Former CCL defecting to RCL - Pointers?

[pianogal83]

Good evening! I have booked my first 2 RCL cruise after completing 11 cruises on Carnival and 1 on Princess. I would love to know what to expect in terms

of differences. Thank you!:D

[SNJCruisers]

So...what happened last month on the Liberty that caused you to cancel your next 3 Carnival cruises and defect to RCI?

[pianogal83]

So...what happened last month on the Liberty that caused you to cancel your next 3 Carnival cruises and defect to RCI?

 

Nothing. We had a great cruise on the Liberty. However, the evening we returned from that cruise, I went online to book our February cruise for next year and decided to read Cruise Critic first. There I found that CCL had been giving out free cruises - reportedly to the tune of about 100,000. Somehow, I just couldn't plunk down a $500.00 deposit after having just dropped $1500.00 on my S&S the week before, while others who had cruised only once or twice were being 'rewarded' with a free cruise. Some even posted their underage child had been given a free cruise! I guess I feel that if Carnival is going to reward anyone, it should be those who have been loyal to them. However, it has become increasingly clear in the recent past that Carnival is more interested in 1st time cruisers so we feel it is time for us to move on.

[GTO-Girl]

Good evening! I have booked my first 2 RCL cruise after completing 11 cruises on Carnival and 1 on Princess. I would love to know what to expect in terms

of differences. Thank you!:D

 

We are Platinum on Carnival and now we are working our way up on RCL. While we will still sail Carnival (have the Liberty booked for Nov.) we absolutely love RCI!

 

You will have a fabulous cruise!!!

[Cruzin-K]

Nothing. We had a great cruise on the Liberty. However, the evening we returned from that cruise, I went online to book our February cruise for next year and decided to read Cruise Critic first. There I found that CCL had been giving out free cruises - reportedly to the tune of about 100,000. Somehow, I just couldn't plunk down a $500.00 deposit after having just dropped $1500.00 on my S&S the week before, while others who had cruised only once or twice were being 'rewarded' with a free cruise. Some even posted their underage child had been given a free cruise! I guess I feel that if Carnival is going to reward anyone, it should be those who have been loyal to them. However, it has become increasingly clear in the recent past that Carnival is more interested in 1st time cruisers so we feel it is time for us to move on.

 

A co-worker of mine just booked a "free" cruise on the Carnival Magic. This will be his second Carnival cruise. He likes to gamble and spent hours in the casino playing slots and racked up enough points to be in whatever the heck they call their casino players' club. So, now he's getting free cruises after one cruise :rolleyes:

 

I've been on Carnival, Princess, and Royal. Royal is my favorite followed closely by Princess.

 

I actually think the cruise lines are more similar than different, but Royal and Princess just have a "vibe" about them that suits me more. I get on a Royal Caribbean ship and it feels like I'm home. I always meet the nicest people through the roll calls which didn't happen on Carnival for whatever reason :confused:

 

I see you booked the Brilliance. Beautiful ship!!!! I've sailed on two of her sisters and it's my favorite class of ship. I can't even really put into words why. I just love it.

Edited March 4, 2014 by Cruzin-K

[pianogal83]

I see you booked the Brilliance. Beautiful ship!!!! I've sailed on two of her sisters and it's my favorite class of ship. I can't even really put into words why. I just love it.

 

Awww...this is exciting! I know nothing about RCL ships so I based my choices solely on the home ports and ports of call. Thank you!:)

[Dave85]

Awww...this is exciting! I know nothing about RCL ships so I based my choices solely on the home ports and ports of call. Thank you!:)

 

Welcome! Much depends on whether you're a smaller ship person versus a larger ship person. If you're agnostic on the issue, I'd suggest trying both ends of RC's fleet. I see you're currently booked on the Brilliance and Legend, that'll definitely give you a taste of Royal's "smaller" ships. Radiance Class isn't really "small," roughly the same size as Carnival's Spirit Class ships (I see you've sailed Miracle). Royal's Vision and Radiance Class (Brilliance) ships have a central atrium and lots of glass really connecting you to the sea. I sailed on Brilliance and she is truly a beautiful ship!

