Carnival fan going to try RCL.

[G&TQ]

DH and I have an opprotunity to take a short cruise on RCL via a RCL credit card voucher. We have cruised on Carnival and loved it both cruising and carnival. We do want to try some of the other lines and was wondering if what the major differences are. Any way has any cruised both? Any major differences. No bashing please I am just curious.

 

I will probably have some specific questions but for now I am just going to read as much as possible. On the carnival thread there is a topic sort of everything you wanted to know. Is there one for RCL?

 

Thanks!

 

Happy Cruising!

[Jimnbigd]

Actually, not much difference to me. You'll get towel animals, have shows with a live band, choices at dinner, lido buffet, etc.

 

Difference:

 

Food: Carnival has 24 pizza (usually good pizza), soft serve ice cream and yogert. RCI pizza is in the lido buffet and not good; if you have a Cafe Promenade, their pizza is pretty good; I don't know about Sorrentos Pizza. RCI has soft serve yogert only and only at certain times, like noon to 8pm, something like that.

 

Dining staff: Carnival dining staff seems to have a song-and-dance just about every night with passenger participation. RCI is more subdued, with waiters singing maybe 1 or 2 nights and very little passenger participation. Often light classical and "elevator" music is live in the dining room for the first hour (but I like it).

 

Shows: I like RCI shows somewhat more. RCI usually has a 9-piece ship band (like the Max Weinberg seven plus another trumpet and sax). RCI seems to spend more money on live music -- the musicians seem better to me. Singers and dancers are about the same on either ship, except the lead singers are a better on RCI.

 

Cabins: Carnival has bigger cabins and on ship's I have used bigger showers. Carnival has better TV channels.

 

Casinos: You'll lose your shirt on either ship.

 

I don't think you'll be disappointed with RCI.

[luvscruising2007]

We just finished our 1st Carnival cruise after taking 5 Royal cruises. I was prepared not to like Carnival as much. But as many on these boards will tell you, the 2 cruise lines are more alike than different.

Shows and entertainment are very similar.

Food goes to Carnival, mostly because of the desserts.

Service goes to Royal because the crew on Royal seems more into the passengers. While the Carnival crew was very good, I just noticed often that they plowed through without regard to passengers. They were not quite as friendly as other crews we have encountered.

Having said all of that, each ship within each cruise line differs.

You should have a wonderful time on a Royal cruise.

[izzyvet]

I have also cruised both several times and also find them more alike than dissimilar. Ditto the above.

 

No hot breakfast on Carnival, on RCL you can get your bacon and eggs breakfast delivered to your room, which I like. No self service laundry on any RCL ship, but laundry charges are somewhat reasonable.

 

I found food in the dining room to vary from ship to ship (I've have had either excellent or mediocre on both) but I find the buffets on Carnival to be a bit better.

 

I like the wine package that RCL offers.

 

Both have pool games, trivia games and all the other activities. Both have excellent kids programs, that keeps them occupied and happy (and somewhat out of sight ;) ). RCL ships usually have a wonderful adult only Solarium that is heavenly during day or evening.

 

I like the water-slide on Carnival and the rock-climbing wall on RCL. Don't miss either though when I'm on the opposite line.

 

Carnival's Supper Club, best food I've had at sea. RCL's surcharge restaurants (Portofino, Chops) are also very good, but not quite to the level of the Supper Club.

 

I think you will like Royal Caribbean.

[HB Cruiser]

Having never cruised on Carnival, from all reviews I have read, RCCL and Carnival are more alike than different.

 

I would suggest however, not comparing the smaller ships RCCL use for their shorter cruises to the larger ships. The Monarch/Majesty, if either of them are what you are cruising on, are much smaller and don't have all the ammentities (sp) the larger ships have.

 

This all being said, Majesty is one of our favorite ships.

 

Tim

[Cruising89143]

Having never cruised on Carnival, from all reviews I have read, RCCL and Carnival are more alike than different.

 

I would suggest however, not comparing the smaller ships RCCL use for their shorter cruises to the larger ships. The Monarch/Majesty, if either of them are what you are cruising on, are much smaller and don't have all the ammentities (sp) the larger ships have.

 

This all being said, Majesty is one of our favorite ships.

 

Tim

 

The biggest difference for me are the ships. Carnival has nothing that can touch the Radiance, Voyager, Freedom or Oasis class of ships. I also found that the crew on RCI was much nicer and seemed genuine when they spoke to the guests. Also, if you like suites, Carnivals lacks in comparison to those on RCI.

[yogimax]

I would suggest however, not comparing the smaller ships RCCL use for their shorter cruises to the larger ships. The Monarch/Majesty, if either of them are what you are cruising on, are much smaller and don't have all the ammentities (sp) the larger ships have.

