What do you say to people who think Carnival cruise=cesspool?

[lido deck larry]

I tell then they're right, and only the scum of the earth cruise Carnival, which is why I have several future Carnival cruises planned. Akward silence follows.

Well, not most of the time. I usually ignore the comments of overly judgemental people and try to avoid associating with those that are.

[Jdfireman]

The Pool on Lido Deck

[Out to sea!]

So many people have opinions and just won't acknowledge other's. That's just the way it is .... on everything, not only cruises. Our favorite happens to be RCCI, but that's just been our individual experiences. However, there are always things that sometimes happen or things we don't like here or there as well as other ships and cruise lines. We've been on HAL, Carnival and NCL too. Again, some things we like, some we don't, but it's never been a deal breaker. I mean, it's a cruise! Fortunately our schedule is flexible which allows us to shop sales and sometimes go last minute for a cruise where both the timing and price is right. We're booked on the Allure in a few weeks but are also looking to try Celebrity next and at some point Princess. Sailing other lines is a good thing, in 'our opinion' and works for us. Just let them say what they will ... you're the one having the good time! Happy Sailing! :)

 

Having an opinion based on hearsay is not a valid opinion.

[SadieN]

................... Frankly, the idea that someone is offended or gets upset because someone else disparaged their cruise line of choice just freakin' baffles me.

 

Not much different than someone disparaging another's sports team. Never figured out Fan mentality.

 

***

We've sailed Royal (2), HAL (4), Carnival (30+), and most recently Princess (6). Primarily on the West Coast.

For the most part we like the Carnival product. Yeah, there are some things that the others do better. We like the cross-section of pax that we find on Carnival. All walks of life. The pax on our Princess cruises have been very 'one-note'. (OC Republican)

Edited May 4, 2015 by SadieN

[Tutontow]

I tell them the same thing I say when people ask me how I like living in a small, town full of strawberry farmers. I tell them it is horrible, you wouldn't like it.

 

Then I look out my window at the beautiful horses running around on the property behind me and smile.

 

I really don't need to try any other cruise line because at this point in my life Carnival is perfect for me and my wife. People will say you are missing out by not trying other cruise lines. I say ignorance is bliss and I am totally happy with the Carnival experience. It truly is the Fun Ship.

 

 

Yes I am a cheerleader and proud of it.

[Tutontow]

Not much different than someone disparaging another's sports team. Never figured out Fan mentality.

 

***

We've sailed Royal (2), HAL (4), Carnival (30+), and most recently Princess (6). Primarily on the West Coast.

For the most part we like the Carnival product. Yeah, there are some things that the others do better. We like the cross-section of pax that we find on Carnival. All walks of life. The pax on our Princess cruises have been very 'one-note'. (OC Republican)

 

It is a little different when someone puts down a sports team it is just because they follow another team. When they say something like Carnival is a cesspool they are putting down your taste or maybe even your standards of cleanliness etc.

[Vitamin_Sea]

That comment would be foolish if anything.

 

Trash talking the largest cruise line in the world is idiotic :)

[winddawn]

My MIL, who has been on one RC cruise and is generally well-informed and not crazy, saw a photo from our latest Carnival cruise and said, "Carnival, that's the ship where people always get norovirus. They had an outbreak on your cruise two weeks after you got back." DH politely said that all cruiselines occasionally have norovirus. She insisted, "Not Royal Caribbean!" I gently suggested she google that. I googled it myself and it turns out that the only reported norovirus outbreaks in the month after our cruise were on Celebrity and RC. :D

 

Friends at church, when trying to describe a really bad situation that you can't get out of, said, "It's like taking a Carnival cruise!" :rolleyes: Everyone laughed and shuddered except us. We decided not to mention that we were about to leave on our fifth Carnival cruise.

 

My parents are platinum on Princess. They'd like to cruise with us in a couple years. Princess sounds nice when we're retired. They said, "Let's compromise and go on Royal Caribbean." I wouldn't mind trying a new cruiseline, but I would prefer not to completely rule out the most affordable choice for a family of five during school vacations.

