Trying Carnival, love Celebrity and HAL

[niborHS]

I would love to get some feedback before I suggest this to my husband. We are considering taking our 2 sons, age 24 & 21 on a cruise this October, kind of last minute and want to watch the cost. I know there may not be many people in their age group no matter what, but we can certainly hope. We have not been on Carnival since our second cruise in 1995. We have been on about 15 since, many with the boys until they went to college. We prefer Celebrity or HAL, but I somehow think that they would have a better chance of having fun on Carnival, and the price is certainly right. We like to be in some sort of mini suite. Is a catagory 11 suite on the Glory or Legend(??) similar to a sky suite on Celebrity? Our sons will probably be in an inside. My 24 year old did that when he went on RCCL with his frat buddies. I was in one with a girlfriend last year on Celebrity's Century, and managed, so am sure that will be fine. Other than that, how would the food compare? Entertainment? Casino? Are we going to be overwhelmed by people smoking? I know these are lots of questions, but hope to get some answers. I even wouldn't mind if someone can tell me if they have trivia contests. That could be a selling point to my husband.

[fig414]

I would say first off that the boys will certainly have fun. There are always many young chicks their age on every Carnival we've been on. The price thing is self evident. The bang for the buck on Carnival is paramount. Food and entertainment are fine. Smoking is evident mostly in the casino and not by any means overwhelming. I know for a fact there are MANY trivia events on Carnival. I've been to a few and have met many fun people and some not so fun. You'll get that anywhere. As for the Cat 11 suite. It's only OK in my opinion. I'm pausing now to check out your question about the Sky Suite. You are getting my up to the minute opinion. Okay I'm back. The Carnival suite is actually a little bigger in square footage. The key is the nice big balcony size on both. We liked the Cat 11 suite twice mostly because of the balcony. It's way bigger than a regular cabin. The room is also much bigger but we expected it to be much bigger which it is not. Just more walking space plus the sitdown area for the fairer sex. The kids will have a great time believe me. It's not the QE2, but you guys will have fun too. We were on Princess and much more prefer Carnival. We are both 50 by the way. Celebrity is on our radar down the road. As long as it's not a 4-5 day cruise you will be A-OK.

[niborHS]

Thanks for the reply. We are, I hate to say, in our late 50's, but we consider ourselves young. I know the sky suite is certainly not my favorite of what I have had, but our worst expereience in many years was a regular balcony cabin on the NCL Pride of America in Hawaii last year. I felt like one of those little number puzzles moving around the cabin, "OK, I'll stand against the door so you can get into the bathroom." By the way, if you want to try Celebrity, we did both the 5 day out of Miami together 2 years ago, and I did the 4 day with friends last winter. I can honestly say that they were among my top enjoyable cruise experiences. Younger crowd because it's people who work who want a short break on a better line, rather than the cheapest cruise experience they can find.

[cruzn buckeye]

You will love Carnival...at least I think you will....

One of the things I like best about it is it is fun for all ages....You will see people on board from 2-80....most all having a great time! Give it a try! I am sure your kids will like it much better than the others that you have sailed on.....not so much a "party" ship, but definetly a fun ship! A cruise is what you make it....book it and have a great time!

 

cruzn

[howard6933]

About 15-16 years ago we took our first cruise on the Imagination and in a word it was

very forgettable. :( I guess in those days Carnival was really nothing but a "big party

ship" company. We had our small grandchildren with us on that cruise and they had a ball.

Carnival was great for kids, but for us older folks it was a bore. Having said all that, let me tell you that Carnival has made a 360 degree turnaround. In the past 2 years we have been on the Legend and the Valor (twice). What a difference. The food is 100% better,

the cabins are among the largest in the business, the service is first rate, and the entertainment is excellent. ;) We have been on 51 cruises in the past 30 or so years,

and since "boycotting" Carnival for about 15 years, we're back to them and finding them a

great "bang for the buck". We're looking forward to our next cruise on Carnival Liberty in december. I'd recommend Carnival to anybody regardless of age. :rolleyes:

[Windy56]

My husband and I, both in our fifties, just returned a few weeks ago from our first carnival cruise, aboard the Pride. Our last cruise was with Celebrity and before that, Princess. Setting aside itinerary, I think Carnival packs more bang for your buck. We had an aft cabin and it was really comfortable and surprisingly spacious. Our steward was the best I have ever had, ( I have cruised mor frequently in my past), and the food in the main dining room was delicious...appealing on so many levels - taste, portion, variety and presentation! Ship dancers and singers are interchangeable to me, however the entertainment which was flown on was exceptionally good. Lounge entertainment wasn't as appealing because there was no venue for social dancing.

 

I had avoided cruising with Carnival in the past because I had the impression that it was a rowdy ship and the food was inferior. I was very wrong on both counts. There is a really good mix of demographics and I found the passengers to be the friendliest I have ever encountered. Every time my husband or I tried to take a picture, we were approached by another passenger with the offer to take one of us together. That just didn't happen with the same frequency on other lines.

 

My suggestion, especially if you have kids, is to go for it. I'm quite confident that you will not regret it.

[irishgirl]

Ok, I'm writing this after reading the replies on the Celebrity board to your question. By the way, I'm in my mid 50's.

