Carnival Vista cruise ship. Image Courtesy of Carnival Cruises
Updated February 20, 2017 .
Carnival Cruise Lines Lifestyle:
Carnival Cruise Lines' ships are called the "Fun Ships", and the action onboard any of the Carnival cruise ships is non-stop and full of high-spirited active fun. Carnival is the largest and most successful cruise line afloat, and the lifestyle is much like you would find in Las Vegas -- glitzy and fast-paced. Carnival markets its ships to the average person, and does not promise a luxury cruise experience.
The quality of the cabins, cuisine, and entertainment is a good value for the price.
Carnival Cruise Lines Cruise Ships and Itineraries:
Carnival's distinctive exteriors are white with a bright red funnel.
Carnival Cruise Lines Passenger Profile:
Carnival has packaged a cruise experience that appeals to active cruisers of all ages. Although many think the ships' "fun" image is geared to the young, the average passenger's age is 45+. Carnival is a good choice for first time cruisers, couples, singles, and multi-generational families looking for a good time, glamorous surroundings and glitzy entertainment. Anyone looking for a quiet cruise with lots of personal attention should probably look elsewhere.
Carnival Cruise Lines Accommodations and Cabins:
Carnival ships are designed to appeal to the mainstream cruiser, and there are multiple cabin categories on these mega-ships of every type--inside (no window), outside (window that cannot be opened), balconied. and suites.
Even the smallest cabins are relatively spacious, and there is adequate storage for two people.
Interestingly, although the smaller cabins are adequate, the top-priced suites are not as large as on many other cruise lines. Some cabins can accommodate 3 or 4 people. All the cabins have individually-controlled air conditioning and beds that can be made up as either king or two twins.
A basket of bath amenities is included in each cabin.
Carnival Cruise Lines Cuisine and Dining:
All Carnival ships have one or two non-smoking main dining rooms along with casual fast food or buffet-style eateries and smaller alternative restaurants that require a reservation and an extra charge. The Carnival fleet has standardized menus in the main dining rooms, and most ships have two or more seatings as well as open seating. The fun, active atmosphere carries over into the included dining venues. and most passengers love the parades of singing and dancing waiters. The luxury, extra-surcharge restaurants are elegant and provide exceptional food and outstanding service.
Carnival Cruise Lines Onboard Activities and Entertainment:
A Carnival cruise ship is much like a summer camp for all age groups. Along with the bingo, dance lessons, and movies are numerous opportunities to spend your money -- art auctions, boutique shopping, and waiters plying you with drinks by the pool. Those who love an all-inclusive cruise will not enjoy this aspect of Carnival, but charging for "extras" has kept the basic fare low.
The entertainment is often first-class and similar to what you will see in Las Vegas--excellent production shows.
Carnival Cruise Lines Common Areas:
Most of the Carnival interiors are bright and complement the "fun" theme. The decor is certainly creative! The bright, often wild color combinations on some of the ships are stimulating and whimsical.
Carnival Cruise Lines Spa, Gym, and Fitness:
Steiner operates the spa and fitness facilities for Carnival. The spas are lovely, and the fully-equipped gym impressive. Some fitness classes are free, but others have a fee. In addition to the treatment rooms are whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms.
The ships have three swimming pools. and most have a slide and other water park features. The pool is a popular spot on most cruises, although finding (and keeping) a pool chair can be a challenge at times. Ping pong, shuffleboard, volleyball, and a golf pro are also available.
More on Carnival Cruise Lines:
Best for
Carnival cruises is an all-American experience: cruising for those with a low boredom threshold – exciting, noisy, challenging, but blood pressure-raising, organised fun, slickly packaged with about 60 different itineraries.
Carnival’s “fun” cruising is good for families with children and teens (anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a parent, relative or guardian) and youthful adults. Typically, about half of Carnival’s passengers are taking their first cruise. About 30 per cent are under 35, 30 per cent are over 55, the other 40 per cent are between 35 and 55.
The dress code is ultra-casual – indeed, the waiters are better dressed than most passengers – particularly during youth-heavy holiday seasons and spring breaks, when clothes appear almost optional. Although Carnival is all about “happy” and “fun”, it’s a very impersonal cruise experience, overseen by young cruise directors who deliver the same jokes and banter on every trip. Solo cruisegoers can get lost in the crowds of doubles.
Perhaps the tone doesn’t matter so much because this will be a first cruise for most passengers. Repeat customers, however, have a distinct sense of déjà vu, but carry a Gold Card for better recognition from staff (Platinum for those who have cruised with Carnival more than 10 times).
