Hey Mimi, I HIGHLY recommend that you get out more often. You might see a whole other world. I took a Carnival cruise (along with five other cruises on different lines), and it truely is a joke. It is GROSS...that is unless you are into the "cheesiness" that Carnival has to offer. I recommend you trying another line..broaden your horizons..you just might be suprised.

Some like the Four Seasons. Some like Micky D's.<BR><BR>To each his/her own.<BR><BR>Nothing wrong with Carny. Nothing wrong with SilverSea. <BR><BR>It's all a matter of budget, taste and interests.

HI,<BR>I've been on carnival 3 times and have had a blast. two were with a group and we are going again next year on CARNIVAL and the same ship we went on last time(everyone wanted to go back on the destiny). I think its what you make of it. If your out to notice everything that goes wrong then your not spending time enjoying it. All the staff on our cruises have been wonderful to us. Twice we have run into our dinner waiters on islands and bought our whole group a drink(that must have cost a pretty penny). I think the staff likes to see people that are really enjoying their vacation, I think it makes there job more pleasant. And in the long run their more pleasant to you and makes them feel like going the extra mile.<BR>Lynn

It all depends whether you're the one having the party in your cabin at 3:00 in the morning or the one who's in the cabin next door trying to get some sleep. Or if you're the one shooting silly string at the waiters in the dining room on Formal night, or the one who's at the next table trying to have a pleasant conversation with your table mates and enjoying the cuisine.

Sorry, no parties in our room at 3am(we were all pretty much sleeping by then). We did try to stay up and watch the sunrise on the back pool deck our last night, but none of us made it,lol. We did meet in our room during the day some times(we had balcony rooms) and our next door neighbors end up join us. Maybe will have to try water balloons for formal night, that would be even better,lol.<BR>Lynn

Where did you dig this one up from? It's original post was 1/30/2001. Why respond to an ancient post by some disgruntled passenger. No need to rehash old crap like this.

My husband and I just returned from the Aug. 18 Carnival cruise to Mexico....the whole cruise was fabulous...food, entertainment, crew, tours, table mates...the whole thing. I am thankful we didn't take the negative postings on this board to heart...whoever said a trip is what you make it is correct...actually, that goes without saying...your life is what you make it. It's short, folks, enjoy it and quit the complaining...it serves no purpose! Can't wait for our next cruise!

My husband and I just returned from the Mar. 9 sailing on the Carnival Spirit out of Miami. We have cruised on Celebrity (3), Orient (1), RCCL (1), NCL(1), and LOVED our Carnival cruise. Ate at the specialty retauant (wonderful, worth the $25) and had a terrific cruise experience. Loved our stateroom, loved the food in the dining room, great room service, great satellite tv, wonderful choice of activities. The petty complaints people have about personal preferences that are not met are absurd. Relax and enjoy. We'll be on another Carnival cruise someday!

I have read posts on many boards both trashing and praising each of the main cruise lines. Here is what I have boiled it down to.<BR>1. Don't sail on RCL, Carnival, RCCL, etc and expect that it is the QE2. It won't be and your wallet will be glad it isn't.<BR>2. It seems that the same crew member will react to different people's questions differently. Maybe it comes down to treating someone wiith respect rather than expecting them to be subservient. They have a job, they are not slaves. Ask your question with respect, and you will probably get a polite and correct response. Ask your question with arrogance and you will be brushed off.<BR>3. No cruise will be absolutely perfect. If something happens on day one that you don't like, get over it, or you will have a bad cruise. Expect that some things will not meet your idea of the perfect cruise. The cruise line is trying to meet 2000 different sets of expectations.<BR>4. TAs book travel, they will book anyone on any line the person wants. They will get a commission in any case. So stop telling them that they are lying. They can help you pick a cruise based on what you tell them. I doubt that any TA has had a customer say &quot;I am an obnoxious pain in the butt, can you pick a cruise that I would like?&quot;<BR>5. Travel involves lines, If you never want to stand on a line, stay home.<BR>6. Rates go down to fill the ship, that is a fact of life. Book early and get more of a choice. Wait till the last week and get a better price. Stop whining, or find out how much the last car you bought sold for at the end of the model year, then you can whine about that. <BR>This is my humble opinion of what I have read. To sum it up, your cruise will be what you make of it. In my case, I will make it a great cruise, because I paid for it.

