alli Posted April 22, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 22, 2004 My husband and I have cruised 7-8 times ( princess,celebrity rccl, ncl) and have just booked Fascination for 5/17. We got an amazing deal and the dates were perfect for our jobs. We were just looking for a fast, cheap get outta town sorta thing. I'm kind of nervous that we're going to hate the 'Fun ship' thing. With all this in mind....I'm planning on packing my sense of humor and keeping an open mind. Any Carnival fans want to 'pump' me up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 22, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Alli, <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We were just looking for a fast, cheap get outta town sorta thing.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sounds like you should have booked a room at some sleazy, local "No-Tell Motel" with rubber sheets on the bed. Seriously, you will enjoy Carnival! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristikae Posted April 22, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Why do you think you are going to hate Carnival? I think many times we predetermine the outcome of situations by our expectations. Kristi - "No shoes, no shirt, no problem..." Fantasy 3/95, Fascination 12/01, Conquest 1/03, Glory 9/03, Conquest 1/04, Mariner 9/04, Miracle 2/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare finoky Posted April 22, 2004 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I am a firm believer that you can talk yourself into hating anything. It's all in the attitude. Carnival has never failed to let me down. I am not of the partying and rowdy crowd that some think are what cruises Carnival either. Go and enjoy your quick getaway. Tony 2004 Legend March 28th 2003 Paradise 2002 Paradise 2000 Destiny 1999 Fascination 1998 Fantasy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tybug Posted April 22, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2004 If you go with an, "OMG! I just know I'm going to hate this"... I can assure you you will. Stop worrying! Go and enjoy! --Tybug-- 10-01 Imagination 02-02 Sovereign of the Seas 10-02 Inspiration 01-03 Majesty of the Seas 04-03 Inspiration 10-03 NCL Dawn 02-04 Rhapsody of the Seas 05-04 Majesty of the Seas 10-04 Mariner of the Seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nosnobunny Posted April 22, 2004 #6 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I have also sailed Celebrity, RCCL and most recently Carnival for the second time. Like you, I had concerns with Carnival. As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about and had more fun than I've ever had on any of our previous cruises. Don't set yourself up to be disappointed. For me, it isn't so much the cruise line but the ship. Personally, I prefer new, large ships but would also be perfectly content on an older, smaller ship that had been well cared for. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetwilson Posted April 22, 2004 #7 Share Posted April 22, 2004 When we first booked on the Carnival Jubilee last year I went with no expections, other than not to expect much. I was so surprised at how much we loved it! We booked another Carnival ship this year (Elation) and it was sooo much nicer than the Jubilee. I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincyfire Posted April 22, 2004 #8 Share Posted April 22, 2004 If you seriously believe you wont like it, cancel it. I've found the people I have encountered to be fun and open minded. If your just stuffy and up-tight, cancel it. 10/30/04 Carnival Glory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbutton Posted April 22, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 22, 2004 A bad day on a cruise ship has got to be better then a day at work. You will love Carnival and have a great time on the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy1 Posted April 22, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 22, 2004 We previously sailed Celebrity, Disney, RCL, & Norwegian and everyone said we'd hate our Carnival cruise. We had an amazing time & booked another one for this year. I believe it's your own attitude that makes the trip. We went with the expectation to have fun and enjoy a week relaxing at sea. It far surpassed our expectations. If we had gone expecting the fine service & elaborate dinner settings like Celebrity, we would have been disappointed. Carnival Fascination 03 NCL Star 03 RCCL Enchantment 02 Disney Wonder 02 Celebrity Century 01 Disney Magic 00 Premier Big Red Boat 99 Celebrity Meridian 91 Chandris Galelio 89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F5Loar Posted April 22, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 22, 2004 If you leave out Celebrity you will find Carnvial offers as fine a cruise as the others you listed. You can nick pick on any of them. Things like NCL has better hot soups while Princess has better cold soups. Carnvial has great soups. Princess has bland tasting deserts and NCL has too much cocca taste, Carnival is just right. Service is the same on all these lines (not counting Celebrity) but you can get a bad waiter/steward on any of the week you go. Carnival maybe the low cost leader but they don't skimp on the overall cruise experience. To me Carnival offers a lot of different things which makes it just as exciting to go on one as it does the others you listed. You won't be bored and you won't go away hungry. What else do you need? Till we sail on the Zuiderdam Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL until we sail on the Disney Wonder til we sail the ms Maasdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 22, 2004 #12 Share Posted April 22, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>What else do you need? