Are Family Feuds Currently Hosted By Carnival Magic?

We’ve been on several Carnival cruises and just recently did the Mardi Gras. While I love the newness of the ship, I much rather prefer the Liberty or the Glory or even the Breeze. I like the ease to get around on the smaller ships more than the excel class. We also make a day 1 steakhouse reservation every cruise. It’s more relaxed and you receive a complimentary bottle of wine that day. Our steaks have always been excellent and I personally love the risotto. We’ll be on the Celebration in October – I know I’ll love the ship regardless, but we chose this cruise because of the itinerary. The one thing I do agree with you on is the quality of the buffet. It’s very poor.

It’s all very relative. A few of the things you mentioned are just some of those “learn as you go” mistakes. Like it understanding that Carnival may use a different dock then Royal. A little research up front would’ve told you that you were going to a different area. Also there are some perks to other ships outside the XL class. To me I absolutely love the Dream class and sunshine class for the smaller side. Also the spirit class has sort of become the “exploration” ships so go to the smaller more unique ports. So everyone definitely has their preferences but if you’re trying to compare them to the RC ships yes you’ll be very disappointed because they don’t have the same atmosphere or same vibes but that is on purpose. Also Carnival even has a whole brand new class, sort of, with the Venezia and Firenze coming. Definitely still loved your review but would just say even only 4 cruises on a line there’s tons to still learn. I’m about to embark on Carnival voyage 14 and still learn new things that get implemented in future cruises.

I’ve been on over 25 Carnival cruises. I think only once have I ever been disappointed in the the steakhouse! I think the food there is fantastic, but it’s all a matter of what you like. I actually had the fish the last time we went, just to try it. It was some of the best I’ve had anywhere!! Also, we’ve never been limited to just one appetizer. Both my wife and I have always have two each. I’ve heard as well Carnival is trying to cut back on food waste. Maybe this appetizer restriction is new since the first of the year?? However, I VERY much agree the buffet food has a LOT to be desired anymore. I remember it used to be quite good. But now, many things look good, but aren’t nearly as tasty. I wonder if thats more budget cuts as well? I’ll go in and make a salad, but that’s really all I’ll have in the buffet.

Just got off Celebration after 8 day cruise to Aruba . Bonaire and Caraccso . Bonaire was my favorite . Great time . Was comped the Seafood shack . Steak house and Emerils . Loved everything except was always hot . Had about 6K on the ship . The food was amazing . At main dining and actually everywhere we were able to get more than one app and entree if we wanted . Pizza at 3 am was great and came home with 5 extra pounds . Did have heartburn though . Drinks and food . Already booked another one . Will be doing Panama Canal on 8 day cruise on the Legend next year . Everyone stay safe on those ships !!

I’m in agreement with the smaller ships. The Elation was the ship that changed my mind. The Mardi Gras will be my first large cruise ship. Early on I found out the food that you purchase is better than the buffet. I love the 555, with the free bottle of wine and knowing how the menu works. Do your research from fellow bloggers and followers responds helps a great deal.

I’ve been on several Carnival cruises. And you are right Cozumel and Progresso totally sucks. What a waste of time that was. Also, you are spot on regarding the buffet. Totally lackluster. The appealing aspect of cruising is that you really don’t need to do much to do a lot. And everything you need is so close, its so low effort. It is possible to take a cruise and relax. 😂

Wow I enjoyed all my specialty dinings that I have done on The Glory Freedom Splendor Spirt and Legend ships so I don’t know if she just had a one time flaw with her food. As for the buffet it’s true but some days are better then others that’s just because my choice of food is different then others who may prefer something I don’t and vice versa so if thats the case I go get a big salad and I will still have a good meal even on The Lido.

The best buffet for us so far is in Royal Princess, lots of variety, different cuisines from all over the world, many delicious cakes, pastries for dessert. Their showroom is huge enough, no difficulty finding seats, 2 shows a night & best of all no obstructions!! And the main evening shows are excellent, world class and different type every night; stand up comic, sing & dance variety, guitarist, piano virtuoso & magician, all outstanding!! I’ve sailed with ncl & rcl before but princess has the best food!

