Possible first timer

[Bobcatpt]

We have previously sailed on Disney and RC. We are thinking of sailing on the Carnivals Breeze at the end of June. We will be sailing with a 3 and 12 year old. My questions are 1) Does the Breeze have the reputation of being a big “frat party” like I have read about other Carnival Cruises?? 2) Are we going to be disappointed going from Disney and RC to Carnival??

 

Thanks for any advice

[bury me at sea]

The Breeze is a lovely ship. A 7 day cruise will be filled with fun and you can choose to participate or find many quiet areas to rest, relax, and converse.

 

The kids clubs get consistently high praise.

 

It is family friendly.

 

Not knowing what you value in a cruise I couldn't begin to guess what you might find disappointing.

 

Welcome to the Carnival board.

[Bobcatpt]

Thank you so much!! That helps a lot!

[Pyrate13]

In my opinion the "frat party" rep is so overblown. We've not experienced any such thing in 9 Carnival cruises and we have three more on the books. At our age we wouldn't be interested in a party cruise at all.

 

By the way, we've also done 4 Disney cruises and still prefer carnival.

[Organized Chaos]

I’ve always heard that, if anything, the 3-days tend to be more of a party cruise (booze cruise). That’s not to say all of them, but there’s a better chance. People here have often said the longer the cruise, the less you’ll see of it.

[wemjam]

As another poster stated, longer cruises tend to be "quieter." Even so in all my cruises, I have never seen one out of control where I just felt like I was at a frat party. I have had this experience at different All Inclusive Resorts I have gone to though lol!

 

Shorter (like 3-4 day) cruises sometimes draw large "groups" of people that are traveling together and they can get going having a good time together, but even at that from what I have seen it is more 40-50-year-olds doing it then like 20 something-year-olds. And they may just get a little boisterous from time to time, not over the top out of control or anything. Now I preface this by saying I have NEVER sailed during Spring Break season either on purpose lol!

 

Since you are looking at cruising in June I think you will find it far more "family" centric with a lot more kids etc. (We actually avoid summer cruising for this reason as we are in our years where our kids are grown and long for a more adult kido free environment when we travel).

[nchikk]

In my opinion the "frat party" rep is so overblown. We've not experienced any such thing in 9 Carnival cruises and we have three more on the books. At our age we wouldn't be interested in a party cruise at all.

 

By the way, we've also done 4 Disney cruises and still prefer carnival.

 

 

Just curious...can you specify why you prefer Carnival?

[Lottacruises]

Breeze has an awesome water area for kids...

[rlkubi]

I have taken 27 Carnival cruises and never experienced the "frat" party atmosphere! However, I'm sure it's very difference from Disney but Carnival is a less expensive cruise. But love Carnival!

[Pyrate13]

Just curious...can you specify why you prefer Carnival?

 

Sure, I think the food is better on Carnival and I hate the rotational dining on Disney. I like the ability to dine when I want instead of having to take a set time. I find the staff on Carnival to be very friendly. A lot less kids and a separate serenity area on many of their ships where the kids don't go (on four Disney cruises kids were in the adult area and we never saw any of them made to leave). There are casinos for those that want to indulge. I generally feel more relaxed on Carnival.

 

For the cost, I don't find anything about Disney that I feel is better than Carnival so I'm not willing to pay their overpriced rates.

[siestakeys04]

We are going as a group of first timers in a four day cruise. I haven’t seen rowdy on a 4 day. My aunt s and uncles are in their 60’s and my son 18 will be the youngest. My kids first cruise was a 7 day on the glory and it was very nice and relaxing.

[A&Jfamily]

While I have not been on Disney, I have friends that have and I think you will find that Carnival is different because it lacks all those "magic" Disney touches - fireworks, changing images in dining rooms etc. There will be A LOT more for the adults to do in the evening than on Disney and the carpets do not roll up at 8 or 9 pm.

 

Also, depending on which RC ships you have been on, you may see a big difference. The mega ships with 6000 passengers has a ton more bells and whistles and much fancier entertainment with the ice shows etc.

 

The Breeze is going to be smaller than those Mega ships and I think by looking at the commercials and seeing the advertising, you can get a feel for what each cruise line is specializing in. RC just added a tag line on its web page talking about brag-worthy moments. I think that sums up RC - they are looking to "wow" guests. Carnival's tag line is "the fun ships" and they aim to offer that and it shines through in their crew, who many of us think are the friendliest at sea.

 

So, if you need the bells and whistles and want that wow factor, don't expect that on Carnival. If you want to go and have a fun and relaxing vacation for a smaller price tag, and are happy just being at sea, then Carnival can be a great fit. Carnival also has the widest array of Caribbean itineraries I have found...and as we like to sail for the ports, it has suited us well.

[CruiseHealing]

Your family's name will not be announced when board. The sail away party is fun and the music will not make your ears bleed.

 

We enjoy Disney cruises as a special higher priced experience. Carnival is more relaxing. They are two different types of cruising. If you are expecting Carnival to be like Disney, then you will be disappointed. It is just a different experience.

[nchikk]

Sure, I think the food is better on Carnival and I hate the rotational dining on Disney. I like the ability to dine when I want instead of having to take a set time. I find the staff on Carnival to be very friendly. A lot less kids and a separate serenity area on many of their ships where the kids don't go (on four Disney cruises kids were in the adult area and we never saw any of them made to leave). There are casinos for those that want to indulge. I generally feel more relaxed on Carnival.

 

For the cost, I don't find anything about Disney that I feel is better than Carnival so I'm not willing to pay their overpriced rates.

 

Thank you.

Just like people, all cruise lines are different. If they weren't, they'd all be the same...and that would be no fun.

[NCbmwmom]

Only frat party cruise we ever took was on RC. And we sail Carnival 5 days every spring break. Our Magic cruise coming up is our first 7 day. I still can’t figure out why everyone thinks this.

[nik23]

I don't think you will be disappointed on Carnival Breeze. We loved the Breeze and have sailed several ships on both Carnival and Royal. Including RCL mega ships and their smaller ships.

The Breeze has an awesome waterworks deck that the kids are going to love. The ropes course and sports court area is also a great time. Tons of venues for adults and children alike.

The Breeze has lots of spaces to get away from the crowds as well. Never felt crowded and the fellow passengers were not out of control!

Food on Carnival is very good, and lots of variety and options.

We really enjoyed our cruise on the Breeze, I would not hesitate to sail again on her.

[Pyrate13]

Thank you.

Just like people, all cruise lines are different. If they weren't, they'd all be the same...and that would be no fun.

 

Ain't it the truth!:D