Carnival 55+

[kathy32259]

hairychick - here is the link - enjoy!!:D

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=366584

[normamp]

Well I celebrated my 55th birthday last Sunday, so I guess I can post here officially now.:o :eek: :confused: :)

 

Our little group of 4 on Carnival Liberty for 11/25/06 just grew to 6 this week. A cousin and his significant other will be joining us too. The more the merrier, I always think. Even tho' you always meet new people on a cruise, it's fun to go with your own group too.

 

Hairychick - Looked at that Freedom cruise - it looks fantastic. I'd love to do it, but would have to find someone to stay with my Mom. She'd do it too, but because of medical history, Dr. says it's too long air travel for her.

I've read a little about that ship and it sounds wonderful. Enjoy! and post all about it when you come back. You'll love Carnival too - don't worry. Their new ships are great. I went on a 17nt. Carnival Spirit, when the ship was brand new - it was the greatest!

 

Happy weekend all,

Norma

[georgette923]

Kathy you will love Red Rock, we were there in May and went back for a second visit in June. Vegas is one of our two favorite vacations. Cruising and Vegas! We drove two different ways. First time we drove straight out W. Charleston. Next time we took 215 to W. Charleston. Don't forget to also go see South Coast if you haven't been there yet. It just opened in December. Nice place too.

 

We're getting excited for our cruise in September! The Freedom of the Seas will be in Miami the same day we are leaving from there. I'm looking forward to seeing her.

[kathy32259]

Hi Everyone -

 

This thread has been really slow. We all must have had a busy summer - I know I did.

 

I have returned from Vegas - a winner!! I brought home $140 more than I took with me (and I paid for everything in cash) :eek: Now that is amazing! Red Rock was a beautiful place to visit and we also went to the new South Coast. We really enjoyed the dueling piano's there! Fun.

 

When I got home I found out that the price of my October 5 nights on the Celebration has come down. Get this deal - $164.00 for a 5 night cruise in a 1A cabin with 2 portholes (SOLO). Gosh - this must be my lucky month! This is an over 55+ rate, but I noticed that ALL of the rates are good.

 

If any of you are looking for a quick get away in Sept/Oct the prices are awesome!

 

goergette and jeralyn - haven't heard from you for awhile. Oh yes - georgette is probably cruising...:p so georgette - we expect a review when you get back.

 

jeralyn - we stayed at the Golden Nugget and they are remodeling. It is going to be awsome when it is finished. Will have to wait until next year to see it - but my friends and I are considering coming back in the April/May timeframe.

 

So all you 55+ check out those rates and get cruisin!

[baseball16]

Hello everyone. I am fairly new to this site and just found this forum today. I guess most people automatically go to the cruise line listed or ask questions sections, I did.

 

Thanks Kathy for your info on the Triumph. We are booked on it for next May.

 

I am 52 and DH is 58. We are taking our 20 yr old son and he is really concerned about going on Carnival. I was too as I read the reviews 2 days ago, however yesterday there were some pretty good reviews on the ship.

 

We have been on Carnival once about 6 or 8 yrs ago and it was bad and we really aren't picky people. It was the Ecstacy, it was dark and neon blue and red. We did'nt get drinks at dinner until after we ate, they dropped a wine glass in my lap. We were put in a booth, and at our age and weight (haha) that was not comfortable. We opted for the buffets the rest of the trip and it tasted like they took the day befores menu and put gravy on everything. We have never been again. Our favorite so far is RCCL, however they have gone sky high on their prices. We are willing to give Carnival another try. We know our expectations this time are low so we hope to be happily surprised. We are doing the Eastern Carib. We went 3 yrs ago and didn't get to see much as hurricane was chasing us.

 

Give me an idea of the dining menu and cabins. We are Balcony on deck 10, panorama

 

Thanks

 

Baseball16

[kathy32259]

Hello everyone. I am fairly new to this site and just found this forum today. I guess most people automatically go to the cruise line listed or ask questions sections, I did.

 

Thanks Kathy for your info on the Triumph. We are booked on it for next May.

 

I am 52 and DH is 58. We are taking our 20 yr old son and he is really concerned about going on Carnival. I was too as I read the reviews 2 days ago, however yesterday there were some pretty good reviews on the ship.

