Liberty Cruise 6/17 - Carnival Not "Special" To Me Anymore

Liberty sailing 6/17/07: This will be my last Carnival cruise for a quite a while. I no longer feel that the product meets my needs, or maybe they are just trying to market too much to the new cruisers and not tending to repeaters – I am not sure???

I arrived at the port at about 1pm and waited about one hour to board, not a bad wait, from the look of the lines, I thought it was going to be longer! I have cruised on so many different lines, I have not made VIP of any of them, not sure how much of a difference it would have made, but I would have like to have found out. I am not sure what the exact passenger count was, but it was definitely a full ship – there was an abundance of families with children – I fully anticipated this and was prepared with earplugs, alcohol and other assorted nighttime treatments.

Food: this was one of the disappointments of the cruise. What used to be pretty darn good, has become nothing special at all. The Lobster was not rubbery, but was definitely on it’s way to being so. Meat was so-so. Appetizers and deserts were very good, and the salads as well, but that is not what dinner is about – much improvement is needed with main dishes. I will say that Harry’s was an exception to this, but with the premium price – maybe was a wash, the food was very good. I alternated between dining room and buffet for breakfasts and lunches finding both to be adequate but again, nothing special.

Dress: Since this is such a hot topic on this board, I will say, non-formal nights, jeans are definitely becoming a standard – no I did not count how many pair, but there were a lot of people, including females wearing them, the temperature in the Golden Olympian was downright icy. Formal night was a mix of everything, there were dress slacks with collared shirts, suits, suits and ties, and tuxedos. There were also a significant number of empty tables on formal night. Cruisers are starting to disapprove of the formal night with their feet, at least on this cruise, the empty tables seemed to distress the staff.

Ports: Freeport is and always will be fun. This really is a great stop, I shopped, walked around Lucaya market, then spent the rest of the short time in the local Casino. The port area seems to be improved, and there are many little shops that are open right by the ship. You still have to drive through the industrial wasteland, but that does not last too long. Grand Cayman was nothing spectacular, maybe because I have been here 10+ times. I spent time at a no name fee beach on 7 mile beach, then did some shopping. I wished in retrospect I had snorkeled and gone out one more time to see the stingrays. Costa Maya, this was my first time here, I was not drugged while visiting, though I did get loaded with lots of beers and various other concoctions. I think this port has some great potential but except for the main port area, lacks development. One day this will be a great full service stop. I enjoyed the low cost food and alcohol, but am afraid that will disappear as development takes over and the chains move in.

I had a balcony room on the Panorama deck, very nice, adequate room, probably room size is still one of Carnival’s strongest features over RCI and Princess, the room felt very spacious with the layout. There was a couch and small table, lots of room to move about. The balcony was minimal, but adequate. I do believe Carnival has the smallest balconies comparing standard to standard. The servicing of the room was excellent, no I did not get to know my steward, no I did not ask him how much money he made, or how he got paid, or how he got tipped, he seemed very motivated and happy to just go about his work and except for the first day, I only saw him one other time in the hallway.

Overall I enjoyed the cruise, enjoyed being on the ocean, but for what I paid for this cruise, did not feel like I received the bang or had the enjoyment of other cruises. RCI and Princess can be found so close to Carnival at some price points, yet offer things that cannot be found on Carnival. I believe that Princess has an unbeatable dining experience and choices and that RCI has better on board activities and choices than Carnival. There is just nothing special on Carnival at this time. Cruising is enjoyable, but I feel that they seemed to have cut corners in dining and activities to be the low cost leader. Low price is not always the best.

For those of you that have never sailed anything but Carnival, please check out other options, Carnival may be your perfect cruise, but for those of you that may enjoy other experiences on other lines that emphasize other things to differentiate themselves, you maybe pleasantly surprised elsewhere. I will surely cruise Carnival again, I am just not in a hurry to plan my next one on this line.

Food: this was one of the disappointments of the cruise. What used to be pretty darn good, has become nothing special at all. The Lobster was not rubbery, but was definitely on it’s way to being so. Meat was so-so. Appetizers and deserts were very good, and the salads as well, but that is not what dinner is about – much improvement is needed with main dishes. I will say that Harry’s was an exception to this, but with the premium price – maybe was a wash, the food was very good. I alternated between dining room and buffet for breakfasts and lunches finding both to be adequate but again, nothing special.

It's funny because some of what you speak of we also found on the Pride like jeans, we were truly surpised at how many people were in jeans both men and women. Having cruised also on Princess, I was actually disappointed as were the couples traveling with us. Our service in the dining room and Lido deck was very disappointing, and there were actually some very rude people cruising but we will go back we don't cruise for the food. We enjoy the ports and the ships and the new friends we meet. A Vacation is what you make of it sorry yours was disappointing.

Well, it definitely varies from ship to ship. We came home from the Legend in December feeling kind of the same way you do.

Yes! We have had some outstanding meals on Carnival, on other ships. Sadly, the last one you have is your last impression, for now, not a good one. I have seen lots of variation, just not this much.

A Vacation is what you make of it sorry yours was disappointing.

I agree and understand that, not disappointing at all, just not the normal special cruise feeling.