 

This all being said, Majesty is one of our favorite ships.

 

Tim

 

Yes, I was going to say the same thing. While we enjoyed Majesty very much, it doesn't compare with Voyager or Freedom Class ships which have the Royal Promenade and ice shows.

[kruzerci]

Yes, I was going to say the same thing. While we enjoyed Majesty very much, it doesn't compare with Voyager or Freedom Class ships which have the Royal Promenade and ice shows.

 

X3. We were on the Majesty last week and really liked it for what it was (a short cheap getaway) but it couldn't compare to the newer Royal Caribbean ships that we love. Not that we wouldn't do the Majesty again in a heartbeat, it's just a totally different experience.

[cruisecrasy]

The biggest difference for me are the ships. Carnival has nothing that can touch the Radiance, Voyager, Freedom or Oasis class of ships. I also found that the crew on RCI was much nicer and seemed genuine when they spoke to the guests. Also, if you like suites, Carnivals lacks in comparison to those on RCI.

 

the price is sure a lot better on Carnival for suites though if u are willing to forgo or don't need fancier cabins & the Concierge Clubs amenities w/ free drinks in the eve - if u can get in that is :)

One can sure purchase a lot of coffees, pastries & drinks with what one usually saves with some left over..and I prefer Carnivals Supper Club for dinner over other lines specialty restaurants..

This all said, I am Diamond almost + w/ RCL and have always enjoyed my 'suite' life onboard..

 

It all ultimately boils down to what matters to each individual and each individuals situation and timing..IMO anyway!

 

Have happy cruisin' all :)

[HB Cruiser]

X3. We were on the Majesty last week and really liked it for what it was (a short cheap getaway) but it couldn't compare to the newer Royal Caribbean ships that we love. Not that we wouldn't do the Majesty again in a heartbeat, it's just a totally different experience.

 

Off topic, I saw an early August cruise special on Majesty this past Tuesday that, could I have arranged staff, I would have went on that one in a split second, very inexpensive.

 

Tim

[hockeyken]

:confused: What they used to call a presidential suite (300 sq. ft.) on Carnival, is called a Junior Suite on RC.

[thomarvin]

If you have kids they will notice the difference. My kids were bored on Carnival. RC has a bigger arcade. RC has more if you are an active cruiser. Rock wall, ice skating, roller blading, full court BB. If you just relax by the pool. No difference.

[ImmortalxKiss]

We are also Carnival fans that are going to be trying out RCCL very soon! September :D

 

We are very excited about this. We kind of got burned out seeing the same shows on Carnival and eating the same selection of dishes, so we can't wait to try out something new.

[Cruising89143]

the price is sure a lot better on Carnival for suites though if u are willing to forgo or don't need fancier cabins & the Concierge Clubs amenities w/ free drinks in the eve - if u can get in that is :)

One can sure purchase a lot of coffees, pastries & drinks with what one usually saves with some left over..and I prefer Carnivals Supper Club for dinner over other lines specialty restaurants..

This all said, I am Diamond almost + w/ RCL and have always enjoyed my 'suite' life onboard..

 

It all ultimately boils down to what matters to each individual and each individuals situation and timing..IMO anyway!

 

Have happy cruisin' all :)

 

The largest suite on Carnival is about the size of a GS on RCI. I found them to be priced about the same most of the time and RCI has better suite perks. Also the balconies on Carnival suites are very shallow compared to those of RCI. Especially the Freedom and Oasis class ships.

 

It does boil down to what each person wants. IMHO Carnival needs to step back and take the time to design some new ships in place of just making a larger tweaked Destiny class ship which is what they have done since 1996 with the exception of the four Spirit class ships which by the way are my favorite Carnival ships and the only ones that I would cruise again.

[chevygirlgonecruizin]

Hi there! I just wanted to chime in to say my DH and I will also be cruising for the first time on the Freedom Of The Seas in November. We enjoyed all our Carnival cruises in the past but thought it was time to try another cruise line. We also booked the Allure Of The Seas for Sept. 2011. We are very excited!

Kelly

[morganboys]

we have sailed the ccl fantasy & sensation and the rccl monarch. All three cruises were great. IMO rccl has much nicer ships and the service was better. however ccl had much better food and hands down better entertainment. either way I plan on sailing them both again and hopefully real soon.

[G&TQ]

Thanks for all of the replies. DH and I enjoyed the fantasy class ship. Holiday was great but small, Triumph great but big. Fantasy was great and great! We are just getting to where we can conceivably cruise yearly. We cruised in 08 and 10 on different ships but the shows were vary similar. Ready for something different. We got a RCL credit card while back and have earned enough to get the companion fare for free and some obc. We are looking at the Monarch, Which looks about like the triumph in size. Our son (6) will be taking his first cruise so a short cruise would be ideal. Now to research the children's programs.

