I have reading these boards daily for over a month, and my husband and I fall in the category of moderate to deluxe travelers, depending on where we are going......For the past week now I have been particuarly interested in reading the comments about various cruise ships and WOW!!! although I am booked on one the carnival ships, if I was not so opened minded to opinions, I would certainly stay away from carnival..However, I am going anyway, why? Because what one person feels about a particular ship or destination is their own personal opinion, I think sometimes people make more of something than it is...Just recently my husband and I spent a weekend in New York City, and before going, I read reviews on this board and other boards, and was absolutely amazed at how many people trashed this great city.....Yes it has its problems like most urban cities, but I think the good it offers outweighs the bad......We spent time in Harlem, Brooklyn, etc and never once felt afraid...The city along with other great cities has so much offer...But as far as Cruise are concerned, This will be my first and along with my family and friends are looking forward to it.....And I plan to enjoy as much of it as possible...Flaws and all...and I do not like this particular ship, it will certainly not keep me from sailing other carnival cruise ships, or any other line....Traveling with an open-mind in my opinion is the best way to travel....Research, and word of mouth also play a significant role, however, I just wish people would just state the facts of their vacation experiences and leave it at that...My personal motto I always remember when planning vacations; You don't always get what you pay for and sometimes you get more when you pay less....... <BR> <BR>

Carnival has a 40% repeat of passengers. Their ships sail at 104% capacity. <BR> <BR>Also, remember that complainers always have the loudest voices. Howmany of us write to the cruise line and tell them how great the cruise was? Very few. <BR> <BR>And, of the all passengers on a ship, only a minute fraction spend time on travel forums. Whenever, I discuss cruise boards with passengers, they don't know what I am talking about.

My husband and I are also moderate to luxury travellers (ask our travel agent and he'll say deluxe for us). Anyway, we took out ten-year-old son on the Carnival Triumph last winter and I highly recommend it! Obviously you'll stay in a category ten or above cabin and then you'll have a bit of privacy with your balcony etc. There are always lots of places to find a quiet place on a crowded ship (over 3000 on board the week we were on it and LOTS of students on spring break). Nevertheless, the food was outstanding, the dining rooms uncrowded (most people couldn't be bothered to get dressed -- we did and loved the one-on-one services as a result). If we were travelling without child we migth consider trying a different line but -- would we do it with Carnival again? You bet. And you're right -- what works for one family doesn't necessarily work for others. Have a terrific time.

Louise, you have made some excellent comments!! ALL cruise line have negative comments these days. As an experienced cruiser and from the comments I have heard from other experienced cruisers, this is due to the unprecedented number of new ships coming out. The cruise lines are rapidly adding new staff and perhaps not spending as much time training them as possible. But overall, I have found that if I am patient and friendly towards the staff, they are friendly and extremely helpful. <BR> <BR>I have cruised several times but I will be taking my first Carnival cruise this July. I am concerned like you Louise in that I have read many negative comments about this line. The people who have positive comments tend to be first time cruisers who have nothing to compare to. But I know experienced cruisers who also enjoyed their Carnival cruise. I plan to go on the Destiny this summer because I can get a good deal and Carnival is the only line that has several ships that cruise the Caribbean in the summer time. I teach, so that is when I can cruise. The Destiny also has a fantastic itin. - St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Aruba, Curacao. I will go not expecting much, and I will probably be pleasantly surprised. <BR> <BR>Their are two secrets to a great cruise experience or a great vacation. One is to know your own personality and what you are looking for in a cruise. Then do EXTENSIVE research to find your match with a cruise line or know what to expect. The comments I have read have prepared me on what I can expect. I NEVER depend solely on brochures or what a travel agent tells me. I always do lots of research to make sure of what to expect and to get what I want. I know several friends of mine who book a cruise based on the idea of taking a cruise and do no research after that. Some are lucky to have a great experience, while others are disappointed. <BR> <BR>The second secret to a great vacation is that your vacation experience is often what you make it. If you spend your vacation stressing out about the problems, that is not good. I always go with a positive attitude, don’t sweat the inevitable problems, and I always have a great time. <BR> <BR>Louise, have a great time on your cruise! I am sure I will too.

