10 ways Carnival is better than Cunard and such.

[MCC retired]

We do not limit ourselves to any single cruise line and enjoy the differences .

Price and itinerary first . Almost 90 cruises under our belts .

[LandlockedCruiser01]

2 hours ago, babs135 said:

Apparently the fact that we are senior citizens also had some people raising their eyebrows. One person even suggested that we should try and change ships!  Well guess what - we had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to sail NCL again.

 

Glad you had a good time.  Mass-market cruise lines nowadays at least try to have something for everyone, so it's totally normal that you enjoyed Norwegian.

 

Cruises have a funny way of making you age-regress.  If working adults age-regress to college years, seniors age-regress to maybe 40's or 50's.  I met an older couple on my first cruise, who happened to be my tablemates.  While they weren't out on the dance floor doing conga lines and what-have-you, they were on the sidelines acting as moral supporters, cheering on the dancers.

[Buck Turgidson]

We have been on over ten Carnival cruises and enjoyed them all, we went on one Cunard cruise the Queen Elizabeth and enjoyed it as well. It was only 100 bucks a day PP for a 36 day cruise out of SoCal to Hawaii , the South Pacific, Samoa's, Tahiti,  NZ and back to SoCal. I don't consider this too expensive, it was an ocean view cabin. They had great guest speakers, one guy was an expert on the 

south Pacific islands, another was Roger McGuinn  musician (Byrds). The food was similar to all our cruises, very good. We watched some of the ballroom dancing, my wife was amazed at how many different ballroom gowns the ladies had brought for this cruise. ( it was a world cruise and we just were on one part of it). My wife said the afternoon white glove high tea was fabulous. They had the best cigar lounge with comfy chairs good enough for a long smoke unlike any other line I've been on. There was no long tubular slide , or climbing wall, no go karts, no trampoline, no bike on a rail around the ship, no zip line and I only saw one small child. 

Edited December 21, 2019 by Buck Turgidson

[MJSailors]

To the OP

    The title of your thread may be a bit misleading. Perhaps it could have been written, 10 Ways Carnival is Better Than Cunard  and Such ( For Me ).

As others have stated,different cruise lines offer different cruise experiences for different customers. Regular passengers on Carnival may not be enticed to sail Cunard and vice-versa for various reasons which could be price, itinerary, passenger demographics and entertainment to name a few.

         You apparently like the “Fun Ship “ experience. You are pleased with the Carnival product. Others prefer the Cunarder experience. They are pleased with the Cunard product

.       One of these cruise lines is  not necessarily better than the other. Different,yes.

     These differences in cruise vacation styles have opened up the cruise experience to people who may have thought  that a cruise vacation was well beyond their means. And that is a good thing, isn’t it ?

[eroller]

It's not very often I see a comparison of Cunard/Carnival.  The two lines could not be more polar opposite and one should not expect them to be remotely similar.  I've sailed on both lines extensively and enjoy them both, for very different reasons.  Most people that sail on Cunard would never consider Carnival, and vise versa I would imagine.  I find qualities in both that I like.  

 

Cunard is all about formality, tradition, structure, and enrichment.  It's very much an adult-oriented line and few kids are seen or heard. Sailing on Cunard, especially a crossing on QM2 is like going back in time to a bygone era.  It's the last holdout of structured dinner seatings (no open seating option is offered in the MDR) and formal dress.  On Cunard a jacket is required EVERY single night after 6pm, even the first and last nights.  The exception is the lido buffet where a jacket is not required, but if you want a drink after 6pm in a bar or lounge, plan on wearing a jacket as they will politely ask you to leave otherwise.  On formal nights, it's really formal and the vast majority of men wear tuxes.  The atmosphere is refined and elegant.  During the day people read and attend excellent lectures.  Carnival is the exact opposite of that.  It's about being casual, no tradition, total flexibility, and partying over enrichment.  It's also very family oriented with lots of kids onboard.  Funny enough QM2 offers a fantastic two level nightclub that is one of the best at sea.  It goes to the wee hours of the morning depending on the crowd.  This as many cruise lines (including Carnival) are doing away with dedicated nightclubs/discos and replacing them with multi-use spaces that honestly just are not the same.    

