Love HAL, but may try Carnival

[niborHS]

We have been on 7 or so X cruises, and have also recently been on HAL, and love both. We are planning an impromptu (read cheap) cruise with our 2 sons, 24 & 21 for the beginning of October. I am thinking that they will find no one on X or HAL, but will have much better luck finding friends on Carnival. On our last HAL cruise, I can't tell you how many times we were told that their children were our age, and we are in our late 50's, but consider ourselves young. As a family, we tried a very old Carnival ship in 1995, have been on about a dozen other cruises with them, and a bunch just the 2 of us. My 24 year old was on RCCL twice for spring break.

Considering that, how will their category 11 suite? Our 2 cruises on HAL we had a Deluxe Suite, so know we are giving up the Neptune Lounge. Are there suite perks? How different is the food? Entertainment on X and HAL has not been very good lately, so it can't be worse, can it? What about the Casino? Is there a specialty restaurant? Anyone wear tuxes on formal nights? Any info or recommendations you could give me would be great. Thanks.

[lettienets]

There's a couple of threads on this page and the page before it on this topic of HAL, Carnival or others. Sons 21 and 24? definitely go with Carnival.

Age group, activities, entertainment venues etc better for them on Carnival. I usually cruise HAL but if I were 21 and 24 I would not like HAL at all. Now I really like it but not in my 20's.

[WhansaMi]

We have been on 7 or so X cruises, and have also recently been on HAL, and love both. We are planning an impromptu (read cheap) cruise with our 2 sons, 24 & 21 for the beginning of October. I am thinking that they will find no one on X or HAL, but will have much better luck finding friends on Carnival. On our last HAL cruise, I can't tell you how many times we were told that their children were our age, and we are in our late 50's, but consider ourselves young. As a family, we tried a very old Carnival ship in 1995, have been on about a dozen other cruises with them, and a bunch just the 2 of us. My 24 year old was on RCCL twice for spring break.

Considering that, how will their category 11 suite? Our 2 cruises on HAL we had a Deluxe Suite, so know we are giving up the Neptune Lounge. Are there suite perks? How different is the food? Entertainment on X and HAL has not been very good lately, so it can't be worse, can it? What about the Casino? Is there a specialty restaurant? Anyone wear tuxes on formal nights? Any info or recommendations you could give me would be great. Thanks.

 

We have been on four Carnival ships. We have enjoyed them all, to various degrees. The thing about comparing HAL with Carnival, is that you have to go in with *different* expectations, which isn't necessarily to say "lower". Carnival does not try for "elegance", it goes for "fun". That's okay. I like both. It is the difference between going to a family picnic and going to a Michelin-star restaurant -- both fine, if that is what you are expecting.

 

I agree that the 20's somethings might well feel more comfortable on Carnival. Our one experience with HAL, so far, has been to Europe, so it might not be resprestative of all itineraries, but even at 40-something, I didn't feel that there were any entertainment venues geared for us. The only place that played anything that was done before my birth was the disco after twelve, and since we were in a port intensive place, I couldn't stay up that long! So, I would agree with you about HAL entertainment, and it is the one area of real criticism I have about HAL, as it currently stands. (Not that it is going to deter us for going on HAL again next summer -- it isn't THAT important to me!)

 

To answer your specific questions:

* The only suite perk is priority embarkation/debarkation. This is a biggie for us, so that that was great.

 

*We've travelled in both the Cat 11 and Cat 12 suites. The Cat 11 we had was an aft wraparound, and it was great! We've been on the Conquest and Spirit class ships. If the ship you are considering is one of those classes, I can tell you more.

 

* Food is so subjective, it is always hard for me to answer. However, IMO, the food on Carnival is equal to, and sometimes better, than on HAL (I know, I know... no one shoot me, please!). One thing my hubby really liked was that the cappucino/espresso was included after dinner on Carnival, extra on HAL. It became part of his ritual. (Oh, and if you like the cheese plates you can get with HAL room service for a late night snack, you may be disappointed not to see it on Carnival's room service menu. No problem. Just order it "to go" at dinner, bring it to your cabin, and put it in the fridge.)

