Would you do Carnival?
 

I am traveling alone on the Carnival Triumph leaving 9/8. I've heard conflicting reports about Carnival and more specifically, about the Triumph. Is this a good singles cruise? My cabin is Cat. 11, are these good sized? Any other info is appreciated. <BR>EM

<BR>Hi EM, <BR> <BR>The only reason you hear so many conflicting reports is because it is the most popular cruise line in the world. This fact is more than likely due to the fact that Carnival is sailing the most ships. <BR> <BR>Some people that reply negatively did not like the cruise experience. Some have never cruised Carnival and just listen to what others say. <BR> <BR>Since you are already booked and leaving Saturday it is too late to change your mind now. Please let us know about your vacation when you return. <BR> <BR>The Category 11 mini-suite has plenty of room to invite all your new friends. It is 220 square feet and has a 30 sq. ft. balcony. <BR> <BR>Measure it out in your living room. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>

It is not the only reason you hear so many conflicting reports. <BR> <BR>Many people are lead to believe that Carnival can offer more than it actually delivers. The person later finds out that the expectations that were presented by CCL's misleading advertising were too high. <BR>Many, many, many people have posted contrary comments to Paul who for some reason worships CCL (and quite a lot have good reason). Take whatever Paul says with a grain of salt as the saying goes. I hope you have a lovely trip, and not the experience a lot of us have had.

Go to Cruisemates.com. Lots of reviews there both good and bad. Enjoy your trip!

mizebaby: We sailed on the Carnival Victory this past weekend out of New York in a category 8 cabin and had a great time. <BR> <BR>In comparison to past cruises, we thought the food had been substantially upgraded, I had broiled lobster one night, and rack of lamb another. The entertainment is top notch and can't be beat on any other line. <BR> <BR>Bathrobes and bathroom amenities were provided in our cabin and we thought the cabin design allowed for plenty of storage, we actually were able to store our suitcases in the closets. <BR> <BR>The large casino, the variety of entertainment in the bars and lounges, the 24 hour pizzeria, the deli and chinese restaurant, the 4 separate dining room seatings, the high tech security systems, etc. made for a great high energy cruise experience. <BR> <BR>The best comparison is, if you enjoy staying at large chain hotels like Westin or Marriott, than you will enjoy Carnival. If you prefer the more sedate feel of a luxury hotel like the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton, then you may be disappointed. <BR> <BR>Keep in mind, Carnival came from nowhere 30 years ago and now owns Cunard, Holland-America, Costa and others. They must be satisfying someone. <BR> <BR>Go on your cruise with the idea that you are going to enjoy it, because there is a lot to enjoy. <BR> <BR>Don't forget to report back when you return.

Paul explain to me how Anne in the post "Carnival, Looking to upgrade" who was specific in her dislikes is wrong about Carnival?

I have sailed on Carnival and Celebrity. Three times on Carnival and two times on Celebrity. The had the most fun on Carnival and I thought the quality of the food was the same on both lines. Being single I think you will have the most fun on Carnival.

I think it depends on your age. If you are under thirty, go Carnival by all means.

I don't think age has anything to do with it. I just turned 40 (and I cringe when I say that -- I can't possibly be this old!), we have two sons, ages 17 and 9, and my parents are in their 80's. We have cruised on three other cruiselines and all of us truly enjoy Carnival.

The bashers can talk all they want. My question to them is, is Wal-mart a more successful company than Neiman Marcus? Which has more customers and generates more revenue annually?

Age has nothing to do with it whatsoever. I will soon be 55 and I have always enjoyed the Carnival cruise experience. I am single and I always cruise solo. I notice there are cruisers of all ages on Carnival, including a great many who are in their 70s and 80s. I will always cruise Carnival.

