Cunard vs RCI

[cruiser101101]

How does Cunard compare to Royal Caribbean?

 

Which has better food, entertainment, public spaces, service, cabins etc.

 

And do you feel like one of the masses on RCI?

 

 

Thanks :)

[Jim Avery]

My feeling is this is trying to compare cats and dogs. Both have their fans. The only remote comparable between the two would be Queen Mary 2 compared to the Behemoth of the Seas. Comparable in length and pretty close in tonnage but the B O T S carries nearly twice the passenger load.:eek: I am sure others will weigh in here with their own opinions. :eek::D

[capnpugwash]

RCI have many announcements throughout the day informing passengers of bingo and the like. Their entertainment is very good but they lack the style of Cunard even if that is disappearing as some would have you believe. I thought that RCI could be equated to HiDeHi in many ways, I do think that their childrens entertainment looks very good though although the video game zone on IOTS needed lots of small change as each machine had the obligatory coin slot. The buffet on RCI was a nightmare as King's Court can be. I felt like a number rather than a passenger!

[southwestie]

I think that rather unfair. while some rock ships are like that, however some are very similar to Conrad. radiance of the seas is very different from INdependence of the seas.:)

[loubetti]

I think that rather unfair. while some rock ships are like that, however some are very similar to Conrad. radiance of the seas is very different from INdependence of the seas.:)

 

Huh? You want to try that post again?

[southwestie]

Huh? You want to try that post again?

 

 

I will do just that, I was using a correcting tablet, the thing is worse that me on my own.

 

I think that rather unfair. while some RCL ships are like that, however some are very similar to Cunard. radiance of the seas is very different from Independence of the seas , radiance is newly renovated ship as soon all RCL will renovated , she tends have few kids so more adult passengers and beautiful decor

[loubetti]

I will do just that, I was using a correcting tablet, the thing is worse that me on my own.

 

I think that rather unfair. while some RCL ships are like that, however some are very similar to Cunard. radiance of the seas is very different from Independence of the seas , radiance is newly renovated ship as soon all RCL will renovated , she tends have few kids so more adult passengers and beautiful decor

 

I had a feeling that was the issue! Bloody technology! :eek:

 

I've tried using Microsoft's Voice Recognition software on my PC (very, very good), but it is not compatible with these forums. However, I use VR for text messages on my Galaxy S3 phone- works very well. For this post I use a thing they call a keyboard! How quaint!!! ;)

[southwestie]

I had a feeling that was the issue! Bloody technology! :eek:

 

I've tried using Microsoft's Voice Recognition software on my PC (very, very good), but it is not compatible with these forums. However, I use VR for text messages on my Galaxy S3 phone- works very well. For this post I use a thing they call a keyboard! How quaint!!! ;)

 

yes some technology is good,goes wrong on email s too:):)

[bphman]

This is tough. I prefer Cunard but have only done Princess Grill. Cunard excels with food, comfort, lack of crowds and service. Love the bars and the ease in finding a nice, quiet place to relax. RCI has better entertainment (little or none of QM2), daily activities, fun things such as games and rock climbing, and a much higher energy level. If you want elegance, Cunard. If you want fun, RCI. I did prefer mass marketing cruise lines but now go more for the Cunard-type experience.

[loubetti]

This is tough. I prefer Cunard but have only done Princess Grill. Cunard excels with food, comfort, lack of crowds and service. Love the bars and the ease in finding a nice, quiet place to relax. RCI has better entertainment (little or none of QM2), daily activities, fun things such as games and rock climbing, and a much higher energy level. If you want elegance, Cunard. If you want fun, RCI. I did prefer mass marketing cruise lines but now go more for the Cunard-type experience.

 

Agreed.

 

Most of my cruises have been on Cunard and Celebrity. There's nothing like dancing in the Queens Room, and that's all the entertainment I need!

 

I don't need rock climbing, flow rider, etc.

[seasidegal]

How does Cunard compare to Royal Caribbean?

 

Which has better food, entertainment, public spaces, service, cabins etc.

 

And do you feel like one of the masses on RCI?

