*carnival cruisers *i want to hear you

[Ladder55]

I have cruised twice,once on Ncl,once on Rccl.

 

Ncl was horrible in many areas, do not want to go back.

Rcl was good but the prices are too high right now in my opinion.

 

I am looking for some feed back from experienced carnival cruisers.can you give me some of your opinions as to why carnival is great !!no kids so those activities would not apply to us. we are early 30ish , what do they offer in terms of fun activities that other lines do not have, ex.i heard they sing and dance at dinner, just general information to fill in a potential newbie carnival cruisers would be fab!!!

Thanx,:)

[Uncle Doug]

I have cruised twice,once on Ncl,once on Rccl.

 

Ncl was horrible in many areas, do not want to go back.

Rcl was good but the prices are too high right now in my opinion.

 

I am looking for some feed back from experienced carnival cruisers.can you give me some of your opinions as to why carnival is great !!no kids so those activities would not apply to us. we are early 30ish , what do they offer in terms of fun activities that other lines do not have, ex.i heard they sing and dance at dinner, just general information to fill in a potential newbie carnival cruisers would be fab!!!

Thanx,:)

 

The casino and clubs are not dead after 10 pm.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

One word: FOOD! I've heard CCL beats RCCL hands down but I haven't sailed Royal to give my opinion that it is better. I did absolutely love the food on Carnival Spirit so much that I booked another cruise on Carnival Pride and sail in a few days. I did sail NCL and have to say dining room food on CCL beats NCL free dining but NCL buffet was better. I know the cruise I was on had a good mix of people of all ages & was a lot of fun. I had a hard time getting seated for dinner on NCL at a decent time so I kind of like the set dining time on CCL but that is a matter of preference.

[mariemorgan]

What are you looking for in a cruise?

 

What parts did you enjoy on the RCCL?

 

What parts did you not like on NCL?

 

I think that may help us tell you what is similiar and different.

[berwyn]

The casino and clubs are not dead after 10 pm.

Boy that is the truth.On Majesty of the seas the bars were empty every evening.

[teahoney]

The casino and clubs are not dead after 10 pm.

 

That is what I'm looking forward to. This is my first Carnival cruise as well.

 

OP, my sister cruised NCL about a year and a half ago and was extremely disappointed. She said she never wanted to cruise again. I was able to talk her into doing Carnival with me this year, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

[GottaLuvCruising]

I've sailed NCL four times, RCI three times and Carnival 12 times. I never met a cruise I didn't like, but you can certainly see which I enjoy most.

 

My favorite thing about Carnival is the fun, upbeat atmosphere and the friendly people. I do think the food on Carnival is very good, definitely better than NCL and about the same as RCI. Carnival's entertainment is WAY better than NCL's and about the same as RCI. Carnival's staterooms are larger, but RCI gets the nod for pretty ships. (There are some things RCI does better, like buffets and headliners, but we just didn't find the same "fun factor" on board.)

[*Mach*]

One word: FOOD! I've heard CCL beats RCCL hands down but I haven't sailed Royal to give my opinion that it is better. I did absolutely love the food on Carnival Spirit so much that I booked another cruise on Carnival Pride and sail in a few days. I did sail NCL and have to say dining room food on CCL beats NCL free dining but NCL buffet was better. I know the cruise I was on had a good mix of people of all ages & was a lot of fun. I had a hard time getting seated for dinner on NCL at a decent time so I kind of like the set dining time on CCL but that is a matter of preference.

 

 

On our Blogger's cruise last week we had seven folks from the travel press with us. One of them was Anita Dunham Potter who writes for MSNBC. She was emphatic that Carnival's food beats RCL hands down and beats many of the more exclusive lines, as well!!

:)

[Ladder55]

What are you looking for in a cruise?

 

What parts did you enjoy on the RCCL?

 

What parts did you not like on NCL?

 

I think that may help us tell you what is similiar and different.

 

Rccl, had good food ,service was good,ship was great,but I feel pricing is still high

 

Ncl, service was horrible, food was lousy 5 out of 7 days, gave a good price but then to get decent food/service had to pay up and even then the food/service was not great.don't mind spending the extra,but when it still sucks theres a problem. Ncl had a few shows we enjoyed that was all we liked about them.

