Anyone been on Carnival lately?

[chill6x6]

I've got a little time between other cruises...lol! Looking at something quick and easy and most of that would be Carnival Liberty out of New Orleans OR Carnival Legend out of Tampa both 7 day cruises.  Would be in a GS or Vista suite.

 

Any comments will be appreciated!

[Oakman58]

40 minutes ago, chill6x6 said:

I've got a little time between other cruises...lol! Looking at something quick and easy and most of that would be Carnival Liberty out of New Orleans OR Carnival Legend out of Tampa both 7 day cruises.  Would be in a GS or Vista suite.

 

Any comments will be appreciated!

 

You would probably get more responses if you asked this on the Carnival Board.

[schmoopie17]

Not sure how asking a Carnival question on the NCL board will get you as many satisfactory answers as asking the question about Carnival on the Carnival board. Here's a link (for your convenience...)

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/133-carnival-cruise-lines/

 

Edited July 28 by schmoopie17

[Two Wheels Only]

Are the Carnival people trying to challenge the NCL people to a fight? 😁

[chill6x6]

No offense intended BUT....I've posted a lot at CC...since 2008.  I haven't been on a Carnival ship since 2013 and am not a "loyalist" to any cruise line BUT....I am getting close to Sapphire on Latitudes and am Diamond on Royal since those are the two I happen to cruise the most.  I was actually looking for responses from NCL cruisers that have cruised recently on Carnival too. Maybe I should have explained that but I thought it would be evident.

Edited July 28 by chill6x6

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We are Diamond on othe lines.  We were on the Jubilee in May out of Galveston.  It was a lovely ship and a very nice crew.  It was nothing like the older and smaller ships.  It was a complimentary cruise for us, as have been most of our CCL cruises.  I prefer NCL by far, but if you know when to cruise CCL and where, it can be a good experience.  (Go ahead and flame me). If ynot u do a short cruise, during a school vacation yu are asking for a miserable experience.  If you’re u do a newer ship, more than seven days, you will have a very different experience.  I will not comment on NOLA vs Tampa as I’ve never sailed from Tampa, but a have sailed NOLA numerous times.

 

good luck on your cruise choice.

[chill6x6]

21 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

We are Diamond on othe lines.  We were on the Jubilee in May out of Galveston.  It was a lovely ship and a very nice crew.  It was nothing like the older and smaller ships.  It was a complimentary cruise for us, as have been most of our CCL cruises.  I prefer NCL by far, but if you know when to cruise CCL and where, it can be a good experience.  (Go ahead and flame me). If ynot u do a short cruise, during a school vacation yu are asking for a miserable experience.  If you’re u do a newer ship, more than seven days, you will have a very different experience.  I will not comment on NOLA vs Tampa as I’ve never sailed from Tampa, but a have sailed NOLA numerous times.

 

good luck on your cruise choice.

Thank you for your response!!

 

I agree with your comments from my previous cruises.  I've got cruises planned in November and March(HAL and Explora) but I am kinda unexpectedly retiring and want a less expensive 7-day cruise than I normally pick that I can drive to OR cheap flight.  So that's Mobile, New Orleans, and Tampa. No 7-day NCL out of Tampa in January.  

 

I could still do NCL in January out of NO....but I know I'll go the Haven route and that will kind of defeat the purpose! LOL 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

If you want a really nice CCL cruise, consider the Jubillee from Galveston.  You can fly SW to Hobby or anything else to IAH.  Being its newest ship, it will be quite nice for a while.  We also are very impressed with the Regal Princess from Galveston.  Everythng a cruise line should be (for grown ups, anyway), but they do not sail year round from the Caribbean

[chill6x6]

1 hour ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

If you want a really nice CCL cruise, consider the Jubillee from Galveston.  You can fly SW to Hobby or anything else to IAH.  Being its newest ship, it will be quite nice for a while.  We also are very impressed with the Regal Princess from Galveston.  Everythng a cruise line should be (for grown ups, anyway), but they do not sail year round from the Caribbean

That's a good idea! I had considered Galveston.  IAH is a direct flight for us.  

