Carnival vs RC Oasis

[Illbcruzn4life]

33 minutes ago, elcuchio24 said:

 

We didnt do TA this time, just Med, but I searched around quite a bit for best prices/flights. Seems like at least from the east coast London and Barcelona were about the cheapest. Round trip flights on Level direct from Boston were $550/each....a Suite on the World Europa was $3100 including free drinks/wifi/specialty restaurants.

 

what did you think about the World Europa? We are booked on her sister World America next year.

[bmc alabama]

On 2/9/2024 at 4:27 PM, RoperDK said:

I just disembarked from Wonder of the Seas on Sunday.  Like it or not, the "Monstrosity" ships offer more than anyone can possibly do in one week.  They truly are a destination in themselves.  The do plain vanilla itineraries and still sail full week after week.  I was hoping that the Excel class ships would be able to compete.  I don't feel the experience is even close.  We didn't really care for Mardi Gras after sailing on her twice.  When you compare other classes of Royal and Carnival ships, then the experience is more on par.  You might argue that one's food is better or service is friendlier, one is charging higher prices, one actually has straws, etc.  At that point, you are actually comparing apples to apples.   

Funny, we had the exact opposite opinion after sailing Oasis and Mardi Gras within 2 months of each other.  We all drastically preferred the Mardi Gras.  That said, we didn't care about any of the "bells and whistles" quite honestly on either ship.  What we did prefer, though, was that the food, in our opinion, was far superior on Mardi Gras.

 

Now, we didn't do the "Unlimited Dining Package" on Royal, but I felt that if you wanted decent food on Royal, you had to pay extra for it.  I didn't get that feeling on Mardi Gras.

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, bmc alabama said:

Now, we didn't do the "Unlimited Dining Package" on Royal, but I felt that if you wanted decent food on Royal, you had to pay extra for it.  I didn't get that feeling on Mardi Gras.

I also think what level you are on royal would greatly influence my decision as money off is a perk on rcl, not on carnival. I like both. Miss things when I'm on either. I loved my 14 days on dream but missed my free days of wifi and free 5 drinks a day royal gives me. I too preferred the food on dream this time around, last time I didnt prefer it. I thought food was greatly improved since last time on carnival. We also had the new menus which were great. I wish carnival would bring back bacon daily as I'm a buffet person. I want bacon with my eggs. Not ham or sausage. 

 

I just added 3 cruises on harmony at group rates, with my D+ balcony discount and solo 25% off discount. I couldnt touch mardi gras or jubilee inside for what I paid, not even close. Let's face it there are always things to like on most any cruise. Both have things I prefer. Too bad I cant combine both. I wish I could move guys burgers to royal. And royals $$$ off and perks to carnival. 

[RoperDK]

3 hours ago, bmc alabama said:

Funny, we had the exact opposite opinion after sailing Oasis and Mardi Gras within 2 months of each other.  We all drastically preferred the Mardi Gras.  That said, we didn't care about any of the "bells and whistles" quite honestly on either ship.  What we did prefer, though, was that the food, in our opinion, was far superior on Mardi Gras.

 

Now, we didn't do the "Unlimited Dining Package" on Royal, but I felt that if you wanted decent food on Royal, you had to pay extra for it.  I didn't get that feeling on Mardi Gras.

I understand where you are coming from.  The reason we didn't care for Mardi Gras was a quirk that I have concerning the food.  I prefer when all of the "lido type" venues are on one deck.  I like to get a salad with my slice of pizza or sandwich.  On Mardi Gras the deli and pizza place don't have any extras.  No Ceasar salad for the pizza.  No potato salad or fries with the sandwich.  Everything was separated by several decks.  Great to break up the crowds, not so good for variety.  We enjoyed our first Mardi Gras cruise, which was close to the restart and without crowds. On the second one, the dining service was consistently poor. Many times our food was not warm and with many mistakes on orders. There were obvious staffing problems and the ship was packed.  I really wanted to like the Excel class, but it just isn't for me.  I like Oasis class ships for their neighborhoods, activities, and entertainment.  However, we book Junior Suites and eat dinner in Coastal Kitchen and also book some specialty dining.  It does make a huge difference. I am on the Spirit next week and I love that class of ship.  I am also eyeing the Vista for a future cruise.              

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 Too bad I cant combine both. I wish I could move guys burgers to royal. And royals $$$ off and perks to carnival. 

It's called product differentiation. Carnival wants cruisers who like the brand and Royal likes cruisers who cruise for the perks/bribes. It's been said time and again.

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, RoperDK said:

On Mardi Gras the deli and pizza place don't have any extras.  No Ceasar salad for the pizza.

On most Carnival ships, and I would think Mardi Gras, you can get fries and maybe cole slaw at the deli, and caesar salad at the pizzeria.

 

 

https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/dining/menus/carnival-deli-menu-accessible.pdf

 

 

[mz-s]

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

On most Carnival ships, and I would think Mardi Gras, you can get fries and maybe cole slaw at the deli, and caesar salad at the pizzeria.

