Carnival vs. RCCL pricing

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I hate to break it to you, but Royal's entertainment isn't all that great.

 

We just sailed on the Liberty of the Seas in March. The Broadway show was Saturday Night Fever and it wasn't very good. The other production show was "In The Air" and while it was really good, it had no live band. It was completely tracked. The comedians they had at the Welcome Aboard and Farewell shows were atrocious. We actually got up and walked out.

 

I missed the first Headliner entertainers (a Canadian group called Sonic Eve), but they ended up in the pub with Derek Lewis (think Carnival piano bar with a guitar) until they left the ship in Belize. They were quite entertaining when paired with him. The other fly-on entertainer was Paul Bolland. YouTube him sometime. He masquerades as a vocal impressionist who can do over 1000 different artists. Well, he ends up sounding like the same person each time and that is nowhere near anyone he's supposed to be impersonating.

 

I really, really, really missed the Punchliner Comedy Club! We got very lucky last summer on the Magic with our comedians, especially with Cowboy Bill Martin! If you want comedy like that on RCCL, you have sail on an Oasis-class ship and make reservations for the comedy show. Oh, and by the way, it's the same show for the entire week.

 

Carnival's entertainment isn't bad at all. In fact, a few nights on RCCL, I was bored.

 

On the Oasis we had 2 different comedians and 3 different shows for the week.:)

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

If only they were cruise ships......, wait a minute, is this cruise critic or trip advisor... If you were in Milford you were close by, should have stopped by.

 

Many moons ago the wife and I used to go to Milford and Bridgeport for a nice weekend of jai lai.

 

I'm sure they are both history by now.

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Pricing

RCCL, Carnival, NCL

 

Rccl, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/4-3/12

Balcony, $2370, $1185 pp, $148 pp per day

(Booked March 2016, price has increased since I booked)

 

Carnival, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/18-3/26

Balcony, $2950, $1475pp, $184 pp per day

 

Carnival, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2237, $1118pp, $160 pp per day

 

NCL, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2505, $1252, $179 pp per day

 

NCL 7 night Western Caribbean

Balcony, $2375, $1188 pp, $170 pp per day

 

Pricing for each Includes cruise, tax/port charges, gratuities

 

NCL cruises includes Drink package, photo credit, arcade credit

 

It seems to me that NCL is the most economical choice when you add the drink packages into the mix. RCCL would be around $500 each for drinks. Carnival would be approximately $400 each for drinks.

 

Am I doing something wrong with pricing?

 

what ships are you comparing?

 

Bill

[Trumpster]

Pricing

RCCL, Carnival, NCL

 

Rccl, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/4-3/12

Balcony, $2370, $1185 pp, $148 pp per day

(Booked March 2016, price has increased since I booked)

 

Carnival, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/18-3/26

Balcony, $2950, $1475pp, $184 pp per day

 

Carnival, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2237, $1118pp, $160 pp per day

 

NCL, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2505, $1252, $179 pp per day

 

NCL 7 night Western Caribbean

Balcony, $2375, $1188 pp, $170 pp per day

 

Pricing for each Includes cruise, tax/port charges, gratuities

 

NCL cruises includes Drink package, photo credit, arcade credit

 

It seems to me that NCL is the most economical choice when you add the drink packages into the mix. RCCL would be around $500 each for drinks. Carnival would be approximately $400 each for drinks.

 

Am I doing something wrong with pricing?

 

well you are quoting NCL for one!

[jimbo5544]

Many moons ago the wife and I used to go to Milford and Bridgeport for a nice weekend of jai lai.

 

I'm sure they are both history by now.

 

Bill

 

LOL, the building is still there but no more Jai alai.

[jimbo5544]

Pricing

RCCL, Carnival, NCL

 

Rccl, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/4-3/12

Balcony, $2370, $1185 pp, $148 pp per day

(Booked March 2016, price has increased since I booked)

 

Carnival, 8 night Eastern Caribbean, 3/18-3/26

Balcony, $2950, $1475pp, $184 pp per day

 

Carnival, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2237, $1118pp, $160 pp per day

 

NCL, 7 night Eastern Caribbean, 5/13-5/20

Balcony, $2505, $1252, $179 pp per day

 

NCL 7 night Western Caribbean

Balcony, $2375, $1188 pp, $170 pp per day

 

Pricing for each Includes cruise, tax/port charges, gratuities

 

NCL cruises includes Drink package, photo credit, arcade credit

 

It seems to me that NCL is the most economical choice when you add the drink packages into the mix. RCCL would be around $500 each for drinks. Carnival would be approximately $400 each for drinks.

