Have you ever been on a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines?

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tropical

Just came back from a Carnival Cruise two weeks ago. Originally we were to sail to Key West - Cozumel Mexico - Belize and the Bahamas. The first day out at sea we learned that we were not going to Belize, due to a hurricane that had hit the island two weeks prior. Instead we went to Progresso, Mexico. Not much to see and let's just say many passengers were upset about making two stops in Mexico. When we arrived in the Bahamas, we were the last ship to dock and were the first ship back to sea. The food on the ship was horrible...worst than public school cafeteria food. I lost 7lbs on this trip. On the day when we returned from the Bahamas we were all famished...about one hundred of us were told that they ran out of buffet food and we should have a hamburger or pizza to hold us until dinner. Overall most of the staff is friendly...however we got the feeling that some just would rather be doing something else. Housekeeping team worked their asses off and we really appreciated their service. The dinning room team work really hard as well. The Matireâ€™d was a joke. The dj in the club White Heat was pathetic. He had no clue how to mix music. One minute your dancing to a popular current song, then he would put on something from the 50â€™s. Each time he did that, the dance floor cleared in less than 60 seconds. The casino was funâ€¦the activities during the day was cheesy. Pre-teens and teenagers ran wild and unsupervised from 8pm until the wee hours of the morning. It was ridiculous how crazy they got; one boy used the walkway to sprint back and forth as if he was competing to make the track team. On the last night someone slipped a mickey in teenage girl drink. Another teen (boy) had alcohol poisoning. One man punched another man in the eye for putting his hand on son. The poor guy that got hit didnâ€™t even get a chance to explain. He was trying to stop his son from getting into a fight with another boy. Couldnâ€™t wait to dock and get the heck of that ship. It was my first cruise and gift from my mother. Although I appreciate her gesture, the trip was a disappointment. I do plan to go on another cruiseâ€¦but perhaps Royal Caribbean or Norwegian and itâ€™ll be my treat for both of us.

I will NEVER, EVER go on a Carnival Cruise again.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

Ive been on 5 Carnival Cruise's in the last 18 months and one Royal Caribbean. I have been on both lines for their Bahamas cruise and I highly recommend Carnival. I was on the Fascination, which into dry dock for renovations, after we disembarked but still found the ship lovely and well taken care of. Their food was far superior to RCl food on the same Cruise and Carnival's rooms were larger. As a matter of fact I leave in 16 days to go once again on the Fascination and the Bahamas

I always like to snorkel when I vacation so that's usually the shore excursions I choose. If you re more into partying then I suggest the Yellow bird Party Boat (unlimited rum punch).

Carnival seemed to have a more active deck life in the evenings but I found alot of people in the bars on RCL (Sovereign of the Seas).

I have a bit of a vacation problem lol but am planning on taking another Carnival cruise, this time out of California.

Which ever you choose I'm sure you will have fun

Bill in Kansas

I have sailed Carnival 8 times. I just returned for a 7 day on Conquest. Carnival is my favorite line. By far the best value for your money. There is plenty to do, good food, good entertainment, larger rooms than most other lines, and a FUN atmosphere.

Jeffrey C

I've been on six Carnival Cruises, and loved them. It all depends on what you want out of a cruise.

Carnival is more of a non-stop party atmosphere, and goes for fun over class. That means lots of events happening throughout the day, and a younger crowd. Most are in their 20s to mid 40s. There are also quite a few children compared with some lines.

The food is good and plentiful. It's not as good as Celebrity, but then again, you aren't paying as much as Celebrity. The entertainment is quite good, ranging from magic acts to Vegas style shows to singers. You'll have a couple of formal nights.

The think that annoys me the most about Carnival is their red, white, and blue sections and points for different events, which invariably interrupts your dinner while the latest scores are revealed. It's a little tedious.

Costs for drinks is about the same as other lines; same with photos and shore excursions. Overall, I'd cruise with Carnival again, and would have picked them for my next cruise except I got a good deal with a Princess ship (I have no prior experience with them; I'll find out). I've never had a bad experience, and always had fun.