 

We have been on Carnival once about 6 or 8 yrs ago and it was bad and we really aren't picky people. It was the Ecstacy, it was dark and neon blue and red. We did'nt get drinks at dinner until after we ate, they dropped a wine glass in my lap. We were put in a booth, and at our age and weight (haha) that was not comfortable. We opted for the buffets the rest of the trip and it tasted like they took the day befores menu and put gravy on everything. We have never been again. Our favorite so far is RCCL, however they have gone sky high on their prices. We are willing to give Carnival another try. We know our expectations this time are low so we hope to be happily surprised. We are doing the Eastern Carib. We went 3 yrs ago and didn't get to see much as hurricane was chasing us.

 

Give me an idea of the dining menu and cabins. We are Balcony on deck 10, panorama

 

Thanks

 

Baseball16

 

Hi Baseball16!

 

Welcome to CC and to this forum.

 

You will love the Eastern Carribean itinerary. Not sure of the ports since you will be sailing out of NOLA (I believe) by next May. I will miss the Triumph in Miami but it is being replaced with a newer ship so I will have to give that a try.

 

We prefer to stay on the Panorama Deck (deck 10). The balcony cabins are spacious and that deck is quiet because there are fewer cabins. I have heard that these cabins are bigger than the RCCL cabins - so you may be pleasantly surprised. I have never cruised on RCCL so I can only tell you what I have been told. We specifically chose deck 10 for our btb cruise this December/January. We were on deck 10 last Dec. and to be honest, I am spoiled now.

 

In the cabin there are twin beds that can be made up to a king - and in some there are bunks that drop from the ceiling and are made up at night while you are at dinner. Also there is a sofa and a little table (for room service in the morning! - be sure and order your coffee the night before and enjoy on your balcony each morning - lovely!:) ) There are 3 large closets with a safe in one of them. You will want to take a card with a magnetic strip to use to lock the safe. I use an old gift card because I do not suggest you use your sign and sail or a credit card. There are three or four drawers and lots of cabinet space for storage.

 

You will have a large picture window and a door that opens to the balcony. On the balcony there are 2 chairs and a small table. If your son is staying with you in your cabin, ask the steward to bring another chair and he will do that. Now the balconys are not real large - so three chairs is a little crowded - but doable.

 

The bathroom has plenty of room for your personal items and it is alot larger than the Ecstacy bathroom. They have shower curtains for the shower and on the wall in the shower are dispensers for body wash and shampoo. Dove products.

 

Menus - they vary each day - but always have a selection of appetizers, salads (usually a garden or cesear), entrees consist of meat, fish, pasta - which can also be ordered as an appetizer - vegetarian, and spa (low fat low calorie). If you do not like anything on the menu, you can order a filet at anytime. Then the desserts! Do not pass up the chocolate souffle or the grand marinier souffle - it is yummy! And on formal night they have prime rib and lobster. You can order one of each if you want. We usually order the lobster and then split the prime rib.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact the maitre 'd if you have problems in the dining room or do not like your table or dining time assignment. I have found that they will do everything they can to make you happy.

 

If you go to the Carnival forum you will find a thread with the Menu's - just do a search. Also, there are lots of pictures of the balcony cabins - you just have to search for those too. Let me know if you have any problem and I will try to find some and post the link here.

 

I hope this is the info you were looking for. If you have any additional questions, I will be happy to try to answer them.

[AAAAmerican]

We are again on this brand new ship.

 

It is like many ships were before. Great staff good food not crowded and they do not hawk everything in ear shod..

 

We are going with 6 people and I am the Youngest ..I am over 50+ now...

 

They all act younger than me

 

 

 

Is anyone else aboard the ms Noordam IV then with us?:cool:

[georgette923]

Hi Everyone,

We had a great cruise on the Elation. Weather was perfect. Cabin location was great right off the Atrium, shows were good, food was great and we really enjoyed the ports. The two ports that were beach stops was Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. There was a Margaritaville at Grand Turk, everything there was expensive. The water was beautiful as were the beaches. St. Thomas we took a Godfrey Tour very nice for $25pp. In San Juan we went to the Bacardi Rum Factory tour through Carnival and we enjoyed it.

 

Now we are looking forward to our November 25 trip on the Liberty. We've heard some wonderful things about her. We've been on the Conquest so it should be similar, just a little newer. We are going to Costa Rica, Panama and Costa Maya. We are probably going to do another excursion in Costa Rica, the rainforest there was beautiful. Panama we may just do a city excursion since we were at the Canal in January on the Coral. We have friends going with us who have not been to these ports before, I know they will enjoy them.

 

Baseball16 - we really enjoy our Carnival cruises. Hopefully you will have a better experience than the last time. Our November cruise will be our 8th Carnival cruise. We did enjoy Princess and NCL too but, Carnival is our favorite. We're even looking for our cruises for next year. (as you see we just started cruising in 2002 and we are hooked!!)