 

What do you say in each of these situations?

Hi Katie Charlotte!

 

I would tell them not to knock Carnival if they haven't tried them. You could tell them about your cruise critic buddies like me that have cruised Carnival way over 20 times and continue to book Carnival because it is my first choice for great cruise value. Over the years, I have cruised Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian and several other lines that you've probably never heard of. I have never had a bad cruise on any of the lines, but dollar for dollar, I have received the best value from Carnival. And I have to say that for being a value cruise line, Carnival consistently has great team members who bend over backwards for their passengers. Is Carnival perfect? No, but neither are all those other lines I've sailed on. Its just a matter of finding the line that suits your needs best. Each line has a certain niche of passengers that they best serve. And BTW, in over 30 cruises, I've never had norovirus, and I've cruised on Carnival more than on any other line. I do try to practice good hand hygiene though and always use the tissues that Carnival provides when opening doors.

 

I am hopeful too that Carnival is doing a better job now of listening to passengers' wants and needs and will to continue to improve their product in the coming years. I would be the first to admit that Carnival has not done a very good job of that in the past few years--especially when it comes to live music. I miss the Lido Calypso bands because to me nothing says Caribbean fun like a steel drum sound. That is the biggest complaint I can think of with Carnival.

 

I would also suggest that for your friends and family that you deem to be the pickiest that you suggest that they try Carnival's newer ships and steer them clear of the older Fantasy class ships. While some people love older ships, people expecting the latest and greatest will not be suited to them.

 

Good luck! I hope you have a great cruise with your parents when the time comes. I can only imagine that a family of five would need to emphasize vacation value.

Edited May 4, 2015 by winddawn

[eponym]

My MIL, who has been on one RC cruise and is generally well-informed and not crazy, saw a photo from our latest Carnival cruise and said, "Carnival, that's the ship where people always get norovirus. They had an outbreak on your cruise two weeks after you got back." DH politely said that all cruiselines occasionally have norovirus. She insisted, "Not Royal Caribbean!" I gently suggested she google that. I googled it myself and it turns out that the only reported norovirus outbreaks in the month after our cruise were on Celebrity and RC. :D

 

Friends at church, when trying to describe a really bad situation that you can't get out of, said, "It's like taking a Carnival cruise!" :rolleyes: Everyone laughed and shuddered except us. We decided not to mention that we were about to leave on our fifth Carnival cruise.

 

My parents are platinum on Princess. They'd like to cruise with us in a couple years. Princess sounds nice when we're retired. They said, "Let's compromise and go on Royal Caribbean." I wouldn't mind trying a new cruiseline, but I would prefer not to completely rule out the most affordable choice for a family of five during school vacations.

 

What do you say in each of these situations?

 

The brand has suffered at times, mostly due to its own decisions.

 

It does not have to be a cesspool, as your title implies, to be undesirable.

Edited May 4, 2015 by eponym

[cruiznut]

After several cruises my Mom got the noro virus from the Disney Wonder! It can happen any where!

[justusfour2014]

On a smaller scope, why listen to someone that has something negative to say about what you do or where you spend your money. That rates really, really high on the Bite Me scale.

 

.[/color]

 

Like.

[Vitamin_Sea]

After several cruises my Mom got the noro virus from the Disney Wonder! It can happen any where!

 

That norovirus can happen on any ship.. THat is why Purell is everywhere but not used enough. :rolleyes:

 

Please note... Disney is very expensive due to No casino on the ship..

 

so, they gotta charge more.

 

In fact, sometimes you can take 3 CCL cruises for the price of 1 DCL cruise

[Lerin]

I would point out that by them calling the cruise and it's passengers cesspools, they are indirectly insulting you.

 

Another thought is to ask how many Carnival cruises they have been on. If the answer is zero ( it always is), then comment that they are making a very bold statement about something they have no firsthand knowledge of.

[justusfour2014]

I don't say anything.

I don't need to justify my vacation/choices to anybody; I'm an adult, not a teenager.

