Loyals to Royal: What would it take for you to sail on Carnival?

[evelyn51]

 

No, Nay, Nada! You couldn't pay me to cruise Carnival. Well maybe if it was a ship load of $$$$!

You know what they say everyone's got a price. ;)

[ksuds]

We would sail with them if their loyalty program was better. It's hard to give up the free drinking in the concierge lounge for 3 1/2 hours.

[BLAMBKY]

I tend to research before I make big purchase decisions and Carnival (NCL too!) seem to me to have a lot of negative reviews, that was my MAIN factor to pay a little extra $$$ to go to Royal. Now if I started reading better reviews consistently, along with a substantial price, I might consider it for an "extra" mini vacation. BUT since we get one main vacation a year, due to school/work schedules, I will not risk it for just price alone.

[North_Country_Cruiser]

Putting aside any bad experiences that someone may have had on one of the two, Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the biggest of the "mainstream" cruise lines. I just don't see why I'd want to switch to another mainstream line.

 

If I were to switch cruise lines, I'd consider something like this:

1. Disney: I have kids, enough said

2. NCL: The only other big line that I've seen that is doing interesting things with ship design, layout, etc.

3. Luxury lines like Celebrity, Silversea, Crystal: assuming a drastic increase in travel budget, I could see looking for a more luxury-based, "all-inclusive" cruise

4. River cruises like Avalon or Viking: very different experiance

5. Cunard: Again assuming money and vacation drastically increases, I could see how QM2 would be too cool to pass up

[PattyG12]

I've tried ONE Carnival cruise. About the only way I'll EVER get on another one is if it's free. The pride was ugly and confusing. We had terrible service. The food was good but not any better than Royal. I'll stick with what we're happy with.

[Royalty X]

I've sailed on Carnival...and it will never happen again!

[voyager89]

First Carnival would have to do a complete redesign of their ships. And then I might think about it for a minute or two. It has nothing to do with loyalty but everything to do with I can't stand the look of their ships.

 

This is exactly the way I feel. I CANT STAND the look of their ships. To me its like they teared down an old building, made it float and added the red thing. The interiors I have seen are tacky IMHO. Like strip club / cheap bar looking. Maybe if they gave it to me for free, airfare included :D

 

Because of the change of currency, it is really expensive for us to cruise, even in an inside cabin. Airfare is expensive as well, the cheapest one being around 1100 dlls for 2 round trip tickets. Plus the pre cuirse night, and then a few post cruise to get to see the city and make the airfare worth it. So I would not like to risk my money in a ship that I might not like and regret it for the rest of my life. I know that RCCL has negative reviews as well, but they are nothing compared to the ones for Carnival. Every week there is something wrong with them. Last week somebody died while on the Dream. There is just something about those ships :confused:

[evelyn51]

Putting aside any bad experiences that someone may have had on one of the two, Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the biggest of the "mainstream" cruise lines. I just don't see why I'd want to switch to another mainstream line.

 

If I were to switch cruise lines, I'd consider something like this:

1. Disney: I have kids, enough said

2. NCL: The only other big line that I've seen that is doing interesting things with ship design, layout, etc.

3. Luxury lines like Celebrity, Silversea, Crystal: assuming a drastic increase in travel budget, I could see looking for a more luxury-based, "all-inclusive" cruise

4. River cruises like Avalon or Viking: very different experiance

5. Cunard: Again assuming money and vacation drastically increases, I could see how QM2 would be too cool to pass up

 

 

Some ships you list are "Smoking" hot! Celebrity would be the only other than RCCL choice among these for me! ;)

[ryano]

It wouldnt take a whole lot. I would go on a Carnival cruise tomorrow if I could.

[qwerty119]

Well, perhaps I am the minority, but I love Carnival. They are so nice. Look what one of the Cruise directors recently posted.

