Considering Carnival

[cds62]

We have not sailed on Carnival since 1990 and are considering returning for a cruise on the Valor. Having cruised on Disney, RCL and Princess, what can we expect from Carnival? Although we want to have a good time, we are not the partying types. Any opinions would be appreciated.

[MizzCard]

We have not sailed on Carnival since 1990 and are considering returning for a cruise on the Valor. Having cruised on Disney, RCL and Princess, what can we expect from Carnival? Although we want to have a good time, we are not the partying types. Any opinions would be appreciated.

I've sailed other cruise lines too and have found my place with Carnival. Who says you have to be a partier to cruise CCL? You'll get the same type of service at a reasonable price...enjoy your CCL cruise.

[cruzkitty]

cds62-We haven't cruised Carnival since 1990 either and are going back this fall on the Spirit to the Mexican Riviera!! Can't wait. We have many friends that love Carnival, and we're cruising with them, so I know we will have a good time. I'm actually looking forwarrd to cruising Carnival again.:D

[Unca Pete]

We're trying Carnival this fall, simply because they have some itineraries that we can't find on Princess, and the prices are also very hard to beat! We'll definitely book more cruises on Carnival in the future if we like the Victory.

 

Pete

[MonaCK]

We sailed on the Valor last February after a long absence (it had been since 1986 for me). I am SO glad that I did. DH and I had a -blast-.

[Georgiagolfer]

We have not sailed on Carnival since 1990 and are considering returning for a cruise on the Valor. Having cruised on Disney, RCL and Princess, what can we expect from Carnival? Although we want to have a good time, we are not the partying types. Any opinions would be appreciated.

All the lines are pretty much alike, just a difference in price and itinerary. DW and I don't party a lot either, but there are other activities on CCL, like the High Tea several times each week, and the champagne art auctions. Just enjoy and remember, it is "your vacation" so have fun doing what you like to do.:cool:

[Jallan]

Headed out on the Valor next month..we are first time cruisers on the Valor but have had a great time on CC before. Probably the best fun for the money..:)

[Socref124]

We have not sailed on Carnival since 1990 and are considering returning for a cruise on the Valor. Having cruised on Disney, RCL and Princess, what can we expect from Carnival? Although we want to have a good time, we are not the partying types. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

DW is 49 and I am 56. We really enjoy Carnival and haven't seen the party till you drop atmosphere that people talk about. Then again, all but one of our cruises have been 7 days and we don't cruise during spring break. You shouldn't have to rowdy of a crew on the Valor. Have a great time.:)

[mjbearit]

We were first time cruisers on our trip to Mex Riv on Spirit earlier this month. We are not "partiers" either and we had such a good time and liked the ship so much we are taking the same ship to do Alaska next year! We saw none of the Party stuff I have heard so much about in the "old days". Like someone said earlier, we don't cruise during Spring Break either, and we try to avoid summer time as well. We prefer the more leisurly pace of the people we find (on all vacations, not just cruises) on "Off-Season" vacations. We enjoy relaxing and just enjoying the journey as much as the destination. The only Ship we know about is the Spirit, but it was sure a good time. Most relaxing vacation I have ever had!:D

[GaryWT]

"Party Cruises" are week to week on most likes, some weeks party more than others depending on the crowd. We did a 5 day Carnival and found it to have fewer parties and less drinking than our RC cruises. But any given week could be different. There is enough to do though that you can do your thing and not be bothered with or by the parties.

[Princessbride3]

We arent partiers much either but we love carnival. We had a great time on princess but feel like there was more on carnival. Any way you figure it is a cruise you are bound to have fun!

[hi2mari]

I will be returning to Carnival after a brief absence. We tried Princess this winter, very nice, but more expensive than Carnival and I feel Carnival was more fun, had larger and nicer staterooms, and better dining options.

 

We are in our mid forties, like to party, but certainly can't keep up with 20 somethings. On Carnival we found fun activities earlier in the evening, so we could have fun before 10pm and still get to bed at a reasonable hour. On Princess we found ourselves in the casino often for want of a better option. Princess had one deck, with 3 bars in a row, and we could never find anyone in them before 9pm! Also, not as many deck parties, which I enjoy. Carnival seems to have "sail away" deck parties each time you leave a port.

 

Carnival treats us well as past guests too; I was disappointed to find that Princess did not extend the benefits even though they are both from the Cunard line.

[2PinaColadas]

We LOVE Carnival!! We are in our late 30s and not much of party people, anymore. Carnival is a great deal compared to most of the other cruise lines. We also like the more casual dress code and atmosphere. We have cruised with them 3 times now and every time is was almost perfect.

[cds62]

Our plans actually changed a little bit and we booked Freedom for later this month. I am looking forward to it as a chance to compare it to the other cruise lines that we have sailed.

[Muumuu]

I have only cruised Carnival so I could not compare. Carnival meets my needs and right now I have no intention of changing. And I am VIP.

[bakechef]

As you can see from my signature at the bottom, I have cruised RCI, Carnival, Princess, and NCl, I have enjoyed them all, and found more in common than different.

 

Carnival will have more "decorated" ships, usually very lively in decor. I was pleasantly surprised with my first Carnival cruise and they will be my first choice from now on, I found the value to be very very good. And as far as partying, I didn't see any more on Carnival than other cruise lines.

 

MAC

[poohbear]

We have only sailed twice and both on Carnival. We have had a blast both times. Once with the kids and once by ourselves. We have decided to try RCI out in Oct. I am hoping the extra money spent will be worth it. The kids really want to sail Freedom of the seas for the Flowrider, ice rink, H2O zone. So we will see how it goes. They loved the Valor, such a great crew and ship. We will be back to Carnival I am sure. I like to try new things so off to RCI for Oct.

[little_rv]

Just my opinion... I've sailed on 2 NCL ships and 1 HA so my 1st Carnival cruise on the Elation last week was my 4th cruise experience. If it had been my first, it would have been my last. The ship and food were sub-par in all regards.

[daisymae253]

We have sailed Carnival many times and the Valor was one of many....we loved her and we love Carnival...We are booking a cruise on the Pride for this fall.........and as usual can't wait

[bakechef]

Just my opinion... I've sailed on 2 NCL ships and 1 HA so my 1st Carnival cruise on the Elation last week was my 4th cruise experience. If it had been my first, it would have been my last. The ship and food were sub-par in all regards.

 

Which ships did you sail on the other lines, were they also 10 years old, and short cruises?

 

MAC

[man of many coats]

I will only do the conquest class if ever again. were lookin onward. good luck!!

[FamilyDoc]

I love Carnival! Of course, you are on the Carnival board so most of us do. :) (I've never understood why the people who hate Carnival even visit this board...:confused: )

 

Anyway, I have sailed on Disney, Carnival and Holland and I would say that Carnival is my favorite. I did like the shows a little more on the Disney ships but then they don't have a casino. For food, service and other activities Carnival is my family's favorite by far. Oh, yeah, you absolutely can't beat the bedding on Carnival.