alli Posted April 26, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Okay, keep you replies as polite as possible. My husband and I have been on 7-8 cruises(rccl,ncl,princess and celebrity...we are planning a hal cruise in September). Meanwhile, we needed a fast, cheap, get out of town trip and he booked a four day Fascination out of Miami. I'm keeping an open mind and packing my sense of humor. Anyone here done Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted April 26, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 26, 2004 If the people I met on the beach in Mexico are any indication...you will hate Carnival. I wonder if they've sobered up yet. Sorry...you asked. Dan CenturyX1,GalaxyX2,HorizonX5,VolendamX1, Zenith to Bermuda Oct/04 Century to E.Caribbean Feb/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenny368 Posted April 26, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 26, 2004 My husband and I did this same cruise for our honeymoon in 11/98. This was our first cruise and we loved it. We have since done two more cruises with our kids. Costa and RCI. You will have a blast. Don't let people ruin it for you. We loved the food, entertainment, service and ports (plus no kids was a real plus!) Have a great time. Jenny UNTIL OUR BRILLANCE 4/9 CRUISE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teedee Posted April 26, 2004 #4 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I've been on a few Carnival cruises and while I prefer Celebrity, I've had a great time on Carnival too. Yes, it's glitzier and more of a party boat, especially on shorter cruises, but the food was good, the beer cold and we had a great time. Terri Skyward - 1989 Carnivale - 1991 Holiday - 1994 Fantasy - 1998 Century - 2002 Century - 2003 Jubilee - 7/04 Century - 9/04 Coral Princess 3/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodofpine Posted April 26, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 26, 2004 A lot of folks diss NCL too... Just go with an open mind and fresh vacinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich&Natalia Posted April 26, 2004 #6 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I'm sure you won't hate it. Just note that shorter cruises attact younger, working people, and also that you may see more kids during the summer. I think how we enjoy our vacations is a lot like the story below (copied from http://www.godspell.org.uk/writing/travellers.html) : A traveller, drawing near to a town as he made his way along the road, stopped to ask a farmer who was working in a field by the side of the road, "What are the people like, in this next town?" The farmer asked him, "How did you find the people in the town you have left? What were they like?" "Terrible!" said the traveller. "They were such cold people, miserable and mean-spirited, full of bitterness and envy, gossiping and back-biting. I couldn't get away from there quickly enough." "I'm sorry," said the farmer, "you will find the people in this next town just the same." The traveller shook his head in disappointment and turned back to the main road, to go further. A second traveller came that way, and asked the farmer, "What are the people like, in this next town?" The farmer asked him, "How did you find the people in the town you have left? What were they like?" "Wonderful!" answered the traveller. "They were warm, generous, friendly and open-hearted. It nearly broke my heart to have to leave them." "Well," said the farmer, "I'm pleased to say you will find the people in this next town just the same." And he put down his tools and came to shake the traveller's hand, welcoming him to his new home. Maybe you will like one cruise better than another, but I don't think you'll hate it. How can you? It's a cruise. -Rich 'til I'm back on the Galaxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabee Posted April 26, 2004 #7 Share Posted April 26, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rich&Natalia: shorter cruises attact younger, working people, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> What do you mean by "working" people. Is this like the Dems hollering that working people don't get tax breaks? I work my tail off and I doubt I'd ever go on a four day cruise and certainly not on Carnival! I agree with Danno on this one...heard too many folks coming back from the "Porn Cruise" as it was once called by a friend to say "never again:". I don't know if Alli will hate it but I know I would! ****************************************************** With Compassion for others we build...we fight for peace and freedom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ti2m Posted April 26, 2004 #8 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I think you will have a renewed appreciation for Celebrity. How is that for being positive? Timm Celebrity Century 2/02 Carnival Spirit 1/03 Celebrity Century 11/03 Celebrity Millennium 1/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 26, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Alli...I went on a 3 nighter last summer on Soveriegn of The Seas out of Port Canaveral.... I know it is not Carnival but I don't think I will ever do that one again....