 

It's nice there is room for both types of cruise lines in this industry, but honestly Cunard is far more unique than Carnival.  There are many lines that are very similar to Carnival (NCL, MSC, Royal Caribbean, etc), but there is really nothing quite like Cunard.  Even the luxury lines (which Cunard is NOT) have gone to a country club casual dress code and open dining concept. Cunard is much more structured and formal, and personally I hope that doesn't change.  There are plenty of mass-market lines to choose from that offer casual, flexible, family oriented product but only one Cunard.    

[Fred&Lily]

We've experienced 19 cruises on most of the major lines and haven't had a dud yet.  Back in the day we were wowed by Carnival Sensation and Victory which would not be our first choice now.  We're booked on QM2 next April so the OP's points will be checked later!

Here's the thing:  It's generally the people who like to cruise who are more adventurous, more open to new experiences, socially outgoing and fun to be around.  Our friends who cruise seem to always be going to theatres, to dances, to summer festivals and wine tours etc.. etc..

My serious friends who refuse to even consider cruising tend to be less spontaneous maybe because they haven't let loose at a theme night party on a Lido Deck out on the Caribbean somewhere.  They're the fussy ones who spend too much money at a hotel or golf club believing wrongly that cruising is only for 80 year olds.  

Anyway, for me it's not important which ship I book.  The snooty folk are all at the Country Clubs and don't know what they're missing!

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 minute ago, Fred&Lily said:

We've experienced 19 cruises on most of the major lines and haven't had a dud yet.  Back in the day we were wowed by Carnival Sensation and Victory which would not be our first choice now.  We're booked on QM2 next April so the OP's points will be checked later!

Here's the thing:  It's generally the people who like to cruise who are more adventurous, more open to new experiences, socially outgoing and fun to be around.  Our friends who cruise seem to always be going to theatres, to dances, to summer festivals and wine tours etc.. etc..

My serious friends who refuse to even consider cruising tend to be less spontaneous maybe because they haven't let loose at a theme night party on a Lido Deck out on the Caribbean somewhere.  They're the fussy ones who spend too much money at a hotel or golf club believing wrongly that cruising is only for 80 year olds.  

Anyway, for me it's not important which ship I book.  The snooty folk are all at the Country Clubs and don't know what they're missing!

You are so correct. However, I have come across a lot of snooty ones on a cruise also. Always the nose is up and complaining about something. best they stay home and let up have all the fun.

[gatour]

On 12/19/2019 at 9:50 AM, 1025cruise said:

And the reasons you state you prefer Carnival are the reasons those that cruise Cunard prefer Cunard. They choose that line for the experience.

I wouldn't call one line better than another, just offering a product that is different to appeal to a different audience.

Bingo.

 

I have sailed both Carnival (numerous times) and Cunard once (QM2).  One was not better than the other, they were different and knew beforehand what the differences were.  The one time I chose Cunard was I wanted to do a traditional TA cruise on an ocean liner as opposed to a cruise ship.

 

I have also done numerous cruises on RCCL, Princess, a few on Disney, and one on HAL.

 

For me, each cruise line is not "better" than another.  They are just different and research so you know what to expect and what you like or don't like, then pick accordingly.

[CruisingAgain]

On 12/19/2019 at 5:18 PM, Tapi said:

More than highlighting how Carnival is better than Cunard, I think your post highlights how different these two cruise lines are and how they cater to two very different demographics. My grandparents were huge Cunard fans and that’s the line they always sailed on. They loved the dancing, the dressing up, and all the pomp and circumstance that went along with a Cunard sailing. And they’d bring the whole family along to experience it with them. In fact, my first cruises as a child were aboard Cunard.

