First trip on Carnival

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Scrubette

Guest
We just returned from our first cruise on Carnival and were disappointed. We have only been on one other cruise prior (Royal Caribbean) and we could not find one bad thing to say about that cruise. I wish I could say the same for this trip on the Paradise.
It started out with the ship leaving from the port of Miami right smack in the middle of the muster drill. We did not get a chance to watch as we pulled away from the port. That same night, they had one show planned in the Normandie (needless to say you cannot cram 2000+people in one lounge). The next morning, we went to attend a music trivia contest that never took place - could not get anyone to tell us why.
I could have easily dealt with those issues but having to stand in line for everything is just not my idea of a vacation. The activities were poorly planned and the entertainment left something to be desired. The food was mediocre (the pizza was actually very good). We still had a good time because we make to most of our vacations but I will not plan another trip with Carnival. It was not a terrible experience and if I had not been on another cruise first, I probably would not know any difference.
When we went with Royal Caribbean, we never stood in line for anything, the events were spread out so that there were not huge crowds in one area of the ship, the food and entertainment were great.
The one BIG PLUS is that Paradise is a non smoking ship. It was very nice not smelling smoke with you walked into the Casino or anywhere else on the ship. The ship is beautiful and could be teriffic if they would just organize things better.
 
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PEB

Guest
Well thats why there are different cruise lines I guess. Everyone has different preference in things. I do agree with you that the Paradise being smoke free is very nice. We personally enjoyed the food and entertainment on the Paradise, as I said everyone has different tastes in things. We were fortunate in that all events seem to go as planned and we did not have a lot of problems with lines other than embarking and disembarking.

Each sailing is different and obviously somethings must not have gone right on your cruise. Perhaps it was a bad sailing so please don't say you would not cruise Carnival again because you may find things better on a different sailing or a different ship.

I know I did not care for certain things on Celebrity lines but I will try them again because it may have just been one bad cruise. I am sure RCCL doesn't have a perfect cruise every time.

By the way I prefer Princess cruise lines but I would deffinately cruise Carnival again. I'm still waiting to try RCCL and I do look forward to cruising with them.
 
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Cruzman

Guest
I have sailed on the Paradise as well as 3 other Carnival ships. Have also sailed on Royal Caribbean four times. My best cruise of those 8 cruises was on the Paradise. Having said that, as PEB mentioned, every cruise on the same ship may not be the same. You might sail on the same ship two weeks in a row and find a dramatic difference in quality between the two. Then there are individual preferences that can best be exemplified by reading reviews of different people on the same sailing. Drastically different impressions are often reported. Personally I have never had a bad cruise.
 
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Cactuscruise

Guest
How could you go on a cruise for more than 2000 people and not expect to stand in lines?
 
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pattybuff

Guest
Sorry to hear u had a bad experience. I have been on 3 carival ships(fantasy, imagination, inspiration) and one RCCL (voyage of the seas). I really have not had a bad experience with either. I would say I like Carnival better. The RCCL had 3000 and we did have quite a few lines. It was hard to figure that ship out as well.

I will go on the RCCL again, but I do want to see one of Carnival's big ones as well and see how they are compared to the Voyager. Time will tell in January on the Conquest.

Wish u luck!!
 
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