About to sail Carnival for the first time - what am I in for?

[Drew B 58]

6 hours ago, Steve_MI said:

We absolutely love Celebrity: the food is amazing; the ships are immaculate; the drinks are included; and it’s a polite, respectful crowd. We’ve never seen any drama on a Celebrity cruise - no belligerent drunks, no fights, no crass/obnoxious behavior. 
 

We are only doing this CCL cruise because we’re going with some good friends. Oddly enough, it’ll be our most expensive cruise we’ve ever taken since we booked a suite (and a near top-of-the-line one at that) so that we’d have ample room to escape if the crowd was just too much for us. We’ve never even booked a suite on Celebrity! 

Celebrity and Carnival happen to be the only two lines I’ve ever sailed.  As it turned out, by far the MOST obnoxious guest behavior I ever encountered was on Celebrity.  A mechanical issue caused us to miss two of our ports.  A large group of passé (I’d guess several hundred)  was irate about the recompense offered by the cruise line, and they proceeded to hold noisy protests that jammed up the public areas.  This literally went on for DAYS!  The itinerary change didn’t ruin my cruise but the subsequent guest behavior certainly threatened to!  
 

I have sailed more than a dozen times on Carnival and the only time I was ever negatively impacted by guest behavior was when I made the mistake of going into a public restroom on a 3-day booze cruise and found it covered in vomit.  Not “nice”, but not a huge impact an me beyond that one moment.

 

I understand that the Celebrity debacle was an anomaly (and guests on my other Celebrity cruise were fine), but I would say that the idea that Celebrity’s guests are classier or more courteous has NOT been borne out in my anecdotal experience…

[Drazil65]

We have sailed with RCCL and CCL (did NCL once many years ago and have not had a reason to go back truthfully).  We like both lines for different reasons.  

 

I agree with the posts saying that you should go with an open mind and take a grounded understanding that Celebrity and CCL offer 2 different experiences.  The Celebration is a huge ship and there is lots to do (we just sailed her sister ship Mardi Gras 2 weeks ago and loved it!),  your suite should offer you some solace and a great escape for the times you need it.  Take the time to enjoy some of the things on the ship like maybe the comedy shows (we had 6 different comedians over the 7 days with several shows a day) or whatever your interests may be.  The specialty restaurants may be worth the investment as we had excellent food on Mardi Gras.  The casino is large, the shows were great and we loved the adult serenity area for kicking back.  Enjoy what you can and if you dont like it, never sail CCL again.  

Edited January 3, 2023 by Drazil65

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, EngIceDave said:

I can give you mine.

 

Low brow, unsophisticated folks who are unaware of their surroundings and/or do not care, and who then speak loudly over three other tables. Inconsiderate and rude folks who think they are God's gift to Carnival and you, cutting in lines with bullying behaviors. Folks who get drunk and are bad drinkers, causing fights or annoying others, 3am Walmart bonus points if they're doing it by 10 am.

Sounds like a lot of stereotyping of Walmart shoppers.

[EngIceDave]

27 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Sounds like a lot of stereotyping of Walmart shoppers.

The "Walmart" part is only a moniker, a label.

 

Well earned...

 

https://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

[ontheweb]

9 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

The "Walmart" part is only a moniker, a label.

 

Well earned...

 

https://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

still a lot of stereotyping.

[cwyse]

I'll add my 2 cents. Cruising is what you make it to be. Whether traveling alone or with others. you will meet a bunch of great people and have lifetime memories. 

 

As an added bonus is there really such a thing as a bad cruise. Hmmmm warm weather, sun shine and relaxation 

😃

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Oceansaway17]

On 1/2/2023 at 4:10 AM, Steve_MI said:

We’ve only ever cruised with Celebrity before and are heading out on Carnival Celebration with friends. We really love Celebrity and don’t know what to expect. Any thoughts, tips, or pointers?

Well you picked the brand newest ship in the fleet for first CCL trip.

I suggest you look at You Tube videos.  This ship does have a section that honors the older ships.

 

I think you will find that it is a high energy ship with pretty good food and good enertainment.

Carnival is not as cheap as MSC and Carnival new designs.  

 

I have done most of the cruiselines and there is none that is perfect.  Enjoy the Celebration and check Your tube.  

[Joebucks]

I must say, for as negative the doom and gloom posts the Carnival forum has seen, the Celebrity one may actually have more at the moment.

[ontheweb]

13 hours ago, cwyse said:

I'll add my 2 cents. Cruising is what you make it to be. Whether traveling alone or with others. you will meet a bunch of great people and have lifetime memories. 

 

As an added bonus is there really such a thing as a bad cruise. Hmmmm warm weather, sun shine and relaxation 

😃

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will agree, except there is not always relaxation. If about half of your cruises have been in Europe and your DW is an art teacher (now retired), sometimes you come home needing a vacation. 😉

[steveknj]

18 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

I can give you mine.