Hii~I expect I can go for newer and bigger ship too！After Panorama，I wonder if I can go back to Miracle， which was my first and meaningful curise. On the other hand, Carnival can not send Excel class to west bay due to the size of current port, and I cant wait for Jubilee for next year since I will graduate and look for job. Also, I don’t often fly, so flying to FL for 4 more hours is a challenge for me. I even felt nervous to fly from SF to Long Beach before. I never try RC, but is that too over to say Panorama is like 2000 ship of RC ? Not every brand can have Oasis class of RC in earlier days. Totally, sometimes, you do not choose the ship, but ship chooses you due to your location and many different reasons.

Just got off the Mardi Gras (Feb 25-Mar 4)…Food wise I was disappointed in the MDR and buffet…I actually enjoyed my 555 dinner even though I didn’t want more than one app so I didn’t have a chance to be denied a 2nd app, but the steak and pork belly were fire…Guys Burgers was the crown jewel of their fast food options with Big Shack a close 2nd…ChiBang was surprisingly better than I thought it would be and Cucina was alright but still better than MDR….I really think Carnival should lose the Dancing/Birthday singing on the MDR so their staff can concentrate more on guest service. The whole FOH team just constantly seemed rushed. Maybe only do it on the older/smaller occupancy ships to upsell those cruises. I know a lot of regular guests that will miss it but it may be an addition by subtraction situation….I enjoyed having a lot of bar options, plus each themed bar had their own specialty cocktails which was a nice touch and gave you a reason to explore every area of the ship….only bad thing is we need another week to see everything on the ship! It is huge! Would do again at some point. My wife and I like to spend a little extra for a suite so we only go maybe once every four years or so. Been on the Breeze and Miracle in the past.

I just got home a few days ago from the Alaskan Cruise 🚢 was absolutely beautiful. It was my first cruise sadly we encountered some problems mainly the staff. Worker at the bar knew we where new I was trying to buy drinks for my wife with my money so she could just have fun without using her money asked him how do I pay or switch the card so she don’t have to keep using her keycard and getting charged he says you can pay me cash so I go get cash out the machine come back a different guy waits on us I pull out the cash he says no I can’t accept that so I looked back at the other guy who told me that asked him why he told me to get cash out if you don’t accept it according to what this guy is telling me he denied ever saying that causing a odd situation where his boss had to calm the situation down because I wasn’t backing down I don’t tolerate lying and making me look like a fool in front of everyone just so he could lie and save his job.We soon realized he was trying to pocket the money for himself which I personally honestly didn’t care if he did that put a little money in his pockets they work hard on those ships but the fact he made me look like I was lying so that was the problem I had with the situation and 3 different people heard him tell us to get cash out.Then on my wife’s b day we come back to are room around 9:45pm and it’s flooded asked them 6 times what happened nobody would tell me until I got really mad finally guy says a pipe burst from the plumbing. Then they move us to an extremely loud floor 8 which is right under the breakfest lunch eating area they give us new key cards to are rooms we get up there with clothes and got are hands full carrying crap from are flooded room and the damn key cards didn’t work.

I disagree with this entire article. I’ve had a fantastic vacation on both the older and newer ships. In fact, I tend to have more fun on the smaller ships as you get to see the same people more and make new friends easier. I love the buffet, the shows, and the specialty dining. As far as the distance to your destination in Cozumel, well, that’s kinda what Google Maps is for. What I most likely never do again is view this website.

Most people fail to realize that even though gratuities are automatically placed on your sign and sail receipt, they are NOT mandatory. You can opt out and pay what ever you deem necessary to each worker during your stay instead of letting the cruise line force you to pay a predetermined amount. The cruise lines use the automatic gratuity fee as means to pad their profit margin by not paying their workers a livable wage and to shame their customers into mitigating their unfair compensation policies. Being an accountant for 2 major cruise lines, I know that only 20 – 25% of the pool of gratuity payments actually go to the workers. The rest is kept by the cruise line as miscellaneous profit. So, the next time you book a cruise and see the option to “pre-pay” for gratuities or see it on your final bill, you will know that only a small portion of it is actually going to the worker.