<BR>Just got off the Destiny today and the ship was ultra-clean. No soiled carpets and general maintenance was on-going. <BR> <BR>My waiter and busboy were competent and jovial and the food was very good. The buffet was not as creative as the Victory, Spirit and Triumph but was adequate and varied. <BR> <BR>The purser's desk and casino employees were efficient. <BR> <BR>The entertainment was great (as usual). The big band and combos were the best at sea. <BR> <BR>The passengers were noisy and jovial and true to form had all kinds and types. Typical for a value fun ship cruise. <BR> <BR>My stewardess was not at all efficient but the carpet was vacuumed and the bathroom was clean. <BR> <BR>Since I did talk to as many passengers as time would allow there was quite a bit of the run-of-the-mill complaints. One guy counted all the tiny lightbulbs that were not lit and he was drafting a complaint letter to Carnival. One lady did not like her dining room since it "rocked" more than the other. The Maitre'd did nothing for her. One said the bread came too late and most times the soup came before her fruit-cup (special order). <BR> <BR>The room service food was adequate and tasty but not varied. It was delivered within 10 minutes. <BR> <BR>The Southern Caribbean itinerary was the greatest especially Aruba which had fireworks for us at 11 PM. They had erected on the pier a 3 story 12 foot wide tube of colored lights with a lit "welcome" sign on the top. Their new tourist area was beautiful. <BR> <BR>Any questions, just post. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Mizebaby, <BR> <BR>First of all I would reconsider my trip with Carnival. The service is probably the worst in the industry. This is not, as Paul states in his posts, because they are the most traveled cruise line in the world. It is because they don't care about their service. They are a price driven cruise line. Therefore you get what you pay for.....poor service. <BR> <BR>Secondly, I would listen to Paul. He trawls this web site encouraging people to go on Carnival. He claims to be a travel agent with extensive cruise experience. He is constantly defending Carnival. Makes you wonder why? <BR> <BR>I would look over this website and look at some publications that rate the Cruise lines. You will get a better perspective that way. <BR> <BR>Good luck.

Anti-Paul: I am curious about something. In your post you did not give specifics. Have you sailed on Carnival? If so, which ships and when? That information would be helpful. Thanks.

Per your 9-3-post,you were going on the Triumph and had conflicting thoughts re/Carnival.Was just wondering,as this is 10-29,did you go and how was it? <BR>Thanks,

My question was obviously directed to mizebaby--a slip-up on my part.

<BR>I thought I gave a very good report of my last cruise on Carnival. Some negative and some positive which is par for any mass-market cruise line. <BR> <BR>I presumed the thread had ended. <BR> <BR>Now some wize-a brings it back. <BR> <BR>So lets hear from Mr. Anti-Paul as one previous poster stated. Lets hear about your specifics? Since you are the know-it-all, prove that you have cruised Carnival. How many times did you have lobster, how many times prime rib? How many dancers, how many musicians? How many pools? What time does the casino close? What time does the disco close? What food does the 24 hour pizza restaurant serve? What food does the Grill serve? What is the room service menu? How late can you purchase wine by the bottle? Are the liquor drinks strong or weak? Did your ship have soda and snack vending machines? Did it have ice-cube makers? How much closet space did you have in your stateroom? What was the size of your stateroom? Where are the complimentary ice cream machines located? What are the names of the dances and songs that are performed by the waiters? ..... C'mon lets hear it! <BR> <BR>I'll bet we do not hear from you. <BR> <BR>Paul

There are those that are suited for Wal mart and those that are not, Queen Noor. If I have a problem with Neiman it is taken care of immediately. No questions no hassles. Can the same be said for Carnival and Wal-Mart? <BR>

WooHoo! You go Paul!! The anti-Paul did not disappoint me. I knew he/she would not respond to my queries. I seriously doubt he/she has been on any cruise at all! I have been on Carnival, NCL, RCCL, Princess, Disney, and now this is going back some but even Dolphin and Regency Cruise Lines! There have been good cruises and bad cruises. At this point in time I shop the best deals. Whoever has the best price is where I will be, sipping my strawberry margarita, staring at the deep blue sea and already planning my next cruise!