 

Low brow, unsophisticated folks who are unaware of their surroundings and/or do not care, and who then speak loudly over three other tables. Inconsiderate and rude folks who think they are God's gift to Carnival and you, cutting in lines with bullying behaviors. Folks who get drunk and are bad drinkers, causing fights or annoying others, 3am Walmart bonus points if they're doing it by 10 am.

 

Couldn't that type of behavior happen on ANY ship?   I've encountered rude inconsiderate people on a CCL ship, but I have also encountered them on an NCL ship as well (where my son almost inadvertently got involved in a fight between two drunks in a club).  Too much booze, and people who can't handle it is a recipe for that type of behavior, and the fact that Celebrity offers "free" booze to everyone (without having to purchase a drinks package) would make me think you are MORE likely to encounter that sort of behavior on a Celebrity cruise.    What you seem to be saying is that you don't want to socialize with the "riff raff" on a cruise that might cost less.   Fair enough, if that's the snob you want to be.

[EngIceDave]

Of course it can happen anywhere, but stereotypes are typically rooted in some truth, just like the stereotype of the "Walmart Customer," so much so it's a running gag everywhere.

I have to admit that I have not seen too many poolside brawls or bar fights on Celebrity. I could be wrong! Maybe bar fights are common on Celebrity, I don't know.

 

We cruise Carnival, so not like I'm a hater, I'm on Celebration at the end of the month.

 

Fact is, I think if you could dig up the demographics between the two, you're see many differences between age, income, education level and more. Nothing wrong with it, just a different target demo.

 

If I sound like a snob, my apologies, I'm a guy who tries to look at things objectively as well as the marketing and advertising side of things.

[steveknj]

19 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

Of course it can happen anywhere, but stereotypes are typically rooted in some truth, just like the stereotype of the "Walmart Customer," so much so it's a running gag everywhere.

I have to admit that I have not seen too many poolside brawls or bar fights on Celebrity. I could be wrong! Maybe bar fights are common on Celebrity, I don't know.

 

We cruise Carnival, so not like I'm a hater, I'm on Celebration at the end of the month.

 

Fact is, I think if you could dig up the demographics between the two, you're see many differences between age, income, education level and more. Nothing wrong with it, just a different target demo.

 

If I sound like a snob, my apologies, I'm a guy who tries to look at things objectively as well as the marketing and advertising side of things.

 

Not saying your wrong, though Celebrity costs more (at least on the surface) so of course the demo is different.   It's the Lexus crowd versus the Subaru crowd.   But a drunk is a drunk and there are plenty of rich obnoxious drunks, you don't have to be poor to be obnoxious.   You may not be a snob, but your statement comes off as snobbish.   Now, if you said that Celebrity cruises are a bit more elegant, a bit less gaudy, then yeah, that makes more sense to me.   Because you pay for that sort of thing.   But your examples of it being a "Walmart" cruise because of obnoxious drunks and rude behavior just don't hold water.  There's plenty of that to go around.   Now, I have experienced the passengers being different culturally from different departure ports to be a thing.   And that's just how things are.  When you leave out of NYC you sail with a lot of people from the Northeast, when you sail out of New Orleans you sail with a lot of southerners.  There are cultural differences.  Some people like that, some people don't.

[EngIceDave]

and I am apparently a Walmart customer

 

Now, I also said all of this in my initial response, and none of it has to do with drinking.

 

17 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Low brow, unsophisticated folks who are unaware of their surroundings and/or do not care, and who then speak loudly over three other tables. Inconsiderate and rude folks who think they are God's gift to Carnival and you, cutting in lines with bullying behaviors.

 

People can also be inconsiderate, uncouth and pushy, and drinking has nothing to do with it.

It goes back to the target demographics.

 

Sounds disrespectful, which isn't my intent, and remember I am one of you, but they (Carnival) target a lower demographic as well as family and kids.

Disney has booze, but is expensive AF, but they cater to slightly more sophisticated  couples and families, why don't hear about drunken pool brawls.

 

Again, I apologize if I appear snobby, and maybe I am, but I pay attention to marketing and demographics. How I made my living when I owned the business I recently sold.

 

Maybe I should tell you why I like Carnival? It is upbeat, has a more diversified clientele and for now, the pricing (Casino rates) and routes work for me. I have sailed RCL, MSC and NCL.

 

I don't hate Carnival, I just see it for what I believe it is, as I see it.

 

Have a great day and Happy New Year.

[Homosassa]

Greatly lower your expectations from  Celebrity.

 

Carnival will meet those new expectations and possibly be even lower.

[BlerkOne]

56 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

Disney has booze, but is expensive AF, but they cater to slightly more sophisticated  couples and families, why don't hear about drunken pool brawls.

 

Maybe I should tell you why I like Carnival? It is upbeat, has a more diversified clientele and for now, the pricing (Casino rates) and routes work for me. I have sailed RCL, MSC and NCL.

 

Disney doesn't have casinos, much less casino rates. Hmmmmm.

 

Being mass market, Carnival does have more diversity in every way, cruisers, entertainment, etc. Something I thought lacking on Celebrity. More reality and less Camelot.