To OP you are wrong about the food. Carnival is far superiour to Royal Caribbean

To OP you are wrong about the food. Carnival is far superiour to Royal Caribbean

Never said RCI had better food, Princess does, RCI has better on-board activities.

...try reading slower next time.:rolleyes:

It's funny because some of what you speak of we also found on the Pride like jeans, we were truly surpised at how many people were in jeans both men and women.

This makes me laugh... because we have been sailing for 10 years now and there is always someone in our group wearing jeans on non formal night. As well as others. I think that people are just paying more attention now because of all the controversy about jeans on cc.....

Where if you never read this stuff on cc you probabley never paid attenton.......

Here is one suggestion I have. I felt similar on the Destiny back in 2004. My wife and I decided to give Carnival another chance but in new territory. Europe.

Taking the two trips in Europe, I loved it a lot. Last cruise on the Freedom I was slightly disappointed in the fact that they had American Yogurt there. I have to wonder exactly why, and how much extra it cost for them to bring in Yogurt from the US.

On the Liberty they stocked up on the Danone stuff from Spain, and that stuff was like good Stony Field farms organic yogurt. They had a flavour of yogurt I've never seen in the US before. Coconut. That was good, and I was hoping it would be there this time. It wasn't.

It was nothing that ruined the trip. The food was all really good. The ports of call were wonderful. The amount of children that were on the ship I could count on one hand (really I saw very few). Average age was 50+ and disembarking the ship there at the end of the cruise has got to be the best ever!

This makes me laugh... because we have been sailing for 10 years now and there is always someone in our group wearing jeans on non formal night. As well as others. I think that people are just paying more attention now because of all the controversy about jeans on cc.....

Where if you never read this stuff on cc you probabley never paid attenton.......

Dont want to get into the debate of jeans. Wear what you want. It does amaze me at times reading on CC all the debate of jeans as I have been going to South Fla for over 20 some yrs now and the last thing I would want to take is jeans. Hope I dont get flamed, but when I have been in South Fla and the Caribe I do light weight clothing. When I booked my first cruise last November on the Legend I knew it would be hot so I just packed light weight pants as I had done on my many trips to tropical climates. So I'm not so much addressing a dress code that people get so bent out of shape over but just how I feel about going to the tropics all these yrs and the lessons I learned on light weight fabrics. Hope I dont get too flamed by jeans people. I should add that I wear jeans at home. Just not in the Caribe, it's hot. After doing my first cruise I have been interested in the jeans thing. Just my thoughts of a lot of time in a tropical climate.

Dan

I didn't know you weren't suppose to wear jeans in the dinning room on non formal nights. I personaly wear them alot on those nights. And yes I do wear formal clothing on formal nights. I guess I don't see the problem with jeans. When my husband and I go to a five star restaurant here at home (Denver, Colorado) we see over 50 % of the people wearing jeans and a nice shirt! But this is just the way I fell, I like to fell comfortable!!!

I would agree with the OP that it is good to try other lines. We have cruised only on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and there are things about both lines that we like that we do not feel the other line shapes up as well. Overall they are very comparable and we thoroughly enjoyed all of our cruises.

John & Shari

Dont want to get into the debate of jeans. Wear what you want. It does amaze me at times reading on CC all the debate of jeans as I have been going to South Fla for over 20 some yrs now and the last thing I would want to take is jeans. Hope I dont get flamed, but when I have been in South Fla and the Caribe I do light weight clothing. When I booked my first cruise last November on the Legend I knew it would be hot so I just packed light weight pants as I had done on my many trips to tropical climates. So I'm not so much addressing a dress code that people get so bent out of shape over but just how I feel about going to the tropics all these yrs and the lessons I learned on light weight fabrics. Hope I dont get too flamed by jeans people. I should add that I wear jeans at home. Just not in the Caribe, it's hot. After doing my first cruise I have been interested in the jeans thing. Just my thoughts of a lot of time in a tropical climate.

 

Dan

And I totally agree with ya on wearing jeans in the caribbean. None of us do that either. This is just at dinner on non formal nights on the ship where long pants are required and most on here know that it get's quite cold sometimes.....

Now if we were to eat a one of the islands in port....no way would any of us wear jeans.....too hot. We would be in shorts:)

I wore jeans on a non-formal night ONCE ever...in 4 cruises because for some reason I was in a jeans mood. I dont have an issue with those that do but clean, non torn and with a decent shirt.

And I totally agree with ya on wearing jeans in the caribbean. None of us do that either. This is just at dinner on non formal nights on the ship where long pants are required and most on here know that it get's quite cold sometimes.....

Now if we were to eat a one of the islands in port....no way would any of us wear jeans.....too hot. We would be in shorts:)

Thanks for the nice reply. After vacationing in the tropics so may times and our first cruise last November I was kinda amazed by all the comments about jeans. Guess some wear them as a " red badge of courage thing" or they wore them at home in some northern state, just learned that the tropics and light weight is the best way to go. BTW enjoy your next cruise.

Dan

admiraljohnson,

Enjoyed your review. I do hope I can come back and report that the food has improved on our Dec. 8th cruise.

