Honest Opinion - Carnival

[DonnaK]

Steve, you are my new hero!

[rudeney]

I'm no snob (I'm just an good old boy from Alabama) but I when I vacation, I'm looking more for "pampering" than "partying". Trust me, I get enugh "partying" here at home.

 

RCCL and DCL both have given me the environment I want for my money. While I have not tried Carnival, what I see and hear tells me that they don't provide what I want.

 

I am sure the Carnival ships themselves are nice, and the crew is probably as good as any, but their marketing and pricing are geared toward different types of people than I'd choose as shipmates. When we cruised on DCL, we were in a shuttle from the Raddisson that was full of people going to the Carnival Sensation. I was really glad they weren't going to be on our shop as they were already "partying" at 10:00am. On our FoS trip two weeks ago, we saw naked people on the Carnival Voyager (http://rodneygrill.com/funship - caution - adult material!).

 

That's just not what *I* want on my cruise ship.

[Sue L]

I'm no snob (I'm just an good old boy from Alabama) but I when I vacation, I'm looking more for "pampering" than "partying". Trust me, I get enugh "partying" here at home.

 

RCCL and DCL both have given me the environment I want for my money. While I have not tried Carnival, what I see and hear tells me that they don't provide what I want.

 

I am sure the Carnival ships themselves are nice, and the crew is probably as good as any, but their marketing and pricing are geared toward different types of people than I'd choose as shipmates. When we cruised on DCL, we were in a shuttle from the Raddisson that was full of people going to the Carnival Sensation. I was really glad they weren't going to be on our shop as they were already "partying" at 10:00am. On our FoS trip two weeks ago, we saw naked people on the Carnival Voyager (http://rodneygrill.com/funship - caution - adult material!).

 

That's just not what *I* want on my cruise ship.

 

 

You might want to change that to the Carnival VALOR

[HookedOnCruisin'2]

I've not been on that ship but I've been on 3 Carnival cruises and have yet to have a bad experience.

 

We normally don't have issues with children either - just go during those times when they're in school. We went in Aug and there were kids but not that many and they weren't out of control by any means. Also, though a few parents did let their little ones in the hot tubs, I did witness Carnival personnel making them get out.

 

Our service has been great and the food very good, especially in the dining room... Heck, I don't even normally like pizza but liked it on the Triumph.

[KC_fn]

The downside was that it was a much more party atmosphere, sometimes to the point of sillyness (ship divided into color teams, dancing waiters, etc).

 

Carnival has hardly cornered the market on silliness and partying. I saw plenty of both on Mariner. And Mariner also has dancing waiters.

[MaryZ]

I'm no snob (I'm just an good old boy from Alabama) but I when I vacation, I'm looking more for "pampering" than "partying". Trust me, I get enugh "partying" here at home.

 

RCCL and DCL both have given me the environment I want for my money. While I have not tried Carnival, what I see and hear tells me that they don't provide what I want.

 

I am sure the Carnival ships themselves are nice, and the crew is probably as good as any, but their marketing and pricing are geared toward different types of people than I'd choose as shipmates. When we cruised on DCL, we were in a shuttle from the Raddisson that was full of people going to the Carnival Sensation. I was really glad they weren't going to be on our shop as they were already "partying" at 10:00am. On our FoS trip two weeks ago, we saw naked people on the Carnival Voyager (http://rodneygrill.com/funship - caution - adult material!).

 

That's just not what *I* want on my cruise ship.

 

if you were on his ship, you would'nt have seen him on his balcony...lol :p

Last time we were at that port, we were next to a rccl ship, and guess what?

the rccl people were hanging everything out on their balconies...

it's not that wild and crazy people don't sail rccl. they do.

but I agree rccl ships are much prettier than carnivals. I just don't really think the passenger demographics are all that different.

As far as the sensation goes, short cruises tend to attract people with "short budgets" Which is exactly why we haven't stepped foot on a cruise less than 7 days in 20 yrs. Party cruises are great, if all you want to do is party. But we're beyond that stage now. I actually enjoy remembering my cruise now :D

[cruiserbryce]

On our FoS trip two weeks ago, we saw naked people on the Carnival Voyager

 

I know for a fact people dont get crazy and naked on just Carnival ships:D

[cathyoo]

Always surprises me to find so many RCI snobs. I worked with someone who had only sailed RCI but when I would mention Carnival "oh, no we would never sail on that ship too many low class people". hmm funny.. this is someone who uses the "F-bomb" in every sentence.