 

 

Thanks :)

 

We have done 98 per cent of our cruises on RCCL as we cruise most of the time with our children and our grandchildren. RCCL fits the bill better when traveling with 3 different generations and offers many different venues to entertain those ages and ways for them to burn off lots of energy in fun ways. However, we fell in love with QM2 on our transatlantic and are doing two more transatlantic crossings in the spring.

 

QM2 is in a Class all of her own. Period. The balcony cabins are bigger and decorated to a higher standard (our personal opinon). However, we found the food in the main dining room to be on par with RCCL dining room food. The service also was on par. However....the dress codes are still honoured on QM2 and it makes for a very beautiful evening. Sadly, not so much anymore on RCCL. The cabin stewards were equal on both ships, our cabins on both lines have always been very well serviced and cleaned.

 

QM2 has wonderful reading spots and a great spa pool. It has white-gloved Afternoon Tea and my favorite of all "Deck 7" Promenade Deck.

 

QM2 is peaceful, restful and very relaxing. RCCL is more active and the noise level much higher. However, with kids I would probably always pick RCCL and for our 'alone time' would rather sail on the QM2 handsdown!

(Or would pick a Radiance Class ship on RCCL)

 

Concerning feeling like 'one of the masses on RCCL': Not when sailing.;)

[bazzaw]

I had a feeling that was the issue! Bloody technology! :eek:

 

I've tried using Microsoft's Voice Recognition software on my PC (very, very good), but it is not compatible with these forums. However, I use VR for text messages on my Galaxy S3 phone- works very well. For this post I use a thing they call a keyboard! How quaint!!! ;)

 

Lou

 

I know Rob -- I think he has been drinking again!!! :D

 

Are you the famous Lou Betti from the old AVSIM forums?? :p

 

Barry

[bepsf]

How does Cunard compare to Royal Caribbean?

 

Which has better food, entertainment, public spaces, service, cabins etc.

 

And do you feel like one of the masses on RCI?

 

 

Thanks :)

 

Wow - That's like comparing a Jaguar with an Impala...

(The Automobiles, and their Namesakes...)

;)

[EGG]

We've only been on QV. We've been on many Royal Caribbean cruises.

 

We usually book inside cabins and we had an inside onthe 15 day QV cruise.

 

Food - We are not foodies. We have never had trouble finding food to our liking on any cruise ship. The food is fairly equal in the MDR on the 2 cruise lines. That being said, we recently sailed on Oasis and that is a whole different food experience. If you don't want to eat in the main dining room or buffet you have lots of choices. The biggest difference is the dress code. Men have to wear jackets every night including elegant casual. If that is a deal breaker for you, do not cruise on Cunard.

 

Entertainment - If you like ballroom dancing, you will love Cunard. We also liked the many different lecturers and the movies in the theatre. Evening entertainment with production shows is fairly equal with the edge going to Cunard if you like more singers and musicians and to RCCL if you like comedians and magician/jugglers. Best for us is a bridge lecture and game every sea day on QV. (I don't think they have bridge on QM). They have bridge on limited longer RCCL cruises.

 

Service - pretty much the same.

 

Cabins - What can you say about an inside cabin. An inside is an inside. I always sleep well on cruise ships.

 

Public Space - It depends on what you were looking for. I missed the adults only solarium on QV but settled for a lounge chair on the promenade deck.

 

Feeling like one of the masses - It just depends. We are early birds and because of that we seem to miss the worst of the crowds for breakfast and lunch on any ship. I liked the buffet on QV a little better than Royal. It was just a little more elegant. Our worst embarkation ever was QV in L.A. but I would blame that on L.A. and not on Cunard. You still have to get to the theatre early and go to muster drill. On our Hawaii cruise the weather was chilly so we never tried to get a seat near the pool so I can't comment on chair hogs.

 

We cruise for the itinerary. Both cruise lines had similar excursions and the same ports in Hawaii with the same line getting back to the ship in the tender port. We've been on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, HAL and Carnival. Each ship is a different experience and we like different experiences.

 

Hope this helps.

