Bottom Line: As far as cruiseopinion <BR>and several other sites with <BR>passenger reviews are concerned, <BR>there are still a lot of very satisfied <BR>passengers who enjoyed their <BR>cruises--- and like it or not, that is <BR>all that matters. <BR>Jan <BR>

I've cruised Carnival (Celebration) hated it and choose not to go back. I do find that people either love Carnival or hate the line....not many in between. If you are one of the people that loves Carnival, more power to you and enjoy your cruises with them!!

<BR>Here I am again, your friendly travel agent. <BR>This time I am not defending Carnival. Everyone has their own opinion i.e. I always question my past passengers. ALL have complaints about ALL cruise lines, but all minor. Carnival Corp. is the largest company and have the largest sailing population therefore more complaints. <BR> <BR>Here's the bottom line: Sail on <BR>Carnival and take a peek into the main showroom when they have the past passenger party. There are well over 1,000 passengers. Believe it or not, 90% SENIOR CITIZENS. Standing room only. <BR> <BR>And boy, do seniors complain. Main reason: They hope for a $250 coupon to use on their next cruise. <BR> <BR>Carnival, at one time was a terrible cruise line, but times have changed. <BR> <BR>Paul

Hi Paul: You forgot to mention somethings. Have you ever asked yourself why Carnival is the most traveled Cruise Line? Answer: Because they are the least expensive of all lines while still supplying a large ship. <BR>Would I recommend them for someones first cruise? Answer: Why yes, if you liked Carnival, you will love the rest of the lines. <BR>I see your point that they have more passengers, therefore more complaints. But I still feel that they have more serious complaints than the other lines. <BR>If you want quality you have to pay for it, if you are satisfied with discount quality, then you can go Carnival and spend very little. But don't look for them to back up their product if you should have a problem while sailing with them. <BR>Spend just a little more and you have a lot better chance of having a wonderful cruise, where as with Carnival, it is only about 50/50. Good Luck! Sue <BR>

Sue: <BR> <BR>I'd have to disagree with you. <BR> <BR>We had taken two CCL cruises (Ecstasy and Destiny) and wanted to try another line. <BR> <BR>So we 'spent a little more' and tried RCI and guess what...we liked both of the CCL cruises beter. <BR> <BR>We even gave RCI a second chance and took their newest ship in May (VOS), and still liked CCL better. <BR> <BR>Our plan is to do what I call going up the food chain of cruise lines. <BR> <BR>Next will be NCL, then Princess, then Hal or Celebrity. <BR> <BR>Sometimes, you don't get what you paid for, if you know what I mean. <BR> <BR>BTW, we are not party type folks, so count that out for our reason on liking CCL, plus folks who do like to party and <BR>where on those CCL cruise, never bothered us. <BR> <BR>What we do like is to be entertained, never bored, have a decent size cabin, with a attentitive staff, good food, for a nice price, with newer ships, and activites for our kids, and in our 2 CCL experiences, CCL more than met the above.

<BR>Paul, I agree with you 110%!! We <BR>are in our 50's now--- my husband <BR>a budget analyst with the federal <BR>government and I am a former <BR>schoolteacher and criminal <BR>intelligence officer, we are not <BR>gamblers or beer drinkers or real <BR>live wire party-goers. BUT we still <BR>enjoyed the Carnival experience <BR>and plan to book the Inspiration's <BR>new itinenary 14 May 2000 cruise <BR>today. By the way, our last Carnival <BR>cruise was on the Sensation two <BR>years ago--- great time! <BR> <BR>Janice

<BR>Here's you friendly travel agent again defending Carnival. <BR> <BR>For a while it was fun responding to all the wackos that are coming out or the woodwork, but now it is getting really insane. <BR> <BR>I was really amused by the person who would never sail on Holland America since it was owned by Carnival. Gee whiz, Carnival also owns Costa, Windstar and the very upscale Seabourn and Cunard. Not much left to sail on, is there? <BR> <BR>I have been on 55 cruises. Have sailed on just about every ship. My favorite for fun, economy, food, service and entertainment continues to be Carnival and I am 62 years old and do not drink. And by the way, I have a 9 year old daughter that just loves Camp Carnival. <BR> <BR>Kudos to the author Paul([email protected]). He knows what he is talking about. <BR>

I didn't come out of the woodwork and I am not a wacko writing just to write. <BR>I am serious when I said that we will never cruise on a line owned by Carnival. That includes HAL and Cunard and the rest. <BR>For someone who has been on so many cruises, you aren't very knowledgeable when you feel that Carnival owned lines are the only ones out there. <BR>As long as there are others left, we will keep cruising Princess, Celebrity and RCI, and the rest. <BR>Now that tells you that something really awful must have happen to have us feel that way. <BR>Have fun on your 56th cruise, on a Carnival line. At least I know that you won't be seated at our table on one of our next cruises and that is a refreshing thought. <BR>Just because someone disagrees with your choice (for good reasons) does not make them a wacko. <BR>

