Boots

And here's yet another Carnival fan. I've been on 3 Carnival cruises with family and we had a great time. <BR>I don't understand why so many people don't like it. <BR>I have 3 theories tho': (1)Carnival does has so many more cruises offered than other lines there's bound to be problems on some and you really hear about those. (2) some folks went on more expensive/exclusive cruise lines (I never have) and have something more luxurious to compare it too (3) It sounds upper-crust to put Carnival down. Don't have a clue which, if any, of these 3 it is though. We will always take Carnival.

Paul Therault

<BR>Bravo! The word is finally getting out. Carnival is not what is was 10 years ago. <BR> <BR>Paul

Laura

I've always had a great time on Carnival. I think it's amazing how many people put them down that have never even sailed on one of their ships! I agree CCL may not be for everybody, but what cruise line is?

Kathy

That's one of the great things about cruising. If one line doesn't appeal to you for whatever reason, there are plenty more to choose from to satisfy your requirements for a memorable vacation. We've been on 17 cruises on 8 different lines (3 on Carnival) and although Carnival is not a preferred line for us, they obviously have a product that caters to many people's tastes and offers them just what they're looking for in a cruise experience. However, no matter how much I like one line, I would never cruise exclusively with them. So many different lines out there and each one gives you a different experience and a real basis for comparison. Another real plus for cruising - plenty of different lines, ships and itineraries -something for everyone!

Steven

Yeh, they makes sense just keeping throwing away your money until you get it right. You might as well get out the cruise dart board wrap a couple thousand around a dart and far away. Never understood that kind of logic.

Laura

Steven, <BR> <BR>Do you always know ahead of time if you are going to enjoy everything about a cruise line, destination, or accommodations? Sometimes no matter how much research you do ahead of time things just don't turn out to be what you expect. Some of us like to try new things and see new places. Maybe I'll just buy a dart board and save myself alot of time in the future.

Lisa

<BR>Boots - you enjoy Carnival and that is fine. I have cruised Carnival and never will again - they didn't meet my expectations and they were not responsive to the trouble I had on board; therefore they have lost my business. As Kathy said - there are many cruise lines out there and everyone can find one that they like and is right for them. Everyone is entitled to their opinion about cruises, to tell someone to stop complaining about something that did not meet their expectations smacks of censorship to me. JMHO.

Phil

Wow Laura, <BR> <BR>Are you single? I would love to have that kind of money to randomly throw away. I think what Steve was pointing out was that people will continue to on a cruise after a bad experience. As opposed to if they were in a country or location that they didn't like. You hear people saying all the time I would never go back to such and such place after the horrible way I was treated. People with cruises will just say, "Oh that must have been one of the bad ships, I'll try another ship next time." Kinda' reminds me of, "Please sir, can I have another?"

Laura

Phil, <BR> <BR>I don't have money to throw around. Out of all the cruises I've been on, only 1 was dissapointing. Not horrible, just not what I expected. I haven't been on that cruise line again, but it certainly didn't sour me on cruising altogether or on trying other cruise lines.

Phil

Hi Laura, <BR> <BR>I think you may be missing the point. If you buy a product and it proves to be faulty, and the manufacturer does not make good on it do you go out and buy another? Most people would say the heck with that company and not continue any relationship with them. Why is it that people that do not enjoy a cruise will assume it was their fault and try again. I just don't understand the logic in that. No one has been able to give me a satisfactory explanation on that. May be you could enlighten me. I happen to agree with Steve. No matter how much research a person does, it still seems like a crap shoot. I don't like to gamble. If I have to I always minimize the odds in my favor. It really doesn't seem like you can do that with cruise lines, since they do not have to answer for their actions because they are protected by foreign registries. And, they seem to take full advantage of that fact. <BR>

Laura

Hi Phil, <BR> <BR>I don't think I'm missing your point at all. I agree if someone has a truly awful experience on a cruise, why would you try it( that line) again? Especially if the complaints were never addressed by the company. All I'm saying <BR>is you can't judge them all the same. They all have their differences. I had a TERRIBLE experience at a resort on Moorea. I'll never go there again, but that doesn't mean I'll never go to another resort on another island.

steve

Hi Laura, <BR>Looks like Phil and I are playing tag team. What I was addressing was the people that keep going back to a specific line. CCL and RCCL are good examples. A person will have a bad experience on one of their ships, but will go back to a different ship of the same company. Your point about Moorea is well taken. I'm sure you would not go back to a resort run by the same management and company, but people will do that with cruise lines. What possesses these people to gamble like that? I have heard many negative things about CCL. Even with all the other positives I'm not willing to take a chance on something that "May" be good. Not only is money precious but so is time. It is called "Oppurtunity Cost". I am definitely an explorer, but I'm not willing to gamble on the little free time that I have. Does the rest of the world have all that cash and free time to spare?