 

If you're into larger ships definitely check out the Oasis Class -- there's nothing else afloat that compares to Oasis and Allure. Happy sailing!

Edited March 4, 2014 by Dave85

[gbadge]

Having cruised on both Princess and Royal Caribbean some of the differences are

1. no laundry room of RCC so if you want to freshen up a garment you can't do it last minute.

2. If you book an excursion prior to departure you have to pay in advance not allowing on board credit to be used.

3. no free internet minutes for returning customers.

 

These are some of the items that I noticed everything else is pretty much the same.

[Clarea]

Having cruised on both Princess and Royal Caribbean some of the differences are

1. no laundry room of RCC so if you want to freshen up a garment you can't do it last minute.

2. If you book an excursion prior to departure you have to pay in advance not allowing on board credit to be used.

3. no free internet minutes for returning customers.

 

These are some of the items that I noticed everything else is pretty much the same.

Diamond level on Royal have 30 free internet minutes. Diamond Plus and above have 45 free internet minutes.

[kruise runner]

Cruiser

Like you we have decided it was time for a change in itinerary and cruise lines. After our last cruise on Carnival Glory . We came home somewhat disappointed. the cruise was okay . The ship was good . It just had to many changes for our liking and karaoke is not that entertaining most nights.. That with the same itineraries . Which we had done it was time to venture out. So 9 cruises latter a change was do.. We found one that peak our interest. RCI Jewel of the Seas Southern Caribbean delivered that.. So this is our first cruise and new itinerary to. And time will tell I guess. We will probably cruise Carnival again in the future . Sometimes a change is a good rest. Just waiting to cruise.

kruise runner:cool:

[tobyt]

Very interesting thread... We are also looking for a change. We had a nice cruise last month on the new Royal but there was a lack of things to do which has me thinking that I need a break from Princess. We like variety and there just were too many nights when all we could find of interest was to watch a recent movie outside...fun yes but it felt like the only option....TOO much ballroom dancing and a lack of decent entertainment

[nolesrule]

Brilliance is an excellent choice. She had her revitalization in 2013 and is in excellent shape. We sailed on her in December and are going again in 16 days (can't wait!!!!) :)

 

And like you, we chose Brilliance for the home port. Can't beat the short drive.

[graphicguy]

The same reason I'm not loyal to any cruise line....I like variety!

 

Out of the cruise lines I've sailed (HAL, RCCL, CCL, NCL, Celebrity), Carnival and Royal are the most similar. Both are good. Carnival's big ships aren't as big as Royal's biggest ships. Their decor are a bit different. Royal has larger enertainment productions, but Carnival has a wider variety of entertainment.

 

Food is very similar.

 

Those are the differences!

[pollux]

I just returned from a 4 day CCL out of Long Beach.

Was tired off flying and waiting for RCL to get back to California.

I am very happy how great the crew was and the food.......

When was the last time on RCL ,you had lobster, snails, fried calamari,

frog legs all in a 4 day cruise.

I am still with RCL booked for April 1 Panama from San Diego

and Oct 2015 snow bird migration cruise on the Serenade from Quebec City.

But I am sure will go often now on those 4days no flying.

[Oppalopa]

Brilliance is an excellent choice. She had her revitalization in 2013 and is in excellent shape. We sailed on her in December and are going again in 16 days (can't wait!!!!) :)

 

And like you, we chose Brilliance for the home port. Can't beat the short drive.

Hello neighbor I live in Clearwater too. I sailed on the Brilliance on Dec 16 th loved it Loved the food entertainment,service. :)

[swsf99a]

I would suggest you go to Royal Caribbean website and look at the Crown and Anchor benefits.....balcony discounts are there plus more perks than other loyalty programs. Once Diamond level and above , there are some very nice perks....Diamond lounge/event, specialty coffees, free drinks at the nightly Diamond lounge......best to just look at the list. First timers are Gold, then Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, D+, and lastly Pinnacle by the time you die!!

For us, if two cruises are similar, say HAL vs RC, we go Royal due to benefits!