Expert: Linda - 1/4/2003

Question
Which Carnival Ship do you recommend for a 7 day cruise to Western Caribbean ...We are looking to get a room with balcony and also to be on a ship that is more casual than high class...Thanks

Answer
Carnival will fit the bill for casual, but also give you the opportunity to dress up if you wish.
The Destiny is huge and a GREAT ship.  If you choose to sail her, try to get a balcony on the back of the ship.  It's like playing Hollywood Squares, you can talk to everyone above and below you.  You also get to see both sides of the ports when you're arriving.  I don't have a current catalog, so I'm not sure where she's sailing from.

Another excellent choice for ships is the Pride, Victory or the Triumph.  They're sister ships, smaller then the Destiny, but great ships.  When you first get on the ship, you'll be blown away!  They're magnificent.  If you're non-smokers, there's the Paradise, but since we smoke, we haven't been on that one.

I do NOT like the Holiday and cannot suggest that ship, nor the Celebration.  Since you're going the Western you MUST swim with the stingrays.  It's an incredible experience.  We did not book with the ship, but went with Captain Marvin, prices were a bit less expensive, but a lot LESS people on the boat and more individual attention.  For an excellent site, try Cruise Critic.  From there you can navigate, choose Carnival and then go to the message boards, you will find a WEALTH of information as well as maybe meet other cruisers that will be on the same cruise.  We've met some great people that way.  If you have any other questions, just ask away.  Have a great cruise !

Linda