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Good weather always helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseFever Posted April 22, 2004 #13 Share Posted April 22, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We were just looking for a fast, cheap get outta town sorta thing. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think you probably got it with your Fascination cruise but I hope you'll look for more because there is surely much more there to be had. As noted above, if you want badly enough to hate it, you will. It could be said that Carnival's in-your-face Funship culture is not for everybody which would support your fear but that would be a lie Carnival is indeed for everybody..everybody who wants to have a fabulous cruise. If you don't odds are it will be nobody's fault but your own. But you sound like you'd really like to have a nice little cruise so I bet you do. It can be high energy or laid-back and relaxed, the choice is yours. Here's some tips for making either experience happen: http://www.lifeiscruising.com/lifestyle Happy Cruising Chris www.LifeIsCruising.com Next up: Caribbean Princess 06/26/04 Star Princess 10/24/04 Carnival Victory 12/19/04 Carnival Miracle 03/13/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Posted April 22, 2004 #14 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hmmm. My first thought was: Why in the WORLD would you book a cruise you think you will hate? Then I thought about one of my friends who, for years, refused to sail on Carnival - she had sailed on other lines and just KNEW Carnival couldn't possibly measure up - no matter what I said. Well, she finally went with me one year (practically kickin' and screamin' up to gangplank) - BUT came back telling everybody she had the best time, best food, best service, and the most relaxing cruise she'd ever taken!!! I've been on Princess and NCL, but I prefer Carnival. I go on cruises to relax, enjoy being on the ocean with the waves and breeze - not to join in the poolside games (which I personally feel are inane). I think, if you change your attitude just a tiny bit, you'll be very, very pleasantly surprised. However, if you go with the way you're thinking now, you'll nit-pick the ship to pieces. Hoping you have a wonderful cruise. Festivale 1987 Carnivale 1988 Mardi Gras 1989 Pacific Princess 1990 Norway 1994 Holiday 2001 Holiday 2002 Holiday 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan40 Posted April 22, 2004 #15 Share Posted April 22, 2004 alli, We have multiple cruises on all the lines you mentioned. Plus cruises on many other lines in every price range. In Sep. we will be taking our 12th or 13th Carnival cruise. When I'm on a cruise the only comparing I do is how much more fun am I having than I was 2 minutes ago. Last cruise is over, next cruise hasn't started, just enjoy this one is my attitude. Dan Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJS2K3 Posted April 22, 2004 #16 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I guess I read the original post differently. She said she was <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> kind of nervous <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> and that <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I'm planning on packing my sense of humor and keeping an open mind <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>. Sounds like a good plan to me! I think that having some trepidation about trying a different service provider is normal whether it is a hotel, airline, tour provider - even (especially?) a cruise. Have fun alli, I think hbutton has it right <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> A bad day on a cruise ship has got to be better then a day at work.