First time Carnival what should I expect

[savannahcat]

Hello, I have only cruised once before with Princess to Alaska, tbh was not that impressed with Princess cruise very disorganised and food a bit dissapointing in MDR not very hot and two hours to complete breakfast!

We have persuaded my in laws who have never cruised to join us on two Carnival cruises out of Longbeach a four night on the Inspiration followed by seven nights on the Splendor, my in laws are late sixties early seventies and felt that cruising would be too formal for them hence choosing Carnival, I am a little worried if Carnival will offer a nice cruise experience due to reading a few reviews stating that it is more of a cheap party experience. I have read a lot of reviews stating that Carnival is at the bottom of the cruise market and a lot less quality than Princess, however, on our Princess cruise we met fellow cruisers who stated that Carnival was better value and did not feel that Princess was as good?

I would value opinions from others who have cruised other lines as well as Carnival as to the reality of what to expect from a Carnival cruise in comparison to other lines are they really so bad or in fact a good line? What keeps people coming back to Carnival?

I am hoping that my in laws first cruising experience will give them the cruising bug and we can book many more future cruises, I am hoping we have not made a mistake choosing Carnival as a first cruise experience :confused:

[SadieN]

Time of year will make a difference. We’ve sailed the West Coast many times. Some can be Vegas Wild and others can be duller than dull. You really won’t know until you get on the ship.

We sail Carnival for its vibrancy and Princess for its longer MR cruises.

We’re on the 3day tomorrow and doing the MR in February and March.

 

ETA- West Coast Cruising is completely different than Caribbean. We’ve befriended many crew over the years as they continue to renew their contracts with the West Coast in mind.

[Relayer]

Pretty simple for us. We've just never had a less that great experience with Carnival. Certainly not a luxury line but always fun!

[shelkate1]

We've cruised 16 times with Carnival. It's not stuffy formal, but it's not cheap feeling at all. I've researched food and experience and rarely do any of the other lines just beat Carnival's food. Experience is really dependent lb what you want to do. As a lady in her 50s, I have no desire to ice skate, surf, or climb a rock wall. So why would I pay more for something I'm not doing anyway. Just my two cents.

 

 

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[mdsgu]

Carnival is not a luxury cruise, but they have never claimed to be. They are the "Fun Ships." We have sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, and they are all pretty much on par. We have never sailed Princess, but after talking to two different family members who have, we don't plan to.

 

Like any vacation, it is what you make it. Go into it thinking you will have a good time, and you will. Board the ship looking for problems, and you will find them.

[Wheels87]

It's all in how you approach it. If you roll with the punches and don't let small stuff bother you, you will be fine. Lines are the worst on the first day and after that, it's generally quite fun. I am certainly not the party type and after 7 Royal Caribbean cruises, I determined that my family had more fun on Carnival as it seems like the entertainment staff is more engaged.

 

The pools will be crowded on sea days...as they are on any line. The food is really good and our experience in the formal dining room never disappoints. Sometimes service is quicker and sometimes slower, but never usually two hours for breakfast slow.

 

Just go in with an open mind and I'll bet that you have a great time! Please remember to come back to this thread and let us know how it went.

 

Good Luck!

 

Brad

[Nic6318]

Hi Savannahcat

 

Just as an advisor, breakfast in the MDR is normally served at a much slower pace. If you want a quick bite before rushing off the ship, then room service or the buffets would be a better choice but with the latter you would have the crowds and noise.

 

You don't say if these two cruises you have planned are consecutive, or separate weeks. Either way, you will likely find on the shorter cruise the fellow cruisers will be more party oriented.

 

Generally, I would say that the main difference you might notice is that Princess caters to an older clientele and is quieter, otherwise there is very little difference between the two cruise lines.

 

hope you enjoy, but if not, there are many other cruise lines to experience

have a great cruise

[nchikk]

I have not cruised any other cruise line, nor do I really want to (unless it's a free cruise). This is because I know exactly what I'll get from Carnival.

 

You should expect, from my experience with Carnival:

1. a comfortable cabin and a good night's sleep, and a cabin steward who should take good care of you/your cabin

2. friendly service by all you come across and a crew that is willing to do what they can to make you happy

3. good food...while I may not like everything, I've never been disappointed by the food in general.

