Customer service is still #1 in my book...

I will always choose CCL over other lines!

I agree with you.But RCI and Hal are not bad my problem is all like

all cruise lines:)LOL

[geoherb]

Just curious, but isn't Princess owned by Carnival Corp.????

Yes, but each cruise line in Carnival Corp. is a separate brand. Think of it like General Motors. You could buy a Chevy when you're young, trade up to Buick when you were middle aged, and then to Cadillac when you were old and wealthy. Think of Carnival as the Chevy of Carnival Corp., Princess and Holland America as the Buick, and Cunard as the Cadillac.

[ilionite65]

Wait are there other cruise lines besides Carnival? LOL! :p

 

Not for people with their heads in the sand, or with blinders on!

[UATLB]

been on

8 carnival

1 princess

3 ncl

1 royal

 

and think carnival is the best bank for my buck!! have only had 1 complaint on carnival so we very happy with them and recommend them to everyone

[richstowe]

Not for people with their heads in the sand, or with blinders on!

Weren't you the troll that posted

"

Because some day, when I feel like slimming it I may go for that cheap product you all so adore and book a carnival cruise. NOT! I come here to post my opinion, just like the rest of you do. "

 

in another thread? Glad to see you are consistent in your nonsense.

[Socref124]

While I understand Cruise Critic's "raison d'etre" is to provide a forum where everyone can make their comments both pro and con.....it does seem that negative reviews of Carnival, be they focused on the ships, the food, the clientele, what have you outweigh the positives like the OPs. So much so that I keep second guessing my upcoming 4th cruise on Legend. So I'm so happy the OP posted these thoughts!!

 

I don't know what you are reading, but, I do not believe there are more negative reviews than postive.

[sharecruises]

Some reviews are just stupid....written by people who are so totally uninformed....I loved the review by the "doctor" who was furious that his 6 month old baby was not allowed in the pools or hot tubs LOL:D

 

I have been on various cruise lines and found them mostly pretty much alike, some better than others at times...but all good

 

I have even been on MSC 2x , it gets bad reviews, first cruise I had a lot of "admin" type problems, group problems and it was first cruise out of Florida so some other food service problems. But my 2nd cruise with them in Feb 2012 I rated 5 stars...it was great, especially for the price

 

I have only had ONE bad (horrible) cruise with Carnival on the Destiny...horrible service, customer service, crappy cabin with a busted old tv that plopped on the dresser that prevented me from using the phone:eek:, before that I had a mediocre cruise on Destiny...it is not a ship I would return to, not without it gutted and redone

 

BUT....all my other Carnival cruises have been great.

 

I think a LOT of people here have unrealistic expectations. They also nit pick and obssess about their cruise...in real life NO one cares about what you wear to dinner so much, I never met anyone who "decorates their balcony with Christmas lights"...no one I know brings "treats" for cabin attendents....this is all obsessive complulsive nonsense promoted on these boards.

 

And while I love Carnival I don't feel I have to put down other lines or be "loyal" and I am not "loyal to Royal" either. These are vacation choices....and products. I am a happy consumer but I am not obsessed by them. I have seen pics of fools with a Royal Caribbean tatoo...OMG

 

Gee I really enjoyed the Admiral cruise line years ago but I am glad I didn't get a tatoo of it, they went out of biz, LOL

[MsTabbyKats]

Why I like Carnival:

 

1. I don't have to dress up and pretend that I am going to a banquet at the palace

 

2. Never had a problem with customer service

 

3. Never had a problem with the staff (even if they don't know my name)

 

4. Get away from dealing with snobs

 

5. Unbelievable choices of food

 

6. Decent entertainment

 

Bottom line....look at the ridiculously low price one pays for transportation, entertainment and food!

 

BTW-I'm one of those people who could afford "the luxury lines"...but why pay more, when the only real difference would be the things I prefer to avoid (the snobs and dragging all kinds of clothing & shoes to fit in)

 

As far as I'm concerned....you get a lot more than you paid for on Carnival

[tandemcruzr]

... I keep second guessing my upcoming 4th cruise on Legend. So I'm so happy the OP posted these thoughts!!

 

We were just on the Legend for the 4th time this past January. No need for second thoughts. Service, rooms, food were all good for us.

[Musky Ike]

For us, it's itinerary first, price is a close second, then the atmosphere of the ship or line third. Carnival usually comes out ahead on price, but sometimes the other factors combine to outweigh that, if the price is close.