Is There A Cruise Line You Are Tempted To Try Sailing Outside of RC?

[Megtheblackbelt]

If you weren’t booking “loyal to royal” - is there a cruise line (or experience!) that has piqued your interest? If so - which/what/why? What would convince you to book with another cruise line?

 

I just booked - today - my first MSC cruise because I found such a deal on a Yacht Club deluxe suite that the cost of this (all-inclusive with drinks, wifi, etc.) is actually lower than booking a standard OV balcony on a similar itinerary with RC. I recently re-located from the US to Barcelona, Spain, so I’m in a period of “well, might as well try it out!”. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

What about you?

Edited May 1, 2020 by Megtheblackbelt

[Ourusualbeach]

Not sure I’d switch just to try another mass market cruise line but would definitely look at other for unique experiences or itineraries. Definitely want to try Azamara for a European cruise. 

[mac_tlc]

I have looked at Crystal or Oceania. One negative to us is the lack of sea days. Many itineraries are too port intensive for us. Maybe we can find a TA or TP. 
 

When the lotto winnings appear, I’ll look at a world cruise, or maybe just a couple segments. 
 

mac_tlc

[Hoopster95]

11 minutes ago, Megtheblackbelt said:

If you weren’t booking “loyal to royal” - is there a cruise line (or experience!) that has piqued your interest? If so - which/what/why? What would convince you to book with another cruise line?

 

Oceania ... best cuisine at sea. Go over to their forum (pre-C19) and read the many posts started by ex Celebrity and Princess cruisers wanting to change over, and how many replied saying they used to be X & Princess cruisers and will never go back. 

 

I like both RCL & Oceania for two totally different experiences. If you're a gal that likes action, nightlife, shows, the ship life and you do not require mansion-like/6 star bedding/furniture/ambiance stick with RCL. Oceania is about having the very best you can get except for entertainment... you're usually in bed rather early'ish and up at 6:30-7am in amazing one-of-a-kind locales all over the world that mass market lines will never visit. 

Edited May 1, 2020 by Hoopster95

[Baron Barracuda]

We tried Viking Ocean and loved it.  When price comparing need to factor in all the inclusions (beer / wine with meals, wifi, self-serve laundry, shore excursion in every port, etc).  No casino and no kids under 16

[Sunshine3601]

I would love to sail on the Club Med 2 cruise ship/sail boat.    It is absolute beautiful ship to see it sailing day and night.    On my cruise in January we had an overnight in Aruba and we were docked next to this ship.    I was having diner at a local restaurant on the water and watched this ship literally sail off into the sunset.   So majestic.   I have never known anyone to sail on it but I would love to someday.

[LorraineP]

9 minutes ago, Megtheblackbelt said:

If you weren’t booking “loyal to royal” - is there a cruise line (or experience!) that has piqued your interest? If so - which/what/why? What would convince you to book with another cruise line?

 

I just booked - today - my first MSC cruise because I found such a deal on a Yacht Club deluxe suite that the cost of this (all-inclusive with drinks, wifi, etc.) is actually lower than booking a standard OV balcony on a similar itinerary with RC. I recently re-located from the US to Barcelona, Spain, so I’m in a period of “well, might as well try it out!”. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

What about you?

Wow that’s some deal. We did the MSC Seaside last year in Yacht Club & best cruise ever. RCL suite life doesn’t come close to the YC. I’m looking at MSC Divina for September 2021 leaving from NYC for 10 nights in a YC balcony cost is $7381. Deposit is only $98 for two but insurance is sky high & don’t want to pay for insurance so far in advance if we change our minds there goes the insurance $$$. You will absolutely love the YC & be so spoiled. 

[Rocket3D]

I did Meraviglia...great ship.  Definitely worth it as they status match with Royal, had a Black Card.

[mac_tlc]

10 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

We tried Viking Ocean and loved it.  When price comparing need to factor in all the inclusions (beer / wine with meals, wifi, self-serve laundry, shore excursion in every port, etc).  No casino and no kids under 16

You had me interested until you said no casino. I don’t even need to ask the wife... she is not interested.🎰🎰🎰

[zekekelso]

Even though I like Royal best, I’ve sailed many other lines and always had a good time. Ironically, the one line I really want to try but never have is Celebrity. 