(not unless someone else is paying ). In the middle of summer you are going to find....TONS AND TONS of kids...just to make you aware. A shorter cruise is a very reasonably priced family vacation ( the amount of kids). Now, I always cruise with a good attitude and I had a fairly nice time....the best part was the Private Island. This ship is old and the cabins (mine) was TEENEY. Can't tell you about the Fascination as I have not sailed it. Just thought I would let you know my experience. 3 or 4 nights...definitely a different demographic! Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda! See My Century and Mercury Pictures at: http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich&Natalia Posted April 26, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I don't think that the demographic characterics noted in my first posting are debated by too many people. By working people, I meant people that have limited vacation days to go on cruises. I think that bringing in Democrats, taxes, and porn into this thread is kind of reaching. -Rich 'til I'm back on the Galaxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCLforever Posted April 26, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 26, 2004 She said she was going on HAL in Sept...when is this quick weekend one on Carnival?? I dont think she said when it is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janrj7 Posted April 26, 2004 #12 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Our first two cruises were on Carnival (Jubilee and Holiday) and we enjoyed every minute! Sure there were a few more kids around, but they behaved themselves. The food was very good, the staff extremely friendly and helpful. And you can't beat the price! We'll probably sail with them again some day, though our next four cruises are booked with Celebrity. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alli Posted April 26, 2004 Author #13 Share Posted April 26, 2004 The 'quickie' is on May 17th...hopefully not too many kids out of school (yet). We normally do a 7 day cruise around this time and have found the above to be true. Due to a heavy tax bill (yeah, the hard working folk w/o kids do pay through the nose)and the central a/c being replaced last week, We had to cut back on the vacation thing. I'm walking into this with my eyes wide open. Thanks for all the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 26, 2004 #14 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Alli...you will probably have a nice time...just remember...you are probably going to compare lots of things--that is human nature! But it will be like comparing apples to oranges...keep that in mind too Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda! See My Century and Mercury Pictures at: http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipsAhoy Posted April 26, 2004 #15 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I agree with some of the other post here that the summer and shorter cruise my not be the best choice, however I think you will enjoy the Fascination. We enjoyed our cruise on the Fascination, and we don't do much drinking, it's all what you make of it!!! Have fun!!! 11th cruise Zenith Oct.27 2003 12th cruise Dec. 5, 2004 "Infinitinis to Hawaii and Beyond" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alli Posted April 26, 2004 Author #16 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Shipsahoy, When were you on the Fascination? She's an older ship and I've heard tales of wear and tear. Having said that, Century is of the same age, and we found her to well-kept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wv4891 Posted April 26, 2004 #17 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Hi, We were forced to do a Carnival Cruise a few years ago as our RCCL ship broke down two weeks before our Easter Vacation cruises with our kids, then teenagers. I was worried, having fallen for that Carnival generalization that there is a drunk behind every potted plant (no joke intended). We went on the smokefree Paradise and to our surprise loved every minute of it. It was great to be on a smoke free ship, although I an not a fanatic on no smoking ( I am an ex smoker). Although the ship must have had 500 kids on it we had a great time. The entertainment was far superior to Celebrity's. Overal things were a lot more livier and I did not see any of those drunks that everyone talks about. As an extra bonus point in my mind I could always find my underaged kids in the Disco, along with all the other kids on the ship in that age group. For those of you you have teenages I found this better than to go in search of my kids throughout the ship. Would I do another Carnival Cruise? Probably noy, I have become accustomed to traveling without kids and to the superior product that Celebrity has to offer, or at least I think it has. Celebrity Mercury 12/27/2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drk Posted April 26, 2004 #18 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I have to chime in here on this one. We (51M and 45F) have been on 5 cruises the past few years with 4 on Carnival and 1 on Celebrity. We enjoyed all of them. The myth that Carnival is a drunken orgy is just that...a myth. In general I would say that Carnival attracts a more extroverted crowd than Celebrity but otherwise not much different. The Fantasy class ships have a very nice layout in the common areas and their atriums are really impressive. The cabins are fairly spartan however they are large and the bathrooms are nicer than any of