Sailed Century twice loved it, can we be happy on Carnival?

[pennstategal]

Here is my question and I really look forward to your replies...We have sailed Celebrity Century twice, that is our only cruise experience as a couple. I sailed on Imagination (Carnival) for work and disliked it very much. I understand the ship is one of the older ones, but so is the Century. The food choices at breakfast on the buffet were the exact same each day, very boring, slimy cantelope each day. Never a different fruit. Not a sprig of parsley to be seen.
The carpet in the hallways leading to the cabins is filthy, more stained areas than not!
Long line to check in, trouble checking in, they had the wrong screen up on the computer and were trying to check us into the other Carnival ship in same port that day!

Anyway, my questions is, can we be happy on another Carnival ship? There are so many sailing out of our area of South FL and I feel like I may be ruling out Carnival all together just from that one bad cruise.
PS We are foodies!
Thanks,
Pennstategal

[ocngypz]

Try the Carnival Legend - 8 night itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale. Either western or southern. Southern is great if you love sea days.

Talk about food........WOW......I've never seen so many choices.

There were 4 of us sailing together.... all with many, many cruises on Celebrity.....and we loved it.

[drk]

I agree...if you don't like the Legend than you won't like anything Carnival has to offer. Much different than the older Fantasy class ships.

Starward 03/91; Dreamward 04/94; Victory 04/01; Mercury 01/03; Imagination 05/03; Paradise 11/03; Legend 01/04; Infinity 07/04; Zuiderdam 12/04

[PeggySand]

I have the opposite problem...... I have sailed Carnival three times, and once each for Princess and RC. This will be our first Celebrity cruise on the Mercury to the Mexican Riviera. I totally enjoyed my Carnival experiences, and I hope that I am not disappointed with Celebrity. I have heard so many great things on this board, so I am willing to try the Mercury. I guess it really depends on what things are important to each person, and that will reflect in their opinion on the different cruise lines. The bottom line is: YOU ARE CRUISING!!!

Have fun.

Paradise 5/11/03 & 5/18/03

[NitaBcruising]

My opinion. I like Celebrity better. But, I've sailed Carnival twice and enjoyed it. If you decide to try Carnival again, go with an open mind, and just enjoy! If it still doesn't suit you as well, don't use them again. I pick a cruise for destination and price. Then I decide which line to take. If the lines I like best are only a bit more, I'd probably choose them. If not, there isn't a line I won't take again, so far!

Nita

[Rustynail]

I've cruised on Century and Carnival's Legend and loved both experiences.

Both had different unique things to offer. I wouldn't hesitate to sail either again.

dan

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2005;1;22;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until we sail the Carribean Princess<BR


CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
<IMG
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=475109651"] Roll Call.... click here to join the fun![/url]
</applet>
CARNIVAL'S LEGEND JAN 2003
CELEBRITY'S CENTURY DEC 2003

[luv1another4ever]

We sailed Carnival last Aug. (our first cruise) and we will never sail them again! Even our teenage sons would not set foot on another Carnival ship.

We are booked on the Mercury in 10 days to Alaska - we can not wait!! We will chalk up our first experience to being new to the whole cruise thing.

Remember 2 things - 1) You get what you pay for (thanks dad!) and 2) Your cruise will only be as good as you make it!

Good luck

[stephy1]

I sailed on Carnival many years ago, and hated every minute of it. I've heard it hasn't changed much. But I can't speak from recent experience. I will say this though, if I won a Carnival cruise I wouldn't go on it.

Stephanie

1986 Southward, NCL;1987 Holiday, Carnival;1988 Seaward, NCL; 1989 SS Norway, NCL;1990 Starward, NCL;1991 Skyward, NCL;1993 & 1994 Viking Serande, RCL; 1996 & 1997 Westerdam, HAL;1998 Noordam, HAL;1999 Veendam, HAL; 2000 Galaxy, Celebrity; 2001 Ryndam, HAL; 2001 Horizon, Celebrity;2002 Zaandam, HAL;2002 Horizon, Celebrity;2003 Constellation, Celebrity;2004 Mercury, Celebrity

[drk]

If you do win a Carnival cruise let me know I'll go!!

Starward 03/91; Dreamward 04/94; Victory 04/01; Mercury 01/03; Imagination 05/03; Paradise 11/03; Legend 01/04; Infinity 07/04; Zuiderdam 12/04

[morriscats]

We are sailing on Carnival in Aug and then turning around and going again on Mercury. I sailed on the old Carnivale in 1989 - loved it. I think I would love any cruise line - just the fact that I am cruising. Have a great time on whatever.

8/29/04 Carnival Pride
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;08;29;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
10/13/04 Celebrity Mercury
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;10;13;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Nordic Prince 1993
Disney Wonder 1999
Celebrity Mercury 2002
Carnival Pride 8/29/04
Celebrity Mercury 10/13/04

[stephy1]

Some people just love Carnival, I guess that's why it's good there are so many choices now. I just found it wasn't for me.

Stephanie

1986 Southward, NCL;1987 Holiday, Carnival;1988 Seaward, NCL; 1989 SS Norway, NCL;1990 Starward, NCL;1991 Skyward, NCL;1993 & 1994 Viking Serande, RCL; 1996 & 1997 Westerdam, HAL;1998 Noordam, HAL;1999 Veendam, HAL; 2000 Galaxy, Celebrity; 2001 Ryndam, HAL; 2001 Horizon, Celebrity;2002 Zaandam, HAL;2002 Horizon, Celebrity;2003 Constellation, Celebrity;2004 Mercury, Celebrity

[Bingo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by morriscats:
I sailed on the old Carnivale in 1989 - loved it. I think I would love any cruise line - just the fact that I am cruising. Have a great time on whatever.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think I was on this ship. --Help me remember-- The Carnival ship I was on was a 4 nighter that left out of Port Canavral headed to the Bahamas. I think it was in 1990 or 1991. One thing I do remember reading at the time, was that the ship was originally built in 1956. This was my first cruise and had no idea what to look for in a cruise...we had a Jr suite with air from Boston for $475/pp.