 

I personally find the ships the SAME. Same product, but each ship has it's good and not so good. Not each cruise line.. each ship because they are for all intents and purposes the same. I don't think one is Wal-Mart and the other Target. I think they are both Sears/Kmart.

 

My first cruise was on RCI and there was a group on the all inclusive package. They were drunk for the entire week, took over some of the bars, were very loud at dinner, went skinny dipping in the pool at 3 am. While I did not book with these folks I knew them (in fact I am related to some.) You would think they would be classified as "Carnival" cruisers. They rarely cruise Carnival because Carnival does not promote the "all inclusive" but RCI does. Now that is a real party.

 

I liked my first cruise enough to book another. We decided to try Carnival. The type of cruisers we are fit either Carnival or RCI. Carnival does have more daytime activities or I should say more participants. We went to some trivia games on RCI where we were the only players. That doesn't happen on Carnival. But the shows, the food, the waitstaff, I could find little difference. Carnival definitely has the edge on BATHROOMS.

 

I'll pick my cruise line based on 1.Sea days (the more the better) 2. itinerary, 3. price. If I see the same sweater at Macy's for $75 at Kmart for $50 I'm buying it form Kmart. Did not use Wal-mart. Dh refuses to shop there since he does not agree with the way the company does business.

[leavnofingerprints]

Steve For President!!!! :D

 

LNF

[ruskatab]

Well, first off I HAVE cruised on both...and multiple times...

And I have even RECENTLY cruised on BOTH BACK-TO-BACK...

 

I am also NOT an "RCI Cheerleader"...RCI isn't even my favorite cruise line...

 

That said, let me explain:

 

There are people out there who go through life thinking "Olive Garden" is the world's greatest Italian Restaurant"...Of course, any "expert" will tell you it isn't...But that doesn't matter to people who like it...They know they like it and they know what THEY want...

 

Everyone has different criteria, different standards...They weigh the importance of things differently.

 

The guy who NEVER uses the spa could care less which cruise line offers better spa services...The couple WITH kids may place overdue importance on the kids' programs...

 

And everyone has a different level of expectations based on THEIR particular experience...

 

If someone's idea of "eating out" back home is Denny's or TGI Fridays or IHOP, they will likely see nothing wrong with sitting in a "booth" or having their waiter ask the person next to them to pass the plate over to you or the waiter telling them to "save their fork" or getting your appetizer, soup and entree all at the same time...(Yes, we saw all of that on the Carnival Liberty)...The fact that there are cloth napkins and tablecloths and that the food gets brought right to the table may be enough for those folks to THINK they're getting "great service"...

 

Those same folks don't expect any help at the buffet and are just happy they supply trays and lots of food...

 

And some of those same folks may go on a non-Carnival cruise and never pay attention to what's different...

 

Of course, it also may be that poor service, prerecorded voice tracks in the entertainment and crowded dining rooms and lines at various amenities and waits at the crowded showroom are just things that don't register with those folks...

 

Maybe unimportant to them, maybe they just don't expect more...

 

So, they do get lots of food...and drink...the kids seem to be having fun...They don't mind waiting in the showroom for the show because there's a bingo game or an art auction while they wait...and they think of all of this as constant "fun"...

 

Some of them actually LOVE the gaudy decor...

 

And they all love the fact that they think they paid less for this...they saved money...

And, IN THEIR MINDS, they are getting the "same" cruise...

 

And, hey, I get it...

 

And, I think if you are happy with what you get on Carnival, then great! We are all not the same...

 

As for my discerning eye, I have tried it...and tried it again...and tried it again...

 

I have compared it directly with Royal Caribbean and have become extremely aware of all of the differences...

 

Carnival cuts corners all over the place...and its loyal customers don't care...They like it...

 

McDonald's has lots of loyal customers...

Walmart has lots of loyal customers...

Motel 6 has lots of loyal customers...

Denny's has lots of loyal customers...

