For Those Who Regularly Cruise Carnival

[atinys]

Is the lower costs and more sea days.

[BNBR]

Why would I pay more for the same itineraries on another cruise line.

 

The same reason people stay at nicer hotels or fly first class. It may not mean much to you, but there is certainly a difference between ships and what each one offers.

[louanne93]

Try the Spirit Class - they don't have that. You can go straight through on each public floor.

 

Going on Miracle tomorrow and cannot wait! Have been on Spirit and I love this class!

[sgttami]

It seems counter intuitive, but if you prefer the more toned down atmosphere, you really should consider an Oasis class cruise. It's huge, but the neighborhoods add so much to the experience. You can relax on the boardwalk, listen to live classical music and enjoy wine in central park, stroll the promenade, visit some of the great venues (which are all very central), etc. What's really amazing about the Oasis ships is that they feel virtually empty, even with 6,000 people on board. Have to see it to believe it. It's interesting because it doesn't feel as big as it is and so many great relaxing areas.

 

I guess the "it's huge" is a turnoff for me for now. I don't want to cruise with 6000 people! When the day comes that I take my granddaughters on a cruise, I'm sure they will love it because it will have so much to offer for them. Then the cruise will be all about them.

 

Me...I don't care where the ship goes. I've been traveling for 40 years to the Caribbean, so I rarely get off in port unless it's a place I've never been. Give me a casino, some bars, friendly people to chat with and a sandwich and I'm happy (lol)

 

Still tempted to do Anthem from Bayonne just to check it out and a friend is leaving next month on Oasis so I'll look into that too. Thanks!

 

Really, I'm easy to please!

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

Our Platinum benefits. Would hate to give those up.

[ldlewis45]

For me, Carnival is a decent value for the money, as long as you aren't expecting too much. By that, I mean it's great for a relaxation cruise, and the food ranges from generally okay to very good (depending on venue), but it is far from luxury and the entertainment generally sucks. As a solo cruiser, though, the value isn't as good as it used to be, and there are often better deals available on other lines, especially since many of them don't require a double deposit for solo cruisers.

 

Pros, for me:

• cheaper for many "standard" Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Mexico cruises
  
• easier to get on/off ship in port, due to limited ship size
  
• "Serenity" is great, on the ships where it's positioned well (Ecstasy, for example)
  
• great "new" pizza
  
• great steakhouses
  
• Indian food in the MDR!
  

 

Cons, for me:

• double deposit for solo cruisers
  
• lots of irritating announcements
  
• terrible live entertainment
  
• mediocre to just plain bad buffet (other than the delicious omelet station at breakfast)
  
• meat items in MDR tend to be low quality
  

 

The yet to be determined:

• Cloud 9 Spa quality in comparison to NCL's Breakaway-class spa (to be evaluated on my next cruise!)
  

 

When I'm searching for a regular relaxation cruise to the Caribbean or Mexico, Carnival is the first place I look (but not the only place). When I'm looking for a "special" cruise, though, I look elsewhere.

[Floridastorm]

Since we appreciate decent sized cabins Carnival would most definitely be a line to explore. As we don't wish to spend the extra money for a suite or balcony, we tend to book ocean view cabins. Some of the inside and ocean view cabins, on most ships, seem to be on the cramped side. We only go to an on board bar it there is entertainment. Have a drink or two and dance a little. Don't ever go to the casino. Like the shows in the main theater if they are somewhat entertaining. Most of the other "activities" don't really appeal to us. We are not fussy people and have never had a bad meal or service in any of the MDR's or Buffets. Always found the cabin stewards to be very efficient. The only things that we want to avoid, since we are very senior citizens, is lots of kids, drunken people, and a lot of noise. However, I believe planning for October, November, and December, cruises, not around holidays, may alleviate those things on any cruise ship.

[mouche]

Bang for my buck!!! :D

[clskinsfan]

Carnival is definitely our choice due to cost. But we have sailed on Royal Caribbean and HAL as well. The past few years Carnival has really started to cut the value that you used to get with them. The free food just isnt as good as it used to be. But it isnt on any other line as well. It is nice to be able to cruise out of Baltimore for our family. But if you elect to cruise from a NE port you better like sea days. I think I will probably cruise Carnival less as I continue to age. It just seems the demographics are younger on their ships. But I still love cruising on Carnival and I am cruising on Sensation on Oct 15th.

[Jenhem31]

We choose because of the itineraries. Chances are if there's a ship you want to sail, there will be an itinerary that works as well. We love Royal Caribbean ships, but Carnival itineraries because they're always changing. Royal usually just alternates between the same exact ones.

[cynt]

When I want to splurge I cruise RCCL. I love them and all they have to offer. I particularly like their new ships.

 

However, I travel solo and Carnival is solo cruiser friendly. When you double a cruise fare that's low it's not such a big blow to the wallet. I enjoy the night life in carnival. RCCL and Carnival are more alike than different.

[The4Cruisers]

We have had nothing but fun on Carnival....since our first cruise in 2005 through now we have never had bad service. Lots to do....never bored and good food.....the price cant be beat also....the rooms are large too....so we figure why change and maybe end up disappointed

 

We feel the same. Plus we like the drive to the ports, we enjoy the itineraries, we don't really prefer the larger "swankier" ships, and we enjoy the platinum perks.