 

*We found the slots in the casinos on Carnival, in general, to be a little "looser" than on HAL. In general, there are more tables, and more machines. Sometimes it can be smoky, but, not so much that I've had a problem with it, and I don't like smoke very much. There was one lady on our last cruise who sat beside me, and I don't know if it was her brand of cigarette, or the air currents, but I ended up moving to another machine. No biggie.

 

*Yes, there is a very, very good specialty restaurant on, I believe, all Carnival ships (although maybe the oldest not... but, then again, I wouldn't recommend the oldest of the Carnival line, overall). We did not go to the supper club on the Rotterdam (we much enjoyed the company of our tablemates), so I can't compare, but David's is very, very, very good. It is a surcharge of $30.

 

*Carnival has gone from "formal night" to "elegant" night in the last year and a half or so. It means that fewer men wear tuxedos. There have been a few polls on the CC Carnival polls, and if I remember correctly, typically it breaks down to about 15% tuxedos, 35% suits, 35% sports coats and ties. Those are round numbers, reflected me just remembering different data in my head, from three polls. If you want to get the exact numbers, you might want to do a search on the Carnival boards. (The leftover 10-15% included things like "don't go to dining room on formal night" and "sportcoat without a tie.)

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

I'm also going to find a review by someone who is a HAL (and Oceania, if I recall correctly) regular, who wrote about his first experience on Carnival, this summer. I'll post it once I find it.

[WhansaMi]

Here is the review I mentioned. He was on the Pride, the ship I sailed on this year, which is how I came to read his review:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=996799&highlight=review+hal

[lettienets]

............One thing my hubby really liked was that the cappucino/espresso was included after dinner on Carnival, extra on HAL. .........

It is included on HAL too in the dining room.

[scopewest]

Due to the ages you listed, I'd say Carnival. Nobody beats Carnival when it comes to things to do all day long. Check out the Carnival boards for more info.

[WhansaMi]

It is included on HAL too in the dining room.

 

I just checked with hubby, and you are correct.

 

There was *something* that was included with Carnival that wasn't with HAL that he liked. Now I am going to be worrying about it, trying to remember what it was!

 

Thanks for the correction.

[lettienets]

My next cruise is on the transatlantic Carnival Dream in Oct. and I picked it to have a change from HAL. I also wanted to arrive somewhere other than Fort Lauderdale after a TA. Wanted a change and more zip and fun. I will be bringing my earplugs. I know there are things that will irritate me like noise around the pool so I am going to steer clear of that area most of the time. Have a spa room and hope to spend more time in the serenity area. I have done a lot of reading about Carnival and their web page, the CC website and roll call. I am looking forward to it. Have only done one Carnival cruise about 6 years ago.Carnival has afternoon tea and some classical music that I like and a small library. I hope to find some quiet space. I like the idea of more choice for entertainment and more comedy.

[cruisecrasy]

It is included on HAL too in the dining room.

 

On some cruiselines in their specialty restaurants, capp. & expressos are an extra charge above the meal cost so was wondering about the HAL policy in the Pinn Grill regarding those coffees..since they are included with the meal in the dining room?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Happy cruises & lots of 'em! :)

[lettienets]

On some cruiselines in their specialty restaurants, capp. & expressos are an extra charge above the meal cost so was wondering about the HAL policy in the Pinn Grill regarding those coffees..since they are included with the meal in the dining room?

Thanks in advance.

Happy cruises & lots of 'em! :)

I don't know as I only ate there once and it was too late for me to order a coffee so someone else will have to answer for you. It seems to me it should be included in the PG if it is in the main dining room.

[bepsf]

I have co-worker/friends who absolutely love Carnival for themselves and their younger children - and I think it's great that they've found a line that meets their family's expectations.

[suse]

Carnival is for you! Your kids would be bored to death on HAL. Trust me.

[cruznon]

Carnival and HAL are quite different in decor and activities, however we found the balcony cabins to be spacious as HAL and the service was very good. Dining room food was very good, however not the same presentation as on HAL.

Have a great cruise.

[DFD1]

We cruise Carnival from time to time. Makes us appreciate HAL more.

