Ever been on a Carnival cruise?
 

I'm on a cruise right now!!!

WHAT CRUISE ARE YOU ON, AND ARE YOU ENJOYING IT <BR> <BR> <BR>I WILL BE GOING ON A CRUISE IN MARCH,I WILL BE GOING ON THE CARNIVAL JUBILEE. <BR> <BR> DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SHIP?

I took the same cruise 3years ago on the Carnival Tropicale.It was a super itinerary.I'm sorry Ididn't take the guided tour in New OrleansI think I missed out on a lot of sights.What I did see was great but i talked to people back on board who had been on them and they said it was great.In both Grand Cayman and Cozumel I just did my own thing as well .It's sort of up to the individual.Most of the tours are too early in the morning for me.I like to relax on cruises.You could go 24 hrs. a day if you did every thing they suggest.i my self love cruising.I've been on 7.All Carnival.I had a wonderful time on all of them the food the entertainment the staff every thing was super.Hope you have a great cruise. Carnival Janet umel

I was on the Carnival "Jubilee" last summer in Alaska. Where are you going on the cruise?? If you are going to Alaska let me know and I will give you some info. If not here goes about the ship. The crew is very friendly especially up in the casino! The food was good. The ship itself is one of the older ships so it is like you are back in the 1970's again. There is plenty of activity on the ship dancing, drinks, pools, etc.. Have fun and if you need any other info. let me know.

Just came back from a 10 cruise to Carabeean islands of Tortola BVI,Martinique, St.Lucia, Barbados and St. Thomas on the Jubilee one of the older ship of the Carnival Line. This was our first cruise and we will definitely go back with Carnival Fun Ships because thats what they are. Not too formal, good food, great entertainment, clean ship throughout and great crew, excellent service. <BR>

This must have been all of your first cruise, or you are all just over 21. Carnival has horrible food and not very good service. Out of all of the lines out there, you sure picked the lowest one to start. Just think how excited you will be when you go on a real cruise ship with really good food and fantastic service. <BR>

I tend to think Sonya might be right. We followed the Jubilee through the Panama Canal and thought it looked like a really tacky ship. Didn't see any balconies either. <BR>

Hi-I agree-the other word is glitzy..went on one for a weekend and the service (indifferent) and food were terrible, shows were excellent...Have been on many cruises, many lines--and the only comment I have is that the one cruise we went on a Carnival was just bad news..If your a party animal, service and food are important that's fine.. Oh, yes, we have two more cruises booked this year, not on Carnival.. Then again Carnival owns many other cruise lines..with a little more class...

Hi-I agree-the other word is glitzy..went on one for a weekend and the service (indifferent) and food were terrible, shows were excellent...Have been on many cruises, many lines--and the only comment I have is that the one cruise we went on a Carnival was just bad news..If your a party animal, service and food are important that's fine.. Oh, yes, we have two more cruises booked this year, not on Carnival.. Then again Carnival owns many other cruise lines..with a little more class...

I went on a Carnival cruise 15 years ago and went back in February. It only got worse. It was the worst week of my life.The dining room service was so bad, we ate on the deck or used room service. The entertainment was tacky. The other guests were rude so that it was impossbble to relax by the pool. The cruise is cheap and you get what you pay for. <BR>

We have been on NCL, Seawind, Regency, and Carnival - the last was bar far the poorest - not bad if you've never been before but certainly nothing we would care to do again. The shows were excellent - the remainder was sub par. Service was far less than the excellent, personal service of the other 3; the food was fair - there was only one pool and it was far too inadequate for the number of passengers. Rengency has been sold now but the service ws WONDERFUL and the FOOD was the best of any we've been on. Seawind was an older ship and could have used a little updating, but otherwise was really good. NCL was SUPER for the Caribbean - great cabins, service, and food - the entertainment could have been a bit better, but that isn't what we go cruising for anyway. We're on our way with NCL (Majesty) to Bermuda in May - if it's anything like our earlier cruise with NCL we sure won't be disappointed. CAN'T WAIT - WE're ALREADY PACKED!

I'm not thrilled with Carnival either, and found the constant noise on the loudspeakers and the loud partying getting on my nerves after only 2 days. The food was okay and the service was okay when the price was taken into consideration. When comparing Carnival to NCL or Celebrity (my personal favorite), I find that I prefer to be pampered, I like to dress up for dinner, and I enjoy the peace and quiet of no loud speaker annoucements. If you want to party, party, party, take a Carnival cruise. If you want quiet relaxation take another cruise line.