[graphicguy]

13 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

If you want a really nice CCL cruise, consider the Jubillee from Galveston.  You can fly SW to Hobby or anything else to IAH.  Being its newest ship, it will be quite nice for a while.  We also are very impressed with the Regal Princess from Galveston.  Everythng a cruise line should be (for grown ups, anyway), but they do not sail year round from the Caribbean

I like sailing out of Galveston in general.  That's a good port and it's easy to get in and out of.  Plus, there are some really cool places to stay the night before.

[fmrlkr]

18 hours ago, chill6x6 said:

I've got a little time between other cruises...lol! Looking at something quick and easy and most of that would be Carnival Liberty out of New Orleans OR Carnival Legend out of Tampa both 7 day cruises.  Would be in a GS or Vista suite.

 

Any comments will be appreciated!

If September 2022 and January 2023 count as recent, then yes.  I hadn't sailed since Spring 2019 (NCL Joy to Alaska) and lost my husband in 2021.  I wasn't sure I would ever sail again.  Then...Friends who had NEVER cruised before called and said they had booked a 5 day Carnival cruise out of Mobile.  It was the Elation, scheduled for the junkyard.  Asked if I wanted to come.  I went, it cost less than $300 for me alone in a OV.  We had the best time.  It was so good, we booked a 7 day out of Mobile in January 2023.  Been on NCL Alaska and a Transatlantic since.  If you like NCL, you are most likely going to like Carnival.  Also, I am a strong proponent of New Orleans.  I love the 8 hour sailing down the mighty Mississippi!

[KKB]

We tried Carnival for the 1st time last year & loved it! 

Have done another since & just as happy.

NCL does shows better but I think Carnival does all the other entertainment better.

I'd say food is comparable to NCL, tho I think NCL specialty restaurants are better (tho only tried 1 on Carnival)

Crew says key to Carnival is don't do the short cruises!

Edited July 29 by KKB

[elcuchio24]

Been on both, not recently. Liberty is getting up there in age. Legend, whatever that class is, is actually one of my favorite smaller ship.

 

We have Miracle booked for a British Isles cruise next summer. I agree, no real loyalty to any line...we have 4 booked over the next 12 months, 2 RCL/ 1 NCL/ 1 CCL. 

[Viajera7]

I have cruised from New Orleans with NCL and Carnival and from Tampa with NCL and Royal. My vote would be cruising from NOLA because there are many things to do and see from New Orleans before or after the cruise if you have extra time.

[Chief93]

Just my opinion, but I would rather not sail from Galveston.  I have done so many times, as it is indeed very convenient.  My experience has been that sailing from Galveston is a very "Texas" experience.  A lot of country music.  Know that the day of sail they can only serve a limited amount of different alcohol, something to do with Texas liquor laws.   

[chill6x6]

5 hours ago, KKB said:

We tried Carnival for the 1st time last year & loved it! 

Have done another since & just as happy.

NCL does shows better but I think Carnival does all the other entertainment better.

I'd say food is comparable to NCL, tho I think NCL specialty restaurants are better (tho only tried 1 on Carnival)

Crew says key to Carnival is don't do the short cruises!

Yeah I agree...  Really I avoid short cruises regardless of cruise line. Thanks for the info!

2 hours ago, elcuchio24 said:

Been on both, not recently. Liberty is getting up there in age. Legend, whatever that class is, is actually one of my favorite smaller ship.

 

We have Miracle booked for a British Isles cruise next summer. I agree, no real loyalty to any line...we have 4 booked over the next 12 months, 2 RCL/ 1 NCL/ 1 CCL. 

Both Liberty(Conquest class) and Miracle(Spirit class) are getting up there in age.  That's part of the concern but that's also why they are inexpensive cruises.  Everyone says the Spirt class is there favorite class! Thanks for the info!

1 hour ago, Viajera7 said:

I have cruised from New Orleans with NCL and Carnival and from Tampa with NCL and Royal. My vote would be cruising from NOLA because there are many things to do and see from New Orleans before or after the cruise if you have extra time.

I just love New Orleans and I agree! 