 

Carnival has spacious staterooms, very small and VERY quiet library. Otherwise, lots of noise day and night, ordinary buffet, but good food in a usually crowded and tight dining room and, on cruises of 7 days or less, a completely different passenger profile than found on HAL

 

Dollar for dollar, Carnival can be a very good deal.

 

IMO

[mommyto2girls]

They call Carnival the "Fun Ship" for a reason. We are also in our late 50's and when we cruise with our kids 25 and 27 it is Carnival. We always take a Cat 11 and really like the space. Only perks I can think of are at embarkation. My 25 year old has done numerous Carnival cruises with her friends in the past few years. It is definitely a fun filled week. The nightlife is all there and the days at sea are a riot with the Carnival cruise directors. I only cruise Carnival when I want to be up and running all week. Formal night is surprising on Carnival, I think they have more people who never wear a tux and like to get dressed up as opposed to other lines where people (like us) go to black tie events all the time and don't want to do that on vacation. The food is subjective I think it is pretty awful on all cruise lines these days with the exception of the specialty restaurants.

[JaniceB]

In June I took a 4 night Carnival cruise on the Triumph. It does not have a speciality restaurant. My previous cruise was on the Zaandam. I ate in the Pinacle and really enjoyed it. I was disappointed that the Triumph did not offer one. Overall the food was very good. I did miss the room service breakfast. Carnival has a small selection for the continental breakfast. I do not like going from station to station at the buffet, so I mainly ate breakfast in the dining room. I had an exceptional waiter in the dining room for dinner. I found the casino was very crowded compared to the Zaandam, but it was a 4 night cruise from NY so I assume many people took the cruise to gamble. There were also many empty tables at dinner. The beds were comfortable, but the HAL beds are comfy. The balcony and room was much smaller. I did not have a suite either time. I really enjoyed the entertainment on Carnival, especially the main shows. It was much better than on HAL.

I was a little leary to try Carnival again after HAL, but I was pleasantly surprised.

 

Janice

[carlmm]

Well, I am afraid IMHO it is not as easy as some peope depict it. It is not that every 20 somethings likes Carnival or dislikes HAL or regards as "fun" what is called like this on Carnival ships.

 

Fortunately people in their 20's are mature enough to have developed different tastes. Only you, Robinselver, resp. your sons themselves, can know what they like. I have met quite a number of people in their twenties (and teens) who most thoroughly enjoyed sailing with HAL, with Cunard and other more traditional ships.

Far from being "bored to death" they had a very good time.

 

There is no right line for everybody. Every family needs to decide for itself.

Anyway, Robinsilver, enjoy your Carnival, or whatever you decide, cruise!

[WhansaMi]

Well, I am afraid IMHO it is not as easy as some peope depict it. It is not that every 20 somethings likes Carnival or dislikes HAL or regards as "fun" what is called like this on Carnival ships.

 

Fortunately people in their 20's are mature enough to have developed different tastes. Only you, Robinselver, resp. your sons themselves, can know what they like. I have met quite a number of people in their twenties (and teens) who most thoroughly enjoyed sailing with HAL, with Cunard and other more traditional ships.

Far from being "bored to death" they had a very good time.

 

There is no right line for everybody. Every family needs to decide for itself.

Anyway, Robinsilver, enjoy your Carnival, or whatever you decide, cruise!

 

Of course it isn't that easy..... we will be taking our 20 year old son on the Prinsendam next summer. He will love it. However, we will be sending our daughter off to the beach, because, she would hate the Prinsendam!

 

The OPs sons have gone on RCCL, and enjoyed themselves. It was that piece of information, and the fact that the OPs themselves have experienced HAL and other more traditional lines, and thought that their sons might enjoy a ship with those type of activities, that made me support the idea of a Carnival cruise. Also, they wanted to make this a less expensive cruise, and Carnival's prices are terrific.

[doone]

I too love HAL, but had a Carnival cruise that I couldn't say no to, the price was incredible so I jumped ship so to speak.

 

I liked both cruise lines for different reasons. Take your kids on Carnival, you all will have a wonderful time.

 

If the price was right on Carnival, I'd go again.

 

Enjoy your cruise.