I know carnival is a cheaper line, but I did cruise on carnival about 5 years ago and have seen a big difference. I think it is due to the people that cruise on their ships. We have been on Celebrity and RCI and seen big differences. Just to name a few things, first no plastic bottles allowed in carry on (keep people from sneaking booze), tried to get a wine bottle opener to our room. Nope had to wait a while for a person to come and open our bottle for us and sign for it even. Towels on the decks, can only check out at one station on the deck and return to same station. Room steward rarely seen. Line always about 20 people deep at Service Desk in lobby. Just the overall service you get on carnival (at least on victory) was a lot worse than our cruise a few years ago on Ecstasy. And terrible when compared to our recent cruises on RCI and Celebrity. Ohh and almost forgot, the dinner selections have gotten terrible, nothing like they used to be. My favorites on cruises has always been the snails, and apple pie, and ice cream, the snails were one day and never apple pie and ice cream.

As for the ship itself, the layout is terrible. Does not flow at all. The lido deck with the stadium style seating is awful to walk through. Steps everywhere, On the plus side the serenity deck was nice, bar to small but not terrible. It was actually very crowded most of the afternoon could not get a lounger or in the hot tubs at many times. Cabin was decent, no complaints there.

Basically it comes down to what carnival has turned into, it is no longer a nice cruise line and more like an amusement park. If you want to take kids, and/or drink and party, carnival is for you. If you want a cruise for what a cruise should be go elsewhere. Read more