Have you ever been on a Carnival Cruise? Did you enjoy it?

Question

Here's the deal...we are a family of 5 on a limited budget. I have always wanted to go on a cruise...Our anniversary is Dec. 2nd. So we are looking at taking a 5-day cruise from Mobile, AL to Cozumel, and Calica, Mexico in Dec 2009. Our kids will be 8, 6 & 3 then. Please input!

Answer 1

I have been on 12 cruises, 8 on Carnival.  It is by far my favorite line.  The rooms are larger than most and the ships are a 24 hr party.

Carnival has plenty of activites for kids as well.  They have camp Carnival where the kids get to spend the day with other kids onboard -- thus leaving you to be with other adults.

Answer 2

http://riveraramos.vacationmedia.net/

Answer 3

I think Carnival cruises are the best bang for your buck...esp when bringing the kiddies along. You can book 5 to a cabin...it will be tight..but very do'able if on a budget. At these ages you can also take advantage of Camp Carnival so you adults can get some alone quite time as well. I highly recommend it. The bottom line figure will look costy...but when you think about all you are getting out of it...it is well worth it!

EDIT - Glad we weren't the only one to get ripped off in Costa Maya. Finace beat the h**l out of the booth because of it! (the workers had hauled a$$ on us so the booth got the worse) All I could think about was going to jail so we literally had to RUN back to the ship immediatly.

Answer 4

Carnival has a Youth Program with a lot of activites available. For a 5-day cruise departing from Mobile you have the option of departing on Monday or Saturday and the Saturday date closest to your anniversary is the 5th. The earlier you book your cruise the better because it's the best way to get significant savings. Let me know if you need any further information

Answer 5

I've been on 2 carnival cruises....

My parents seemed to enjoy it....

I was 8 when I went on one and 11 on the other.

And when I was 8 I love their pools and slides....

it was really fun....

And when I was 11 it was just as fun!

And I had a little sister who was 6 and then was 9 on the other one she really liked it....

So its great for the kids!

If needed Im sure they have a daycare for the 3 year old...

Have fun and good luck with your cruise!

Answer 6

Itineraries might not be out for Mexico this far in advance.

Answer 7

I have been on 3 carnival cruises before and they have all been really good! Unfortunately, I am not (and have never taken) a child along so i dont know how the activities for them are first hand. I know they have Camp Carnival and stuff and all the little kids were always in the hot tub and pools. I would however watch out for your children b/c carnival is a party boat and i was a little uncomfortable in the teen club at times b/c the didnt keep to their "no alcohol allowed" rule. I was like, okay pass around a bottle of vodka in a water bottle. lol

There are soft serve ice cream/ non fat yogurt machines on all the boats that are fabulous!!!! If you love eating/ dont mind gaining weight, your cruise will be great. The staff is great! They are all so friendly and the kids will probably be amused by the towel animals that they make in the rooms each night.

Be careful when you are in mexico because it is REALLY easy to get ripped off or something and you could end up in jail (that almost happened to my whole family in Costa, maya). If it sounds too good to be true, it is. I have never been to Calica, but i have been to Cozumel twice and they r really pushy there trying to get you to buy stuff, but it was way, way better than Costa maya

I hope you have a great time on your cruise and i helped a little!  Happy sailing!

ps-it might be cold in december, but idk the weather then in mexico, but be prepared!

Answer 8

I really like Carnival as a fun, reasonably-priced family cruise.

As you probably know, Mobile is getting a new(er) ship in time for your anniversary, the Carnival Fascination.  She's a nice ship.

I believe the ship will have a major renovation by then, part of the "Evolutions of Fun" upgrades.  So she will look like her (already renovated) sister ship, Carnival Imagination.  There are some pics here:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/journals/savv...

I **love** the new water parks and the expanded Camp Carnival facilities for kids are awesome.  The adults-only sun deck is also nice.  =)

FYI, for a family of five if you all want to sail together in one cabin you should book ASAP.  The ship does have cabins that hold that many people, but not many.

You might want to check out this "Guide to Cruising", which has an introduction for 1st time cruisers, and explanation of a typical day, advice on how to make the most of your trip, etc:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide

Feel free to email me through my Yahoo profile if you have other Qs.

Answer 9

I actually haven't been on a cruise before, but we are going on a Carnival cruise in late December this year. But from what people tell me Carnvial is somewhat cheaper and really the most enjoyable. All my relatives prefer that cruise line over any of the others. They only call it the party boat because there is a casino. But they have the best kids program going and it is great for adults as well. Royal Caribbean is also nice (so I hear) but it is more expensive. You are better off going with Carnival. Good luck!!

Answer 10

We have been on two Carnival cruises.  The first was very cheap and noisy; moreso when we found we were on a Spring-Break cruise.  So we tried again to the Southern Caribbean which had cold food and waiters with poor attitudes--they knew they were getting their gratuities at the end of the cruise and showed they didn't care!  So, both our trips weren't too good.  We had a cruise in October aboard RCL which suddenly, without warning, raised their prices twice in a month.  The travel agent cancelled and has booked us on Carnival instead--with our permission.  We haven't given permission yet stating Carnival is at the bottom of our listing, below Celebrity (which was a bad trip; April 14th).  AND we find out from the agent, that Carnival has a new ruling there will be at least one 25 yr old in EACH cabin or they will not book with you.  I don't think we will sail with them in October.  --You asked.  This is us, but you are welcome to decide from reading others' comments.--

Answer 11

I have been.  It's not luxurious , but you will have a great time!! Enjoy, it's a real party boat.