 

Kathy - Glad you had a great trip to Vegas and you were a winner! We are still thinking about going back for a few days in December. Haven't decided yet. We enjoyed South Coast too. Vegas is always a great get away!

 

Hi Norma - hope your Mom is doing better. Have you scheduled your excursions yet?

 

Enjoy your day! Time to get back to work.

[kathy32259]

Hi Georgette:)

 

Glad to see that you had a wonderful cruise on the Elation. She is coming to Port Canaveral next month and will be sailing out of there for awhile. I was looking at some of her cruises for the end of Nov - then I thought I better not go since I am going for two weeks in Dec. :eek:

 

We haven't heard from jeryln for awhile. I hope she is doing OK.

 

Yes, we loved Vegas! If I could go back in Dec I would do it! We are thinking maybe going again in the spring. That remains to be seen.

 

Have fun on the Liberty. The itinerary sounds awsome. Please post a review when you get back. I was definately looking at that ship and the 8 day itinerary that is offered.

[kathy32259]

georgette - jerilyn - baseball - normamp - where is everybody?? this board has been really quiet. waiting to hear from everyone about their cruises.

 

Leaving in 11 days on the Celebration out of Jax for the first time.:D

[mfeenker]

Hi Kathy,

I'm not cruising at the moment but am attending the Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta and yp till this morning it has been wet and unfit weather, however this morning was beautiful and mercy did the balloons fly. Simply amazing. I'll be posting photos upon my return next week.

[kathy32259]

Hi Mfeenker -

 

What a wonderful opportunity! I hope you will post the pics here. My sis loves hot air balloons and I would love to send her some great pictures of that event. I have heard it is the best. I hope the weather holds! Have fun!

[dmk446]

Hi Kathy, like Annieeee I too am 55+ and sometimes cruise solo, going on NCL's Dawn 11-12 to the Bahamas, my wife and I just returned from RCCL's Explorer to Bermuda. Hope to run across some of the other oldies in your thread :)

[Susa]

Those of you that have cruised several lines...how does Celebrity compare in the areas of:

Food

Beds

Pools

Spas

These are the things most important to us. Our first cruise was 12 years ago for our honeymoon on Costa - loved it but nothing to compre it to. Last Dec we did a 10 day Celebrity Century - loved it.

I always heard Celeb was for the younger/party types - always loud. True or not? We always travel Oct or Feb to avoid kids as much as possible.

Any suggestions?

[Susa]

I meant to say I always thought of CARNIVAL as younger/party line...senior moment..:o

[georgette923]

Hi Kathy, Our cruise last month was great! We're getting excited for our next cruise in November. It's 8 days on the Carnival Liberty leaving from Ft. Lauderdale. The ports are Costa Maya, Costa Rica and Panama. We have friends that are going with us on this cruise. It will be fun, as always. We haven't made it back to Vegas yet, we may still go for a few days in December.

 

Susa, we love Carnival. Our November cruise will be our 8th Carnival cruise. We're even looking for cruises next year! We've only cruised on Carnival, NCL and Princess. They were all great cruises and ships. Some were smaller and older than others but we still had a great time. After all your cruise is what you make it!

 

Hope we hear from jerilyn and baseball soon. Norma has been posting on the Liberty thread. Hop over there Kathy it's the Liberty Nov. 25 thread.

 

Have a great Wednesday. GO CARDS!!!

[mfeenker]

Hi Mfeenker -

 

What a wonderful opportunity! I hope you will post the pics here. My sis loves hot air balloons and I would love to send her some great pictures of that event. I have heard it is the best. I hope the weather holds! Have fun!

 

OK Kathy, I'll put some up here and probably post on another site and provide a link as I have been on picture taking overload and will need a lot of space to post.

[kathy32259]

I meant to say I always thought of CARNIVAL as younger/party line...senior moment..:o

 

Hi Susa - I didn't start cruising until I was 50+ and my first was on Carnival. I loved it so much I have never tried another - now shooting for Platinum cruiser on that line. I guess I don't know any better. For me the pricing is right and if you choose when you cruise you can avoid too many children, spring breakers and the like. I have to say - I have never been on a cruise I did not thoroughly enjoy.

 

Georgette - That 8 day on the Liberty sounds wonderful! I may jump over to the thread and say Hi - but be warned I will be jealous I am not sailing with you all. I am on the Celebration next Saturday for a 5 night getaway to hold me over until December. :o I wonder what has become of jerilyn - hope all is well with her.

