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

[Jay Sam]

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

 

I completely agree with them. That's one less traveler I have to compete with when buying my cruise.;)

 

Good point. Carnival is the cruise industry's best kept secret. Let folks think what they want and better prices for the rest of us. Great service/food too. It's a win win.

[SadieN]

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.

 

Might have to do with how Carnival pays TAs. TAs can't undermine Carnival's pricing and the commission rate is a tad lower than the others. I think it's gotten a bit better (less restrictive) because I've seen ads in the Auto Club magazine recently.

 

I know you're in the UK but the reasoning might be the same. We use to meet many Brits on the short cruises out of Los Angeles. They got some sort of package deal- Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and the 4 day cruise.

[momof3cruisers]

I would simply say, to each his own... We have cruised Carnival, Celebrity, RCI, and Disney... All have their good and bad points, but I would say some of our best cruises have been on Carnival. Let them cruise elsewhere, more room for me and my family.

I hear the same things and sadly, most of the stuck up snobs who talk bad about Carnival, have never even been on one of their ships, so I mostly choose to ignore their ignorance in the matter....

 

I say the same. I have been on pretty much all of them and there is some good and some bad for all. I can say though that my last Carnival, there really wasn't any bad....other than a really long wait for pizza. LOL the Disney Cruise also had nothing to complain about once I got over them letting my two year old out of the room during parent orientation when they told us the kids were being watched by staff members. :eek:

 

As for the bolded, I just had this conversation with my cousin's friend via Facebook. She was saying she was looking at a cruise on Carnival and her friend just bashed the entire line. I asked if she had been on one ....nor any other cruise for that matter! Oh, that really makes you an expert then. :rolleyes:

[Jay Sam]

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

 

Never understood why folks flock to Disney for cruises with their arrogant pricing. There must be a market.

[Cushing985]

Before I retired a few months ago I had a 6 digit income. Now that I no longer work I still have quite a bit passive income. Was it due to me being special? No, other than having some skills that are in demand. My favorite cruise line is Carnival. The only other line we've been on is Celebrity. I enjoy them also but only go on them when they hit ports we're interested in.

 

As others have said...when someone states Carnival cruises are full of drunks and the dregs of society simply ask them how many Carnival cruises they've taken. I'm sure they will say others have told them how horrible it is. These people are lemmings incapable of independent thought and not worth your time.

[Jay Sam]

Before I retired a few months ago I had a 6 digit income. Now that I no longer work I still have quite a bit passive income. Was it due to me being special? No, other than having some skills that are in demand. My favorite cruise line is Carnival. The only other line we've been on is Celebrity. I enjoy them also but only go on them when they hit ports we're interested in.

 

As others have said...when someone states Carnival cruises are full of drunks and the dregs of society simply ask them how many Carnival cruises they've taken. I'm sure they will say others have told them how horrible it is. These people are lemmings incapable of independent thought and not worth your time.

 

Well said. I like your last sentence the best. Oh yeah.

[eponym]

Before I retired a few months ago I had a 6 digit income. Now that I no longer work I still have quite a bit passive income. Was it due to me being special? No, other than having some skills that are in demand. My favorite cruise line is Carnival. The only other line we've been on is Celebrity. I enjoy them also but only go on them when they hit ports we're interested in.

 

As others have said...when someone states Carnival cruises are full of drunks and the dregs of society simply ask them how many Carnival cruises they've taken. I'm sure they will say others have told them how horrible it is. These people are lemmings incapable of independent thought and not worth your time.

 

Our experience has been that on shorter Carnival cruises (less than 7 days) and in particular the 3-4 day ones, the level of drunken stupor on Carnival ships is an all time high. In reasonable fairness, shorter cruises on many lines seem to be full of extreme alcohol intake citizenry.

 

We think it gets to the level of uncomfortable to be around.

 

So we either intentionally try avoid the major party itineraries (the shorties to Mexico, Caribbean) and now only book 7+ day routes.

 

Although there is plenty of partying, it has a more paced flavor to it.

