Royal Caribbean or Carnival (cruises, vacation, reservations, European)

[nitram]

Here are several blog sites about Carnival Cruise lines..pros and cons. Click on any or all of them and then make up your mind. Carnival cruising blog site - Google Search

[JHG722]

Carnival is a dump. RC for sure.

[maggiekate]

you could read the cruise critic for ideas. Based on RCCL and being on them, this is really a better
cruise line. One family member did not take my advise sailed with Carnival, and I was on RCCL
I had a way better time. Better upgrades, food beaches, oh and great weather!

[hln917]

Originally Posted by beckycat

We're looking at Carnival Destiny. Anyone been on that one?

Hubby and I took a cruise on the Destiny a few years back. The rooms were nice, we had a balcony room. I can't say much for the rest of the cruise. Unfortunately it's not one we'll definitely choose again. However I'm sure every trip is different. Check out this site and reviews from others.
Carnival Destiny Cruise Reviews

[Huckleberry3911948]

carnival.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

carnival.

No.

[Stripes17]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Carnival is a dump. RC for sure.

Wow, what a fact-based and well thought out reply! It sure brought alot of help to the OP.

Anyway to the OP, we've cruised on Carnival four times and we're heading out again with them next week for a 5 day cruise. I cannot directly compare CCL to other cruise lines as we've only sailed Carnival and had no reason to go elsewhere.

I've read many posts over at Cruise Critic dot Com and the concensus is that CCL and RCCL are very similar (CCL has bigger staterooms though!). I also understand CCL had a reputation during the days of Kathy Lee Gifford and they had rowdy party boats. In our four cruises, I have yet to see an obnoxiously drunk or rowdy person on board, in spite of the various party and other activities. CCL suits our family just fine and we cruise with 3 generations.

Good luck with your choice and enjoy your cruise!!!

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

Wow, what a fact-based and well thought out reply! It sure brought alot of help to the OP.

Thanks! Enjoy your junkie cruise

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Which do you prefer and why?

Since I believe that children have no business on a cruise ship, of the two offered I would pick Royal Caribbean. However, given the choice I would choose Cunard first (but they are pricey) and Norwegian Cruises second.

Carnival would be my dead last choice.

20yrsinBranson

[Rick Lee]

I've only been on one cruise and will never ever do it again. It was Carnival and it was the most ghetto experience I've ever had. My then GF, who was not from this country, picked it all out, not knowing any better. I've never seen so many disgustingly obese and low-class people in my life. The 24 hr. buffets don't exactly attract those who respect their bodies. They had an entire hour-long class in the auditorium on how to shop in the Bahamas. I got the feeling none of these people had ever left the U.S. before. I remember seeing one guy at dinner who was wearing what looked like a white tux. When he turned around, the back was all mesh/netting and was a long tail jacket. It was one step below those "Prom night in the hood" photos that get emailed around.

The one good thing I will say, however, were the eastern European crew. They looked like students and all wore a name tag with their country of origin. I've done a lot of off the beaten path travel in eastern Europe and so I really enjoyed sharing stories with some of those folks. But for most of the ride I just sat on the deck, read my Tom Clancy book and smoked my duty-free Dunhills. Never again.