Explorer of the Seas vs Carnival Miracle

[SNJCruisers]

 

While I was Loyal to CCL for years. RCCL does have a good product but so does NCL. I now cruise them all.. Your on a cruise how bad can it be:D

 

So true.....enjoy your B2B on the NCL Epic.

[SNJCruisers]

I've sailed on the Miracle and Explorer's sister ship Voyager .. they are both nice..

 

My choice would be based on this...

 

ST. MAARTEN :D

 

So Herb, are you basically shouting out in your large font size that you enjoy seeing nubile young women engaging in their God-given right to fully tan the upper half of their body without the restrictions of a bikini top.:cool:

 

I thought so.....

[Esmerelda]

I'm not sure if this was posted but there is a Savings Certificate good through 3/31 for $225 off of a suite through an outside cabin and $115 off an inside for the 10 day Explorer cruise on 8/30/12. It looks like from your signature that you have sailed on RC before. Make sure you don't miss this savings! :D

[GGBNJ130]

I'm getting excited! Did someone say CHINESE FOOD in the Windjammer on Explorer of The Seas!!!

[SNJCruisers]

I'm not sure if this was posted but there is a Savings Certificate good through 3/31 for $225 off of a suite through an outside cabin and $115 off an inside for the 10 day Explorer cruise on 8/30/12. It looks like from your signature that you have sailed on RC before. Make sure you don't miss this savings! :D

 

Thanks...I appreciate it and have already submitted it to my TA. The numbers though are now $200 for outside and up and $100 for inside.

[Cruising89143]

I can certainly read it Gator...especially after reading a previous post of yours about "Carnivor". While perusing these boards, I get a general feeling that many more loyal RCCL cruisers are snobs that look down at Carnival and that anyone who cruises that line must be trailer trash. I don't think that you're sipping Champagne and eating melted brie on a whole grain baguette at Johnnie Rockets.

 

Both RCCL and Carnival are mass market cruise lines that are more similar than different and IMHO the pervasiveness of the "we are above Carnival" mantra is nausiating.

 

I am probably going to stick with my decision to go on the Explorer because I want to expand my horizons and not keep all of my eggs in the Carnival basket. The 4 day appetizer cruise I had pre-Christmas on the Monarch back in 2001 obviously did not give me a true indication about what RC has to offer. With regards to the EOS, it's a great length, I'll visit Bermuda for the first time and St Maartan for only the second time and I will not have to board a plane to get to embarkation. Besides, it'll whet my appetite to go on the Allure sometime in the future, right after I go on the subdued Carnival Breeze....after all, you have to be loyal, right? :rolleyes:

 

 

LOL....... Why do people such as yourselves have such an inferiority complex? The word "Carnivore" has been used for years when Carnival started buying up all of the other cruise lines. I know the Carnival product well. I cruised a total of 16 times with Carnival so be careful as to who you call "loyal". I don't see anyone calling anyone a snob or trailer trash other than yourself.

[SNJCruisers]

LOL....... Why do people such as yourselves have such an inferiority complex? The word "Carnivore" has been used for years when Carnival started buying up all of the other cruise lines. I know the Carnival product well. I cruised a total of 16 times with Carnival so be careful as to who you call "loyal". I don't see anyone calling anyone a snob or trailer trash other than yourself.

 

First of all Gator, my loyal comment was in reference to me sailing on the Breeze before I sail on the Allure. The snob and trailer trash comments were based on what I have inferred after perusing the RCCL boards with regards to some RCCL purists (snobs) looking down on Carnival cruisers (trailer trash) like they were better. All Carnival cruisers, as you already know since you yourself have stated that you have sailed her 16 times, do not stumble around the ship in a drunken stupor.

 

Both lines cater to a mass market and are more similar than different, with the exception of course of the Oasis class ships.

[DPurcell58]

How did you get the Explorer for $90 a day the end of August? I would pick the Explorer.

