Will we like Carnival? (15 cruises under my belt)

[KKB]

OK we have cruised Princess, RCCL, Celebrity & DCL and would happily cruise them all again (probably not DCL but kids were small & it was perfect then).

Looking to do Europe in 2020 (DD college grad present) & came across an AMAZING deal. 

Carnival Radiance (the Victory after dry dock the beginning of 2020)--12 night Med cruise (Italy, Greece, Sicily, Montenegro, Malta) for $1200 each for OV! (plus tips paid)

That is an unbelievable deal for 12 nights, imo. 

We wanted UK but it is double the price for 12 nights (albiet on Celebrity, balcony, drinks, wifi & tips); DD is paying for the cruise while we cover air & the rest, so cheaper is better.

This cruise works for several reasons: the date is better, the price is better & the rooms are larger. (it is DM, DD & I)--plus it will be like a new ship.

BUT I have had numerous people (on these boards & personally) tell me we would be disappointed with Carnival after cruising these other lines. Therefore we usually go with another line.

My thoughts are with such a port intensive cruise, the ship is far less important than say a Caribbean cruise when you enjoy the ship's amenities more.

Anyone tried other lines & THEN tried Carnival? Honestly we have found the lines we have sailed to be more alike than different.

Thanks!

[Joebucks]

It depends on what you hold important. You'll find a million different opinions on this site about what everyone prefers. I believe if you like RCCL, you'll find there are many similarities between the two. Unless your favorite thing about RCCL is the Oasis class ships and Broadway shows, then Carnival may disappoint you there. Otherwise, Carnival gets a bad rap that isn't completely deserved. It's cruisers will generally say it really is the fun ship. Sounds like you will be bringing kids, who generally seem to have a fun time on RCCL and Carnival. The Radiance will not be a slouch in terms of amenities and things to do.

[NoName]

I am platinum on Carnival and NCL and have also sailed RCL, Celebrity, and MSC several times.  I have loved every cruise I have ever taken.  I enjoyed Carnival just as much as any other.  I agree they are all more similar than most acknowledge with each having their own strengths and weaknesses.  Carnival's strengths in my opinion are: Frequent Comedy club performances, casual food venues, roomy cabins, and the special events they plan for "Journey" cruises. .  Carnival's weaknesses in my opinion are insufficient wait staff in the main dining venues and I don't enjoy the singing/dancing waitstaff, but I know others consider this a strength:) We did a 12 day on Carnival to Hawaii last fall and loved every minute.  Just give it a try, you will have a wonderful time. 

[ober134]

I can only speak to carnival and royal. We find them far more similar than not. We sailed on Victory and liked it. We are also booked on the 10 night Mediterranean on Radiance in 2020. We like Carnival though we are not the typical idea some may have assume as "Fun ship" passengers. For the price, we are able to cruise far more frequently and find food, activities and ports all good. Additionally, I'm guessing these few Mediterranean sailings will have far fewer children and spring breakers than usual. But I must admit, I enjoy observing the antics of those spring breakers...oh to be young and carefree again. My advice: don't hesitate giving Carnival a try, keep expectations in check remembering that you are saving a good deal of cash to spend at all those wonderful ports. We just spent a week in Italy and jumped when we saw those itineraries.

[pjhootch]

We have not been on all the cruise lines you have sailed.  We have done a lot on Carnival and are not all about the booze cruise or party fun ship stuff.  I don't mind any of it going on around me, however. 🙂    We have been sailing Carnival since our youngest kids were middle teens.  Now they are 27.  We (and our three adult kids) are booked on the Radiance for the 12 day sailing you are considering.    I suspect that the European sailing will have fewer young children than the Caribbean cruises we usually choose.  The days are long and the sea days will be a chance to recharge in between excursions.  

 

I would have taken this cruise on the Victory even if was not becoming the Radiance!   I am going to miss all the sea horses and mermaids and the old colors.

 

Overall- here is what I appreciate from Carnival:

 

The cabins are good sized.  The food is decent to good in the dining room.  Service can be a bit slow sometimes but I generally do not care since I am not on a schedule while on vacation.  Buffet food is kind of bland but not horrible (if you avoid the scrambled eggs) and we can always find something we like to eat.   The price we pay for the cruises we take is a good value for room and board.  The bonus of waking up in a new destination every day is fantastic!  We enjoy the piano bar when someone good is on board.  We love the movies on deck.  We can always find a drink when we want one.  Sometimes there are loud obnoxious folks that make for good people watching until it ceases to be entertaining, and then you can just go somewhere else.  The majority of the people we encounter are friendly and polite.  We have found the staff to be really pleasant and work very hard about 98% of the time.  If you like comedy shows they are available.  If you are interested in big production shows- not so much.

