BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?

Subject: BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?
From: leeneia
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 10:20 AM

My husband wants to go to Italy. It is vital that he see Pompeii.

Since we have never been to Italy and are not looking forward to driving there, we are considering a cruise. The only cruise companies we have found that go to Naples (a suburb of Pompeii) are Costa and Carnival.

Have you ever been on a cruise with Carnival or Costa? If so, what was the noise level like? I know they are lively lines, but is it possible to get away anywhere and just enjoy the ocean view?

For example, if the ships have speakers everywhere playing pop music, I would never be at ease.

Subject: RE: BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?
From: DMcG
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:56 AM

As it happens, I returned yesterday from a Celebrity cruise that called at Naples and I went to Pompeii for the first time.

Carnival are not to my taste, personally, because by reputation their angle is to try to promote a party atmosphere. That suits plenty of people, of course, but not me. I do not speak from first hand experience, but from comments of other travellers and indeed staff on the Celebrity line: our waiter trained with Carnival but obviously now works for another line.

Costa, I cannot comment on.

Subject: RE: BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 12:12 PM

Yes its alright. I went on a cruise once.

The thing is you have to eat quite a lot to get into the spirit of the thing. they make a huge banquet every night that hardly anybody attends because they have already eaten about three times more than they usually eat. the ammount of foood gets to the point where its actually a bit bewildering.

the standard of entertainment is very good - very professional. Your guitar will probably be appreciated. I didn't take mine out til the last night, and people treated me like a long lost brother - I had just played in the cabin a bit up to then - cos I take it everywhere.

the music is unobtrusive really. the musicians are rather good and know better than to annoy the customers.

Subject: RE: BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 05:46 AM

Sorry, can't help you with cruises... I'd rather have my eyes put out and my bikini line waxed with old church candles than go on a cruise...

Bus tours, on the other hand... they're quite often fun. Limpit was conceived on a bus tour ~ there was sod all else to do!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: ever been on a Carnival or Costa cruise?
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 11:02 AM

I have been on three cruises. One on the Elbe River, one on the Danube, and one up the west coast of Norway. They were all wonderful experiences. It is so nice to see the world and have a home at the same time.

We have gone touring on our own, and it is such a strain to not know where to find a toilet, where to get a drink of water, how to dodge untrained drivers...

One of my happiest vacation experiences is sitting in the library on a Fred Olsen cruise, listening to music on my tape player and watching the beautiful scenery of the Norwegian fjords go by.

Carnival has been described as being like Las Vegas (shudder!) but the sales rep says that their European cruises are more sedate than their Caribbean cruises. Caribbean cruises tend to get young families who wish to cut loose.

In addition their boats have library, piano lounges, and the Lido deck, which are supposed to be quiet areas.

I wouldn't mind a bus tour if the guides would ever shut up, but so often they don't.   The DH, however, absolutely refuses to consider a bus tour.

We have decided against Costa - bad reviews on the net.