To all my faithful companions, I feel like a traitor

[thepeach]

HI,

 

Have to put my two cents in,

 

I went on Carnival Glory last November, which is also a big and newer ship then your going on, but we had a wonderful time. We had a group of 6 with one 11 year old girl, and she loved it. NOw I do know the ship your going on is smaller and older, but I have friends that have been on that ship, and love the smaller ships. NOw I did enjoy the dinning better on RC, and that is why we came back to RC, and most likely will stay with this line, But just remember a cruise is a cruise, you make it what you want it to be, so go with a positive attuide and you will be just fine.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

We have sailed on both lines, and we are currently booked for a cruise on each line. We really like both lines, and they are very comparable to each other. As others have said, there are things you will like better on Carnival than on RCI, and visa versa. My DD LOVED Camp Carnival, and overall liked the kids activities better than the kids program on RCI. She is not into sports, so Camp Carnival was more to her liking, even as an older teen. When she was younger, we couldn't get her out of Camp Carnival. She always found a group of kids to pal around with all week, and made some very nice life long friendships along the way. You will like Carnival-have a great cruise!

[xpcdoojk]

:D I think that limiting yourself to only sailing from Texas is a bit less than optimal, but a value priced vacation is not to be ignored. I haven't done Carnival for several years, but we had a nice experience (my wife didn't enjoy it as much as I did), and while I found lots of little things that I didn't like as well there are elements that are better. It is a lot like a Ford or a Chevy they are not the same, but they are a lot alike.

 

How do you know what things are like unless you experience them yourselves? A new path can lead you to new discoveries or convince you that where you are is where you want to be. How do you know unless you try? Have fun and a good attitude and it will all be good!

 

jc

[brn2crz]

Well, I've done it. I have to see what else there is out there since RC is taking away my summer ships. I'm booked on Carnival July 23 out of NOLA.

I'm afraid of what I should expect. I've heard some wonderful & not so wonderful stories about Carnival.

I'm taking my 14 year old daughter, my best friend is going with us along with her 10 year old son.

Those of you who have done both lines, anyone know about Fantasy?

 

 

 

arrrgggg...

 

I think you should be bannished to the town square and forced to walk around with a scarlet c on your shirt :D

 

Don't give up on Galveston/Houston yet....

 

Just curious...Why not go to Galveston and do Conquest or (eeggaads) Ecstasy.

[trishalee]

We did our first Carnival cruise after 13 RCI. We went not expecting much - it was SO inexpensive compared to what we've become used to on RCI. Were just blown away by the whole experience probably because of our low expectations. Food was much better, everything else certainly comparable. The decor was HIDEOUS, but we actually had a contest to determine who could find the absolute ugliest area on the ship. There were so many to choose from, LOL.:D

[Mrsg324]

arrrgggg...

 

I think you should be bannished to the town square and forced to walk around with a scarlet c on your shirt :D

 

Don't give up on Galveston/Houston yet....

 

Just curious...Why not go to Galveston and do Conquest or (eeggaads) Ecstasy.

 

I'm not giving up but I need to see what I'm looking at next summer. Actually others stated C is cheaper. I didn't find that so during this time of the year.

 

Reason for NOLA, several reasons,

Conquest was quite a bit more than we paid for RCI a couple weeks ago. 1,400 vs a little over 2,000

The 5 night was also priced more than the Fantasy.

It gives me a reason to spend time with my grandmother in La.

 

Based on the reviews from here & the Carnival board, I'm ok. I actually believe my daughter may enjoy the Camp Carnival more than she would on RCI. She as one other said with there kids, is not into sports. She has some issues, therefore with her a structured program will probably be best. That is, if I can keep her off the waterslide.

[phrique]

I've never been on Carnival, only NCL and RCCL, but I have to say this--My mind cannot comprehend not enjoying a cruise. I'll take the smallest, oldest, stuffiest ship over my small, old, stuffy cubicle any day of the week.

 

Go, enjoy, I really do think if you have a positive attitude chances are good you'll love it.

[TahoeBob]

I'll take the smallest, oldest, stuffiest ship over my small, old, stuffy cubicle any day of the week.

this is the best post ever!!!!!!

