Is it disappointing going on a Carnival Cruise after doing a Royal Caribbean cruise?

[Carleeb12]

Will it feel anticlimactic?

[riffatsea]

Which ship? Which cruise ports?

We've done both companies and have enjoyed them both.

What is it you've enjoyed on Royal Caribbean that you think you will miss on Carnival??

[nccruzencouple]

Our first 5 cruises were on RCI, then we had a long break until we did another cruise last fall on Carnival Ecstasy. Did it because the port was about a 4.5 hour drive from us. Was not sure of what to expect, always had heard RCI was better than Carnival. We had a blast on our Carnival Cruise, ship was great even though it was older, but crew was excellent, ship was in great shape for its age, food was very good, plenty of activities. I would cruise with either cruise line, already have another Carnival Cruise booked. In the end, I think a cruise is what you make it.

[StolidCruiser]

Yes. Go back.

[klfrodo]

I've enjoyed my Carnival cruise and my Royal cruise.

I prefer carnival. Maybe because it was my first and your "first" at anything always holds a special place in your heart.

 

I don't know what quantifies it, I don't know how to explain it, all I know is that at the end of the day, I had more "FUN" on Carnival than on my Royal cruise and the Royal cruises were great.

[ryanedoyle]

I cruised Royal Caribbean one time and I much prefer Carnival. I didn't feel that the amenities were any better on Royal Caribbean than Carnival. I love the up beat atmosphere that Carnival offers. That being said I would like to learn more about which perks that you felt may be missing from Carnival.

[susan1957]

ABSOLUTELY NOT! We have been on 10 cruises...we did 7 Carnival....then we thought we owed to ourselves to give Royal Caribbean a try...after all....APPARENTLY they are so much better and classier than Carnival....LOL...and I do mean LOL....if I could list 1 thing that was better or classier than Carnival...I honestly would list it....We couldn't wait to get off Independence of the Seas....The Staff were the WORST....MISERABLE...PLAIN MISERABLE....service was HORRIFFIC!....If people ate breakfast out by the pool...those dishes were still on that table at 3:00 in the afternoon....1 bartender at the pool bar...SERIOUSLY....Do you know how many people are lined up to get a cold cocktail at 2:00 in the afternoon....REALLY? Have and will ONLY cruise Carnival from now on...ALWAYS have a wonderful time...staff is wonderful.....can never pass a staff member without getting at least a "hello" or "how is your day going".........I know....people say..."oh, you just had 1 bad experience....try them again"...hmm....can I think about it for just one minute...NO! They had their chance and blew it big time....I was really hoping I would love them...maybe switch up between both lines every other year....but CAN'T DO IT....sorry ROYAL...IT'S CARNIVAL ALL THE WAY! But don't let my one bad experience sway anyone's decision....YES, DEFINITELY GIVE CARNIVAL A TRY...I THINK YOU WILL LIKE THEM.

[krehberg]

Diversity of experiences is what makes vacations fun! I went on 2 RCCL cruises before doing 3 on Carnival last year. Each line has good things to offer and worthy of your business...but frankly, I really didn't miss anything about RCCL last year sailing Carnival.

 

Obviously, there are more similarities than differences and the differences no doubt have been discussed a lot in other threads. I think our preferences to which line is better depends on how important those differences are.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

No way. A cruise is what you make of it. I have enjoyed all my cruises no matter what line. If you go into the cruise thinking it will be anticlimactic, it will be.

[ryano]

Will it feel anticlimactic?

 

Please check my cruise history in my signature below and look where my last cruise was and where my next one will be. My answer is no :)

 

I have to admit that I like Royal ships much better than anything ive seen with Carnival. That is about where it stops though. I like the food on Carnival MUCH better and good food is a major importance to me when choosing a cruise. I can put up with tacky decor and cut up deck plans as long as my food is good :) Service is the same to me. Ive never had bad service on either line.

 

The two lines are much more alike than they are different. I dont care what cheerleaders on either side try and tell me. Im loyal only to my wallet.

 

Compare apples to apples though. If you have sailed on Oasis class ships only and you are looking to go on a Fantasy class Carnival ship, you may be a tad disappointed.

Edited January 24, 2017 by ryano

[JaniceB]

I cruised Liberty of the Seas from Galveston in October and the Breeze last week. I enjoyed both. I loved some of the shows on the LOS and can't compare the ones of the Breeze because the singer was sick for the last 2 shows so I didn't attend. I got better service on the Breeze than LOS. This includes bars and restaurants. On the LOS not one person called me by name but on the Breeze my cabin steward said hello to me every day and our anytime dining servers (1 night we had a different one) always knew our names. Does calling me by my name make or break my cruise no but it is a nice touch. I had unlimited drink package on both ships and I give the Breeze a plus on this one. I give the LOS a plus on the internet package. I also give the LOS a plus on the main pool area.

 

I think you will be fine cruising on Carnival.

Edited January 24, 2017 by JaniceB

[poz222]

Going into t with the mindset of "I am going to be letdown" will almost ensure you will be.... I have been on "crappy" ships/lines/weather and had amazing cruises and on "amazing " ships/lines and had not as great of a cruise (I can really never say I had a horrible cruise as vacation is what you make of it and I have about 85 cruises across 7 lines). So go with a positive attitude and you will be fine! You will find they are more similar than different and what is a weakness on one line is a strength on another...

[stobe1]

A cruise is whatever YOU make of it.

 

If you go on a cruise with pre-concieved ideas that you won't enjoy it and are looking to nit-pick, then odds are you won't enjoy it.

