Carnival’s ‘party’ is a family affair now

When I mentioned to a friend that I was going on a Carnival cruise, he replied, “Oh, that’s that wild party ship.”

Carnival is now one of the big-cruise options for families. On my cruise aboard the Carnival Pride, ages ranged from children and couples in their 20s to a couple who were born in the ‘20s.

Camp Carnival, the ship’s kids program, had its hands full -- there were 200 children on my cruise -- but counselors kept them busy so they were never running about or underfoot. Each evening the disco was reserved for teens until 11:30 p.m., after which only adults were allowed.

Despite the line’s efforts to change its image, its party identity has stuck.

Carnival recently deployed one of its big ships to Long Beach for seven-day round-trip cruises to the Mexican Riviera, departing every Sunday. The Carnival Pride, at 88,500 tons, carries 2,124 passengers; it’s one of the largest cruise ships sailing regularly from a West Coast city.

My November cruise had 2,300 passengers, and in many cabins, third and fourth bunks were being used. But the ship didn’t feel crowded. It was so large that you might not see the same person twice during the cruise.

Every Carnival ship is designed by Joe Farcus, and on the Pride, his theme is icons of beauty. In the Raphael Lounge are reproductions of paintings by Raphael; Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” sets the tone in the jazz club of the same name; Japanese carvings decorate the Ivory Piano Bar; and statues of jockeys are in the Winners’ Club Casino, though sometimes hidden behind the clanging slot machines. It’s all topped off by a life-size replica of Michelangelo’s David in David’s Supper Club.

The main activities center on the Pride’s pools: Venus, Apollo and Poseidon. And there are indoor activities -- bingo, trivia quizzes, lectures and shops with sports and formal wear at surprisingly low prices. A large two-deck gym has dozens of treadmills, stair machines and a variety of exercise equipment, and a spa in which to relax.

Entertainment features three flashy shows in the Taj Mahal Show Lounge and a performance by the Puerto Vallarta Folklorico dance troupe and its mariachi band. And, of course, a passenger talent show.

The Taj Mahal is a three-deck room with a horseshoe balcony that rises sharply to the ceiling. White tile walls embedded with bits of lighted, multicolored glass reflect an Indian motif.

Carnival has improved its food service over the years, and its restaurants produce some of the better cuisine at sea. The two-deck Normandie Restaurant was inspired by the dining room of the transatlantic liner and is airy with an elaborate menu that changes daily.

During the day the alternative restaurant is the Mermaid’s Grille, which has marine-oriented decor. Instead of the usual two- or four-line buffet, which usually produces long lines at peak hours, the Grille has several small serving stations with various cuisines. Other eating choices include a deli, the Asian Corner, a salad bar, a 24-hour pizzeria and one venue that offers a different cuisine every day. The end result: Lines are shorter and service is faster.

The major dining area is David’s Supper Club, which is open evenings only. Reservations are required and it has a $25-per-person surcharge. The menu includes Alaskan crab claws, porterhouse steaks, chicken and sea bass. A surf-and-turf entree has lobster tail and steak.

Cabins range from insides (with no window) and balcony cabins to suites and penthouses. Brochure rates range from $1,649 to $3,249 per person, double occupancy, for Mexican Riviera cruises. Discounts can cut prices by more than half.

The Mexican Riviera itinerary has three days at sea and three days at ports in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. For information: (800) CARNIVAL 227-6482, www.carnival.com.

Harry Basch travels as a guest of the cruise lines.