My experience on Royal after Carnival

[silentbob007]

Thanks for the comparison. I've been wanting to jump on one of the "newer" Royal ships to see if it were worth the extra money that it usually costs. I've been looking at a Christmas cruise with my parents, but unfortunately, the new Royal ships (Radiance or above) are insanely priced, and with a choice between the Grandeur western or a Glory eastern, I'm probably going to end up back on Carnival.

[Knights on the Beach]

Very well said! I prefer the nightlife and entertainment on Carnival, so that's mainly why we take more cruises with Carnival than RCI. There are definitely more similarities than differences between the two lines, though, despite what many will have you believe (especially on the RCI board).

 

RCI pizza vs. Carnival, come on, a whole different league.

On the Enchantment, the pizza tasted like cardboard with freezer burn. As far as the buffet, I thought RCI usually had a better "presentation", but the food was better on Carnival.

[AkKruzer]

Could either of you please tell me what a "Platinum member" is? I have about 8 cruises on Carnival, and I've never heard of it. Please forgive me in advance if this question has already been answered, but I don't see an answer anywhere. Thanks much.

[STiVo]

Could either of you please tell me what a "Platinum member" is? I have about 8 cruises on Carnival, and I've never heard of it. Please forgive me in advance if this question has already been answered, but I don't see an answer anywhere. Thanks much.

 

 

 

10 Cruises with Carnival and all this can be yours:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Articles/concierge_club.aspx

[redskin80]

Great honest review. Thanks for the insight and input. No flames here.

[albean99]

Thanks for the review. My slight preference for RC is strictly because I prefer their entertainment. I'm not a fan of Vegas type shows and I thought the other features were better. I did love the Legend's show on Carnival, though. Everything else was fairly close. I think the price difference is worse on the larger RC ships because we went on the Grandeur when it was out of New Orleans and at that time the Conquest was more money. Our last cruise we chose the Conquest although it was only about 200 cheaper than the Rhapsody.

 

I like Carnival a lot but really want to try a RCI Voyager class ship next.

[pppiglet]

Great review...thanks!

[Florida Gator]

 

I'll be heading on my first Royal Caribbean cruise this December and a few more to follow. I'm a foodie so I appreciate your comparison to Carnival. I've read several reviews that say Windjammer isn't as good as Carnival buffet and I'm ok with that but, over all, how would you rate the dining room food and also did you get to the specialty restaurants? Any info is appreciated!

 

Nick

 

 

Almost every night we were surprised by the (in our opinion) poor choices we had in the main dining area, BUT we were also surprised by how good it was when it came out. We only had one "bad" night in the main dining room and it was still O.K.. All in all, we loved eating in the dining room, maybe not quite as good as Carnival, but close and still very good. Ate once at "Chops" (specialty restaurant), very good.

[rsjc]

We to have always enjoyed cruising Carnival and will in the future. Tried Royal Caribbean just last March and enjoyed them as well. I did see some differences between the two lines but not enough to rule out ether one when make the decision on a future cruises. Living just 40 miles from Galveston makes it easy to cruise. In the future when making a cruise choose we will book the best available ship departing out of Galveston. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess….. Their all good in our eyes. We are very excited about watching to see what the cruise industry does with Galveston in the future years.

[63galaxie]

My only experience has been Princess and Celebrity. We're taking our first Carnival (Destiny Southern Carib. in Oct. 06) and now I'm concerned about the smoke from cigarettes. I get really sick around second hand smoke. Is it really prevelant on Carnival ships? I just presumed there would be public areas where I could get away from it (just like on any other ship)?

Anyone have any additional input on this?

Thanks.

Karen in Kentucky

[suzy671]

I agree with most of your observations, have done over 50 cruises with Carnival and RCCL and they both have good points. I'm now going to try NCL.

[LHP]

Could either of you please tell me what a "Platinum member" is? I have about 8 cruises on Carnival, and I've never heard of it. Please forgive me in advance if this question has already been answered, but I don't see an answer anywhere. Thanks much.

 

 

Gladly!! On your 10th cruise, (not the 11th) you will receive the following perks...

 

1. VIP Check In (used to be called the Skippers Club).

2, Priority tendering (just show them the ole platinum card - no running down to the lounge to get tendering tickets).

3. Free wash and fold laundry service (which we used twice on the Pride - I did tip our room steward each time $10 because we had bluejeans, t-shirts and stuff for a family of 4).

4. Personalized stationary.

5. Canapes and Petit fours on formal nights.

6. Free $20 entry fee into the slots or blackjack tournament.

7. Priority debarkation (complete with a room to wait in with coffee and danish).

 

When you receive your documents for your 10th cruise, it would say VIP Check In right on the front where they list the names in your cabin. However, if it does not appear there...simply print out your cruise history from your Carnival website. Tell them you are Platinum when you arrive and have your list to show them if needed. The Pride was our families 13th cruise and our documents did not say VIP...but there was no problem. We just walked into the VIP line like we owned the place and no one even questioned us.

 

Happy Cruising!

[albean99]

My only experience has been Princess and Celebrity. We're taking our first Carnival (Destiny Southern Carib. in Oct. 06) and now I'm concerned about the smoke from cigarettes. I get really sick around second hand smoke. Is it really prevelant on Carnival ships? I just presumed there would be public areas where I could get away from it (just like on any other ship)?

Anyone have any additional input on this?

Thanks.

Karen in Kentucky

 

I also have problems with smoke and didn't really have a problem on the Conquest, Karen. I did avoid the casino because it was quite smoky. I know one side of the ship is designated as smoking so if I wanted to read I went to the other one to sit and read.

