Travel plan idea blog

I went on a Carnival cruise last year and had the time of my life. Everything was fantastic from the food to the room. The people couldn't do enough for me. My trip was alltogether lovely and I hope to go again soon!

My husband & I went on a Carnival Cruise back in 2002 and that was my third and last time on a Carnival Cruise. When we first entered the customs area it smelled of mildew heavily, and even onto the ship. When we arrived to our cabin, the beds were sunken, the toilets had rings around them. I didn't feel that the room was sanitary at all. I called for the room steward manager to take a look and he assured me that this was pretty much the norm for that type of older ship. And that was that! Nothing was done. We continued our vacation and had a good time despite the filth. Carnival's newer ships are very nice, but the older ships need to be taken off the water or renovated desperately.

even worse the co pres. moved to Isreal and gave up his U S citizenship to avoid taxes.

Just got back from a Carnival Cruise on older ship, I think the buffet food was not that great,

Just got back from a Carnival Cruise on older ship, I think the buffet food was not that great,

Just got back from a Carnival Cruise on older ship, I think the buffet food was not that great,

I went on a Carnival Cruise last year for 5 days. The trip was great,the service excellent,and food was wonderful. To judge a cruise line by a few very unfortunate accidents, and drunks, is not a true percepition of the whole picture.

seems like the norwalk virus is now more common than ever before. cruise lines are not taking responsability for it. 64 of us got violently ill on zenith,celebrity cruises. no concern or refund.celebrity needs to clean up.

Just finished a carnival cruise aboard the elation and must say that it was great! thanks!

I just finished a cruise on the Carnival Fantasy and had a wonderful time. You wouldn't know the age of the ship with all the refurbishments. It was spring break but a quiet one.

I live in Chicago and a VERY highend hotel had a Norwalk virus outbreak, so it's not just happening on the cruiselines. The virus was then carried to a local bar. Employees and guests need to wash their hands. If an infected guest eats a buffet without cleaning the hands properly, everyone that eats behind him may become sick. By the way hand sanitizer doesn't kill the Norwalk virus on washing the hands with soap and hot water.

I just finished a cruise on the Carnival Fantasy and had a wonderful time. You wouldn't know the age of the ship with all the refurbishments. It was spring break but a quiet one.

I live in Chicago and a VERY highend hotel had a Norwalk virus outbreak, so it's not just happening on the cruiselines. The virus was then carried to a local bar. Employees and guests need to wash their hands. If an infected guest eats a buffet without cleaning the hands properly, everyone that eats behind him may become sick. By the way hand sanitizer doesn't kill the Norwalk virus on washing the hands with soap and hot water.

6 of us went on Celebrity's MV Galaxy recently to Panama Canal, Costa Rica, Jamaica, etc. Awful experiences: rotten lobster tail dinner; ship had engine trouble on 1st day; cabin shook at times like having an earthquake; no evening buffet; a lousy comedian; same for the cruise director; a grumpy maitre d' who would not, or could not, look people in the eye while refusing to accomodate an urgent request (for medical reason) for dinner hour change; and shameless false advertisements on land tours sold by Celebrity Cruise. Will never cruise Celebrity again!

I cruised with Carnival last year along with family members on a family reunion. Very disappointing.That ship was so old it needs to be retired. I shopped on ship and a bag I bought fell apart with rough handling of luggage. I was told to report this, which I did, for a refund. I heard no more.

My husband and I went on a cruise in 04, and I was disgusted! the ship was not clean the room was shabby, the mattress old and squeaky, the bathroom had stains. The food was not good, it was the same old food the whole trip... the people working on the ship were really weird. No more cruises for us. Oh and the ship departure process sucked it can take hours before you can get off. Never again!!!

We have been on many cruises never had any problems.

You people are ridiculous. If all the employees working on the ship were, as you put it, weird, maybe they're not the problem. The same goes for the rest of you.

I have never been on a cruise but have a friend who is married to a travel agent. She said the worst cruise line was carnival. Also, you can check the cdc website for vessel sanitation and inspection logs. Very helpful in finding a clean ship

I went on a carnival cruise 2 years ago.I was not impressed at all.It was my first time.It was not cracked up to what it's suppose to be.I got so sick to my stomach from the food.I acually missed out on the island tours.Of course if you see how many hands touch the utensils that alone should say something .Not everybody washes their hands.I just think they should come up with better sanitation procedures.I certainly won't ever go on a cruise again.

i went on imagination dec. 05 i loved it so much except the 1 st nite i got a bug bite and the 4 nite i had 6 more. when i told the room stuard he said but that was a new mattress. i think i had a bed bug in bed with me. i also talked to 2 other people that had bites. when i went to the dr. one bite was inflamed i got charged $73.00 this ruiened my last 24 hrs of my trip.

My husband and I have traveled with Carnival Cruise line 3 times and found those vacations to be the best times of our lives. I would recommend everyone to try atleast one time. The food and service you receive makes you feel like royalty.

Cruised in '04 with Carnival for a Reunion. Good experience. We had a suite. Excellent entertainment and service. Suite was small compared to the other ships. Food was okay. We have also cruised with Celebrity and Princess. You get what you pay for, but Carnival delivers on their promise as "The Fun Ship". Carnival is the big bargain cruise company. If you are looking for a luxury cruise and don't mind paying for it, you might want to look at some of the other companies.