4. a fun time...plenty of activities all day long, and while the entertainment may not be "Broadway" quality, but if you don't have fun, it's your own fault.

 

Mainly, forget any other lines you've cruised and don't try to compare. If Carnival did things just like the others, they wouldn't be Carnival. None of the "other cruise line does it this way" stuff. Save your comparisons for afterward.

 

Have fun.

[13cheermom]

I have not cruised any other cruise line, nor do I really want to (unless it's a free cruise). This is because I know exactly what I'll get from Carnival.

 

 

 

You should expect, from my experience with Carnival:

 

1. a comfortable cabin and a good night's sleep, and a cabin steward who should take good care of you/your cabin

 

2. friendly service by all you come across and a crew that is willing to do what they can to make you happy

 

3. good food...while I may not like everything, I've never been disappointed by the food in general.

 

4. a fun time...plenty of activities all day long, and while the entertainment may not be "Broadway" quality, but if you don't have fun, it's your own fault.

 

 

 

Mainly, forget any other lines you've cruised and don't try to compare. If Carnival did things just like the others, they wouldn't be Carnival. None of the "other cruise line does it this way" stuff. Save your comparisons for afterward.

 

 

 

Have fun.

 

 

 

Totally agree with this! I get so tired of people referring to Carnival as the cheap cruise line. Over the last 10 years it is the line we have chosen to sail based on all of the above statements and facts. It is a personal choice based n your wants and needs from a vacation. But go and enjoy your cruises and make your own informed decision based on your personal experience !

 

 

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[MDgal76]

Carnival is not a luxury cruise, but they have never claimed to be. They are the "Fun Ships." We have sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, and they are all pretty much on par. We have never sailed Princess, but after talking to two different family members who have, we don't plan to.

 

Like any vacation, it is what you make it. Go into it thinking you will have a good time, and you will. Board the ship looking for problems, and you will find them.

 

I don't want to hijack this post but as someone who has sailed with all three of the major lines, how do they compare? I am scheduled to sail on the Dream with my husband (1st cruise) and my mom and step-dad in Aug. I have only been on one other cruise, and that was the Conquest in 2009.

My mom wanted to try out cruising to see if they liked it before the Aug cruise, and sailed on the NCL breakaway out of NY, the week of Thanksgiving. They loved it and had a great time. I am worried that the Dream wont match up to what they experienced on NCL. I did tell her that the Dream is older than the Breakaway and wont be as nice. I also told her that Carnival had more of a fun, party, laid back feel. Any advice or perspective on the differences?

[ricew001]

Carnival is not a luxury cruise, but they have never claimed to be. They are the "Fun Ships." We have sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, and they are all pretty much on par. We have never sailed Princess, but after talking to two different family members who have, we don't plan to.

 

Like any vacation, it is what you make it. Go into it thinking you will have a good time, and you will. Board the ship looking for problems, and you will find them.

 

THIS!!!

Like any vacation, it is what you make it. Go into it thinking you will have a good time, and you will. Board the ship looking for problems, and you will find them.

 

Additional comment:

I've sailed Princess and Carnival. I think I have more fun on Carnival because the crew is engaged.

As far as the food - I wasn't blown away on either line. But I think that's perspective. I have friends who own a 3-diamond restaurant where we eat often so I have developed a taste for the "Really" good stuff - not to say cruiseline food is bad but it's not 3-diamond quality in my opinion.

[sc4125]

I don't want to hijack this post but as someone who has sailed with all three of the major lines, how do they compare? I am scheduled to sail on the Dream with my husband (1st cruise) and my mom and step-dad in Aug. I have only been on one other cruise, and that was the Conquest in 2009.

My mom wanted to try out cruising to see if they liked it before the Aug cruise, and sailed on the NCL breakaway out of NY, the week of Thanksgiving. They loved it and had a great time. I am worried that the Dream wont match up to what they experienced on NCL. I did tell her that the Dream is older than the Breakaway and wont be as nice. I also told her that Carnival had more of a fun, party, laid back feel. Any advice or perspective on the differences?

