Help! Worried about party boat reputation

[rmock3]

My daughter wanted to take a cruise with her friend before she goes back to college in the fall. She's 20 and her friend is 23 so I volunteered my husband and I to go with them. They booked Carnival Glory. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? We've only ever sailed on DCL so I have no clue! Please calm my fears! How long are these seven days going to feel like?!?

[steveaaaa]

. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? ?

 

I hope so.I enjoy a rowdy croud.

STeve

[ILov2cruise]

Lots of drunks, lots of smoke.

 

 

Sounds like a college dorm to me.

[timnsherry]

My daughter wanted to take a cruise with her friend before she goes back to college in the fall. She's 20 and her friend is 23 so I volunteered my husband and I to go with them. They booked Carnival Glory. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? We've only ever sailed on DCL so I have no clue! Please calm my fears! How long are these seven days going to feel like?!?

 

 

We just got off sunday from the victory, there were no horror stories or drunken people running around the ship and i was up till 230 one night and usually at least till 1 am on most nights If anything it was a couple of older adults that had a few too much too drink. I read this board for 3 months and heard negative things about the victory and how the service was bad and the ship was old looking. and how the food was below avg all of it was wrong!! The service was great, dining room and stewards, the only negative thing i have to say is the singers in the shows one was very good and the other one a guy was really bad.

 

 

Any questions maybe i could help Tim

[tggs726]

I think Carnival is great because it caters to such a large group. I'm 24 and love to party, which you can do on board and plenty of it. My parents like to have some fun and a few drink, but mostly just want to relax on cruises, which they easily did. It took me a couple years to convince my parents to go on a carnival cruise(they are in their 50's). Now their next two are booked with Carnival. they liked it and loved Carnivals prices!

[Ktbone]

The seven days will feel like three.

 

There are smokey areas (bars and casino) and there are folks that drink too much. But you will find both of these things anywhere you go.

I was on the Glory just a few weeks ago and there was no one that I encountered that was out of control. The ones that were having a rauchously good time were small groups that did not interfere with anyone else's good time. It's a big ship, lot's of space for everyone to do thier own thing.

 

You guys will have a great time.

 

PS: I brought my 15yo daughter and she had a very liberal curfew. I felt very safe letting her roam with her new friends.

[judyzoo]

I don’t know about the Glory in particular, but Carnival generally does have a party boat reputation. However, we’ve sailed on several Carnival ships and never experienced a huge overload of drunk kids or excessive partying. And, although DH and I are both reformed previous smokers (the worst kind of nonsmokers, they say), we weren’t bothered by smoke; it can be avoided, at least if you stay out of the casino. That said, I think you’re smart to go with your daughter and friend. There’s enough partying and liquor that I wouldn’t want to leave them alone on the ship for an entire seven day cruise. And you should be easily able to enjoy yourselves -- lots of adult activities available.

[Lilygrace]

Carnival is a fun ship and it has something to do for everyone. If you don't want to have fun you don't have to and if you want to have fun you can. It is all ages and there are plenty of spots to get away and be quiet. I know you will have a good time what ever you do. Don't worry and enjoy!!!!

[rmock3]

Thanks for all the quick replies. SOME of you made me feel better! It's not that we wanted to go with them but she is under 21 so couldn't go without some one who is at least 25. I didn't want her to not be able to go. I'm not a prude or a stick in the mud, just want to be able to kick back and relax.

[JoeSmooga]

Previous poster captured it correctly... it is what you want it to be. I like to have a few drinks just like the next guy, but at the same time, I have taken our kids on every cruise we have been on and have NEVER been worried about what they would see, the smoke, etc. If you are sensitive to smoke, avoid the bars/casino... pretty simple. Same thing goes for avoiding the drunks... stay out of the bars at night (and with one under the age of 21, they shouldn't be in there to begin with in the evening). Quite honestly, I see more people get drunk while in port than when on the ship ($4.79 for a beer on board tends to tame people a bit).

 

I would worry more about what happens when in port than what happens on the ship during your days at sea, and in that case it doesn't matter what cruiseline/ship you are on. Just remind the girls that just because they are on vacation doesn't mean it's a vacation from reality.

 

Have fun! The Glory is a great ship!

 

Joe

[steveaaaa]

stay out of the bars at night (and with one under the age of 21, they shouldn't be in there to begin with in the evening).

 

18 and over can be in the bars,just no booze, and 18 and over can drinks in many ports.

Steve

[heyitsmejudy]

Thanks for all the quick replies. SOME of you made me feel better! It's not that we wanted to go with them but she is under 21 so couldn't go without some one who is at least 25. I didn't want her to not be able to go. I'm not a prude or a stick in the mud, just want to be able to kick back and relax.

