Free cruise certificate

[superduper123]

I recently received a certificate for a free cruise. Based on departure port and my schedule availability, I have it narrowed down to a few options: Royal 3 or 4 day to the Bahamas which I have done several times. Or Carnival 5 day Eastern, or Carnival 5 day Cuba. I am really interested in Cuba, but concerned that it is Carnival. I have sailed exclusively on Royal, and as of recently don't participate in poolside games or late night parties. Is Carnival that much more of a party atmosphere than Royal? I am early 50's, no kids. Will either sail solo, or with a friend. Thoughts from those who have experienced Carnival also?

[Biker19]

You are less likely to have concerns with the Cuba cruise.

[HOSKI]

I've sailed both plus NCL and honestly Carnival gets a bad reputation for a party line.  Just like on RCI if you don't want to participate in an activity or be around it, go to a different activity or part of the ship.  I would pick Cuba no matter the line.

[Clarea]

Some vs. Carnival threads:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607724-rcl-vs-carnival/?do=findComment&comment=56210714

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2618089-carnival-versus-rci-food-comparable-differences/?do=findComment&comment=56434039

 

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

40 minutes ago, superduper123 said:

I recently received a certificate for a free cruise. Based on departure port and my schedule availability, I have it narrowed down to a few options: Royal 3 or 4 day to the Bahamas which I have done several times. Or Carnival 5 day Eastern, or Carnival 5 day Cuba. I am really interested in Cuba, but concerned that it is Carnival. I have sailed exclusively on Royal, and as of recently don't participate in poolside games or late night parties. Is Carnival that much more of a party atmosphere than Royal? I am early 50's, no kids. Will either sail solo, or with a friend. Thoughts from those who have experienced Carnival also?

 

What kind of certificate is usable on two different cruise lines?

[superduper123]

5 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

What kind of certificate is usable on two different cruise lines?

I don't know if I can mention company names on these boards, but I got it for going to a timeshare presentation.

[Merion_Mom]

58 minutes ago, superduper123 said:

I don't know if I can mention company names on these boards, but I got it for going to a timeshare presentation.

 

Are you sure that the cruise is free?  They are not making you pay anything?

 

Some of those operators are shady. 

 

[Retired LEO]

26 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Are you sure that the cruise is free?  They are not making you pay anything?

 

Some of those operators are shady. 

 

Timeshare? Shady? Hmmmm my thoughts exactly.

[superduper123]

Yes, I have to pay port fees and taxes. The "free" is only select sailings, and it's for an interior cabin. If I want oceanview, balcony etc, I will need to pay to upgrade.

[fla gang]

I received one of these certificates once for attending a timeshare Bully session. When I called, all of the dates offered were not available. I finally just gave up.  Never ever will I go to another timeshare anything!

Learned my lesson.

[superduper123]

1 hour ago, fla gang said:

I received one of these certificates once for attending a timeshare Bully session. When I called, all of the dates offered were not available. I finally just gave up.  Never ever will I go to another timeshare anything!

Learned my lesson.

You got that right! 

[charlielinda]

If you got it from a timeshare presentation it most likely is not on a mainstream cruise line.  I did research on this a few years ago.  Please research the company that provided the certificate and look for comments on the voucher.  

[superduper123]

1 hour ago, charlielinda said:

If you got it from a timeshare presentation it most likely is not on a mainstream cruise line.  I did research on this a few years ago.  Please research the company that provided the certificate and look for comments on the voucher.  

Yes, thanks! I have researched the voucher/certificate number and have narrowed down to a few itineraries I am choosing between.

[klfrodo]

I've sailed both Carnival and RCCL. So much so that I've got elite status on both lines.

I mostly sail Royal now but that's only because of the amenities that go with Suites on Royal vs. Carnival. Plus, our past couple of cruises were in Europe.

 

Carnival is more of a "Fun" ship than Royal. 'Fun" does not necessarily mean "Party" or "Drunk". "Fun" on Carnival is a vibe that they constantly strive for and generate. It's really hard to explain.

I've seen just as many partiers and/or guests who have had too much to drink on a Royal ship as I have on Carnival.

Carnival and Royal are much more alike than they are different.

Edited January 2, 2019 by klfrodo

[oddly excitered]

We did carvival pride last year out of baltimore. Bad choice and I don't think it is a fair comparison to any lines newer ships,  I do think that carnivals drink package policies promote less drunkenness than royal as they limit you to 15 alcoholic drinks a day per person. they do promote "fun" more but it seemed they were really struggling at it where on royal it just comes naturally for me. If Cuba interests you do it regardless of the line.

Enjoy and congrats on the free cruise oportunity!

[Jana]

I cruise both lines extensively and find them to be very similar.  I am retired, living on a small fixed income, usually travel solo so for me, I don't care what ship, what line or even what itinerary... it's all about the cost. 