Very well said, Peter S, BUT--- do you believe the whiners that paid $ 400.00 for a cruise will listen? Probably not. They will be too busy looking for something to complain about &quot;cause they read on the net&quot; that crusing is the perfect vacation.<BR> Someones cousin had a brother-in-law who had an uncle who went on a 3 day cruise and said everything was absolutely perfect and they knew what they were talking about.

Original Poster: But we've always known that Carnival was a bust. There have been thread after thread reiterating this premise (or should I say conclusion). A majority cannot be too wrong. Pays to read your Fodor's posts. I personally would NEVER get on a Carnival ship...no matter how cheap they are.

Peter, I was wondering why this post was popping up when the orig. was two years ago...but, I loved your reply. So true!<BR><BR>Aurelia - Since you have never been on a Carnival Cruise, why would you make statements against them?<BR>Everyone can have good and bad experiences.<BR>I truly doubt that the majority of Carnival passengers post on Fodors.<BR><BR>My BIL has been on 5 and he loved every one of them.<BR>I am going on my first one and will be sure to let you know the pros and cons when I get back.

The one consistancy about Carnival is it is inconsistant. I say this after 4 Carnival cruises.<BR><BR>Consistancy can be found on HAL and Cunard.<BR><BR>But think of the adventure...you never know what to expect. E.g. One Carnival employee will tell you he'll replensish the coffee when he gets around to it, the other tells you he will bring you a cup when it's ready.<BR><BR>

Wow! If this doesn't bring Paul out of hiding nothing will. It seems funny that he was the only one using a valid web address prior to the registration and now he is no where to be found. Hope the old guy is okay.

You know he's reading this stuff. We just haven't gotten his dander up enough yet. C'mon Paul, whats the matter? Did your wife accidentally step on your webtv? Did your travel agency finally go out of business? Did you go broke buying the cruise line's excursions? Are you riding around Miami on the cruise line's transfer bus being held hostage by the Iraqi driver? None of that would have happened if you'd have taken my advice about .coms, do your own excursions and never take the ship's transfers!!!!<BR><BR>Peter

Paul is making plans as we speak to capture Peter and sneak him aboard a Carnival ship for back to back 3-night cruises from Miami.<BR>If that doesn't convert Peter to Carnivalism, nothing will.

just got info thru the mail that if we agree to go look at time shares, we are eligible to win prizes. First prize is a one week cruise on Carnival and second prize is two weeks!

Just back from Carnival Inspiration. After sailing RC last October, we wanted to compare. Got a bargain - booked 3 weeks prior. On the down side - too many children on board, no quiet decks with comfy chairs for reading. On the plus side, sushi bar every night, very good food in the main dining room - equal to RC. But the food in the Brasserie was so inferior and poorly presented that it was hard to believe it came from the same kitchen. We found staff to be freindly and efficient. Had a problem with our door lock the first day, which was taken care of when we reported it to the purser's office. That evening, a bottle of champagne along with a note of apology from the purser's office was delivered to our cabin. Due to heavy fog Saturday night, the ship had to anchor outside the channel waiting for an okay to enter. As a result, we docked around noon and began to get off around 1:00 (scheduled to be off at 9:00 am) They did not force us out of our cabins so they could be cleaned. They provided some entertainment and provided a buffet lunch at 11. This had to be a nightmare for the staff who had to prepare for the next guests, but they were all friendly and helpful. Fortunatly we had were planning on staying over Sunday night in Tampa so didn't have a problem with flights, but I'm sure many others did. But we probably won't take Carnival again unless it is a real bargain because of the children. These kids weren't bad - they were just kids and there were a lot of them. Our lifestyle is different so we will try cruises more in line with that. Just wish RC would put in that sushi bar!

Cruise ratings tell all: and remember the old adage that 'you get what you pay for'. If the price is right for you, don't expect prime rib, if you pay for hamberger. I suppose if you are very young and on a budget,and expectations are low, then go for it. No, I have never been on a Carnival cruise. Why would I waste good money when for a little more could do the Princess, HAL, Windstar, Paul Gaugan,ete. (some of the one's I have sailed on.)

An example of a &quot;class&quot; operation --<BR><BR>Last year on the inaugural cruise of the Legend, one could have their picture made with the captain.<BR><BR>That is, a lifesize cardboard cut-out of the captain -- in black and white, no less.