Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Ever been on a Carnival cruise?

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I have quite a bit of experience in the cruise industry and I know when a person has not sailed a ship and is complaining about it. You will experience average service on all mass-market cruise lines but it is definitely not poor. The larger the cruise line the more negative and positive posts. This majority of people on this forum just vent anger. There are many other forums that have mainly positive posts. Paul

Again with defending the big bully. Paul if these people didn't cruise this line, how is it that they have specific details to the service they received. They are not saying the service is average. They are saying it's poor. There is a big difference. I can understand you defending the essence of cruising, but why this line? You are always quoting statistics. They may have the largest first patronage, but they have the lowest return rate. Companies that have that percentage of attrition are called McDonalds. Not to many people continue with them either.

Phil, if you read carefully the posts of these negative cruisers you will see they are generalizing. The "entire" crew was rude. The cabin steward, waiter, busboy, maitre 'd ...... "terrible service." The food was "terrible." "The food in the dining room was so bad I ate the room service food." I'll say to this .... the room service food leaves much to be desired. "The food was so bad in the dining room, I ate in the buffet." These posts make no sense to me. You will note most passengers with positive things to say would not on their life post on this negative forum. Please visit other forums and you will see. And please tell us where you received the information about Carnival having the lowest return passenger rate? I am curious. Another tidbit. I praise other cruise lines also, not just Carnival. Read the other threads. Paul

Hi Paul, that information was given to me by three seperate TA's. And I know you scold or give credit to other cruise lines. I was just curious why you continue to adamantly defend this one. All it does is seem to aggravate you and the other people on this forum.

My husband and I sailed on the Sensation two years ago and despite being stuck in a tropical storm with one of Carnival's disabled ships for the better part of a day, the cruise turned out to be great. We weren't expecting super luxury, but we got great service from our room steward, bar staff and dining room staff. My biggest disappointment was with some of the other passengers. While the majority of them, including our dinner group were really nice, some were just down right rude to the staff and other passengers. They seemed to think they should be treated like they were the only passengers on the ship and that Carnival could control the weather. Some even left the ship at the first port of call. What selfish, rigid people. Don't they know you must render assistance to disabled ships. And they missed the best part. A trip to Chichen Itza was added since we were delayed and the weather made it impossible to stop in Grand Cayman! We are planning our 25th wedding anniversary cruise for January and plan to do it on Carnival!

MIAMI, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines today announced that New Orleans will become home to the largest ``Fun Ship'' ever constructed, the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, when it enters service Dec. 1, 2002, offering year-round western Caribbean cruises from that port. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 2,976-passenger vessel represents a 45 percent capacity increase over the line's current New Orleans-based cruise ship, the 2,052-passenger Inspiration, which will be deployed to another homeport. Dramatic 'Impressionist' Interiors, Host of New Amenities and Facilities As the first in a new series of ``Fun Ships,'' the 952-foot-long Carnival Conquest will feature 22 bars and lounges with dramatic interiors inspired by the world's most famous Impressionist painters, appropriate for a ship based in New Orleans, a city possessing a rich European heritage. The ship will also feature 13 passenger decks housing four swimming pools -- one with a 214-foot-long water slide -- a 15,000-square-foot health and fitness facility, an Internet cafe, four restaurants and a ``boulevard'' of shops and boutiques. Expanded ``family-friendly'' facilities, including ``Action Alley,'' a recreation center housing a video arcade, teen coffee bar and dance club, along with a 3,300-square-foot children's play area -- the largest in the ``Fun Ship'' fleet -- will be featured, as well. Conquest Continues Carnival's New Orleans Expansion Carnival expects to carry more than 167,000 guests per year aboard the Carnival Conquest. That, combined with an estimated 118,000 guests annually who will sail from Tampa on the Inspiration and visit New Orleans on Fridays as part of that vessel's itinerary, represents a nearly 600 percent increase in Carnival's New Orleans passenger volume versus the company's first full year of operation there in 1995. ``Carnival's growth in New Orleans has been nothing short of phenomenal and the fact that we're committing what will be our newest and largest ship to New Orleans speaks volumes to our confidence in expanding this important cruise market,'' said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. Dickinson noted that New Orleans' attractiveness as a tourist destination and opportunities for pre- and post-cruise land stays also played a key role in the company's decision to dedicate its largest ship to the Crescent City. Exciting On-Board Features, Dining Options Other features aboard the Carnival Conquest include a conference center, an expansive sports deck with basketball and volleyball courts, a jogging track, a full gambling casino. Additionally, approximately 60 percent of the vessel's 1,488 staterooms will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring private balconies. As part of Carnival's Total Choice Dining(SM), Carnival Conquest will also continue the line's tradition of offering guests the widest variety of formal and casual options at sea. Dining choices will include twin two-deck-high formal restaurants and an expansive two-level poolside eatery offering casual alternatives for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a 24-hour pizzeria and a variety of specialty areas. A reservations-only supper club, a patisserie, a sushi bar and complimentary 24-hour room service will also be available. Popular Seven-Day Western Caribbean Itinerary Beginning Dec. 1, 2002, Carnival Conquest will depart the Port of New Orleans every Sunday on weeklong voyages to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Mexico. Prior to the launch of its seven-day western Caribbean program, Carnival Conquest will operate a special four-day Thanksgiving cruise departing Nov. 27 from New Orleans and featuring a daylong call at Playa del Carmen/Cozumel. Prices for the Carnival Conquest's western Caribbean sailings from New Orleans begin at $599 per person, based on double occupancy. If purchased via Carnival's new ``Fun Finance Plan(SM),'' the cruises are available starting at $28 per month (based on a 24-month payment term at the lowest annual percentage rate available). Actual monthly payment and terms may vary according to the applicant's credit qualifications. Valid for U.S. individual bookings only. Certain other restrictions apply.

Harry M. just wanted to make sure you got the message. Do not use this web site for commercial gain. Advertising like that is not only rude it unacceptable. If you continue I will trace your e mail and real name and publish it so people can express their opinions directly to you.

Techydude: Se llama no Englais.

FYI: to the poster who had a pot smoking roommate. It is not illegal to smoke pot in international waters, it is illegal to bring it on board in the US and to get off the ship in the US with it, and it is probably a minor offense in most carribbean countries. Unfortunately,the cruise line dropped the ball on this one and should have moved you to another room in the name of good customer service. Also, the roommate probably should have showed a little discretion in his illegal drug usage. Better luck next time. PS- I recently took a tour to Egypt and shared a room with a lunch buddie and it was disasterous and we no longer speak to each other. The moral of this story is you never really know!!!

You are correct. It is a crap shoot. Some passengers are downright outgoing but I would think it is one way to ruin an entire cruise. Just thinking about it scares me. This is why most cruise lines are now eliminating the single share. Paul

Oh yea...another Paul opinion. Where are my hip boots?

I went on the Carnival Imagination 4 years ago to tour the western carribean. Pros: Great itinerary and excursions, nice size room, lively casino. Cons: Not enough activities, Pool/Ping-Pong were always crowded.

One thing I love about any carnival post, it is sure to spark a lively thread. I have my own opinions on carnival that I will be happy to share, but I read every carnival thread simply for enterntainment.