Would you recommend Carnival to tee-totallers?

[Lerin]

We are a conservative Christian family and sail CCL (as well as others). We've sailed with our even more evangelical family members; none of whom drink, smoke, swear, dance, wear tank tops or shorts, and a few won't dance or listen to music.

We all have a great time.

We do not sail during spring breaks or other holidays that bring out more of the party crowd. We also do not participate in hairy chest contest or that marriage show. In fact we pretty much stay away from the main Lido pool area.

 

Though other lines don't have the same rep as CCL, as a family who have sailed on many lines I can tell you they all have elements of risqué. We found on our last (not enjoyable) Princess cruise that they in fact have a contest quite similar to Hairy Chest on the Lido. And the amount of drunk adults and elderly going to and from the dance club each evening far surpassed anything we'd seen on Carnival.

A luxury line we went on had a marriage show which included questions that turned my grandma's face lobster red...

 

My advice to you is to get a copy of the Fun Times and let them know what events are all about so they can make up their own mind. Be honest about what is where and what may offend (drinking, loud music, dancing...) But also point out that these things are quite common on nearly all cruises. Disney and HAL may be the only exceptions.

Edited March 9, 2015 by Lerin

[Lerin]

I should include some of the things my family does do on cruises:

eat! hang out by the non-lido pools, trivia, some of the game shows, the family comedy, tea time, art auction, some of us do wine tasting, port talks, shopping, take photos, hang out at the coffee bar, children's activities, scavenger hunts, mini-golf, water slides, arcade, piano bar, sports bar, few do go to the casino, dance lessons, hang out on our balcony and order room service...

Cruising is for everyone. :) Your friends will have a great time.

I suggest you show them this thread. ;)

[kybluecruiser]

We have always only cruised Carnival.

 

We love Carnival - love the food, the pricing and the fun we always have.

 

I might have 1 or 2 drinks all week on the ship (have to have at least 1 Kiss on the Lips) and I might spend $20 or $30 in the casino. Hubby doesn't drink at all and might spend about the same in the casino.

 

I had a really good friend call me yesterday and tell me that his wife wants to go on a cruise for their 30th anniversary. He wanted my opinion about which cruise line to take and which ports they might enjoy.

 

He is a pastor (Baptist) and she is a pastor's wife - need I say more. I love them both they are wonderful people and I respect their values and morals. I would never want to recommend something that would make them uncomfortable.

 

So, I guess my question is this - would you recommend Carnival to friends like mine? I know there is drinking and gambling on all ships - except Disney maybe, so I'm not sure what to tell them.

 

Maybe Royal or Princess might be better for them.

 

Give me some input guys - I don't want to steer them wrong.

 

Thanks!

absoutley!!!! I have cruise with my brother and his father in law both baptist preachers. I never seen his father in law laugh so much as i did on our cruises together. Drinking will be found on all ships..... Even disney has waiters walking around with fruity drinks.

[KatieCharlotte]

I should include some of the things my family does do on cruises:

eat! hang out by the non-lido pools, trivia, some of the game shows, the family comedy, tea time, art auction, some of us do wine tasting, port talks, shopping, take photos, hang out at the coffee bar, children's activities, scavenger hunts, mini-golf, water slides, arcade, piano bar, sports bar, few do go to the casino, dance lessons, hang out on our balcony and order room service...

Cruising is for everyone. :) Your friends will have a great time.

I suggest you show them this thread. ;)

 

Our Carnival experiences are similar. My DH is a non-drinker and anti-gambling (don't tell him that sports pools are gambling!), and enjoys the budget price of a Carnival cruise. We've always found that no matter the ship or the time of year, people can be on the same ship and have very different cruises. It's actually pretty easy to avoid any wild party atmosphere and there are plenty of things to do that appeal to more conservative people. We have yet to catch a glimpse of the hairy chest contest or anything similar and have seen very few visibly drunk people. That said, my parents vastly prefer Princess, so I would recommend they gather a variety of opinions if they're planning their perfect vacation. But, if they shouldn't be afraid to book Carnival.