 

Yes, you have a great list if you’re a fan of the Carnival product, but putting my “Cunard” hat on, at least half the stuff on your list sounds like pure hell and reasons to avoid Carnival. 

You should post this same thread on the Cunard board to see what kind of responses you get. 😂

Just curious why you are on a Carnival board if you think Carnival is HELL.  

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

16 hours ago, Tapi said:

No? It’s a very common “suggestion” here on Cruise Critic every time someone, who’s new to Carnival, asks what to expect from their first Carnival Cruise. I think it’s solid advice if the Carnival first timer is coming from more upscale cruise lines. 
 

With that said, I’ve read similar advice on the Cunard board. People will tell those coming from cruise lines like Silversea and Regent to lower their expectations when sailing on Cunard for the first time. It’s all relative.

 

 

 

Not really and before I actually made an account to comment on things I lurked awhile. Doesn't matter to me either way a cruise is what you make of it. 

[Tapi]

52 minutes ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

Doesn't matter to me either way a cruise is what you make of it. 

Absolutely agree with you. 
 

 Going back to “expectations”, I think that instead of saying “lower your expectations”, a better thing to say would be “adjust your expectations”, no matter what cruise line one sails on. Don’t expect Carnival when sailing on Cunard, and don’t expect Cunard when sailing on Carnival. 
 

I’ve been more satisfied with some cheap, budget-minded cruises I’ve taken than with some more upscale and expensive cruise I’ve taken. Why? because for the more upscale cruises, I set my expectations unrealistically high. It all boils down to what you said; that a cruise is what you make of it. 

[nybumpkin]

I thought it might be helpful to show a sample daily schedule of activities, so I scanned one sea day program from our 7/14 crossing from Southampton to Brooklyn

[MCC retired]

What ! No Hairy Legs Contest ?  😉

[Lakesregion]

On 12/19/2019 at 1:40 AM, Thoth said:

The travel magazines/ books/sites  don't tend to give Carnival much credit, but I happen to love the Fun Ships. Last year I had taken a trans-Atlantic crossing on the prestigious Queen Mary 2 . While I enjoyed the experience and therefore not knocking Cunard, I did find some ways that Carnival is better. 

1) DANCING :  On the QM2, just about all dancing was ballroom style which requires coordination & practice. At times things  could get snooty . On Carnival dancing is all about having a good time, so even those with two left feet can fit in... like me. 

2)  PRICE:  At 1/3 to 1/2 the price, Carnival delivers more bang for the buck.  Me having to pay that dreaded single supplement makes a huge difference., such as $450 + 450 = $900 as compared to $1250 + 1250 = $2500....Some of the "Fun Ship " rates seemed to be cheaper than a plain hotel per night. 

3) WATER SLIDES :  sure pools are great, but those mini- waterparks at sea sure are more fun. 

4) ACTIVITIES :  sure Cunard has good trivia, but so does Carnival plus the other games are a hoot.  There is the tower game, trivia pursuit, pool games, Sorry, Hasbro,  and Speak Out.  There is something crazy fun every sea day. Plus Carnival has different trivia for different interest. Being an American, of course I prefer baseball to soccer in sports trivia. 

5)  KARAOKE :   On Carnival it is at least every evening, and at times  during a day.  After the show I will go to the karaoke lounge and meet with the regular crowd.  On Cunard it was twice the whole week. 

6) SINGING WAITERS :  I enjoy the dinner song and dance . What fun ! 

7)  DIVERSE MUSIC :   Yes, I love classical music and show tunes. The soprano on the QM2 sang like an angel.   But I also like pop/rock   and country.  Carnival has a nice variety.

😎  DRESS CODE:  Carnival is much more understanding if your luggage gets lost and that tuxedo is lost somewhere in outer space. That's exactly what happened to me !! 

9)  SHIP ON STICK:  I have a hard earned collection ! These trophies are a wonderful souvenir.