[Macfans]

Go into your cruise with a positive attitude. We have been on both. We had a blast on Carnival!! They both have their strong and weak points. You will have alot of fun. Example: Our Cruise Director on Carnival Inspiration was a gentleman named Jorge. He was a standup comedian in his former life. Anything he had to say was absolutely side splitting!! I mean it!! The last cruise we went on was the Voyager. I could not even tell you our CD's name. Go and have fun!! You wont regret it. Don't try to compare the two. If you go to have fun you will.

Bon Voyage!!

[MGilly]

The Fantasy does have a 9 hole mini golf. It is on the top deck and was added during the last refurbishment last year. :)

My bad. We sailed on the Fantasy in 1998 - LONG before they added it.

[Cruising89143]

My bad. We sailed on the Fantasy in 1998 - LONG before they added it.

 

The Fantasy looks totally different in many areas now. Gone is the very BRIGHT neon that once dominated the promenade deck and casino. Much more subdued. The atrium also lost her neon as it was traded out for a softer blue lighting. She looks nicer than she did but still does not match that of the Sovereign IMHO. I have some photos of the Fantasy in my link below after her changes. She has been updated a little more since the photos were taken.

[MrPete]

Peter: read your review on Explorer and felt your review was very objective and fair considering you are a convert. My choices will be very limited but we have Elation and Ecstacy down here to choose from. Can you expound on those two for me. I'm really worried about being disappointed with Carnival. Thanks

 

They are both Fantasy class ships, but I've only been on the Ecstacy out of your two choices.

 

When those ships were coming out, I was attempting to sail on each of them (there are 8), but they were coming out faster than I could sail. I only made it to 4.

 

The ONLY reason I haven't sailed these ship in quite a few years is that they are balcony challenged.

 

Besides that, they were wonderful.

 

But I don't think you'll be disappointed. Add the fun element to any of these ships, and you're in for a grand time. The rooms are spacious, the food and entertainment fabulous. You will find the service on par.

 

As far as the ships themselves are concerned, comparing my limited experience of sailing the Explorer to a Carnival ship, RCCL wins hands down. But I only did that when I explored the ship. Now, I feel like I've been there, done that.

 

I prefer the experience over the infrastructure.

 

Now, if I found a line that had the RCCL ships with the Carnival experience, I would NEVER deviate from that line!

[MrPete]

The Fantasy looks totally different in many areas now.

 

 

OMG! You're right! I didn't even recognize some of the areas, although I haven't been on that ship in 17 years!

 

And I see they added a bar at the bottom of the atrium. I used to think, what a sterile and waste of space those areas were, with the "so called" art in the center.

 

Is that HUGE spinning can ACTUALLY gone?

[HammondFamily]

Peter: read your review on Explorer and felt your review was very objective and fair considering you are a convert. I am a Royal champion who will probably be tasting Carnival now since RCCL is pulling out of Galveston for a while. My choices will be very limited and we watched Valor and Victory while in Miami and were interested in those but we have Elation and Ecstacy down here to choose from. Can you expound on those two for me. I'm really worried about being disappointed with Carnival. Thanks

 

Our first cruise was on the Elation out of Galveston in 2004. My 6 year old (at the time) daughter loved it and I enjoyed it, but my 11 year old son and husband were disappointed. They were both bored. My 11 year old is shy and wouldn't do Camp Carnival, and there wasn't enough to do on the ship for kids if you don't go to Camp Carnival. One waterslide and that was about it. The arcade was EXTREMELY small and disappointing.

 

My husband felt the same way...not enough to do...He spent more time at the art auctions than anywhere else, which is not something he normally enjoys AT ALL. Just something to do...

 

I had a nice time though...but then I'm happiest sitting in the sun with a beautiful book and good view....But for our next cruise, which is coming up in 3 weeks, I chose a ship where there were TONS of things for DH and DS to do to keep busy.

 

YMMV of course...

Jen

[time4agetaway]

We've sailed Carnival a bunch of times as you can see from my sig. We have always had a great time. We took the Fantasy for our honeymoon in 1996 and had a lot of fun! After all, it is a cruise!

 

Enjoy your trip! I am sure you will have a blast!

[robtx100]

I've never been on Carnival, only NCL and RCCL, but I have to say this--My mind cannot comprehend not enjoying a cruise. I'll take the smallest, oldest, stuffiest ship over my small, old, stuffy cubicle any day of the week.

 

Go, enjoy, I really do think if you have a positive attitude chances are good you'll love it.