[xeroxme]

I love princess and have a great time on them. I just have preferred the energy of carnival lately. I sailed on allure on RCCL and will sail princess again. Frankly the difference is more the style, theme or energy more than somehow carnival being a joke. All of the major cruise lines have problems at times but they all do great in certain areas or customer driven needs. I love the difference, it adds choices. Anyone sailing major lines is simply enjoying ordinary cruising. Only people on the true small luxury private boats or stuff like seaborne etc. can act aloof as a cruiser. Other than that you are on a mega ship with thousands of people living with the masses. However i like that and I am fine with that!! So be it if i sail lowly carnival!! On every cruise I have met wonderful and fascinating people that have left me inspired. I will take that deal every time. If your MIL doesn't want a carnival experience for cruising i certainly wouldn't force it. You don't want to spend a week at sea hearing how this or that is not to their liking. Anyways enjoy cruising ccL and I hope they continue to have great experiences with Princess

Edited May 5, 2015 by xeroxme

[dolphin2012]

We have been on five carnival cruises and enjoyed all of them. Our next one is in JUne and already the comments are coming in to me too. I always get them from people who dont even liketo cruise nor have been on one . My reply is always glad your not on my cruise.. more food and fun for us!!! They will NEVER understand why we love beaches, boats and fun!!

[Cushing985]

Our experience has been that on shorter Carnival cruises (less than 7 days) and in particular the 3-4 day ones, the level of drunken stupor on Carnival ships is an all time high. In reasonable fairness, shorter cruises on many lines seem to be full of extreme alcohol intake citizenry.

 

We think it gets to the level of uncomfortable to be around.

 

So we either intentionally try avoid the major party itineraries (the shorties to Mexico, Caribbean) and now only book 7+ day routes.

 

Although there is plenty of partying, it has a more paced flavor to it.

 

You are singing my song...I would never take a 3-4 day cruise because of the reasons you stated. I'd go a bit further and confess I would never take a spring break cruise. As you said...adults pace themselves!

[Stateroom_Sailor]

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?

 

RCL is actually not a bad compromise between people who like Princess and Carnival. You'll probably both find things that pleasantly surprise and disappoint you. I would just Cherry Pick an inexpensive sailing that's similar to Carnival's cost. ;)

Edited May 5, 2015 by Stateroom_Sailor

[SadieN]

Our experience has been that on shorter Carnival cruises (less than 7 days) and in particular the 3-4 day ones, the level of drunken stupor on Carnival ships is an all time high. In reasonable fairness, shorter cruises on many lines seem to be full of extreme alcohol intake citizenry.

 

 

 

We think it gets to the level of uncomfortable to be around.

 

 

 

So we either intentionally try avoid the major party itineraries (the shorties to Mexico, Caribbean) and now only book 7+ day routes.

 

 

 

Although there is plenty of partying, it has a more paced flavor to it.

 

 

You missed our first weekend November on Princess. It was 100 times wilder than our Spring Break cruise.

[dhill]

I would simply say so you finally figured it out:eek:

[KatieCharlotte]

Never understood why folks flock to Disney for cruises with their arrogant pricing. There must be a market.

 

My coworker asked what line we cruise and then recommended Disney. Some people are extreme Disney supporters. I do like Disney World and can understand the appeal if you have money to spare or are a Disney fanatic. But I have looked at the price for a family of five during school vacations. :eek: I could afford the $800 purse if I saved up, but I'd prefer to buy the $5 purse and spend the $795 on other things. :)

[golfb4cruzing]

Well next year we are back to Carnival for a group cruise. It fit everyone plans/budgets. Normally I'm excited about upcoming trips and in full research mode but honestly I'm struggling going back to Carnival. Constant chatter, kids without rules. I hope I'm wrong but only going to hang out with people I've never met but talk with everyday.

[cruzeluver]

I see folks defending and insisting "their" cruise line is far and away the best. This seems to be most strongly felt by those that have only sailed on one line. Makes me chuckle. Liking Carnival does not make you lowbrow any more than likely Celebrity makes you a snob or someone who foolishly pays more. We like both, for very different reasons.