 

mfeenker - I will look for your post. Not sure if you are home from NM yet?? So when are you going to jump on another Carnival ship??

 

dmk446 - WOW - Bermuda!! You will have to come back here and tell us all about your cruise!! Nov 12 is right around the corner.

 

AAAAmerican - I am like you - the youngest of the group - but still over 55+ (not by much....:p )

[georgette923]

Hi Kathy - stop by & say hi on the Liberty thread, some nice folks there. :D

 

We're like you are and didn't start cruising until after 50. (our first cruise in 2002 was on the NCL Sun with 3 other couples) I agree we've never been on a cruise we didn't enjoy. Even when we missed ports because of hurricanes. Cruising is about the ship, right?!

 

Everyone have a nice Sunday.

 

Go CARDS!!!

[dmk446]

dmk446 - WOW - Bermuda!! You will have to come back here and tell us all about your cruise!! Nov 12 is right around the corner.

 

Bermuda was great and so was the Explorer. The ocean water was still warm enough to snorkel and swim. The relaxed Island atmosphere was as nice as always. The ship's shows and programs, especially the Ice Show, were great! Now repacked and waiting to sail on the Dawn :)

[katiel53]

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are 55+++. We have sailed many cruises and I have sailed more than he as I did travel with my sister before she remarried. We have been on Carnival many times, but for some reason they can only find 8 cruises for me, so before we do another long Carnival cruise, we need to do a short one.

 

We have also cruised on other lines. We did HAL, which we didn't like at all, Celebrity many, many times, RCCL a few, one NCL and one Princess. For the last few years we have been loyal to Celebrity and RCCL, but prices have gone up sky high on Celebrity, and RCCL keeps changing policies and I am not sure I like all the changes. That doesn't mean that we won't cruise with them, it's just that I think we need to start going on some other lines again.

 

We have enjoyed all our cruises and are looking forward to trying some other lines again.

 

Katie

[can'twaittogoagain]

I'm sure hubbie and I have misconceptions about Carnival...I'm glad I saw this thread...maybe we could get some tips? We are both over 55 and have only been on NCL Sun (4 times.) We enjoy good food, good shows, and a chance to veg out and get away from job stress, though we aren't "party animals." We read by the pool or get off the ships and shop a bit, or find a nice beach....maybe get a massage at the spa...Which of the Carnival ships would you recommend to us????

[hotzej]

Hello,

Wife and I 55+. Just found this thread. Going on Celebration 5/5/07, 5 day out of Jacksonville.... We're from Charlotte NC.... I'm retired, wife is manager with national insurance co..... 5 Carnival Cruises.... 12 all together.... As a previous poster said, still the best bang for your buck.... We enjoy the Casino's and love to dance.......

 

Bill/Jane

[firefly333]

Iv found that the last minute 5 days Carnival cruises are the cheapest in my area as well, but the only ship out of Texas that is cheap is the Esctasy which has that step up into the bath room which my sister has difficulty with because of balance issues. The 7 day Carnival cruises which have higher rated ships and better ports are much more expensive on a per day basis.

 

Iv done better with other cruise lines on the 7 day cruises than on Carnival.

 

Carnival does have great pizza and bedding and we loved the shows. Im keeping a 2nd Ectasy Carnival cruise in reserve for a time when we cant find anything else we wanted. We did the first one late Oct 06 when they had a special, the next category up was the same price, so you got a oceanview for the price of a inside room. The senior rate was higher than the special, so we didnt get a senior discount :)

[sunrise2]

Hi All Just found this board. I am 57 and my DH is 53. We are leaving this Sunday 2/18/07 sailing on the Destiny. We will be traveling with 2 other couples, 1 couple already retired and the the other couple (younger) are still both working. My DH still works and I was downsized 2 years ago and have not gone back to work since. Too much stress. I do miss the money as well as the social life that work gives you. This will be our third Carnival Cruise. We have cruised on Celebrity once and the Chandris line (way back when) once. My DH in 2 yrs will be able to retire and then we will be off to our home in FL and really take advantage of cruising out of the FL ports especially when they have those specials. Then I will get the balacony cabin since I won't have to pay for air fare. Love to cruise and travel. That is one of the reasons why my DH does not want me to go back to work because he always had more vac time than I. It is easier when only one has to get a vacation approved. I don't have to worry about that now. Will let you all know how the Destiny was when we return. Having trouble packing as I think I need it all and can't live without. Talk to you soon!