What makes your favorite ship your "favorite"?

[carrieluvsgreg]

As I peruse through the posts I see that lots of people seem to like the Liberty best. (We've sailed on her twice and really liked her too!). It just got me thinking... What causes us to have those partialities? I don't think it's the itineraries, as those change pretty frequently. But the crew changes pretty frequently too... But each ship in a particular class has the same layout, just different decor. I notice the decor, but I really don't think that impacts me to such a extreme as to choose a ship as a "favorite".

Right now my favorite ship I'd the Dream, because last year when we sailed we booked a Cloud 9 spa stateroom and thoroughly enjoyed the amenities! So, my initial thought is that any "Dream Class" ship would be my favorite, but since I've only sailed on one, maybe I'm wrong... What are your thoughts?

(I would say the Liberty is my 2nd favorite...)

[bigdog1958]

The spirit class ships are my favorite, I have been on the spirit, Miracle and the Pride and each are identical except the decor as you stated. I like them because they are not too big, and the adult area (serenity) is in the back of the ship and has a pool and hot tub. On some ships like the Glory, they have an adult pool at one end of the ship, and the serenity area at the other, having two different areas for adults, which I really did not care for.. I think though the main thing is the size and layout, I dont really like the mega ships..

[Tapi]

I notice the decor, but I really don't think that impacts me to such a extreme as to choose a ship as a "favorite".

 

Even though a lot of people say that they don't care about a ship's décor, subconsciously I think they do. I can tell you, without a doubt, that one of the main reasons why we like the Liberty so much (and it's our favorite Carnival ship) is exactly because of her décor. Her European artists theme, the use of rich woods, wrought iron columns and chandeliers, Murano light fixtures, the Harry Winston inspired Steakhouse, and art specifically commissioned for this ship, make her one of the most tasteful and understated in the entire fleet. While some people may say that the Breeze is a nicer looking ship, she's nicer in a modern, non-descript way. I think her décor lacks the attention to detail that the Liberty has.

 

Another thing that I always notice is how well kept the ship is. I look at the condition of carpet, furniture, wall covers, paint, etc. If the ship looks run-down, I spend the cruise mentally pointing things out.

 

A cruise should be enjoyable for all the senses.I think that most people agree that vision is one of the most important (if not THE most important sense). If my eyes don't like what they see, most likely I'm not going to enjoy the ship as much.

 

So yes, the Liberty is our favorite Carnival ship. I only wish she had the Cloud 9 Spa. :o

Edited January 14, 2014 by Tapi

[MissKIA]

I've only been on two ships so far (Dream and Liberty) but my favourite out of the two is Dream. I liked them both, but I am in the minority thinking the Liberty is not really beautiful. That is not why I like Dream better though. I really like the Ocean Plaza area and that is only on the Dream class ships. I also like the aft pool area better on the Dream than the Liberty. it's not so closed in.

[ellenvana]

I also love the Spirit class ships.. I have sailed on all three of them and of them I guess I like the Spirit the very best.. I love the layout of them and also love the extra big balconies you can find on some of the decks.. I will be sailing on the Breeze March 1st and I hope it will live up to the Spirit class ships.. Regardless I will have a great cruise.. Of course!

[OCruisers]

The lay-out (deck plans) of a ship are always important to us. :)

 