I just got back from a carnival cruise. We were on the paradise (nonsmoking ship) with our 3 children and 3 other families. If you want a family oriented vacation with lots to do, go for this one. I liked getting dressed up a couple of nights but I also liked not having to do it everynight. If I were to go with just adults, I would try something else. But this is perfect for families.....and the nonsmoking environment throughout cannot be beat!

STAY AWAY FROM CARNIVAL CRUISES WITH KIDS <BR> <BR>I just recently came back from a trip aboard Carnival Triumph <BR>The child care for 9+ is a joke. When a problem arose on the ship , <BR>getting any help finding my son who went missing from their care for <BR>over an hour was any parents NIGHTMARE - there was no help <BR>Trying to talk to their Corp HQ in Miami was a JOKE - - I might as <BR>well have talked to the TOADS in my garden. <BR>THEY NEED A SERIOUS ATTITUDE OVERHAUL <BR>TAKE YOUR KIDS SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN BE SURE OF THE SAME LEVEL OF <BR>CARE YOU WOULD GIVE <BR> <BR>DON'T EXPECT ANY ACTION ON ANY PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT HAVE IF YOU <BR>ULTIMATELY DECIDE TO GO ON CARNIVAL <BR> <BR>THIS IS NOT SOUR GRAPES - - ALL THE AMENTIES WERE FINE - - - THEY <BR>SHOWED AN UTTER DISREGARD FOR ASSISTING IN THIS CHILD SAFETY MATTER <BR>WHILE ON BOARD THE SHIP AND SINCE. <BR>

to those who do not post often and some that do, <BR> <BR>little netiquette for the uninformed.. all caps in any e-mail is equivalent to shouting. please don't yell at the rest of us. we understand you are passionate about what you have to say, let's be civil.... <BR> <BR>although, can one be civil when it comes to Carnival? please, please it's rhetorical only.. <BR> <BR>just understand what you are buying and do not believe the marketing hype that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread... <BR> <BR>understand also that certain travel agents have a vested interest in protecting Carnival and bashing other lines... be informed, get independent opinions from friends etc... <BR> <BR>i've had great times on Carnival, i have had great times in the biggest dive blues bars you can imagine, i've had great times at the Ritz- Carlton...i'm booked on a Celebrity 14 day panama canal cruise and i know i am going to have a great time....you can have a great time anywhere...just know what you are getting and get the most out of it.. <BR> <BR>tom

Just got back from taking family on 7 day cruise on Carnival's Sensation. We are in late 30's and have a 19, 16 and 11 year old. Didn't know what to expect as had read all the Carnival bashing on the internet. I must say we were very pleased with our cruise. Food at the grill was nothing to write home about, but the dining room food and experience was excellent. Service was fantastic; staff went out of their way to please. Ship was clean. The entertainment on board was wonderful and the cruise director was fantastic. We are not the gambling, drinking, partying type, and found enough things to do without being with those who were. Never disturbed by the noise of any partying; just stay out of the discos, etc. where the partying is going on. There were enough different types of bands, entertainment etc. for you to find some place to enjoy. We enjoyed sitting out on numerous decks listening to the water and weren't disturbed by any of the partying going on elsewhere on the boat.

We have been on 3 cruises and have our 4th booked for December on the Carnival Triumph. We loved all of them. The Carnival Sensation was great. Our waiter, bus boy, and room stewart were wonderful. We had the best time. We will continue to cruise with Carnival because we have never had a bad day on any of their ships. We have also been on the Inspiration.

I have been on five (5) Carnival cruises and two on Holland America. The service was every bit as good as the service on HAL, food was just as great, and I found plenty of places for quiet time and to nurse a cup of coffee in solitude. I have never encountered the loud, drunken parties that have been mentioned. I am 54 and have always felt extremely comfortable and have met plenty of people in my age bracket on Carnival. I am a licensed insurance agent and do not consider myself "on the low scale" looking for something cheap. If I were not satisfied with the Carnival experience, I definately would not use the cruise line again. I have traveled the world and have dined in some of the finest restaurants. When one travels a great deal, they learn to keep an open mind to the fact that not everything is always perfect. In a nutshell, I will keep cruising CCL and am currently in the process of planning at last a 14 day cruise. And that cruise will be on Carnival.