Edited March 9, 2015 by KatieCharlotte

[RCmommy]

Surely if they are considering a cruise they know what they could be getting into? No?

 

That being said, there are many all inclusive resorts resorts where all people want to do is drink and gamble and party.

 

Sheesh, I have seen drunk obnoxious parents around the pools at Disney World resorts.

[kicia]

But also point out that these things are quite common on nearly all cruises. Disney and HAL may be the only exceptions.

 

We have been on 45 Carnival cruises and have seen a drunk only once at dinner many years ago. Granted, we are not in the disco at 3 AM so I don't know what happens there and we usually avoid the main Lido area because it's too noisy for us. We have a few drinks, occasionally go to the casino, and usually only attend the family friendly comedy shows. We've never had a problem with the other guests and we just do our own thing.

 

Here is an anecdote from one of our cruises. A young couple that sat at our table for dinner related this story.

 

They were in the hot tub with an older couple and the lady dropped her top and asked "how do you like these? my husband just got them for me." The kids were flabbergasted and a few minutes later the older couple said they were swingers and wanted to know if the kids wanted to join them for a "party". The kids avoided them for the rest of the cruise.

 

Now the question is - which cruise line was this?

 

Would you believe it was Disney? So, don't believe all of the stuff you hear about Carnival and know that all cruise lines can have risqué behavior. The clientele changes each cruise so you can never make a blanket statement about any of them.

 

Just do what makes you comfortable and you will have a great time.

[ruachsm]

As a pastor I love cruising carnival! It's one of the few times during the year that I can relax with being under the microscope or people expecting certain things out of you! They will have a blast!

[MCFTJCH2V]

We have always only cruised Carnival.

 

We love Carnival - love the food, the pricing and the fun we always have.

 

I might have 1 or 2 drinks all week on the ship (have to have at least 1 Kiss on the Lips) and I might spend $20 or $30 in the casino. Hubby doesn't drink at all and might spend about the same in the casino.

 

I had a really good friend call me yesterday and tell me that his wife wants to go on a cruise for their 30th anniversary. He wanted my opinion about which cruise line to take and which ports they might enjoy.

 

He is a pastor (Baptist) and she is a pastor's wife - need I say more. I love them both they are wonderful people and I respect their values and morals. I would never want to recommend something that would make them uncomfortable.

 

So, I guess my question is this - would you recommend Carnival to friends like mine? I know there is drinking and gambling on all ships - except Disney maybe, so I'm not sure what to tell them.

 

Maybe Royal or Princess might be better for them.

 

Give me some input guys - I don't want to steer them wrong.

 

Thanks!

 

The big drinking and drunks aren't till late at night. As long as they can put up with the constant bombardment of people tryin to sell them drinks, they should be alright. If not, they better pass.

[camarowesley]

We have always only cruised Carnival.

 

We love Carnival - love the food, the pricing and the fun we always have.

 

I might have 1 or 2 drinks all week on the ship (have to have at least 1 Kiss on the Lips) and I might spend $20 or $30 in the casino. Hubby doesn't drink at all and might spend about the same in the casino.

 

I had a really good friend call me yesterday and tell me that his wife wants to go on a cruise for their 30th anniversary. He wanted my opinion about which cruise line to take and which ports they might enjoy.

 

He is a pastor (Baptist) and she is a pastor's wife - need I say more. I love them both they are wonderful people and I respect their values and morals. I would never want to recommend something that would make them uncomfortable.

 

So, I guess my question is this - would you recommend Carnival to friends like mine? I know there is drinking and gambling on all ships - except Disney maybe, so I'm not sure what to tell them.

 

Maybe Royal or Princess might be better for them.

 

Give me some input guys - I don't want to steer them wrong.

 

Thanks!

I think they may be more comfortable on another line. We don't drink, but aren't offended by those who do. How comfortable would they be with things like the harry chest competition, etc.

[makeda]

what others do has nothing to do with me! don't care what others do or do not do, like drink...that being said, I don't cruise for the approval of others.

