Free Carnival Cruise worth doing?
Feb 9, 2014, 6:12 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Tampa
Programs: Delta Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, All on my own dime.
Posts: 5,182
Amicus: You've gotten a lot of good advice from experienced cruisers here. Here's more: if it's "free" or comparatively low cost as you have outlined, even if it isn't a great experience it isn't like you are out the full fare. Also, since this would be your first cruise, if you don't enjoy it don't think that all cruises are the same. There are a lot of different lines out there that cater to different segments of the population. If Carnival sux for you, rest assured that there are cruises out there that you will enjoy.
Feb 10, 2014, 4:55 am
#17
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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Posts: 62,948
I think you have gotten some good advice here.
You will definitely be paying "port charges" - there may include actual port charges as well as other noncommissionable fees, and of course there are taxes; these will vary depending on cruise origin, ports visited and length of cruise.
I do suspect you will also be paying tips in the vicinity of $11.50 per person per day (Carnival standard); these are "automatically added" to your passage (unless you are under two years old) as are 15% to your bar bills. There may also be other charges you are not expecting; I recommend checking these out as well, not to say "no" but to be prepared.
TANSTAAFL.
You will definitely be paying "port charges" - there may include actual port charges as well as other noncommissionable fees, and of course there are taxes; these will vary depending on cruise origin, ports visited and length of cruise.
I do suspect you will also be paying tips in the vicinity of $11.50 per person per day (Carnival standard); these are "automatically added" to your passage (unless you are under two years old) as are 15% to your bar bills. There may also be other charges you are not expecting; I recommend checking these out as well, not to say "no" but to be prepared.
TANSTAAFL.
We have never been on a cruise, and don't think we are the sort of people to like cruising.
However, the opportunity to cruise on Carnival for five nights has arisen. Technically, it is "free", but really we are liable for port charges and taxes.
We can choose any five night cruise, except Alaska.
So, if two of us can go "free" , is it worth while trying just this once?
If so, where would you go?
However, the opportunity to cruise on Carnival for five nights has arisen. Technically, it is "free", but really we are liable for port charges and taxes.
We can choose any five night cruise, except Alaska.
So, if two of us can go "free" , is it worth while trying just this once?
If so, where would you go?
Feb 10, 2014, 9:31 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA
Programs: Hilton Gold, DL DIrt Medallion
Posts: 38,267
You'll see plenty of people of all ages from kids to 80's.
I say go and enjoy your cruise, but keep in mind the other expenses that have been mentioned here.
Last edited by SRQ Guy; Feb 10, 2014 at 9:37 am
Feb 11, 2014, 9:19 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
You've been getting lots of good info here, so I'll just add a little from my perspective.
There usually are so many different options on a cruise that you can tailor your experience to fit your tastes.
I'm ... ah ... fairly senior. Not particularly into livelier late-night noisy things. OK with people, but really don't need lots of company. I took a 14 day trans-Atlantic cruise by myself.
The ship had a library, put out daily Sudoko puzzles, had exercise equipment, afternoon lectures on various topics by college professors, early evening music shows, whirl pool baths, classes on such varied things as facials and making crepes and marzipan roses, etc. I particularly enjoyed a couple presentations on King Edward VIII and Mrs. Wallis Simpson by a person that actually knew them.
I didn't go to any late night events, but loved getting up early and watching sunrises from the ship.
It was wonderful fun not making my bed every morning and not doing my own cooking. I wandered around completely happy.
While some people did "dress to the nines" for the formal dinners, I skipped those (eating elsewhere on board) and stayed very casual.
I hope you'll choose to go. I believe you will be able to shape YOUR cruise entirely to your liking.
Do take a look at www.cruisecritic.com also. You will be able to look up lots of info ahead of time and have a better understanding of what is to come. Better prepared to make your choices, and not miss things of interest to you.
Romelle
There usually are so many different options on a cruise that you can tailor your experience to fit your tastes.
I'm ... ah ... fairly senior. Not particularly into livelier late-night noisy things. OK with people, but really don't need lots of company. I took a 14 day trans-Atlantic cruise by myself.
The ship had a library, put out daily Sudoko puzzles, had exercise equipment, afternoon lectures on various topics by college professors, early evening music shows, whirl pool baths, classes on such varied things as facials and making crepes and marzipan roses, etc. I particularly enjoyed a couple presentations on King Edward VIII and Mrs. Wallis Simpson by a person that actually knew them.
I didn't go to any late night events, but loved getting up early and watching sunrises from the ship.