 

 

https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/dining/menus/carnival-deli-menu-accessible.pdf

 

 

 

Cole slaw I don't think is served at the deli but it is certainly served on the salad bar, at least when the buffet is open.

[BlerkOne]

Just now, mz-s said:

 

Cole slaw I don't think is served at the deli but it is certainly served on the salad bar, at least when the buffet is open.

I based that off of the menu on Carnival's website.

[bmc alabama]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I also think what level you are on royal would greatly influence my decision as money off is a perk on rcl, not on carnival. I like both. Miss things when I'm on either. I loved my 14 days on dream but missed my free days of wifi and free 5 drinks a day royal gives me. I too preferred the food on dream this time around, last time I didnt prefer it. I thought food was greatly improved since last time on carnival. We also had the new menus which were great. I wish carnival would bring back bacon daily as I'm a buffet person. I want bacon with my eggs. Not ham or sausage. 

 

I just added 3 cruises on harmony at group rates, with my D+ balcony discount and solo 25% off discount. I couldnt touch mardi gras or jubilee inside for what I paid, not even close. Let's face it there are always things to like on most any cruise. Both have things I prefer. Too bad I cant combine both. I wish I could move guys burgers to royal. And royals $$$ off and perks to carnival. 

I get that.  For us, we only have 3 cruises on Royal, so we don’t have any perks at all, so it makes a big difference…

[RoperDK]

13 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

On most Carnival ships, and I would think Mardi Gras, you can get fries and maybe cole slaw at the deli, and caesar salad at the pizzeria.

 

 

https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/dining/menus/carnival-deli-menu-accessible.pdf

 

 

The pizza place and deli are on deck 8 on Mardi Gras.  They only serve a slice of pizza, no ceasar salad.  The deli only serves sandwiches, no fries, cole slaw, or potato salad.  That is what I don't like about it. I can certainly travel up 8 decks to the lido and get a salad, but that isn't convenient in my book.  On all of the other classes of ships, the food venues are all on lido deck.  Much easier to mix and match.  

 

13 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Cole slaw I don't think is served at the deli but it is certainly served on the salad bar, at least when the buffet is open.

Like I said above, traveling up or down 8 decks to get some cole slaw with my sandwich isn't very convenient. 

 

 

13 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I based that off of the menu on Carnival's website.

Perhaps Carnival needs to distinguish between classes of ships.

[RoperDK]

16 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I also think what level you are on royal would greatly influence my decision as money off is a perk on rcl, not on carnival. I like both. Miss things when I'm on either. I loved my 14 days on dream but missed my free days of wifi and free 5 drinks a day royal gives me. I too preferred the food on dream this time around, last time I didnt prefer it. I thought food was greatly improved since last time on carnival. We also had the new menus which were great. I wish carnival would bring back bacon daily as I'm a buffet person. I want bacon with my eggs. Not ham or sausage. 

 

I just added 3 cruises on harmony at group rates, with my D+ balcony discount and solo 25% off discount. I couldnt touch mardi gras or jubilee inside for what I paid, not even close. Let's face it there are always things to like on most any cruise. Both have things I prefer. Too bad I cant combine both. I wish I could move guys burgers to royal. And royals $$$ off and perks to carnival. 

I totally agree.  Loyalty on Royal has better perks.  Stay in a suite and the perks are even better.  We had transitioned to Royal for the most part until they started charging so much for their cruises along with major food cutbacks.  We are trying Carnival again next week.  Each has their pluses and minuses.    

[firefly333]

2 hours ago, RoperDK said:

I totally agree.  Loyalty on Royal has better perks.  Stay in a suite and the perks are even better.  We had transitioned to Royal for the most part until they started charging so much for their cruises along with major food cutbacks.  We are trying Carnival again next week.  Each has their pluses and minuses.    

I really enjoyed carnivals new me us. Try the pork bites. The sauce was so good.

 

On royal I do manage because of my level and I do b2bs. So b2b lunch is always short ribs I like. If I do bogo first night is bogo, then hopefully night 4 for 2nd bogo. Cheers with a officer is usually lunch day 3. ..though I did get invited to s similar on day 2 on carnival. They did it in 2 days so many diamonds. Add in a lunch or 2. Lunches were 40% off black friday so i booked a lot of lunches. With the extra obc from rcl group rates I pay very little extra, I'm using free obc.

 

Otherwise I'd agree and not as keen on royal dinners or maybe tired of them. Luckily i love salad and fruit .. speaking of which carnival still has honey dew which royal cut last year. I'm going to go ahead and push to pinnacle for royal, i want free wifi. Booked b2b2b2b on harmony later this year. Lower than i can book jubilee out of Galveston by far. 2 in the $750 total all included range, but no extra obc. Wierd deal. 2 in 1k range including 8 day to coco cay. If I could get deals on carnival I'd so be there. Used to alternate carnival and royal. Just no good deals. I loved my carnival journey cruise.

[mz-s]

4 hours ago, RoperDK said:

The pizza place and deli are on deck 8 on Mardi Gras.  They only serve a slice of pizza, no ceasar salad.  The deli only serves sandwiches, no fries, cole slaw, or potato salad.  That is what I don't like about it. I can certainly travel up 8 decks to the lido and get a salad, but that isn't convenient in my book.  On all of the other classes of ships, the food venues are all on lido deck.  Much easier to mix and match.  

