Carnival AUS compared to Carnival USA

Hi folks, looking for some expert advice on those who've travelled on both lines. I'm eyeing Carnival AUS for this year if the price is right.

Any major differences between the Spirit/Legend and the rest of the Carnival fleet based in the states?

For example, differences in food, entertainment, pricing, demographics, general policies, etc. Other advice welcome too!

Unable to give you a comparison as not used USA Carnival but we found on our two trips on Legend the entertainment, food and service was very good No complaints at all

I agree, the food, service and entertainment was very good on Carnival Legend.

We had the opportunity to chat with the Food & Beverage Director while we were on board. Apparently Carnival switches to a completely different set of menus when in our regions. And when a Carnival menu says spicy, they mean spicy!

On the Carnival Legend here in Oz they dont bother to change the post cards from USA to Oz themed cards in the gift shops while here in Oz, very slack.

Just another question to add to the others....

When the Carnival Legend is repositionning to Australia via Hawaii, say the Hawaii to Sydney leg.......what is the currency onboard? and are grats included?

Just another question to add to the others....

 

When the Carnival Legend is repositionning to Australia via Hawaii, say the Hawaii to Sydney leg.......what is the currency onboard? and are grats included?

Thats a good question, I'm interested in this to .

Anyone who's been on both lines? I've been on them stateside but it's been a few years.

A link to some local menus would be good, bar prices, Funtimes, etc. Appreciate it!

Thats a good question, I'm interested in this to .

Definately Aussie dollars, no tipping, 18yo to drink etc. Same goes for Syd to Hawaii. From Hawaii eastbound, US rules apply.

I have been on the Carnival Legend from Sydney and the Carnival Glory from Miami, Florida.

We did a 10 day cruise on the Carnival Legend to the South Pacific and a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Glory to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan,Belize, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival Australia and Carnival USA, are completely different!, from my experience.

As the people in the USA only get a weeks holiday a year, there where a lot of people on-board there to have fun and there was a LOT of fun on board to have.

It seems like most nights there was a party some where to be had, and most afternoons they had a DJ on deck and soon everyone was up and dancing!

Also around the pools, it was how many people can they fit on the side of the pool!

Demographic: On our cruise on the Carnival Glory there seems to be a lot of black Americans on-board.

I hope this is of some help :)

I'm not really following how they're completely different. Can I get some examples/comparisons directly between Legend and Glory?

For example: Carnival AUS is less fun and doesn't have a party atmosphere?

Differences in food serviced and nightly entertainment? Service level?

Mostly I'm trying to see how AUS compares to her main counterparts, as I've been on them stateside twice a few years ago.

Carnival USA also has complimentary room service where as Carnival Aus don't

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Just another question to add to the others....

 

When the Carnival Legend is repositionning to Australia via Hawaii, say the Hawaii to Sydney leg.......what is the currency onboard? and are grats included?

I was on the Legend last year from Vancouver to Honolulu. On the last night of our cruise, the casino was closed down because they were changing all the slots to take AU currency. So, I believe everything would change.

I agree, the food, service and entertainment was very good on Carnival Legend.

 

We had the opportunity to chat with the Food & Beverage Director while we were on board. Apparently Carnival switches to a completely different set of menus when in our regions. And when a Carnival menu says spicy, they mean spicy!

From my experience, US food is sweeter (sweet bread, sweet breakfasts, sweet sides, sweet tea), whilst Aussie food is saltier and spicier.

Americans love to add sauces, etc to food that is cooked blandly, while we like to add spices, etc to the food as it cooks for a more flavoursome result.

I'm a US traveler that normally sails on Carnival US and has Gold status in the VIFP program. We are currently looking at the Pacific Island cruises out of Sydney. Do the days sailed on the Spirit out of Sydney count for the VIFP status in the US?

Yes, they do.

Here's a thread you may find of interest: http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2347341

Yes, they do.

 

Here's a thread you may find of interest: http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2347341

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So a few things you'll notice is first if you are a smoker on AU you can only smoke on deck 9 where as the US boats you can smoke in the casino the nightclub etc. CHEERS program isn't available in Australia but bottomless bubbles is. In the MDR on Aussie ships you will see Tablecloths on all the time. American table isn't available (for obvious reasons). Beers onboard are Aussie local beers. The only time you may find a budlite is on the transpacific cruise from Hawaii as they've gotta get rid of the stock some how. Diamond Platinum parties are open to Gold members in Australia as diamond platinum card holders are as rare as hens teeth in Australia... but they are there if you look hard enough! Trivia is localized to some extent. Bingo is different and very hard to explain. On the transpacific cruises the onboard currency is AUD both ways. Be careful however last year coming home from Hawaii the ATM on board continued to dispense USD. That's all I can think of at the moment...

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We sailed on the Legend last year from Honolulu to Sydney and had a lovely time. The service and food were without fault.

We just returned from the Spirit a couple of weeks ago and could not believe the difference. Apparently they have just changed the menu in the dining room and it was so very disappointing. Buffet the same, usually just warm and tasteless. Everything about the cruise was a huge step down from what we experienced on the Legend. Never again on the Spirit for us.

Yes, room service is charged and not included. Apparently Aussies can't be trusted with a Cheers package - so many differences.

Hope your experience is much better than ours.

Judy

We sailed on the Legend last year from Honolulu to Sydney and had a lovely time. The service and food were without fault.

 

We just returned from the Spirit a couple of weeks ago and could not believe the difference. Apparently they have just changed the menu in the dining room and it was so very disappointing. Buffet the same, usually just warm and tasteless. Everything about the cruise was a huge step down from what we experienced on the Legend. Never again on the Spirit for us.

 

Yes, room service is charged and not included. Apparently Aussies can't be trusted with a Cheers package - so many differences.

 

Hope your experience is much better than ours.

 

Judy

Oh no! :eek:

After quite a few RCI cruises we've jumped ship and are dipping our toe in the water with Carnival next month. We could have done B2B on Legend or 8 nights on Spirit, 1 night in Sydney, 8 nights on Legend but instead we opted for B2B (8+11) on Spirit.

Oh well, the cruises were as cheap as chips so even if it's not of the same standard to which we've become accustomed, we'll make sure we have a good holiday and an enjoyable time.

Should keep this topic pinned TBH.

Ive cruised Carnival from Australia and the US and found them to be more similar than different. We found the MDR menus offered maybe one or two choices less in Australia than the American cruises but found the meals themselves to be better. The steak and fish were especially better on the Australian cruises.

We've also sailed Royal and find the food on Carnival to be much better, the entertainment about par and the service much friendlier on Carnival.

I am sure that you will enjoy your 2 cruises. I hope by now they have ironed out the problems we experienced. Like anything, life is what you make it. As you said, cheap as chips but don't buy the Copper Kettle chips in the gift shop, $2.00 at Woolies, $9.95 on board!!!

Have a great holiday

Judy