I FEEL LIKE A TRADER

[sea_u_onboard]

Well - I did it. Today I canceled my scheduled July 31st cruise on the Celebration (5 day) for a May 30th cruise on RC's Rhapsody (7 day). I couldn't help myself - it was a great deal. Not only am I going to get an extra 2 days out of the deal but I get to go two months earlier and saved over $115.00. I couldn't beat that.

So - for those who have cruised on RC and Carnival what differences will I notice?

-- Cheryl

****Proud member of O.A.T.C.****
Check out my Homepage in my profile for Conquest info

10/99 Fantasy
12/01 Inspiration
03/02 Inspiration
03/03 Conquest

Trying RC - Rhapsody
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600
May 30, 2004

[glrounds]

Very little.

Carnival and RCI have basically the same demographic so the paxs should be virtually the same.

I would say the RHAPSODY is an older ship, but the CELEBRATION is no spring chicken either, so that probably evens out.

I wouldn't blow off my mouth a lot about Carnival on an RCI ship as they tend to get very tight-lipped about Carnival cruisers, especially since they lost out on the Princess buyout. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Gary http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://www.cruisemates.com/animated/Dolphins.gif

[sea_u_onboard]

I know the kidding was all in fun (PS - It was a good save, wasn't it? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif)

I did get the Happy Hour Special - I never called on one of them before. Actually what happened was I got the email about the sail and called to find out if they were extending it for 3 person cabins. They were not but could give me a great price for 3 inside. Now this was with a different on-line company than the one I had booked already. He quoted me a price which was $66.00 cheaper http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gifthan the 5 day on the Celebration. I then called the agency that held my booking for the July cruise and told them I had contacted this other agency about the Rhapsody on May 30th and could they match the price - as I wanted to stay with their agency - that the price was too good to pass up. Well - the agent was able to match the price - actually beat his quote by $32.00. So now I'm in the Black $98 http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif. and have 2 extra days. Well when my confirmation notice comes it is also showing my $25.00 discount for a Refer A Friend contact. So now the price was seeing a $123.00 http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif price difference. THEN - a co-worker heard me talking about the cruise and wanted the information. They called my agency and got a great price for the 2 of them. I'm getting another $25.00 from them - so now I'm at $148 http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif to the good plus 2 days. That will cover the tips for 2 of us. Everything is coming up roses.

The Happy Hour really was quite good. I found out this morning that a friend of mine, her daughter is on the same sailing. Their cabin isn't near as nice as the one my co-worker book yesterday. She paid over $1400. for 2 - while my co-worker paid just under $1,000 for a bigger cabin.

-- Cheryl

****Proud member of O.A.T.C.****
Check out my Homepage in my profile for Conquest info

10/99 Fantasy
12/01 Inspiration
03/02 Inspiration
03/03 Conquest

Trying RC - Rhapsody
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600
May 30, 2004

[judyf]

How can I find this Happy Hour sale? I'm looking at the Voyager of the Sea for 5/21. It's the only chance I will have to cruise before school starts in Sept.

What can you tell me about RCCL?

Thanks

Judy
CCL Inspiration 4/4-4/11/04
NCL Sea 4/14-4/27/03
Wonder 5/16-5/19/02
Wonder 5/3-5/8/01
Fantasy 2/15-2/18/01

[yst347]

sea_u_onboard you are a trader! and a very nice trade you made!

Not sailing with Carnival doesn't make anyone a Traitor either.

Have a great cruise!

Elation 11/2003
Conquest 01/2003
Jubilee 11/2002
Victory 02/2001
Destiny 02/2000
Geotide 11/1992
United States 06/1962

[SEPyle]

A bit of a correction: The Rhapsody was built in 1997 and the Celebration in 1987. Therefore the Rhapsody is a much newer ship! Carnival is a great cruise line as is Royal Caribbean. You got a great deal on the Rhapsody! Enjoy your cruise! Think of it this way: Next time Carnival may well have a super deal and then you can try them!

Have a wonderful cruise!
Sharon

[sea_u_onboard]

I've enjoyed every one of my Carnival cruises. I hope to enjoy this one also.

As far as the Happy Hour special - I was notified by an email alert by on eof the online cruise agencies that I subscribe to. Maybe someone on the RC board can help you.

-- Cheryl

****Proud member of O.A.T.C.****
Check out my Homepage in my profile for Conquest info

10/99 Fantasy
12/01 Inspiration
03/02 Inspiration
03/03 Conquest

Trying RC - Rhapsody
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;5;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600
May 30, 2004

[bigmacfan]

I have been on both CCL and RCL and here are the differences that I noticed:

The lido deck food was by far better on RCL. I noticed much more carved meats, fresh fruit, salads, etc on RCL than on CCL. The dining room food I found to be equal.

Carnival's pizza is the best as is their poolside grill.

The service was the other major difference. I felt pampered on RCL and merely served on CCL.

The staterooms on CCL are huge compared to RCL (or at least on the much older SOS that I went on)

Hope this helps a little!

Sovereign of the Seas 06/00
Inspiration 06/02
Carnival Conquest 06/03
Carnival Conquest 05/04


http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;5;30;16;30;00&timezone=GMT-0600 Until the Conquest sails!!!!!