“Help!”
That was the caption I jokingly sent to my friends and family, along with a photo of the ship I was about to board for my first-ever Carnival cruise.
As a cruise writer, I’m always looking to expand my horizons in the industry, but I had been avoiding Carnival Cruise Line for years.
The cruise line is infamously known for its 24/7 party vibe, and I always assumed a Carnival cruise would be too wild for my tastes. Plus, the cruise line’s low fares had me wondering about the quality of the food, entertainment, and activities I would encounter onboard.
Even still, I couldn’t avoid Carnival forever, and so I booked a 4-night itinerary on Carnival Firenze, the newest vessel in the fleet, to see what the cruise line was really all about.
As the date approached, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. Honestly, I thought I would hate my first Carnival cruise.
After spending four nights aboard Carnival Firenze, however, I quickly realized I was totally wrong about the cruise line.
I ended up loving my first Carnival cruise, and here's why.
I thought a Carnival cruise would be too crazy, but I loved the carefree vibe
Given Carnival's party-centric reputation, I expected my fellow passengers to be loud, unruly, and absolutely hammered day and night.
My expectation was not unwarranted. I’ve seen several headlines of brawls breaking out on Carnival’s ships, and photos from wild sailaway parties steered me clear of the line. I don’t mind a party here and there, but I assumed Carnival’s onboard atmosphere would be totally unhinged.
To my surprise, I enjoyed the upbeat atmosphere. The crowds were not nearly as rowdy as I anticipated, and no aspects of the cruise felt too rambunctious. The sailaway party was surprisingly tame. Overall, the cruise line’s atmosphere seemed welcoming to guests of all backgrounds.
Read more: 6 of the best cruise ships for adults
My cruising style is fairly casual. I usually skip events like formal night in favor of a low-key dinner in the buffet, and I’d much rather try the rock climbing wall than attend an elegant cocktail hour.
So, when I cruised on lines like Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, I found the onboard atmosphere somewhat dull. While the promise of an upscale experience may appeal to some cruisers, I far preferred the more energetic, casual vibe I found with Carnival Cruise Line.
The food wasn’t basic — it was flavorful, diverse, and even elegant
Carnival Cruise Line is known for offering an impressive variety of complimentary dining venues, whether freshly-baked pizzas at Pizzeria del Capitano or customized burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint.
I was eager to eat my way through Carnival Firenze’s included restaurants during my 4-night itinerary, but I certainly didn’t expect a gourmet dining experience. I thought the food would be tasty (who doesn’t love build-your-own burritos?), but I assumed menu items would be somewhat basic.
Once onboard, I was proven wrong. Carnival offered a more diverse array of cuisines than I've come to expect on most other mass-market cruise lines.
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
I was, frankly, astonished to see dishes like Frog Legs Provençal and Coffee Glazed Roast Duck on the main dining room menu. Carnival’s partnership with chef Emeril Lagasse brings a Creole twist to the menu each evening. The diversity was a welcome surprise.
Even though I wasn’t adventurous enough to try the aforementioned frog legs, I enjoyed my fair share of cuisines aboard the vessel. Between the Szechuan shrimp, Indian curries, and cheese-filled empanadas, I never felt restricted by the options.
A major surprise of my Carnival cruise was complimentary Tea Time. One afternoon, tea and a selection of bite-sized snacks were served free of charge in the ship’s dining room.
I happily indulged in macarons, fruit tarts, and other finger foods along with a comforting cup of tea. I never expected to have such an elegant dining experience on a Carnival cruise.
Needless to say, I was left impressed.
I thought the entertainment would be boring, but it was a highlight of my cruise
I hate to say it, but I usually couldn't care less about the entertainment options on a cruise ship.
Many production shows on cruise ships lack a concrete storyline. I can appreciate the talent of the singers and dancers onstage, but I often find myself feeling antsy during performances.
Because of this, I wasn’t planning to attend traditional theater shows on my Carnival Firenze cruise.
Luckily, Carnival Cruise Line seemed to place their focus on other forms of entertainment. I noticed a lack of traditional shows in the daily schedule. Instead, they offered a selection of audience participation entertainment, including game shows, karaoke, and live comedy.
Read more: 4 things I did wrong and 3 I did right on my first Carnival cruise
The variety of options was intriguing, so I made it a point to attend a new activity each evening. Soon enough, I realized my worries about “boring” entertainment were totally unwarranted.
I laughed until I cried in the ship’s comedy club, sang along to my favorite karaoke tunes, and cheered on contestants during the family-friendly "What’s Age Got To Do With It?" game show.
These high-energy, audience-focused options were far more exciting than a standard theater show. In the end, Carnival’s signature entertainment was a highlight of my cruise.
I thought I’d never book a Carnival cruise again, but I can’t wait for my upcoming trip
Before my first Carnival cruise, I expected the cruise line to be a “one and done” experience. Being a cruise writer, I knew I needed to give Carnival a try, but I certainly didn’t think I would want to book a second cruise with the line.
I shouldn't have spoken so soon. My low expectations of Carnival Cruise Line were exceeded almost immediately once I got onboard. From the diverse dining choices to the fun-filled complimentary programming, I found little to complain about.
As someone who cruises frequently, I’m always looking for a good cruise deal. Despite rising prices in the industry overall, Carnival Cruise Line still offers an exceptional value. You can find 7-night cruises on the line’s newest ships, like Carnival Jubilee, for under $800 per person. This is almost unheard of on lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Read more: Take a tour of my cabin onboard Carnival Firenze
After my first Carnival experience, I’m open to booking more cruises with the line. This summer, in fact, I’ll be boarding Carnival Glory for a cruise to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest private destination in the Bahamas.
If my first Carnival cruise taught me anything, it’s to give every cruise line a chance. Online reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, and there’s a cruise line for every type of traveler.
For me, Carnival Cruise Line’s casual, easygoing atmosphere was just what I needed.
Jenna DeLaurentis
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while in port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea.
