Have always sailed Royal Caribbean. This is going to be our first with Carnival and am a little worried hearing all the negatives but decided to give it a try. Its a choice between Destiny or Triumph. For $100 more Destiny seems to have a better itinerary. Any opinions?

Please..have no fear. We've been on a couple of Carnival Cruises and enjoyed each one. We like RCCL, too, but I do not think you will be disappointed with Carnival. Wish I could help with your ship choice but we haven't been on either. I'd go with the better itinerary as the monetary difference isn't that great.

Have fun..I have to confess that I'm one of those "half full" types who has never had a bad cruise..just some I liked a little better than others.

We had a great time on the Destiny--wonderful torch singer in the jazz combo.

While I haven't been on the Triumph, I don't find that Carnival varies all that much ship-to-ship, so I would recommend going with the itinerary you find most interesting...

Cheers!

Triumph Experiece-Please read

1. Make sure you do not reserve room 6408. It is right above the lounge and the music above our room was so loud I cried myself to sleep. This was suppose to be like our second honeymoon, with the balcony and all. The trip was ruined. I made this reservation with Carnival. I am sure the cruise is fine. But I complained every night that that one particular room should be made into a linen closet. Also, they did not stay in puerto rico for very long. Just make sure to not book a room above the lounge and good luck.

Liz

The Destiny and Triumph are sister ships, almost exact duplicates. We sailed the Destiny and Victory, also sister ships and had a great time. I would go with the better itinerary. Our only complaint were the balcony doors, which swing instead of slide. You could hear doors slamming at all hours of the day and night.

Both ships are so disgustingly tacky it will make your head spin! The Destiny has a room I call the Pepto Disco- PINK neon. The Triumph has the Rex nightclub- all tiger print. A friend of mine just happened to be wearing the same print, leaned up against the couch, and we lost her for three hours.

I can't stand Carnival's decor, but they are an awesome cruise line for service, their food quality has skyrocked in the past 10 years, and the value of their product is great. Other than Disney, they also have the largest staterooms at the lowest categories (185 sq ft).

The Destiny is the original, so she may be showing her age. Any newer ship would be better for passenger amenities.

However, choose the one you want for itinerary, the rest will work itself out. Even if the cost is higher, the itinerary is what it is all about... unless you have cruised a billion times.

Check out www.cruisesinc.com and look at their 360 degree views. You are supposed to have a fun ship mentality when cruising Carnival, so you are supposed to overlook their glitz.

Would I ever say, "Don't go on Carnival?" Only if you are debating between them and RCCL. But I have worked with Carnival for 7 years and know they are a great company.

So take my negative comments with a grain of salt and have an incredible cruise.

I know from previous posts that travelagent hates Carnival's decor.
I think it's colorful, flashy, and glitzy. I had to laugh though about
the tiger print night club. I went
on the Paradise, and they also have
the Rex nightclub with the animal
prints. I thought it was cool.

We cruised on the Triumph last Easter and couldn't fault it at all. Everything about it was wonderful.