RCCL vs Carnival

[f7prez]

I agree that Carnival focuses more on the passenger and RCCL on the ship. I only sailed on one Carnival ship so far, and other than Carnival constantly trying to sell me drinks, I never felt any warm and fuzzy feeling above the level of attention I received on Royal. I do agree that the Royal ships I was on were much nicer than Carnival Victory.

 

RCCL-It depends on what you think of having a mall as one of the main attractions of the ship (as RCCL does). Personally, I can shop at a mall while at home. I can never understand this complaint either. It's not like Carnival doesn't dedicate the same amount of space for shops, cafes and lounges. So, that wasn't much of an attraction to me. Flo-Rider....fun. But, you wait in line for 30 minutes (or longer) for a 5 minute ride. Rock wall....didn't really care one way or the other because I didn't use it. Some may like it, though. This is one area I think Royal excells over carnival. We are an active family that enjoys the flowrider, rock wall, ice skating etc. I could be wrong because it was my perception, but it seemed RCCL nickled and dimed me on the cruise much more than CCL. Beautiful ship, though. Again, another argument that has no merit. Royal and carnival offer its guests virtually the same exact things included in the price. Both lines offer extras that they charge a fee for. Royal may have more extras that cost money, but i doubt it.

 

Overall, Carnival as a corp is much bigger than RC. As such, they have larger economics of scale. So, most of the time you'll find you pay more and get less (or the same) cruising on RC vs CCL (compare prices of suites between the two as one example). From reading recent threads here, one could argue that it appears Carnival has cut more corners to keep their prices down than Royal has. Just trying to keep it real.

 

Either one you choose, you'll have fun. So, go and enjoy. Don't worry about what name is on the ship. This much I would agree with. I hope to take a European cruise someday, and I think I will let the itinerary dictate which line I choose.

 

Whichever line you go with, I'm sure it will be a memorable trip.

[CruiserChloe]

No I've not. However, the Carnival Magic isn't even FINISHED yet and this person said it IS a boisterous ship. LOL

 

I think you are being unreasonable. Unless I'm mistaken, Magic is a sister to Dream - a ship already in service. I really do not think it is far fetched to assume the Dream is an indicator of how the Magic will be.

[graphicguy]

Whichever line you go with, I'm sure it will be a memorable trip.

Thanks. I'm booked on a Christmas/New Years cruise on the Freedom. Very much looking forward to it. We just have had different experiences.

 

In all frankness, I'm really not loyal to one cruise line. I'm curious about the NCL Epic. So, that will probably be the next cruise (after this one)....sometime next Summer or Fall.

[auburn77]

I think you are being unreasonable. Unless I'm mistaken, Magic is a sister to Dream - a ship already in service. I really do not think it is far fetched to assume the Dream is an indicator of how the Magic will be.

 

All I was saying is that the original poster was asking about sailing the Magic in Europe(Med). It may well be boisterous when it sails the Caribbean, but I can assure you it will not be while sailing the Med.

[ooulio]

I have done 9 cruises on Carnival and 1 on RCL. I like Carnival better. I think the rooms are so much bigger for what you pay. I wasn't thrilled with the food on RCL. To me it was very bland. I like the Carnival Freedom so far the best out of all our cruises. Disney was okay . I like the Casino which is what we do at nite after dinner. We did have more people that were drunk on RC than on Carnival too. I have a friend who just did the Norweigian Epic. He had a great time.

[pjinaz]

I've been on 4 RCCL cruises and 4 carnival cruises. I usually go with the line I can get a better deal on. Yes I have actually gotten a better deal on RCCL 3 out of the 4 cruises.

 

They are very similar. Food is 50/50. Sometimes Carnival has hands down had better food, other cruises i have thought RCCL has done better than Carnival. Both lines specialty restaurants are awesome, though RCCL's is a little bit cheaper. I love both cruise lines ships and staterooms, I think they the rooms are very similar in size and ameneties.

 

I feel that both cruise lines attract the same age groups. I haven't noticed RCCL attracting an older crowd.

 

I think RCCL has some nicer things on its ships that Carnival doesn't have. I do really like the mall, not for shopping but for the entertainment options there. I love RCCL's sports decks. But Carnival has slides, RCCL does not. Activites are very similar, I give the edge to RCCL but not by much. Also RCCL gets the edge in service. But you can't go wrong with either line, they are both awesome!!!

[auburn77]

I would sail on either. Arguing about which is best is like an old saying my father taught me, "If I had some eggs, I could have bacon and eggs, if I only had some bacon".

[allenee]

Been on Carnival, RCCL, Princess, and Celebrity, each more than once. I just got off Oasis of the Seas 3 weeks ago. The ship was "Wow" but for me Carnival staff is friendlier, food in MDR is better, great activities, better value and I'm just plain happy on a Carnival ship.

[salty dingo]

I have no particular loyalty to Carnival... I like to try new things and would love to try RCCL...

 

However, I have not yet had a reason to do so. Just could not find a competitive cruise that made RCCL the better choice.

 

As others have said, I can do without a shopping mall and a flo rider or rock wall or eevning show. I'd MUCH rather have a larger cabin and better food. I mean, food on a cruise is pretty lousy these days so any time I can get a little bit better, that is a good thing.