I just feel like carnival hasn’t changed since I tried them I just don’t like the line at all and counting my drinks sorry I’m adult I’m not doing it too many other options and as far as the smaller ships being less expensive I feel like all the cruises are similarly priced your not saving thousands regardless of what line you. Choose

cruises does not an experienced blogger make. Why? A cruise is influenced by many factors. Isolating one or two experiences as a one and done deal may be too subjective. But that is what a blog is.. subjective and opinioned. I have sailed 10 cruises from Spirit class to Alaska and Hawaii.. 15 days and as little as 6 days. We have sailed Mardi Gras/ our LEAST favorite ship, our fav’s are Dream Class and Vista Class. The steak house offers both outstanding food and service, the service and limited seating opportunity is part of the up Charge, as compared to dining in the MDR. We always do one SteakHouse booking per cruise. I tend to like to do it towards the end, and that way I am not jaded and too critical of other dining options. Of course, any time there could be less than anticipated experience- I have no problem sending something back for a correction, and have never had push back if it was needed. The limitation on menu ordering is that your meal pricing is relevant to the menu. And, additional requests may interfere with the reservation system, of guests who will be seated After your meal. And, I have never left the Steak House, hungry. It is not a buffet- hey, let me try it all. Nope. Additional sides may be accommodated, some servers are more agreeable than others. If you feel you should have more options, ask to speak with the manager. There may be an additional charge, or the manager may just want to keep you happy. On Carnival Horizon.. JiJi’s is our other booking choice in addition to the Steak House.

Carnival Celebration sucks. The ship is a HORRIBLE design. The coffee shop sucks, bigger boat with just bigger lines. Even the roller-coaster is closed most of the time due to winds. It is a beautiful ship but not well designed. I like the Dream the best. I also agree that the old small ships are bad but the Mardi Gras and Celebration just were horribly thought out by someone smoking crack. We had 6,200 people on the Celebration last week and you just had to wait in lines EVERYWHERE. The ship does have some good things like faster elevators and better access around the bed on interior rooms but the bad things like a towel rack in front of the sink that cleans your junk so no-one wants to use towels offsets good things like more outlets.

carnival is the cheap walmart of cruising, if your gonna shoot for the bottom you gotta put your standards there too LOL. but really i found it funny that heat and walking in mexico was in a “things not to do on a carnival cruise” but i get it maybe its just 5 things you didnt like personally LOL, also the steak house is only more pricey as the meat is better quality then the public MDR which is essentially garbage for poor people, none of the foods are a splurge its all just meh.teh asian place is the only one worth upgrading to. and regarding the shows and waterpark, yea go the days at sea its a blast and the shows up front for me are just to get boring people away from the cool stuff like casinos and adult deck. hopefully people dont get turned away by the article theres about 900 other amazing things about cruising even old carnival small ships.

The ONLY folks that will disagree with your article are the poor souls who have never sailed with any other cruise line. Carnival was a strong brand back in the days and was known to thrown the best perks and offers over and beyond their already low fares for regular cruisers. Hence a lot of Carnival die-hard fans have no frame of reference with cruising other than Carnival and will come guns blazing if you say anything negative about Carnival. Unfortunately Carnival is now rapidly going down the drain both financially and from an experience stand-point. Useless and outdated bench-warner management like Christine Duffy and John Heald and some of the worst cut-backs in their service. Carnival’s buffet is the worst even on their excel class ships….simply horrible. I completely agree with the article. The saving grace is that they have numerous other included food options. Carnival’s cut back on how many lobsters you can order in the MDR, limit on entrees, appetizers and serious cutbacks on even things like soft-serve ice cream has simply ridiculous. It has nothing to down avoiding food wastage. It is about cost cutting. so don’t fool yourself or anyone.

Grow up a little and buy a history of Carnival Cruise lines book for $8.99. The Fantasy class ships were the largest ships in the world at the time. Notice how I said “at the time”? They were so popular they built 8 of them. Almost all of them have been scrapped or sold, so consider yourself lucky to have cruised on a class of ships that are now gone.