 

They could eat at nicer restaurants, stay at nicer hotels and shop at nicer stores...but, at least in their eyes, don't see or understand the difference...or percieve the value...

 

Good...good for them...

 

As for me, yeah, if Carnival offered me a FREE cruise, I'd probably go...it's not a TERRIBLE product...The food has actually improved considerably over the years...they have some good itineraries...the cabins, though hideously decorated, are of good, ample size...

 

They just don't compare with Royal Caribbean...

 

If you percieve the difference, you're likely to be willing to pay a little more...

If you don't...if those things aren't important to you...or not worth additional cost to you, then you are probably just fine with Carnival...

 

But don't tell me that there is NO difference...I know better...

 

 

Hmm.....last time I was RC they had Art Auctions, Bingo, extremely long lines and a fast food place to eat on board. Talk about contradicting yourself.

[rudeney]

You might want to change that to the Carnival VALOR

 

OOPS! Yes, it was the VALOR! Thanks!

[NCTribeFan]

I loved my Empress cruise. And I'd like to sail with RCI again. But for the price, I'll sail on Carnival.

 

I don't care about ice skating rinks and rock climbing walls. I rarely watch the shows.

 

I'm much more interested in the ship as a means of transportation to ports of call.

 

Just because you're on Carnival doesn't mean you sit around the pool all day getting pig drunk or eating 8 plates of food in the buffet.

 

It's not like RCI is a luxury line. They're very similar. For the price difference, and for what I want from a cruise (I chose to find someplace out of the way and read and relax), I'll go for the best price to the ports I want to see.

 

If RCI offers that to me, I'll certainly cruise with them again. But when I did my search for my upcoming December cruise, RCI's cruises available to the ports I wanted to see were higher than I wanted to pay. I'd rather spend that money in the casino or on excursions.

 

I've never had a problem with substandard food in the dining room or buffet on any of my cruises. The worst cabin steward was on our RCI cruise. The best CD was on our RCI cruise. The decore on Elation was miles better than on her sister ship, Fantasy. Same ship, much more tasteful decor.

 

I'm told that outside of the dining room, the Miracle is one of the less gawdily decorated Carnival ships. And they're replaced the "pepto" grapes with purple ones. The dining room is named for Bacchus, after all. :p

[SheriNtexas]

Oh boy, here we go again: Carnival vs RC!!:D

 

[DqALEX]

I'm no snob (I'm just an good old boy from Alabama) but I when I vacation, I'm looking more for "pampering" than "partying". Trust me, I get enugh "partying" here at home.

 

RCCL and DCL both have given me the environment I want for my money. While I have not tried Carnival, what I see and hear tells me that they don't provide what I want.

 

I am sure the Carnival ships themselves are nice, and the crew is probably as good as any, but their marketing and pricing are geared toward different types of people than I'd choose as shipmates. When we cruised on DCL, we were in a shuttle from the Raddisson that was full of people going to the Carnival Sensation. I was really glad they weren't going to be on our shop as they were already "partying" at 10:00am. On our FoS trip two weeks ago, we saw naked people on the Carnival Voyager (http://rodneygrill.com/funship - caution - adult material!).

 

That's just not what *I* want on my cruise ship.

There is good naked and bad naked. She diden't look bad. The guy should be in jail.

[crusinmama22]

Rudeney:

 

LOL that was great! I remember being docked at that pier -- the ships are close but I never saw that. That was too funny !

 

It is obvious they were not indoor tanners or used a solar bathing suit !

 

We are booked on our first RCCL Cruise for Feb 08, Presidents week, on the Radiance of the Seas and can't wait to try this line. Have heard sooo many good things, need to try for myself. I love Carnival, not crazy about Celebrity, but if the itinary, ship and price was right would probably go again, I would cruise Carnival in a heartbeat if I could find the right ship and itinary, quite picky about the size of the ship and really only like the Spirit Class ships in Carnival.

[tkportersat]

I think you should just give it a try and form an opinion for yourself, that is the only way you are going to know for sure.

 

I have always been to busy having FUN to care about Carnivals decor as it has never bothered me. I always find those comments funny for some reason, is that really why people go on cruises?? I guess for some it is.

 

In my experience Carnival has treated me quite well and I always have a smile on my face - after 7 trips with them I have no complaints. Service has been great, food for the most part has been quite tasty and I never get bored.