[SadieN]

I think they may be more comfortable on another line. We don't drink, but aren't offended by those who do. How comfortable would they be with things like the harry chest competition, etc.

 

 

Other lines have similar things. I've seen alligator wrestling on HAL and best legs (men) contests on Princess.

[TerReuv]

The big drinking and drunks aren't till late at night. As long as they can put up with the constant bombardment of people tryin to sell them drinks, they should be alright. If not, they better pass.

 

In our two cruises none of us experienced "constant bombardment of people trying to sell them drinks". Yes they are walking around you will be asked if you want one, however all you have to do is say no thanks and they will leave you alone.

[RobinKY]

Have you tried the Hedonism resorts? I kid I kid.

 

My wife and I went on CCL Sensation over new years and had a great time. We are social drinkers. While there were a couple small groups of college kids - 20-somethings we never saw any overt drunkenness. Even the college kids were being respectable to the others on board.

[cruise_girl2002]

We have always only cruised Carnival.

 

We love Carnival - love the food, the pricing and the fun we always have.

 

I might have 1 or 2 drinks all week on the ship (have to have at least 1 Kiss on the Lips) and I might spend $20 or $30 in the casino. Hubby doesn't drink at all and might spend about the same in the casino.

 

I had a really good friend call me yesterday and tell me that his wife wants to go on a cruise for their 30th anniversary. He wanted my opinion about which cruise line to take and which ports they might enjoy.

 

He is a pastor (Baptist) and she is a pastor's wife - need I say more. I love them both they are wonderful people and I respect their values and morals. I would never want to recommend something that would make them uncomfortable.

 

So, I guess my question is this - would you recommend Carnival to friends like mine? I know there is drinking and gambling on all ships - except Disney maybe, so I'm not sure what to tell them.

 

Maybe Royal or Princess might be better for them.

 

Give me some input guys - I don't want to steer them wrong.

 

Thanks!

 

My friend asked me what line I would recommend since i'm a cruise-a-holic lol. I told her I always sail Carnival, and although royal is nice, I didn't get great service from them, however it just may have been an off week, but they are beautiful ships. then told her I have been happy with carnival, even if something happened. She decided to take carnival based on my experiences. I told her what decks to look at for a cabin, where, etc.

 

Not going to lie, I was really nervous. this was her first cruise. would she like carnival. not like it then blame me? etc. She LOVED it and booked another cruise while on board. was happy she had such a great time.

 

What ever you see on carnival, you WILL see on other lines. if they are looking for more down key, less rowdy, Holland America, princess or celebrity are really nice

Edited March 11, 2015 by cruise_girl2002

[nchikk]

It depends on how tolerant they are towards other people drinking and gambling. They don't have to go to the casino so it's not as much of an issue, but how are they about someone at their dinner table having wine or a cocktail? If they are "live & let live" kind of folks, recommend Carnival to them. If they're not and would feel uncomfortable, maybe a cruise isn't for them. And yes, I understand there are places they can go to not be around drinking or gambling, but would they be happy if they had to sidestep what others are doing?

Edited March 11, 2015 by nchikk

[cruse2loose]

I don't drink or gamble, but have 13 cruises all with Carnival under my belt. I love to just disconnect and get away. I will have my lemonade, relaxing in a lounge chair. I love the comedy shows, the live music, trivia contests and the singing/dancing shows. Last November on the Elation a Baptist preacher won the hairy chest contest. He was just having fun with it.

Tell them to take the fun ship, they will be glad they did :)

[sjn911]

I have never been bombarded for drinks and always happy if asked..it is not that often and so nice when you want one and they are there. I love Princess for the shows and the slightly more upscale music options in bars and décor and more pool options ( you pay more especially as a solo but there are deals)....I have only been on an overnight on Hal and that is not a fair comparison. I really want to do Celebrity, Royal, and Norwegian for all the entertainment and dining options....but I tell you or anyone..I had some "snobby" folks steer me away from Carnival in my 20's. My last two cruises have been on them late 40's and early 50's and the great price of things, the people I met and enjoying this cruise critic place and dreaming about it all here..reliving the fun..is just great. The "snobby" people were wrong..and while every once in awhile people have off cruises...I think the issue is more..for some...getting tired of one line after 25 or so cruises on one line who exclusively sail them.