 

We are looking for a fun time,and thought about giving CCL a go. sell me on ccl.

[Ladder55]

I've sailed NCL four times, RCI three times and Carnival 12 times. I never met a cruise I didn't like, but you can certainly see which I enjoy most.

 

My favorite thing about Carnival is the fun, upbeat atmosphere and the friendly people. I do think the food on Carnival is very good, definitely better than NCL and about the same as RCI. Carnival's entertainment is WAY better than NCL's and about the same as RCI. Carnival's staterooms are larger, but RCI gets the nod for pretty ships. (There are some things RCI does better, like buffets and headliners, but we just didn't find the same "fun factor" on board.)

This is what we want...FUN

[mariemorgan]

I think you'll like Carnival then! :)

 

I think Royal Caribbean and Carnival are very similiar.. at least what I have experienced.. But Carnival doesn't have the rock wall, flow rider, ice skating rink.. but if you are not wanting those types of things then it's not worth it to me to pay the extra cost for them.

 

I haven't sailed with NCL yet.. Not sure if I ever plan too.. It will all depend on Cost..

[Kurbanfan]

OP you will never know until you try Carnival yourself..........my experience with RCCL, Princess and platinum with Carnival..........are all great! All were upbeat and fun!!!

[luckycruzer]

many times, many lines..some now extinct. Sitmar will always be #1 in my Cruz heart!..Have done 2 RCL, in the past 29 months..and 18 on CCL, same time frame..so 20 all total. there are a few RCL things that were nice..forgetting the M&G for 36 CC-ers, was not one of them! The food, always subjectionable was ok, just nada special, Buffet had fab pineapple tho.CCL just a better selection, and presentation, as well as taste. Shows same..Ports ok..more ops needed for sea days, and need to revamp for that WOW fun factor. Not a warm fuzzy for me. Those 2 cruzes chose me, and the price was what it was, and Senior age was recognized on both, but no special treatment. Did have my usual great time with all the ppl I met. So I'm a CCL cheerleader..RaRaRa..sis boom ba

[Loves_Dogs]

I have to agree with what a lot of people have already stated, the lines really are a lot alike. I also agree that in the main dining room Carnival has much better food. While I didnt go hungry on my RCI cruise Carnival had a much bigger selection and the food better tasting in my opinion.

 

Carnival's beds are the best I have ever slept in. You will find that their beds are far more comfortable than the ones on RCI. There were many areas where I thought RCI was better than Carnival but to keep this brief, I will put a link to my review (if you are really interested in my comparison) that I wrote after my first RCI cruise after three Carnival:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=44190

[lidoplease]

I like the carnival players club at the casinos. If you win on the slots (a big IF I admit...lol...)--you do not have to cash out all those quarters, you just put your card in and it goes on your card. I also like the captain's party where you get free drinks and snacks. I love the deli sandwiches and the free soft ice cream and pizza around the clock. Carnival is our favorite line...I cannot imagine us ever changing again.

[beach410]

I like the selection of organized activities available to choose from. I never participate, but I do enjoy watching the other passengers. I like their deck parties, the different options of bars and live music available and I like dancing at the deck parties and night clubs. I enjoyed the piano bar on one of our cruises.

 

The food and service is always top notch, I found the food better on CCL then on RCL, but I have only sailed RCL once. I also enjoy the Dining Room entertainment at dinner.

 

I am very happy with the product and the price of our cruises on CCL, thats why I have two more booked this year. One alone with my husband and one with the entire family, this summer.

 

To me, there is enough going on to stay busy on sea days if you prefer that to lazing about, which is what I prefer.

[teacher2cruiser]

My first cruise was with RCI, and I loved it. It hooked me for sure. Our second was with NCL and it was NOT even in the same league. My third was with my mom on Carnival, and my husband and I have the Carnival Glory coming up in less than a month. Food on Carnival ranks with RCI and way above NCL. In fact, in my opinion, Carnival ranks closer to RCI on everything and that means ABOVE NCL. RCI might have a bit of a more elegant feel to it, and that might just be because their crowd is a bit older, I don't know. Try Carnival, I'm sure looking forward to the Glory - it will be my biggest ship yet.

