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My CCL vs RCI review..Part I

mtchg

By mtchg,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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mtchg

mtchg

Posted
Posted

A comparative review of CCL and RCI as a result of two near successive Cruises:

 

Conquest (7 nite) Jan 11-18 and Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (12 nite) Jan 26th-Feb 7th.

Having cruised Carnival many times in a short time, I feel qualified to judge their pros and cons. The Splendour was my first RCI cruise, on a longer, 'older aged' cruise..so the reader should keep that in mind.

Detailed decor reviews for both ships are bountiful elsewhere.Suffice to say both ships are beautiful in distinct ways and I enjoyed both very much. my rating system 1 to 5. 1 being poor, 5 is superior.

 

Embarcation CCL: 3 RCI: 5

 

CCL experiences have been mixed (I would rate the Conquest pretty good, a 3). The Splendour was the best of my 13 cruises. As soon as my airport shuttle (NOT an RCI bus) pulled up to the Galveston port, an RCI rep stepped in and announced "Ladies and gentleman, your vacation starts now!" Even a vet like me was put at ease as he explained he would take care of our luggage and to proceed into the terminal. I never even had a chance to tip a porter as the RCI rep took the porters aside and began to help with luggage. Inside, RCI reps were numerous; even handing out lemonade as we waited and making sure documents were in order BEFORE folks got up to the desk. The process was expedited by receiving my key/seapass card at the same time I checked in with docs, as opposed to having to go to another location as is CCL practice. 35 minutes max till I was on the vessel.

 

Cabin size/comfort/utility CCL: 4 RCI: 3

 

The lowest category cabin in the CCL fleet has at least 30 more square feet than the "cozy"

Splendour inside stateroom, all 135 square feet of her. I was able to view a Splendour outside and Verandah junior suite. In all cases the Carnival equivalents were roomier. But the Splendour utilized space well and my room was attractive, even fitting a small couch; nice touch. Taller men beware: I had to "arrange" myself somewhat on the commode lest my knees hit the bathroom wall. Its seems with two or more in this cabin, space could be a problem.

CCL gets the nod here.

 

Still to come in Part II: Pool/Lido and Dining

 

Carnival Miracle 02/13/05

Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04

Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04

Paradise 03/02/03

Carnival Spirit 01/03

Carnival Legend 12/02

Carnival Victory 04/02

Sensation 01/02

Carnival Triumph 11/01

Imagination 11/00

Paradise 01/00

Holiday 11/98

Norway 1986

Mardi Gras 1986

(original CCL vessel)

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Salty Dawg

Salty Dawg

Posted
Posted

Mtchg,

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Taller men beware: I had to "arrange" myself somewhat on the commode lest my knees hit the bathroom wall.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

What type of "arrangements" do you suggest for a taller woman? icon_biggrin.gif

 

Ken & Nancy dog4.gif

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NikkiFer

NikkiFer

Posted
Posted

Whew, I was sweating it while reading your embarkation for the Conquest!! HEE HEE, it was a short walk right, not too far right!!!

 

 

Can't wait to read more!

 

Nikki

(O.A.T.C. & Proud of it!)

 

<marquee direction=right width=45%>Mariner of the Seas 09-19-04!</marquee>

countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;17;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

Carnival Miracle 02-13-05!

countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2005;2;11;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800

 

royalsmallwide.gif

 

Triumph 09/08/01, Holiday 04/17/02, Inspiration 01/19/03, Triumph 05/10/03, Ecstacy 09/15/03, Conquest CONQUESTADORS!! 01/11/04

 

Check out my pictures!

http://community.webshots.com/user/nikkifer

 

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brn2crz

brn2crz

Posted
Posted

Nice format...keep it coming.

 

Cathy

NCL-Starward 1982

NCL-Seaward 1986

NCL-Norway 1992

Carnival-Celebration 1996

Carnival-Jubilee 2001

RCI-Rhapsody 1999

RCI-Rhapsody- 2003

Grand Princess or Rhapsody ?

2004

 

 

netdiver.gif

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mtchg

mtchg

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Please look for part II coming this weekend.

Post any questions and I will try ti incorporate answers in the rest of the review.

 

mitchC

 

Carnival Miracle 02/13/05

Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04

Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04

Paradise 03/02/03

Carnival Spirit 01/03

Carnival Legend 12/02

Carnival Victory 04/02

Sensation 01/02

Carnival Triumph 11/01

Imagination 11/00

Paradise 01/00

Holiday 11/98

Norway 1986

Mardi Gras 1986

(original CCL vessel)

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mtchg

mtchg

Posted
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Next part about to be posted

 

Carnival Miracle 02/13/05

Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04

Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04

Paradise 03/02/03

Carnival Spirit 01/03

Carnival Legend 12/02

Carnival Victory 04/02

Sensation 01/02

Carnival Triumph 11/01

Imagination 11/00

Paradise 01/00

Holiday 11/98

Norway 1986

Mardi Gras 1986

(original CCL vessel)

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judyf

judyf

Posted
Posted

Enjoying the report I like to try different ships and lines.

 

Judy

CCL Inspiration 4/4-4/11/04

NCL Sea 4/14-4/27/03

Wonder 5/16-5/19/02

Wonder 5/3-5/8/01

Fantasy 2/15-2/18/01

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hilltopfamily

hilltopfamily

Posted
Posted

mtchg: Kearney!!!! We're in Lincoln. icon_smile.gif Hello there neighbor. Enjoying your comparison thus far, will eagerly await further installments!

 

Penny

Disney Magic~~Eastern 7/03

Carnival Celebration~~Western 3/04

Aug 1, 2004 Carnival Elation--Yippee, Our 3rd Cruise!!!

countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;8;1;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

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Island Annie

Island Annie

Posted
Posted

I have to agree with you Mitch. After just returning from my first RCCI cruise on the SERENDE OF THE SEAS, (18 on CCL)I will add, that, in my observation . . . it seems that people cruise on RCCI to have a "relaxing" vacation, while people seem to cruise on CCL to have a "FUN" vacation:-) Each day we were at sea, (on the SERENADE) I noticed most people that were "poolside" were taking a nap, reading a book, or sitting in the shaded areas just relaxing. While on my past CCL cruises, people have always been up dancing, mingling, or participating in the onboard activities.

(having "FUN")

 

Needless to say . . . Just one RCCI cruise has sent me right back to Carnival, and I have just booked ,my next cruise on the MIRACLE:-)

 

I hope my observation will be helpful for those needing to decide between RCCI/CCL.

 

RCCI = relaxing

CCL = F-U-N!!

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