Carnival Cruisers First Royal Caribbean Experience

[yj2cute]

Your post inspires me!!!!! I am where you were NOW. And being lazy, what did you try that was different that you liked? I really want to try Princess (always have).....but would be open to Celebrity or RCCL too....I'm thinking I'd probably like it better but have that "what if I don't like it as much" mentality?

 

Well I'm glad! My first non Carnival cruise was on Princess and we definitely didn't regret it. You'll never know what you like or dislike about any other line/ship until you try it. Im sure no cruise could be so terrible that you absolutely hate it. Remember, a bad day at sea beats a good day at work anyday. :-)

 

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[smeck]

We have cruised Carnival, NCL, RCCL & Disney, for a total of 8 cruises and found variety the spice of life. We found cruise lines more similar than different and usually choose by ports of call. My least favorite Disney no casino and so overpriced with just awful food. NCL, Carnival, and RCL I wouldn't hesitate. Put me on a boat and I'm happy!

[hubofhockey]

Your post inspires me!!!!! I am where you were NOW. And being lazy, what did you try that was different that you liked? I really want to try Princess (always have).....but would be open to Celebrity or RCCL too....I'm thinking I'd probably like it better but have that "what if I don't like it as much" mentality?

 

I can tell you why I love Princess. It's the ships, the friendly atmosphere, and the service. You really can get away from it all on Princess and relax. The ships are classy and have several entertainment venues and choices. If you are looking for late night partying though, stick with Carnival. There is a lot going on at nights on Princess. But much of it is over by 1 am.

 

We have zero loyalty to any cruise line and went on the Carnival Magic this summer, have Princess for British Isles next Summer, and the Allure of the Seas the following Spring. I have no interest in the loyalty programs. Every vacation must justify itself on the merits. Carnival provided a very affordable (for us) summer Med cruise for the family on a new ship. The itinerary was great too. But for the Caribbean, where the price difference is only $300 to $400 for the family of four, we are not as price sensitive.

[halos]

What I do resent is the Carnival cheerleaders here and especially on another Carnival blog who constantly call RCCL unsavory names and make fun of that line. It has destroyed the Carnival experience for us as ship bashing,no matter what line, should not occur the same being with this CC site. We are at the point where we can no longer cruise but I would welcome cruising on the many lines and enjoy them all without negatively mentioning them. You are all very lucky you can still cruise and enjoy many cruises a year.

 

I understand how that would bother you...it does me as well, but to be honest, it is absolutely even worse when it comes from a ship's cruise director.:rolleyes:

When we sailed RCI that one time, the CD spent the entire week making nasty CCL jokes.

If you have enough faith in your OWN cruise line...the one that employs you, there should be no need to constantly belittle another one.

 

In the end, I just chalked him up as another DUD cruise director....there seem to be more duds than good ones.

 

 

I want to sail every line.

 

me too!! me too!! :D

[DarthGrady]

Out of the 17 cruises I’ve been on 15 of those were with Carnival. After so many Carnival cruises I decided it was time to try other lines. I cruised Princess for the first time last year and I’ll be taking my first Celebrity cruise next year. My best friend loves Royal Caribbean and thought I might enjoy them as well. She organized a girls cruise on the Explorer and I must say I loved it. The cruise director Jimmy Rhodes was one of the best cruise directors I’ve seen.

 

I’ve read many posts on the Carnival boards stating RCCL Promenade has a shopping mall feel as well as comments asking who needs an ice skating rink and rock climbing wall on a ship. In spite of many comments that can be taken as not so positive, I chose to go on the ship with an open mind about the things on RCCL that are not on Carnival. From my experience it wasn’t a shopping mall feel. I thought the Promenade was a wonderful place to have a drink and people watch. The parades on the Promenade were quite entertaining.

 

I made a point to see the rock climbing wall but had absolutely no desire to try it. Although I didn’t want to attempt ice skating I must admit the ice show was very good. Especially considering the amount of space the skaters have to work with.

 

Base on my observations there are more similarities than differences among the 2 lines. For example, Carnival has the hairy chest contest; RCCL has a sexiest man contest. Although I’ve read negative comments on the RCCL boards about Carnivals pool activities, in my opinion these two activities are basically the same. RCCL also had a belly flop contest which was hilarious.