 

That is a drag, I have not sailed on Excel class yet. I get that spreading the food venues out spreads the crowds around. But cesar salad and fries goes with pizza and hot dogs. Seems like a no brainer. Odd.

[BlerkOne]

4 hours ago, RoperDK said:

The pizza place and deli are on deck 8 on Mardi Gras.  They only serve a slice of pizza, no ceasar salad.  The deli only serves sandwiches, no fries, cole slaw, or potato salad.  That is what I don't like about it. I can certainly travel up 8 decks to the lido and get a salad, but that isn't convenient in my book.  On all of the other classes of ships, the food venues are all on lido deck.  Much easier to mix and match.  

 

Then get a sandwich with a side of pizza or vice versa. Problem solved! 🙂

 

Perhaps make a note of that in your cruise survey?

[firefly333]

18 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Cole slaw I don't think is served at the deli but it is certainly served on the salad bar, at least when the buffet is open.

We had very good cole slaw every day on one or more places on the buffet. Also guys bbq I got cole slaw 3 times, it wasnt exactly the same, a lot more purple cabbage but still good.  Vs cole slaw on rcl buffet is more vinegar, hate it. Bbq place was so much better this last cruise on dream. Food 100% improved. 

[mz-s]

6 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

We had very good cole slaw every day on one or more places on the buffet. Also guys bbq I got cole slaw 3 times, it wasnt exactly the same, a lot more purple cabbage but still good.  Vs cole slaw on rcl buffet is more vinegar, hate it. Bbq place was so much better this last cruise on dream. Food 100% improved. 

 

Oh yeah I forgot about the slaw at Guy's Pig and Anchor.

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

 

Oh yeah I forgot about the slaw at Guy's Pig and Anchor.

And the beans were good. Last time I did caenival after restart the pork dried out and the beans were yuck. This time maybe more onions in the beans .. idk what, but I liked them this time. Food was kinda awful on my b2b breeze. 

 

I do miss the rcl cookies. I usually get a couple extra for a late night snack. Dont care for carnival cookies. Harmony I have booked this oct has free Greek food at night. I go in and grab a couple bsclava for snacks later and stick in my refrigerator. 

 

As I said I'd like to combine them together. As far as bribing me, yes discounted balcony, discounted solo, 2 days free wifi and 5 free drinks a day, I missed my fresh squeezed OJ I get free on rcl. Wifi is the biggest thing I miss though, no free days on carnival. Going push to pinnacle to get free wifi the whole cruise. ... now that I'm diamond on carnival. I personally wish carnival would up their loyalty program. Or have some real deals once in a while. Moving to PC so will be looking for mardi gras decent price.

[BlerkOne]

19 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

 

 

As I said I'd like to combine them that I'm diamond on carnival. I personally wish carnival would up their loyalty program. Or have some real deals once in a while. Moving to PC so will be looking for mardi gras decent price.

Carnival is never going to try to compete with other cruise lines on perks/bribes and have basically said the same. They want  cruisers who cruise for the brand and not perks. 

 

If Carnival didn't have enough repeat business, or enough single cruisers (which they can get with casino offers), they would change. 

 

Royal has their business model and Carnival has their's.

[elcuchio24]

On 2/16/2024 at 1:02 PM, Illbcruzn4life said:

what did you think about the World Europa? We are booked on her sister World America next year.

 

It was awesome. Had a lot of similarities to Wonder of the Seas that we have been on a couple of times. Europa was definitely designed for you know...Europe, so there were some differences like no minigolf, European style foods, and different dining times--late breakfast and late dinners, which are typical. I'd assume with World America, much of that will be different based on the market they're targeting. But overall, really beautiful ship, excellent service, good food. We had a Suite and the room was awesome, had a separate 'room' with bunkbeds separated with a curtain, and probably the largest balcony we've ever seen on the corner of the bump in. Enjoy!

[elcuchio24]

On 2/16/2024 at 8:34 PM, bmc alabama said:

I get that.  For us, we only have 3 cruises on Royal, so we don’t have any perks at all, so it makes a big difference…

 

The loyalty programs in general between all lines is minimal enough that it doesn't make much of a difference in our decision making process. We've been on NCL/CCL/RCL/MSC/CCL in the past 18 months. Cruise for ship and Itin. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, elcuchio24 said:

 

It was awesome. Had a lot of similarities to Wonder of the Seas that we have been on a couple of times. Europa was definitely designed for you know...Europe, so there were some differences like no minigolf, European style foods, and different dining times--late breakfast and late dinners, which are typical. I'd assume with World America, much of that will be different based on the market they're targeting. But overall, really beautiful ship, excellent service, good food. We had a Suite and the room was awesome, had a separate 'room' with bunkbeds separated with a curtain, and probably the largest balcony we've ever seen on the corner of the bump in. Enjoy!

thank you for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated. We have a promenade facing room. Looking forward to it. Thanks again