How will Carnival Compare- Loved Celebrity and Royal

[Cruising89143]

I would agree this can happen on other lines too! I know first hand :rolleyes:

 

College spring break, RC Majesty of the Seas, 4 day Bahamas PARTY, PARTY, PARTY! 3 major FL colleges all had spring break that week. I felt VERY bad for any family or non-spring breakers! Just imagine the FSU/UF/UCF battles that went on by the pool! It was crazy, one giant party. Oh, and Senor Frogs, that's all I'm gonna say ;) It was almost like dorms, people had their cabin doors open playing music. It was a giant party- no exaggeration!

 

My bachelorette party, this year, Carnival Sensation, 3 nights, Bahamas. July- not as many college kids as spring break. People were still out to party- and there were a lot of family reunions looking for a good time too. We ran into at least a dozen other bachelor/bachelorette parties. And, we were part of the party! We were up until 4am! More tame than the RC college spring break trip, but still a good time party wise.

 

I really am not the party type, I promise! But, hey when in Rome? Or, er when on a 3 night cruise in college?

 

My cruise line of choice is Celebrity, but back in college I had no idea what X was and I am sure my friends would have been left in Nassau :eek: college kids :p Now my fiance and I cruise with X. He will not step foot on a Carnival ship.

 

IMHO the price point makes more of a difference than the length of the cruise. Did a four night cruise on the Jewel OTS a couple of years ago. High price point = quiet cruise.

[boingy300]

It is not a fair comparison. The 4 day cruise on any line is different than a week long cruise. We have sailed a few lines. Carnival for the week was fine if you are a relaxed person. Corn hole in the casino was actually fun- lighten up people! And dancing at meal time, by the waitstaff, reminded me of the fun we used to have when cruising back in the day. I'll take that over a stuffy Holland bridge game ANY DAY. But it is a big change going to a 4 day and no cruise line should be judged based on that.

Karen

[Kathie44]

When DH and I were planning our first cruise in Nov. '01 we asked my step-sis and TA for advice. The first thing she said to me was, "Well, you don't want Carnival. Too much noise and the food and service aren't all that great".

I have a friend who won a Carnival cruise at a festival raffle. When she and her DH got back, I asked her how it was. She said "It was nice. It was good", but in a disappointed tone of voice. I said, "You don't sound very enthusiastic". She said that if she had never cruised any other line, she wouldn't have known any better. But they had sailed RCCL and Princess before. She said the food was not good, service was very iffy and the 24 hrs of noise was bad.

Those testimonials are enough for me to stick with Celebrity, with RCCL as a back up if necessary. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", lol. I know there lots of cruisers who swear by Carnival, but I wonder if they've ever tried X or RCCL.

I did 8 cruises with DH and coming up on the 8th since his death 8-13-08. Life's too short to stop cruising.

1/02 Explorer E. Carib. 1/03 Explorer W. Carib. 8/03 Summit Alaska cruise/tour

2/04 Adventure S. Carib. 2/05 Galaxy PC, 6/06 Jewel Brit. Isles/Nor. Fjords

1/07 Mercury Mex. Riv. 1/08 Mercury Aust/NZ 1/09 Galaxy S. Carib.

6/09 Summit Classical Med. 1/11 Summit S. Carib. 6/11 Constellation Scand/Russia

2/12 Summit S. Carib. 8/12 Millenium Alaska cruise/tour 1/13 Summit S.Carib

1/14 Silhouette W. Carib.

[miched]

You get what you pay for isn't necesssarily true.

 

I was just checking on 3 - 5 days cruises to add on to our main cruise in Mar.

 

On a website that lists cruises and the cost per day. The cost for a balcony per day pp

 

Carnival starting at $140

 

RCCL starting at $137

 

NCL Starting at ???

 

Celebrity starting at $120

 

The prices may be off a dollar or so but it seems strange that the those Taht seems to be of lower standards and quality are charging more. All were to the Caribbean, same time period and duration.

 

 

 

.🎃

[varoo]

You get what you pay for isn't necesssarily true.

 

I was just checking on 3 - 5 days cruises to add on to our main cruise in Mar.

 

On a website that lists cruises and the cost per day. The cost for a balcony per day pp

 

Carnival starting at $140

 

RCCL starting at $137

 

NCL Starting at ???

 

Celebrity starting at $120

 

The prices may be off a dollar or so but it seems strange that the those Taht seems to be of lower standards and quality are charging more. All were to the Caribbean, same time period and duration.

I would avoid any of those 3 - 5 day Caribbean cruises in March, even if they gave it to me free. :D

 

If I had to take a short cruise at that time, I would try to find one on a cruise line like Oceania or Azamara.

 

But if I absolutely had to pick one of the 4 you listed, my choice would be Celebrity, regardless of whether its price was the highest or lowest or anywhere in between (unless I could get one of those great NCL suites). ;)

 

[hughdm]

To us, it's about your mood. I you want quiet and relaxing, do Celebrity. If you're feeling a bit rowdy, do Carnival.

