And the hits keep coming for Carnival

Disney.Mike

Well-Known Member
I dont think this will really hurt Carnival. Most people I know who go on Carnival want to spend the least $ per night to be on this ship and party. The other cruise lines seem to aim for other demographics. Personally I think Norwegian and RC have a good mix between class and party for the price. DCL charges a premium for the name but they have very good ships... its really a family vacation cruise... not a drunken college party cruise.
 

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
I dont think this will really hurt Carnival. Most people I know who go on Carnival want to spend the least $ per night to be on this ship and party. The other cruise lines seem to aim for other demographics. Personally I think Norwegian and RC have a good mix between class and party for the price. DCL charges a premium for the name but they have very good ships... its really a family vacation cruise... not a drunken college party cruise.

And the "drunken college party cruise" and the "cheaper price" is what keeps carnival supporters coming back. Sorry, your point is invalid. Visit the carnival boards on (that site) and you will see the hundreds of legion of fans.
 

NelleBelle

Well-Known Member
I am more than happy that DCL does not appeal to the legions of "loyal Carnival" fans--I will gladly pay a premium to minimize the exposure of wild, drunken party-goers to my kids. I would be absolutely appalled and horrified if that behavior showed up en masse on the Disney ships (as I'm sure many of other parents would). This is not to say that as a family we will not venture out and try other cruise lines in the future. As my kids are getting older, the mega-ships that RCCL have definitely are interesting. However, given the superb service we've had on DCL, it will be a tough sell.
 

Donald Razorduck

Well-Known Member
The Canvas ship bases out of Miami soon appears aimed at the Disney demo with it's on board Imax and new attractions. You see more diversification of ship choices and the demographics they are after from Carnival, RCL, and Norweigian. You see this with the ships put at certain ports now. Take Mobile and New Orleans, clearly for booze and slots cruises. Port Canaveral and Galveston offer more family friendly boats.
 

Tonka's Skipper

Well-Known Member
Frankly you may very well be surprised with the number or single and younger guest and couples that book and love the unique cruises that DCL offers.

Actually Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is the whole product, the superior designed, and built vessels with the classic lines and feel, the art deco and Nuevo deco feel and just enough Disney touches to bring a smile to peoples faces.

A ship crew that is excellent and the best trained and I know that for a fact, because I know the special training they get at American Maritime schools. Add to that how they have rescued many at sea, including being able to get the rescue boat in the water and save a person who fell off another cruise ship when the other cruise ship could not even get their boat in the water.

Their own special designed terminal and Bus service where the magic begins with videos on what's coming and Disney cartoons.

The excellent service,, yes other lines may have great service, but twisting that into saying its Disney Pixie Dust, doesn't work, Add great food and good family entertainment. The DISNEY characters that bring joy to the kids, young and old. Mickey and Minnie. Things like Animators Pallet MDR, food and mixers events and that is just starters.

AKK
 

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I didn't start this thread to bash Carnival. I personally like DCL better, but as has been noted already in the thread, Carnival has thousands upon thousands of faithful fans. They know their market, and their market loves them. There's nothing wrong with that at all. I just wish I didn't see them continue to make the news for bad reasons. That was really my only point in starting the thread.
 

EOD K9

Well-Known Member
Frankly you may very well be surprised with the number or single and younger guest and couples that book and love the unique cruises that DCL offers.

Actually Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is the whole product, the superior designed, and built vessels with the classic lines and feel, the art deco and Nuevo deco feel and just enough Disney touches to bring a smile to peoples faces
In fact, my first two cruises with the wife on DCL were well before we had children.
 

MaryJaneP

Well-Known Member
Maybe some people have different definitions of entertainment value and fun. We are glad to avoid the 24/7 atmosphere of some cruise-lines and get plenty of entertainment after breakfast but before midnight. We tend to sleep between midnight and dawn. If others want to party then, bully for them. We are glad they take their business elsewhere as it would probably diminish our cruise. We believe it is unlikely that either side is going to convince the other. To each their own or different strokes for different folks.
 

SSH

Well-Known Member
Of course, the rest of the industry followed a bit, with kids areas, teen leaders, and waterslides. Innovations were copied between different lines, but the basics remain:
1. Cunard still requires evening gowns and tuxes in elegant atmospheres.
2. Carnival (which I believe actually owns Cunard) appeals to the partiers who want to have wild times on the cheap.
3. Disney appeals to kids and young families.
4. Princess does not want the riff raff, and is perfectly happy with grey haired passengers.
5. Norwegian seems to like the "don't bother me I'm on vacation doing my own thing" set.
6. Royal Caribbean is into the thrill set and teens, with climbing walls and ziplines.
7. Holland America still likes its older set, and has the biggest shipboard morgues in the industry.

Then there's the one I like - Celebrity - RCI owned. To me, they offer a lot of value for the money in a fairly upscale feel, good for a wide range of ages (although no slides, rock walls, etc to thrill kids).