 

Just go and have a good time and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

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[Rogueperson]

Absolutely not. Though each line caters to a slightly different priority and if you prefer one thing over another, Royal Caribbean MIGHT be a better line for you. It really depends on what you consider a great vacation.

 

Carnival is a lot more alive. More upbeat, more energetic. Its why they're considered the party cruise line because people are there to have fun and are not shy about it. Sure, it can get a little rowdy, but that can happen on any ship, but Carnival seems to stress on that.

 

Royal Caribbean is about the novelty. Especially on their newer and larger ships, you'll see it. They got the biggest ships in the world. They got the only sky diving simlulator. They got rock walls. They got bumper cars, ice rinks, trapeze school, etc etc etc. If you like these things, you'll never get bored.

 

How can you be disappointed? Well, you might go on a Royal Caribbean ship and find that the energy level is not where you expect it to be like on Carnival. Royal Caribbean can be a little more laid back. That and if you find all these novelties either not on the ship or not to your taste, you may be disappointed.

 

However, they are both awesome cruise lines. They will both give you the service you expect or should, but my personal experience tells me that Carnival will give you more consistent good service, while Royal Caribbean can be a little inconsistent. Some service staff on Royal Caribbean are absolutely amazing, and others I have found are downright useless on the same ship.

 

Food flips back and forth. I find Royal Caribbean edges out slightly, but I think it is totally dependent on supply which all cruise lines pretty much uses the same vendor (I found a Carnival sweatshirt on my Celebrity Cruise last year)

[Drazil65]

We have done both and we love each one for different things, we actually prefer Carnival for the most part but would not hesitate to do RCCL again if the opportunity came up.

 

We appreciate whichever cruise line we choose to sail while we are on it and do not compare things. It does not make sense to continually compare things, as it inevitably turns negative and you end up second guessing your choices. Its all in the attitude and frame of mind you choose to have no matter what you do.

[Athankfulheart]

We started with NCL and then a couple RC and then the rest all with Carnival. We can make the best out of any cruise, but for several reasons we have stuck with Carnival. I might do RC again if the price/ship/itin is just right, but probably not NCL. We really like the Carnival product and crowd.

[SLCfirsttimer]

Will it feel anticlimactic?

 

Only if you allow it to feel anticlimactic.

[Nic6318]

Will it feel anticlimactic?

 

Hi Carleeb

 

I would ask, why are you asking? Are you considering doing this? Are you afraid? If so, I would suggest, just don't do it. Don't put yourself through that kind of agony and us through this kind of drama.

 

good luck, maybe it's better to stick with what you like

then you won't have to come back to post how bad it was :)

[wanderlust0713]

We cruised carnival last May and RCI January 2nd and immediately booked a Carnival cruise right when we got off RCI. We prefer carnival.

[Alaskan Joe]

Having cruised both lines I will say this. The 2 biggest different to me is; 1st the production shows I thought RCCL has better shows. This does not mean Carnival shows sux, I just thought RCCL was better. Secondly the price, Carnival has them beat hands down. My wife and I were just getting ideas for our next cruise to alaska (price), for a 14 day cruise on Carnival and a 7 day on RCCL (no 14 day to compare too). We would spend about 1,000 more p/couple on the Carnival then RCCL. So for 7 days longer, no extra air fare and other little things like cab/uber rides ect. We believe that an extra 1,000 p/couple is worth it for Alaska. My wife is telling me to say the MDR food is slightly better also on RCCL. However for me its all about the all mighty dollar (the biggest bang for our bucks), and whatever the DW wants (happy wife = a happy life:D). So with all that said RCCL has a slight edge over Carnival in our books, but not enough that we would not sail on Carnival again after all it is the 'FUN SHIP'.

[Buck64]

Will it feel anticlimactic?

 

Yeah you better stick with RCL, you won't enjoy Carnival. :D

 

A cruise is what you make of it. It would have to be pretty bad before I didn't enjoy mine. I'm afraid since you're already questioning the cruise, you will be noticing everything that goes wrong and won't enjoy your cruise.

[cruise pup]

This is like asking, "Is it disappointing shopping in Walmart after going to Target?"

Edited January 24, 2017 by cruise pup

[bobkat12]

We have cruised both and find RCI to be a better fit for us. Their ships are far superior, and we go mostly to chill and relax, not looking for a party, although I do like my drinks and the casino. You should try various lines and make your own decision. Any cruise is a good cruise!

 

 

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[h_blond2]

I have never cruised with RC, so I can't really answer your questions, but I would say that any cruise is what you make of it.

[meatloafsfan]

If you went from the Oasis/Allure/Harmony of the Seas and ate at a different specialty dining restaurant every night, spent your days rock climbing, flow-riding, and ziplining and then spent the evenings watching the broadway show, the diving show, the ice show, etc. And went from that to one of the Fantasy class ships that have no specialty dining, no rock walls, no zip lines, no diving or ice skating show - it probably would be anti climatic.

 

The two cruises would have little in common.

 

However, if you were to go on one of the newer Carnival ships - like the Magic, Breeze, Vista (or even the Sunshine), you might find things a little more even. They have their own set of bells and whistles.

 

Of course, the same works the other way - if you were on a Royal Vision class or Serenade class ship and then went on a Carnival Dream or Vista class, you would notice a world of difference in the options and choices available.

 

At the core, cruises are all the same - you're on a ship, in the ocean, food is served, there's some form of entertainment, the ships stops at various places and service is good.

Edited January 24, 2017 by meatloafsfan