heem

For my least year in college, some buddies and I took a 7-day cruise on Carnival Valor (to Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize, and Grand Cayman) out of Miami with similar intentions. It was a while ago (2009), so things might have changed, but there was plenty of partying on the ship for those who were looking for it. Things did seem to die down at about 2am though.

 

I would agree with other posters though that the level of partying on the ships (even during spring break) is tamer than, say, going to Vegas or Cabo or something like that. We still had a really good time though, and met a lot of other people our age on the boat.

 

So, if you do decide on a spring break cruise, here are some tips:

1) There seemed to be plenty of Spring-Breakers cruising out of Miami when I went. Carnival Conquest, Glory, and Liberty should be doing similar cruises to the one I went in Spring 2014.

2) This is just a guess, but I would avoid cruising out of Port Canaveral for Spring Break. Disney is close by, so you may get a lot of families visiting Disney and then heading over for a cruise (Other posters, would you agree?)

3) Find a cruise that has a pub-crawl excursion at one of the ports (I know Key West has one). Almost everyone you meet on these excursions will be ready to party and have some fun.

4) As other posters have mentioned, shorter cruises tend to get more spring-breakers.

5) Bring earplugs! Sometime the hallways get noisy in the morning, and if you are partying until late at night, I'm sure you don't want to wake up at 9 or 10am to announcements over the loudspeaker or people talking loudly while walking down the hallways.

 

I hope that helps, and let me know if you have any specific questions.

Thank you for all the tips

Honestly, as a financially challenged college student many years ago, some girl friends and I did an all-inclusive trip to Cancun. OMG ... that is the place to go, trust me on this one. It's so much cheaper and there are so many different club/babe/party opportunities you can't even compare.

 

I think cruises have gotten a little more family-oriented than what you are expecting.

 

Just my $.02. :)

 

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Thank you. I'm going to consider that. I think it's about time they make a ship designated strictly for young party people. That would be extremely hazardous with possibility of high risk low reward.

Carnival Sensation (4 days, Freeport and Nassau) was a pretty big party cruise. Everybody was out dancing in clubs until they closed, then hanging out on the lido deck until 4:00 AM. (Cabin hallways were still quiet.) The partying was even crazier in the Senor Frog's bars in ports: conga lines, shouting at random, free shots being poured, and so on. It was mostly the 20- and 30-somethings who partied, but some of the older crowd got in on the action too.

 

Carnival Imagination (4 days, Key West and Cozumel) from last year was a party cruise too, but slightly less so. People got their groove on and stayed up late, but it was less intense. In ports, it was still as lively, with people staggering back to the ship at the end, and pier runners sprinting so they won't be stranded in a foreign port.

Thank you. Those are the type of examples I need to hear. When did you go though?

A group of 20 somethings out to party.......I would look at Cancun or Playa del Carmen in Mexico, Key West, New Orleans or Las Vegas in the US. Or there has to be a music festival somewhere.

 

Partying on a cruise ship can get pretty expensive, and if your smuggled items get found, can get even more expensive than that.

 

People on a cruise ship is hit or miss. It is still spring break so you shouldn't be the only non geezer, non kid, but the idea that there will be bunches and bunches of the type of people you are looking for is iffy. A cruise ship is a smaller pond.

 

Of all the lines, Carnival is probably your best choice, and a shorter one of the those will give you the best shot at what you are looking for. I have also heard that the NCL Sky 3 and 4 day cruises can be lively.

 

Cheap rooms, cheap food, cheap drinks, and a load of like minded people can be found in Vegas. Just don't get stupid and piss off the cops.

 

Have fun in what ever you choose.

Thank you but what did you mean by smuggled items could be expensive if found. When I recently went on a cruise we had these plastic items that held alcohol but was 100% guaranteed to show up as something different on the X ray monitor.

I know Carnival has the reputation as a party ship but especially during college spring break time they increase the security patrolling the ship and really keep it tame since there are lots of families with small children sailing during this time as well. You may want to rethink your cruise since what you plan on doing may just land you in the brig. Partying as you describe is no longer tolerated on cruise ships. Don't get me wrong you can go and have a good time but I think you and your crowd are looking for something different.

I understand. This is my second cruise and I met some wild crazy people on my first one (royal caribbean).

Depends on where you live.

 

The 3 and 4 day cruises out of LA tend to be more party oriented even when it's not spring break. I think you would be "safe" pretty much any time during the months you mention. But later March/early April would likely be the best times. And during the spring break window, even the 7 day cruises have a livelier atmosphere. As for places in Mexico, there is almost always a party going on in Ensenada, especially on the weekends. Cabo is also a good bet. I have a 13 bar "Cantina Crawl" mapped out for Cabo that is a blast.

 

If you decide where you want to leave from (closer to home is always cheaper), you can always research the ports near there and make a decision.

 

Bob

Thanx for the info and that video was great lol

No, not really. I have no idea what ships FireEater was sailing on, but that is just flat out wrong based on my experiences.

 

I have been on 20 Carnival cruises, and I have seen NONE of what s/he is saying.

 

Depending on what your "thing" is, you can generally find it. Piano bars, karaoke, and other bars/areas sometimes close at midnight or 1AM. The casino bar and surrounding area will often be open til 2 or 3.

 

The dance club is usually open until at least 2AM and sometimes up to 4AM. There is generally at least one bar up on the Lido deck that is open until 3 or 4. And the pizza place is open 24 hours and I have seen groups of people hang around there partying til very late.

 

On a recent Memorial day weekend cruise, the dance club was packed til 3 or 4 every night, and the bars in Ensenada were crazy fun (especially Pappas and Beer). Plenty of fun had by one and all.

 

The other claims are just silly. Easy enough to do a search on these boards about watered down drinks. On those threads, nearly ALL the respondents deny the claim and say that if anything, the drinks are usually too strong. My experience is that they are very strong.

 

Here is one thread to get you started... http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=695677

 

And if you want to maximize your drinking pleasure, the Cheers program may be for you. Plenty of threads on it, check it out.

 

So take that review with a grain of sand (sic). I have seen some pretty amazing partying going on depending on the time of year. Spring break cruises are famous for being "fun".

 

Bob

Thank you for taking the time out to give me that advice. Just curious what Carnival ships were you on? Which ones had a live atmosphere and which ships were more family oriented? Also the time length from spring break is from March to April. Different schools have different spring breaks so which week do you think is the best?

Carnival has too many families and too many kids. You would be on a true party boat if you choose Norwegian Cruise Line. Carnival shuts down most parties around 11pm... They water down drinks starting at 9pm. Cold coffee, hot cokes. Ice tastes like a garden hose.....I would choose Norwegian if I were you. Get all your friends to sign up together to get a group rate...:cool:

Really??? That's interesting. Not once in my search did that appear. I'm going to look into Norwegian now. Thank you

Carnival out of Long Beach, Ca. to Mexico... Party Ships to the max!!!:eek:

There are posters here that go just to get wasted and have fun... Check it out!!!:D C.G.

Thank you for the info. I'll check it out

Four friends of mine are planning a cruise. We plan on drinking a lot and partying hard. We don't want to be surrounded by many couples nor kids. We're looking for wild fun young people to party with. I've done my research and notice Royal Caribbean and Carnival are my best options. With that said and based off the things I've read I think I'm choosing Carnival. Which Carnival ship parties the hardest? Which ships should I stay away from? Also what time during spring break draws the largest spring break crowd? I know around easter but easter 2014 is super late next year (April 20). Most schools go on break in early March with like less than 3% going after March 30th. Suggestions please? :)