The ships are clean and well maintained – if you don’t peer too closely. Open deck space may look adequate when you board, but on days at sea you can expect your plastic deck chair, if you can find one that’s free, to be kissing its neighbour – it’s probably tied to it.
You may well encounter lots of smokers, and masses of fellow passengers walking around in inharmonious clothing, clutching plastic sport drinks bottles at any time of the day or night. The decibel level is high: it is difficult to escape from noise and loud music, and “background” music is played even in cabin hallways and lifts 24 hours a day. Huge poolside movie screens are being fitted aboard Carnival’s ships.
Carnival Capers, the ship’s daily activities programme, is among the industry’s poorest information sheets, in terms of layout and print quality, and most of it is devoted to persuading you to spend money.
Carnival cruises: ships
Passenger niggles
The most consistent complaints include the fact that most activities are geared around trying to sell you something. Free-to-enter onboard games have pint-sized “prizes”, while the cost of playing bingo keeps rising. Many people object to the heavy sales pitches for products in spas.
Expect to be subjected to a stream of flyers advertising daily art auctions, “designer” watches, gold and silver chains and other promotions, while overpriced “artworks” for auction are strewn throughout the ships. Also, expect intrusive announcements (particularly for activities that bring revenue), and waiters hustling you to have drinks. The pushy photographers are almost impossible to escape. The non-stop recorded poolside music is intrusive. And then there’s disembarkation…
There are libraries but few books, and bookshelves are always locked by 6pm, because you are expected to be out in the (revenue-earning) public areas each evening. There is little finesse and not enough attention to individuals.
Accommodation
In 2008 Carnival cruises reorganised some cabin categories, and, following the European way of doing things, cabins in the best locations now cost more. Note that balconies in many of the cabins with “private” balconies aren’t so private – most can be overlooked from other cabins located on the deck above and from various public locations. You may have to carry a credit card to operate the personal safes – inconvenient. High-quality mattresses and bed linen, also available for sale, have been fitted to all beds.
Decor
So, if you love colour, you’ll be fine. If you prefer monochrome, take sunglasses. Excepted from the dazzle are the clinical public toilets, which could do with a little bit of cheering up – the designer clearly hasn’t been in one lately.
All Carnival ships have one or two main dining rooms, and its “Your Choice Dining” programme offers three dinner-seating options, including “Your Time” open seating.
Don’t even think about a quiet table for two, or a candlelight dinner on deck – it’s not Carnival’s style – unless you pay extra to go to an “alternative” restaurant. Dining aboard a Carnival ship is all about table mates, social chat, lively meals, and fast eating.
The main dining rooms marry food and show business. Waiters sing and dance, and there are constant waiter parades with flashing lights in an attempt to create some excitement.
Taste-filled food is not the company’s strong point, but quantity, not quality, is. The company has been striving to improve its cuisine and the menu choices often look good, but the actual food delivered is simply banquet-style catering, with its attendant standardisation and production cooking.
While meat is of a decent quality, poultry, fish, seafood and desserts are disappointing. The selection of fresh green vegetables, breads, rolls, cheese and ripe fruit is poor, and there is much use of canned fruit and jellied desserts, not to mention packets of jam, marmalade, butter, sugar – the same stuff you’d find in the average family eatery in the United States.
Vegetarian menus and children’s menus are available at all meals, although they wouldn’t get a generous score for their nutritional content. Spa Carnival Fare has been introduced to provide “healthy” dining options.
The wine list is adequate, but there are no wine waiters or decent-sized wine glasses.
Alternative dining spots
Available on Carnival Destiny, Carnival Dream
These extra-cost restaurants feature fine table settings, china and silverware, and leather-bound menus. Menu favourites include steaks and broiled lobster tail, as well as stone crab claws from Joe’s Stone Crabs of South Miami Beach.
Reservations are necessary, and a cover charge of $30 per person for service and gratuity is payable.
The wine list is impressive – it includes such names as Opus One and Château Lafite-Rothschild. The food is very good, and the ambiance is reasonably quiet. But if you are a couple and you have just two glasses of wine each (Grgich Hills Chardonnay or Merlot, for example, at $12.50 a glass), and pay the cover charge, that’s over $100 for dinner. Caviar (American) would cost around $30 for a 1-ounce serving.
Are alternative dining spots worth the extra money? Yes, I believe they are – the food’s better, the service is slower, and it’s less noisy.
Casual Eateries
All ships also have large food court-style spaces for casual food, fast-food items, grilled meat, pizzas (each ship serves over 800 pizzas in a typical day), stir fry, deli and salad items. There are self-help beverage stands, coffee that looks like rusty water, and tea provided in paper cups with a teabag (tea dust, as far as I’m concerned), plastic or wooden stirrers (no teaspoons and no saucers), and packets of chemical “milk” or “creamer.”