[IPlayWithString]

Please tell me why you would choose or not choose Carnival Ships over other lines. Is it the cabins, the food, the entertainment, the itineraries, or just the overall treatment on Carnival. I'm curious because I've never traveled on Carnival but they seem to have pretty good itineraries.

 

 

For us, it's pretty much about lack of choice at this point. Presently, only RCCL and CCL sail out of Galveston (our home port) and RCCL is almost NEVER leaving when we want/need to leave. Because I work for our local school district and my husband works in retail, the times of year we can go are limited. Other cruise lines (Princess and I believe NCL) sail out of Galveston too..but only during the fall/winter, when we can't cruise. RCCL (again, from what I remember from looking up cruises on their website) doesn't sail out of Galveston anywhere NEAR as often as CCL. We can't afford to fly/drive to other ports (we usually just don't have the time as it's difficult for DH to get more than about seven or eight days off in a row), so we're stuck. CCL it is!

[h_blond2]

For me, it is the fact that the cruises are affordable and I have the ports of New Orleans and (soon) Mobile that are within driving distance.

[antique sailor]

Please tell me why you would choose or not choose Carnival Ships over other lines. Is it the cabins, the food, the entertainment, the itineraries, or just the overall treatment on Carnival. I'm curious because I've never traveled on Carnival but they seem to have pretty good itineraries.

 

I LIVE 11 MILES FROM PORT IN JAX FLA (15 Min). WE DO OUR LONG CRUISES ON HAL mostly because of the way we are treated by Staff and Crew

 

We have found that Carnival is every bit as friendly, food is as good, ships are as nice (we prefer the smaller ships), less expensive, and as stated closer to home. The casinos are all nice but much livelier on Carnival

 

We are Almost Diamond on Carnival and 5 Star on HAL so the perks are about the same.

Cruises are 5 days so we do B2Bs for 10 days on Carnival

 

ANTIQUE SAILOR

 

SEA YA

[Floridastorm]

Bang for my buck!!! :D

 

Wow, something tells me you like Carnival ships. ;)

[boopsahoy]

Mostly cruise NCL-we love the suite life...but we have been taking a carnival cruise in the summer because my Atlantic City casino has been giving us free cruises. The price is right.

 

We enjoy both lines but prefer NCL a little more. They are more alike than different (except for the suite life)

[Computer Nerd]

Please tell me why you would choose or not choose Carnival Ships over other lines. Is it the cabins, the food, the entertainment, the itineraries, or just the overall treatment on Carnival. I'm curious because I've never traveled on Carnival but they seem to have pretty good itineraries.

 

the cost, the larger cabins, the better.....imo.....food, equal or better service, again at usually a lower price.

[Max Circus]

Lots of activities. I also find they have much better quality selection of included food options like Guy's Burgers and Blue Iguana Cantina (hard to beat Heuvos Rancheros and Arenas for breakfast).

 

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[golfb4cruzing]

Carnival is like dating in Junior High. It's new, exciting and you learn the ropes. Then you graduate, get more education and appreciate that learning experience but there is better. I have no desire to spend vacation standing in a line or needing an iron lung to play in the Casino. Carnival can have all the families, there is better.

[StolidCruiser]

Carnival is like dating in Junior High. It's new, exciting and you learn the ropes. Then you graduate, get more education and appreciate that learning experience but there is better. I have no desire to spend vacation standing in a line or needing an iron lung to play in the Casino. Carnival can have all the families, there is better.

 

More pearls of wisdom. Thanks for sharing!

[h_blond2]

I continue to cruise Carnival because they have two ports that are within driving distance for me and they price. Whoops.....didn't realize that I'd already commented on this!

Edited August 24, 2016 by h_blond2

[Cruiseathoning]

of graduating it is a matter of mood. Sometimes you might want more formal, while others you just want to throw on your flip flops, kick back, and drink until your liver emails you a warning.

 

Which---goes to the spam folder, because most everything important goes there first.

 

It just depends if you want pomp or a good-old fashioned good time. Fried chicken vs. coq a vin. It is not about better or class it is just taste. Carnival is fun. Princess is more formal. Royal splits the difference and NCL tracks the Royal experience closely.

 

You can run into people of esteem on the Breeze and slimy politicians on the Allure. Better is subjective. Is the food better on Royal? No. Yes. Depends what you like. Lunch is more formal but much less varied. Windjammer can't hold a candle to Carnival's buffet, and as far as entertainment, you will have comedians and impressionists you will have never heard of on both lines, and NCL as well.

 

What environment do you want? Upbeat and fun? Relaxed? Quiet? Family-friendly? Most people cruise with multiple lines based on mood, itinerary and pricing and that is fine. If you want to chuck stress, head down to port, hop on a Carnival ship, eat a Guy's burger, meet fun people, dance your butt off and drink until your ex's face is a fuzzy memory.

 

And don't feel one ounce less of a person for it.

[Doggielover68]

For us, it comes down to price, itinerary, and past experience. We like port intensive cruises which carnival offers for a fraction of the cost of other lines. We have been on several cruises and always leave happy, so why change? We aren't opposed to trying other lines if the price is right.

 

 

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[rjrpar]

We have enjoyed all 4 of our Carnival cruises but to be honest, unless Carnival is 10+% cheaper, we go with Princess, X, or RCCL. Better ships, less crowded, better entertainment, etc

 

 

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