Carnival Conquest or Navigator of the Seas??

[tootsieroll107]

I'm trying to decide if I should switch cruises. Currently we're booked on the Conquest. I haven't sailed with Carnival in 10 yrs. I love Royal, but decided to give Carnival another try. I'm taking my Mother and Sister in Law on their first cruise.

 

Any advice would be great.

[Keys2Heaven]

Well, you're on a Carnival board, so what do you think you will hear?

 

We've sailed both cruise lines. My wife likes RCCL a little bit better (we sailed Serenade of the Seas back in 2009) though.

 

I don't mind either one. Carnival does cater to more cost-effective cruises, which often make for some interesting cruisemates, but a cruise is what you make of it.

 

If your mother and sister-in-law are laid back and don't nit pick, you'll probably have a great time, NO MATTER WHICH LINE YOU CHOOSE.

[Dare2Believe]

I've never sailed on Royal Caribbean, but I just got off the Conquest and it was my least favorite of all the Carnival ships I've been on. It's in need of a refurbishment, the cruise director and activities were lacking...just my personal observation but wanted to share.

[pehfhc]

Conquest is in bad need of extended dry dock. Tatered, and tired. That sums it up. Crew is skimpy, poor morale. Housekeeping was a average at best. This was Sept 2015. Carnival has better. Keep shopping!

[Dare2Believe]

Conquest is in bad need of extended dry dock. Tatered, and tired. That sums it up. Crew is skimpy, poor morale. Housekeeping was a average at best. This was Sept 2015. Carnival has better. Keep shopping!

 

I agree with you, especially on the morale point. Very few of the crew seemed happy - they'd walk past you without acknowledgement or a smile (which is SO rare on a Carnival ship!). She is in wicked need of a refurb...

[mrpayroll]

This may be the Carnival board, but I would say go on the Navigator. Been on both and prefer the Navigator.

[poz222]

I vote navigator too... The conquest has seen better days!

[Tapi]

Well, you're on a Carnival board, so what do you think you will hear?.

 

 

Reading some similar threads recently, anything is possible. It really doesn't matter that this is the Carnival board. A lot of people here will recommend other cruise lines over Carnival (and looking at some of the responses above, it seems like this is the case again).

 

To the OP: Based solely on the ship, I'd go with Navigator of the Seas without a doubt. But how does pricing and itineraries compare between the two? If the price or itinerary on the Conquest are significantly better, I would then reconsider.

Edited February 22, 2016 by Tapi

[euphscott]

Having done both ships - I like the Navigator and it's offerings. But your mileage may vary!

[bigfig63]

Wow interesting comments. I just came off the Conquest a week ago. Prior to that have been on 4 Rccl cruises. Both products comparable but I would give the nod to Carnival. Never thought I would say that. There was more variety in things to do, crew was fine, the ship was in decent shape, no worse then the Rccl ships that we docked next to. I think the cruise lines are putting the cash into the new monster ships

 

The main difference I noticed was avg age Rccl is 40 to 70, avg age carnival 30 to 60.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to take either one. IMHO.

[tilliebob1919]

As they say "to each his own" and having done the Navigator last November I would say no to the Navigator. We were very disappointed overall. Thought it would be a lot better since it had been refurbished in late 2014. We had such a great time on it before it left Florida a few years ago. The nightly shows were sub par...the entertainers, costumes, props had no wow at all. Very few people would stay for the performances after a few minutes. Very little entertainment/activities going on in general. Unbelievably quiet everywhere at night after 10pm unless you were in one of the bars. Casino was rarely crowded, hardly anyone playing card games anytime. Most of the slot machines were old and outdated. There were all kinds of delays in ports....either arriving or leaving. Embarkation was horrendous, horrible and took hours with no explanation or apology from RC. Now the good...overall staff service was terrific especially our cabin steward and in the buffet. Food we enjoyed. We also had a great promenade room, mid 6th deck and ideally located.

We are booked on the Conquest in mid October. Never been on it and got an exceptionally good deal on it. Looking forward to it. Have heard the good and bad about it but will make my own opinion of it once on and cruising.

One more thing, have been on multiple RC cruises as well as Carnival and will stick with Carnival....more bang for the money in so many ways!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited February 22, 2016 by tilliebob1919

[tootsieroll107]

After looking at both ships, I decided to stay with Carnival. I've been on both ships prior to them being redone. It really came down to price and room location. On the Carnival ship, I have an Aft Oceanview room and on the Navigator, it would have been interior.

 

I've been on RCI Oasis class a few times and love it. But my family members will not notice either ship showing its age. I'm hoping they love cruising like I do.

 

Thanks for your help and advice.