<BR>I hope you all realize that most negative posters here have never cruised Carnival. I have been on all Carnival ships (except the Spirit) some more than once. I know all about Carnival. I know the food is very good (unless one eats at the buffet every day) and the service is average (depending who is serving you). <BR> <BR>To give a couple of examples the one that states the crew was smoking and drinking in the corridors. This can not happen since they would be sent to Carnival jail (seriously) and put off at the next port. The woman that stated above there was only one pool has never sailed Carnival since all ships have two pools. <BR> <BR>Of course the main pool is noisy. Every mass-market cruise line is the same. You must go to the quiet pool or on the sides of the ship. <BR> <BR>There are, of course people that complain about everything. <BR> <BR>Carnival is known as the fun ships with all types of passengers and families. You can walk down the promenade and in every lounge passengers are laughing and singing and dancing and all are having a great time. <BR> <BR>I like to have fun on vacation. I am 65 years old and do not drink. <BR> <BR>So there! <BR> <BR>Paul

<BR>Paul - you like Carnival - that is fine. I do not, I had a horrible experience (and don't you DARE say that I have never cruised them, because I have!) - I will NOT give a cruise line any more business once it has ignored my request for help, received terrible service from the room steward, waiter, maitre'd, pursers desk, etc. I am sick and tired of people like you who bash people who have a legitimate to dislike a certain cruise line. There are many people who have a great time on Carnival - I was not one of them and I feel I should be able to express my opinion without getting flamed for having it. jmho.

We too have sailed on Carvival on three different ships. The first two were years ago and not what I would call "great" but just alright. After years of sailing other lines we again went back to Carnival because we needed to get away and the itinerary looked interesting. It was awful! We have to agree with Judy, the food and service was so terrible that we quit going to the dining room and tried to make do at the buffet. It was the only cruise that we have ever taken where we couldn't wait to get off the ship. <BR>We found the staff to be "RUDE" in every sence of the word. <BR>Now, you can bash ME all you want to, but..........if Carnival was the only line left, we would definitely quit cruising. <BR>No matter how cheap they sell their cruises, it is not worth the frustration of being treated like second class trash ! <BR>It was so bad that the horrible memories will last forever and that is not what we cruise for. Bill

Beware Bill & Lisa, the cruise pack is gonna get you. Maybe someday they can get together with Dr. Sun. And form a new religon which can brain wash people while they cruise. Then everybody will love cruise lines no matter what they do. This way you'll see nothing but happy thoughts on this web site.

I was wondering about that "one pool" remark. I have been on some of the older ships and they even had two pools. I thought that maybe there was a ship with one pool that I didn't know about? :-) <BR> <BR>Bon Voyage, <BR> <BR>Sharon

<BR>Sorry all you negative posters. I do not bash anyone. <BR> <BR>I say the food is excellent because I have sailed on all Carnival ships, but do not take my word for this, I am just a low class person that wishes to save a few bucks and step over all the drunks. <BR> <BR>I read all my trade papers and when great chefs call the food excellent they are on my side. When the majority state the food is good, it is good. When awards are given by cruise travel magazines, I tend to believe them. But I was told it was advertising hype. Maybe the chefs were paid off too. <BR> <BR>Keep in mind the food is not gourmet. And if you get mad at the waiter and decide to eat in the buffet all week and you can't get over your bad experience you will eat just about the same food every day and it will make you more irritable. These are general statements now, I am not addressing any one poster. <BR> <BR>You should all remember that when you have a complaint to be soft spoken and if you do not see results from the purser's desk, talk to the purser. Talk to the hotel manager. I can not see one having problems with every crew member. This is why I can not believe the stories I am reading. <BR>Common sense will tell you they have to be ficticious. <BR> <BR>Carnival is one great line for handling complaints. Do as I say and you will be rewarded in one way or another. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful day and happy cruising. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Paul Paul Paul, <BR> <BR>You're telling me that all these people decided to group together on one web site and lie (fictitious). Give me a friggin' break. Saying someone or some people are speaking ficticiously is calling them liars. I would call that bashing someones character. I think you are looking through rose colored glasses. You have been involved with the industry so long that you're starting to believe the hype. Any good marketing or PR spin doctor could make the Andrea Doria sound like a good idea. I am just using that as an extremist point, to make a point. <BR> <BR>Why in blanks name would all these people get together and tell others about their experiences with a cruise line that has treated them poorly? I know it's a conspiracy created by web based agencies trying to get the travel agent, and drive him out of business. Yes, yes that's it. Will defame the character of a cruise line which will in turn snowball and wipe out the regular travel agent. <BR> <BR>Almost sounds as ridiculous as the yarns you've been spinning about a company that just plain out has bad service. And the people that don't know it, either never will or don't care, because they're part of the problem. <BR> <BR>Please get a grip on reality. If you understand the complaints it will probably help you better serve future customers. <BR> <BR>Haven't you ever wtched a movie review and all the critics said it was great. You go to the movie, and as far as your concerned it just plain sucks! Well!!! <BR> <BR>Same thing or close enough. If any more than 5 % of people complain about something then there is problem. <BR> <BR>So in the future try not to contradict yourself so much. NCL is horrible CCL is great. All cruise lines are great. Your crediblity is waning.