[southwestie]

Lou

 

I know Rob -- I think he has been drinking again!!! :D

 

Are you the famous Lou Betti from the old AVSIM forums?? :p

 

Barry

 

Hi Barry, me drink, as id, I had a tablet to try out, wonderful thing but I am not using the corrective text aby more , it writes its own story:)

 

Nice to see now that people are saying the right things about Cunard and RCL, which is why I felt some comments were unfair, I have sailed Cunard and yes it is wonderful, RCL have ships that are fun IOTS etc but they also have elegant ships with the flow rider and rock wall and Radiance is one of them, they also sail to a great many places that Cunard dont sail.

 

We have just booked South America on celebrity so will try that out,

[Norfolk Brit]

Hi Barry, me drink, as id, I had a tablet to try out, wonderful thing but I am not using the corrective text aby more , it writes its own story:)

 

Perhaps it's Belgian.

 

Sir Martin

[Lady Hudson]

I also have done a number of RCI and have almost 200 days on QM2. I am in the category of "any at sea day is better than a day on land". RCI is not Cunard -- but then neither is the price. When I retire -- in a year or so -- I plan on cruising a lot more. I would not be able to afford Cunard for the number of days I want to travel. (Example -- the summer 5 day for QM2 is now $1000 per person for an inside. RCI Enchantment -- just booked for March -- for under $600 per person for 7 days - an outside cabin.) I do the same things on RCI that I do on Cunard -- most meals in the dining room, attend the lectures, frequent the casino and just generally relax. What I like most on Cunard that I don't get on RCI are the days at sea on a transatlantic.

 

If you are a cruise lover you will like RCI. Katherine:)

[southwestie]

Perhaps it's Belgian.

 

Sir Martin

 

 

A Joke, hence the :)

 

:rolleyes:

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have sailed many times with both lines (16 times with Royal Caribbean and 13 times with Cunard). Also, I have cruised with both lines recently (during 2012) and have cruises booked on Royal Caribbean and Cunard for 2013. I obviously like both lines, but the cruise experience is considerably different.

 

Royal Caribbean is casual and directed at more active passengers. The larger ships (Oasis, Freedom and Voyager classes) offer an incredible variety of activities and feature impressive passenger areas such as the Royal Promenade (with parades) and the ice skating rinks. The food and service are fine, but the atmosphere is fun and casual.

 

Cunard is much more formal and traditional. Because I am a passenger ship enthusiast and have a strong interest in Cunard's long history, I really like the onboard experience. I recently cruised aboard the Queen Elizabeth (from Nov. 29 through Dec. 9, 2012) and loved the ship. I think the dining room experience is better on Cunard. Also, I prefer the daytime activities on Cunard (interesting lectures).

 

Both lines offer a fine product. I honestly have enjoyed all of my sailings with Cunard and Royal Caribbean.

 

Chuck

[travelberlin]

Food is better at RCI if compared to Britannia at the QM2. QM2 is more elegant, has a beautiful library and good enrichment lectures.

[SeaFlint]

We've (my wife, kids and I) taken 13 trips aboard QM2 and, until last May, had never sailed on another ship. WOULDN'T have dreamt of it, we love QM2 so much! :-)

 

But, Enchantment of the Seas (not one of their biggest and best, I take it) left out of a port 60 minutes from our home and was travelling for exactly the amount of time we had available. So, off we went.

 

She is NOT the QM2 and comparisons are not something to be tried.

 

The staff are nice, the ship is nice, some things are better than QM2/Cunard and some worse. The food was ok in some venues and good in others. We were a bit shocked when we walked into the main restaurant the first night - it looked like a dining hall compared to QM2. But the decor was nice, the servers were good and the MD kindly moved us away from the door. When we tried their "upscale" venues we were very pleased and went back again and again. But we "hit" their buffet, too, because it was convenient and the selection was exactly what we were looking for.

 

The dress code is different, but they stick to their dress code as well. There weren't any tuxedo jackets but there weren't any "thongs" at dinner, either! :-)

 

For us, our QM2 trips are "adventures" to some extent. The RCI trip to Bermuda was not and "adventure". But it did not try to be. RCI, the ship and the itinerary delivered everything we expected and more and we would go again and would take RCI again.

 

 

 

 

 

How does Cunard compare to Royal Caribbean?

 

Which has better food, entertainment, public spaces, service, cabins etc.

 

And do you feel like one of the masses on RCI?

 

 

Thanks :)