Well, I see Paul is up to his usual antics. I don't know about you Paul, but as a vacation traveler, I could care less about what kind of pizza they have or what is the latest I can order a bottle of wine (unless I was on board with you). My main concern would be the level of service provided. That does not mean that a casino open all night means better service. Service means "attitude". Is the staff happy to help you. To you wait forever to get room service. Are they glad you are on their ship. <BR> <BR>My experience with the Ecstacy and Celebration was that ships were average but the "we've got your money and now we don't care" attitude was abundant. <BR> <BR>Paul, go back to the rock craweled out from under you bitter little boy. <BR> <BR>Buuuh bye!

ha ha ha ha ha ha lmao lmao <BR> <BR>First Paul, you have to answer my questions. How small is your pe_ _s? <BR>When was the last time you got any? Does Viagra work for you? Where did you purchase your man-bra? How much alcohol does it take to tolerate being around you? When was your last divorce? Do the salt water pools on board still cause you to have shrinkage? <BR> <BR>You make me laugh Paul! I agree with the previous post...since when do any of the things in your post effect service. Service is attitude. <BR> <BR>Love, <BR>Anti-Paul <BR> <BR>Paul Therault, noun.; syn.: crumudgeon: Small pitiful little man who has nothing better to do that to trawl the Fodor's site and offer nothing but pro-Carnival advice. <BR> <BR>Hint for Carnival cruisers: You get what you pay for. The reason so many people dislike Carnival so much is because they are a budget cruise line. Where there is smoke, there's fire.

TOO MANY KIDS!!! Carnival is for families. Rugrats can make any trip unbearable, but with Carnival, you have the nasty little tykes running all over the ship. With some many oblivious breeding baby boomers, there is no chance for the future!!! Please show your kids some manners, don't worry, they won't hate you if you're firm. You are doing them a favor by raising them to be decent adults. Just venting, I was on a CCL cruise last year, and there were children in the casino at midnight!!!! NO, NO, NO, that is unacceptable and the parents should have been put out to sea along with their brats!!

Elizabeth: Sorry to say this but the way your post is worded you are the one who is sounding bitter! Name calling is constructive? I guess in your world it is..such a pity.

<BR>Dear Elizabeth, <BR> <BR>My post was directed to Anti-Paul, not you. If you read my post carefully, the service issue is stated. <BR> <BR>And to "xxx" ...... Carnival Corporation is one if the best for alleviating passenger complaints. This is one reason why they have so many repeat passengers. <BR> <BR>You notice I am still attempting to be civil. <BR> <BR>I post positive info on just about every cruise line. <BR> <BR>My life revolves around the travel industry. <BR> <BR>I am here for consumer awareness. <BR> <BR>Paul

There shouldn't be this many complaints in the first place. Alleviating customer complaints should be learning from your mistakes and preventing them. The worst kind of management is those that put out fires not prevent them. C'mon Paul do you seriously think there would be this many disgruntled people if there was not any basis to their comments. Even you can't be that dogmatic and naive. <BR> <BR>Here is some contructive advice to boot. Both CCL and RCCL would be better off if they answered complaints in a timely manner not serveral months after the fact.

