New to Carnival..what should I expect?

[momrox1]

Just booked our annual "girls" cruise aboard Carnival Breeze in Oct. It's 8 days Caribbean. I never thought I would book Carnival only because it seemed to me to have a reputation as a "party" ship and I always wanted a quieter experience but here I find myself eagerly awaiting our trip.. We have booked an inside Spa cabin on deck 11 with axcess to the spa area and are very excited about this. Since I've never tried Carnival what should I expect? A little history.. I like Princess for their Sanctuary, Holland and Celebrity for their food and NCL for anytime dining.

[firefly333]

Maybe treat yourself one night to the Italian restaurant for $12. they also offer a free lunch that is nice. I prefer Tandor (which looks to me like Tandori on the window, but what do I know). Indian food.

 

I suppose you will be in the spa a lot since you splurged on a spa cabin.

 

The serenity area is very crowded to me and you are better off in the aft pool area which is pretty quiet too.

 

I guess by party atmosphere, you mean its not dead at 9 pm like the other lines? There will be places to go and dance at night and if you dont like it dont go?

 

You could choose anytime dining on Canival too ya know? Same as on NCL pretty much, except its a choice, not mandated like on NCL.

 

The cruise can pretty much be as quiet or not as you want, you have to seek out the hot spots at night and there will be activities at the main pool .. just go elsewhere if they are not your cup of tea.

[cruise_girl2002]

I haven't sailed on the breeze...yet..lol. but she isn't the neon interior that carnival is known for (which I love, but I cant wait to eventually sail the breeze). Carnival does have the your time dining as well which is nice. since your going in October, kids are still in school which is good. Go with an open mind. peoples opinions are different. I asked this question when I took my first RCL cruise and came out extremely disappointed. I decided (even though said I wouldn't) gave them a second try went with an open mind...a tad better, but still not for me. Enjoy your cruise. I have only once seen carnival as a "party ship" and that was spring break 2 years ago, there were a lot of college kids...otherwise, its not as bad as some make it to be ("party ship"). its not the classy, brassy, more elegant like Holland America or celebrity, but as I said, the breeze is a toned down interior, which im sure you will love

[Doug910]

 

I guess by party atmosphere, you mean its not dead at 9 pm like the other lines? There will be places to go and dance at night and if you dont like it dont go?

 

...The above statement is dead on! The "party" reputation went out the door years ago. No more parting on this ship or cruiseline than the other mass market lines like RCL and NCL.

 

...I'm surprised. The OP is obviously an experienced cruiser, based on the long list of ships she has sailed. But yet, she seems to assume that the view points of others (re: reputation) is correct when it comes to another cruise line. Other cruisers told us that Royal Caribbean was a great line. We tried it and couldn't get off the ship fast enough. That was 15 years ago, and I still have no desire to sail on that line.

 

...So, luckily, she is sailing Carnival for herself. I think she'll find the Breeze up to her standards. Just understand that this ship is going to be a bit more "lively" than some of the other past lines you were on.

[sail2sea]

Don't expect much and you will be fine.

[firefly333]

...The above statement is dead on! The "party" reputation went out the door years ago. No more parting on this ship or cruiseline than the other mass market lines like RCL and NCL.

 

...I'm surprised. The OP is obviously an experienced cruiser, based on the long list of ships she has sailed. But yet, she seems to assume that the view points of others (re: reputation) is correct when it comes to another cruise line. Other cruisers told us that Royal Caribbean was a great line. We tried it and couldn't get off the ship fast enough. That was 15 years ago, and I still have no desire to sail on that line.

 

...So, luckily, she is sailing Carnival for herself. I think she'll find the Breeze up to her standards. Just understand that this ship is going to be a bit more "lively" than some of the other past lines you were on.

 

I usually miss the mixologist, but if I happen to see it, its ok, or the other pool contests. I get them mixed up which ones are on Carnival or not.

 

I never meet a cruiseline I didnt like. I think Princess didnt impress the most, but I would never say no to any cruise. I never understand people saying they sailed RCL 15 years ago, so they have no desire to again, and ignore so much has changed.