 

I say, if the price is attractive, go for it.  There really is not much to be disappointed in if you are not asking for butler service or a massive ship with ice skating and bowling alleys.

[CruisingAgain]

I sailed on Celebrity, Disney, RCCL, NCL, Greek cruiselines and some other no-names.  We started sailing on Carnival for larger family cruises (not our choice) and found that we really liked it better than the other lines.  And Carnival is always cheaper - two cruises for the price of one Disney! 

But we stay mostly with Carnival because we like the other passengers (really down-to-earth and friendly people), the crew and the food (Guy's burgers, great pizza, burritos and so much more).  I don't think the shows are as good as I remember on the other lines but we enjoy the bands and string entertainers. 

[bunnyette]

We did a Med cruise with Carnival and loved it.  We cruised for the ports and had a fantastic time.  Few sea days but we managed a beach day in Rhodes...

[retiring soon]

HI All!

 

I have done a total of 12 cruise lines & was so disappointed that I'd waited until after my 23rd cruise to try Carnival, just because of its bad (party)rep.

I have been on the newer ships & Conquest & have loved them all. I'm not one to hang around bars or the pool so if there's any

nonsense going on I haven't seen it. That being said I feel that there is a fun vibe on Carnival. I love the comedy shows & all the trivia. I prefer the food on NCL but it's okay on CCL too. I like their free options like Guy's & some of the pay ones too. I do like assigned seating. The only thing against them, & most lines for me, is the lack of reasonably priced cabins for solo cruisers.

 

That is a great itinerary for your cruise, how exciting it'll be!!

 

I wouldn't hesitate to go on Carnival again. I own their stock which pays dividends & gives you OBC on their other companies too.

 

~ Jo ~ 😊

 

[Sauer-kraut]

For the Med ship is secondary.  You have long port days and a lot of them, you'll be tired by the end of the day.  If this cruise is at your price point it will be fine.

[Aquahound]

5 hours ago, KKB said:

OK we have cruised Princess, RCCL, Celebrity & DCL and would happily cruise them all again (probably not DCL but kids were small & it was perfect then)

....

Anyone tried other lines & THEN tried Carnival? Honestly we have found the lines we have sailed to be more alike than different.

 

 

I cruised all those lines (except DCL) several times before trying Carnival.  To be honest, if I cruise Carnival again, it will only be on a newer or totally refurbished ship like what they're doing to Radiance (currently Carnival Victory).  I cruised Carnival Liberty and I found the food and service to be right on par with other mass market lines.  In my opinion, Steakhouse, their special restaurant, was the best steak restaurant of any mass market line.  

 

What I didn't like was the decor.  It looked like a psychedelic unicorn vomited all over the interior of the ship, and my cabin was a weird shade of pink with the bathroom being a weird shade of green.  It made the ship and experience feel kinda cheap.

 

Entertainment was ok.  There was no live orchestra in the main show room and there were only like 2 singers.  The Main shows were a little weak.  On the other hand, the ship's band was pretty good.  Definitely nothing on the level of RCI's newer ships.  

 

But since Radiance should have all new decor and added amenities, I say go for it.  That looks like an excellent deal.  

[KKB]

Thanks for the input, all.

We HAVE booked this cruise. The price & the dates are right. I always like to try new things & we are fairly easy to please so not too worried.

We aren't foodies--we have enjoyed the food on all our cruises; mostly MDR for dinner, buffet for breakfast, burgers by the pool for lunch.

Comedy, trivia & game shows are our fav activities (besides the casino...). We occasionally go to the production shows but not typically.

The larger rooms were a big draw for us to with 3 women sharing a room!! DD is 22 (22 then)--it is her college grad present. We figured that a May cruise was better since she expects to start working upon returning. 