I've also read movie reviews that said the movie sucks, and I thought it was great. Go figure.

Is something wrong with us? Four years ago we took a weekend cruise 'to no where' out of Florida on the Sensation(my husband was working there at the time amd we'd never been on a cruise and thought it would be a good way to see if we liked it..we did!). So last spring we went on the Celebration out of NO..we had a great time. Then last summer we decided our teenage grand-daughter who'd had a bad year (knee surgery and no basketball AND had been a God-send to her Mom who had been sick) needed some kind of vacation before heading back to school and so I called out travel agent to see if there was any real good short-notice cruise deals out of NO or Houston. (We live in Arkansas and wanted to drive to the port). Well, our choices were the Celebration (again) or the Norwegian Sea (then out of Houston) and she thought of the 2 that NCL had the best teen-age program. Plus she found us a great fare. Guess what! we liked it, too. And our grand-daughter had what she claims was the best vacation ever. She still is in touch with friends she made on board and the 2 group leaders were just great keeping them busy with fun activities. <BR>To sum it up, I can't say anything bad about the 2 cruise lines that get all the bashing on this site. And if the other cruise lines are really so much better, I just don't see how. We are waiting for some other lines to start sailing out of NO or Houston so that we can try another and compare for ourselves. <BR>Our travel agent called last week and had just gotten a fax about a great cruise in the Orient in October which included the following..A flight to Beijing(?), 3 nights in a hotel (with 2 meals and tours) and 11 day cruise on the Norweigian Wind (I think)with best outside stateroom available at booking and then your flight back from Hong Kong. All for $1499. (And since Sundays paper posted about $1800 as the cheapest air-fare they found for RT to Hong Kong, it does sound like a deal!) If we hadn't already made other vacation plans, we would would have jumped at it. A lot of people she contacted were going so I'm sure it booked up fast. If anything like that comes along next year, I would go in a heart-beat. Hopefully there will be some feedback on this site later this year on that trip. Evidently there are some very good cruise deals out there.

Hhhmmmm, yes that is true, but a movie only last a couple of hours, doesn't cost more than 10 bucks, and if it is poor you can easily leave.

If 50 people hate something and 50 people love it, who is right?

HHHHmmmm, ask Bush!

<BR>Elaine - there is nothing wrong with you. You had a great time and got great service. I am glad you enjoyed Carnival. <BR> <BR>Paul - I was stuck with a pot smoking roommate (as a single share) and was told not only by the purser's staff that there were no rooms available, but also by the purser and the hotel manager; but when I asked the cabin stewards they said there were several empty staterooms on this cruise. Also, I called my TA from Freeport and told her what was going on - she checked with Carnival and THERE WERE empty cabins on that cruise. I was denied a cabin change because "it was only three days and it's not that much of a problem that you can't put up with it for a couple of days" - those are the words of the purser and his staff. Maybe you are willing to put up with something that makes you physically ill, I am not. Therefore Carnival will NEVER get my business again. <BR> <BR>Also - you say you don't bash anyone who doesn't agree with you - you just did in your reply to me and all the others who have had problems with Carnival. I respect your opinion and your right to have it - why can't you do us the same courtesy?