LuLu

~~~

[okgirl]

I've sailed on every class of ship and always preferred the layout of any Conquest class ship. Which ever of that class was closest to my homeport was my favorite.

 

Then the Dream class came out and I liked the casino layout better, but I didn't care for the Dream itself. They had not yet incorporated the crowd control issues in the Buffet, so I went back to the Conquest class.

 

Then the Magic came out and I REALLY liked it. The Red Frog Pub, Taste bar, Cucina and everything was just perfect, plus it had the casino design I like.

 

THEN the Breeze came out and I was even more impressed with all the favorites from the Magic but the addition of Bonsai Sushi, even more expanded food options on the Ocean Plaza (great place for easily accessible hot breakfast), and the new Pizza Pirate.......

 

So, my favorite ship is the Magic, but only because I can drive to that port.

[Midwestgal]

Liberty....great crew, Alchemy bar:)

[Phlybice]

As I peruse through the posts I see that lots of people seem to like the Liberty best. (We've sailed on her twice and really liked her too!). It just got me thinking... What causes us to have those partialities? I don't think it's the itineraries, as those change pretty frequently. But the crew changes pretty frequently too... But each ship in a particular class has the same layout, just different decor. I notice the decor, but I really don't think that impacts me to such a extreme as to choose a ship as a "favorite".

Right now my favorite ship I'd the Dream, because last year when we sailed we booked a Cloud 9 spa stateroom and thoroughly enjoyed the amenities! So, my initial thought is that any "Dream Class" ship would be my favorite, but since I've only sailed on one, maybe I'm wrong... What are your thoughts?

(I would say the Liberty is my 2nd favorite...)

 

I has to be a Spirit class ship. It can't have a Jumbotron. It has to sail out of the US.

 

This almost leaves 2 ships left to choose from.

 

It would also include the Fantasy class had they had balcony standard rooms.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Phlybice

[cattipillar]

For me, it's Carnival Elation. This is a much smaller ship that has been around the block but continues to give EXCELLENT service and after all these years, she is still a beauty.......I've been on her 5 times now with my next trip in 2 months and will one day be sad to see her go......:D

[pirate4me2]

Right now for me it is the Breeze. We loved the Pride, but the decor of the Breeze was so calming, and we loved the Waterworks. I never felt crowded, and there was always something for us to do. We also loved all the options for dinner (OMG the steakhouse was great!!) and I liked the Ocean Plaza area.

[lukeduke07]

so many people love Spirit class ships. Thats why were trying the legend for the first time in February.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I loved the Decor on the Dream. It was glitzy, loud and proud! Suited me just fine.

 

But I didn't enjoy my Dream cruise (cruise portion, itinerary was great to me) because of the service set backs. I would go to get coffee in the buffet and there would be no cups. I waited, and when the cups came, they ran out of coffee, so I waited some more. Than I waited for the omelet station to scramble me some real eggs without I have no idea mystery stomach killing ingredients. While I would be getting items at the buffet, the CMs would be screaming abusively at each other. That made it less than pleasant. I waited constantly on that ship, in Feb. I waited for chicken tenders and fries, pizza, (at 2pm, not peak), waited for service big time in our MDR. The staff was frazzled, unfriendly (I always try to smile at them and appreciate their service, but their hatred of us could be seen a mile away) My souvenir cup (giant twisty neon green from one of the Blue Iguana whatever bars) blew away (or got stolen, I still want it back!!!) on deck, and instead of getting me another one so I could pay all week to refill it ($$ for CCL), they refused to help me. So I refused to buy a single drink from that point on, nothing, not even a pop. Kudos do go to the Entertainment Staff for literally one of the FUNNIEST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE for the Legends Auditions. I enjoyed being in the show much more the second time. But seriously, anyone that was there, it was the funniest ever. You had to have been there. (We had the funniest dancing grandma.) That's basically where my positive comments end. That and Jamie CD doing the splits as Dolly Parton. Girl is limber!

 

So the Dream becomes my least favorite ship, nothing to do with decor, and I liked the itinerary. The minute I walked on, I felt like I waited or was in the middle of an infomercial.

 

So you know my FAVE CCL? The MS HOLIDAY! Now THAT was a cruise! Impeccable service and food, good shows, great staff, big rooms. Oldest in the fleet, my first and fave CCL. Was sad when it left Mobile. It was the best way to get us RCCL C&As lovers to the 'dark side' of CCL. Convenience, great ports, and impeccable service and food. Triumph was good service and enjoyable too. Conquest had slow service but sushi bar!!!!!! LOVED IT.

 

To me, the atmosphere is more about being welcome and appreciated and provided a good service vacation experience. It just really becomes a downer when you are fried from a day in the Bahamas (with no sunscreen? What, are we cruise newbies or what? More like idiots!) and sitting there asking over and over for waters to be filled and just getting completely ignored.

[tigereye]

Know what? I wasn't going to post this even tough I had it in my head, but the Holiday has always been my favorite, too. Oh, I wouldn't trade the big ships with all the stuff that they have today, but quality and service on the Holiday were unbeatable. Assistant CD Becca was very good on my last Holiday cruise. "C'mone, Becca".

[kristy29]

My favorite is Pride. Obviously I haven't been on all the ships, but I liked how uncrowded the Pride was. I loved hanging out on Serenity at night. I love the steakhouse. I loved that serenity had a pool, and that it was open late and we could swim in it all by ourselves. Even while outrunning hurricane Sandy and experiencing rough seas, closed decks and a shortened cruise, she was my favorite. We went on Dream last and I didn't like it, I felt like all I did all week was wait on lines, it felt too crowded and I hated that. Although I did like deck 5 on Dream and the hot tubs hanging over the ship. Would like to try Breeze one day. The only thing that would make Pride better is a Guys Burgers, I am so hopeful for her drydock!!!