Have I missed it?

[cruizergal70]

I've been on four Carnival cruises. I keep hearing people refer to Carnival as having a "party" atmosphere. How have I missed this?

 

Yes, they have a sail away party with group dancing. But that's like one hour. Yes, they have pool activities on the Lido deck, but that's like only 60-90 minutes in the afternoon. Maybe one deck party one day in the evening and again, that's like one hour. 

 

All the rest of the time, people are in their cabins, in the casino, playing bingo, playing trivia, in the gym, eating, hanging out at various places inside or on the other decks. There are not constant conga lines in the corridors. No one is forced to do anything and folks can find a quiet corner and sit and read, talk, etc.

 

So what do people when they say "party" atmosphere?

[IntrepidFromDC]

My understanding is there's alot more non-stop partying on the shorter cruises.  I've never been on a short one so I can't say, but I've heard it repeatedly.  Maybe that's it.

[JT1962]

A lot of the reputation is from years ago and no longer the case, but a shorter cruise over a weekend or a cruise during Spring Break will have more “partiers” than longer cruises or cruises at other times of the year.  

Edited July 15, 2022 by JT1962

[CrzRani]

Agreed, I've done a lot of short cruises and the atmosphere is typically more rambunctious.  I've even heard people with families comment on how more "adult" and perhaps almost too much party happens.  My friends and I always get the Cheers package and the goal is to see who can tap out every day.  We aren't like this on the longer cruises, since each cruise has a different purpose.  Shorter ones usually to get friends together, the longer ones to enjoy with family.  As least, that's what it is for us.

[csm5986142]

I think everyone's perspective on a "party ship" is different.  We recently got off a 5-day Miracle cruise out of San Francisco.  I ran to my room to pick something up and came in contact w/an older lady on her cell phone, who was saying to other person on the phone "boy this is really a party ship" - I had to contain my smile (we hadn't even left the port yet).  😄

[Pyrate13]

You will also find that may of the people making the "party ships" claim have never sailed on a Carnival cruise and actually don't know didley. I'm 70 years old and love Carnival, do you really think I'm a big time partier?

Edited July 15, 2022 by Pyrate13

[Hoosierpop]

7 minutes ago, Pyrate13 said:

You will also find that may of the people making the "party ships" claim have never sailed on a Carnival cruise and actually don't know didley. I'm 70 years old and love Carnival, do you really think I'm a big time partier?

Given the folks I know in their 70s and when you grew up, yes, you could very well be. 
 

And I mean that as a high compliment. 

[MissKIA]

I've never encountered the notorious party atmosphere that Carnival is said to have. I've never been on a cruise shorter than 7 days though, so I've always assumed that happens on the shorter weekend cruises. I agree that people who like to talk about this stereotype have either never been on a Carnival cruise, or have only taken short weekend party cruises. Carnival is definitely fun, but I wouldn't say I've ever seen any over the top rowdiness.

[BlerkOne]

28 minutes ago, Pyrate13 said:

You will also find that may of the people making the "party ships" claim have never sailed on a Carnival cruise and actually don't know didley. I'm 70 years old and love Carnival, do you really think I'm a big time partier?

I don't even remember the 70s

 

[BlerkOne]

You have to remember, despite what some say, that the pandemic is still with us.

[ldubs]

Different cruise lines and certainly different itineraries have different vibes.  I agree with previous comments about shorter cruises being a little more rowdy.  I don't know that Carnival's are more so than RCI's. Less expensive shorter cruises might attract younger customers.  I know when I was young I partied it up a lot more than I would want (or am able) to now.   Longer far-away itineraries are likely to have older clients and a more sedate atmosphere, in comparison.  

Edited July 15, 2022 by ldubs

[Elaine5715]

The "cruise to nowhere" in years gone by were two day cruises cheaper than a night out on Miami.  Of course, it was a party.

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

You have to remember, despite what some say, that the pandemic is still with us.

Thanks for the reminder. Dont know what this has to do with party cruises though.

[audcc77]

I sometimes cruise with a friend 20 years my junior.  I’ve long gone to bed and she’s up having a good time. 
 