I have always wondered what the name of that ship was and whatever happened to the ship. Come up with the answer and you win a prize.

Thanks,

Dan

Zenith in 2 weeks (ya!)

[NJ Cruisers]

We are leaving in 2 weeks on our 7th Celebrity cruise, third time on the Zenith which is one of Celebrity's older ships. We took a Carnival cruise last fall and will never go again! The standard for cleanliness is light years away from Celebrity. Our bed was thrown over, not made. There was mold in the shower. We tried calling the cabin steward to resolve but the phone didn't work. We couldn't touch the tables at the buffet-they were always sticky!

We were determined not to compare the two, but it was hard not to. Mind you, we had a good time anyway but I would not choose them again!

Donna

[Lois R]

Hi Dan...I sailed the Carnivale in 1992 and you are correct, it sailed from Port Canaveral.
My parents took the family on a 3 night cruise for their 50th Anniversary.
My mom passed away 4 months after that sailing.

Dad has a picture in his den of his 3 daughters standing in front of the entrance when they take your picture.

I do remember the food being quite good, though my best memory was why we were cruising...(the anniversary) rather than the ship. I have no idea why it took me 11 years from that time to cruise again!

I believe the ship has been retired for quite a while now.

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url]

[1stimekruiser]

I've been on an older Carnival ship (Sensation) and a newer one (Legend). Both cruises were very different. The Sensation had better service, the Legend had better decor. If you're looking for both exceptional service and elegance, you will not find it with Carnival. They seem to be hit or miss, nothing is consistant.
If you put any high expectations aside, sure, you can be happy with Carnival.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;02;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until the Celebrity Century!!!

Carnival Legend 10/2003
Carnival Sensation 11/2002

[genmasjoy]

There are a lot of choices in So Fla, why don't you try Royal Caribbean? You can get some good discounts in the summer and it is a lot better quality experience than Carnival. I have been on Festivale (one of their old ships now retired) and Fantasy, and never again! It primarily appeals to people in their twenties, no kids, who want to party party party. Unless that description fits you, don't go!

[morriscats]

Dan,
Teh Carnivale was my first cruise in 1980 and I thought it was the biggest thing I had seen. We had staterooms below water level. We could not plug anything into our stateroom -each floor had a big room where you had to go to shave, blow dry your hair, iron, etc. It sailed to Puerto Rico, Samana, and St. Croix. I will always remember that ship - I saw a pic of it recently and am amazed how much bigger cruise ships are now.

8/29/04 Carnival Pride
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10/13/04 Celebrity Mercury
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;10;13;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Nordic Prince 1993
Disney Wonder 1999
Celebrity Mercury 2002
Carnival Pride 8/29/04
Celebrity Mercury 10/13/04

[floridacruisers]

All I know is every time I've been on another cruise line other than Celebrity that whenever I see a Celebrity ship in the same port I wish I were on it.

[nealberk]

We have just won a four day cruise on Carnival out of Galveston. I'll let you know if we survive!

[angelpug]

Hi Pennstategal!

My brother went on the Fascination then 3 Celebrity cruises (Century, Mercury, Century), then 2 Princess Cruises (Grand, Golden), NCL Sun, HAL Zuiderdam, then he went back to Carnival (Pride..TWICE)), and now he's booked for the Caribbean Princess. I've told you all of this, because he's really picky about service and food, and when he ranks his cruises, he'll tell you the cruise on the Mercury was his absolute WORSE!! He's been on the Pride TWICE in the last 6 months. He LOVED it.

If you were ever to see my brother, he's not the Carnival Sterotype, in fact he's planning a Crystal Cruise just to see what it's like. But he's looking for GREAT servie, great food, spacious cabins, and a good itinerary, and he's been extremely happy on his Pride sailing.

He'll still tell you how wonderful his cruise on the Fascination was in 1995 when he first started to cruise for vacation.

He goes onto a cruise ship looking for a relaxing vacation, with all of the cruise amenities, and the only time it was lacking for him was on the Mercury (I sailed with him on MY first cruise, and after being on 8 cruises now, YES it was severely lacking in everything you look for in a wondereful cruise!)

I don't know how Carnival has become so sterotyped (I guess those frat parties onboard [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]). My dentist and doctor go on only Carnival, along with my neighbors, and my aunt and uncle. They don't understand why I haven't tried it. I guess because I've been scared away! If you have the chance to try something new though, try it!

Take Care,
Jaime

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;3;21;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until We're on the Summit or Sun Princess

[morriscats]

Angelpug,

We are on the Carnival Pride in August, just before we sail again on Mercury. Thanks for the info on Pride. We are looking forward to sailing on her with our grandchildren but are really looking forward to relaxing on Mercury after we get home. We love to cruise-don't think I would hate any ship.

8/29/04 Carnival Pride
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;08;29;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
10/13/04 Celebrity Mercury
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;10;13;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Nordic Prince 1993
Disney Wonder 1999
Celebrity Mercury 2002
Carnival Pride 8/29/04
Celebrity Mercury 10/13/04