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for all of the replies. DH and I enjoyed the fantasy class ship. Holiday was great but small, Triumph great but big. Fantasy was great and great! We are just getting to where we can conceivably cruise yearly. We cruised in 08 and 10 on different ships but the shows were vary similar. Ready for something different. We got a RCL credit card while back and have earned enough to get the companion fare for free and some obc. We are looking at the Monarch, Which looks about like the triumph in size. Our son (6) will be taking his first cruise so a short cruise would be ideal. Now to research the children's programs.

 

Actually the Monarch is not much larger than the Fantasy and is RCI's oldest ship in the fleet. If you want a true RCI experience, choose one of the Voyager class ships. Depending on the time of year that you want to cruise, RCI offers some Voyager class ships for four and five night cruises.

[Bakincakes]

I've noticed alot of Carnival cruisers are now cruising RCI...I've also heard the food on Carnival outshines RCI....so why are loyal Carnival cruisers suddenly trying RCI?:confused:

[Cindy]

Our experiences on RCCL and CCL have been very similar, probably because we do the same things regardless of what cruiseline we're on.

Just my opinion:

RCCL ships are prettier with a much better layout which makes it easier to get around. The space ratio is better on Royal Caribbean -- I've never felt crowded on a RCCL ship. Even though I don't use the rock wall or the skating rink, those things do help disperse the crowds. I thought the gym was bigger and better equipped, the pools are larger, and there's more space in the dining room.

On the other hand, my husband and I thought the food on our two CCL cruises was much better than the food we've had on RCCL. We also like being able to take a couple bottles of wine aboard, and I like having access to an iron for touch-ups.

We've sailed in a JS on RCCL and an OS on CCL. Even thought the published square footage is about the same, they are laid out very differently. The JS felt like a hotel room with a big, fairly deep balcony, whereas the OS was not as spacious but had some features I appreciated like double sinks, a whirlpool tub, a separate dressing area, and a full set of bar glassware. The balconies on the 2 Carnival ships I've been on weren't very deep.

I thought the big shows on RCCL were better than the shows on Carnival, which were more "Vegas-y." I appreciated all the live music on the Carnival ships.

For me, it's a roll of the dice. I'd go on either cruiseline, and make my decision based on itinerary and price.

[CruiseLover15]

Hi there! I just wanted to chime in to say my DH and I will also be cruising for the first time on the Freedom Of The Seas in November. We enjoyed all our Carnival cruises in the past but thought it was time to try another cruise line. We also booked the Allure Of The Seas for Sept. 2011. We are very excited!

 

Kelly

 

The Freedom is my favorite ship to date. Please let us know how you like it.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

I've noticed alot of Carnival cruisers are now cruising RCI...I've also heard the food on Carnival outshines RCI....so why are loyal Carnival cruisers suddenly trying RCI?:confused:

 

I think "loyalty" to one cruise line or another is kind of silly. I had one of the best vacations of my life this last May on Carnival Spirit. (I went to Alaska) But I am booked on Radiance for next May (12 day cruise to Alaska)

 

Why?

 

itinerary ... more ports and longer time in ports.

 

Yes, I did enjoy Carnival immensely, but I never promised my undying devotion! ;) Bottom line is that I fell in love with Alaska even more :D

[chevygirlgonecruizin]

The Freedom is my favorite ship to date. Please let us know how you like it.

I absolutely will! :)

 

Kelly

[Jumbiecruiser]

I've noticed alot of Carnival cruisers are now cruising RCI...I've also heard the food on Carnival outshines RCI....so why are loyal Carnival cruisers suddenly trying RCI?:confused:

 

If you spend enough time reading reviews over on Carnival, sounds like many think that Carnival's food is on the decline. Cheaper cuts of meat is one area that I read about over there. Also, it seems that many like the 24 hour pizza and ice cream. I guess that's their claim to fame. Personally I don't need to eat 24 hours a day.:rolleyes:

[hazeleyez3]

I've noticed alot of Carnival cruisers are now cruising RCI...I've also heard the food on Carnival outshines RCI....so why are loyal Carnival cruisers suddenly trying RCI?:confused:

 

If you want to try another line, now might be the best time to do so. I have noticed lately that the cost of some (not all) of Carnival itineraries are not to different from Royal.

 

Also, currently Royal sails to Europe, which also means transatlantic cruises. Magic won't start Europe until next year, and it won't travel to as many places as Royal