It can slso be found here https://www.facebook.com/butchCD

WE CARE (A QUICK STORY):

I know that our guests know just how very much our carnival crew cares about each and every one of you that sail, but sometimes I am reminded just how much our team members really do cherish you not only as our guests, but as human beings.

 

Last evening, a guest on board was seen by the medical center and needed serious medical attentions. It was decided by our doctors and captain that they needed to get to a land based medical facility as soon as possible. However, because of the unstable condition of the guest they could not be airlifted or picked up by a coast guard cutter. So instead the Captain sped up to full speed to arrive in Miami this morning 4 hours ahead of schedule.

 

I was having a late dinner in the senior officer’s dining room with the captain and we were just finishing when he got a call informing him that the patient was in need of an emergency blood transfusion. Blood is not something that we stock in our medical centers and there is rarely a situation that it is needed. The captain authorized an announcement in crew areas only for anyone matching the patients’ blood type that was willing to donate to our guest in need to please visit the medical center immediately.

 

The captain and I left the dining room and went to the medical center and there was a line of crew members (over 40 in total) from every nationality and every department ready to give blood, not because it is their duty, but because our guests are a part of our family and we care about human life.

 

The guest received their transfusion and was safety transported ashore to a medical facility early this morning.

 

We are more than a just a cruise line; we are made up of a tapestry of diverse peoples who are working to make others’ lives more rich, more memorable, more fun, and sometimes, we are just a group of people giving life a chance. I love my Carnival family and grateful for the reminder why I have left my family to serve others at sea.

[sunnysavannah]

I love Royal. We've done one Carnival and enjoyed it. Royal just seems a better fit. I would certainly do Carnival again if I had friends who chose another line. The main reason we don't spread the wealth is the same reason I usually order from one pizza place, loyalty rewards. Once you are on a path, it's hard to break off...

[ryano]

Well, perhaps I am the minority, but I love Carnival.

 

I just love cruising :) Its been over 5 years since Ive been on a Carnival ship but I had a great time. It was on an old, small ship that was way outdated but the service and food were wonderful.

 

I may get lambasted here but the only major differences I noticed are the ships. Royal Caribbeans ships are beautiful. Very elegant and classy looking. Carnival ships are "loud" and not very eye pleasing as far as decor goes.........I dont cruise because of decor though. If I cruised Carnival now, it would probably be on the Breeze. I actually like the looks of that ship.

 

I want to try a Carnival steakhouse. Ive heard by many that sail both lines that Carnival steakhouses blow RCI's Chops out of the water.

 

Right now, I have zero cruises booked. It wouldnt be too hard to get me on a Carnival cruise.

 

JMHO

[DC2OC]

none of the choices apply. I would sail her over Royal if the itens were better out of Baltimore

[Ashland]

Only a free cruise would get me to give it a try..I did try PCL because it was sailing out of San Pedro to my favorite Mexican Riviera just after the refurbishment that was done to Sapphire. Wanted so much to consider sailing more on PCL but that didn't happen..and doubtful Carnival would able to make me me feel any more at home than PCL did (didn't do) .

[Ocean Boy]

Every week there is something wrong with them. Last week somebody died while on the Dream. There is just something about those ships :confused:

 

Cruising appeals to a varied demographic of people including elderly folks who bring their medical issues with them. It is not uncommon for a ship to have someone pass away during a cruise. It is a little unfair to hold that against Carnival.

[Folk Singer]

The other thread with 700+ posts (that has turned into unsolicited propaganda for Carnival) got me thinking. To those of you who are "loyal to Royal", what would it take for you to sail on Carnival (or any other cruise line for that matter)?

 

Although I'd love to hear from people who only cruise on Royal, any input is welcome. :)

 

 

the customer service on RCCl is second to none. Wouldn't change.

[Folk Singer]

Like.

 

agree with your comment. :):) enjoy the perks and peace of mind.

