How are Carnival Cruise's compared to others?

Question

Can anyone tells me their experiences with Carnival cruise's to the Caribbean? I have heard mixed feeling, mostly it was alot of fun, but I had one person tell me, everyone was drunk in the halls and falling down everywhere, just a non stop spring break party. Is this cruise line a big college frat party? or was my friend exaggerating? Looking for a fun time, some dancing, drinking, casinos, some swimming, sun, good food.

I am also looking into Royal Caribbean and Princess, but was wondering about Carnival. Carnival just had the perfect schedule on one of their ships. Also why does Carnival seem cheaper than the others (princess/Royal Caribbean)

Answer 1

CCL has a party rep, however that rep really is left over from the 80s.  I have been on CCL, RCCL and NCL and I don't believe that CCL is any rowdier than the others.  The drunkeness etc is really more due to the length of the cruise and time of year.  Shorter cruises tend to be a bit more party oriented.  Spring break cruises tend to have alot of drunk collage students.  if you go on a 5-7 dayer while school is in session, I doubt you will see many people too drunk to function, however on all cruises, there will be a few.

Answer 2

We have been on a dozen cruises and all except one was carnival. The other was royal caribbean. We have always had great times on carnival, but had always wondered why royal was more money. We thought it must be better because it cost more, so we decided to try them out last December. Wow were we disappointed. The food wasn't as good, the staff didn't seem to know what was going on, the activities weren't very well organized, and the shows weren't all that good either...what a let down. I know different people like different things, but I have seen all age groups on carnival, and everyone seems to have a good time. Good luck with what you choose. I am sure you will have a great time.

Answer 3

We just got back from the Bahamas on Carnival and didn't really have any screamin kids, spring breakers, or drunks in the halls at all.. We liked it so much that we've already booked another Carnival cruise for next year....Great for first time cruisers, as well as the Bahamas is a great place to start....Carnival cruise lines own celebrity, some royal Caribbean cruises, Holand America, and others. So for the person who's been on 15 cruises and is only 25 years old, I myself didn't smell vomit, or have any problems with anyone on the ship.... They either were just born into the " lucky sperm club, " or there lying... ( I'd say lying..!")

Answer 4

They're cheap. If it's not the kids it's the annoying teens (high schoolers that are unattended)I normally travel on royal carribean and celebrity (also for other world cruise destinations). It's the fun ship and you can smell the vomit of others who have partied to there little hearts content. I've done it twice with first cruisers who like you thought it was a cheap option.  The eastern tour does hit a lot of nice ports though i will give them that. But really it's a trade off