rjrpar

Just booked 14 days - 4 meals each

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Hello CC nation. I just returned from my first Carnival cruise on the Liberty. This was cruise #53 for us across 7 cruise lines. I thought I would do a bit of a different review based on typical Carnival stereotypes and report whether or not they're true.....at least, in my experience on this 1 cruise. These are just some of the usual topics that I tend to read on these boards.

 

 

 

#1. First, I'll start with the food. Carnival food (free food) is better than other lines. False. No way is that true. I've always said that MDR food is the same quality across the mass market lines and I still firmly believe that. Some things were good and others weren't so good. Where Carnival shines, I think, is the Steakhouse. We ate in there twice and everything we ate was excellent. In fact, I'd say, for steakhouse specialty restaurants, this is one of the best in which we have ever eaten. On the other hand, the room service menu sucked. There were no hot options so I missed out on one of my favorite cruise activities...hot room service breakfast on my balcony.

 

 

 

#2. Comparing specifically to RCI...Guys Burgers is better than Johnny Rockets. Absolutely, 100% true. The burgers were delicious and what really made them better was the fact they were free.

 

 

 

#3. Carnival Warm Chocolate Melting Cake is the best food item ever. False. I guess I kinda got my hopes up because people talk about it so much and some even memorialize it in their CC signature, but I didn't get it. It was good, but not that good. I found it very rich, so I didn't finish it. I felt like I was going into a diabetic coma just from eating half of it.

 

 

 

#4. Carnival has bigger rooms. False. They may say bigger on the Carnival deck plans but my standard balcony room felt no bigger or smaller than my standard balcony rooms on the other lines I've sailed......with one exception. Princess. This whole bigger rooms things might technically be true but the reason I'm saying false is, it didn't feel like it. One thing's for sure....the balcony was smaller than what I'm used to. What I really didn't like about the room was 2 things. The first is pink. Really? Who thought pink was a good color for a cruise ship stateroom? Next is the balcony door. I prefer a slider because when you are stuck next to a door slammer...you know, people who allow their doors to just slam closed behind them..you get it from both ends.

 

 

 

#5. Carnival is the party line. True. Remember, this is only speaking from my one experience, and I am cognizant of the fact this cruise was out of Texas. But compared to other short cruises I've taken (this was 5 nights), and I've taken a lot, this was by far the most drunks I have ever seen and been affected by on a cruise. On a side note, I didn't like that I couldn't sit at a lido bar like Red Frog or any of the others and enjoy a cold bottled beer. This is the only cruise line I've ever sailed that won't let you drink from the bottle at the bar. It had to be poured into a plastic cup. From what I was told, this was the result of past acts by passengers.

 

 

 

#6. Carnival ships are ugly. Well, I gotta say true on that one also. I'd like to sit down with Joe Farcus and find out what really goes on in his head. The gaudiness does grow on you though and after a few days, you kinda just get used to it. Maybe not the pink stateroom though.

 

 

 

#7. Carnival has the best piano bars. True. I didn't catch his name, but this guy was excellent. He kept everyone engaged and there was much more audience participation than I have seen on all the other lines I've sailed.

 

 

 

#8. Carnival is the line to sail for comedy. True by a long shot. RCI has comedy clubs on some of their ships but it's the same show all week. The comedians on Liberty were excellent and in 5 days, I think we saw 4 or 5 different acts. One thing I'll say though, the venue kinda sucked. The seating was terrible. It would nice if Liberty reconstructed it to look more like a comedy club.

 

 

 

#9. Carnival's entertainment sucks. I can't really say true or false on this one. It was odd that there was no main theater show 2 of the 5 nights, and of the singers/dancers shows, there were only 2 singers...one of which murdered many of the songs. And, it is true that the main lido entertainment is a DJ. That was kind of a bummer. But, the live acts that played in the atrium and in the casino were excellent. I just wish I could have enjoyed the band in the casino more. I'm not a smoker, so I found it very uncomfortable in there most of the time.

 

 

 

That's all I can think of for now. I'll add more as they come to me. All in all, we did have a good time and while Carnival certainly isn't my new favorite line, I certainly will not rule them out in the future. :)

Thanks for your review. We have also cruised many times on all the mass market cruise lines and I agree 100% with your comments.