[dixieva]

I've tried ONE Carnival cruise. About the only way I'll EVER get on another one is if it's free. The pride was ugly and confusing. We had terrible service. The food was good but not any better than Royal. I'll stick with what we're happy with.

 

 

I'm going on the Pride for the second time in Nov. The decor is certainly different from RCI ships but I don't care about that at all. Our balcony room was nice, the shower was bigger than RCI ships and the food and service were wonderful.

 

We ate in the steakhouse and it was hands down much better than Chops. And you can get lobster in there unlike Chops. Desserts were better too. We find the food as a whole was better than on RCI ships.

 

So I really like both lines.

[Esmerelda]

The only option missing on the survey for me was: being held hostage with no other choice.

 

I won't say we are totally loyal to Royal, but never again on any Carnival ship for this family. Never had a good experience unfortunately (and we did try it I think 3 times).

 

:o

[North_Country_Cruiser]

Some ships you list are "Smoking" hot! Celebrity would be the only other than RCCL choice among these for me! ;)

 

Any chance you picked Celebrity because it's run by RC?? ;)

 

Not saying I'm cruising on any of these anytime soon, because I'm pretty happy with Royal Caribbean so far. But IF I were to look elsewhere, I'd go look at these before going to Carnival.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I haven't been enticed to come back to RCI since 02. Nothing really against it, although the MDR food for us wasn't as good as CCL. This year, the service and overall casino style booze cruise product was enough to get us NOT TO GO back on a CCL for the foreseeable future. I wouldn't even get on a free one. Nope. It would cost too much money and time off. At this point, only DCL has me dying to get back on a ship. So I can't really fill out the poll, because I'm just not that loyal to royal (despite Gold status) and I have no intention of cruising CCL (despite gold status) and until I get sick of DCL, they are my cruise line love at the moment...its more of an obsession really. :D

[evelyn51]

Any chance you picked Celebrity because it's run by RC?? ;)

 

Not saying I'm cruising on any of these anytime soon, because I'm pretty happy with Royal Caribbean so far. But IF I were to look elsewhere, I'd go look at these before going to Carnival.

 

 

No our very first cruise was the Solstice. We were very green/blue knew absolutely nothing about cruising. We loved it so much, it was in 2009 and with my cig. smoke sesitivity I was not bothered by smoke except when near smoking venues. Later read that the Casino being smoke free, was not common on all cruise lines.

[evelyn51]

The only option missing on the survey for me was: being held hostage with no other choice.

 

I won't say we are totally loyal to Royal, but never again on any Carnival ship for this family. Never had a good experience unfortunately (and we did try it I think 3 times).

 

:o

 

:D Nicely put!

[Tapi]

I want to try a Carnival steakhouse. Ive heard by many that sail both lines that Carnival steakhouses blow RCI's Chops out of the water.

 

Carnival may be considered a budget cruise line, and many on this board may consider them to be inferior to Royal, but the steakhouse is one thing that Carnival does VERY well (and yes, better than Chop's).

 

We've tried the Steakhouse on several Carnival ships and the experience has consistently been superb. Quality steaks, impeccable, unhurried service, sedated and even elegant (gasp! :eek:) ambiance.

 

We tried most alternative restaurants on the Allure and not one came close to Carnival's Steakhouses.

[Charles4515]

The other thread with 700+ posts (that has turned into unsolicited propaganda for Carnival) got me thinking. To those of you who are "loyal to Royal", what would it take for you to sail on Carnival (or any other cruise line for that matter)?

 

Although I'd love to hear from people who only cruise on Royal, any input is welcome. :)

 

I am not loyal to Royal. No reason to be loyal to one cruise line. I have been on Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland-America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess in addition to Royal Caribbean. The first Carnival cruise I took on Miracle was with an open mind to try them out. The second was because a group I cruise with booked the Valor. It would take the group booking Carnival again for me to sail on Carnival again. Their product is substandard in my opinion. I would cruise again on all those other cruise lines I have done again although NCL would be my last choice out of those.