Rayleah

My husband and I cruised to Cozumel September 1 thru September 8 from New Orleans on the Fantasy. We had a great time, very relaxing. Lots of fun, food, drinks and sunshine. Bring your own cokes and bottled water as it will cost you about $1.50 each. The drinking water that is served tastes like it came out of a water hose. Bring a jacket or sweater if you are cold natured. They keep it chilly in the dinning room, bars, etc. We did not do any excursions because we were enjoying the pool on the boat so much. Plus, we got drunk at Margaritaville and weren't able to make it to the beach! The cruise photographers take a lot of pictures so take plenty of money for that. 5X7 is about $8.00 and the 8X10 is about $25.00. I never heard of anybody winning in the casino so don't waste too much in there. We lost about $100.00 and the drinks were slow in coming. The comedians were great and the few shows that we saw were really good too.

quinner_64

My first cruise was on Carnival and it was on the Celebration. I'm HOOKED! My second was last year on the Miracle and I am now planning a third for next summer. I just love going on cruises. I think it is the best way to travel. Once on the boat, no driving. Yes, I did alot of relaxing, but what are vacations for? I seem to go back to the Caribbean every time. The first time I did not sign up for the excursions, which I feel was a mistake. I enjoyed myself more when I did the excursions, but I think that would be a personal choice. On the boat, I enjoyed the pool, spa, nightly shows, food, casinos, shopping, discos and I'm sure there is alot I missed. I know you will enjoy yourselves and be hooked. Have a great time!

Tom

Going on a Carnival trip BEFORE starting a family sounds like a great idea. After a few days with all the out-of-control children on board, you might decide parenthood is not for you!

It is particularly disturbing that "adults only" areas like the funnel (aka "topless") deck have lost that designation. Those areas that are still marked (like the aft pool) are often not enforced by the crew.

We now book this line purely on price. It has to be bargain basement and we go when school is in session.

stephanie s

i think it depends on the type of people you are... since ur doing something before starting afamily and if u want to get partying out of ur system definatly carnival.. royal caribbean would be the other option in that price range ... its more classy in my opinion.. but it also depends on the ship.. review the ships before you go!! some offer golf some offer water slides. royal caribbean offers rock climbing so just research it
both lines have good food. carnivals prime rib is to die for and royal caribbean chicken is good lol.
we went on carnival to the bahamas and we enjoyed it. i would not go to freeport if all possible nothing to do there
royal caribbean has cruises that go to private island and nassau and carnival has one on the imagination that goes to nassau, a private island, and the turks.
have fun and parenting is the best joy and best wishes for the future

Momsdiamonds

I been on two cruises and will never cruise again. Parents let their kids run wild. You spend so much time at sea. Instead of cruising, we do an all-inclusive at a resort on St. Thomas. We love sitting on the beach, snorkling, relaxing, and doing what we want when we want. Look for an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. You can get much more time alone with your spouse and you'll get to truly enjoy the Carribean.

cuznev

I actually met my fiance on Carnival. The cruise experience was fantastic. Being kind of a partier, there was never a boring time. When relaxation is what I needed, there are plenty of quiet places on board. All and all you will have a wonderful time.
Just be careful of that card you use to buy everything on the cruise. When it's time to pay up, OUCH!!!

Have fun....

Tivogal

i would try royal carribbean or princess cruise lines. the bahamas cruise sounds really nice but i think you get what you pay for with carnival. People can have a nice time on their cruise but there are horror stories out there that would make me leery of carnival.
good luck .

kitzy

Just got back in April from a Inspiration Carnival Cruise, and it was very nice, the only downfall was the agent did not tell us it was spring break. It was our honeymoon and our children had already been on spring break. The food was MARVELOUS!!! Entertainment was 24/7...Being waited on hand and foot was FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Going again in the spring to Alaska.. Met good friends and have stayed in touch. The cruise critic is a great website. We laid by the pool, hotub, danced at night went to the shows, they even had Bingo and a Hairy Man Chest Contest. They had a pizzeria and ice-cream bar open 24/7. Nothing like pizza and ice-cream after dancing. Alcohol was expensive but Carnival allows a bottle of wine per person upon embarkation. Another thing you can buy a soda card for 30 bucks for all the soda you can drink, we shared ours. All the food, entertainment is free, there is even a casino on board and shopping..HAVE FUN!!