 

That said, here's my comparison.  I find that the food quality, venues and availability is better on Carnival with the exception of the buffet, which hands down goes to Royal.  Decor on Royal is more staid and genteel; on Carnival it can be a bit over the top (but I like that sometimes!).  Ship-sponsored activities are similar but Royal gets the prize for self-generated action, with the climbing walls, Flo-Rider, ice skating rink etc.  I've only been on ships as big as Voyager class so I'm not as familiar with flying, zip lines, trampolines etc.  Carnival's beds are 100X more comfy than Royal's.  Staff is very similar, they aim to please and generally do.  Shopping is almost identical.  Carnival's casinos are slightly better.  Royal wins in entertainment and production shows, but Carnival has a nightly comedy show.  Carnival wins for kids' programs. 

 

In any event, as someone else mentioned, the passenger base going to Cuba is not going to be the party-hearty college crowd.  Which ship are you considering?  Three ships are being added this year, right now it's just Paradise.  Another Fantasy-class and two larger ships will join the itinerary after March of this year.  All are great choices.

 

Come back and let us know what you decide!

 

Jana

.

Edited January 3, 2019 by Jana

[pacruise804]

We did 2 cruises on the Pride last year (the second because the 1st was such a great cruise), so it can really vary from cruise to cruise and cruiser to cruiser.

 

We spent a lot of evenings watching Karaoke, house band at Red Frog Pub, or listening at the Piano Bar.  No evening was particularly late (11-12).  We didn't spend time at the pools (not a fan of ship pools, prefer beaches), but had no problem finding loungers on the decks where we could enjoy ocean breezes and views without a lot of noise.

 

I think most cruises are what you make of them, and if Cuba interests you then it might be worth trying Carnival.  The only cruise line I haven't enjoyed much is NCL, but if my choice was to sail with them somewhere I wanted at a low cost vs. not cruising or going somewhere I didn't want to I would try them again.  Do keep in mind whatever you decide that ports can and do change, so you might end up at Bahamas regardless.

[honeybunches]

I have sailed both lines many times also.  I think the buffet on Carnival is better and you will always find someplace to sit.  Sometimes on Royal I am circling and circling to find a table.  However, the main reason I have started leaning towards Royal is that Carnival has done away with their "adults only" pools.  I am by no means a snob against children, I have 3 of my own and grandchildren.  But there are times when I would like to relax and sit on the side of the pool without getting cannonballed.  I thoroughly enjoy the solarium and the calm atmosphere in that area. 

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

It's "free" how bad can it be?  Seriously, we have done both and really don't find all that much difference between the "party" and non-party.  It seems to be more about the time of the year (school breaks) and departure ports.  We did Spring break out of Galveston on Carnival and it wasn't near as bad as I expected.  Keep in mind the ships are still very strict on drinking ages so probably less underage drinking than even on land.  I know we were checked much more closely during Spring break than any other time.  

[SeaHunt]

On 1/1/2019 at 12:19 PM, Merion_Mom said:

 

What kind of certificate is usable on two different cruise lines?

 

On 1/1/2019 at 1:26 PM, Merion_Mom said:

 

Are you sure that the cruise is free?  They are not making you pay anything?

 

Some of those operators are shady. 

 

 

On 1/1/2019 at 1:54 PM, Retired LEO said:

Timeshare? Shady? Hmmmm my thoughts exactly.

 

On 1/2/2019 at 7:59 AM, charlielinda said:

If you got it from a timeshare presentation it most likely is not on a mainstream cruise line.  I did research on this a few years ago.  Please research the company that provided the certificate and look for comments on the voucher.  

 

3 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

It's "free" how bad can it be?  

 

OP these people are trying to help you - please do not give your credit card number to book anything before thoroughly investigating the provider first. There are many horror stories across the 'net of timeshare cruise certificate scams, and "free" can be very bad indeed....

[Lamar Cheeks]

We got one of these free cruises from a time share purchase. They jack up the taxes and port charges so you end up paying almost as much as you would if you booked it yourself. The cruises are at off peak times and in less desirable ships. In the end they sure aren’t as free as you think they are. 

[Tree_skier]

I received a cruise certificate for attending a time share presentation by a large high end hotel corp.  I used it and it worked exactly as advertised.  OP, if your certificate is from a corp that starts with and H and ends in an N then don't worry.  It is exactly as advertised.

[xpcdoojk]

On 1/1/2019 at 12:26 PM, Merion_Mom said:

 

Are you sure that the cruise is free?  They are not making you pay anything?

 

Some of those operators are shady. 

 

 

I agree, if it is from the big guys Hilton, Marriott, etc, it is probably fine, if it is from most others, unless I lived at the cruise port or could drive to it, I would toss it in the trash.  

 

Personally, the free stuff from a time share presentation, I learned 35 years ago is hardly worth the 2 to 4 hours of time.  Right now cash could not make me sit through one of those presentations.  

 

JC