<BR>Hi Xman, <BR> <BR>This is a nation of complainers. Free society. We want to be pampered on vacation. It also gives passengers something to talk about. <BR> <BR>Minor complaints do seem major to some passengers. They have not learned how to ignore them and enjoy their vacations. <BR> <BR>Just ask any hotel manager. <BR> <BR>Apparently you did receive compensation from RCCL and CCL that is why you stated it took so long and now you are complaining. <BR> <BR>Another company handles the compaints from cruise line passengers. They of course receive many. They have to evaluate them, check with the ship to confirm and then decide whether the complaint is worth restitution. This is not an overnight process and may take a few of months. <BR> <BR>Here is an example ..... I sailed the Sensation. I had a wonderful time. The food was great and so was the crew and the service I had was outstanding. There was great camaradarie among the crew. <BR> <BR>This ship has the lowest rating of all the Carnival ships. It also has the most repeat passengers of all the ships. <BR> <BR>The reason is .... The ship sails from Tampa. All retirement communities in this area. Since most of the passengers do not hold a job and do not have a "real" life they tend to complain more (it is a means of converstaion). They fill out the comment cards with all their complaints. I believe most hope to receive a free cruise. I imagine most do get some type of small voucher that they can use on their next cruise. CCL knows this and to get them to repeat is good business practice. <BR> <BR>Sorry if I offended anyone. I am sure I will hear about it. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Our son and his bride were disappointed on their Destiny cruise. Catalog said it docked in Cancun but it came in way around a peninsula, requiring a time consuming bus ride to town, holding them to a schedule. Also, they were not at all impressed with the "show" entertainment on the cruise.

Mom: No cruiseline docks in Cancun. They all dock in Playa del Carmen or similar, which is about as close as you will get to Cancun. If your son complained about Carnival's entertainment tell him to forget cruising. Carnival is known to have the best entertainment afloat.

<BR>There are a few passengers who do not care for the Las Vegas type production shows. Possibly because they are too overpowering. <BR> <BR>Other cruise lines have Broadway type shows that appeal to many. <BR> <BR>See a travel agent for advice. <BR> <BR>Paul

Paul I don't consider a discount to another cruise compensation. Especially when I did not like the first two. I tried to be open minded and tried more than one cruise line. I was unhappy with both CCL and RCCL. Specifically what bothered me the most was that no one enforced dress codes. for lines that profess to be of quality I found them very "Low Brow". And recently I read somewhere on this web site that the average employee makes approx. $4000.00 a month. My God that is a lot of money. For that kind of money, well I won't even start... <BR> <BR>

<BR>Dear xman, <BR> <BR>I know you do not care for my opinions but I believe you are ready for the more upscale lines. <BR> <BR>The $4,000 per month mentioned is tip money. Wages are approximately $65 a month. <BR> <BR>Paul

Paul actually your opinions are quite interesting. The fact remains that these people are taking home double what the average American household makes. That is on par with a top 4 star restaurant. As far as customer service goes there shouldn't be one complaint from any passengers (I know there is always a couple of trouble makers). All I'm saying is that the service I received was not up to scale with other service personnel making the same amount of money.

<BR>xman, <BR> <BR>Let's do some calculatons: <BR> <BR>They make $4,000 a month and they work 9 months (3 months off). <BR> <BR>That is $36,000. Seems like a lot of money right? Wrong. <BR> <BR>They work 40 weeks therefore they earn $900 a week. <BR> <BR>They work 16 hour days minimum (if they get their work done) that comes to 112 hours a week. That's about what I work. <BR> <BR>They earn $8.03 per hour. <BR> <BR>Would you like the phone number of the employment department? <BR> <BR>Jeez, I just figured out what I make ...... it's less. <BR> <BR>Paul

What are you doing home? You should be in school at 1:11 PM.<BR><BR>Oh, maybe it is recess time at your school. Sorry.<BR><BR>Paul

Hi Mizebaby,<BR><BR>I've sailed on more than 20 cruises and all sorts and different cruise lines, mostly the major ones. Been on 3 by Carnival and loved every one of them. I think Carnival gives more bang for your buck. The best cuisine I've had was on the Elation and I also consider it to be the ship with the nicest decor. Carnival ships are truly the "fun" ships geared for a younger average age group. I will never hesitate to sail on one. I wonder why most agents frown when I say I want to get on Carnival, I have only to believe that probably they don't get enough commission from Carnival that's why they won't push it. I know better.

I highly recommend Carnival if you are between the ages of 16 and 90 and as long as your not a pain in the butt, rich snob who complains about everything just to hear themselves talk.