 

I agree!!!

[Cruising89143]

OMG! You're right! I didn't even recognize some of the areas, although I haven't been on that ship in 17 years!

 

And I see they added a bar at the bottom of the atrium. I used to think, what a sterile and waste of space those areas were, with the "so called" art in the center.

 

Is that HUGE spinning can ACTUALLY gone?

 

 

It's history and that is a good thing. That was one ugly piece of artwork.:eek:

[BigTee2000]

well just a few days till you go...have a good trip... and remember a bad day on a cruise is still better than a good day at work...LOL

 

TJ

[BonnieSte]

Oh my gosh!!! It's a CRUISE!!! You'll have a blast!

 

We've sailed the "worst" of carnival: Sensation to bahamas during spring break. We had a blast! The prices on carnival are usually much cheaper, so some things might not be what you expect and see on other more expensive cruises, but still... It's a CRUISE!!!

 

Enjoy it! If you go into it looking for negatives, you will find exactly that.

 

I completely agree!!!

[Batch5]

As stated, “It’s a cruise”, you are with your family and friends, that what matters not the ship or the line. I have been on carnival and Celerity as well, yes their differences but not enough that you will not enjoy your self. We were told after being on Celerity a few times that we would not like RCCI and that were not the case. You will have a great time.

[Esmerelda]

For heavens's sake...dont' get on the ship with an already negative attitude. its a cruise for goodness sakes! lol..

 

I am in the opposite delimma. I have only sailed 3 times and they were all Carnival. Two of them with only my sons and myself as I was a single mom then. The last was my honeymoon. While we all 4 would rate our Carnival about a 7-8 out of 10 on the cruise scale (if there is such a thing), others would be negative. I can only think of 2 things on my CC that were negative to me but I did not let them ruin my cruise for sure.

 

When I think to what I paid for my first cruise on Carnival (the Sensation). I booked it 3 weeks before it sailed. All 3 of us sailed for $710! Now I look at what I just paid for my Liberty cruise coming up for the 4 of us (about $4,400 total), and I know I will really expect a bang for my buck. This is the most expensive cruise I have ever been on. I'm going with a good attitude to have a good time and not let anything get me down. My family is very excited.

 

I say, go and have a great time....it beats going to work or school anyday no matter what ship you are sailing!!!

 

best wishes,

Esmerelda :)

[BigTee2000]

Well are you back yet and how was it?

 

TJ

[nimbex1970]

Inquiring minds want to know... I loved the actual fantasy ship after the makeover, never would have put the kids on a small ship (they're too active and high maintenance;)) I would have chose the conquest for the kids personally... but I now tend to prefer RCI with the kids... and hubby and I love both lines, would happily sail CCL anytime.

 

So tell us how it was, quit unpacking and let us know:D

[Cruising89143]

Well are you back yet and how was it?

 

TJ

 

Here are a couple of threads with comments.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=600596

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=600601

[itsajoke]

If you had to try another cruise line, I wish it were anything but Carnival.

 

However, a cruise is what you make it - you should go to the Cruise Critic member reviews and read what they say.

 

We just got back from New Orleans (and do go a day ahead and take advantage of the French Quarter). We met a group of women that were going on their very first cruise on that ship - they were very excited.

 

The ship is older and smaller than many ships (it needs to get under the bridge to the pier). And it does't go to too many ports - but you'll still be able to relax and have a great time.

 

Our worst cruise was an NCL - but we had read reviews here and knew what to expect and we ended up not being too disappointed because nothing came as a surprise to us - we were well prepared and had a good time.

[lovelycruise]

I have been on three Carnival Cruises and LOVED each and every single one of them. However, I had heard wonderful things about RCCL and decided to cruise the Enchantment for my honeymoon (just earlier this month) thinking "wow, I loved Carnival, how could it get much better?"

 

We had a WONDERFUL time on the Enchantment, I couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon. However, I could not find many differences! Both cruiselines have a TON to do, GREAT food (I might even like Carnivals better) and fantastic entertainment.

 

RCCL has a more elegant feel to it - it is all in the decor. Carnival's is a bit gaudy and loud to fit the "fun ship" name.

 

Other than that... it's the same.

 

To me, a cruise is a cruise, and whoever offers the better price, I am there!

HAVE FUN!!! Just be happy that you are going on a cruise, period! I'm jealous!