 

In lots and lots of Carnival cruises, I have never witnessed most of the badness some post about. But Carnival is much bigger than Celebrity and carries more people, so statistics would say many things are possible.

[EngIceDave]

35 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Disney doesn't have casinos, much less casino rates. Hmmmmm.

 

Being mass market, Carnival does have more diversity in every way, cruisers, entertainment, etc. Something I thought lacking on Celebrity. More reality and less Camelot.

 

In lots and lots of Carnival cruises, I have never witnessed most of the badness some post about. But Carnival is much bigger than Celebrity and carries more people, so statistics would say many things are possible.

Disney was only an example of where booze is served and none of the similar behaviors we've heard of on Carnival.

 

I have seen a ton of rude and inconsiderate people, but no fights.

[staceyglow]

2 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

Disney was only an example of where booze is served and none of the similar behaviors we've heard of on Carnival.

 

I have seen a ton of rude and inconsiderate people, but no fights.

In 20 cruises, I have never seen a fight on Carnival, either. 

 

And given that the typical Disney cruiser is a family with young children, I wouldn't expect to see flights on their ships, either. 

[BlerkOne]

8 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

Disney was only an example of where booze is served and none of the similar behaviors we've heard of on Carnival.

 

I'm thinking Disney doesn't offer a drink package that includes liquor?

[1kaper]

On 1/3/2023 at 9:47 AM, Steve_MI said:

We absolutely love Celebrity: the food is amazing; the ships are immaculate; the drinks are included; and it’s a polite, respectful crowd. We’ve never seen any drama on a Celebrity cruise - no belligerent drunks, no fights, no crass/obnoxious behavior. 
 

We are only doing this CCL cruise because we’re going with some good friends. Oddly enough, it’ll be our most expensive cruise we’ve ever taken since we booked a suite (and a near top-of-the-line one at that) so that we’d have ample room to escape if the crowd was just too much for us. We’ve never even booked a suite on Celebrity! 

I haven't had any issues with other passengers, met lots of great people.  No drama.  

But the food...I sail Carnival because of the good prices we get.  I keep that in mind when I am eating. I can always find something to eat, but if you are going to compare Celebrity food to Carnival, I fear you may be very disappointed. 

[1kaper]

5 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I will agree, except there is not always relaxation. If about half of your cruises have been in Europe and your DW is an art teacher (now retired), sometimes you come home needing a vacation. 😉

Ha. 
We only did one to Europe and neither of us are art buffs, still found it exhausting.  So much to see. Very port heavy.  And long days in ports. (this isn't meant as a complaint). 

[eltigre]

Oh why not join in,   I have sailed Princess and got caught in a fight between a fellow & his drunk female while sitting at the bar. Carnival with door slammers & yellers. Sailed NCL got sick once, sailed RCL, Celebrity.

What have I learned?

Never go on a short cruise, a holiday or spring break cruise. Try to get a cabin with no interior rooms across the hall,  elevator areas are usually OK,.

The cruise lines and the ships are all different, as are the employees in the varying every areas of the ship. 

Go for the ports, the varied experiences, and ignore to the best of your ability things that may annoy you. You are on HOLIDAY!!!

[Joebucks]

6 hours ago, steveknj said:

 

Not saying your wrong, though Celebrity costs more (at least on the surface) so of course the demo is different.   It's the Lexus crowd versus the Subaru crowd.   But a drunk is a drunk and there are plenty of rich obnoxious drunks, you don't have to be poor to be obnoxious.   You may not be a snob, but your statement comes off as snobbish.   Now, if you said that Celebrity cruises are a bit more elegant, a bit less gaudy, then yeah, that makes more sense to me.   Because you pay for that sort of thing.   But your examples of it being a "Walmart" cruise because of obnoxious drunks and rude behavior just don't hold water.  There's plenty of that to go around.   Now, I have experienced the passengers being different culturally from different departure ports to be a thing.   And that's just how things are.  When you leave out of NYC you sail with a lot of people from the Northeast, when you sail out of New Orleans you sail with a lot of southerners.  There are cultural differences.  Some people like that, some people don't.

 

In my anecdotal example, I used to deal with computer sales and repairs. You would think with the "demo" the customers buying the Macbook would be easier to deal with. Don't get me wrong, customers of all price points could be jerks. There was a demo difference. However, the Macbook customers would often be some of the most difficult. Believing that they paid more for their laptop, they should get special rules and treatment, or you would hear about it. Some of the biggest jerks I've dealt with. That kind of behavior is rarely exclusive to one aspect of their life.

[Theosprey247]

Jerks come in all flavors. 

[ontheweb]

7 hours ago, 1kaper said:

Ha. 
We only did one to Europe and neither of us are art buffs, still found it exhausting.  So much to see. Very port heavy.  And long days in ports. (this isn't meant as a complaint). 

And it's all worth it! 😊

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, Theosprey247 said:

Jerks come in all flavors. 

And if your cruise includes Jamaica, you can get Jerk Chicken.