 

I last sailed on Celebrity Solstice and found it very quiet and subdued, everywhere. Nobody in the bars or casino. Ballroom dancing, a barbershop quartet and a guy playing a guitar. You won't find this on the Carnival ships. People who sail Carnival want to have fun and want to have something to do all the time. That's why there's so much going on all the time.

 

I found the food to be just as good on Carnival as Celebrity. Maybe more choices because Carnival has a full buffet for all meals and a 24 hour pizzaria.

 

Service is much better on Celebrity, but it is still good on Carnival. I've had my share of poor room stewards, but I just shrug it off and get anything I want myself. Since it's usually ice, I just go to the ice machine myself and get it. I couldn't do that on Celebrity and never had enough ice. I ended up going to the buffet and filling my miniscule ice bucket many nights on the Solstice because I couldn't find an ice machine near my cabin.

 

If you go on a newer ship with an open mind that this will be a different experience than HAL or Celebrity, you should do fine.

 

I was bored on the Solstice, it's a beautiful ship, but...

 

Judy

[tootsiescurly]

The cat. 11 aft wrap on the Legend is a great cabin. Would not book any other cabin on a Spirit class ship! However, if you have booked a suite on Celebrity or Princess you will not get any of the amenities they have with the exception of early embarkation.

[Vitamin_Sea]

Give CCL a try, you will save money!!

. I just got back and we loved it. It was my first!!

[tootsiescurly]

I would love to get some feedback before I suggest this to my husband. We are considering taking our 2 sons, age 24 & 21 on a cruise this October, kind of last minute and want to watch the cost. I know there may not be many people in their age group no matter what, but we can certainly hope. We have not been on Carnival since our second cruise in 1995. We have been on about 15 since, many with the boys until they went to college. We prefer Celebrity or HAL, but I somehow think that they would have a better chance of having fun on Carnival, and the price is certainly right. We like to be in some sort of mini suite. Is a catagory 11 suite on the Glory or Legend(??) similar to a sky suite on Celebrity? Our sons will probably be in an inside. My 24 year old did that when he went on RCCL with his frat buddies. I was in one with a girlfriend last year on Celebrity's Century, and managed, so am sure that will be fine. Other than that, how would the food compare? Entertainment? Casino? Are we going to be overwhelmed by people smoking? I know these are lots of questions, but hope to get some answers. I even wouldn't mind if someone can tell me if they have trivia contests. That could be a selling point to my husband.

 

The Legend is a great ship. Try to book a cat. 11 aft wrap suite. You will love it!

[Casino Player]

I would love to get some feedback before I suggest this to my husband. We are considering taking our 2 sons, age 24 & 21 on a cruise this October, kind of last minute and want to watch the cost. I know there may not be many people in their age group no matter what, but we can certainly hope. We have not been on Carnival since our second cruise in 1995. We have been on about 15 since, many with the boys until they went to college. We prefer Celebrity or HAL, but I somehow think that they would have a better chance of having fun on Carnival, and the price is certainly right. We like to be in some sort of mini suite. Is a catagory 11 suite on the Glory or Legend(??) similar to a sky suite on Celebrity? Our sons will probably be in an inside. My 24 year old did that when he went on RCCL with his frat buddies. I was in one with a girlfriend last year on Celebrity's Century, and managed, so am sure that will be fine. Other than that, how would the food compare? Entertainment? Casino? Are we going to be overwhelmed by people smoking? I know these are lots of questions, but hope to get some answers. I even wouldn't mind if someone can tell me if they have trivia contests. That could be a selling point to my husband.

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Robinsilver: You will enjoy cruising on Carnival. First, people of all ages go on Carnival and for the most part enjoy themselves. Carnival has larger staterooms then do other cruise lines. Personally, I think their food is best of all five lines I have been on. You also have a wider choice than on other lines. Carnival has a 24-hour resturant, the pizzaeria, 24-hour soft serve ice cream and/or yogurt. Of course, room service around the clock. Carnival has a lot of trivia contests, hairy chest contests, hairy leg contests, and horse racing. All a lot of fun. Shows- you either like them or you don't. The Carnival Casinos are the largest I've seen on a cruise ship and the best lit of all the casinos at sea. They still only have one craps table though.

 

Your adult children will also like Carnival. The service may not be better than on Celebrity, but, Carnival is better than most cruise lines. By the way, I Like Celebrity cruise line a lot too.

[sassyredhat]

We have sailed CCL and HAL. Our line of choice is HAL, however you will be fine with a Cat. 11 (no bathtub or great Elemis bath products) with CCL.

 

Your sons will be fine. We find the cabins and balconies to be similar. Do not expect the elegance of HAL. It is a different category.

 

We found service and food to be good on CCL. Didn't really have a problem with smoking except in the casino.

 

I think you will enjoy CCL. We sail CCL when DH wants great golf packages.

 

Pat

[tootsiescurly]

Try a cat. 11 aft wrap suite on the Legend. You will really enjoy it!!!:D

[browneyes7]

I LOVE Carnival! I think it is a great cruiseline with wonderful crews and passengers. I have never been on a bad Carnival cruise, and I have cruised on Carnival over 20 times in the past four years. I think you and your family will have a wonderful time!:)

 

I've also cruised on Princess and RCI.