 

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[Dunner]

I am in my 50's and have vacationed(7 nights) on the Carnival Victory once , the Carnival Liberty twice and the Carnival Breeze once. Every trip has been during March Break. Never once did it feel like little kids were everywhere. The kid's program must have had them very busy. Yes, there were teenagers and springbreakers ,but all were polite and in control of themselves. Now maybe at 2 in the morning things might get a little wild -not sure- I am sleeping by then. Never had kids running up and down the halls making noise, never saw a fight, everyone was always dressed nicely in the dining room--A little more upsale with flights out of San Juan than Miami== More older teenagers with parents. I enjoy the bright décor. You certainly couldn't say it was boring. However, the Breeze's décor is tame.

I agree with the post that said after a long Carnival excursion-- quickly grabbing a quick to die for burger smothered in onions and mushrooms or going to the Deli is right up my alley. I am not looking for foo-foo food at that time. The Italian restaurant (chicken par.) and Steak house on the Breeze was outstanding. We are taking our first Celebrity cruise on the Reflection this March break. The cost is more than double than what we paid for our last cruise with all of the price drops that we got by booking early saver. I am expecting that something has to be better if we are paying that much more. After reading many of these posts it seems like there are areas that I will be pleased with the differences. I will know in March.

[richstowe]

Funny how some threads go on and on long after the OP has left the scene.

 

For my 2 cents, I love Celebrity but have enjoyed all my Carnival cruises.

I would rather cruise Carnival then pay a significant RC premium.

The Celebrity premium over Carnival is however worth it to me.

[BlancaNoir]

OP mentioned being a foodie. Carnival is not a terrible line for a foodie as long as you know what to expect. It's lovely to have a well-plated dish and an elegant experience. (ie, celebrity) But sometimes just having good, simple, robust flavors can be a foodie pleasure. An excellent hamburger after a day at the beach? Followed by a delicious chocolate dessert. Yum. I loved the basics on Carnival. The caesar salad. The shrimp cocktail. Lots of comfort foods prepared deliciously.

I'm not a fan of Carnival because the ships seem very "motel 8" to me. But if that is not an issue, save the $ and give it a try. The people may have had tattoos but they were friendly and never obnoxious to me.

[Cruising89143]

You get what you pay for isn't necesssarily true.

 

I was just checking on 3 - 5 days cruises to add on to our main cruise in Mar.

 

On a website that lists cruises and the cost per day. The cost for a balcony per day pp

 

Carnival starting at $140

 

RCCL starting at $137

 

NCL Starting at ???

 

Celebrity starting at $120

 

The prices may be off a dollar or so but it seems strange that the those Taht seems to be of lower standards and quality are charging more. All were to the Caribbean, same time period and duration.

 

 

 

.🎃

 

I wouldn't take a three or four day cruise on any of the older ships from the big three. Majesty OTS, Norwegian Sky or any Carnival ship. I would take a four or five day cruise on X or RCI's other ships. The ship goes a long way in my choice.

[Travel luv]

Funny how some threads go on and on long after the OP has left the scene.

 

For my 2 cents, I love Celebrity but have enjoyed all my Carnival cruises.

I would rather cruise Carnival then pay a significant RC premium.

The Celebrity premium over Carnival is however worth it to me.

 

I haven't completely left the scene. Although I have made my decision to stick with Celebrity for now, I am still enjoying reading everyone's comments.

[Palm Trees]

The 4 night market in general attracts a different crowd than the longer cruises. I find Carnival to be a nice little getaway for a reasonable price, but be prepared that on ANY cruise line the short cruises tend to be the "party hearty" people. Celebrity, though upmarket from Carnival, is not that much better for the short cruises.

 

I definitely agree with you that Celebrity's short Century cruise we took a few years ago was NOWHERE near a full week's cruise on Celebrity. I had to write a two-page letter to Celebrity about the negatives and we have been on 7 Celebrity cruises, as well as 7 other lines for a total of 35+ cruises. Carnival is a GREAT bang for your buck. I thought the food was very good on Carnival. BEST soups at sea, in many cruisers' opinions. Service was excellent in the dining room and the cabins were comfortable and larger than several other ships. I've been on at least 8 Carnival cruises--all fine. I don't expect Celebrity's poshness or nightly dinner dress on Carnival or other lines. I do like to dress for dinner, especially formal. I'm comfortable doing that on Carnival.

 

I say skip the short cruises on any of the lines UNLESS you plan to not expect the same package as on a 7-night or longer cruise. The staff gets to "know you" better.

[USVI-4-me]

I'm willing to try Carnival during a slow time like early December or early January, just before or after holiday time and before large groups book.

 

We have good cruises on Celebrity, esp. for the no smoking policy -- a major issue. We take longer cruises and the food choices are the same every evening in Specialty restaurants and cafeteria with a rotating 15 night menu in the crowded and noise in the select portion of the main dining room. MDR service is too slow and indifferent as the staff is stretched too thin for the number of tables. We prefer the cafeteria for a quiet evening but find food choice, service and ambience needs improvement.

 

We feel RCL and Princess provide better dinner choices for us.

 

A Carnival ship at Port Canaveral is convenient for us and looks inviting at the right price and time.

 

I would not pay more to try a different ship like the Reflection because the design seems worse than the Eclipse and Equinox, IMHO. Only lounge top front is often reserved for special functions with dress code and there is a limited promenade deck on S-Class.

 

We want the return of the wrap around promenade deck with plenty of seats and an open view of the sea.

 

-Marisa