Dan

Its funny but the exact reason you stated as why you wont be cruising with Carnival are the exact reasons we chose to try Carnival in April. I think alot of the reason we decided to try something different was going on RC 5 times in 2 years and seeing the same exact menu and activities and we got bored. I thought the two were very comparable and each had things better than the other. I would cruise both again I just wish RC would change the menus amd activities more often and offer more snack places like Carnival does. I guess we will try Princess when were sick of Carnival.

We have been on 21 cruises, split pretty evenly between RCCL, Princess and Carnival. I think we become a little jaded and see things many others don't notice or don't care about. That said, our last three cruises were Jewel of the Seas: most beautiful, classy ship. Crown Princess: nice, but they screwed up and the theater doesn't hold the number of passengers attending or trying to attend. Carnival Liberty: great energy, great lemonade, great service (cappichino free) ice cream cones anytime, but lousy dessert selection. Each one offers something special Carnival offers the best price, Princess is the classiest (and quiet) decor overall and Royal Carribean the best designed (and pricey) ships. Just our take on the best vacation in the world.

This makes me laugh... because we have been sailing for 10 years now and there is always someone in our group wearing jeans on non formal night. As well as others. I think that people are just paying more attention now because of all the controversy about jeans on cc.....

Where if you never read this stuff on cc you probabley never paid attenton.......

I still have not figured out who has time to even notice jeans!!! I was too busy with my friends to even notice what others wore. If you are enjoying yourself and your friends/family then you really don't notice or care.:confused: If you are taking time to take note of these sorts of things then maybe you are not really enjoying yourself.

I still have not figured out who has time to even notice jeans!!! I was too busy with my friends to even notice what others wore. If you are enjoying yourself and your friends/family then you really don't notice or care.:confused: If you are taking time to take note of these sorts of things then maybe you are not really enjoying yourself.

You know I was thinking the same thing. Because of all the uproar it gets on here I tried to make a point of checking everyone out in the dining room on our Valor cruise last Dec. Guess what? It slipped my mind and I didn't remeber until I was back home LOL! I don't even remember what our family of 8 wore:confused: Except for our formal nights because of the pics.......

Guess I was having a blast:D :D

Strikes me that there's a market -- at least among some Cruise Critic habitues -- for a "Lake Wobegon Cruiseline", where all the cruisers are above average.

I don't pack jeans for a cruise in the Caribbean, and I wear slacks to the dining room, but I don't own a tux (nor will I pay to rent one for a single use) -- I put on a jacket and tie for formal night, without the least concern that anyone else is offended because I'm not 'formal'. If they don't stop you at the door because of what you're wearing, nothing else is 'required'.

Carnival markets to the hoi polloi. If you don't want to mingle with the unwashed masses, maybe another cruise line (probably more expensive) will be more to your liking.

Of course, Carnival probably owns that one, too.

I still have not figured out who has time to even notice jeans!!! I was too busy with my friends to even notice what others wore. If you are enjoying yourself and your friends/family then you really don't notice or care.:confused: If you are taking time to take note of these sorts of things then maybe you are not really enjoying yourself.

With all due respect, one can be having a ball and still observe. Granted me and Jack Daniel's have had memory lapses but it's ok to be to be aware of of what is going on around oneself. Not judging mine you just being aware. LOL

Dan

After freezing us out of the dining room I can surely understand why people wear jeans - they're warm!!! Admiral- maybe you are just sick of cruising. Why not try a smaller line such as Windstar. They have more exotic ports and less people so they can cater to the passengers better.

Hi Captain. We were also on the same cruise.

On formal night I had a tux on and the guy sitting next to me about 25 years old had on jeans, a polo shirt that was very wrinkled, and beach sandals.

We skipped the second formal night and did the sushi bar and buffet.

I did make a note on the comment card about formal nights. I said to either do away with formal nights or enforce the rules. Of course I'm well aware this is never going to happen. If they did about 50% of the dining room would be empty.

I did notice that a high percentage of people I saw that had there cards out or were wearing them around their necks were blue.

I think that is Carnivals objective. To get as many new cruisers as possible. I had a good time but I also felt sort of ho hum.

Next 2 are on Disney and back to Princess again.

Bill

Having cruised on both Dawn Princess and Carnival Liberty in the past year I would say that both the food and service were about the same. Other than being the youngest couple at 50 on the Princess cruise it was not bad. Lots of room in the Casino after 10 pm :D. Each had their strong and week points. I do prefer the younger and more festive crowd on Carnival. It does make me feel like I am 30 again.

I have always though a cruise is what you make of it. I have never had a "bad" cruise.

The past guest parties on Carnival have gotten very large. It's now just a excuse to show up for an hour of free drinks. But when you have 500+ past guests what do you expect.

Carnival does treat their Platiumn guests very well.

Our next cruise we will be Platiumn.

i think most people have there own way of dressing if it bothers you look the other way like most people do. thats what wrong with a lot of people they think that if you are not in thier class of people you stick out. have fun on vaction dont worry about others . i dont have a problem with carnival been on 3 cruises valor, triump sensation and going on liberty in nov. if there was a perfect cruise god would be on it with his son amen just have fun