First Cruise on carnival

[Mr Bill]

This will be our first trip on Carnival lines. I have heard that the food is not up to par What say out there. This is a cruise from Miami on the Elation on 7/2/06 I also dont know much about the ship. We have sailed on the norwegian cruise lines many times how does carnival stack up.Thanks Mr. Bill

[RizzoLee]

The food on the Fantasy was better than what I had on the Elation, but that didn't stop me from ordering 2 apps, 2 entrees and more than 2 desserts every night.

 

We did not starve, lol.

[mfs2k]

It's all about expectation.

 

If you go with an open mind, and not expecting big city, 5 star cuisine, and anticipate suburban, decent restaurant cusine, you'll be happy.

 

The service is incredibly attentive, there are lots of options, Dont be afraid to ask for something else if you dont like it. The portions are small, so dont be afraid to ask for more if you see something you want. (Try to ask in advance because the waiters dont have time to run back and forth), For example, if you like steak and shrimp, and you see both on a menu that appeal to you, order both. No one will care.

 

The steaks are not the best quality, the lobster tails are not amazing, the shrimp are not super jumbo, but the food is good.

 

If you want far better food, go to the supper club if ther eis one on your ship. Its a great deal for only $30 more per person. Its worth every penny if food is important to you.

 

Just remember, there's always options, and if you dont see something you like, look somewhere else. (dining room, lido deck buffet, hamburger grill, pizza, sandwiches, asian food) etc.....

 

If you go with the right expectation, you will have a great time. I've been in the restaurant/hotel/catering business for 25 years - all top NYC establishments, and i've enjoyed every one of my 7 carnival cruises.

 

Good luck

 

-Michael

[cajungirlie]

I previously cruised on Royal Caribbean's Majesty. The food on the ship was delicious, just no lobster. I will be on the Elation in two weeks. When I get back I'll have a full review and will try to compare the food on the two ships.

[kristikae]

Comparing the food on Carnival to the Mariner of the Seas and to the Caribbean Princess I found Carnival to better over all.

 

I thought the hot room service breakfast on RCI was great!

 

Princess buffets were some of the best I've ever had...though even the best is still only buffet food in my opinion. Nothing to rave about.

 

Carnival dining room food was much better than RCI or Princess as was their pizza.

 

Just my opinions.

[msolberg]

And the entertainment is great! We were hard pressed to find late night entertainment on RCCL - Carnival gets the nod here - there is always somewhere to go dancing or singing at night. Sometimes it's difficult to decide which lounge to go to because theres so much going on.

 

Diane

[TravelGirl79]

It's all about expectation.

 

If you go with an open mind, and not expecting big city, 5 star cuisine, and anticipate suburban, decent restaurant cusine, you'll be happy.

 

Exactly!!!! Don't compare cruise lines or even ships! every experience is different and just be in the moment! Have fun!:cool:

[cruzeluver]

My prior experiences were with Norwegian as well. So what is the diff?

 

Food is comperable. Although I thought soups were better on NCL and meats/fish better on CCL.

 

Carnival ships are bold, flashy (think neon!!), while NCL ships are more sedate in their decor.

 

I find the service on both lines to be pretty equal, with CCL's crews a tad friendlier.

 

If you were happy with NCL, I'm sure you'll like CCL. Happy sailing!!

[mfs2k]

Every time I think i'd like to try another cruise line, (7 Carnival cruises so far over the past 20 years, and 1 more to go in March) I start to compare prices, and can't justify to myself spending $400 to $750 more per person for another cruise line. I have fun on Carnival. Like someone else stated, its not the Ritz, or the Four Seasons, but its a hell of a value!!! Value is important to me.

 

This March, Im spending $829 pp for a OV guarantee for an 8 night cruise. Thats only about $105 per person per day. (plus drinks). If i wanted an inside guarantee, the price was only $679pp ($85 per day) I spend more than that going to restaurants when im on vacation somewhere.

 

It really is an unbeatable value, considering the clean accommodations, friendliness of the service staff, unlimited food, entertainment, nightlife, incredibly cheap drink prices (I'm a NY'er used to spending $8 a drink), casino, pool, various islands to visit, spa facilities, and great people to meet.

 

When you go with that attitude, the little things that may go wrong become unimportant and tolerable.

 

Sure, there might be some things you dont like, or some staff that say or do the wrong thing (I think there are about 2,500 staff on board - and for the most part, they are trained pretty well and are very gracious, but with that many people, things happen) , but in retrospect, the thing I mostly remember about each of those cruises are mostly related to who I cruised with, or who I met on board. The people are what you remember most and Carnival's guests have always been fun and memorable.

 

Good luck, but i say go for it. Try Carnival.

 

-Michael

[Live_2_cruise05]

Hey,

 

Well first of all the Elation is a beautiful ship! We have cruised on her several times and she is by far still our favorite! I also voted that ship with the best food! We actually thought the food on Carnival was 10xs better then celebritys food as well as NCL and RCI! We where disappointed on our Celebrity cruise about the food!

 

Well anyway you should not be disappointed! Here are a few pictures of our trip on her July 2005!

http://community.webshots.com/album/392483680jjwisw

[Leafpeeper]

Hope you enjoy your first "fun" cruise. We enjoy cruising on various ships on Carnival, NCL, and RCCL. For me, variety is the spice of life.