It was wonderful fun not making my bed every morning and not doing my own cooking. I wandered around completely happy.
While some people did "dress to the nines" for the formal dinners, I skipped those (eating elsewhere on board) and stayed very casual.
I hope you'll choose to go. I believe you will be able to shape YOUR cruise entirely to your liking.
Do take a look at www.cruisecritic.com also. You will be able to look up lots of info ahead of time and have a better understanding of what is to come. Better prepared to make your choices, and not miss things of interest to you.
Romelle
Feb 11, 2014, 11:29 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
Great advice has been given here. I'll add that my wife and I took our first cruise together (her first cruise ever) in September--a 7-day Eastern Caribbean out of San Juan. It was on Carnival, and we'd heard all of the gloom & doom regarding rowdy crowds, terrible food, etc. etc. I took a Royal Caribbean cruise some years ago and found the experience to be comparable (my wife and I will be cruising RCC in a couple of months but have both agreed that we would like to take another Carnival cruise in the near future, as well).
At the end of the day, we were pleasantly surprised. The ship--including the room--was immaculate. The food was plentiful and of acceptable quality. The service was quite gracious and attentive (I've had far less impressive service at some Fine Hotels & Resorts properties). Rather than raging partiers, the crowd was big on families and young couples but also incredibly diverse from an age perspective. Yes, the pool area on the Lido Deck is loud and somewhat obnoxious on Carnival (that's part of their schtick), but I think people see that on Day One and are automatically soured on the experience.
In reality, there are so many nooks and crannies on a ship that are nowhere near the Lido Deck, many of which are silent, pleasant, and low key 24 hours per day--perfect for lounging with a book and for those uninterested in a party atmosphere. Also, if they have last-minute space on shore excursions, they will let it go at a fraction of the advertised cost, so if you are an early riser, it's worth taking a stroll to the customer service desk the morning of an excursion to see if they're willing to bargain.
Bottom line: don't avoid a free cruise simply because it's Carnival, as long as you set your expectations appropriately. You have quite a bit of control over your experience on a Carnival cruise. Treat it as you would a visit to a three-star family beach resort, and you should have a pleasant time.
At the end of the day, we were pleasantly surprised. The ship--including the room--was immaculate. The food was plentiful and of acceptable quality. The service was quite gracious and attentive (I've had far less impressive service at some Fine Hotels & Resorts properties). Rather than raging partiers, the crowd was big on families and young couples but also incredibly diverse from an age perspective. Yes, the pool area on the Lido Deck is loud and somewhat obnoxious on Carnival (that's part of their schtick), but I think people see that on Day One and are automatically soured on the experience.
In reality, there are so many nooks and crannies on a ship that are nowhere near the Lido Deck, many of which are silent, pleasant, and low key 24 hours per day--perfect for lounging with a book and for those uninterested in a party atmosphere. Also, if they have last-minute space on shore excursions, they will let it go at a fraction of the advertised cost, so if you are an early riser, it's worth taking a stroll to the customer service desk the morning of an excursion to see if they're willing to bargain.
Bottom line: don't avoid a free cruise simply because it's Carnival, as long as you set your expectations appropriately. You have quite a bit of control over your experience on a Carnival cruise. Treat it as you would a visit to a three-star family beach resort, and you should have a pleasant time.
Last edited by zcat18; Feb 11, 2014 at 11:35 am
Feb 11, 2014, 4:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 5,210
According to the info the OP gave, it's Marquee Rewards, not Carnival, comping the cruise, so it's doubtful there will be any VIP treatment.
Feb 11, 2014, 4:27 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 158
I'd definitely recommend going, and you've got some good advice above. Just be sure you can afford the airfare, and consider that transit from airport to cruiseport (with or without a hotel in between) might cost $20-$50 per person each way. One other thing, some Carnival ships (maybe all of them?) have a "serenity" area, which is for adults only, and can aid and abet your relaxation!
Also:
--You can't generally BYOB, so don't try. If you drink, that'll be an added cost.
--You can't "jump ship" and disembark at one of the ports of call, intending to stay a few days and fly home on your own, without a substantial fine (government fine, passed along to you) unless it's a medical or other emergency.
--You will need a passport (or possibly just a passport card in some cases). If you don't already have a passport, that's another $55 - $135 each.
--Shore excursions can be fun, but pricey. You can generally explore on your own for free, or just choose to stay on the ship and buy a spa treatment!
--Your cell phone will be very expensive to use, on-board and abroad, so investigate those costs in advance, or just don't use the phone.
