Carnival Cruise Lines is a brilliant cruise company whose large resort ships provide many opportunities for active fun - living up to its tagline: The Fun Ships. We offer great Carnival cruise deals to many popular cruise holiday destinations including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Caribbean and North and South America.
Carnival Cruises is the world’s largest and most successful single cruise line. More than 20 new ships have debuted since the line was founded in 1972. Carnival does not sell itself as a luxury or premium cruise line but provides quality cruises that are something of a bargain - fun cruise holidays for first-time cruise travellers.
The company provides a well-packaged cruise holiday, with smart ships that have the latest high-tech entertainment facilities, and extra-cost alternative cruise dining spots (some ships). The line has been busy upgrading some aspects of its operation and product. The Carnival Fantasy-class ships are all receiving a make-over, including adults-only sunbathing area, pool decks, the creation of a new lobby bar, expanded children’s and teens areas, and more inter-connecting cabins.
See our Carnival 2008 Late Deals and our Carnival 2009 Early Booking Offers
Berlitz Cruise Review
of Carnival Cruises
It’s an all-American experience: cruising for the hip and trendy – exciting, loud, challenging in many ways, but blood pressure-raising, programmed fun in a highly programmed, packaged cruise vacation. The ships are floating playgrounds for young, energetic adults who need constant stimulation and close contact with lots of others. Carnival provides fun family cruises with children (anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a parent, or guardian) and youthful adults. Carnival ships are also good for whole ship charters and incentive groups, for multi-generational passengers and for family reunions.
So forget relaxation, you can do that when you go home. Typically, about half of Carnival’s passengers are taking their first cruise. About 30 percent are under the age of 35, 30 percent are over 55, the other 40 percent are between 35 and 55. The ships are clean and well maintained (if you don’t look too closely).
The dress code is decidedly casual – indeed, most waiters are better dressed than most passengers (particularly during youth-heavy holiday seasons and spring break, when clothes appear to be optional). Carnival is most suitable for first-time cruisers.
As for accommodation, the balconies in many of the cabins with ‘private’ balconies aren’t so private – most can be overlooked from other cabins located on the deck above and from various public locations. You may have to carry a credit card to operate the personal safes (inconvenient). The CNN Domestic channel is now provided to cabin TV sets, so you can have access to news at almost any time. Huge poolside movie screens are being fitted aboard some of Carnival’s ships, and new mattresses and bed linen (also available for sale) have been fitted to all beds.
Find out more about Carnival cuisine, entertainment and family cruising.
Gratuities (tipping) and currency
Around US$9.75 per person per day is added to your onboard account. You can have this amount adjusted, although you’ll have to visit the information desk to do so. Additionally, 15% is added to your account for all bar, wine and spa charges.
The onboard currency is the US dollar |
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