[DonnaK]

I think my biggest complaint of the 2 Carnival ships I've been on (I know, not a lot) is that you have to walk through the buffet to get to the aft pools. It wasn't nearly as bothersome on the Magic, but we didn't head to the aft pool too often on that one. It really bothered me on the Miracle for some reason! It just seems like a funny layout to me.

 

This bothered us too (on Miracle). The Lido buffet is between the main pool and the aft elevator bank and aft pool. We didn't like the parade of sunbathers in various states of undress walking through the buffet while we were eating. Some were still dripping wet. It was unsanitary, unsafe and definitely unappetizing!

[Schplinky]

I can certainly read it Gator...especially after reading a previous post of yours about "Carnivor". While perusing these boards, I get a general feeling that many more loyal RCCL cruisers are snobs that look down at Carnival and that anyone who cruises that line must be trailer trash. I don't think that you're sipping Champagne and eating melted brie on a whole grain baguette at Johnnie Rockets.

 

Both RCCL and Carnival are mass market cruise lines that are more similar than different and IMHO the pervasiveness of the "we are above Carnival" mantra is nausiating.

 

I am probably going to stick with my decision to go on the Explorer because I want to expand my horizons and not keep all of my eggs in the Carnival basket. The 4 day appetizer cruise I had pre-Christmas on the Monarch back in 2001 obviously did not give me a true indication about what RC has to offer. With regards to the EOS, it's a great length, I'll visit Bermuda for the first time and St Maartan for only the second time and I will not have to board a plane to get to embarkation. Besides, it'll whet my appetite to go on the Allure sometime in the future, right after I go on the subdued Carnival Breeze....after all, you have to be loyal, right? :rolleyes:

 

I don't think the majority of cruisers even think about cruisers of other lines, much less look down on them or envy them, as the case may be. Life's too short.

[SNJCruisers]

How did you get the Explorer for $90 a day the end of August? I would pick the Explorer.

769 for an inside cabin plus port charges equals 902 per person. Also got another 75 in OBC from my TA and another 100 off the cabin using a Crown & Anchor certificate.

[SNJCruisers]

I don't think the majority of cruisers even think about cruisers of other lines, much less look down on them or envy them, as the case may be. Life's too short.

I did not state nor imply that my feelings were related to a "majority" of cruisers. It was just a handful of various postings on the RC board that seemed to put down Carnival and imply that RCCL was "a step above", when in fact both lines cater to a mass market audience.

[KG1924]

This bothered us too (on Miracle). The Lido buffet is between the main pool and the aft elevator bank and aft pool. We didn't like the parade of sunbathers in various states of undress walking through the buffet while we were eating. Some were still dripping wet. It was unsanitary, unsafe and definitely unappetizing!

 

At least I'm not the only one!!! I will say, it definitely wasn't as noticeable on the Magic. It seems like there was more of a direct "hallway" of sorts that led right through to the aft pool area and the backs of the booths/half walls kind of separated the people dining vs. the people heading to the pool. I may have imagined that there is even a difference or maybe that since we didn't care for the Miracle that much, we tended to pick it apart a bit more. Plus, the Miracle seems/is very narrow-the Magic on the other hand is wider, so that probably helps as well.

[KG1924]

I did not state nor imply that my feelings were related to a "majority" of cruisers. It was just a handful of various postings on the RC board that seemed to put down Carnival and imply that RCCL was "a step above", when in fact both lines cater to a mass market audience.

 

I kind of agree with you. I don't personally feel that Carnival as a whole is a step down (you do read that a lot on here) but their ships are definitely a "step down" for me in comparison to RC. I feel like they just keep rebuilding the same ship, just bigger w/ a ton more passengers. Now on the flip side, you do see quite a bit of bashing of RC on the Carnival boards as well. Never made much sense to me....why on earth would anyone be insulted if some random person on CC decided to venture over to "the dark side"??? And I've seen that referenced to both cruise lines....not sure which one is actually the "dark side" :rolleyes:

 

I do prefer RC overall, but would sail Carnival again on the larger, newer ships. I honestly didn't see any difference in the passengers other then having more locals depending on where you home port is. For me, it's all about the ship. And the drinks. And the music they play while enjoying all of the above :)

[Schplinky]

I did not state nor imply that my feelings were related to a "majority" of cruisers. It was just a handful of various postings on the RC board that seemed to put down Carnival and imply that RCCL was "a step above", when in fact both lines cater to a mass market audience.