10)  ALL AGES & BACKGROUNDS :  On Carnival I love to see kids, especially dancing with their grandparents.  One has not lived until you have marched through the atrium singing.. "Doctor Seuss on the loose"   .  It was a stoke of genius when Carnival discovered that blue collar types also like cruise ships.   

Hence the difference between The opera and a rock concert, a fine restaurant and mickey d's, a formal event and working in the garden. 100% different strokes for different folks. Glad you enjoy Carnival. Stay away from those aft outside rooms when the ship is in post.

[Germancruiser]

I never sailed Carnival but never ever would say they are bad or " cheap"- they offer a different cruise experience- that´s all!

What a wonderful thing that there are ships and cruise lines for everyones tastes and preferences!

I see Cunard more like a " niche product". There is a reason why Carnival ships are in such high demand!

I love Cunard- coming from, first RCI and then Celebrity- but I never- not in my wildest dreams would recommend a Cunard ship for a family with children.

I met wonderful people on all the cruise lines I sailed and then of course- " the weird ones", too! To be honest- the most weird i met on board Cunard´s Queens- which I decided to find more amusing than anoying! LOL!

[PhillyFan33579]

On 12/19/2019 at 1:40 AM, Thoth said:

The travel magazines/ books/sites  don't tend to give Carnival much credit, but I happen to love the Fun Ships. Last year I had taken a trans-Atlantic crossing on the prestigious Queen Mary 2 . While I enjoyed the experience and therefore not knocking Cunard, I did find some ways that Carnival is better. 

1) DANCING :  On the QM2, just about all dancing was ballroom style which requires coordination & practice. At times things  could get snooty . On Carnival dancing is all about having a good time, so even those with two left feet can fit in... like me. 

2)  PRICE:  At 1/3 to 1/2 the price, Carnival delivers more bang for the buck.  Me having to pay that dreaded single supplement makes a huge difference., such as $450 + 450 = $900 as compared to $1250 + 1250 = $2500....Some of the "Fun Ship " rates seemed to be cheaper than a plain hotel per night. 

3) WATER SLIDES :  sure pools are great, but those mini- waterparks at sea sure are more fun. 

4) ACTIVITIES :  sure Cunard has good trivia, but so does Carnival plus the other games are a hoot.  There is the tower game, trivia pursuit, pool games, Sorry, Hasbro,  and Speak Out.  There is something crazy fun every sea day. Plus Carnival has different trivia for different interest. Being an American, of course I prefer baseball to soccer in sports trivia. 

5)  KARAOKE :   On Carnival it is at least every evening, and at times  during a day.  After the show I will go to the karaoke lounge and meet with the regular crowd.  On Cunard it was twice the whole week. 

6) SINGING WAITERS :  I enjoy the dinner song and dance . What fun ! 

7)  DIVERSE MUSIC :   Yes, I love classical music and show tunes. The soprano on the QM2 sang like an angel.   But I also like pop/rock   and country.  Carnival has a nice variety.

😎  DRESS CODE:  Carnival is much more understanding if your luggage gets lost and that tuxedo is lost somewhere in outer space. That's exactly what happened to me !! 

9)  SHIP ON STICK:  I have a hard earned collection ! These trophies are a wonderful souvenir.

10)  ALL AGES & BACKGROUNDS :  On Carnival I love to see kids, especially dancing with their grandparents.  One has not lived until you have marched through the atrium singing.. "Doctor Seuss on the loose"   .  It was a stoke of genius when Carnival discovered that blue collar types also like cruise ships.   

I understand your comment but comparing Carnival to Cunard is like comparing a Kia to a BMW. 

[Thoth]

I'm not criticizing anyone for liking Cunard. I took a trans-Atlantic on QM2.    I enjoyed it, but did not see...

1) why it cost 2 to 3 times the price with a single supplement ? 

2) why the snobbery about ballroom dancing ?

3)  why an all sea days itinerary is  exciting ?  