 

Good luck w/ your decision :cool:

[tkportersat]

Dratz, the dreaded double post :(

[toledo]

Gee, I'll have to come over here to the RCI boards more often. I didn't realize tha I'm enjoying my Carnival cruises because I don't know any better. And Ohio is boring??? Tell me it isn't so! I guess I don't know any better there, either.

[Smiling Cruiser]

Just got off the Miracle this morning and would get right back on it! Have been on RCCL and Carnival many times and have no problem with either. They are different, just as members of the same family are. I have enjoyed the piano bar on one ship and disliked it on another (even within the same cruiseline); met decent folk and jerks on both cruise lines (spending more or less money for your cruise doesn't up your jerk status or lower your decency-you are who you are), loved the food or thought it was so-so, again on both lines. None of these attributes are ship genes- they are what they are in the moment you encounter them. If you prefer a cruise line because it meets most of your expectations then sail that line. You will most likely overlook its shortcomings because they don't affect you-and that is how it should be. I think both lines do a good job. Most of their employees strive to give you a great vacation and they do a fabulous job. Could we please provide accurate, factual information about our cruise so that newbies will have a chance to make well informed choices. Spend time sharing feedback with the cruiselines so they can reward their quality staff and always-have a good cruise.

[puggdogg1]

I cruised both RCI and Carnival, enjoyed both! We did 3 or 4 Carnival Cruises in a row b/c the prices were so much better than with Royal Caribbean. Then, we got a good deal on RCI and had a great time on RCI too!

 

The one thing I did find with Carnival is that it is more lounge oriented than RCI, which my friend and I found to be kind of boring after a while. On the RCI ships we have sailed on, there were late night comedians, Quest, and other late-night things, on Carnival, I found the only thing to do after the later seating show was either karaoke or dancing (neither of which I'm really into). We were a little bit bored.

 

The benefits to Carnival are... cheaper drinks and cheaper bingo!!!!! Everything is a bit cheaper on Carnival, which is a big advantage for me. NCL was the worst....everywhere you went on the ship they were pitching something to buy!!!!! LOL RCI's drinks are a little bit more, and the bingo is more. However, I don't drink much - and my friend and I decided that bingo was a waste of money b/c we never win! LOL so we don't spend much on bingo anymore!!!! I also found the rooms to be a tiny big bigger on Carnival, prior to sailing on the Mariner (the rooms are pretty much the same size as Carnival)

 

On the Valor there were long lines for everything, especially the immigration on the ship. Didn't seem as long on RCI. I found the entertainment staff to be a little rude on the Valor, mainly the dancers.... my friend, who seems to like everyone, even remarked that they were really snobby. Normally I don't canoodle with the dancers, but on this ship they had them performing various functions such as watching over the immigration line.

 

I found the food to be about equal, depending on what you like. We had very friendly wait staff on both.

 

Anyway, as I've found from sailing a couple of different lines, the tone of each cruise varies depending on the Cruise director - we've had good ones and bad ones, and it just so happened that on my last Carnival cruise, we had a bad one - and the RCI cruise after that - the Mariner - we had an exceptionally good one! I'll let you know after November how the new CD on the Mariner is!

 

Anyway, that made our decision to go on the Mariner again.

[JTJ]

I also think that they are pretty much the same. If it where not for the CL and casino cash back program that RCCL has I would be completely indifferent as to which to go on. The itineraries would be the only deciding factor. I have noticed that RCCL employees are much better behaved in Wal Mart & the Mall here. GF does like the clothing off funnel deck on Carnival and the shusi on the Glory.

[firefly333]

The benefits to Carnival are... cheaper drinks and cheaper bingo!!!!! Everything is a bit cheaper on Carnival, which is a big advantage for me. NCL was the worst....everywhere you went on the ship they were pitching something to buy!!!!! LOL RCI's drinks are a little bit more, and the bingo is more. However, I don't drink much -

 

Normally I don't canoodle with the dancers, but on this ship they had them performing various functions such as watching over the immigration line.

 

I found the food to be about equal, depending on what you like. We had very friendly wait staff on both.