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Jay Elation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgmrdev Posted April 22, 2004 #17 Share Posted April 22, 2004 As someone who prefers Princess over Carnival, price does ultimately drive my decision. I feel the food is somewhat better on Princess, but the difference is insignificant. There are some subtle difference too. I prefer the fresh water pools of Princess, the spa's on Princess tend to have less kids in them and are open all night. And there does tend to be fewer kids on Princess in general. But the pluses for Carnival are there for me also. I hate the smaller beds on Princess (undersized twin/queen configuration) and prefer the same table for breakfast/lunch situation on Carnival on sea days. The twin/king bed thing on Carnival is really huge though, as are the larger cabins in general. I am a bridge player and have much trouble finding that crowd on Carnival. But all in all, the differences are what makes each unique. It ultimately comes down, as I said, to the deal. And Carnival usually wins that battle. <html> <head> <title></title> </head> <body> <font color="#FF0000">Grand Princess 2-2001</font> <font color="#0000FF">Grand Princess 12-2001</font> <font color="#FF8000">Carnival Paradise 3-2002</font> <font color="#FF00FF">Carnival Destiny 10-2002</font> <font color="#008000">Golden Princess 10-2003</font> <font color="#0000A0">Carnival Legend 6-8-2004</font> </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingGirl Posted April 22, 2004 #18 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I'm going on the Fascination in June for DH 40th birthday. You will love Carnival. Remember a cruise is what you make of it. Enjoy!! Ecstasy 6/00 5 year Anniversary Fantasy 10/01 DM 50th Birthday and My 31st Birthday Fascination 6/04 DH 40th Birthday Surprise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaDucey Posted April 22, 2004 #19 Share Posted April 22, 2004 You know a cruise is a cruise is a cruise. I am going on RCCL for the first time and if I listened to all the chatter on the RCCL board I would have never booked it - but I tend to have fun almost no matter what I do! Go with zero expectations and open mind and I bet you will have a wonderful time! Carnival Fantasy 11/91, Ecstasy 1/98, Fascination 11/99, Paradise 2/00, Imagination 4/02, Ecstasy 5/03, Paradise 10/03 Royal Caribbean Sovereign of the Seas 4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alli Posted April 22, 2004 Author #20 Share Posted April 22, 2004 JJS2K3 Thanks for reading my original posting correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arlene F Posted April 22, 2004 #21 Share Posted April 22, 2004 You are going to hate Carnival if you hate having fun and great food. Not to mention larger state rooms than most other ships. I'm sure you will have a great time and enjoy your cruise. Don't sweat it. Arlene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuniorCruiser Posted April 22, 2004 #22 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hey all i know is i'm going on the Legend and i'm gonna have a great time. I've only been on Norwegian so far and don't know what to expect from Carnival. But you have to make it what you want. You can't go on and say your not going to have a good time. What's the sense of booking a cruise if you think your not going to be happy? Why not try something different. I came to these boards and found nothing BUT the best people out there. I hope you have a great cruise. Until i come back from the Legend!!!! ~~Debbie~~ NCL Sea 05/01 NCL Dawn 05/03 NCL Dawn 09/03 Carnival Legend 04/04 NCL Dawn 01/05 Until we sail the Carnival Legend.... Until we sail the Norwegian Dawn.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 23, 2004 #23 Share Posted April 23, 2004 JuniorCruiser, The Legend is an awesome ship - one of our favorites. Have a great trip! Ken & Nancy *********************** 12/2004 - Golden Princess 10/2004 - Fantasy Fest, Key West 03/2004 - Golden Princess 01/2004 - Carnival Legend 11/2003 - Carnival Glory 03/2003 - Carnival Spirit 02/2003 - Carnival Triumph 12/2002 - Carnival Legend 04/2002 - Carnival Victory 01/2002 - Carnival Sensation 12/2000 - Carnival Tropicale *********************** Until Sailing The Golden Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halos Posted April 23, 2004 #24 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I don't understand why you would ask that question on the Carnival boards...of course you won't hear us telling you that you'll hate a Carnival Cruise. I'm sure if you let yourself listen to folks on other boards who seem to think that we over here are bottom feeders, then you'd be nervous about tyring Carnival. Keep that open mind you plan on having...I'm sure you'll enjoy your cruise....it just may surprise you and turn out to be your favorite! I believe in Miracles MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004 Calm Seas, Good Friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamiP Posted April 23, 2004 #25 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I understand the original posters apprehension because I had the same worry before our first Carnival Cruise this past Christmas. We had previously sailed on RCL, NCL & Celebrity and I worried that we might be disappointed but booked it because it was the right itinerary at a good price. We sailed on the Legend and it EXCEEDED all of our expectations. The ship was beautiful, the food was some of the BEST that we have had on any of our cruises. Carnival Legend 12/03 RCI Radiance 12/02 NCL Wind 12/00 Celebrity Zenith 11/97 Celebrity Meridian 12/94 RCI Majesty 12/92 RCI Monarch 11/92 RCI Monarch 11/91 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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