But that is just me.

Andy

:cool:

 

You're not alone, Andy. It's how I feel as well.

[cruiznut]

Tell me about it, we have been on six Disney Cruises and three RCCL and feel that Carnival offers much more variety in our opinion! You can not beat the price either!!

[Sparky2]

My MIL, who has been on one RC cruise and is generally well-informed and not crazy, saw a photo from our latest Carnival cruise and said, "Carnival, that's the ship where people always get norovirus. They had an outbreak on your cruise two weeks after you got back." DH politely said that all cruiselines occasionally have norovirus. She insisted, "Not Royal Caribbean!" I gently suggested she google that. I googled it myself and it turns out that the only reported norovirus outbreaks in the month after our cruise were on Celebrity and RC. :D

 

Friends at church, when trying to describe a really bad situation that you can't get out of, said, "It's like taking a Carnival cruise!" :rolleyes: Everyone laughed and shuddered except us. We decided not to mention that we were about to leave on our fifth Carnival cruise.

 

My parents are platinum on Princess. They'd like to cruise with us in a couple years. Princess sounds nice when we're retired. They said, "Let's compromise and go on Royal Caribbean." I wouldn't mind trying a new cruiseline, but I would prefer not to completely rule out the most affordable choice for a family of five during school vacations.

 

What do you say in each of these situations?

 

I'd ask if they'd ever been on Carnival. Most of the critics haven't sailed Carnival, but "have heard how bad it is from others" who probably also haven't sailed Carnival!

[justusfour2014]

It is the same reason people pay $800 for a purse. I paid $5 for mine and it does everything theirs does except impress. I don't care about that so I am good.

 

Some people think if you pay more, it is better.

 

This made me laugh out loud!! I've had my purse for over 5 years now and couldn't careless if someone likes it or not.

[Velvetwater]

See, I never get that at all...just the 'Wow...a cruise...brilliant' reaction as Carnival does not have that rep over here..even with my RCL/P and O/Princess sailing friends and family. I know 2 other people that have sailed Carnival...a guy down my road for his honeymoon (Sailed a small ship Mexican Riviera and loved it) and my assistant headteacher (she was on the Breeze Med season and wants to go again).

 

It is odd that Carnival is almost the forgotten line here (only see it in 2 TA shops with the odd newspaper advert) as many TAs advertise Caribbean cruises that are more expensive with other big lines. I have told people about Carnival and they are very interested especially with the Vista coming up.

 

I mentioned I was half way to booking a Costa cruise...now that got raised eyebrows.

[grublet22]

I simply say...."Don't be a hater".;)

[Jay Sam]

My MIL, who has been on one RC cruise and is generally well-informed and not crazy, saw a photo from our latest Carnival cruise and said, "Carnival, that's the ship where people always get norovirus. They had an outbreak on your cruise two weeks after you got back." DH politely said that all cruiselines occasionally have norovirus. She insisted, "Not Royal Caribbean!" I gently suggested she google that. I googled it myself and it turns out that the only reported norovirus outbreaks in the month after our cruise were on Celebrity and RC. :D

 

Friends at church, when trying to describe a really bad situation that you can't get out of, said, "It's like taking a Carnival cruise!" :rolleyes: Everyone laughed and shuddered except us. We decided not to mention that we were about to leave on our fifth Carnival cruise.

 

My parents are platinum on Princess. They'd like to cruise with us in a couple years. Princess sounds nice when we're retired. They said, "Let's compromise and go on Royal Caribbean." I wouldn't mind trying a new cruiseline, but I would prefer not to completely rule out the most affordable choice for a family of five during school vacations.

 

What do you say in each of these situations?

 

I feel your pain. I have also been on 5 Carnival cruises and Carnival is my favorite. They always make me feel at home and quite welcome. The staff is remarkable and the food is a close 2nd best to Celebrity. But Celebrity doesn't make me feel at home. Carnival has never disappointed me whether on a 4 night cruise on Paradise or on an 8 night repositioning cruise on Splendor or everything else in between.