Sue (or S.A.)--- <BR>Are you still continuing your tirade <BR>against Carnival????? I remember <BR>your first posting dated 1/18/1998 <BR>which resulted in 66 replies and now <BR>you are starting it up again! I cannot <BR>see how you can base one unhappy <BR>experience with one of Carnival's <BR>oldest ships and at the same time <BR>put Holland America, Costa, <BR>Seabourn, Windstar in the same <BR>group of ships you'll never go on <BR>just because Carnival owns them!! <BR>You are lumping apples and oranges <BR>into the same basket!! <BR>We have been on Carnival, NCL, <BR>Holland America, and Princess and <BR>enjoyed all the cruises! We have <BR>stayed in the Ritz-Carleton, Holiday <BR>Inn, Red Roof Inn, Hampton Inn, <BR>Wyndham Hotel, Walt Disney World <BR>hotels and yes, some were better <BR>than others but we never had any <BR>really bad experiences!! Guess we <BR>know how to roll with the punches, <BR>have a good time, let time heal and <BR>try, try again--- most of the time we <BR>succeed with fine vacations. Time <BR>to give it a rest, Sue (or S.A.). Don't <BR>worry, I won't respond to any more <BR>Carnival- Bashing----- enough is <BR>enough. <BR>Janice

<BR>O.K. I give up. Carnival is the worse cruise line in the world, but I will continue to book the line since it is the most popular in the world! <BR> <BR>Here's my input on the second most popular cruise lines: Norwegian, who I (personally) think has the best food now has the most neglected ships. The ships are falling apart. <BR> <BR>Royal Caribbean is a fine line but the food and service has been suffering the past couple of years. <BR> <BR>Celebrity, who had the best food of all the mass market cruise lines is now being downgraded since it was purchased by Royal Caribbean. <BR> <BR>The Grand Princess is the most beautiful ship in the world. Great cruise line but the food is up and down. Sue will have to sail Princess soon since they are in talks with Carnival. <BR> <BR>I think Costa is great but it is an entirely different experience and it is not for all. <BR> <BR>Everything is great on Holland America. A wonderful mid-priced line. Only receive a couple of complaints each year and nothing serious. The best line of all the above and my personal favorite in it's class. <BR> <BR>Now my favorite of the luxury lines (the price of a small automobile), my rating in order: Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Radisson and last Cunard (depending on the ship). <BR>Never receive a complaint except for Cunard. Carnival Corp. will bring that line back to popularity. <BR> <BR>These lines have the best itineraries, best food and best service. 24 hour pampering. You will meet many old, rich, rather stuffy passengers. Not much fun, but you will have the best cruise ever. These are REAL cruise lines. Book well in advance since the ships sell out very quickly. <BR> <BR>There are many other great cruise lines but they do not have major fleets and I am out of time. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the support Betsy. I too love all cruise lines (except for my last three on NCL). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Hey Paul.... <BR> <BR>or should we call you mr.kathy lee...:) <BR> <BR>a little economics and consumer education.... <BR> <BR>Those who understand the override commission structure can certainly see why an agent would push a single line...after you sell a certain number of units the percentage increases or there is a further kick back payment... <BR>if an agency is only going to sell a certain number of cruises (for approximately the same total $ amount)the commissions will be higher when those sales are concentrated into a single line.... <BR> <BR>The consumer should understand that each line is unique and offers a diferent experience. Anyone who understands economics knows there is no free lunch and an efficient market will regulate itself...you do not get Halekulani service from Motel 6. Why anyone would expect that there would be no differentiation between cruise lines when there is such a wide range of prices...Carnival makes money on volume...you know,like McDonald's .... don't they say "billions served" rather than billions satisfied?..... <BR> <BR>It would be nice to find agents that actually qualifed their customers and fit them into the product that is most suited to their likes and dislikes, within their budget...rather than agents who are out for self interest and high commissions..it is rare these days to find anyone in the service sector that puts true customer satisfaction first....those that provide this type of service in any occupation are certainly the top 1%. <BR> <BR>This lack of true service is a reason why e-commerce is proliferating...by the way, if you have to put up with biased opinions and bad service then why not try to save as much $$$ as you can via the internet. Security is no problem if you deal with reputable firms. <BR> <BR>if you can't find an agent that will really take the time and provide knowledgable service...then I am afraid you are on your own and I suggest that you do your own research to find the appropriate products... <BR> <BR>moral, find the product that suits your needs, then and only shop price. If you cannot afford the price, then you have to make some compromise on which product you purchase. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Congratulations Tom, you seem like a very intelligent person. I totally agree with your view. <BR>And yes Janice, I will continue to tell future cruisers what Carnival is really like, whether you agree or not. <BR>If this board was only for positive comments about lines, then potential cruisers would not ever find out the weaknesses of cruise lines. <BR>Now to hear from my partner: <BR>This is Sue's husband and I have to tell you that you are getting the mild side from Sue. If it were me writing on these boards about Carnival, you would really get an ear full. <BR>She will continue Janice, and if she doesn't, I WILL! <BR>Carnival will never be on our cruise calendar again and that goes for any line owned by them. As far as Carnival buying Princess (or any other line for that matter), any lined owned by Carnival will never be cruised by anyone in this family. So neither of us have anything to worry about do we. We will never be on the same cruise together and that's all that counts. Sue's husband Bob <BR>

Tom, I agree with yiu completely. I have really appreciated and learned from your comments on this forum. You are gifted at looking at the total picture and putting things into perspective. <BR>I hope that Carnival does not purchase Princess. Princess is vehemently denying that negotiations are taking place. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Our best cruise experiences have been on Princess.

I have never been on CCC, but have spoken with people that have cruised with them, and had a great time. It is just what makes us all different, choices that we have and make. Frankly, it's great that they have a non-smoking ship. Frankly, that would appeal to me! <BR>However, I think the worst cruise line is NCL. They have horrible food, dirty ships, and after the crash in the English Channel, it confirms my thoughts that they have "junior" young men at the bridge. Most of them looked like they were not over 21! But, back the CCC, give people your opinions, it is very helpful...but stop the bashing! It does not do any good. What ever ship you go on, it is a great way to travel.