I'm back carnival!!!!

[Avril]

I know that a person (people?) from Carnival read these boards so I just wanted to say that I'M BACK!! :D I wasn't (and still aren't completely) happy with the changes in entertainment (no live band and if so not Caribbean Style/Jimmy Buffett music) on Lido Deck, among other things. :mad: Apparently, no matter how hard I try to avoid them (meaning Carnival), the changes in dining, service, past guest program and enteratinment isn't enough (yet) to keep me away, I want to hate (or at least dislike) Carnival but I just can't, I really love them too much!! But, I wanted to take my boyfriend on his 1st cruise and I couldn't think of another line I wanted to take him on other than Carnival. Apparently, the love affiar isn't over!! :D In fact, I'm missing "my" Fun Ships so much already that I'm dreading my cruise in December on NCL (which I booked to make a point to Carnival - that being I can go with whoever gives me what I want - it's called tough love) because I know I'll be missing and compairing everything to Carnival!! :( Thanks so much Carnival for so much fun with friends and family (and all the friends I've made onboard) and I look forward to many more cruises onboard the "Fun Ships", can't wait for my B2B on Imagination (505 DAYS TIL EMBARKATION)!!!! :D :D

[Georgiagolfer]

I know that a person (people?) from Carnival read these boards so I just wanted to say that I'M BACK!! :D I wasn't (and still aren't completely) happy with the changes in entertainment (no live band and if so not Caribbean Style/Jimmy Buffett music) on Lido Deck, among other things. :mad: Apparently, no matter how hard I try to avoid them (meaning Carnival), the changes in dining, service, past guest program and enteratinment isn't enough (yet) to keep me away, I want to hate (or at least dislike) Carnival but I just can't, I really love them too much!! But, I wanted to take my boyfriend on his 1st cruise and I couldn't think of another line I wanted to take him on other than Carnival. Apparently, the love affiar isn't over!! :D In fact, I'm missing "my" Fun Ships so much already that I'm dreading my cruise in December on NCL (which I booked to make a point to Carnival - that being I can go with whoever gives me what I want - it's called tough love) because I know I'll be missing and compairing everything to Carnival!! :( Thanks so much Carnival for so much fun with friends and family (and all the friends I've made onboard) and I look forward to many more cruises onboard the "Fun Ships", can't wait for my B2B on Imagination (505 DAYS TIL EMBARKATION)!!!! :D :D

 

Why are you dreading a cruise on a line you have never sailed? That is akin to putting a line down you haven't sailed. Take the cruise for what it is "New Years Eve" on a ship with someone you care about. Have a good cruise and be sure to post and give your thoughts when you return in January.

[ATL2LAS]

Remember, The Poseidon Adventure was on New Years Eve...MUAHAHAHAHA:D

[chill6x6]

WOW! I agree with the previous poster... How could you dread a cruise on the Norwegian Epic for New Years??

 

I'm thinking after you get back from that cruise, you may find you have a change of heart. :cool:

[rferr]

Im back too. Quit Carnival for Princess and then later NCL in 99 because I could not stand the dining situation having set times and sitting with other people but now that they have Anytime Dining we are coming back again.

[Avril]

Remember, The Poseidon Adventure was on New Years Eve...MUAHAHAHAHA:D

 

Yep, one of my favourite movies!! I've been on NYE cruises before so it doesn't bother me!! :D

 

WOW! I agree with the previous poster... How could you dread a cruise on the Norwegian Epic for New Years??

 

I'm thinking after you get back from that cruise, you may find you have a change of heart. :cool:

 

I know, I'm probably being silly. I am excited about the cruise :D and trying something new it's just that I know I'll be missing Carnival and be compairing everything to Carnival!! :( The Epic should be awesome though!! :D

[Avril]

Why are you dreading a cruise on a line you have never sailed? That is akin to putting a line down you haven't sailed. Take the cruise for what it is "New Years Eve" on a ship with someone you care about. Have a good cruise and be sure to post and give your thoughts when you return in January.