 

Am I doing something wrong with pricing?

 

It is tough to do an apple to apple comparison, especially when adding packages that will give a totally different picture as not all cruise lines do these. As others have stated, different ships (newer, more popular, different itineraries etc) all play a factor as well.

[Tapi]

Many folks that look at Carnival or Rccl have kids. Which means we have the school calendar to work with. I have never found the cost of a RCCL cruise any where near a Carnival during school friendly times.

 

 

We have the same issue working around the school calendar. But there are ways around it. Our last Royal Caribbean cruise was during the summer of 2014 (4th of July week to be exact) and initially, I had sticker shock. This short Bahamas cruise on Royal "looked" more expensive than our cruise to Alaska on Holland America the previous year! But then we started finding offers and discounts. We applied a Crown and Anchor promo, Royal Caribbean points, and took advantage of a few price drops. The best part was that we realized that we could have TWO connecting staterooms for about the same price as one quad cabin with bunk beds. By the time it was all said and done, we had a deeply discounted and very affordable summer cruise.

 

I do know that it's not always easy to find a deal, but with a bit of creativity and flexibility, they can be found. [emoji3]

[cincicruisers]

what ships are you comparing?

 

Bill

 

Rccl Freedom of Seas

Carnival Conquest

Ncl-Escape (new ship)

Ncl-Getaway

[Trumpster]

Rccl Freedom of Seas

Carnival Conquest

Ncl-Escape (new ship)

Ncl-Getaway

 

Well I see one big problem in your choices...the Escape. :cool:

[Trumpster]

We have the same issue working around the school calendar. But there are ways around it. Our last Royal Caribbean cruise was during the summer of 2014 (4th of July week to be exact) and initially, I had sticker shock. This short Bahamas cruise on Royal "looked" more expensive than our cruise to Alaska on Holland America the previous year! But then we started finding offers and discounts. We applied a Crown and Anchor promo, Royal Caribbean points, and took advantage of a few price drops. The best part was that we realized that we could have TWO connecting staterooms for about the same price as one quad cabin with bunk beds. By the time it was all said and done, we had a deeply discounted and very affordable summer cruise.

 

I do know that it's not always easy to find a deal, but with a bit of creativity and flexibility, they can be found. [emoji3]

 

But you had these deal and options to "apply" to the cost. Not exactly a fair comparison of cost.

 

Royal is a good cruise, but it is not head and shoulders above some Carnival ships...others it is.

[jonbgd]

This is for Platinum cruisers on Carnival that only sail in Balcony or above cabins

 

when comparing prices between RCCL and CCL

 

I get a free bag of laundry when sailing on CCL as Platinum in a balcony

 

Being Diamond on RCCL gets me $200-325 off my balcony price

 

Most of the time that makes the price about the same or sometimes lower

[flatpik6]

We have cruised with both lines. Having said that, for the last 14 years we have found ourselves loyal to Carnival. Has nothing to do with the cost of the trips. It's purely a matter that we thoroughly enjoy our experience on board and our experience leading up to each cruise. We actually feel we have become a part of the Carnival culture as it pertains to vacations.

 

We've made friends on some of the ships and are treated above and beyond what's necessary while on board each ship. I agree that Carnival delivers an experience that is fairly consistent time after time and that's what we depend on.

[Trumpster]

This is for Platinum cruisers on Carnival that only sail in Balcony or above cabins

 

when comparing prices between RCCL and CCL

 

I get a free bag of laundry when sailing on CCL as Platinum in a balcony

 

Being Diamond on RCCL gets me $200-325 off my balcony price

 

Most of the time that makes the price about the same or sometimes lower

 

And for those who aren't Diamond and Platinum? Every time I have priced it $220-325 off would still make my Carnival Spa balconies a better deal. and a regular balcony even more so.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

It is tough to do an apple to apple comparison, especially when adding packages that will give a totally different picture as not all cruise lines do these. As others have stated, different ships (newer, more popular, different itineraries etc) all play a factor as well.

 

And they didn't add the extra $99 pp for the "FREE" drink package.

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

We have cruised with both lines. Having said that, for the last 14 years we have found ourselves loyal to Carnival. Has nothing to do with the cost of the trips. It's purely a matter that we thoroughly enjoy our experience on board and our experience leading up to each cruise. We actually feel we have become a part of the Carnival culture as it pertains to vacations.

 

We've made friends on some of the ships and are treated above and beyond what's necessary while on board each ship. I agree that Carnival delivers an experience that is fairly consistent time after time and that's what we depend on.