[Ladder55]

I think you'll like Carnival then! :)

 

I think Royal Caribbean and Carnival are very similiar.. at least what I have experienced.. But Carnival doesn't have the rock wall, flow rider, ice skating rink.. but if you are not wanting those types of things then it's not worth it to me to pay the extra cost for them.

 

I haven't sailed with NCL yet.. Not sure if I ever plan too.. It will all depend on Cost..

 

This is what im sayin, I do not want to pay for the flowrider,rockwall, ice skating cus we wont use them. We want to be on a ship where people are happy and having fun,last 2 cruises we didnt notice much fun going on,boring piano and jazz bars/clubs is not for us either:eek:

Does CCL have any certain sales that I should keep a look out for?like OBC or upgrades?

does ccl offer a military rate? if so approx.how much is it?

thankyou

[canttanman]

Carnival has the best military rates I've seen, maybe at least a couple hundred pp below posted rates. But upgrades are rare wwhen using these rates. At least for the two times I've used them.

[vacruizer]

This is what im sayin, I do not want to pay for the flowrider,rockwall, ice skating cus we wont use them. We want to be on a ship where people are happy and having fun,last 2 cruises we didnt notice much fun going on,boring piano and jazz bars/clubs is not for us either:eek:

Does CCL have any certain sales that I should keep a look out for?like OBC or upgrades?

does ccl offer a military rate? if so approx.how much is it?

thankyou

 

Carnival is definitely fun! Each cruise is different, of course - some of it depends on the people sailing each week. But we also are in our thirties, no kids and we love Carnival. The food is consistently good, the people are friendly, and there is truly something for everyone to keep you entertained. We've also learned that the more involved you get in activities and things the more fun you will have as well as meeting great people. There is so much variety in the entertainment - everything from the piano and jazz you aren't so interested in to disco/dance clubs, classical, the big production shows in the main lounge, comedy - both family and R rated adult, Karaoke, usually a rock cover band of some kind, some ships now have a latin trio, island music by the pool, etc. Some ships also have the big movie screens on the Lido deck and there is always one night where Carnival has a big deck party. We also enjoy the day activities like trivia, name that tune, the marriage game, etc. Lots of themed activities as well but they vary from ship to ship. Just some examples - the Miracle had a "bathrobe and beer" party one night on deck, the Liberty offered theme happy hours in the disco from 7-8:30 with different eras - 80s night, Motown, reggae, etc. and then would continue the theme later that night until about midnight. The Glory last month had a murder mystery activity where you went around the ship and asked various crew for clues all week which was fun.

 

I can't help with the actual rate on military but many CC members here rave about Carnival's great military rates. They also sometimes do sales where you get upgraded to a higher deck within the same category.

[samatha]

We have cruised about 25 times, our first cruise being on Carnival. Every so often we think we need to try something different thus our experiences with RCL and NCL. RCL was fine, except for price and night life. I wont comment on NCL. In two weeks we sail on the Liberty for the second time in two months, it is hard to find a better value than a Carnival Cruise.

[Ladder55]

Carnival has the best military rates I've seen, maybe at least a couple hundred pp below posted rates. But upgrades are rare wwhen using these rates. At least for the two times I've used them.

 

I have read that the military rates do not apply to all sailings?

[tmackel]

It's all about the people. It just seems to me that people on Carnival know how to have a good time and if everyone is happy how can you not be. I have taken 2 NCL cruises and if you like peace and quit you will find it there because everyone goes to bed at 10:00.

[Ladder55]

It's all about the people. It just seems to me that people on Carnival know how to have a good time and if everyone is happy how can you not be. I have taken 2 NCL cruises and if you like peace and quit you will find it there because everyone goes to bed at 10:00.

 

 

Yeh, can you say Boring?? with bad service and a boring lineup,makes for along week on ncl

[BullDogChief]

I have read that the military rates do not apply to all sailings?

 

Not sure if that is entirely true...our booking for October didn't show a military rate on the internet but when we called our pvp, the military rate was there for us...