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As well as the Waterworks Aqua Park, there’s also the Tides Pool with whirlpool, the relaxed Summer Landing pool, the Beach Pool with beach theming, and the exclusive Havana and Loft 19 pools. Let’s start with the negatives – decor is definitely dated, the entertainment is a little more limited and the ship just feels ‘small’. It’s definitely more of a relaxed ship that is better suited to adults who want a few drinks and a good, relatively wholesome time.
Small Carnival Cruise Ships
In general, Carnival's biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration has marked a major turning point for the line. The two vessels rank 15th and 13th, respectively, on the list of the world's largest cruise ships — the first Carnival ships to crack the Top 20 in quite a few years. One more ship in the series — Carnival Jubilee — will arrive in late 2023. You'll also want to identify where crew service entrances are located -- stories of slamming doors day and night are common. Elevators and staircases can also be high-traffic, noisy areas of a cruise ship (that are near cabins on some ships).
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Cabins below the pool deck
For starters, they are generally small -- and that's by already compact cruise cabin standards. Because all staterooms are designed for double occupancy, it's generally a rule that a person traveling alone must pay both fares. This means they would pay twice as much per person as two people sharing a room. Plus, it sails from Miami, one of the world's largest cruise hubs. More ships leaving from a specific port means more competition, which can drive prices lower.
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I'm taking about minor cosmetic things like worn carpet and banged up furniture. On the Magic, we will be taking the second cruise out because we wanted 12 days instead of 9, but I expect that it will go fine and it is a sister to the Dream, so no surprise to staff. Normally, I would avoid an inaugural cruise, but we did that one out of Rome on the Dream and everything was perfect except for some sound system/laser show issues. The wait staff in the MDR was trying to figure out the new layout, but they did an excellent job. One thing I've noticed on here is that more than the ship itself, sometimes it is the timing. Some have even posted that they started ripping out carpets and putting up scaffolding on their cruise in prep for it.
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The movement there isn’t as obvious and it should help you to manage your seasickness symptoms more. And some people like this, because it’s more sheltered and private. But a lot of people don’t, also because it’s more sheltered – you’ll not have as nice a view and you won’t catch as much sun. Another of the speciality cabin types on a Carnival ship, Family Harbor rooms are available as Interior, Ocean View, Balcony or Suites. They’re decorated in a fun nautical theme and are close to the Family Harbor Lounge – a relaxing space for families where breakfast and snacks are served, and there are games to play. But while that means you can access the balcony while the ship is sailing, a lot of people won’t want to.
Overcrowding appeared to be a persistent issue, with cruisers describing difficulty finding seating for meals and noting that the pools were small, dirty, and packed. The elevators were criticized for being slow, constantly packed, or reserved for luggage, forcing some passengers to resort to taking the stairs. The ship’s capacity issues were further aggravated by seemingly understaffed or disorganised service areas. Maintenance decisions, like servicing coffee machines during peak breakfast hours or washing balconies while guests were enjoying breakfast below, raised eyebrows. The ship’s aesthetic was appreciated by a few, and the ports visited during the cruise were highlights for many.
Combined with the lack of available seating during the day, I found myself excited for port days, rather than relishing in all aspects of the cruise. I've also cruised out of Los Angeles; Port Canaveral; Genova, Italy; and, most recently, Jacksonville. As of April 2024, Carnival Elation is the only ship that sails out of Jacksonville, making it one of the smallest cruise ports in Florida. Norwegian Gem will begin sailing from the port seasonally in late 2025.
Built by a French company and first launched in 1952, the MTS Oceanos was purchased by a Greek company in 1976. On August 3, 1991, Oceanos set sail for East London, South Africa, and headed north for Durban, led by Captain Yiannis Avranas. The ship reportedly headed into 40-knot winds and 30-foot swells, and thus, the typical sail-away outdoor deck party with British entertainers Moss and Tracy Hills was moved to an indoor lounge. The sea conditions worsened that night, leading to the ship rolling from side to side, and eventually, an explosion was heard due to a lack of repairs for the waste disposal system.
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If you're looking for more intimacy on a cruise ship, some of the older classes of ships, such as those in the Spirit class, might be just right. The main difference between Carnival Splendor and its Conquest-class cousins is that the former has an enlarged and redesigned top deck area. The structure around the main pool of the ship is noticeably different, with a retractable, sliding glass roof that you won't find on the Conquest-class ships, as well as a water play area for kids.
These rooms are available on most Carnival ships, with the exceptions being Excel Class and Fantasy Class ships. Family Harbor rooms are available on Excel Class and Vista Class ships. This means that most of the time during the cruise, there will be a lot of children running around and having a great time. Havana staterooms are available on Vista Class and Excel Class ships.
It’s less in-your-face than some other Carnival ships, so good if you just need to switch off for a few days. Clearly from a technical standard, the ship is outstanding, but complaints focus on some of the basics like quality and variety of food, and of service standards slipping a little. Despite having a layout that’s similar to many other Carnival ships – and being packed with many of the same exciting features – Carnival Dream has always had a slightly more relaxed vibe.
I see that, since then, the reviews have not improved and passengers continue to complain about various aspects. As you can see, it is the most featured cruise line in this ranking of the worst ships. Many reviews talk about the long queues you can find onboard and also about the very crowded pools.
So, instead, I’ve looked at the average Carnival cruise reviews for every ship across Cruiseline.com, Cruise Critic, and TripAdvisor. After all, I’ve been on a lot of cruises, but I’ve not sailed on every Carnival ship. So for me to base it just on my gut opinion would hardly be fair, or very interesting either. Note that even after the makeovers, the ships still don't have all the bells and whistles of Carnival's truly new ships, such as Carnival Panorama. As noted above, Carnival's newest ships are bigger than its older ships, allowing for more attractions, restaurants and lounges. This is because each of the ships in this series has been almost completely gutted and rebuilt from the waterline up.