I have been on two cruises, both Carnival. Both times were fun but the first time on the larger ship was better. If you book on an older smaller ship expect it not to be pristine and in some cases a little tattered. Never should it be unclean or unsanitary. Also the smaller ships usually are cheaper. You get what you pay for. I found out in all my travels , {and I travel all over the place with all kinds of people}. The trip is what you make it. ignore the problems if you can and look for the fun. All trips take time boarding just be patient.

We cruised on Celebrity Summit to Alaska and also tacked on 4 day land and train trip. Three couples in our group and we loved every minute of it. Tours were first class, food and service were exquisite. Celebrity line was wonderful. Would recommend to anyone. Cruising to Mediterranean in early fall on Celebrity.

Thank you for the thoughtful comments everyone. It really makes my day to see everyone trying to share information and help each other plan better vacations. That's exactly why I started this site, to help people plan better vacations!

I went on a carnival cruise a few weeks ago and will never go on one again. I will also pass along to all who read this to do your research and pick another cruise line. The ship was dirty, the hallway of our cabin smelled, the food was gross..you could tell they were more concerned with saving a buck than providing decent food and to top it off, carnivals sail and sign ruined my bank account as they charged my account in error and would not even inform my bank so it could be fixed. When I called them the last time to try and resolve the bank issue, getting nowhere, out of frustration and anger told them that I would never be cruising with them again, instead of being apoligized to or being offered and retribution, I was hung up on!!!! BUYER BEWARE!!!

cruise lines in general but more specific celebrity cruise line need to clean their ships. viruses on tu cruise ships this year and several others last year. no refunds,no concern if you spend you time and money in a sick ship. will not take another cruise on celebrity. beware of the norwalk virus!!!!!check with the center for desease control and you will be surprised.

I have been on 4 cruises and I im planning my 5th I have sailed 3 different ships Ecstacy,Elation and Conquest. They were perfect vacations. We had the best times of our lives. The food,rooms entertainment,all lived up to our exspectations.

I have cruised 5 times on Carnival, one old ship the remaining newer ships. The older the ship the cheaper the cruise. I am going again in Febuary and have had the best times of my life.The newer ships are wonderful and have NEVER had a problem with food,service or etc.Like the person above said you get what you pay for.....if your cheap that is what your going to get. Happy sailing.

My wife and I went on a cruise in 03. We cruised on Carnival Spirit. We had the time of our lives. The food was excellent,the crew was very kind.We had such a good time we will go on another cruise. People I'm sure have bad experiences. My Mother n law was on Princess cruise line and was sick most of the trip. She said it sounded like we had a great time, she would go with us. It's what you make of it.

My parents went on a cruise the end of this last September. The ship was the Ecstasy. The day they returned, my father started feeling ill, flu-like symptoms. He went to the dr. and they thought he had the flu. He left, then his leg started bothering him. He went back to the same dr. the same day and they put him in the hospital, he had cellulitis. That was 3 weeks ago this Friday. He just had his 3rd operation on his leg yesterday trying to remove all of the infection. He will probably have to stay in the hospital for another week to 10 days. When he finally gets to go home, he'll need to hire a nurse to take care of him at home. Then, when he's healed enough, he'll have to have skin graphs because they had to remove so much flesh to get rid of this disease, he doesn't have enough skin to stitch back together. It has been a living nightmare for him and our whole family. If anyone else was on that ship at that time (or any other time) and had the same experience, please let me know. It was from Sept. 23 - 27, leaving from Galveston, Texas.

My wife and I have been on six cruises with Carnaval and most all have been good except when we had a hurrican that changed out ports.

my wife and i have been on 3 cruises. Royal Caribbean-Majesty of the Seas, Princess Cruises-Star Princess, and Carnival Cruise Lines-Fascination we had great time on all of the cruise. we were treated very good by all three companies and their staff. the main seating dinners were very good, however some of the food was cold on the buffet lines. the shore tours were all fun that we had booked. we are going on carnival valor sept 30th ,2007 and hope all will be as good as the first time cruising

My wife and I have cruised on several Carnival ships, her parents and sister have probably cruised 7 or 8 times each on Carnival. We have all enjoyed every cruise we have taken and the service and food has been great.

That aside I did notice however, that while we were enjoying the cruise, along with 99% of the rest of the passengers, there were always a handful of passengers that seemed to be constantly upset about everything. I don't want to stereotype anyone, but you could tell be the way they dressed, spoke, and acted that they were probably accustomed to being waited on hand and foot, and seemed concerned if they weren't being treated better than the other guests, or “sucked-up to” appropriately. I assume this is because they are the same people that park their $70,000 cars in the "No Parking" zones near the front doors of retail stores because they feel they shouldn't have to walk 50 feet or park next to a 1978 Ford LTD. I know I sound a little bitter, but seriously, get over yourselves, you are no better than the rest of us and we all live in an imperfect world where people make mistakes and stuff breaks. Cripes! You guys act as if you’re being held captive in a third-world prison. Yes there may be times where a room was not cleaned "perfectly" for what ever reason, or the shower breaks, but acting like an idiot won't help the situation, and throwing a temper tantrum in front of the rest of us does nothing to impress us. You just don't know it but once we get to the front of the line we generally end up apologizing to the clerk for having to put up with people like you.

Don't be put off of cruising by these few bad reviews, in most cases they are isolated incidents. The vast majority of cruises are very enjoyable, and yes the older ships are a little worse for the wear, and being much smaller they may not have as many amenities, but as was mentioned they are usually less expensive for this very reason.

Rant over, you can go back to what you were doing now, and enjoy your cruise!