 

I was reading Sargent Schultz's review where he said he hates to get off a ship.... I was like, me too, I would cruise all the time almost .. a lot more, if I felt like my apt would be safe being gone all the time, my bridge partner wouldnt mind and my parents would not crab at me for being gone even as much as I am.

 

I dont do a lot of the activities, mostly sit and watch and read books or whatever. I do miss the internet though... so once its added at a reasonable price .. I would be on a ship all the time if it were just up to me.

 

Other than the decorating changing .. my cruises on different lines are all pretty similar. .. just get me on a ship. Im not picky like you. Ive never gone hungry and can find foods I like so far on all lines.

 

I dont even care where the ship is going, as I have been to most of the more common ports enough that I dont care.

 

I would like a cruise in the next year or so to Belize.. stock up on sleeping drugs. I have insomnia and no insurance and you can buy stuff over the counter in Belize and no other port... so that cruise is on my list.. and panama canal, but I dont care what cruiseline. I just like to go.

 

I am sitting here thinking just get me on a ship, I dont care which one right now.

[momrox1]

Thanks for the advice re dining...I did choose anytime. I too like to sit and read and use the spa area but also have been know to kick up my heels and dance till the wee hours.

I'm not picky..I will go on any cruise anywhere. Didn't mean to come off like I was fussy or that I especially thought of carnival as a party ship. I was just being honest in my assumption based on what I have seen and heard when docked alongside and based on what other passengers have told me. I will make my own decisions...I was just posting to get some info and to share my excitement. Oh, and the spa cabin was no splurge..it was one of the least expensive ones much to my delight!

[CarnivalBreeze319]

Expect to have a "FUN" vacation, which is something that Carnival does better than any of these lines

[MargieWY]

...with axcess to the spa area

 

Don't worry. You will feel right at home on Carnival! :)

[firefly333]

Oh, and the spa cabin was no splurge..it was one of the least expensive ones much to my delight!

 

You will get a little special shampoo and amenities. bathroom slippers and fluffier robe and different cabin decorating. The area is non smoking.

 

There are mist rooms and I dont know what all in the spa. The T pool with mineral waters. I think the deal is that you can swim against the current? I think I did it, but I dont do this kind of thing much. The minerals in the T pool are supposed to be relaxing.

 

You will get these special treats. Did you book a inside cabin? Not that it matters, any spa category you still get all the same amenities. I would be sure to use them some, just to see if you enjoy the area... its much better than the serenity area which is open to everyone on the ship.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Just booked our annual "girls" cruise aboard Carnival Breeze in Oct. It's 8 days Caribbean. I never thought I would book Carnival only because it seemed to me to have a reputation as a "party" ship and I always wanted a quieter experience but here I find myself eagerly awaiting our trip.. We have booked an inside Spa cabin on deck 11 with axcess to the spa area and are very excited about this. Since I've never tried Carnival what should I expect? A little history.. I like Princess for their Sanctuary, Holland and Celebrity for their food and NCL for anytime dining.

 

Carnival is certainly not a party ship, especially on an 8 night cruise in October.

 

The food is pretty good but the entertainment in the showroom is lacking.

 

The comedy club is usually pretty good. If you go get there early because it doesn't hold a lot of people and will be packed.

 

Can't answer anything about the spas.

 

I think you will have a great cruise.:)

 

Bill

[wmowan8485]

Can't wait for your review :)

[Soupernerd]

Carnival to me isn't a party ship. If you like to party, there are places and times to do that, but if you are like me and usually more reserved there is plenty to do as well. I personally liked trivia, the comedy club, and the casino. They have activities listed in the fun times all day long so I'm sure you will find something you like. I do anytime dining and I enjoy that as some nights I like to eat later and others earlier. I found a lot of the partying happens in places like the nightclub, the room with karaoke or on the lido deck where they have events like contests and dancing and stuff. In the daytime I spent time on the lido deck and went swimming and it is pretty at night as well. You don't have to participate if you don't want to.