We're an active couple, no kids, like to do outdoors/adventure stuff, enjoy late night dancing/clubs, but definitely not what I'd call heavy party people. I've never sailed Disney (would love to, but just priced beyond my range) I've thought about Carnival and Norwegian, but the reputation of both just keeps me from booking. I'd love to try the gorgeous RC Harmony or other larger line just once - but I can't resist the beverage packages, generous onboard spend and other promos Celebrity offers for fairly reasonable cabin rates.
 

rob0519

Well-Known Member
The Liberty was built in 2005 and renovated in 2011, so it's not one of Carnival's older ships (Fantasy and Ecstasy were built in 1990 and 1991). Still, it doesn't say much about maintenance. If you're going on Carnival it might be prudent to pick the newest ship possible. My daughters are going on the Carnival Vista in December. It will be their first cruise on that line. They've been on DCL and NCL, so I'll wait and see what they have to say.

Yes, Carnival has tens of thousands of customers, but lately on independent forums and even one run by their own Brand Ambassador, people are complaining hard and frequently about recent cutbacks on an already "value based" cruise line. Everything from the reduced quality of the food in the main dining rooms, to charging for items previously included, to poor service, and even to the removal of all table cloths across the line.
 

Pixie VaVoom

Well-Known Member
I was not really impressed with Carnival. I have cruised "Princess" "Royal Carribean" and "Carnival". The first 2 brands I have listed had a 'gracious living' kind of feel, good entertainment, attentive staff, and quality food, nice surroundings but not overpriced. When I cruised "Carnival" the on deck chairs felt like "Dollar Store" plastic instead of something quality. I remember finding public use areas of the ship that were sticky and smelly. I was with a 50 member cruise group and we had paid considerably extra for use of meeting rooms and conference areas, and the staff treated us like we were getting in their way. Not welcoming at all, and I don't anticipate spending my money on them again.
 

Simba's Mom

Well-Known Member
I was not really impressed with Carnival. I have cruised "Princess" "Royal Carribean" and "Carnival". The first 2 brands I have listed had a 'gracious living' kind of feel, good entertainment, attentive staff, and quality food, nice surroundings but not overpriced. When I cruised "Carnival" the on deck chairs felt like "Dollar Store" plastic instead of something quality. I remember finding public use areas of the ship that were sticky and smelly. I was with a 50 member cruise group and we had paid considerably extra for use of meeting rooms and conference areas, and the staff treated us like we were getting in their way. Not welcoming at all, and I don't anticipate spending my money on them again.

Were you aware that Carnival owns one of those other 2 brands you mentioned. The reason I know is that our son used to be a music manager on a cruise ship of one of those you mentioned (so I hope they treated you well!) He used to chuckle to himself when guests would say to him "This is so much nicer than the Carnival Cruise we took once. They were terrible!" Just like in foods, you'd be surprised at who owns whom.
 

21stamps

Well-Known Member
I was not really impressed with Carnival. I have cruised "Princess" "Royal Carribean" and "Carnival". The first 2 brands I have listed had a 'gracious living' kind of feel, good entertainment, attentive staff, and quality food, nice surroundings but not overpriced. When I cruised "Carnival" the on deck chairs felt like "Dollar Store" plastic instead of something quality. I remember finding public use areas of the ship that were sticky and smelly. I was with a 50 member cruise group and we had paid considerably extra for use of meeting rooms and conference areas, and the staff treated us like we were getting in their way. Not welcoming at all, and I don't anticipate spending my money on them again.

Have you seen/read about the Vista though? It looks awesome and is getting wonderful reviews.
 

Otterhead

Well-Known Member
people are complaining hard and frequently about recent cutbacks on an already "value based" cruise line. Everything from the reduced quality of the food in the main dining rooms, to charging for items previously included, to poor service, and even to the removal of all table cloths across the line.
My first and only cruise was a Disney cruise; afterwards, out of curiosity, I priced out a Carnival cruise. At first it looked very inexpensive, but then I realized how little was included. Even beverages -- for soft drinks, you needed to buy a daily beverage ticket. A cousin of mine went on one and said it was very sticky and dirty everywhere, with cigarette burns on the deck chair arms.
 

rob0519

Well-Known Member
My first and only cruise was a Disney cruise; afterwards, out of curiosity, I priced out a Carnival cruise. At first it looked very inexpensive, but then I realized how little was included. Even beverages -- for soft drinks, you needed to buy a daily beverage ticket. A cousin of mine went on one and said it was very sticky and dirty everywhere, with cigarette burns on the deck chair arms.

It's not just Carnival as far as beverages. Disney is the only cruise line that I'm aware of that has free soft drinks available. I was on an NCL cruise last year and soft drinks had to be ordered from a wait staff or at a bar for $2.50 a drink or by purchasing a cruise long soft drink package.
 

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