 

I just loved my first Carnival cruise after some "fancier" lines and see far more alike than different....Certain freebies like ice cream cones and "Arnold Palmers"....lemonade and ice tea drinks you can always get yourself in lido and all activities others have mentioned and the spa and the gym.to shower, steam and sauna in there is nice even in the non "Cloud Nine" spa areas....looking forward to that sometime..you get way way way more than a old "Holiday Inn" experience. And the size of cabins for a budget line can not be understated. I am so looking forward to a balcony deal next time..balcony and free simple (but growing) room service menu....may be there a couple of days..LOL..Sarah

 

FREE ROOM SERVICE....or paid for with cruise fare is a highly under-rated pleasure..you just can't do that on a whim in a hotel if on a budget.

 

I think what Carnival gets is lots of new folks and repeats who absolutely love it and that is infectious fun...Sarah

 

PS..I am not saying other lines mentioned are snobby...there are always a few who think they are in First Class yesteryear whatever...on Carnival or any line....but I just love the fun things they do and say on the intercom that just announce good time options for all...loved families enjoying Karaoke...that kind of thing is soooo much fun..the big movie too on a sea day even on ships w/o outside theater is fun...you end up sharing the couches with folks and you are just at "camp" for adults....chilling..and dinner is handled..several ways!!!

Edited March 11, 2015 by sjn911

[mzloolue]

I was going to say that I have never had a problem with drunk folk, but then I started thinking.

 

Oddly enough, both of the episodes of obnoxious drunk folk were in the dining room.

 

One was two years ago on Elation we had a terrible table.

There were four 10 tops with one little table crammed in the middle.

Two of the 10 tops were one group and most of them were drunk and they were talking back and forth between the tables.

It is hard to have dinner sitting a few feet from twenty plus drunk people.

We could not even hear the other people at our table.

It was way not cool.

We learned to appreciate the buffet.

But what we should have done was request a new table.

 

Another was a group on Triumph who were singing one night at their table.

Like the Gilligan's Island theme.

It was odd, but okay-ish.

But on another night there was a woman with them, obviously drunk, doing shots off men's crotches and that was definitely icky.

 

Those were only two of many cruises and rare.

 

If that kind of behavior would really bother someone, then I would not feel comfortable recommending any cruise line to them.

Edited March 11, 2015 by mzloolue

[wanna go cr]

I dont drink (may have fruit type daquere, see cant even spell iot lol) .I also go to church regularly. My bf drinks NA beer. If you dont want to be around alcohol or see people drink then stay home, but other than that I would go. I have cruised carnival three times and Disney RCL, NCL. Had fun not drinking on all of them.

[beshears]

I have not read all your posts, but my question, why not recommend Carnival?

 

We don't drink, and I'm sure there are others that don't drink also, and we always have a great time, and have never been bothered by others that may drink around us.

 

I'm not for sure as I have been on several ships within the last 26 years, but Carnival may have "tea time," too. I know you were not really referring to that, but I wanted to mention it anyway. It is really nice when they have that too on the ships.

[In2why]

I don't drink and always have a great time on Carnival. But there will be people on the cruise who are drinking. I think it depends on where you are hanging out that will depend on how much drinking they see onboard. For example don't sit next to the loud, partying group and then sniff because they are drinking. Same with smoking. If you walk up to someone smoking don't complain because you can smell smoke.

[Purvis1231]

We do not drink booze (wife drinks a little wine) but we always had a good time on Carnival. We also like Holland America. When we sail with them we bought a package that came with two bottles of booze. I though great, I could sell these for $50.00 a bottle but low and behold I could not give them away. So we left the ship with two bottle of booze that we finally gave to the bellman at the hotel.