 

I’ve always had great service on Carnival and I also had great service on RCCL. The dining room meals were equally good on both lines however I enjoyed the buffet on RCCL more than Carnival mainly due to the layout of the buffet area. Even when we went at peak times there was very little to no wait at all. The layout of the multiple food stations makes getting through the lines much quicker than on Carnival.

 

To RCCL’s advantage they offer hot items on the room service menu. It was nice to have a hot breakfast on our balcony as well as hot items for a mid afternoon snack a couple of times.

 

One of the obvious differences between Carnival and RCCL is the décor. The Explorer is prettier than any of the Carnival ships I’ve been on. I’m not one who cares much about décor though. As long as the ship is clean décor doesn’t really matter to me. It’s just something that’s easily noticeable.

 

Bottom line…I enjoyed my RCCL cruise very much and I’m sure I’ll cruise RCCL again. I absolutely will continue to cruise Carnival and Princess as well. I hope to be able to say I’ll cruise Celebrity again after I experience that cruise line next year. I’ll go on Celebrity the same way I went on the Explorer; with an open mind and expectations of having a great cruise.

 

Good review! I agree with you 100% on your points of CCL vs RCI. They really are very similar, with the ships being the only major difference.

[s407o]

[quote name='letscruisegd']The dining room service was great. The bar service in the dining room however left much to be desired. A few times our assistant waiter ended up locating our bar server for us. The waiter & assistant waiter were very attentive and they offered recommendations each night. We never had to ask for water and on the nights I wanted lemonade, I received it promptly and I didn't have to request a refill. Our servers took very good care of us.


I purchased only a few drinks and they were a little over $7. Each of the drinks I ordered were frozen drinks. A BBC, Coco Loco and a Miami Vice. They were all very good. I must say the Miami Vice was much stronger than what I've had on Carnival. I read that RCCL water down their drinks but the drinks I had were nowhere near watered down.

The ice show is not to be missed as well as quest. Quest was hilarious. The things people will do in public amazed me.:eek: If you plan to watch any of the parades I would suggest getting there early. We got seats in front of the pub about 30 minutes before the parades started. We ordered drinks and people watched until time for the parade.

If you decided to go to the ice show wear pants and a jacket. It was really cold in there. The quest show was in the ice skating rink and although the ice was covered, it was still quite cold.


Hi roomie. As laid back as I am I the sedate crowd was good for me. Although it was a sedate crowd I still felt it was a fun atmosphere. Since this was my 1st RCCL cruise, I don't have anything to compare the food to but the food on this cruise was great.[/quote]
Ha ha I was one of the leaders in Quest, I was in group 3 we got disqualified because the gentleman was not wearing his undies..lol

[megmno]

I've been reading this thread with interest. I would love to try Oasis or Allure at some point. I compared the prices on Allure with those on our upcoming cruise on Magic. For the price I'm paying for an aft wrap on Magic I would only get a regular balcony on Allure. Not sure I'm ready for that -- I've become an aft wrap snob :p

One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?

[s407o]

[quote name='megmno']I've been reading this thread with interest. I would love to try Oasis or Allure at some point. I compared the prices on Allure with those on our upcoming cruise on Magic. For the price I'm paying for an aft wrap on Magic I would only get a regular balcony on Allure. Not sure I'm ready for that -- I've become an aft wrap snob :p

One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?[/quote]

I wouldnt say nickeled and dimed, I thought the drink prices were same, the dinner menu had the extra stuff you could buy, I was a little put off about the extra charge at dinner for an expresso. The beach towel not being in the room and having to give them your sail card to get one was a little over the top I felt. But really I didnt feel like I was paying more

[poolreader]

I love both lines, but RCCL just a little more because I like the decor of the ships, and the many quite indoor places to sit and read. I find I spend more money on Carnival (but do enjoy the free Cappo's at dinner). I find more to do on RCCL, so I spend more on carnival on drinks and the casino, thus in the end the two cruise lines end of costing the same. I can pay more for a room where I prefer the decor, or pay less and stare at orange. I will say I recently sailed in a suite on Carnival Spirit. Not only did I like tha[U]t ships decor better than any other Carnival ship I have been on, but the suite was fantastic. I can't afford suites on a steady basis, but if the price was the same for a balcony on RCCL as a suite on Carnival I think I would go for the suite.[/U]
[U]10 Carnival, 9 RCCL (#10 in 2 days), 2 Princess, 1 NCL[/U]