Party--I like to, but more with DH than DM & DD! We have done several spring break cruises & have seen a few things!! (and there are always some rude people on EVERY cruise)

DD & I  have only cruised the Caribbean/Bahamas (MX Riv once; DM has done Hawaii, Alaska, Canana/New England); I did realize that a port intensive cruise means we will likely be pooped in the evening so things will be different (I like to be busy all the time on a cruise!), and therefore the ship isn't as important, as mentioned. 

SO excited to see others on this cruise as well--I know, the price bowled me over!

Edited January 24, 2019 by KKB

[AmBear]

On 1/22/2019 at 1:41 PM, KKB said:

OK we have cruised Princess, RCCL, Celebrity & DCL and would happily cruise them all again (probably not DCL but kids were small & it was perfect then).

Looking to do Europe in 2020 (DD college grad present) & came across an AMAZING deal. 

Carnival Radiance (the Victory after dry dock the beginning of 2020)--12 night Med cruise (Italy, Greece, Sicily, Montenegro, Malta) for $1200 each for OV! (plus tips paid)

That is an unbelievable deal for 12 nights, imo. 

We wanted UK but it is double the price for 12 nights (albiet on Celebrity, balcony, drinks, wifi & tips); DD is paying for the cruise while we cover air & the rest, so cheaper is better.

This cruise works for several reasons: the date is better, the price is better & the rooms are larger. (it is DM, DD & I)--plus it will be like a new ship.

BUT I have had numerous people (on these boards & personally) tell me we would be disappointed with Carnival after cruising these other lines. Therefore we usually go with another line.

My thoughts are with such a port intensive cruise, the ship is far less important than say a Caribbean cruise when you enjoy the ship's amenities more.

Anyone tried other lines & THEN tried Carnival? Honestly we have found the lines we have sailed to be more alike than different.

Thanks!

On a cruise like the one you're looking at, its about the ports, the ship is nothing more then a floating hotel, so Yea, you'll do great! Have a great time!

BTW, we left RCL as Diamond, to cruise Carnival, are now Platinum, and think Carnival is better in most of what we want! 

Edited January 25, 2019 by AmBear

[Nic6318]

Hi KKB

 

As you said, these cruise lines are more alike than different. It seems you haven't sailed on any premium cruise lines. 

 

I have been on the cruise lines you mentioned as well as HAL and NCL, but mostly Carnival. So, does my recommendation mean anything, of course not. Make up your own mind, book a Carnival cruise and you will either enjoy yourself or you won't. If you don't like it you don't have to do it again. Easy. 

[kaventino]

 I created a video of our experience of why we love cruising on Carnival Splendor, feel free to check out my youtube

 

 

[sweetp0618]

We've been on about 20 cruises and our favorite was a 12-day Mediterranean on Carnival.  I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

 

[Tapi]

Our last cruise was in the Mediterranean, and we had an absolutely cruise. As others have mentioned, the itinerary will be primary and the cruise line / ship secondary. 

 

We sailed on MSC, which we had also sailed on in the Caribbean. The MSC experience varied greatly between regions. It was almost like sailing on two different cruise lines. I’ll take a wild guess and say that the same can be said about Carnival. 

 

It’s amazing how affordable some of these European sailings can be. It’s because it was cheaper for us to sail in Europe why we chose that region for our last cruise over yet another Caribbean cruise. It was so inexpensive that we decided to “splurge” and upgrade to a suite; something that we never do. 

 

Enjoy your cruise, and do a lot of research about what to do ashore. That’s where the bulk of your enjoyment will come from.  

[winty]

We have just come off the Horizon. This was our first carnival cruise and have sailed with Royal, Princess, NCL and celebrity. We were also a bit wary like you, but we absolutely loved it! i have to say Carnival were amazing. Everything from embarkation to the cabins, the cleanliness, the food, the amenities, the decor and disembarkation. They do so many things right. They keep it simple and it works. It is the ‘fun’ cruise line but they never push you to take part in anything, you can do what you want (very much like NCL) and the entertainment is far superior than princess and celebrity. There is not one thing we could fault. I really wished we had booked a carnival cruise before and I will definitely book another one in the future. 

[BETSY DOLL]

Hi KKB,

We sailed Sunshine on the Med cruise and also Magic! Both were awesome! So much port time, loved all the ports!! Yes, it was very intense, sleep when you come home.

i highly recommend this trip! We stayed extra in Barcelona for 2 days.

you will really enjoy this cruise and have a great time!

we just booked Mardi Gras in 2020!

cannot wait for my next Carnival cruise. I am Platinum!

happy cruising!