 

I will, not to worry!! And I won't put NCL down until I've sailed them and only if we have a rotten time (which I doubt we will). I'm going with my Mom and we always have a good time. I'll be soooo excited once it gets here!! :D And I will come back and let you all know what I think, I promise!! :D

[beshears]

Well I hope you and your man enjoy NCL cruise, as we "didn't." We went on the "brand new" Star years ago, and NO ONE was happy with the ship. It may be better now, but then, it was NOT!:(

 

We like Carnival especially because of their room size, and beds/bedding.

[Avril]

Well I hope you and your man enjoy NCL cruise, as we "didn't." We went on the "brand new" Star years ago, and NO ONE was happy with the ship. It may be better now, but then, it was NOT!:(

 

We like Carnival especially because of their room size, and beds/bedding.

 

Oh dear, that's not what I wanted/needed to hear!! :( I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. I hope you have a blast on your next cruise (and all future cruises) with Carnival!!!! :D

And yes, the cabin size and bedding on Carnival is awesome!!!! :D

[mizLORInj]

I've sailed NCL many times and have enjoyed each cruise.

I've sailed Carnival many times and enjoyed each cruise . . .

I think I see a pattern . . .

[Avril]

I've sailed NCL many times and have enjoyed each cruise.

 

I've sailed Carnival many times and enjoyed each cruise . . .

 

I think I see a pattern . . .

 

Good to hear (or should I say read, haha)!! :D Have you been on the Epic? If so, what did you think? What are the similarities and differences between NCL and Carnival?

I've loved all my Carnival cruises as well!! :D

[mousey]

I've sailed both lines and here's my personal opinion.

 

The main differences to me are that on NCL, there are many more restaurants that you have to pay for but I like having more choices. NCL pushes heavy for you to buy drinks. I also like Carnival's MDR food better than NCL's. You don't have a choice on NCL, there are no set dining times, it's all ATD.

 

Having said that, I've never had a bad cruise on either cruise line and I'd sail on either line anytime. For us, what cruise line we sail with is the one that offers the itinerary we want for the least amount of money.

[MrPete]

This kinda reminds me of my first RCCL cruise (I won't comment here on my first and last NCL cruise) where I started off comparing the two lines.

 

I realized quite quickly that I would ruin my cruise going down that path.

 

From there, I change my MO to appreciating the differences, and actually discovering there were more similarities than differences.

 

Ended up loving my cruise, and opened up more ship and itineraries to me.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[iluvdoxies]

Good to hear (or should I say read, haha)!! :D Have you been on the Epic? If so, what did you think? What are the similarities and differences between NCL and Carnival?

I've loved all my Carnival cruises as well!! :D

 

we LOVED the EPIC, puts Carnical to shame.

 

Have done NCL and like it better than CCL !

[treasure4two]

I know that a person (people?) from Carnival read these boards so I just wanted to say that I'M BACK!! :D I wasn't (and still aren't completely) happy with the changes in entertainment (no live band and if so not Caribbean Style/Jimmy Buffett music) on Lido Deck, among other things. :mad: Apparently, no matter how hard I try to avoid them (meaning Carnival), the changes in dining, service, past guest program and enteratinment isn't enough (yet) to keep me away, I want to hate (or at least dislike) Carnival but I just can't, I really love them too much!! But, I wanted to take my boyfriend on his 1st cruise and I couldn't think of another line I wanted to take him on other than Carnival. Apparently, the love affiar isn't over!! :D In fact, I'm missing "my" Fun Ships so much already that I'm dreading my cruise in December on NCL (which I booked to make a point to Carnival - that being I can go with whoever gives me what I want - it's called tough love) because I know I'll be missing and compairing everything to Carnival!! :( Thanks so much Carnival for so much fun with friends and family (and all the friends I've made onboard) and I look forward to many more cruises onboard the "Fun Ships", can't wait for my B2B on Imagination (505 DAYS TIL EMBARKATION)!!!! :D :D

 

 

**

Sadly, I do not think Carnival knew you were gone, but I too am one that does things on principle sometimes. That being said, the cruise is a little about the ship, but most about the person/people you are with!! Hope you are with someone you love and/or have fun with. It is all what YOU make it! Welcome back to Carnival also!!