The next day, people are always saying “Hey Mandi” all over the ship.  I’m like, how do you know them?  🤷‍♀️

[BlerkOne]

7 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Thanks for the reminder. Dont know what this has to do with party cruises though.

Some people respect the virus and fellow passengers and try not to spread it around like an STD.

[Old Fart Cruisers]

3 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I don't even remember the 70s

 

 

It has been said that if you can remember the 70s, you weren't really there🤣

 

[ladychater]

I've been on a few lines and I think Carnival has the most active cruise directors.  By that, I mean that you see them (and hear them) all over the ship, hosting parties and events, being silly, keeping the dance floors filled...it's not really like that on other ships.  Royal is a ton of fun, but it's more the "we're going to entertain you" ship, where Carnival is the "we're going to get you participating" ship.  I've done 4, 5, and 7 days on Carnival and feel like on their ships, there's always a party to be found, whether it's the hairy chest contest by the pool, the 80's dance party on deck, or a concert in the atrium.  If you're looking to have a good time, a good time is being had somewhere most any time from the afternoon to late into the evening.  Of course, if that's not your vibe, there are always plenty of places to sit and chill or have an elegant meal, etc.

 

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Some people respect the virus and fellow passengers and try not to spread it around like an STD.

Different virus

[BlerkOne]

7 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Different virus

Yes, but both can be spread by reckless behavior, including unprotected partying. 

[BlerkOne]

37 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

It has been said that if you can remember the 70s, you weren't really there🤣

 

If not for the old school pictures and flashbacks...

[Old Fart Cruisers]

On some of the shorter cruises it's easy to see how much of a "party cruise" it is by the amount of puke on the pool deck🤢

[Skippy]

1 hour ago, ladychater said:

I've been on a few lines and I think Carnival has the most active cruise directors.  By that, I mean that you see them (and hear them) all over the ship, hosting parties and events, being silly, keeping the dance floors filled...it's not really like that on other ships.  Royal is a ton of fun, but it's more the "we're going to entertain you" ship, where Carnival is the "we're going to get you participating" ship.  I've done 4, 5, and 7 days on Carnival and feel like on their ships, there's always a party to be found, whether it's the hairy chest contest by the pool, the 80's dance party on deck, or a concert in the atrium.  If you're looking to have a good time, a good time is being had somewhere most any time from the afternoon to late into the evening.  Of course, if that's not your vibe, there are always plenty of places to sit and chill or have an elegant meal, etc.

 

I agree. The carnival cruise directors were so full of energy and always trying to get the crowd going, even during the evening performances. They were always out and about doing dance parties and stuff. On Royal, the cruise directors were more subdued and seemed to be less energetic. 

[smears]

I've been on 7 or 8 cruises, all carnival and in my experience the vibe of the ship can change dramatically based on the port you're leaving from and when you leave as well as the duration of the cruise.

 

If you're leaving from Miami or New Orleans on Halloween or New Year's for a 4 day cruise to Cozumel or Cancun, you can expect a younger crowd of weekend warrior types and a full nightclub.

 

If you're leaving from Charleston heading to Bermuda on a 7 day, the whole ship might be asleep at 9pm, leaving you free to explore the entire ship without any crowds.

 

Cruises that are like a quick weekend getaway are generally going to attract a different crowd than ones that may be a bit longer or going to more exotic destinations and that may cost a little more. 

 

Either way though, whichever one you end up on, the ships, (even the smallest ones) are big enough to make it the case that if you want to find a peaceful place to relax that's relatively quiet, you shouldn't have any problem doing that. Likewise, even on the ships that have drawn in more families or people looking for a longer vacation, you can find a lively section if you're looking to turn up the volume a notch so to speak. 

 

Cruises are for the most part what you make of them, and they tend to have something for everyone. I've never had a bad experience.

[jsglow]

It's in the eye of the beholder.  We've been on 'energetic' 4 night cruises to Cozumel.  We've also been on sedate 14 day Journey repos.  The atmosphere is different between the two as one would expect but despite some annoyance of loud people in the halls after midnight we've never had a problem.  Carnival isn't for everyone.  Nobody should care.

[ldubs]

12 hours ago, smears said:

 

Cruises are for the most part what you make of them, and they tend to have something for everyone. I've never had a bad experience.

 

BINGO!