[gtalum]

Never understood why folks flock to Disney for cruises with their arrogant pricing. There must be a market.

 

Disney's pricing isn't "arrogant". They charge what their customers are willing to pay.

 

Carnival suffers to some extent from a bad reputation, one that is not deserved in my opinion, but I'm happy to enjoy the resulting low fares. Every time I've checked (and I compare every time I book a cruise), Royal Caribbean is significantly more for a similar itinerary and Disney is often 2-3 times the cost. I'm happy for the folks willing to pay up for those lines, but in 11 cruises we've enjoyed every single one on carnival and I don't plan to do much cruising on other lines. We did dail NCL once and enjoyed it, but found it largely the same as our experiences on Carnival.

 

One day we may try one of Royal's Oasis-class behemoths, but for now I'm satisfied on Carnival.

Edited May 5, 2015 by gtalum

[K.T.B.]

I've sailed both Carnival and Celebrity. And, yes, there are some major difference between the two, especially specialty dining and drink packages. HOWEVER, both are quite similar in many other ways. Cabins are about the same size, balconies are similar in size in most cases, the service is the same, the buffets have similar offerings, and the bars by the pools are never lacking for passengers.

 

And don't let people tell you that Celebrity isn't a "party boat" type of cruise line. On my Southern Caribbean cruise there were quite a few people who were three sheets to the wind, and there was one woman so blitzed that, when dancing one night, she was doing high leg kicks.... while wearing a skirt and no panties. :eek: On my last cruise, there was a woman who was so drunk that she tried to lay down on top of the martini bar, where she ended up knocking over quite a few drinks! (Also, the bar frost covered to keep the drinks cold, so imagine how that felt!)

 

Basically, every cruise line has its "unique" passengers to contend with....

[fossilcreekranch]

I've sailed Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. I think it depends on the ship, how effective the managers are and their expectations of the crew. The last Carnival cruise in March, was on the Magic and it was SPOTLESS. The crew was wonderful overall. Best carnival cruise yet. When I sailed Princess, the ship was a mess. Hair on the decks that was just mopped over and was there for a full 8 days. It was an outdated floating bucket of rust with mediocre service at best. I will never sail Princess again. Royal Caribbean was very nice for all three cruises.

[ShutterbugMomTN]

I would say your MIL isn't all that well informed since RC is in the top 5 of cruise lines for noro and carnival isn't. A few of my friends are like this too, and think carnival is low class and awful. I'm sorry, I paid out of the butt for a couple royal cruises, and wasn't impressed and I won't be spending money with them for a while. I tried and was let down. But like others said, doesn't hurt to try other lines. I would like to try Disney, but cant see myself paying that much for a cruise just for the Disney name. 5-7 days over $3000 for an inside room? come on

 

I am totally new here, but we just booked a cruise on Carnival for about $2500 and a similar cruise on Disney during the same time was $7500. I about choked.

[vestamark]

I am totally new here, but we just booked a cruise on Carnival for about $2500 and a similar cruise on Disney during the same time was $7500. I about choked.

Exactly the reaction I have had the few times I have even checked Disney. Apparently people really like it so I'm sure it is very nice but for us it is just too expensive. The kids programs would be very beneficial but for the most part I like spending days with my kids. At night is when I really like the kids program and I was plenty happy with the Carnival offering when we used them.

[SeaGoingDAD]

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?

Even Carnival used a "cesspool" in one of their commercials, so I'm never surprised what adjective people use.

 

[OCruisers]

Most people who bash Carnival have never cruised on Carnival.

HAL gets its share of bashing too from people who have never cruised on HAL.

 

LuLu

[perditax]

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

 

I've seen this sentiment a lot with regards to cruising. Unfortunately you're essentially also saying that, for example, a history professor can't be a WWII expert if he wasn't alive to experience it firsthand.

 

Read enough reviews and watch enough videos and you actually CAN get a sense of the feel of a particular ship.

[sailor_jimc]

Wrong- Giving information about written and filmed historical events that you have studied and making a judgment about something you have never seen nor experienced based on second hand opinions are completely different things