Carnival Spirit and a loyal RCI family at Christmas

[PeterPan]

Obviously there are some strong opinions about Carnival on this thread. Personally, our family can afford any cruiseline but we choose Carnival because we seem to have the most fun with them./quote]

 

Never mind THOSE people. They got all liquored up over in the lounge, and sorta got out of control. They're usually really nice people!

[SuiteCruiser]

Soniamarie,

 

I agree. I didn't post because I've never been on the Spirit. I have, however, cruised plenty of times with Carnival and enjoyed every one immensely. I read this board because of the 2 cruises I have booked, but the perceived superiority really does turn me off. Especially when it comes from people who have never cruised the other line.

 

Tracey,

 

I understand you have had some bad experiences with CCL, I haven't. I have travelled a lot in my lifetime, and I've never had a bad land or sea vacation. The ships you were on were older, I don't know if that made a difference.

 

My first RCI cruise is going to be on the Monarch, and my expectations are not too high, judging from what I've read on these boards, but I do believe we will enjoy ourselves. The important thing is that my kids, my husband and I will be vacationing. I am young, but unwell, I don't know how much time I have, so we make our vacations count. And this year, we are also making them plentiful, just in case.

 

I don't really believe the Spirit was something you wanted to do for your vacation, or you would have posed your question on the other board. There are plenty of people over there that have sailed both as well. If you are seriously considering it, it might make sense to post over there to hear from people who have experienced it and RCI as well.

 

I hope you enjoy your surprise getaway with Elvis, I don't think I've posted, but followed your other thread about it, I think you'll have a blast. We'll be leaving the ship that day and wishing we were still aboard!

[Merion_Mom]

Soniamarie,

 

I agree. I didn't post because I've never been on the Spirit. I have, however, cruised plenty of times with Carnival and enjoyed every one immensely. I read this board because of the 2 cruises I have booked, but the perceived superiority really does turn me off. Especially when it comes from people who have never cruised the other line.

 

Sonia, Suite, Peter and others:

 

Ask the same question the other way around on the Carnival board, and you will get the same responses, BUT PROBABLY STRONGER.

 

I'm not sure what you'd expect on a specific message board for a specific cruiseline!

[soniamarie]

and that makes it ok? This attitude is a complete turn off. I don't know how Carnival lovers would react if this question was asked re: switching to RC, but what I do know is it almost seems threatening to some that a person can actually have a fun vacation on another cruiseline, in this case Carnival. You might want to look at that. If RC is so great, and I believe that it is great, what are you so worried about? I am sure some of you might just be suprised that you could actually have fun on a "fun ship", but I guess you might never find that out.

 

I have only been on the newer Carnival ships, so those of you on the older ships I can sympathize. I was on RC's Legend, however, and wasn't that impressed, probably because it was an older ship.( I wouldn't feel the need to bash the entire cruiseline though because I prefer the newer ships) So, I guess it is hard to compare older ships to newer ones. Remember, the question was asked about a fairly new ship, the Spirit.

[stalco]

We just returned from the Spirit in December. We actually had another cruise booked to Hawaii on the Spirit and when we returned from this trip we canceled the Hawaii trip. I have been on both Carnival and RCI and although we have a good time where ever we travel we did not enjoy the Spirit at all. We did love the cruise director but that was it. This ship was dark and ugly, and the artwork throughout the ship was ugly and vulgar. We had some terrible experiences with a very rude photographer, and our waiters were very nice but nothing extra ordinary. I would not choose the Spirit again. I might try another Carnival if the price was right and I love sailing out of San Diego but we would not choose the Spirit.

[SuiteCruiser]

"Ask the same question the other way around on the Carnival board, and you will get the same responses, BUT PROBABLY STRONGER."

 

I haven't been on the Carnival board lately as I don't have any cruises booked with them, but before my last one, I spent a fair bit of time over there. I didn't find RCI bashing going on, but I did see a lot of posts of how frustrating people felt about people who'd never cruised the line telling others how horrible it was.

 

I also spend time on the Princess board as I have one booked there and don't see the bashing going on there either. If someone posts a comparison request thread, sometimes people are adamant that their chosen line is the best, but there is no putting down of the people who choose to cruise on the other lines.

 

I don't know what it is. I've read in some threads that sometimes the CD even takes shots at CCL. In the school yard that usually points to a lack of confidence, feeling you need to put down someone to make yourself feel better. I certainly hope that isn't the case here. I wouldn't be comfortable in that kind of environment.

 

I haven't had the opportunity to cruise RCI yet, but I'm looking forward to it. 2.5 more weeks!

[candigirl41]

I was just on the Spirit in January. We had a wonderful time. The ship was due to go into drydock a week or so after we sailed. I have also been on Vision of the Seas. I preferred the Spirits layout. The Vision was nice, but not as many public spaces. The spirit has two decks with lounges/bars etc. The casino was fantastic. The staff was also great. Hope you have fun whatever you choose.

 

Candi

[cruisetmc]

We were on the spirit the week before XMAS in 2003, returning on XMAS day. The ship sailed at capacity and there were a lot of teens. We visited St. Maarten, Barbados, and Martineq, they were also crowded since ships were at capacity. The ship had several pools my favorite was the one in the back behind the water slid. we enjoyed the evening shows and visited the nightclubs a few nights but most times we were in bed at midnight. Made some wonderful friends we still keep in touch with.

 

I recommend the ship although I'd pick another time if you don't like crowds.