[dznymom]

Yep, one of my favourite movies!! I've been on NYE cruises before so it doesn't bother me!! :D

 

 

 

I know, I'm probably being silly. I am excited about the cruise :D and trying something new it's just that I know I'll be missing Carnival and be compairing everything to Carnival!! :( The Epic should be awesome though!! :D

 

Well, I just got back from a Carnival cruise and I really missed NCL! I hope you go on the EPIC with an open mind and enjoy everything she has to offer. The experience will be different than Carnival, but that is definitely not a bad thing!!

 

I can't wait to get back on NCL in December :)

[Chigirlcruzin]

I LOVED the Epic...I did two sailings on her within 9 months, including a New Year's Eve cruise. I have a friend that's sailed Epic 4 times in a one year span. There will be lots of kids and families on board which will make the ship more crowded, but that is expected on any ship over the holidays.

[LuckyZ]

I wasn't (and still aren't completely) happy with the changes in entertainment (no live band and if so not Caribbean Style/Jimmy Buffett music) on Lido Deck, among other things. :mad:

 

I think in the near future, Carnival will come to their senses on this one and realize Carribean style live music is synonymous with cruising.

It WILL be back!!!!

[fergusonvt]

Have a great time on your NCL cruise. I bet you will love it. I'm hoping I love Carnival too because it opens up many more options.

[SASA13]

You will love the Epic. It is a "floating Las Vegas".

Having said that, the first time we sailed NCL, all we did was

compare her to CCL. IMO, CCL's cabins are larger. CCL's MDR food

is better, CCL's vibe is better, CCL's guests and staff are friendlier. NCL's buffet is better. The entertainment on NCL's Gem was the same as any CCL ship, but the EPIC has far superior entertainment. As you can see we are sailing the Epic again this December, but our hearts belong to CCL.

Glad you are back to CCL, and glad you are giving the Epic a try :)

[gck1249]

There are good and bad in everything. I love Carnival, it is my favorite line, never had a bad experience. However, if a great deal comes along to try something new I do it.

 

I had that chance last December to go on the Epic and I liked it. Did I love the cabin lay out, no, it is stupid to not have a real bathroom. The cabin is so small you can't get luggage to the other side of the bed when you are bringing it into the cabin. The sink in the middle of the living area, not good. No clue why they wanted water on the floor

 

We enjoyed the entertainment, loved to bowl out at sea, so cool, loved the dueling piano bar, was mellow until midnight and then they say ok put the kiddies to bed, and they rocked, it was funny and a little naughty.

 

Pay the extra money to see the Cirque dinner show, it is well worth it. The main problem with their shows is they rotate, you get tickets to see them each night. Once you have done that the nights can get kinda long. If you eat early and don't go the Casino, there were some nights we had nothing to do. I ended up reading in a real cozy area where there were lots of people with a book, (a little strange to see in the evening) I tried the Blue Man Group which everyone loved, but with Migraine headaches I couldn't.

 

Their are two MDR that you can go to so if one has a line you can check out the other one. O'Sheehan's has good wings, chicken fingers and fun stuff for a nice change for lunch or snack, don't miss it. It seems there were lots of pay for restaurants but you didn't have to go, there is plenty to eat.

 

You will have a great time, the only time we said we wished we were back on Carnival was in the cabin. We met some great people and the staff is so friendly and helpful. ENJOY

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We new you would come back..

[crusinpsychRN]

Yep, one of my favourite movies!! I've been on NYE cruises before so it doesn't bother me!! :D

 

 

 

I know, I'm probably being silly. I am excited about the cruise :D and trying something new it's just that I know I'll be missing Carnival and be compairing everything to Carnival!! :( The Epic should be awesome though!! :D

 

Read Don's review over on NCL board about the Epic and you will change your mind!

[FloridaGram]

I have been on RCCL, HAL, NCL, and DCL in addition to CCL and I never had a cruise that was bad. Each one is a different experience but not bad.

 

From what I have read this year all cruise lines are making budget cuts that affect all past cruisers and there are many disgruntled passengers missing what used to be. I have been researching a lot this year trying to decide on my next cruise so I have been reading all the boards. Seems even Princess has cutbacks. I chose CCL because of the itinerary but depending on how this one goes on the Freedom I may be switching next time.

 

Enjoy your NCL cruise. You might actually like it better than some of your CCL cruises!