 

I like CCL, but I don't expect everyone else to. For example, I know someone who had cruised several times on CCL then went on NCL (can't remember which one, but it was one of the newer ships) and she didn't like it at all (with the exception of getting the Drink Package "free"). However, I've heard others say that they loved the new NCL ships. It just depends on what is important to someone & how they like to vacation.

 

Your in-laws may be disappointed, but my only suggestion is to give them all of the information you can find on the Dream (I've been on the Dream and it was fine - not my favorite but certainly fine). Tell them to read the reviews, check out the pictures and decide whether they think they will like it. I know how nerve-wracking it can be when you feel responsible for someone else's experience - so, now rather than trying to sell someone on CCL, I just tell them to do as much research as they can and make up their own minds as to whether they want to book a cruise we are taking - so far, so good.

[2prettygirls]

I can't speak for other cruise lines bc we have only sailed Carnival, 2 times, going on 3. We have also sailed on the Disney Fantasy, which was way more in cost, once in a lifetime experience for us. We have agreed that Carnival offers just the same experience for us as the Disney ship for way less in cost. We have enjoyed each of our cruises. Carnival offers something for everyone and as others have stated, it's what you make of it. My mom travels with us and being close to 80, she still enjoys it....she does her own thing and we do ours. There is something always happening on the ship, something always taking place rather that be bingo, kids activities, hairy chest contest, dancing, etc, there is something everywhere and you can choose to attend what you like. We have not had a bad experience on the cruise ship and will continue to cruise bc it offers such a variety for our family.

 

Now, as for reviews, I think you have to take those with a grain of salt. So many people leave reviews regarding their bad experiences but very few leave reviews in regards to their good experiences. I think you have to try it and see for yourself in order to form an opinion. I read the reviews all the time but after my first cruise, I have learned not to read too deeply into them. I think you will find your family will love Carnival.

 

Happy cruising!

[billslowsky]

I have taken both 3 and 4 nighter out of Long Beach. Ones over a weekend are complete parties. One we took on weekdays less so but plenty of crazies at the pool. And both were enjoyable. Comedy shows are excellent. Ensenada is completely forgettable. Catalina was very nice. Take the very cheap bus ride and you'll see all the highlights.

[JaxsMama]

We felt like MDR food is better on Princess. We don't even both with MDR on Carnival anymore bc the food isn't good enough to waste 2 hours on. For that reason we only travel on ships with Guys burgers, Blue Iguana, and the Italian restaurant.

 

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[billslowsky]

We felt like MDR food is better on Princess. We don't even both with MDR on Carnival anymore bc the food isn't good enough to waste 2 hours on. For that reason we only travel on ships with Guys burgers, Blue Iguana, and the Italian restaurant.

 

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I agree that the MDR isn't great, but their comfort foods are at least good. And on the buffet at lunchtime the deli station has good sandwiches and paninis. Longer lines for Mongolian wok. Some of the MDR entrees in the buffet as well. Definitely more casual.

[Schoifmom]

With Carnival, the atmosphere greatly depends on the timing. Shorter 3-4 days cruises that cross over a weekend are much more of a party atmosphere (from FL you get college students because it's cheap, on the west coast, you get people taking a long-weekender). Longer cruises (more than 6 days) are much more of an average crowd. There will be an excellent mix of demographics, party-people, quiet people, and those who just want to have a good time.

 

We have found that we love Carnival for the consistent experience and great value. (note: we are in our 50's and not drinkers, but love to have a good time). We love the Comedy Club and live music!

 

Really, your cruise is whatever you make it.

[mdsgu]

I don't want to hijack this post but as someone who has sailed with all three of the major lines, how do they compare? I am scheduled to sail on the Dream with my husband (1st cruise) and my mom and step-dad in Aug. I have only been on one other cruise, and that was the Conquest in 2009.

My mom wanted to try out cruising to see if they liked it before the Aug cruise, and sailed on the NCL breakaway out of NY, the week of Thanksgiving. They loved it and had a great time. I am worried that the Dream wont match up to what they experienced on NCL. I did tell her that the Dream is older than the Breakaway and wont be as nice. I also told her that Carnival had more of a fun, party, laid back feel. Any advice or perspective on the differences?