[robc1972]

I have cruised RCL, Carnival and MSC.

All have their ups and downs.

If you go into a cruise looking to have a great time you will have a great time.

If you go in questioning if you will have a good time on a line you may not enjoy it.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 1/24/2019 at 6:25 PM, KKB said:

Thanks for the input, all.

We HAVE booked this cruise. The price & the dates are right. I always like to try new things & we are fairly easy to please so not too worried.

We aren't foodies--we have enjoyed the food on all our cruises; mostly MDR for dinner, buffet for breakfast, burgers by the pool for lunch.

Comedy, trivia & game shows are our fav activities (besides the casino...). 

 

If you are big fans of comedy and game shows, you probably picked the wrong ship. Assumimg the lounges will be similar to Sunshine, Vista and Horizon, be prepared for small, crowded lounges with terrible sight lines. 

 

Also, at least on the last several cruises I have been on, they have cut way back on the number of trivia games they hold. I talked to the CD about this at a recent D&P party. He said the Fun Squad is being tasked with more activities, so they don’t have the resources to hold as many trivia games as they did in the past.  We have been on quite a few cruises recently and there have been multiple days when there was no trivia on the ship. 

[ohyes]

KKB,

 

Please report back after the cruise. A European cruise is on our list and I will be interested in your observations.

 

We have a Caribbean Carnival cruise booked for later this month; we have not sailed on Carnival since 2010. We do not cruise often, but have been on RCCL and NCL a few times since that last Carnival cruise. Several years ago, on an NCL cruise, I conversed with a travel agent who told me that RCCL, Carnival and NCL are viewed as pretty much the same -- all mass marketing cruise lines. He said that each line has strengths and weaknesses, but nothing enough to set one apart as better or worse. He was responding to my comment that RCCL was a step up from Carnival. (I was simply repeating what my hair stylist told me, haha.)

 

In our limited experience, we agree....

 

(fingers crossed we enjoy Carnival Dream)...

[OCruisers]

On 1/22/2019 at 1:41 PM, KKB said:

OK we have cruised Princess, RCCL, Celebrity & DCL and would happily cruise them all again (probably not DCL but kids were small & it was perfect then).

Looking to do Europe in 2020 (DD college grad present) & came across an AMAZING deal. 

Carnival Radiance (the Victory after dry dock the beginning of 2020)--12 night Med cruise (Italy, Greece, Sicily, Montenegro, Malta) for $1200 each for OV! (plus tips paid)

That is an unbelievable deal for 12 nights, imo. 

We wanted UK but it is double the price for 12 nights (albiet on Celebrity, balcony, drinks, wifi & tips); DD is paying for the cruise while we cover air & the rest, so cheaper is better.

This cruise works for several reasons: the date is better, the price is better & the rooms are larger. (it is DM, DD & I)--plus it will be like a new ship.

BUT I have had numerous people (on these boards & personally) tell me we would be disappointed with Carnival after cruising these other lines. Therefore we usually go with another line.

My thoughts are with such a port intensive cruise, the ship is far less important than say a Caribbean cruise when you enjoy the ship's amenities more.

Anyone tried other lines & THEN tried Carnival? Honestly we have found the lines we have sailed to be more alike than different.

Thanks!

 

Since you are basically using the ship as a means of transportation and you liked RCCL, you should be OK with the Carnival cruise. 

 

[Markmom18]

Our son just got on the Dream (Fun Staff), last Sunday. On this ship instead of written down Trivia Questions, the Squad is using an updated version, using an App I believe.  He likes it. But, yes they are doing less Trivia, hope it's different on the Dream. I sail on it in April.

🌸🌸 Bobbi 

[fair-winds39]

We've cruised with Celebrity, RCCL, NCL, Cunard and Carnival. If you would have asked us in the late 80's, early 90's, we would have said you might be disappointed with Carnival. DH and I were coerced by family to try the Carnival Legend on a 7-day cruise back in early 2000. We booked with apprehension, but, it turned out to be one of the best cruises ever. This year will be our 6th cruise on Carnival Pride and our 10th cruise with Carnival overall.

 

Cruising today is about the same on all cruise lines. In years past it was quite different. I say give it a try. You're right that your cruise will be more port intensive. Remember, cruises are what you make of them. We're happy we tried Carnival. Enjoy your cruise!