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

Rappel_Welch

I've taken two cruises. One to the Bahamas on Royal Carribbean, and one on Carnival to Cozumel, Caymans, & Jamaica. The buffet food on Carnival was great, but the sit down dinners were horrible. Our first formal dinner we ordered lobster tail, and had to cut it with a knife. Each of the dinners we had in the formal dining room left a lot to be desired. The cruise staff was nice, but not nearly as the staff were on RC. The formal dinners were not as nice as they were on RC, simply because they allowed people in with casual attire. I certainly didn't expect black tie, but I don't want to sit at a table in a formal setting with people wearing jeans. The dining room seating was either table or booth, which could be a recipe for disaster. We were seated in a booth with another couple. We enjoyed their company, but would have been miserable had it been a couple that we didn't care for. I have every intention of taking another cruise, but I'll choose any cruise line other than Carnival.

Zef H

I have been on seven cruises, three of which were on Carnival. I have four more cruises booked, one of which is on Carnival.

Given all the details you want, I will just refer you to the review I wrote while on the Carnival Glory in late April and early May of 2006. The review is fairly long. Below is a link to my review ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=18296

Dusie

I've cruised with Carnival 3 times. All exceptionally positive experiences. 2 of them were just hubby and me and other one we brought along 3 adult kids and their significant others. February is a great time if you can avoid President's Day week. Some schools let out for the whole week. The shorter the trip the more party atmosphere you'll experience. For a week or longer you can pretty well get the couples feel you want. Bon Voyage. Remember that married couples still need to get away by themselves even after they have kids. It keeps the romance going. They love spending the week with Grandma or Auntie or your good friends.

chocolatelover2292

I went on Carnival Victory in 2004 and I enjoyed it- but only because it was my first cruise and I didn't know what a cruise should be like. There were many problems that we had with Carnival and I realized just how terrible it was when I went on Royal Caribbean and had the time of my life. I have cruised to the Bahamas, and I do recommend that, but do yourself a favor and don't take Carnival. The price of Carnival may be cheaper, but the experience isn't as good either. And don't worry about what to do. There is ALWAYS something to do. Also, I recommend planning in advance what you will do at the ports of call. Congratulations on being about to start a family!

Laura is TTC#1

Do yourself a favor and go with Royal Caribbean! It is more classy and you will have a better time than on the Carnival....I go on cruises all the time and I only take RC...I know people who have been on Carnival and they all had horrible experiences....It is more of a senior trip/college type ship

josy_italia

HI!!!
To tell you the truth Carnival is the best! I have been on 4 cruises with them and the experience is amazing, the food is great and the service better =)
The rooms are nice.. if you get an inside cabin its cozy and well if you have money for the balcony view enjoy because its a great experience. It all depends on what ship you are going... one thing I can recommend is that you dont travel on the Celebration and Holiday ships they are the oldest and smallest ships and there is really not alot to do or to be amazed with, but the other ships are bigger and have more entretainment. The shops are nice, the shows, casinos, and even bars and dance floors are great. Since the Carnival line is more a family line you get to meet alot of fun people and a more relaxed enviroment. One thing that I can recommend as well is for you to find out the name of the ship... and then go to www.youtube.com and there put the name of the ship for expample Carnival Cruise Conquest << by the way thats a very nice ship, and then there at youtube.com people have places videos of there vacation and if you are lucky enough even someone might have gone to the same place you want to go and it gives you a better idea of the ports and what to do on that specific ship.
You guys will have alot of fun!!!

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