Today, we’re talking about Carnival. This way. Carnival!
Carnival Cruise Line. They’ve grown from a single ship sailing from Miami
in 1972 to a fleet that carries more than six million passengers annually.
You don't grow that big without having a lot of people that love your product. And you
also may know that not everyone is a huge Carnival fan and there are some
strong opinions on the negative side as well.
I'll cover exactly what makes people love... or hate...
one of the world's largest and most popular cruise lines right now.
Having sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC,
all of them, I can tell you personally that the vibe on a Carnival ship is just different.
That's not to say that other cruise lines are stuffy or
tight-laced. Far from it. But, there is a different feeling when you're aboard Carnival.
Of course, the cruise line likes to call itself the Funships, and that's not just a name.
Everyone from the staff to the guests seems to be in the mood to have a good
time. You're going to see line dancing on the pool deck. The energy always feels upbeat,
people seem to let loose a little more, and your other passengers also seem more outgoing.
All you have to do is look at the door decorations on Carnival compared to what
you see on other lines. It's like night and day as they are not near as common on other ships.
If you've ever sailed Carnival, love it or not, there's no chance you didn't notice
the atmosphere. For many, it's why the cruise line is their favorite.
Cruising is a business, and that's no different for Carnival. But,
it definitely seems to be more affordable when compared to some rivals.
This starts with cruise fares. It's tough to compare apples to apples, but
the least expensive cruises aboard Carnival right now start around $140 per person
for a four-day trip. The cheapest from Royal Caribbean show around $180 for a four-day cruise.
And that price difference often flows across itineraries and cabins.
That's not to say Carnival is always the least expensive, but in general you find lower fares.
As well, that less-expensive mentality seems to apply onboard as well. Drinks,
wi-fi, and specialty restaurants onboard carry a lower price tag than what you see on rival lines.
It all adds up to a better value for passengers, which can endear them to the cruise line.
It makes sense that the easier it is to take trip on a cruise line,
then the more people are going to love. That's where Carnival is a standout and
able to reach a number of passengers who would otherwise not take a trip.
While every cruise line sails from a place like Miami,
Carnival has made it a mission to put departures within driving distance of
millions more people. Places like Mobile, Jacksonville, Charleston all see Carnival
ships, in addition to more popular ports like Galveston, Los Angeles, and Tampa.
So almost no matter where you live, if it's within driving distance of the coast,
then you're within driving distance of a Carnival ship instead of having to deal
with flights and hotels. That's an easy way to endear yourself to lots of passengers.
I talked about the affordability of Carnival.
The cruise fares and the cost for things on the ship are generally lower
than what you find on rival lines. But there also seems to be more included with your base fare.
To be sure, there is no shortage of opportunities to spend money on a Carnival ship. But while other
lines seem to be moving toward fewer and fewer free options, Carnival still has plenty to offer.
Take food as a big example. Many other lines essentially have the buffet, main dining room
and snacks included in the fare. Everything else
is an upcharge. Carnival offers many more free options like Guy's Burger Joint,
as well as offer free options for lunch at restaurants that normally charge a fee at dinner.
As well, nearly all activities are free on Carnival ships
although newer ships are seeing more charges.
It all seems to go back to that affordability
and value that's a major part of the reason people love Carnival.
Ok, it seems a little funny to love a cruise line because of
a cheeseburger. But that's only if you haven't had Guy's Burger Joint.
This spot on all Carnival ships is a free place to eat, serving burgers and fries during they
day. They are by far the best burgers I've ever had on a cruise ship and it seems I'm not alone.
People rave about them, and there are often long lines to grab one when they're serving.
Would people still love Carnival without the burger?
Sure, but it definitely helps as food is such a big part of taking a cruise.
Of course, you can't please all the people all of the time.
So while literally boatloads of people love sailing Carnival, it's not without
its critics. So what are some of the reasons people seem to dislike the cruise line?
Let's just address the elephant in the room. There are people that say Carnival's passengers
are different compared to what you find on other lines given the price point and atmosphere. In a
way that's meant to be disparaging, you may have heard some say that it's the "Walmart of cruises."
On the flipside, some Carnival fans say that some other lines can be too fancy or pretentious.
My take? I think you'd be surprised at how many people actually sail multiple cruise lines. So
there is likely a lot of overlap between people taking Carnival cruise
and say, a Royal Caribbean trip. I know I'm one of them.
I do think the atmosphere of Carnival lends itself to being more of a party, and maybe that's
what people pick up on. And if you're comparing Carnival to a high-end luxury-focused cruise line,
then yes, you will have different passengers
just like a Four Seasons hotel is going to feel a bit different than a budget hotel.
It used to be a cruise ship was the way you got from destination to destination. These days,
the ship is the destination. Cruise passengers have come to expect
tons of things on the ship to keep them entertained for a week at sea.
In that area, I personally think -- and others seem to agree -- Carnival can't quite match on
the whole with cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Sure, Mardi Gras and other ships
in her class are stepping up their game, but on a fleetwide basis, there is still plenty of room to
catch up with rivals when it comes to everything that you can do and see on a Carnival ship.
The result? If you're the sort of person that loves being entertained,
then Carnival might leave you wanting more.
Finally, you might find people that have a negative connotation of
Carnival and they've never even set foot on one of their ships before.
Of course, some people have issues with any cruise ship. They imagine thousands
of people jammed together with no space. Anyone that's cruised knows that's not really the case.
But Carnival has also seen some high-profile incidents. Most notable was with the Carnival
Triumph in 2013. Departing Galveston, the ship had an engine room fire, which resulted in a loss
of power on the ship causing it to set adrift. Then, there was reportedly no air conditioning
and sewage backing up. Many passengers set to sleeping on open decks instead of their cabins.
As a result, the trip earned the unflattering name of "The Poop Cruise."
For many people, that's enough to put a negative light on the cruise line.
From what I've seen, whether you're a Carnival fan or not really comes down to what sort of
vibe you look for on a cruise. If you want to let loose, have a good time, and not spend a fortune,
there is a lot to like about Carnival. But if you're the sort of person that enjoys
a more upscale atmosphere that focuses on fine dining and cultural activities,
there are other lines that will fit the bill.
I think of it like Las Vegas. There are people
that love Vegas... and people that can't stand it. But I've always thought
that if you can't find a way to have fun in the city for a few days, then that's on you.
Sure, Carnival may be a perfect fit for you, or maybe it absolutely is.
But if you can't have a great time onboard for at least a short cruise, then that might be on you.
Thank you for watching. If you want more cruise tips, information, and commentary on sailing,
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