[Megtheblackbelt]

31 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not sure I’d switch just to try another mass market cruise line but would definitely look at other for unique experiences or itineraries. Definitely want to try Azamara for a European cruise. 

 

This is on my list too! I have my eyeballs on a 2021 Greek islands cruise. We’ll see!

24 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

Oceania ... best cuisine at sea. Go over to their forum (pre-C19) and read the many posts started by ex Celebrity and Princess cruisers wanting to change over, and how many replied saying they used to be X & Princess cruisers and will never go back. 

 

I like both RCL & Oceania for two totally different experiences. If you're a gal that likes action, nightlife, shows, the ship life and you do not require mansion-like/6 star bedding/furniture/ambiance stick with RCL. Oceania is about having the very best you can get except for entertainment... you're usually in bed rather early'ish and up at 6:30-7am in amazing one-of-a-kind locales all over the world that mass market lines will never visit. 

 

I will check out those boards! Always interesting to read people’s conversions stories. 😛 As for me, I am a sailing n00b, and pretty young, so I figure if I “test the water” (pun intended), then I’ll figure out what works best at some point.  😉

 

24 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I would love to sail on the Club Med 2 cruise ship/sail boat.    It is absolute beautiful ship to see it sailing day and night.    On my cruise in January we had an overnight in Aruba and we were docked next to this ship.    I was having diner at a local restaurant on the water and watched this ship literally sail off into the sunset.   So majestic.   I have never known anyone to sail on it but I would love to someday.

 I’ve never heard of Club Med 2. *races to Google*
 

22 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

Wow that’s some deal. We did the MSC Seaside last year in Yacht Club & best cruise ever. RCL suite life doesn’t come close to the YC. I’m looking at MSC Divina for September 2021 leaving from NYC for 10 nights in a YC balcony cost is $7381. Deposit is only $98 for two but insurance is sky high & don’t want to pay for insurance so far in advance if we change our minds there goes the insurance $$$. You will absolutely love the YC & be so spoiled. 

 

Ah, this just makes me even more stoked! Paid 2,518 € total (including gratuities) for the husband and myself. Considering airfare for us is so cheap due to already living in the Med, we couldn’t pass it up. Only issue is I don’t see any other super deals like this, so cruising in YC one time could result in some veeeeery expensive future cruises. 😂

[zalusky]

We just booked a Viking Cruise!  We don't do casinos and found on our last couple of cruises we did not even do the shows as they were too crowded.  We pretty sat in lounges and talked to people.  The idea of heated marble floors sounds pretty appealing.

[Hoopster95]

1 minute ago, Megtheblackbelt said:

I will check out those boards! Always interesting to read people’s conversions stories. 

 

If you've got an hour to kill.....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2524044-marinafrench-polynesia-mar-4-192018-review-wlots-of-photos/

 

[Megtheblackbelt]

16 minutes ago, Rocket3D said:

I did Meraviglia...great ship.  Definitely worth it as they status match with Royal, had a Black Card.

 

Whoooooo! Applied for status match today. Didn’t know about the 5% discount until AFTER I booked our first cruise with MSC, so I emailed them and inquired if there is any possibility that they can still apply the discount. They’ll probably say no, but it’s worth a shot. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

10 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

Even though I like Royal best, I’ve sailed many other lines and always had a good time. Ironically, the one line I really want to try but never have is Celebrity. 

 

I have been known to stock the Celebrity boards a time or two. Haha. Is it bad that I want to try sailing with Carnival solely based off of the fact that they have some amazing reviews on their complementary Mexican food station, and I love Mexican food? 😂

 

3 minutes ago, Heymarco said:

Don’t really see benefit of being loyal, cost of entry is very low and perks are low as a result (I’m diamond). However have really liked Royal product in general. Not related to any negative reasons, generally interested in both Celebrity and Disney. Was interested in Virgin until I saw the videos; super disappointed that young and trendy meant youth hostel / IKEA vibe.

 

Completely agree. I was digging the concept too until I picked up on the same vibes. If I want to stay in a hostel, I can take a cab in to Barcelona and pay 15€ a night for 7 days, much less than the €2,000 for Virgin. 😉 

[Megtheblackbelt]

1 minute ago, zalusky said:

We just booked a Viking Cruise!  We don't do casinos and found on our last couple of cruises we did not even do the shows as they were too crowded.  We pretty sat in lounges and talked to people.  The idea of heated marble floors sounds pretty appealing.