the newer ships we've been on. The food on Carnival is fine. We did think that the cuts of beef were better on Celebrity and the desserts also better. The variety and availibility of food and the 24 hour pizza and ice cream are handy on Carnival. They are both fine products and with a positive attitude you will have a good time. This from someone who has been there recently and not just assuming that what they heard is true. Until the Infinity in July. Starward 03/91; Dreamward 04/94; Victory 04/01; Mercury 01/03; Imagination 05/03; Paradise 11/03; Legend 01/04; Infinity 07/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACJV Posted April 26, 2004 #19 Share Posted April 26, 2004 The food and ships are nice. We have sailed Carnival in the past and enjoyed it . However, in 2000 my daughter graduated from high school and we took our children on Carnival. We were supposed to go on the Paradise, and it became disabled the week we were to leave. We ended up on the Triumph and it was not very enjoyable. The main problem was the behavior of the passengers and their children. Let me just say that the passengers had alot of class, however it was mostly low. ACJV ACJV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espmass Posted April 26, 2004 #20 Share Posted April 26, 2004 We have been on Carnival twice, including the Fascination. We much prefer Celebrity but thoroughly enjoyed Carnival. You'll enjoy yourself so relax, stop worrying, and have a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodofpine Posted April 26, 2004 #21 Share Posted April 26, 2004 As a then Princess only cruiser, I did the 3 day flip on C. Fantasy 10/02 out of P. Everglades, RC's Soveriegn was in port in Nassau also and I looked over thinking she's gotta be better than THIS! Fascination is a younger sister of the Fantasy class. Bottom line: the 3/4 night cycle of Fascination, Fantasy, and SOS puts a lot of wear and tear on ship AND crew. I sensed the crew was burnt out and the ship really was in need... But, I enjoyed Nassau greatly (I don't care what anyone says, the surry ride through town then Blue Lagoon dolphin swim was X'cellent). We were moored up with the late now broken Ocean Breeze/Southern Cross, The World, and Galaxy. Due to the narrow harbor entrance, tugs stern haul you into port about a mile past Mick Jaeggers, Geraldine Chaplin, and Richard Chamberlin's homes on Paradise Island. View it as a quick fix on some crummy mexican horse - but it'll get you there and have fun, laugh, and love that Bahamian water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lsimon Posted April 26, 2004 #22 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I'm sure you'll hate it and have a terrible time. So just to help you out you we'll go for you. I know it will be hard to bear such a terrible time, but someone has to do it so we will for you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowagirl411 Posted April 26, 2004 #23 Share Posted April 26, 2004 S.O. and I ususlly go Celebrity but I took my daughters on Carnival a while back and we had a fabulous time. They were in their 20's and 30's and I don't think they would have liked Celebrity as much. We try to experience many different things on our land vacations. Why should all cruises be carbon copies? We camp; we do spas; we skydive; we do museums; we do Celebrity; we do Carnival. Variety is the spice of life! iowagirl411 Century 12/6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NitaBcruising Posted April 27, 2004 #24 Share Posted April 27, 2004 alli, I agree with most of the posters. I have done most of the mainstream lines. I prefer Celebrity and Princess. But, I've done 2 Carnival, one a 5 day out of LA, in the summer, just last year! There were more kids, some were a bit wild, as some usually are! You may be lucky, in May!!! But, I would definately go and enjoy! Thay do have roomy cabins, good food, entertainment, and staff. Not as good of food as Celebrity, but good, none the less. I have to say, I have enjoyed every one of my cruises on every line. In retrospect, I have truly loved some a bit more than others, but loved them all! It's all in what you make of it! Enjoy! P.S. Carnival is a bit glitzier than I like. But, I'm not buying the ship, so no big deal! Nita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess-of-Quite-alot Posted April 27, 2004 #25 Share Posted April 27, 2004 I did both a 3-day and 4-day Carnival cruise. I would not recommend the 3 day..it is over the weekend and it is not the kids who are wild..it's the stupid adult drunks who yell and scream outside the hallways at night. (Carnival did give me shipboard credit and a discount on future cruise after I complained) The 4 day was great....a wonderful quick getaway and for usually a very good price! I recently saw a 4 day advertised for $169! One more thing...try their chocolate cake at dinner...it's the best! (Any cruise is good where they make my bed, feed me and entertain me!) Celebrity Century 5/8/04 -Western Caribbean Carnival Ecstasy 2/04 - Baja Tahitian Princess 2/03- French Polynesia Sea Princess 7/02 - Alaska Carnival Ecstasy 5/02 - Baja Royal Caribbean Monarch 10/00 - Southern Caribbean Carnival Elation 10/99 - Mexican Riviera Royal Caribbean Monarch 1/97 - Southern Caribbean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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