 

Most often Carnival has the lowest price, and at the same time an awesome product. So I feel blessed to be paying less and receiving more. It is a win win for me.

 

You probably won't convince someone who is close minded and ignorant of the facts. They have their minds made up to continue believing fiction over the facts. Yeah every cruise line has norovirus issues and mechanical problems too, even Royal Caribbean.

 

Recently we sailed on NCL Sky on 27th of April. That same day Royal's Majesty of the Seas canceled it's sailing from Miami and ended up in dry-dock in Freeport. We saw her there the next day.

 

I too have not mentioned Carnival being my line of choice in some conversations like you described with the folks at church. I almost feel like I am betraying Carnival when I don't speak up. They have always been very good to me.

 

As far as the family cruise, I guess there are some variables, like which ships, what itineraries and pricing too. I know your folks love Princess given their status on them. I have never sailed on Princess but hear great things about them. As far as compromising and going with Royal Caribbean, that sounds fair enough.

 

Actually Royal is my other favorite cruise line. Very nice line. Only taken them once and I was quite pleased. Polished customer service and nice ships. Carnival would rank better for the main dining room food offerings. Royal would get the edge for buffet offerings. Overall the cabins on Carnival seem to be the largest when comparing the other lines, along with Holland America.

 

You mentioned waiting until retirement to take Princess. From what I hear and what I have experienced all the lines have a mix of ages and back-grounds. I think you would be surprised with Princess, not being a line that is geared more to retirement aged folks. Holland America would be an older demographic than any of the other major lines, although they are attracting a younger crowd too. I just had my 59th birthday on the Sky cruise. I am still a Carnival guy and will be as long as I am cruising, even if I cruise at 85.

 

As far as the naysayers, if they experienced a Carnival cruise they would change their tune. Remind them that Carnival is quite successful as a company and one who owns more than 100 ships with all the other lines they own, including Princess, Holland America and Cunard. The Carnival fleet on it's own has 24 and soon to be 25 when the Vista comes out in 2016.

 

jsamuel2@tampabay.rr.com

[Jay Sam]

I would point out that by them calling the cruise and it's passengers cesspools, they are indirectly insulting you.

 

Another thought is to ask how many Carnival cruises they have been on. If the answer is zero ( it always is), then comment that they are making a very bold statement about something they have no firsthand knowledge of.

 

Well said. I liked the part best what you said about them indirectly insulting them and that they should tell them so. Great point.

 

People making the cesspool comments are both ignorant and arrogant.

[Jay Sam]

We saw that with friends of ours. We did not talk them into it but some other family members did. These guys are loyal Royals and had absolutely nothing good to say about Carnival before they left and I swear they spent the whole cruise looking for things to come back and complain about. They and their kids are also the type who need a ship with plenty of things to entertain them because they find it hard to entertain themselves....of course they picked an older Carnival ship without all the newer bells and whistles because of the itinerary so they found plenty to complain about....the biggest being there was nothing for the kids to do and they were bored:rolleyes:.

 

They sound spoiled and ones who get much pleasure out of finding fault. I pitty them. Sad to go through life yammering about things while failing to see the blessings in life.

[winddawn]

Dont start a fight you cannot win. Easier to just try another cruise line.

I would think that to "just try another cruise line" might not be an easy option for a family of five as the OP stated.

[Rod in Az]

I most likely would just walk away, I really don't care to argue with "ignorant" people. I have seen that they are experts at dragging you down to their level, and beating you with experience.

 

If I felt the need to comment, it would probably be to say "Bless Your Heart".

Edited May 4, 2015 by Rod in Az

[Jay Sam]

When I tell people I'm going on a cruise and they ask what cruise line, I always feel the need to explain why I'm going carnival. Makes me angry at myself I do that!!!

 

Just try to not feel the need to explain. If they ask just give them the facts. Great cruise line and great service and that Carnival always makes me feel welcome and is friendly along with some of the best food at sea. If they argue with that they are morons. Oh yeah.