Carnival Europe - Looking for some insight

[Littlegoo75]

Hi all. I am looking for some input from anyone who has sailed with Carnival in Europe.

 

As far as the food goes, is it pretty much the same as you would find on the Caribbean sailings, or is it quite different due to being based on an entirely different continent?

 

Is Carnival still aimed at catering to the American clientelle, or do they alter that due to having more Europeans on board?

 

Currency - Are things generally priced based on the U.S. dollar or Euros? Casino - is US currency used?

 

Comedians and shows - Do they use European comedians or do they fly them in from the US? Again, is everything aimed towards the American senses of humor?

 

Fellow passengers - Mostly Americans, or mostly Europeans ?

 

Smoking? A great deal more going on due to being in Europe?

 

Age range? Did you find a lot of younger people (late 20's - 30's) on board?

 

Is it a more subdued crowd, or are there still a lot of partiers? Athough judging by what happened to George Smith on RCCL, I guess you will always find partiers, won't you?

 

I am just curious as to what I can expect. I won't be cruising Europe for awhile, but definitely plan on booking for April 2007 on the Freedom for the Greek Itinerary. Can't wait!

 

Are announcements made in other languages besides English?

[Littlegoo75]

Surely, somebody has sailed on the Liberty when she was in Europe........please?

[suzy671]

We sailed on the Liberty August 25, 2005 over in Europe for 12 days and absolutely loved it. It was our first time in Europle. Most of the passengers were American, food was the same. The ports were outstanding and I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you can, I would recommend going to Rome a couple days before the cruise to experience Rome and the many sites to see, its was fantastic.

 

You won't find a lot of kids on this cruise.

[lsp]

We were on the Liberty on 9/12 and if you didn't see the scenery at the ports telling you that you were in Europe you would never know the difference. Everything is still 100% American. Same food, same entertainers, same money, same everything. We didn't notice more smokers either which you would expect in Europe. The crowd was older but that could have been due to the time of year, kids in school. In fact I think there were only 10 kids on board and they were Americans.

 

There wasn't a lot of partiers either because I think everyone was too tired after being out in port on tours everyday.

 

We loved it and are going to be on the Freedom next spring.

 

Linda

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Littlegoo -

 

Read my review on the Liberty on the maiden voyage in 2005. You can click this link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=213489

 

It's long but, I went into lots of detail.

[cruisecastle]

I went last summer.The cruise is mostly families and older folks. The partiers definately aren't on this ship. Of course all things on board (casino) are done in dollars while most of the off ship things are done in euro's. In Croatia dollars were also taken.

 

Passengers are probably 90+% american and the comedians and entertainment are also american or the same ones you would see in the caribbean.

 

Because of the family nature of the ship the smoking is fairly minimal

 

There were a few honeymooners last year in the 20s and 30s and I think there will be more this summer.

[Littlegoo75]

Great! Thanks for the responses, and you have told me what I was hoping to hear. I will be sailing on the Freedom in April 2007, Med. and Greek Isles, just what I was hoping for. Hopefully sometime in the future, Carnival will also add Northern Europe Itineraries.

12 months, 26 days and counting down!!!! I think I need to book another cruise between now and then!

[LRene]

As far as the food goes, is it pretty much the same as you would find on the Caribbean sailings, or is it quite different due to being based on an entirely different continent?

Food was actually a little better/fresher. Obviously, the commodities are coming from the European ports. It's not an Italian menu if that's what you're asking but I thought the quality was quite good.

Is Carnival still aimed at catering to the American clientelle, or do they alter that due to having more Europeans on board?

Announcements repeated in French because there were a lot of Canadians and French on board. Other than that, I'd say they cater to the North American clientele - not just American.

Currency - Are things generally priced based on the U.S. dollar or Euros? Casino - is US currency used?

As previously stated - dollars in casino - euro everywhere else in port. Currency exchange on board was OK (so-so exch.rate)

Comedians and shows - Do they use European comedians or do they fly them in from the US? Again, is everything aimed towards the American senses of humor? American comedians

 

Fellow passengers - Mostly Americans, or mostly Europeans ?

On our sailing I'd say 75% American.

Smoking? A great deal more going on due to being in Europe?

Didn't really notice.

Age range? Did you find a lot of younger people (late 20's - 30's) on board?

Just the opposite. Few in the their 20's-30's. Average age I would say was 45-50.

Is it a more subdued crowd, or are there still a lot of partiers? Athough judging by what happened to George Smith on RCCL, I guess you will always find partiers, won't you?

More subdued because people are WORN OUT!

Are announcements made in other languages besides English?

French

[auburn77]

As far as the food goes, is it pretty much the same as you would find on the Caribbean sailings, or is it quite different due to being based on an entirely different continent?

Food was actually a little better/fresher. Obviously, the commodities are coming from the European ports. It's not an Italian menu if that's what you're asking but I thought the quality was quite good.