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My hubby & I are getting ready to embark on a cruise without our kiddos. We are not big drinkers but we plan to try some different drinks. He would mainly drink beer & I would like to try different frozen drinks, martinis, shots & wines. I think the only reason it would be beneficial is if I were to try the more expensive wines that I would otherwise never get. Just not sure if it's worth $500 to try it all. What if I don't like any of it?! [emoji12] I would hate to waste all that money. Any non-big drinkers who benefit from the program?

It really can be answered by simple math. No one here knows you drinking habits.

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The staff will NOT enforce any rules, for fear of "offending" someone. We have become total wusses nowadays. Pitiful.

Amen

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I would not follow this advice.

You are probably a very cautious person and it's your right to be so. However, a parent doesn't need any special papers to travel with a child.

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I'm slightly concerned that Carnival is skimming money off the top. When Carnival automatically withdraws money from my sail and sign account I would appreciate some level of transparency on how it is distributed. I also would like to know how much I've already tipped a staff member when I make the decision to tip additional cash for excellent service.

 

Edit: I have no interest in finding out a crew members base pay. I would like to know the breakdown of how my tips are disbursed.

Do you care where your tips go in a restaurant? Again, what is your obsession with this issue

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There's no way to know, and many wonder the same thing.

Why do you care. It really is none of your business; do you tell people what you get paid. What is the obsession with this topic????

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Carnival really has a true children's program while at least on the N. Gem only the first 20 children registered can participate. Plus, they have to register every day. Children who don't make it, are unhappy as are their parents. As a result, all the activities are family oriented and not much for adults without children. You see the main production show and all that is available is the casino, various bars, or the piano bar which is positioned in an open area with people passing by and sometimes drowning out the performer with their loud talking. The Sunshine has lots more entertainment in various areas of the ship. While the Sunshine's atrium is smaller, they make better use of it with dancing on all 3 levels and the CD dancing on top of the bar. You also have performers in the Red Frog Bar, Red Frog Pub and the Havana Bar, Piano bar.

 

Even though we have a credit for a future NCL cruise, we would rather lose the money and go with another Carnival cruise. No comparison between the 2 lines. Plus, there is a world a difference between type of passengers on both lines. Carnival's passengers talk to you and are willing to share table space. NCL's passengers seem to have an "attitude" regarding sitting and or dining with "strangers". During the first 2 days we met, chatted and shared tables at breakfast and lunch with more people than then entire NCL cruise!:eek: I was even hugged by a stranger who shared table space in the buffet on our first sea day!!! We met such a nice family from New Mexico and kept running into them during the voyage. We even shared table space in the buffet upon boarding with a nice Asian couple who didn't speak much English but tried to communicate as best they could.

 

Our table mates were from Texas, Hawaii and PA. There was a fairly large group from French Polynesia who sang songs at the end of dinner every night and the women worn mumus and wore flower crowns on their heads.

 

MARAPRINCE

If you really believe there is a vast difference between Carnival and NCL cruisers, you are very naive. Most cruisers on mass market cruise lines are very similar, with age being a possible exception on lines like HAL. Don't be so quick to judge and categorize people .

Glad you enjoyed your cruise

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I still remember the days many years ago that NCL, like other lines, had formal nights. Thank goodness, they are a distant memory.

 

One of the last mainstream holdouts still clinging to those outdated formal nights is Holland America. While we truly like HAL, our family hates the formal nights. They are much to do about nothing. I have no idea why they insist on maintaining such an outdated policy. My solution is to not follow it and let them loan me a jacket. We have actually chosen NCL several times over HAL because of their formal nights.

 

Does anyone miss having to pack suits and ties to go on vacation?

Was on Holland a year ago and they really don't have formal nights any longer. I wore slacks and a dress shirt and fit right in. Maybe 10% of the people wore formalwear and another 60% had some type of jacket. But only on cruise lines is a sport coat considered formal.

I agree with you. At hotels, you should only expect it at 5 star, and maybe some 4 star hotels; that's it.

 

 

 

Forget the reviews here. Carnival is a 3 star cruise line, mass market and budget priced. If you want Carnival prices and free Guy's burgers, etc. It has to get paid for.

 

 

 

As I stated above, if you want the top-end service, you will pay for it on other cruise lines, both Carnival-owned lines and others.

