Why does everyone call Carnival the Walmart of cruising?

[Eli_6]

I just saw this in another thread and I have heard it over and over again. 

 

First, who doesn't go to Walmart at SOME point in their life?  Yes, many may prefer Kroger or HEB or Randall's or Target or the Piggy Wiggly, but everyone needs toilet paper and groceries.  

 

Second, most of the people I know who cruise Carnival have all of their teeth, decent jobs, education, etc.  They aren't at all like the "people of Walmart" memes or website.  If you think about it, a person has to have some sort of disposable income to be able to cruise at all.  I get that Carnival isn't Viking, Silver Seas, or Oceania...but neither are NCL or RCCL and they don't seem to get bashed quite as much.  

[Clearwater]

I cruise typically on CCL and RC and have sailed on Celebrity.  

I think humans in general are just becoming less classier in general.  

I am booked to leave in 8 days on another CCL trip.  I admit, I have never seen the things I am going to mention below on other lines. If the casino didn't send me amazing promotions, I would probably switch. Not because I am not a CCL fan... but because the clientele is different I think.  

 

I was on a 6 day breeeze last month.  

 

Here is what I encountered:

In Italian restaurant, a guy so drunk he fell on the floor at dinner out of the booth. Held his tomahawk pork chop by the bone gnawing on it head bobbing. Then put his bowl of pasta in his lap.

 

On another evening in Cucina, a woman had her shoes off, her feet up on the chair next to her and she was picking her feet.  

 

Only ate once in dining room. Tiny tables next to us had people yelling at each other or at staff. Awful.

 

In casino, a man physically dragging his wife/girlfriend out while screaming at her. She was crying. Security just watched as he drug her out.  

 

People arguing at each other all over the ship. Didn't understand why so many angry on vacation. 

 

The one that wins it all…. Walked into the restroom. A woman had the door open, while taking a #2 and scrolling on her phone. I thought I was in upside down world. Didn’t make eye contact, I said something and almost threw up. She just kept scrolling on her phone.

 

 Just a lot of very classless people. 

[EngIceDave]

This  gentleman is eating soup while on Facetime with someone on shore.

 

She's just on the phone while at dinner, easily overheard by everyone.

Both in MDR

 

[cruisingguy007]

Cantankerous, curmudgeonly and uppity folk who think their mass market line is a luxury line and who don't want to mingle with the unwashed masses. They imagine themselves as aristocrats & sophisticrats and claim Carnival is beneath them. We Carnival cruisers are all simply too uncouth to be around and grace their upper echelon circles. Oh, and we aren't "worldly" or "cosmopolitan" enough I guess also. The Tarjay crowd doesn't want to mingle with the Walmart crowd because they fancy lol.     

[Encore37]

I agree with Clearwater.  The clientele of Carnival leaves a lot to be desired.  I witnessed two fights on my Horizon cruise in March and have decided I will no longer cruise Carnival when they stop giving me free cruises.

[Eli_6]

Wow!  I have not witnessed many of the things you guys have.  The worst thing I have ever seen is people cutting in line in front of the disabled at the elevator, but nothing like people picking their feet in the restaurant.  That's IS disgusting!

[cruisingguy007]

6 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

This  gentleman is eating soup while on Facetime with someone on shore.

 

She's just on the phone while at dinner, easily overheard by everyone.

Both in MDR

 

 

The lady on the phone looks like she is in distress and/or has gotten some bad news. All the non-verbal signs are there (crossed arms, hand over heart, face, eye brows). When you work in loud environments, you learn to read faces. The guy may have had an important business call or some other drama going on. You really can't judge based on simple observations unless you know the facts behind the scenes. I'd make a phone call under numerous emergency/critical circumstances, yes, even while at dinner. 

Edited May 4, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Abr155]

25 minutes ago, Eli_6 said:

I just saw this in another thread and I have heard it over and over again. 

 

First, who doesn't go to Walmart at SOME point in their life?  Yes, many may prefer Kroger or HEB or Randall's or Target or the Piggy Wiggly, but everyone needs toilet paper and groceries.  

 

Second, most of the people I know who cruise Carnival have all of their teeth, decent jobs, education, etc.  They aren't at all like the "people of Walmart" memes or website.  If you think about it, a person has to have some sort of disposable income to be able to cruise at all.  I get that Carnival isn't Viking, Silver Seas, or Oceania...but neither are NCL or RCCL and they don't seem to get bashed quite as much.  

I've heard this several times as well - but for two different reasons.

 

Critics call it that because they are equivocating it to "people of Walmart" memes and pictures you mentioned.  These critics claim Carnival is a cheaper cruise line both to book and onboard (drink prices, etc) and labels their fleet as the "Fun Ships" inspiring party-goers/spring breakers and a less "polished" type of people to book.