[sjcruiser]

Have sailed on both. As previously mentioned, both are essentially the same in service, food, and comfort (bedding/cabin). Pricing is round about the same these days. The one leg up for Royal is the Royal Promenade with the shops, restaurants, and other places to just sit and relax or people watch. Also the Promenade gives you a place to grab a snack or bite to eat (pizza, cake, cookies, etc.) without marching up to the Lido for pizza/calzone at midnight.

 

My last two cruises Royal has had a better price for OCV and Balcony cabins than Carnival, even when using the Military or Residency Discount. My next cruise is in January, and I'm looking into another for August, and Carnival prices are still higher for the itinerary, embarkation port, cabin category.

[glrounds]

I think you are being unreasonable. Unless I'm mistaken, Magic is a sister to Dream - a ship already in service. I really do not think it is far fetched to assume the Dream is an indicator of how the Magic will be.

 

That's a big jump, Chloe. I think length of cruise and itinerary would have a greater influence on the possible "boisterousness" of the paxs than the fact the ships are sister ships. :)

[Cruzaholic41]

As others have said, I can do without a shopping mall and a flo rider or rock wall or eevning show. I'd MUCH rather have a larger cabin and better food. I mean, food on a cruise is pretty lousy these days so any time I can get a little bit better, that is a good thing.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, there's nothing wrong with your preference, but I see this mis-truth a lot on here. Across the board, Carnival's rooms are not bigger. It was very true back in the Fantasy Class / Sovereign Class days, but that is not the case anymore. A good example was my Mariner of the Seas / C. Splendor B2B last year. My balcony room on Mariner was 206sf. My balcony room on Splendor was 185sf.

 

But it's not like it really even matters. 15-20 sf is not that noticable.

 

That's a big jump, Chloe. I think length of cruise and itinerary would have a greater influence on the possible "boisterousness" of the paxs than the fact the ships are sister ships. :)

 

I'm the one who made the boisterous comment. Nowhere did I say anything about the passengers. What I said was Magic will be a "crowded and boisterous ship." I know this from my Dream cruise. The crowding will be no different, and the ship will be just as boisterous. It has nothing to do with who is on board. When this ship is full, it is crowded.

 

And I don't know what Med cruises everyone else has been on, but the Spaniards and Italians love to party. These cruises are not nearly as quiet and laid back as a couple here are leading to believe.

[Wyattcruiser]

I have no particular loyalty to Carnival... I like to try new things and would love to try RCCL...

 

However, I have not yet had a reason to do so. Just could not find a competitive cruise that made RCCL the better choice.

 

As others have said, I can do without a shopping mall and a flo rider or rock wall or eevning show. I'd MUCH rather have a larger cabin and better food. I mean, food on a cruise is pretty lousy these days so any time I can get a little bit better, that is a good thing.

 

 

My regular balcony cabin on the Mariner was the same size as a regular balcony cabin on Carnival......only difference was my BALCONY on the Mariner was bigger then a regular balcony on Carnival.

[Fishfish]

I have no particular loyalty to Carnival... I like to try new things and would love to try RCCL...

 

However, I have not yet had a reason to do so. Just could not find a competitive cruise that made RCCL the better choice.

 

As others have said, I can do without a shopping mall and a flo rider or rock wall or eevning show. I'd MUCH rather have a larger cabin and better food. I mean, food on a cruise is pretty lousy these days so any time I can get a little bit better, that is a good thing.

 

I've sailed on both RCI and Carnival and the food on RCI was better in every way in my opinion.

[glrounds]

I think you are being unreasonable. Unless I'm mistaken, Magic is a sister to Dream - a ship already in service. I really do not think it is far fetched to assume the Dream is an indicator of how the Magic will be.

 

 

I'm the one who made the boisterous comment. Nowhere did I say anything about the passengers. What I said was Magic will be a "crowded and boisterous ship." I know this from my Dream cruise. The crowding will be no different, and the ship will be just as boisterous. It has nothing to do with who is on board. When this ship is full, it is crowded.

 

And I don't know what Med cruises everyone else has been on, but the Spaniards and Italians love to party. These cruises are not nearly as quiet and laid back as a couple here are leading to believe.

 

I get your point, Cruz, but I was responding to Chloe's above comment that implied because the DREAM and the MAGIC were "sister" ships, the crowds "boisterousness";) would be the same.

As I stated, and you pointed out, the ITINERARY would probably have more to do with it.(in this case a Med cruise versus the a layback Caribbean cruise)

[hubofhockey]

I was thinking of doing the C Magic this coming summer in Europe and was wondering what people over on the CCL boards thought of CCL compared to RCCL. I have been on Carnival before but thats when C Destiny was a twinkle in the dry docks eyes! have been on mostly RCCL or Celebrity since.

 

Thanks

 

If you are considering a cruise in Europe, the decision between Carnival and RCI should be the least of things you consider. I would look to ports visited first, price second, ship third, and cruise line last. Princess has the best itineraries in the Med. We did that this year. Next year, we are going on the Carnival Magic because we want to bring our kids and we liked the itinerary (Barcelona, Monaco, Palma de Mallorca, Sicily, Florence/Livorno, Rome, Naples/Capri).

[hubofhockey]

They are asking about a Med Cruise.

Boisterous? Have you ever been on a Med Cruise?

Older crowd, few kids, tiring shore excursions, etc.

 

There are lots of kids on all Med cruises in the summer (even on HAL).

[auburn77]

There are lots of kids on all Med cruises in the summer (even on HAL).

 

Then go in May. There were few on our ship. That's why we are going again in that month. By the way, I love kids, just not running wild on cruise ships.