Thread: Cruising on Carnival

That might have been where I heard it. You can tell that is a very important topic to me!

We also liked Costa Magica alot. Smoking is a hot button issue with me too. Generally there is smoking aloud on the port side on the pool deck but smokers think nothing of smoking on the starboard side.

We began sailing on Carnival because of its more relaxed atmosphere, and the fact that they offered a military discount for honorable discharge, as well as current and retired military. Other lines now offer similar less restrictive discounts. My DH prefers a more casual atmosphere. Some make it a party; others just kick back and relax. The food has always been good, with a wide variety, and now includes "anytime dining" for those who don't want to be tied to a tight schedule. My DH had been on another cruise several years ago, where the waiter grabbed the fork out of his hand, telling him that it was the wrong one, then told him which one to use. Since that time, he prefers the more casual surroundings and staff. We've very rarely had bad experiences with crew members. And now, after 10+ cruises, we enjoy the perks for repeat cruisers, such as priority boarding, free wash & fold laundry, etc. We'll try other ships, depending on pricing and destinations, but right now, Carnival fills our vacation plans.

Never having problems with Carnival and the deals we get every year with the Players club we will stay with Carnival till we stop cruiseing.

I voted Other because I am currently in the process of deciding if I want to take a Port Canaveral-to-Bahamas weekend cruise but for years, I swore I was never going to board a Carnival ship and had no interest in the Bahamas either. The possible turnaround - if you want to call it that - went like this:

My mom told my sister she wants to plan a weekend overnighter, knowing we can't take a weeklong out-of-state vacation because of her job and financial situation. That triggered this suggestion: I should research three-day cruises that are round-trip in Florida. I figured out that would require sailing on the Sensation, Monarch, or Norwegian Star. Mom ruled out the Monarch because it costs $600 per person for the junior suite and that is the smallest room type I am willing to accept. The Norwegian Star's nowhere cruise is on March 23, just one month away. So it appears I will have to book a Sensation cruise to the Bahamas or wait until next year's West Coast cruise to board a ship. This is my only chance to get on a Carnival ship because after sailing on the Sapphire I will be unwilling to accept anything less wonderful than she is.