But some people are happy to have it that way, and it’s actually better than what’s offered aboard the ships of its competitor, Royal Caribbean International.
The Coffee/Tea Factor
Regular coffee is weak and poor, scoring one out of 10 (paper/foam cups in buffet areas). Espresso and cappuccino coffees score two out of 10 (paper/foam cups, in buffet areas).
Gratuities
These are added to your onboard account at $9.75 per person per day. You can have this amount adjusted if you visit the information desk. Additionally, 15 per cent is added to your account for all bar, wine and spa charges (yes, even after high treatment prices). The onboard currency is the US dollar – and this applies even when a ship is operating in European waters.
Navigation
Carnival Cruises
Bonsai Sushi- Aboard the Carnival Breeze –A la Carte pricing
Chef’s Table – $75/person available on all ships. The experience starts with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for a select group of 12, followed by a tour to see the galley in operation. The evening concludes with a mind-blowing full-service dinner of amazing appetizers, entrees and desserts not found on our regular dining menus. Reserve early because this once-in-a-lifetime experience has limited seating.
Cucina Del Capitano – Available on the Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Magic. Will be available on the Carnival Sunshine in April 2013. Lunch is complimentary. Dinner is $12/person.
Fat jimmy’s C-Side BBQ- Available on the Carnival Breeze. No additional cost.
Guy’s Burger Joint – Available on the Carnival Glory, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest andCarnival Liberty. Carnival has teamed up with best-selling author, restaurateur and Food Network personality Guy Fieri to bring all the appetizing appeal of a roadside burger to Guy’s Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries. Try a fresh-off-the-grill burger Guy’s way, or take it off-road to our topping bar and truly make it your own. No additional cost.
Blue Iguana Cantina – Available on the Carnival Glory, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Liberty. Blue Iguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas or chips and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm”. No additional cost.
Mongolian Wok-Available on the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Valor. Chow down on some delicious Asian goodness. First, pick your noodles and veggies. Then tell one of our chefs manning the wok what sauce and meat you’d like added in. Will it be mussels and Szechuan? Beef and Thai Barbecue? Chicken and Black Bean? Don’t worry, the decision doesn’t have to be final, because with Mongolian Wok open every day from late morning to early evening, you can come back and try as many combos as your heart desires! No additional cost.
Available On: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendor (December 2012), Carnival Fantasy (January 2013), Carnival Fascination (January 2013), Carnival Sunshine (April 2013).
The Punchliner Comedy Brunch is presented by George Lopez. Not that he’ll actually be there, but he gave our huevos rancheros the thumbs-up, and even helped select the comedy talent performing multiple shows per day. What’s your role in all this? Just laugh and chew your food, which may be harder than it sounds. The Punchliner Comedy Brunch features a menu of mid-morning classics made to sink your teeth into, like overstuffed breakfast burritos, special french toast, loaded mac n’ cheese… and yes, more ways to cook eggs than we even thought was possible. We’ve even picked up a few food tips from George and his Mexican heritage — most dishes were inspired by (and a few even created by) the man himself! No additional cost.
Available on the Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze (November 2012), Carnival Sunshine (April 2013. So you’ve just hit the mini-golf links and find yourself with a champion-sized hunger. For a snack that goes the distance in satisfying, don’t look far… look to SeaDogs! Grab an all-beef hot dog — free with your favorite toppings — right at SportSquare, ready to put a dent in your hunger. No additional cost
Available On: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Splendor and the Carnival Valor. Carnival Sunshine (April 2013).
How do you make a special vacation even more special? Book a table at the memorably delicious steakhouse. Our menu features mouthwatering beef cooked to your exact specifications, as well as a fantastic selection of seafood, entrées, gourmet appetizers and an extensive wine list. For the vacation-friendly price of only $35 per person, you can take in the elegant atmosphere and enjoy the culinary creations of our expert chefs. Like any destination restaurant, reservations for the steakhouse are highly recommended.
The Taste Bar
Available On: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Glory, Carnival Fantasy (January 2013),Carnival Fascination (January 2013),Carnival Sunshine (April 2013).
A voyage to new destinations is the perfect time to try new things… and here’s the perfect place: The Taste Bar. Stop in to The Taste Bar for a new and different delicacy each day — the dishes will give you a taste of the flavors that await at dining venues across the Carnival fleet. Pick up a complimentary appetizer before dinner for a taste of something different. No additional cost.