I agree with all the comments above. I grew up in NYC and we moved south when out two oldest were very young. A few years ago we took our oldest daughter and grand-daughter to NY for the first time and they loved it. She said 'where are all the rude people I was warned about'?! And I have a sister who says she has no desire to visit France because they are so rude. Well, my husband and I spent a week in Paris 2 years ago and it was one of the best vacations we've ever taken and I thought everyone we encountered was very nice. And a cruise is a totally relaxing vacation and something I wish I could do a lot more of. Like you say, travel with an open mind and I positive out-look and I can't imagine any trip - with a chance to see and do new things - not being a great experience. <BR>I saw one thing in France that I have to tell you about. We ate often a cafe that had inside and outside seating. It wasn't very big place and was always crowded One evening some loud Americans came up and pulled two tables together and set out all these bags of food and started opening them. Bread, cold cuts, olives etc. They ordered drinks and had a 'picnic'. Customers from inside (locals) were coming outside to look at them and shake their heads. I'm surprised the waitress stayed as calm as she did but she must have let off some steam inside because of all the lookers that appeared at the door. If they acted like that all over Paris they may well have encountered a few of those supposedly 'rude' Parisians!!

<BR>It's wonderful to hear all these positive comments. <BR> <BR>Cruising is a fabulous vacation and the most reasonable. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Texasriders: Where do they put the extra 4% of passengers??????????

Regarding Texasriders comment about 104% and your question Joan about where they put the extra 4%.... <BR>A ship is considered "at capacity" when each of its cabins is filled and has at least 2 people in each cabin. To reach 104% a line would have to fill all its cabins with at least 2 people and 4% of its cabins with more than 2 people (such as 4 people in a quad). Hope this helps. Bob

My two cents: I don't think there is a bad ship or cruise line as such. What there is is a wrong choice. Some ships and lines may fit one's budget, but should also fit his/her mind set, life style, and so far and so on. Of course someone who doesn't enjoy high energy fun won't enjoy a Carnival ship, whereas others do. <BR> <BR>I value a good travel agent and cruise counsellor, for he/she is able to figure out what your expectations are, and get you the right ship and cruise. <BR> <BR>Complaints mostly mean that someone was misinformed, and mislead when booking a cruise which simply doesn't fit him/her.

Surlok is absolutely right. That is why I would recommend staying away from Liberty Travel. They are the ones that recommended my Honeymoon on RCCL. They have in turn made no effort whatsoever to remedy the situation. I have not even received a letter of aplogy or a phone call from any mgmt. My problem is I should have shopped for a travel agent like you shop for a car. So in my opinion, screen your agent.

WE RECENTLY CRUISED ON NCL THE WIND .WE LOVE CRUSING! AND CRUISE YEARLY..THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORSE WEEKS OF OUR LIVES1the air cond. worked SOME TMES..THE TOILET FLUSHED SOME TIMES..AT ALL TIMES BROWN WATER CAME OUT OF SINK AND SHOWER FAUCETS!! IF YOU ENJOY CURRY IN ALL YOU EAT YOU WILL BE HAPPY..THE FOOD WAS SO VERY BAD WE ACTUALLY LOST WEIGHT ! THE STAFF WAS RUDE AND UNCAREING PLEASE DO NOT CRUISE WITH NCL. THE PROBLEMS WE INCOUNTERED ARE TOO MANY TO LIST.

Mignon, <BR> <BR>You don't have to yell. Lower case is fine.

Hi Mignon, <BR> <BR>What Chris means is that upper case characters are considered to be yelling, and somewhat impolite. I'm sorry to hear you had problems with NCL. What you're about to find out is that people are going to defend NCL to the death no matter how wrong the company treated you. It's unfortunate but I have found this out when discussing the major short comings of RCCL. Good Luck, I hope you get some remedy. Don't give up trying though. "The squeaky wheel usually gets the grease".