[Thoth]

18 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

Hence the difference between The opera and a rock concert, a fine restaurant and mickey d's, a formal event and working in the garden. 100% different strokes for different folks. Glad you enjoy Carnival. Stay away from those aft outside rooms when the ship is in post.

I will stay clear of AFT rooms LOL.  The MDR's on Carnival are a fine restaurant, just with a more young at heart ambiance. I love the food and the service.  As for Micky D's, that would be  Guy's Burgers on the Lido, which makes an excellent burger. As for formal evenings...that's me in a tux on Carnival Fantasy.  Some of us have eclectic music taste and like both opera and rock n roll.   

[Thoth]

3 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I understand your comment but comparing Carnival to Cunard is like comparing a Kia to a BMW. 

more like comparing  a young person's 4x4 Jeep to their grandparents Cadillac 

[Thoth]

On 12/19/2019 at 4:18 PM, Tapi said:

More than highlighting how Carnival is better than Cunard, I think your post highlights how different these two cruise lines are and how they cater to two very different demographics. My grandparents were huge Cunard fans and that’s the line they always sailed on. They loved the dancing, the dressing up, and all the pomp and circumstance that went along with a Cunard sailing. And they’d bring the whole family along to experience it with them. In fact, my first cruises as a child were aboard Cunard.

 

Yes, you have a great list if you’re a fan of the Carnival product, but putting my “Cunard” hat on, at least half the stuff on your list sounds like pure hell and reasons to avoid Carnival. 

You should post this same thread on the Cunard board to see what kind of responses you get. 😂

no, no no ! I can only guess the insults !

[Thoth]

On 12/19/2019 at 7:02 PM, nybumpkin said:

We spent three weeks on QM2 this past summer.  As I said in my post after we returned, comparing Carnival and Cunard is apples to oranges - completely different products. We loved QM2 - but if you're looking for water slides, games and the like, you won't find it on Cunard. Here are my thoughts on OP's list:

 

1. Dancing - DH and I love dancing, but OP is right - the dancers were downright intimidating. If you aren't a regular dancer, you'll get run over on the dance floor. We passed on the dancing and  spent our evenings listening to music in a lounge.

 

2.  Price - Certainly more than we usually pay on Carnival, but we found the inside cabins to be reasonable. We originally planned to fly to London, spend a few days touring, and then join the ship in Southampton - but it turned out to be cheaper for us to sail from Brooklyn to Southampton the week before and do a BTB. We had a balcony for the return trip and since our return was a two-week crossing via Iceland, the balcony was worth it - but for a straight 7-day crossing with no ports, I'd happily book the inside cabin again.

 

3. Waterslides - I used to do them on Carnival, but I can't manage them now. My sons are partial to the sports deck on Carnival, and QM2's sports deck is limited. The pools on QM2 are nice - two outdoors (one adult only) and one inside.

 

4. Activities - OP is right, you don't have the same type of games other than trivia. QM2 does have planetarium shows that are very good and lecture series on varied topics. We didn't lack for things to do - they were just different from Carnival activities.

 

5. Karaoke - We don't like karaoke so we didn't miss it.

 

6. Singing Waiters - We don't mind them on Carnival (I have been known to get out and dance😀), but we loved our wait staff on QM2.  And on the next to last gala night the Entertainment Director took time after dinner to bring out and introduce the galley staff, who parade out to (I think) "Rule, Brittania."

 

7. Diverse Music - I agree that the music is more "staid" on Cunard, but we didn't lack for variety. No country music - the Brits aren't into that. But we did have two jazz groups, two orchestras, a pop group, and a string group.

 

8. Dress Code - Yes, they're serious about the dress code - but some of the Cunard "purists" think they've loosened it too much. There was one night when a guy entered the dining room in a tux and a "joke" baseball cap (which would set off some Carnival cruisers); the cap didn't last long.