 

Is Carnival still aimed at catering to the American clientelle, or do they alter that due to having more Europeans on board?

Announcements repeated in French because there were a lot of Canadians and French on board. Other than that, I'd say they cater to the North American clientele - not just American.

 

Currency - Are things generally priced based on the U.S. dollar or Euros? Casino - is US currency used?

As previously stated - dollars in casino - euro everywhere else in port. Currency exchange on board was OK (so-so exch.rate)

 

Comedians and shows - Do they use European comedians or do they fly them in from the US? Again, is everything aimed towards the American senses of humor? American comedians

 

Fellow passengers - Mostly Americans, or mostly Europeans ?

On our sailing I'd say 75% American.

 

Smoking? A great deal more going on due to being in Europe?

Didn't really notice.

 

Age range? Did you find a lot of younger people (late 20's - 30's) on board?

Just the opposite. Few in the their 20's-30's. Average age I would say was 45-50.

 

Is it a more subdued crowd, or are there still a lot of partiers? Athough judging by what happened to George Smith on RCCL, I guess you will always find partiers, won't you?

More subdued because people are WORN OUT!

 

Are announcements made in other languages besides English?

French

 

Just a few more questions if you don't mind.

 

Do they move dinner times back while in certain ports?

You say that you can exchange $ for Euros on the ship at a so-so rate. What about the fee?

When in Venice,is it very easy to get to St. Mark's square on your own?

 

Thanks.

[DebNJoe]

Just a few more questions if you don't mind.

 

Do they move dinner times back while in certain ports?

You say that you can exchange $ for Euros on the ship at a so-so rate. What about the fee?

When in Venice,is it very easy to get to St. Mark's square on your own?

 

Thanks.

 

There are 4 set dinner times (2 in each dining room). These were adjusted on late port days by 1/2 hour, if I remember correctly. The late seating did end up getting quite late! :eek:

 

Your best exchange rate is thru ATMs, which were everywhere. It is best to check with your bank and credit card companies as to what add'l % or fees they charge.

 

In Venice, we were at the regular port, which was about 15-20 min away by the water bus Vaparetto (ACTV) - purchase the 24 hour pass, for 10E. You will find alot of info on this on the Europe board. You might be lucky to dock right at St Marks as some of the sailings last year were, then no additional transportation would be necessary.

 

Enjoy your trip - It was WONDERFUL.:D

[auburn77]

Thank you. You've been a great help. We are really looking forward to it.

[redskin80]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=316527

 

Here is my response to the Europe Cruise Last year.

 

have Fun

[tbeecher]

Here is a blog that I wrote while we were on the Liberty on 09/30/05.

 

We leave next Saturday on the Spirit for Mexico!

 

http://bloglines.com/blog/tbeecher/2005_9_30

 

Tony

[enchantress13]

I too am looking at going to Europe and wanted to know how expensive are the excursions? And is there alot of people to each tour? Any tours for those who may not be able to walk alot, or at least resting places during the walking? Also I heard on RCL they have a masque ball after one of the ports anything like this on Carnival? Thanks in advance for all the info!!! :D

 

[redskin80]

I too am looking at going to Europe and wanted to know how expensive are the excursions? And is there alot of people to each tour? Any tours for those who may not be able to walk alot, or at least resting places during the walking? Also I heard on RCL they have a masque ball after one of the ports anything like this on Carnival? Thanks in advance for all the info!!! :D

 

 

No Masque ball, that was probably after Venice, where the masks are very popular. We did only Carnival tours, and most of teh tours that inlcuded the lunches, Yes they are pricey. See my post a few up for some insight on the tours that we took.

[Disneyjunkie]

How about teens?

 

I'm planning to call Monday to get info about the Freedom for August 17 or 28, 2007.

[Jody8]

Can anyone tell me if there are any european cruises that depart from and return to the United States. All I have seen, leave from Europe and return to the U.S. or the other way around.

[luvz2run2000]

Jody8,

The Liberty does a twelve night Europe cruise that is roundtrip from Rome. I don't think anybody does roundtrip Europe from the US. It would be really long and mostly sea days. Carnival has transatlantic cruises at the beginning and end of the European crusing season; it sounds like that's what you saw.

Go to the CCL website and look at the Liberty for this summer to see the route.

[bphman]

The QM 2 had a round trip cruise. Six nights over, 12 nights there and 6 nights back. Although I love cruising, 24 nights is a long time. Also, it was expensive at about $5000 per person for, I believe, an inside. Maybe if I were retired, I would consider it.

[Littlegoo75]

I was thinking of doing research on excursions run independently because they might be cheaper, but after what happened in Chile, I might just pay the extra money and stick with the cruise ship's excursions. In Europe I doubt the difference in price would be that much anyway.