 

 

Sorry of it touched a nerve for you. Not my intent but I'm not sure what your comments are meant to accomplish, then, either. So they both appeal to mass market people...that doesn't mean they are the same thing. They have differences and some people are drawn to one or the other and some use both. Life's too short, in my opinion, to feel wounded that others aren't validating your vacation choice. Your own memories and experiences should do that. Happy sailings.

[Maraprince]

There's a ship out there for everyone's taste! No need to worry. That is why there are different cruise lines that appeal to different segments of the market. Some like their ships as big as they can get while some like the smaller ships. Some people want to do everything that they possible can fit during their cruise, while others just want to kick back and enjoy relaxing. That is the beauty of cruising...you can be as active or inactive as you wish.

 

Food is very subjective as not everyone likes the same food.

 

MARAPRINCE

[Kew Gardens Cruiser]

Oh, and by the way-if you ask this on the Carnival boards, it is absolutely amazing to me how many people LOVE the Miracle! I personally don't get it, but for some reason it gets rave reviews over there. I always think there's something wrong with me if I ever mention how I didn't LOVE that ship....

 

I was just on the Miracle in September. Wasn't overly impressed and there was hardly anything to do in the evenings other than the comedy show or the smoky casino. It was also a hard adjustment after being on the Allure earlier in the year.

I know what you mean though. Every time someone mentions something bad about the Miracle I then see 10 people responding on how it's their favorite ship.

 

Haven't been on the Explorer but was on the sister ship ( Mariner) in 2006 and thought that was a much nicer ship than the Miracle

[Rala]

As another poster above stated, to me a 10 day cruise is better than an 8 day cruise especially for the same price. I have sailed on Explorer and enjoyed it ...nice ship. Have not sailed on Miracle, but have seen many pics of it and IMHO, it is awful, at least decor-wise (is that a word?). It looks like they hired Willy Wonka to do the decorating! YIKES! Maybe they changed some things in the recent drydock. I don't think I could eat or digest my food in that dining room! But who am I to say...beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!! Have fun whichever you choose!:);):D

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks...I appreciate it and have already submitted it to my TA. The numbers though are now $200 for outside and up and $100 for inside.

 

The difference in the dollar amounts is from the fact that you are Gold C&A and Esmerelda is a higher level.

[SNJCruisers]

The difference in the dollar amounts is from the fact that you are Gold C&A and Esmerelda is a higher level.

Appreciate the clarification....

[SNJCruisers]

As another poster above stated, to me a 10 day cruise is better than an 8 day cruise especially for the same price. Have fun whichever you choose!:);):D

The 10 day Explorer and the 8 day Miracle are about the same price per day @ 90 per day, 900 on the Explorer versus 700 on the Miracle. The ports and the fact that I have never been on a ship the size of the Explorer are the factors which are making me lean towards staying with my initial reservation. The food and the R rated comedy shows on Carnival are two things that I enjoy, but I will certainly go on the Explorer with an open mind and I will enjoy myself.

After all, can you think of a better way to end the summer than spending 10 days at sea?

[macfin]

We have been on both ships, carnival miracle was the last cruise in 2010, we actually had a blast 3 20 somethings and 3 daults and 2 young children, the night life was fun, the food just ok, the ship was older and showed some wear, but other than that it was good, the islands where ok, we had been to nassua a couple of time and the private island (cant remember the name) was not great,only because we caught the only day it rained...for the kids it was there best cruise as the activities where many and they kind of had there own vaction away from us, Royal at that point did not offer the "activities" for the kids...that being said we still ENJOY ROyal and we have cruised both the Explorer and Navigator, and loved them as adults , there is more to do as adults on the Royal ships...