 

9. Ship on a Stick: No comparison. I love my Ships on a Stick. I do have a Cunard shot glass, though.

 

10. All Ages and Backgrounds - Aside from the 19 YO granddaughter of one of our tablemates, we were the youngest people at our dinner table for 10 on both crossings (we're 58 and 59). There were some families on QM2, but a midsummer sailing on Cunard is nothing compared to Carnival. I like a variety of ages, and I agree about the Seuss at Sea events. Two year ago on Carnival Pride I was near the atrium when the kids were lining up for the parade, and one of the entertainment staff handed me a pom pom and a noisemaker and said, "You're in the parade." I stayed in the lounge for the "Cat in the Hat" reading and it was fun. Still, I have to admit I enjoyed sailing on QM2 without lots of kids.

 

OP didn't mention food. I like Carnival's buffet better than QM2's King's Court. The lines are longer,  but Carnival (at least on the newer ships) has much better lunch buffet options. I missed Guy's Burgers. The Cunard buffet is fine, but not great.

 

On our Westbound crossing on QM2, one of our lecturers was Bill Miller, nicknamed "Mr. Ocean Liner." One comment he made during a lecture was about the state of the cruise industry, to the effect that it's great that the industry has developed so many options for people who want different types of sailings. I love my Carnival cruises and we have two booked, in 2020 and 2021. We also have a Danube River cruise booked for 2020. Bill also mentioned that if it wasn't for Mickey Arison and Carnival Corporation, there would be no Cunard. I'm looking for our next chance to sail Cunard.

)

thank you for sharing YOUR thoughts :)  As for food, I guess I eat to live rather than  live to eat. I think I prefer the Carnival lido buffet. I would say that the Britannia dining room on QM2 is the best . 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Thoth

[Germancruiser]

Thoth- i love your comments! I must admit though- that i rather sail - äh - drive in my grandparents Cadilac- than in those Midlife- Crisis confirming Jeep´s.

[ray98]

A comparison really is pointless.  They are two different experiences that simply happen on ships. 

 

Each may fit the taste of some but not others.  For me, Cunard is not my taste at all as overt formality simply isn't that pleasurable for me.  I prefer a cruise vacation to be laid back where it is clear I am spending a week in the Caribbean enjoying beaches, sun and drinks.

Edited December 24, 2019 by ray98

[nybumpkin]

On 12/23/2019 at 11:33 AM, Thoth said:

I'm not criticizing anyone for liking Cunard. I took a trans-Atlantic on QM2.    I enjoyed it, but did not see...

***

2) why the snobbery about ballroom dancing ?

***

I think there is a certain snob factor (particularly QM2 with the large Queens Room) by having space specifically designed for dancing. During the day there are ballroom dancing lessons which seem to be very popular with newer dancers, but at night the folks for whom dancing is more than a hobby come out in force. The beginners don't stand a chance.😮

 

Funny story: During our WB two-week crossing, DH participated in the Guest Choir, which was led by one of the pianists and rehearsed after lunch on sea days and had a performance on the final sea day.  The conductor also doubled as a social host for the dancing lessons, dancing with the single passengers.One day he arrived late for choir rehearsal, saying "Cha Cha! I HATE the Cha Cha!"😀

[Thoth]

13 hours ago, nybumpkin said:

I think there is a certain snob factor (particularly QM2 with the large Queens Room) by having space specifically designed for dancing. During the day there are ballroom dancing lessons which seem to be very popular with newer dancers, but at night the folks for whom dancing is more than a hobby come out in force. The beginners don't stand a chance.😮

 

Funny story: During our WB two-week crossing, DH participated in the Guest Choir, which was led by one of the pianists and rehearsed after lunch on sea days and had a performance on the final sea day.  The conductor also doubled as a social host for the dancing lessons, dancing with the single passengers.One day he arrived late for choir rehearsal, saying "Cha Cha! I HATE the Cha Cha!"😀

that's me !  I took the dance class, but did not "stand a chance" that evening.  >LOL  One great thing about Carnival and Princess is giving it our best seems appreciated, many time being encouraged to try.