Cruise qualities?

Question

I've seen various comments about carnival cruises; either they love it or hate it. SERIOUSLY, how is it? If carnival isn't your best choice, what's a better choice? I don't care if it's party-oriented or relaxed-oriented. just something fun for a family with a tween and a young child.

Answer 1

the whole ship was a lot nosier than the other cruise ships.  There was no place to go where I could not hear the engine.  The food was OK. I enjoyed the main dining room and the buffet at lunch was good.  There were a lot of teen on the ship when I went and the activities did not supervise them nor keep their interest.  As a whole it was fun BUT NEVER TAKE A CRUISE DURING SPRING BREAK.

Answer 2

I love Princess cruise lines. They have very classy ships. They are the same company as carnival, but of a higher class. You know the old saying "You get what you pay for". The food is better quality, the rooms are nicer, and the ships are just beautiful. They also have special nightclubs for teens and great things for kids to do. I have seen little kids not wanting to go back to their cabin with mom and dad because they were having so much fun.

Answer 3

I been on Carnival twice. First as a teen and I had fun then. I was just on was in 2004 to Alaska. Now as an adult I was even more pleased with the cruise. I would recommend a cruise to anyone. Now they have more structured activities for the young ones. I would travel carnival again in a heartbeat, I am actually looking at a cruise to Italy.

I have never been on the other cruise lines, so I can' t compare.

HAVE FUN

Answer 4

Different cruise lines definitely appeal to different people.  It all depends on what you like.

Carnival is best for night-life and a generally fun social atmosphere.  They also have an excellent kids' program.  One friend's son has been on a bunch of cruises and always begs his parents to to pick Carnival because he has so much fun.

Carnival's weaknesses - and again this depends on what matters to you - is that for some people the night-life gets too rowdy, and it's more focused on fun than a "refined" experience.  So for example the ship decor is very glitzy and exciting, but not exactly museum-quality artwork.

Personally, I think if you a place that is good for kids and fun, Carnival is a good choice.  That said, here are some other options...

- Disney, if you don't mind paying more, and having a kid-oriented ship.  They have an outstanding kids' program, they're fun, and everything is high quality. But it's often twice the price of Carnival.

- Royal Caribbean, but only their larger ships.  RCI's large ships (Freedom and Voyager-class) have great facilities for kids: ice rinks, surf simulators, water parks.  Their onboard experience is also a bit more refined than Carnival -- not so rowdy, less glitz and more polish.  That said, the nightlife and entertainment aren't so great.  (BTW, I completely disagree that RCI's activities are better than Carnival's.  RCI has great facilities, but Carnival's entertainment staff are consistently more energized and inventive.  I've been on both many times.)

For a good run-down of the top 10 "qualities" that distinguish different cruises, check out this:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/ch...

Answer 5

I've cruised with carnival and don't care for them. The ship I was on was old and dated. The onboard activities were non existent. Sitting by the pool for 7 days is not my idea of fun. The food was of poor quality especially in the buffet. They served the same thing everyday and it was always cold. The staff did not seem like they enjoyed there jobs, and it took a lot to try to get issues resolved. I prefer Royal Caribbean. The service and quality of the ships are a lot better. Also they have so much to do onboard that you really get your monies worth. It's impossible to get bored. The staff are friendly and go out of their way to help you. The difference between the two lines is like motel 6 vs the Ritz. Which would you choose?

Answer 6

I have never been on a Carnival ships so maybe I should not answer.  But you are right that there are people who,love Carnival and the others who hate it.  But let me explain it this way.  Carnival is known as the budget cruise line and that's perfectly OK with some people.  They go on Carnival, like the food, have  a good time, have a nice cabin and do not want any more.

Then there are others, like me, who pay attention to how a ship is decorated and how the cabin looks since I will be in it 7, 12, or 14 days.  I look at it the way you would look at a hotel and/or a hotel room.  Some people don't care what and some do.  

Then when it comes to the food some folks look at it like their favorite restaurant which may really be a hole in the wall.   So as long as they are having a good time partying they don't care that much about the food.  And some people want to have an extraordinary dining experience and pay attention to how the dining rooms look and how good the service and food is.  Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean are noted for their food presentation.  That means how it taste and also how it looks on the plate when its brought.  I think Princess and Celebrity do just a little better than RC on presentation.

Royal Caribbean is noted for having the best on board activities.  they have many more than the other cruise line; I have been on about 8 RC cruises and ships and its MY favorite line. All of the cruise lines have programs for kids and although they call them by different names they take care of having activities for kids on all ships.  Its just that RC has more on board things for everyone.

I am sure that there will be some others who answer/comment with other opinions for and against Carnival.  But the bottom line is it is the budget cruise line and its kinda like do you want a new Chevy or a new Mercedes; both cars, both new but how do you want to get where you are going.