 

Also heard someone mention that it's the Walmart of cruise lines because you get a "great value" for the price paid lol

 

All of this said, cruising has changed over the years for all cruise lines. The ability to book years in advance and save/make payments ensures that people from all socio-economic backgrounds can partake. So, if old school cruisers are expecting to feel like Titanic elite, move on over, because cruising is for everyone now!

 

I, truthfully, book cruises for the deals - I get the most bang for my buck. I don't cruise for luxury or elegance, I cruise for fun and to visit multiple places while only to unpack once.  When I'm looking for a more "luxurious" getaway, I don't look towards cruises - I look at resorts, etc.

 

I love Carnival for it's own reasons.  I've never experienced any of the things the second poster saw thank goodness, but I tend to sail from east coast, i.e. no Florida spring break mayhem! haha

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by Abr155

[Eli_6]

Just now, cruisingguy007 said:

 

The lady on the phone looks like she is in distress and/or has gotten some bad news. All the non-verbal signs are there (crossed arms, hand over heart, face, eye brows). When you work in loud environments you learn to read faces. The guy may have had an important business call or some other drama going on. You really can't judge based unless you know the facts behind the scenes. I'd make a phone call under numerous emergency/critical circumstances, yes, even while at dinner. 

I thought the same thing about the woman on the phone!  She looks like she is about to cry or getting bad news.  

[EngIceDave]

Just now, cruisingguy007 said:

 

The lady on the phone looks like she is in distress and/or has gotten some bad news. All the non-verbal signs are there (crossed arms, hand over heart, face, eye brows). When you work in loud environments you learn to read faces. The guy may have had an important business call or some other drama going on. You really can't judge based unless you know the facts behind the scenes. I'd make a phone call under numerous emergency/critical circumstances, yes, even while at dinner. 

You leave the restaurant. I don't want or need to hear your problems. Take it outside.

 

You do not eat and facetime, business call or not.

[Clearwater]

It was vile.  But the woman with the door open pooping took the prize. 

 

I forgot another one....

 

Last day, we were in line to walk off ship.  A mother with her 2 very small daughters.  She basically screamed at them, cussed them out, kept physically hard grabbing them by their arms.  F word this, F word that.... at them. 

 

I mean the face tattoos were a sign. BUT - if she speaks and handles them in public, I can imagine at home.  Everyone was wide eyed watching.  Made me sad. 

 

[EngIceDave]

By the way, she was laughing her head off, not crying

[dallasdan]

I have been on 16 carnival cruises and haven't seen the things mentioned.  I would venture to say these kind of things also happen on RCL and Norwegian.  People drink to much and fight with relatives regardless of class distinction.

 

I was on a celebrity cruise once and your right it was much more civil.  Of course there was no night life and everyone was in bed by 9pm.  I was 52 at the time and I felt young on the cruise.  

[cruisingguy007]

13 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

You leave the restaurant. I don't want or need to hear your problems. Take it outside.

 

You do not eat and facetime, business call or not.

 

Fair point, I'm usually too busy minding my own business, conversing with others or having a good time to let these little slights bother me but I get that some people sit around looking for every uncouth act/action. Seems like a waste of time and energy since you can only control you and can't change others but I digress. If my kids/family called, I'd answer even if I was standing before the Pope, sorry bro, It's my kids, hang on a second...lol.  

Edited May 4, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Clearwater]

5 minutes ago, Abr155 said:

I've heard this several times as well - but for two different reasons.

 

Critics call it that because they are equivocating it to "people of Walmart" memes and pictures you mentioned.  These critics claim Carnival is a cheaper cruise line both to book and onboard (drink prices, etc) and labels their fleet as the "Fun Ships" inspiring party-goers/spring breakers and a less "polished" type of people to book.

 

Also heard someone mention that it's the Walmart of cruise lines because you get a "great value" for the price paid lol

 

All of this said, cruising has changed over the years for all cruise lines. The ability to book years in advance and save/make payments ensures that people from all socio-economic backgrounds can partake. So, if old school cruisers are expecting to feel like Titanic elite, move on over, because cruising is for everyone now!

 

I, truthfully, book cruises for the deals - I get the most bang for my buck. I don't cruise for luxury or elegance, I cruise for fun and to visit multiple places while only to unpack once.  When I'm looking for a more "luxurious" getaway, I don't look towards cruises - I look at resorts, etc.

 

I love Carnival for it's own reasons.  I've never experienced any of the things the second poster saw thank goodness, but I tend to sail from east coast, i.e. no Florida spring break mayhem! haha

 

Ironically - while it was late March.... 

 

ALL of the people mentioned above (sans mother on my 2nd post) were ALL older.  I think that is what was more shocking. 

Couple flighting in Casino - late 30's

Woman picking her feet - prob late 50's - mid 60's

Woman in restroom with door open - def middle age. 

Younger drunk guy in Cucina - youngest, so I will say maybe Spring Break but didn't look college

People arguing - also not kids

 

I think the younger crowd was decently behaved ironically LOL

 

[Hoosierpop]

1) I like Walmart. I don’t like spending more money on things even if I can afford it.