 

I only paid $5.75 for nice sized margaritas on the rocks on my last RCI cruise. We had 2 for 1 coupons in our staterooms on top of that which were good for mixed drinks. We were doing B2Bs and my sister doesnt drink, so me and the lady next to us celebrated our birthdays one dinner in fine style lmao....but I thought the drinks on RCI quite reasonsable...and good!!!

 

Talking about the show folks doing other activities. The main singer on our cruise first I saw her coming to our cabin to hand out the past guest coupon books, then later she was directing us on the muster drill. I was surprised that a singer of her caliber also had to work other jobs on the ship. This was on RCI.

[puggdogg1]

When I did Carnival, drinks were $2.95....but if you didn't get the souvenier glass (which was 6.95), they were kind of small. I MUCH prefer RCI's drinks!

 

I think all boats have that, where the entertainer do all kinds of things. It just seemed obvious to me that the ones on the Carnival ship I was on just really didn't want to be in the other places! (not that I would want to be either). I can totally understand why they were not happy to be there though... Recently on my job ( I WAS an illustrator, who would sit all day drawing pictures on the computer), was transitioned back into the production department (basically doing corrections and prepping files for the printer....zzzz) because of budget cuts (they decided not to use new art, but to re-use old art, so they only needed one illustrator, and I knew all the other software, the other illustrator didn't - so i was the one chosen for the demotion). So anyway, I can understand how frustrating it is to practice and practice at something but have to spend your time doing what you hate just to "get a paycheck." Perhaps because the ones on RCI were less visible to me, I didn't notice as much!

[cruzinfamly5]

I second that about the kids on Carnival. They are always in the adult pools, there are always tons of them no matter what time of year....They are rude and not only do the parents not correct but the Carnival staff turns a blind eye. DH and I decided on the last cruise there were just to many lil abners for us...so that is why we are going RC

 

 

We noticed on our last Carnival cruise that there were (HORRORS :eek: ) ADULTS in the KIDS POOL who were acting much more childish than the children ... no wonder they fled to the adult pools! What is this world coming to? Honestly, I enjoy both lines ... would cruise either one based on the time, itinerary, and deal I could get on either. We know what we're getting when we step on either lines ships and it's pretty consistent. Bottom line ... we're on vacation ... and if we really wanted to be pampered and were concerned with who we were vacationing with, we'd skip the cruise altogether and head for an exclusive resort.

[Cruising89143]

Always surprises me to find so many RCI snobs. I worked with someone who had only sailed RCI but when I would mention Carnival "oh, no we would never sail on that ship too many low class people". hmm funny.. this is someone who uses the "F-bomb" in every sentence.

 

I personally find the ships the SAME. Same product, but each ship has it's good and not so good. Not each cruise line.. each ship because they are for all intents and purposes the same. I don't think one is Wal-Mart and the other Target. I think they are both Sears/Kmart.

 

My first cruise was on RCI and there was a group on the all inclusive package. They were drunk for the entire week, took over some of the bars, were very loud at dinner, went skinny dipping in the pool at 3 am. While I did not book with these folks I knew them (in fact I am related to some.) You would think they would be classified as "Carnival" cruisers. They rarely cruise Carnival because Carnival does not promote the "all inclusive" but RCI does. Now that is a real party.

 

I liked my first cruise enough to book another. We decided to try Carnival. The type of cruisers we are fit either Carnival or RCI. Carnival does have more daytime activities or I should say more participants. We went to some trivia games on RCI where we were the only players. That doesn't happen on Carnival. But the shows, the food, the waitstaff, I could find little difference. Carnival definitely has the edge on BATHROOMS.

 

I'll pick my cruise line based on 1.Sea days (the more the better) 2. itinerary, 3. price. If I see the same sweater at Macy's for $75 at Kmart for $50 I'm buying it form Kmart. Did not use Wal-mart. Dh refuses to shop there since he does not agree with the way the company does business.

 

Snobs??? LMAO at that statement. Just because someone prefers one cruise line over the other and can give the reasons why does not make them a snob. It's funny that Carnival is the only cruise line that has to have it's supporters defend it on the cruise boards. They are the only one that has a reputation that they cannot shake. Why is that? If my preferring RCI over Carnival makes me a snob in your book then so be it but I guess we won't see you on the RCI boards anymore.:rolleyes: