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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:

This man put all the Carnival Capers (the plan of the day that they put under your door the night before so that you can plan your activities) here for people to get an idea of what the cruise will be like.

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Yes a useful web site. It's a nice idea putting the 'Capers' on-line.

I didn't KNOW this at the time about Carnival when I booked. I just called an agent and said "I've never been on a cruise before and need to go. My boyfriend likes to gamble and loves good food. I just need a rest in a warm place." I let her pick because I was ignorant about cruising. She said that for a man who likes to gamble that Carnival ships are great because they have big casinos. He loved Las Vegas so it sounded okay. I was afraid that I might be unwell at times and have to stay in my room or something and didn't want him to be bored. (Tax time is just over and he's an accountant. He NEEDS the stress relief.)

Now I've been on other sites and seen where on Carnival they say that you have to have at least 1 person over 25 in each room because so many students have "Trashed" the rooms during spring breaks, etc. I'm a bit shocked. What can I do? The money is paid.

Other people on those boards say if you go Carnival to NOT go on the the 3 day Bahamas because that's the cheap one that all the college students do and it's nothing but one long rampaging party. ($299 total price) They go on Friday and are back to school on Monday.

One thing good is that it's a NEW ship. Supposed to be the BEST of the fleet. It's supposed to change the image of Carnival, according to what I've read what with the new rules, etc.
I AM going to go on the historic St Thomas excursion and other things like that on my own.

But LECTURES on the ship as Europeans know them????? Forget about it. Carnival is obviously not for intellectuals for the most part, it seems.

One lady got her post removed from one of the sites because she said that the only people that go on Carnival Cruises are "Louisiana Tug Boat Captains and their Frowsy Wives" who wear "torn and greasy T Shirts to the dining rooms for dinner." She went on and on until she insulted too many people and they removed her post. Even though the booklet says to dress for dinner I did see posts where people said that you could wear anything but shorts to dinner in the formal dining room. That was a bit upsetting. The thing is that Carnival has EARNED a reputation for this because they don't ENFORCE the rules.

Last of all, they do specify that there is and always have been security guards on Carnival to keep down the rowdiness and drunk problems. Sigh........sounds like my TA picked a really glamorous ship for me, doesn't it?

One thing that I do LOVE about THIS site compared to the other 3 cruise message boards that I visit is that people seem to know MORE about the REAL cruising that I'd like to experience.

DAMBROSIS posts have made me absolutely HAVE to go on the Norway if at all possible. Amerikanis has given me such a good education in general cruising that I know I have to go somewhere REALLY exotic and different (even if I DO have to "Cook it....Peel it or Forget it".

I KNOW that I'll go on the Queen Elizabeth now if I live long enough thanks to the poster "Colt".

And you, Malcolm. The very first posts I read on this site were yours and I remember thinking how you replies always motivated me to want to know MORE!!!
I'm leaving Saturday and hoping for the best....

[ 02-17-2002: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:
I'm a bit shocked. What can I do? The money is paid...sounds like my TA picked a really glamorous ship for me, doesn't it?

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Katie, don't panic! Carnival are the most successful cruise line in the world, so they must be doing something right! There are countless reviews on this web site from satisfied passengers - they can't all be wrong!

Different ships/lines to aim their product at different clientele. Some ships are like a floating Las Vegas, some are more like a nautical antique shop. You pays your money and makes your choice. For example, the SS Norway is a great ship for maritime enthusiasts, but I would not recommend her for people just looking for a comfortable and fun cruise!

Carnival aim their product at the mass market. This can attract a younger crowd looking for some fun. Is this so bad? I've cruised on ships where the average age is 30 years older than myself! Nightlife was non-existentas everyone is in bed by 10.00pm. I've also met some wealthy snobs, on cruise ships too. I can assure you they are not a barrel full of laughs either!

'Hooked on cruising' is right, cruises are what you make of them. You are bound to team up with some like-minded people, on board.