2) I don’t care if people wear stupid stuff, act like a fool a little…..it’s the fun ship. If people want to sit around listening to chamber music and passing the grey poupon, there are cruises for that.

3) I like the diversity on Carnival. And I don’t mean the “woke” kind. I mean meeting people from all walks of life and having a great time on a cruise.

4) I like the fact that when I get on a Carnival cruise out of Florida or NO, I can talk SEC football with just about everyone.

[Herissica]

It's really strange and maybe it depends on the specific itinerary or time of year you cruise, but most of the things people like to put Carnival on blast for I've only encountered on other lines.

 

The only time I've ever witnessed someone who consumed booze beyond their means and was just vomiting all over the place in a public area was on Royal Caribbean.

 

The only time I was overwhelmed by the amount of unruly, poorly parented children was on Royal Caribbean, although my most recent NCL cruise did come close.

 

The only time I ever had a safety concern and witnessed people fighting onboard was NCL.

 

Maybe I've gotten lucky on CCL?  I have a cruise on the Magic coming up this summer so we'll see.

Edited May 4, 2022 by Herissica

[Megan_Strick]

28 minutes ago, Clearwater said:

I cruise typically on CCL and RC and have sailed on Celebrity.  

I think humans in general are just becoming less classier in general.  

I am booked to leave in 8 days on another CCL trip.  I admit, I have never seen the things I am going to mention below on other lines. If the casino didn't send me amazing promotions, I would probably switch. Not because I am not a CCL fan... but because the clientele is different I think.  

 

I was on a 6 day breeeze last month.  

 

Here is what I encountered:

In Italian restaurant, a guy so drunk he fell on the floor at dinner out of the booth. Held his tomahawk pork chop by the bone gnawing on it head bobbing. Then put his bowl of pasta in his lap.

 

On another evening in Cucina, a woman had her shoes off, her feet up on the chair next to her and she was picking her feet.  

 

Only ate once in dining room. Tiny tables next to us had people yelling at each other or at staff. Awful.

 

In casino, a man physically dragging his wife/girlfriend out while screaming at her. She was crying. Security just watched as he drug her out.  

 

People arguing at each other all over the ship. Didn't understand why so many angry on vacation. 

 

The one that wins it all…. Walked into the restroom. A woman had the door open, while taking a #2 and scrolling on her phone. I thought I was in upside down world. Didn’t make eye contact, I said something and almost threw up. She just kept scrolling on her phone.

 

 Just a lot of very classless people. 

So the other cruise lines don't have drunks? Asking for a friend.

[Eli_6]

4 minutes ago, Clearwater said:

 

Woman picking her feet - prob late 50's - mid 60's

 

 

 

I can't stop thinking about this.  This will haunt me in my nightmares. I am really particular about my feet and totally grossed out by people with poor foot hygiene.  

[dallasdan]

Although I don't drink and am not a "partier", I like the overall vibe and energy of a carnival cruise.  People are having a good time and the night life is vibrant.  I was on the Dream in December and 4 day on the Breeze in July and didn't witness bad behavior.

 

[Clearwater]

1 minute ago, sthrnbll said:

So the other cruise lines don't have drunks? Asking for a friend.

 

Did I say that?  

 

I mentioned what I saw.  In a specialty restaurant, seeing someone falling on the floor, gnawing on his porkchop like a drunk moron is classless. 

 

I am saying out of the cruises I have been on.... and I have been on several - last month took the prize with classless people.  

 

I also said people seem to be more classless in general - Cruising or not.   

 

[Clearwater]

2 minutes ago, Eli_6 said:

I can't stop thinking about this.  This will haunt me in my nightmares. I am really particular about my feet and totally grossed out by people with poor foot hygiene.  

It was disgusting.  But I still have PTSD from the woman in the stall. 

WHO DOES - THAT?  *barf*

[Eli_6]

1 minute ago, Clearwater said:

 

Did I say that?  

 

I mentioned what I saw.  In a specialty restaurant, seeing someone falling on the floor, gnawing on his porkchop like a drunk moron is classless. 

 

I am saying out of the cruises I have been on.... and I have been on several - last month took the prize with classless people.  

 

I also said people seem to be more classless in general - Cruising or not.   

 

I wonder if the super cheap deals are attracting people who don't know how to behave in public.    

[Retiredmedic]

1 minute ago, Eli_6 said:

I wonder if the super cheap deals are attracting people who don't know how to behave in public.    

No because I have seen similar things from my first cruise in 2010. 

[kdr69]

22 minutes ago, Encore37 said:

I agree with Clearwater.  The clientele of Carnival leaves a lot to be desired.  I witnessed two fights on my Horizon cruise in March and have decided I will no longer cruise Carnival when they stop giving me free cruises.

So even the clientele arent a concern when its free.....i get it....