--Internet access is available but punishingly expensive. Load up your eBook reader in advance. Leave your laptop at home. Unless you are going to *work* without internet during your vacation!
--If you decide to risk bringing the laptop or tablet/pad, you can sometimes get reasonably priced WiFi ashore at your ports of call. But I'd rather be snorkeling or exploring the local culture during the few hours the ship is in port!
Also:
--You can't generally BYOB, so don't try. If you drink, that'll be an added cost.
--You can't "jump ship" and disembark at one of the ports of call, intending to stay a few days and fly home on your own, without a substantial fine (government fine, passed along to you) unless it's a medical or other emergency.
--You will need a passport (or possibly just a passport card in some cases). If you don't already have a passport, that's another $55 - $135 each.
--Shore excursions can be fun, but pricey. You can generally explore on your own for free, or just choose to stay on the ship and buy a spa treatment!
--Your cell phone will be very expensive to use, on-board and abroad, so investigate those costs in advance, or just don't use the phone.
--Internet access is available but punishingly expensive. Load up your eBook reader in advance. Leave your laptop at home. Unless you are going to *work* without internet during your vacation!
--If you decide to risk bringing the laptop or tablet/pad, you can sometimes get reasonably priced WiFi ashore at your ports of call. But I'd rather be snorkeling or exploring the local culture during the few hours the ship is in port!
Feb 11, 2014, 4:56 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 5,210
For "closed-loop" cruises, meaning ones that start and end in the same US port, which a vast majority of Carnival cruises are, no passport is required (although recommended). Are there really that many people on a board like this that don't have passports though?
You can leave the ship in a foreign port, provided you check ahead with the cruise line for local regulations. Immigration checks in ports for cruisers are generally pretty cursory, (for the most part, the passenger isn't involved in the process), but inspections are different for those planning to stay beyond sailing time. You can't disembark in a different US port than the one you boarded or risk $300 pp fines for violating the Passenger Vessel Services Act (commonly confused with the Jones Act).
I don't think you have to worry about demographics on Carnival. It's not the floating frat house that it's reputation has from days gone by, although a 3 or 4 day weekend cruise on the older cheaper ships will bring out more partiers, for sure. The 3 newest and largest ships, mentioned above, Dream, Magic and Breeze, carry 4000 people, and you will see a wide variety of people and ages. Loved the Dream, and the other 2 have newer features and entertainment options on them. The Magic sails from Galveston Texas, the Dream is moving to New Orleans in April and the Breeze is out of Miami. The first 2 do 7 days, while the Breeze does 6 and 8 day cruises. They have one 8 day itinerary I particularly like on the Breeze that goes to Aruba and Curacao, as well as Grand Turk and La Romana, and 3 sea days.
You can leave the ship in a foreign port, provided you check ahead with the cruise line for local regulations. Immigration checks in ports for cruisers are generally pretty cursory, (for the most part, the passenger isn't involved in the process), but inspections are different for those planning to stay beyond sailing time. You can't disembark in a different US port than the one you boarded or risk $300 pp fines for violating the Passenger Vessel Services Act (commonly confused with the Jones Act).
I don't think you have to worry about demographics on Carnival. It's not the floating frat house that it's reputation has from days gone by, although a 3 or 4 day weekend cruise on the older cheaper ships will bring out more partiers, for sure. The 3 newest and largest ships, mentioned above, Dream, Magic and Breeze, carry 4000 people, and you will see a wide variety of people and ages. Loved the Dream, and the other 2 have newer features and entertainment options on them. The Magic sails from Galveston Texas, the Dream is moving to New Orleans in April and the Breeze is out of Miami. The first 2 do 7 days, while the Breeze does 6 and 8 day cruises. They have one 8 day itinerary I particularly like on the Breeze that goes to Aruba and Curacao, as well as Grand Turk and La Romana, and 3 sea days.
Feb 12, 2014, 8:16 am
#27
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Feb 12, 2014, 9:14 am
#28
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Feb 12, 2014, 3:44 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
True, but for $50, they can purchase "Faster to the Fun" and have priority boarding, customer service, baggage handling, disembarkation/tendering, etc. We did this and it was well worth it.
Feb 12, 2014, 6:13 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: California
Programs: HH Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, Priority Club Platinum, AA, USAir, ANA,
Posts: 170
A free cruise? GO, of course. Out of our 18 cruises, 4 were on Carnival. Not our most favorite cruiseline but we still enjoyed each one greatly.