[hubofhockey]

[quote name='megmno']I've been reading this thread with interest. I would love to try Oasis or Allure at some point. I compared the prices on Allure with those on our upcoming cruise on Magic. For the price I'm paying for an aft wrap on Magic I would only get a regular balcony on Allure. Not sure I'm ready for that -- I've become an aft wrap snob :p

One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?[/quote]

I think it's the exact opposite with me in booking the Allure. We may be paying $400 more for the week. But it includes the play Chicago, the water show, the ice show, and zip line included at no extra cost. Also, after 9 days on the Magic, I didn't feel nickle and dimed. But I felt that we were getting less and less. There was no show on the first night and much of the entertainment was game shows in the main theater and passenger provided entertainment. As you say, on Carnival, better cabins are more of a bargain. But that in itself doesn't do it for us. We're looking more forward to our Allure cruise than any Caribbean cruise that we have been on.

[H82seaUgo]

[quote name='ardnassac79']Nail head: hit it.

Granted I haven't sailed on any line other than Carnival (or any ship yet other than the Pride) but until we hit platinum, we have no desire to "try" another line if we are spending our own money. A vacation is what you make it, and the extra $1000 or so just isn't worth it in my opinion![/QUOTE]

unfortunately, you will have to wait 7 more cruises to find out if that's true.


pity the poor person that shells out the dollars for 7 cruises and finds out there is something better.

[halos]

[quote name='H82seaUgo']unfortunately, you will have to wait 7 more cruises to find out if that's true.


pity the poor person that shells out the dollars for 7 cruises and finds out there is something better.[/quote]


I have to agree. Many people do what that poster is doing...cruising to get to a level. The perks of platinum are quite nice...no doubt. But they are not worth the line monogamy imo.

It may have taken me longer to get to platinum on CCL than some people because I have thrown in a few other lines...however, it's been worth it to have the variety and to experience what is out there. Not to mention, after my 5th NCL cruise, I was surprised to discover that I got a little perk for moving up a grade from bronze to silver....$150 OBC :D It was combineable with ALL other promotions too, which was really cool and both my DH and I each got that $150 OBC tier promotion....although we could not apply them both to one sailing, I am still thrilled. We have 2 NCL cruises booked so we were able to use both $150 credits.
I had NO idea that was a perk after just 5 cruises.
It seems to me $150 can do a lot of laundry and with NCL's awesome debark system, there is never a need to have priority debarkation, so in just 5 cruises on that line, I feel like I got quite a lot and I wasn't even trying.
I heard that RCI gives great perks for repeat cruisers. I think it would be fun to sail as many lines as possible and reach great levels on all of them!!! Besides, the sailing you do to get to a level is the fun part anyway :)

[yj2cute]

[quote name='s407o']Ha ha I was one of the leaders in Quest, I was in group 3 we got disqualified because the gentleman was not wearing his undies..lol[/QUOTE]

OMG, I remember him! Too funny! That's why I never miss the Quest!

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[yj2cute]

[quote name='megmno']I've been reading this thread with interest. I would love to try Oasis or Allure at some point. I compared the prices on Allure with those on our upcoming cruise on Magic. For the price I'm paying for an aft wrap on Magic I would only get a regular balcony on Allure. Not sure I'm ready for that -- I've become an aft wrap snob :p

One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?[/QUOTE]

The thing is, you can't compare Oasis/Allure to anything Carnival offers. It's like apples and oranges. I don't feel nicked and dimed because I only pay for the extras I want. But if I chose, I could go an entire cruise and not spend another dime onboard. There are a few things that irk me with RCCL, like the charge for room service after midnight, but that is a choice. I can go to the Cafe Promenade for free if I like. And as Glo said, the hot food choices available on the room service menu are a plus and make the extra charge a bit more bearable.

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[megmno]

[quote name='yj2cute']The thing is, you can't compare Oasis/Allure to anything Carnival offers. It's like apples and oranges. [/quote]

Hmmm... you guys have me almost convinced to take a look at Allure for 2013. I'm pretty bi-fructivorous! (I like apples [B]and [/B] oranges.)