<BR>Dear Lisa, <BR> <BR>This is the reason why some cruise lines are not offering single shares anymore. <BR> <BR>This is not the fault of Carnival. You had the luck-of-the-draw and got stuck with a terrible roommate. <BR> <BR>Carnival, or any line does not have the obligation to find you another cabin. <BR> <BR>This happens on every cruise you know. There are so many unhappy passengers that have problems with their roommates the cruise lines would have to spend spend many days matching-up roommates. They are not a dating service. <BR> <BR>Sorry about your misfortune but you wished to purchase the single share at the reduced price rather than a single only cabin. Some play the odds and hope the ship does not fill and they end up in a cabin by themselves. I have never had a single that shared repeat. there are too many negatives. <BR> <BR>Men seem to do better with the single share but I would not do it even if the line paid me. I had enough of that in college. <BR> <BR>Paul

When I listen to the complainers, it is obvious that they enjoy repeating their negatives. Some people are Happy just being Unhappy. <BR> <BR>I was talking to a woman on the Destiny back in 1997 who had been on 5 cruises. 3 Carnival and 2 Celebrity. I told her about the bashing of Carnival on the net, and asked her why did she come back to Carnival after sailing on the premium line. She said all cruise ships offer the same basic amenities: pools, spas, casinos, entertainment, etc. Other than that, they just have certain small differences. When she wants a lively cruise, she chooses Carnival.

I keep seeing the phrase, "luck of the draw" in these threads. A lot of people who defend these cruise lines use it to justify their (the cruise lines) incompetence. Since when was going on a vacation supposed to be a crap shoot. <BR> <BR>Most people work very hard all year. A vacation is supposed to relieve stress, not incure it. <BR> <BR>I have enjoyed several cruises and one I have not. That cruise line was RCCL, I will never cruise that again. I don't gamble with my money. Greg was exactly right about their habits. <BR> <BR>These people that post negative things about their vacation are trying to get read of the tension that the offending cruise line (in this case CCL) has caused. In reading these posts, in almost every case the person tried all the logical methods to correct the problem while on the ship. Obviously these cruise lines don't give a snot. So let them post their posts. By reacting the way you do you are only reinforcing their beliefs of negativity <BR>against the cruise lines.

<BR>Paul - going single share was the only way I could cruise - and I saved up a year and a half for it. Maybe Carnival didn't have to accomodate me, but they could have, especially since there were cabins available. And for that reason, Carnival will never get my business again - it is my (and any other consumer's) way of saying "I'm sorry - you didn't take care of me, so I will not give you my vacation dollars again." This is also the only way consumers have a lot of the time to protest shabby and subpar service.

<BR>Dear Lisa, you are going to find the same thing will occur on any ship that offers single shares. Too many passengers wish to change their staterooms. It's tough living with a stranger all week. <BR> <BR>You see, if the cruise lines were in the business of changing passengers cabins at a whim they would be doing it for many passengers .... some more than once. You must understand this. <BR>It is not just Carnival. <BR> <BR>I have been in this business a long time. You should hear some of the horror stories. Yours was mild in comparision. I have even been blamed, including a court case and I explain the pitfalls before one sails. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Lisa, I have been reading this Paul's comments for a while on just about every topic concerning these cruise lines. Don't waste your breath honey. I am starting to believe that he is employed by most of these cruise lines. He always seems to have some smug self-rightious answer to defend them. "I" this and "I" that. <BR> <BR>You say whatever you want. If you pay good money you deserve good service from first class to coach. <BR> <BR>By the way if your roomie was doing illegal drugs they definitely should have moved you. Next time inform the local authorities so the cruise line can be cited for aiding and abetting a criminal by the transport of illicit materials. Or at least threaten the pursar with that. It may cost a little but you can always inform the authorities ahead. That would give me satisfaction!

<BR>Thank you Sam for your response. All I was trying to point out is that Carnival could have helped me if they had wanted to. They chose not to, therefore I choose not to give them my money again. Would any of us tolerate rude and uncaring treatment from your doctor, a car dealer, your grocery store, etc. Why should we tolerate it on a cruise ship?

To Lisa, <BR> <BR>I have been saying the same thing. Greg tried to tell these people the same thing. They don't listen. They think it's perfectly aceptable to get that kind of service. The use catchy phrases like, "luck of the draw" and that sort of thing. <BR> <BR>God forbid if you say something bad about their beloved cruise line. I have seen jackals more forgiving.

Thank you all - I have been planning our first cruise (21/30day)for about 6 months and found this site and your emails by accident. I did not really know one line from another - but - I will be sure to investigate and ask questions before booking. Have decided that before we spend our money (we just retired) on a 21/30 day cruise as planned I'm going to start with a 5/7 day fall foliage cruise then a 10/12 day Alaska cruise next spring using 2 different lines so as to compare. If anyone has any suggestions pls advise - and - having been in business for myself for 40 yrs I always told my employees that they had to do EVERYTHING to satisfy the customer-the customer may not be right-BUT- they are the customer and the customer(generally)has more important things to do than complain for no reason. I guess the logic was correct -we were successful for 40+ years.