 

So much has changed in the cruise industry in the last 14 years. RCI's product as well as all other cruise lines have evolved and are nothing like they were 14 years ago..

 

Bill

[katiel53]

I booked a Royal Caribbean cruise for Jan 2017 on Allure of the Seas for less than what I would have paid for a balcony on Carnival Magic. I am fortunate to have sailed many times on both lines, but Royal gives me a $250 discount for a balcony which I have never gotten from Carnival.

 

I also booked during the no tax sale with no port taxes and the 2nd passenger being half price. I haven't ever been on an Oasis class ship so I am very much looking forward to it, plus the free drinks nightly.

 

I don't always book Royal as I prefer to sail from Pt Canaveral and Carnival is usually less expensive. I love both lines and would sail either of them in a heartbeat.

[Trumpster]

Why do all of these royal deals being mentioned always have some sort of discount or special applied? Its's never just straight up cost comparison.

[jimbo5544]

So much has changed in the cruise industry in the last 14 years. RCI's product as well as all other cruise lines have evolved and are nothing like they were 14 years ago..

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

True enough and ever changing. You need to do something to pay for all these billion dollar ships, and way, way more competition.

Edited May 7, 2016 by jimbo5544

[cmecruise1962]

Please , I am so interested in your comment,

 

Would you consider a new thread with a title like " CRUISING, STRESSFUL OR RELAXING?"

 

I would like to jear why you feel the way you expressed.

I am quite confident that there are going to be many reasons why our CC members feel one way or another regarding this.

 

I understand that stuff sometimes happens, adding stress to a cruise.

Your comment led me to believe that in general, yours are stressful.

 

Please, I am anxious to hear yours and others experiences.

 

We generally are in the relaxed category, chilling out, reading, sunning, waiting for daughters to finish whatever they are doing and joining us for lunch, dinner, shows, etc.

 

When in ports, we know enough to make sure to do activities that allow us to get back to port in plenty of time to avoid the stress of rushing and worrying bout missing ship.

 

Thanks for expressing your opinion, I hope that you will start this new thread, could be interesting.

 

Many Blessings!!

 

If I cruise with my mom or my daughter, I am relaxed...when I cruised with my EX-BF, I was so stressed about whether he would have fun, would we fight, would he get in a fight with someone else :eek: (he's an ex for a reason!) Now, I just relax! :)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Why do all of these royal deals being mentioned always have some sort of discount or special applied? Its's never just straight up cost comparison.

 

They are called sales. Like the past guest sales on CCL where you get a 2 category upgrade.

 

Bill

[Trumpster]

They are called sales. Like the past guest sales on CCL where you get a 2 category upgrade.

 

Bill

 

Can royal match Carnival, apples to apples, without sales?

 

Funny some of them don't sound like sales.

Edited May 7, 2016 by Trumpster

[Je Souhaite]

Can royal match Carnival, apples to apples, without sales?

 

Funny some of them don't sound like sales.

 

Only the uninformed pay full price for any cruise on any line. I remember years ago people thought they had to pay the brochure rate. :rolleyes:

[Trumpster]

Only the uninformed pay full price for any cruise on any line. I remember years ago people thought they had to pay the brochure rate. :rolleyes:

 

Did that answer the question? :cool:

 

I remember years ago when you DID have to pay the brochure rate. Or whatever a TA could swing for you. But the 70's and 80's were a long time ago I suppose.

[Trumpster]

What is full price by the way?

 

Prices jump without sales, with sales, with freebies, with no freebies.

 

Uninformed? No soup for you! ;)

[Tapi]

Why do all of these royal deals being mentioned always have some sort of discount or special applied? Its's never just straight up cost comparison.

 

 

The one thing that I've noticed is that Carnival pricing is pretty straight forward no matter where you book your cruise, and I appreciate that. There may be some special discounts like military, interline, casino, etc, but otherwise what you see is what you get.

 

With other cruise lines, it feels like a scavenger hunt searching for the lowest price possible. With Princess and Holland, it took me forever to comparison shop. Every TA website had a different price and a different promo available. Prices varied wildly from one to another. With Royal Caribbean, even though their pricing appears to be the same no matter where you book, it seems like you need to dig deeper to get to the best price possible. For example, I just upgraded from an Oceanview to a Balcony for our upcoming Anthem cruise for a lower price. I had to combine a few promos and I found them by searching different websites. They are having a "balcony for the price of an inside stateroom" promotion PLUS I was able to secure an interline rate which reduced the rate another $200, PLUS the usual Crown and Anchor discount. I'm happy about the reduced price, but come on.

Edited May 7, 2016 by Tapi