[halos]

[quote name='megmno']. I'm pretty bi-fructivorous! [/quote]

sounds kinky. :p

[Calico Jack Sparrow]

[quote name='LadyTenorJD'][COLOR=purple][B]I've only been on Royal Caribbean once; I sail on Carnival in December. So far, it seems as if Carnival is more budget friendly. I intended on Royal Caribbean again in December, but the prices were not right for me.[/B][/COLOR]

[B][COLOR=purple]When I do Carnival, I'll see if I like them as much as I liked Royal Caribbean.[/COLOR][/B][/quote]

We sailed RCL a year ago, and loved it. So many of our friends have sailed CCL and they seem to like it just as much. That's why we booked Liberty for our December cruise. To us, variety is the spice of life, so next may be NCL. Never gonna cruise enough to qualify for VIP status anyway.:D

[janetz]

[quote name='megmno']I've been reading this thread with interest. I would love to try Oasis or Allure at some point. I compared the prices on Allure with those on our upcoming cruise on Magic. For the price I'm paying for an aft wrap on Magic I would only get a regular balcony on Allure. Not sure I'm ready for that -- I've become an aft wrap snob :p

One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?[/quote]


Believe me, you wont pay much mind to being on a regular balcony. On the Allure or Oasis your never in your cabin. ;)

[cruisinfanatic]

[quote name='kentuckyluckyguy']After five Carnival Cruises, I must say I am very satisfied. But, at some point, I'd like to "upscale" a bit to just see what it's like. Princess is my first choice. The thing is, I know what I am getting with Carnival....and it's sort of double edged because if I like another line...will I be spoiled?

The one thing that really attracts me to Princess, Celebrity and those types of lines is the "attention to details" that I hear so much about. I really want to try one.

My GF and I are VERY laid back so I think we'd be good...I just wonder if I'd find myself "comparing" while on-board and wishing I'd done something diferent or if I'd be like "WOW..this is where I shoulda been all along".....[/quote]You'll like Celebrity. First thing they do is hand you a glass of Champagne when you get on

[letscruisegd]

[quote name='s407o']Ha ha I was one of the leaders in Quest, I was in group 3 we got disqualified because the gentleman was not wearing his undies..lol

The beach towel not being in the room and having to give them your sail card to get one was a little over the top I felt. [/quote]
I remember that guy.:eek: Too funny.:D

I forgot all about the towels. That was a bit much. On Princess you can get as many towels as you need without your sail card. When returning to the ship you can drop of your towels before getting on the ship. It was great not having to take wet towels back to my room.

[quote name='megmno']One question for those who have sailed both -- do you feel you get "nickle and dimed" on RCCL? I realize you don't have to eat at the various pay restaurants, but are there a lot of other "extras" that you have to pay for?[/quote]
I didn't feel nickeled and dimed at all. The way I see it, everything I need is available without any extra cost. The extra's I spent a little on are beverages and we ordered room service after midnight once.

[quote name='yj2cute']I don't feel nicked and dimed because I only pay for the extras I want. But if I chose, I could go an entire cruise and not spend another dime onboard. There are a few things that irk me with RCCL, like the charge for room service after midnight, but that is a choice. I can go to the Cafe Promenade for free if I like. And as Glo said, the hot food choices available on the room service menu are a plus and make the extra charge a bit more bearable.[/quote]
I also could go an entire cruise without spending another dime onboard. I almost did that on this cruise.:p Do you recall how short my list of items were on my statement on our last Bermuda day?

[ImmortalxKiss]

We have on cruise on RCCL once ..but VERY much enjoyed it. We thought several things were better then Carnival and vice versa. Just wish their pricing was a bit more affordable or we would go more often, I'm sure.

[kathy884]

Loved your review. It seemed very balanced and is similar in many ways to what my brother has said when comparing the two lines. I'd love to try RCCL sometime. Their ships sound absolutely beautiful.

I was considering Disney or RCCL for our next curise, but ended up booking Carnival Conquest series ship as it was such a great value, we did a Conquest class curise about five years ago that we were really pleased with, and we could add in a balcony and still stay within budget. We just love a balcony. Disney and RCCL for the same ports were considerably more expensive, and it would have been a much greater preimium than I expeced to try one of these lines.

Maybe one of these days. In the meantime, we're quite pleased to be going on a cruise period. I really think my whole family will have a great time. Frequent cruisers have told me that they have found price differences to be less extreme duirng off season. Right, now, though, we are tied to the school calendar, so that's not an option for us to consider at present.