 

We sailed NCL Escape in June 2016. There isn't much of a comparison between the Breakaway-class of Norwegian ships and the Dream-class of Carnival ships: the Breakaway class wins hands-down. Bigger, more amenities, more dining choices, more bar choices. That being said, the Carnival Dream is a fun ship; we sailed her several years ago, at Thanksgiving 2016, and we are booked on her again in June 2017. There is still plenty to do (more than you can reasonably do in a week), plenty of food -- the MDR has some really good choices, the Steakhouse is great, and there's plenty of liquor to go around. The pools gets crowded on sea days, but that is true for any ship.

 

As with any cruise -- go into it expecting to have fun or expecting to be disappointed. Either way, your expectations are likely to be met.

[katisdale]

I have had fun on every cruise I have been on. I really like the more exotic itineraries that Princess offers. A plus for them is that they go to the Northern Europe and Med every year, not just when they have a new ship. For Carnival I like that they have a ship based in Charleston South Carolina which is much closer to our home than going to Florida for a Princess cruise. I just wish they offered some longer trips from there.

[riclop]

Princess is much better than Carnival so good luck.

[Hoosierpop]

I’ve only done RC and Carnival so haven’t been on the higher end lines. I found more similarities than differences. I have never been on one of these booze cruises I read so much about. I kinda want to go on one though. Drunken debauchery might be fun.

 

 

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[ROCruiser]

We love cruising. My parents were the ones who introduced us to cruising. They raved about the two cruises they went on twenty some years ago and soon the whole family got into the cruising fun. I agree with 'mdsgu', go and look past the bad and just enjoy and have a good time. None of our 30+ cruises was perfect but we enjoyed each one of those sailings. Food may not be the best but, hey, I don't cook a 5-course meal at home! So let's just enjoy it, while I don't have to do the dishes! Each cruise line has their good and bad, just look for the good and ignore the bad. You will have a great cruise!;)

[billslowsky]

I’ve only done RC and Carnival so haven’t been on the higher end lines. I found more similarities than differences. I have never been on one of these booze cruises I read so much about. I kinda want to go on one though. Drunken debauchery might be fun.

 

You get bachelor and bachelorette parties year-round, and it doesn't take many for them to "liven up" the cruise. The ladies, in particular, will navigate around the ship in matching t-shirts (the bride to be often wearing a tiara)... the first night in the casino is very loud, the next nights not so much as the guys have lost all their cash. They also stick together poolside (which is hilarious) and the comedians manage to find at least one of the groups during stand-up shows and have at them. I am old enough to be their father and found it a lot of fun. Yeah, you also get the 50+ fat guy who drops his pants during the sexy legs contest, that's almost a given.

[javamom]

Hello, I have only cruised once before with Princess to Alaska, tbh was not that impressed with Princess cruise very disorganised and food a bit dissapointing in MDR not very hot and two hours to complete breakfast!

 

We have persuaded my in laws who have never cruised to join us on two Carnival cruises out of Longbeach a four night on the Inspiration followed by seven nights on the Splendor, my in laws are late sixties early seventies and felt that cruising would be too formal for them hence choosing Carnival, I am a little worried if Carnival will offer a nice cruise experience due to reading a few reviews stating that it is more of a cheap party experience. I have read a lot of reviews stating that Carnival is at the bottom of the cruise market and a lot less quality than Princess, however, on our Princess cruise we met fellow cruisers who stated that Carnival was better value and did not feel that Princess was as good? I would value opinions from others who have cruised other lines as well as Carnival as to the reality of what to expect from a Carnival cruise in comparison to other lines are they really so bad or in fact a good line? What keeps people coming back to Carnival?

I am hoping that my in laws first cruising experience will give them the cruising bug and we can book many more future cruises, I am hoping we have not made a mistake choosing Carnival as a first cruise experience :confused:

 

Well there you go. I imagine you'll get differing opinions here as well. To answer your question what keeps me coming back is fun, value and tremendous service quality.