 

I want to thank you for being a responsible parent and taking precautions to see that your kid is kept safe AND gets to have a bit of fun. So many parents either 1) think they've done so good of a job raising their offspring that the kids can handle anything that comes their way (Natalie Holloway comes to mind) or 2) Want to be a pal rather than a parent (a LOT of people come to mind). I hope you have a GREAT cruise.

[Sandi149]

My daughter wanted to take a cruise with her friend before she goes back to college in the fall. She's 20 and her friend is 23 so I volunteered my husband and I to go with them. They booked Carnival Glory. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? We've only ever sailed on DCL so I have no clue! Please calm my fears! How long are these seven days going to feel like?!?

 

Hi,

 

I would just like to say that I have only been on one Carnival cruise so far....a cruise to nowhere aboard the Carnival Legend last Oct. Cruises to nowhere are usually known to be "booze cruises". Well I can tell you my husband and I did NOT see one drunk out of control person on those 2 nights. Yes, people were drinking in the bars, but all ships have bars, and people drink on all ships/cruiselines. There was no running up and down the halls in the middle of the night. I had the best 2 nights sleep ever on their wonderful beds. As for the smoke....my husband is an "ex smoker"....the worst one on the planet, I might add and when I asked him if he smelled smoke anywhere on the ship, including the casino he said no. And believe me, he can smell smoke a mile away.

 

I think your daughter will be just fine and she will have a great time. We loved Carnival so much that we are now booked on an 8 night cruise aboard the Miracle that leaves in 20 days!!!! :D I am psyched!!!!

 

A seven day cruise will be even more relaxed from what I have read on here.

 

Have your daughter go on the cruise and she will have a blast. I know I will on my cruise!! :p

[Cuizer2]

My daughter wanted to take a cruise with her friend before she goes back to college in the fall. She's 20 and her friend is 23 so I volunteered my husband and I to go with them. They booked Carnival Glory. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? We've only ever sailed on DCL so I have no clue! Please calm my fears! How long are these seven days going to feel like?!?

 

The Glory does seven day cruises and the type of people you are worried about are on the three and four day cruises. I was on the Glory in April / May of 2006. I had a great time and did not see any of the issues you are concerned about. The seven days felt like four or five to me.

 

If you can swing it, go two days early and visit the Kennedy Space Center, or stay over an extra day and visit the Kennedy Space Center.

[JoeSmooga]

18 and over can be in the bars,just no booze, and 18 and over can drinks in many ports.

Steve

 

 

Good points... my oversight on the 18 and over in the bars on board. Regardless, the Sign and Sail restrictions on her card would keep a person underage from purchasing their own. I'm not naive, though... I recognize that others may buy for her. Between that and the allowance of those 18 and over to drink while on shore further solidifies my last point... you are on vacation but not on a vacation from reality. :) Just be smart and everything will be fine.

 

Joe

[PINEVIEW01]

Just forget all you have heard and have fun. Than you can come back here and address everyone that says Is it true what I've heard.........:D

[LHP]

Years ago was definately worse than it is today. We have been cruising as a family since 1998 (so our objectives are different than years ago) and in 16 cruises (all Carnival) during that time ... we have never had one Carnival cruise that was over the top awful with partying.

 

I am 52 and no party animal...but I do like to have a good time.

 

I would predict that on the Glory...IF there is any annoyance, you are going to be more annoyed with the kids than partying or smoking. That's not to say kids will be a problem.

 

Personally, we prefer the Spirit class ships over the Conquest class. My only suggestion would be that if the Legend or Miracle are an option ... I would book one of those!

[mzloolue]

My daughter wanted to take a cruise with her friend before she goes back to college in the fall. She's 20 and her friend is 23 so I volunteered my husband and I to go with them. They booked Carnival Glory. I have heard horror stories about it being a party boat! Lots of drunks, lots of smoke. Is this still the case? We've only ever sailed on DCL so I have no clue! Please calm my fears! How long are these seven days going to feel like?!?

 

When are you going?

 

We're going right before school starts back too.

 

Check out the roll call. The people on there may make you feel a bit more...uhh well...like they're normal civilized folk.:)

[dkbear2003]

I recently went with my family on Triumph and yes I called it a booze cruise because alot of people were drinking. BUT..... They were not out of control and all having a good time. I felt so comfortable with my kids and I am way overprotective with my kids. You and your family will have a great time.

 

Kris:o

[kellane]

I went on my first Carnival Cruise when I was 24. I had heard about the party boat reputation and was a little worried because I'm not a big party girl, but really it wasn't at all bad. I think, if that's what you want to do, that option is available, but it's not throughout the entire boat so that you can't relax if that's more your style.

[rmock3]

Again thank you for all your posts. I really do feel better! I'm not worried about my daughter drinking, she's probably more responsible than I am! We're going Aug 18th.