Laura

Hi Steve, <BR> <BR>I can only speak for myself, but it seems I usually have either the time or the money, but hardly ever both at the same time! I agree with you that if I had a horrible experience on a certain cruise line I probably would not book on them again. It's the same as a restaurant. If you have a horrible dinner at one restaurant are you going to go back there? Not likely. But are you going to quit going out to eat altogether? Also not likely. Too many others to choose from. Maybe I have been lucky that I've never had a terrible experience on a cruise. I guess my point is that one bad experience shouldn't translate into all cruise lines being bad. I can also appreciate the fact that you are unlikely to ever try Carnival because of feedback from other people. As much as I like Carnival, I admit it's not for everybody. BTW, my favorite cruise line is Celebrity! (Okay, now it's Phil's turn!)

Cathy

As far as researching a vacation, I have always done IN DEPTH research for months in advance and I have found that what I had researched was pretty much what to expect. I have friends who called themselves researching a vacation, but they only depended on what the travel agent said or one or two people. They came back disappointed. <BR> <BR>As far as cruises, I guess I have always considered them to be the most economical way to island hop in the Caribbean, a region of the world I enjoy visiting. I don't set grand expectations for the ship and when I get on board, it is either what I expected or I am pleasantly suprised. <BR> <BR>I will be taking my first Carnival Cruise this July on the Destiny. I am DEFINITELY lowering my expectations - the reason I picked this ship is the fantastic itinerary ( Dutch Treat). I guess I am living by the old saying "Blessed are they who expect little, for they will never be disappointed!" ;-)

Cathy

P. S. - I guess I am hoping to be pleasently suprised by the Destiny!

Fran

<BR>Altho I've taken numerous cruises I must say I'm surprised that more people don't do as much research as they should PRIOR to booking. For me, the itinerary is THE most important aspect of cruising, therefore my expectations of the ship itself is not of much concern. I do know where each line follows in the "desirable" catagory and therefore am rarely disappointed. Once you've done the entire Caribbean I believe you'll feel that way also. Of course, if money is no object, stick with Silversea, Crystal, etc. If youth is important go with Carnival. My point is: decide what is most important then research exactly that.

Texasriders

When I go down the cereal aisle in a supermarket, I know I am looking for only one brand. Yet, there are about 100 different cereals. I don't like the others, but I am sure they are on the shelves because other people like 'em and buy 'em. Point made.

Texasriders

steven wrote: <BR>______________________________________ <BR>Yeh, they makes sense just keeping throwing away your money until you get it right. You might as well get out the cruise dart board wrap a couple thousand around a dart and far away. Never understood that kind of logic. <BR>______________________________________ <BR> <BR>Would you say the same about people who go on a cruise, spend a lot of time in the casino and gambling at bingo, and when the cruise is over, they have wasted a lot of time and donated a sizeable amount to a for profit company? <BR>

Sharon

I have always cruised solo and Carnival is my preferred cruise line. I find it amusing that most people think Carnival has no one on board over the age of 25. I am 54 and have always felt extremely comfortable as there have ALWAYS BEEN plenty of other cruisers in my age bracket. I am in the process of planning my 8th cruise and it will definately be on Carnival. As stated in a prior post, I will spend an enormous amount of time in the library reading everything I can find on the different ports of call, shore excursions, what to do on my own, etc. That kind of research has always paid off for me. I have never been disappointed in any Carnival ship.

Phil

I still agree with Steve. Why is it that you have to do all this research to make sure you're not getting screwed. I hear lots of people complaining about these lines. And then, I hear the rebuttal that they did not do their research correctly. Since when was it considered the norm to make sure you're not getting shorted on a vacation. That almost seems counter productive. Vacations should be a time of relaxation and exploration. Not putting on your vacation flak jacket so you don't get caught by the stray bullet of corporate incompetence. Some people have equated cruises to restaurants, cereal, and other assorted sundries. None of these cost hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars. Yes, there is always the chance that you may not get what your looking for. But when did it become acceptable to take one for the team. In the past if you had a problem with a vacation, you voiced your discontent to your TA or vacation spot, and it was 9 out of 10 times rectified. Now people make excuses for the companies that were negligent by putting the responsibilty on the buyer. Caveat emptor was supposed to have died years ago. Yet I constantly see patrons of these ship lines defending the companies that have not taken care of them. What gives? Please understand I am well aware that everything has its price and there can be some short comings to any trip or vacation. But it used to be these companies were hed accountable. Cruise lines in the sixties and back would never let happen what is common place now a days. If anything as I see it people of today bring this on to themselves by letting the companies get away with sub performance. Especially companies like, CCL & RCCL. If you judged their performance of today against what was the norm or yesteryear you would be appalled at the difference. So the longer people let these companies slip by with their transgressions the longer it will continue.