Some people want much more than they are willing to pay for. A hotel with 2 daily services can exceed $500 per night for only the room. Some want room, food, and entertainment and pay $200 per night for an inside cabin and still complain about not receiving 5* service.

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To reply in bullet points again sorry about the rant in 1 para.

 

 

 

It wasn't a guaranteed cabin we always choose 2 floor below Lido decks and reasonably central.

 

 

 

P&O don't charge for the washers or driers neither do Thomson (long time back though). We didn't actually use them just the iron it was merely an observation.

 

 

 

Food was ok, to me that means acceptable but not outstanding.

 

 

 

The only thing I would have expected other than what I eventually received regarding the construction was an apology from someone with authority not being left to the front line staff who had to keep running back and forward to the inner sanctum. We didn't wait in line very long the time of 1/2 hour was spent discussing the problem.

 

 

 

There was no letter or any form of communication warning us of the impending work if there had been I wold not have been quite so brassed off by it still narked but not as much.

 

 

 

I don't expect to see the Captain socialising but it would have been nice if the odd officer that passed said good morning etc, they have on all the other lines I've sailed with including MSC.

 

 

 

We have had welcome drinks on Celebrity Azamara Cunard MSC always provide juices in the terminal.

 

 

 

Gratuities are added by most lines inc Brit based and I was aware of it being added to the drinks price wasn't expecting it to be added after I had perused the bar menu. ( I didn't have the added gratuities removed by the way)

 

 

 

Any other points I haven't covered are my PERSONAL opinion and without the building work wouldn't have bothered me a great deal.

You seem overly concerned with interaction with the officers and people in higher positions. Wonder why that is??

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It is a great experience. I would do whatever necessary to insure getting a seat.

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The differences are minor, just closer to the water. You'll enjoy it. Just don't overthink it before your cruise

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Liquor, maybe cigarettes, but I would guess most of it is refundable.

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Sometimes it's just about a special memento from the cruise.

 

 

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Understand

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Would concur that RCI and Carnival would be the closest. Celebrity and Princess would be a step up. MSC and Costa would have a European flair, while HAL would be skewed a bit older.

 

 

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Celebrity is not really a step up from RCCL. Been on both lines a lot recently and they are very similar in quality. A few more activities on Royal.

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The islands are fine for jewelry but I would suggest a reputable jeweler at home. There is more risk and limited savings in the Caribbean

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Probably close to 3 miles. You'll need a taxi.

Thanks, is the town a typical island town with shopping, bars, etc

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I'd be curious to know as well. we're there 2 weeks before you. I think Island Jerk is still there. About half way up from MV toward jack's Rumors abound that Crew Bar or White Sands is coming back. But let me suggest you give thought to catching a taxi and heading into Cockburntown and going to John's Ocean View . It's on the beach, loungers, great fresh seafood, good drinks. A bit "rustic" but super friendly folks.

How far is John's from the cruise dock? Thanks

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To any insurance guru that has an opinion!

 

The scenario is that you have Travel Insurance (not a Carnival Policy but a decent one) and the cruise company has canceled/interrupted your cruise. You have "cancel for any reason" and "trip interruption" coverage. What would be the best strategy to maximize your policy. Do you take the refund from the cruise or do you cancel through the policy holder and so on. Yes, many variables are into play; but those whom have had travel insurance know the basics of the majority of policies available... Put your thinking caps on ?

Some are always looking for ways to beat the system. Just do the right thing, it really is pretty simple

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It's not quite that cut and dry. With the Grand Suites and Captain's Suites on Carnival often going for $4-7K/week, there are plenty of suites on other lines where that kind of investment will return all sorts of perks.

 

Tom

I'm sorry but it seems insane to pay $7000/week on a budget cruise line. Go with the premium cruise line and have a 1st class vacation.

I feel the same I kinda wish they would just cancel and refund and go during a "normal" time. People will lose homes and we are going on a cruise.

nice post

Princess is definitely a step up from Carnival, as is Celebrity. Like someone said above, you usually get what you pay for and Carnival is the low cost cruise line

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I just booked Budget. Sanford airport to port canaveral, overnight with drop off and shuttle to ship for $41. For some reason the reverse at end of cruise is double, about $80

 

 

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Forgot to mention, that rate included s Costco discount

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I just booked Budget. Sanford airport to port canaveral, overnight with drop off and shuttle to ship for $41. For some reason the reverse at end of cruise is double, about $80

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