Opinions please

[likenthecruise]

Hello Everyone!

I recently came back from the Mexican Riviera cruise with NCL and had a great time. I just received an ad on the Carnival Freedom to the Mediterranean. What are your thoughts about Carnival. Is it as party crazy as what I've read on other chat boards?

Thank you

[macmom111]

Party crazy? you really cant be serious.
Carnival is without a doubt a fun ship. I guess there are parties if you want but it is just plain good fun. lol party crazy is a good one.

[Cruise Fanatic]

You will have fun on Carnival, but no, today they aren't the party crazy ships that built their reputation back in the 70's. Just as you've grown up and matured, so have they. The average age of cruisers on Carnival is about 47. They carry more Senior citizens than any other cruise line. They have about a 98% satisfaction and repeater rate. On longer cruises such as the Mediterranean cruise you will have a more mature passenger mix. There are some very good prices on the Carnival Freedom Mediterranean cruises. I'm sure you would enjoy one.

[Cassandra M.]

You need to try CCL out. They are not crazy cruises and continuous party freeks aren't onboard. You can spend your time around the ship where ever your comfortable, from the casino to the library. We went on the Mediterranean a couple years ago and it was more exciting than I thought it would be. I've only crused CCL so far and need to try another like you are thinking about but once you've been on so many with one cruise line it's hard to try another, for me it is. Let us know what you think about CCL if you try it out.

[Emily8]

Its all in what you want. If you want a crazy cruise, you will get one. If not then don't worry.

[nascarcin]

Hi, my husband and I are going on a Carnival cruise this weekend. It will be cruise #5 for us on Carnival. I first went on a Carnival cruise with my girlfriends in 1992 and I didn't even think it was a "party boat" back then. Like someone else said, it is what you make it. I think the distinction that can be made is that Carnival is more casual than some of the other cruise lines. I have only been on one cruise not on Carnival and that was on Royal Caribbean and I can definitely say that Carnival is more laid back. Can't really describe it any other way. I don't know how old you are but I am 53 and my husband is 49. The other couples we travel with are in their mid-50's and none of them think it's a party boat. Otherwise, we wouldn't continue to go on Carnival. It's just like the commercial says--a FUN SHIP!

[LHP]

Some Carnival cruises are more "party" than others. If you cruise on a 3 or 4 day during Spring Break or during the summer when there are more "young adults" out of college for the summer...yes, it can be more of a party atmosphere.

However, most Carnival cruises are going to be just like NCL as far as clientele is concerned.

If you want a less party cruise, I would advise at least a 5 day *preferably a 7 and cruise when school is in session.

You mentioned the Med. That will not be a party cruise on Carnival. You will have a great time.

[Dwayne]

Most of the partying is on the 3 and 4 day cruises as LHP noted. Especially the Cozumel ones. When I cruise when school is in session it seems like an older crowd to me. Today's Carnival is nothing like the old days of the Mardis Gras. I guess the reputation still is out there, but it's not true anymore. Now take a cruise during spring break and it can have quite a few partiers.

I would think the demographic between NCL and Carnival would be pretty much the same on a Mediterranean cruise.

Dwayne

[CruiseDad]

Originally posted by likenthecruise:
Hello Everyone!

I recently came back from the Mexican Riviera cruise with NCL and had a great time. I just received an ad on the Carnival Freedom to the Mediterranean. What are your thoughts about Carnival. Is it as party crazy as what I've read on other chat boards?

Thank you

If John Held is still CD on the Freedom, and I think he is, you could find him not only very good at keeping you informed but also entertained. I cruised with him on the Triumph and he was very good at what he does. At Carnival.com you might find a link to his blog and get a flavor for what the CD will be like on the Freedom.

If he has moved on try it any way, Carnival is quite fun, I'm 57 and even cruised once during spring break, still good, Try it.

[DUTCHMAN]

Carnival cruises are going to be just like NCL, RCI. When you look around its alot of the same people, everybody has their own reasons, as far as cruiseing there is not much difference. For us Carny has a much better price (military) for what we want.