8 hours ago, fmrlkr said:

If September 2022 and January 2023 count as recent, then yes.  I hadn't sailed since Spring 2019 (NCL Joy to Alaska) and lost my husband in 2021.  I wasn't sure I would ever sail again.  Then...Friends who had NEVER cruised before called and said they had booked a 5 day Carnival cruise out of Mobile.  It was the Elation, scheduled for the junkyard.  Asked if I wanted to come.  I went, it cost less than $300 for me alone in a OV.  We had the best time.  It was so good, we booked a 7 day out of Mobile in January 2023.  Been on NCL Alaska and a Transatlantic since.  If you like NCL, you are most likely going to like Carnival.  Also, I am a strong proponent of New Orleans.  I love the 8 hour sailing down the mighty Mississippi!

I've been on the Elation out of Mobile! Great time! and I love New Orleans! Thanks for the info!

9 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I like sailing out of Galveston in general.  That's a good port and it's easy to get in and out of.  Plus, there are some really cool places to stay the night before.

I've cruised out of Galveston once, Liberty of the Seas. Part of the draw to Galveston for me is we never cruise out of there.  Always seen to do Port of Orlando or Port Everglades lately.

[chill6x6]

3 minutes ago, Chief93 said:

Just my opinion, but I would rather not sail from Galveston.  I have done so many times, as it is indeed very convenient.  My experience has been that sailing from Galveston is a very "Texas" experience.  A lot of country music.  Know that the day of sail they can only serve a limited amount of different alcohol, something to do with Texas liquor laws.   

Yep! the Silliest thing ever!

[chill6x6]

So....

 

For those that may be interested....I booked an S3 on the Regal Princess out of Galveston....the price was right! 

 

Thanks to all those that chimed in!

[PartyPlannerLady]

Anyone been on Carnival lately?  Yes lots of folks have. they are sailing regularly now.  We have sailed ONE CCL cruise and will never sail them again.  The ship was dirty and rusty, the food was sub-par with no late night food at all except half raw pizza that was so greasy that it didn't drip, it poured off the slices.  Specialty dining was low quality as well.  The casino was sub-standard, tiny, and they had no live dealer at poker but rather a computer game only.  Crew was not very friendly or outgoing.  Shows were not very good.  Add to that the fact that they pretty much run a booze cruise akk the time and it ain't for us.

[Cloud9 Bob]

On 7/29/2024 at 10:30 AM, graphicguy said:

I like sailing out of Galveston in general.  That's a good port and it's easy to get in and out of.  Plus, there are some really cool places to stay the night before.

 

I may be doing just that. What cool places do you mean?

[Saint Greg]

On 7/30/2024 at 9:10 PM, chill6x6 said:

So....

 

For those that may be interested....I booked an S3 on the Regal Princess out of Galveston....the price was right! 

 

Thanks to all those that chimed in!

 

I did Regal Princess last year. It's a good choice.

[ggTexasGal]

10 hours ago, Cloud9 Bob said:

What cool places do you mean?

You could get some ideas by watching the DIY show "Restoring Galveston."

- or -

You might find this link a little helpful by clicking around and reading and/or viewing some of it.

https://www.visitgalveston.com/webcams/galveston-harbor-webcam/

 

[Shidah]

Went on Carnival Celebration in March.  It wasn’t bad.  Had to buy the drink package and we booked a cabana in loft 19 for the week which made the trip.  If we didn’t have that, would have been a s$&@show.  But with loft 19, really enjoyed it. Don’t think we would ever book an older ship on them though.  Shoot, we don’t even book older NCL ships.

[graphicguy]

14 hours ago, Cloud9 Bob said:

 

I may be doing just that. What cool places do you mean?

There are very nice BnBs near the port.  Many people like the Tremont House to stay before a cruise.  I personally have stayed at and loved the George Manor near the pier.

 

You can stroll the seawall area by the water, which is nice.

 

I used Galveston Saltwater Moms (who only advertise on that forbidden social media site) for transport.  They are wonderful.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Not to mention the wonderful availability of fresh seafood restaurants.. if you’d u want BBQ, try Queens, for a great burger overlooking the water, try The Spot.   The Oaks of Galveston is interesting to see.  Beautiful old oak trees were killed nt the salt water that stood for several weeks.  They have been carved into totems bu very creative artists.  And for a wonderful drink I a classic old hotel,stop by The Galvez hotel.  You kind of expect the GreatGatsby cast to roam y.