 

So cool! Consider me intrigued. What’s the itinerary? 

 

1 minute ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

If you've got an hour to kill.....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2524044-marinafrench-polynesia-mar-4-192018-review-wlots-of-photos/

 

 

It’s quarantine amigo, I’ve got alllll the time in the world.

 

Except now it’s almost 1 A.M., so maybe I will have more time in the world tomorrow when my brain is more awake. 

 

Will report back with thoughts. Stay tuned.

[zalusky]

6 minutes ago, Megtheblackbelt said:

 

So cool! Consider me intrigued. What’s the itinerary? 

 

 

It’s quarantine amigo, I’ve got alllll the time in the world.

 

Except now it’s almost 1 A.M., so maybe I will have more time in the world tomorrow when my brain is more awake. 

 

Will report back with thoughts. Stay tuned.

Into the midnight Sun - Starting in London, ending in Bergen with train transfer to Oslo.  As a result there are a number of sea days to enjoy.

 

The thing I liked about Viking was their worry free option.  In addition to the normal cancellation rules, If you booked by April 30 you could cancel up till the day before the cruise and they would give you future cruise credits that you could apply up to two years later and if the bookings go out another two years thats effectively a 6 year window.

 

I also like the larger staterooms and the ships are very pretty.  We are ready to try something new instead of being packed like Cattle.

[livingonthebeach]

43 minutes ago, Rocket3D said:

I did Meraviglia...great ship.  Definitely worth it as they status match with Royal, had a Black Card.

 

Is the loyalty status match a one time shot?  I was thinking of trying out MSC and specifically Seaside. 

[LorraineP]

Just now, livingonthebeach said:

 

Is the loyalty status match a one time shot?  I was thinking of trying out MSC and specifically Seaside. 

 

Just now, livingonthebeach said:

 

Is the loyalty status match a one time shot?  I was thinking of trying out MSC and specifically Seaside. 

You keep the Black Card status match & 5% discount as long as you book a cruise with them I believe in 3 years. I cruised in Seaside in September 2018 & last week when I went to book for next year I was given the 5% discount. 

[livingonthebeach]

2 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

 

You keep the Black Card status match & 5% discount as long as you book a cruise with them I believe in 3 years. I cruised in Seaside in September 2018 & last week when I went to book for next year I was given the 5% discount. 

 

Good to know.  Thanks so much!

[BND]

We've cruise on Princess, Carnival and Celebrity as well as Royal.  We booked Celebrity cruise for next summer and we're elite on them because of our D+ status on Royal.  Most cruisers who have been on multiple trips have been on more than one cruiseline.

[firefly333]

I've seen some crystal cruises without solo supplement I thought twice about. I booked but cancelled a disney cruise. I'm a big kid, but not sure it's for me. No msc for me, when I was going to go they served a bunch of italian food uggg, I'd be hungry. 

 

Virgin has adult cruises I'd like to hear more about. 

Edited May 1, 2020 by firefly333

[Ocean Boy]

I have given thought to MSC. I think I would enjoy being with an Italian crew since I speak the language. The problem is RCI just had not given me reason to change. If I had more vacation time maybe I would experiment. But I hate to waste sparse vacation time to end up with a disappointing experience.

[mugtech]

If you actually want to go through the Panama Canal time to start looking for another cruise line.

[ellewoods]

Trying Virgin in September (wishful thinking?). I also really want to try one of the small Celebrity ships doing the Galápagos Islands. I’ve done most of the “mass market” cruise lines. I’ll try anything at least once, why not? I’d be happy to be on my least favorite cruise ship right now. 

[Rocket3D]

Agree, if you cruise with MSC every couple

years you keep status match. I think 3.

 

I recommend applying 2 weeks before booking

so you have your Voyagers Club number when

you book.

 

Plan to do more MSC whenever.....

 

We liked Royal obviously, but they changed. We have

zero interest in floating water theme park nurseries

and 3 night cruises to a crowded beach

(trying to be polite here, lol).