Tom Stieghorst
Carnival Cruise Line has come back from a deep hole it fell into after the debacle surrounding the 2013 engine fire on the Carnival Triumph. Animosity toward Carnival seems to have ebbed through the passage of time and many efforts by Carnival.
Yet it is hardly unusual in my conversations with travel agents to find ones who don't sell Carnival, don't recommend Carnival or sell Carnival only if the client asks about it.
So I was interested to encounter a thread on the Cruise Critic website recently in which commenters were asked to list what they liked most about sailing on Carnival.
Of course answers varied, and there was plenty of praise for other lines in specific areas where commenters didn't think Carnival excelled. But here are some common themes among the 100 or so replies.
It's no surprise, but the most frequently cited reason for sailing Carnival is cost/value, split equally between those two terms. It is also the reason that some agents don't warm to selling Carnival. Lower fares equal lower commissions, all things being equal.
"Reasonable price" and "fewer onboard charges" were variations on this theme.
Commenters also liked that Carnival offered cruises from so many U.S. ports that were close enough to drive to. "I can cruise without flying" was another related response.
"Larger rooms" was another reason commonly cited by Carnival fans, particularly in "budget" or ocean-view categories.
Carnival's casual atmosphere was cited more than "fun" or the high sociability of the guests. Many Carnival patrons feel like they can be themselves and not get bothered, or that they can relax on Carnival more than other lines.
The availability of self-service laundry drew more than a few likes. "It lets me cut down on packing" was the sentiment expressed by one guest.
When good food was cited, it was often pizza, Carnival's steak restaurant and the Indian food, along with Guy Fieri burgers. "They have a much better selection of included food options," was how one commenter put it.
"Friendly" and "efficient" staff got multiple mentions, as well.
Finally, it was notable to me how many Carnival fans expressed a willingness to try other cruise lines, while at the same time expressing a lack of desire to make a change. Many of them are contented customers, and will keep coming back for more unless something drastic happens.