[LHP]

My only experience has been Princess and Celebrity. We're taking our first Carnival (Destiny Southern Carib. in Oct. 06) and now I'm concerned about the smoke from cigarettes. I get really sick around second hand smoke. Is it really prevelant on Carnival ships? I just presumed there would be public areas where I could get away from it (just like on any other ship)?

Anyone have any additional input on this?

Thanks.

Karen in Kentucky

 

I have only been on the Fantasy class and Spirit class ships since the implementation of the "designated smoking areas". This has worked well on both these class ships. I, too, have a problem with ulceration of the throat and lungs around prolonged exposure and thought at one time that we would have to stop cruising. My last bout was after a trip on the Holiday back in October 2003 (prior to the new restrictions) and karaoke was held in a smoking lounge. Since karaoke is my main reason for cruising, I was there every night for the entire set and suffered for months afterward. "Uncle Bob" sent us on a Paradise cruise "cheap almost free" ( as my husband puts it) while it was still a nonsmoking ship and by the time we sailed again after that ...the new restrictions were in place.

 

However, (especially on the Spirit class ships) karaoke is held in a non-smoking area ( since there is a smoking area within walking distance next door) and since I don't gamble....I am able to walk the entire length of the ship and avoid the "designated smoking areas". Now it requires that I have to go up to the level where the shops are and then back down (to avoid the casino) if I am walking to the arcade. But that is a small inconvenience to stay ulcer free.

 

I can not say how the new (now old) designated smoking areas affect Conquest class or the Destiny class. When we were on the Conquest, it was under the old rules and it was very smoky. (which was a great disappointment to me because I was hoping the new class of ships would hande smoke better...not worse.)

 

You could always ask some folks who have just sailed the Destiny. But that isn't always a guarantee, because you never know how many smokers you are going to have on board. That made a difference years ago on the smaller ships...I don't know how well the Destiny handles it.

 

If the Destiny handles it as well as the Spirit class, (if you are not a gambler) you should not have any problems.

 

We are headed out on the Miracle in October!

 

Happy Cruising!

[LHP]

I also have problems with smoke and didn't really have a problem on the Conquest, Karen. I did avoid the casino because it was quite smoky. I know one side of the ship is designated as smoking so if I wanted to read I went to the other one to sit and read.

 

 

That is great to hear. Our only Conquest experience was prior to the new restrictions and it was not a good one. I am glad to know that the "designated smoking areas" have made a difference!! That means the other Conquest class ships should handle it well also!!

[GottaLuvCruising]

I really appreciate you taking the time to do a thorough and balanced comparison. My opinions mirror yours in large part. I did feel that the service was a little bit better on Royal Caribbean. And while I enjoyed most of the shows on RCI (particularly the headliner), they did have a few nights that were really slow (like the Newlywed / Not-so-newlywed was actually the evening entertainment). So I'd give RCI the edge (slightly) on service and Carnival the edge (again slightly) on entertainment.

[Guest YesitDonna]

I enjoyed the honesty of your review as well. I have cruised both lines but still have more FUN on Carnival. The passengers age group seems a little younger in age or at least in heart on Carnival. You make your own good time no matter what line you are on and we had fun on RCCL as well. Being a platinum cruiser on Carnival now makes it just a bit harder for me to want to switch lines since we get the perks.

[GSMOM]

Hi - We just returned from our first Carnival Cruise. We have been on 2 RC (Voyager and Radiance) and 1 Holand America. I must say that Carnival's food came in last. Especially their breakfast buffet - very little selection and the same each morning. Carnival did have a nice selection of seafood dishes and their lobster was good.

 

Their Gala Midnight Buffet was teensy compared to the other ships. I understand that they had a midnight buffet each night but it was hard to locate -may have just been me, I went to Horations and didn't realize the buffet was located elsewhere and there was no one to ask.

 

Horatio's was very hard to navigate and had a very cramped feeling. Again, the tables were so crammed together, it made maneuvering difficult.

 

The main dining room was so packed with tables that I had trouble getting to ours. I could not move between the chairs. One person at our table had trouble pulling her chair out enough to sit and she was a skinny teen ager! I felt like a sardine. The noise level was also high and it really seemed to diminish the "elegant" feel of dinner that was present on the other ships.

 

Our wait staff was great but had too many tables to take care of. Our drink person was always late getting to our table and we usually did not get our drinks until the main course. On RC, by the 2nd night , our drinks were waiting.......

 

The afternoon tea on the days at sea and the chocolate buffet on the last day were nice. If you do the afternoon tea, be sure to get a table by the bar door as the waiters rarely made it past those few tables...

 

Maybe it was just our sailing......

 

GSMOM

[pimentel7]

I also appreciate your honest review of Carnival vs RCI. I have actually been waiting for someone to do just what you did so read your post with great interest. Sailed on the Carnival Pride last year to the Mexican Riveira and are sailing on Serenade of the Seas to Alaska in about 3 weeks. I have to say I loved my Carnival cruise with the casinos, nightlife and party atmosphere. Will keep an open mind with RCI and plan for this to be a great cruise too.

[dorinel]

I always wondered what the difference was myself and will be thinking of doing a RCI in the future for something new. I love Carnival but I am starting to experience the same ole, same ole feeling.........:rolleyes: I am looking forward to another Conquest class ship (my favorite) in December.

 

Carnival has always had the best price - especially with group cruisers - but I am willing to pay more to experience something different. RCI's new ship sounds awesome!!!

[goodml]

I always wondered what the difference was myself and will be thinking of doing a RCI in the future for something new. I love Carnival but I am starting to experience the same ole, same ole feeling.........:rolleyes: I am looking forward to another Conquest class ship (my favorite) in December.

 

Carnival has always had the best price - especially with group cruisers - but I am willing to pay more to experience something different. RCI's new ship sounds awesome!!!

 

That's the way we feel too. I've loved every one of our cruises so far but I don't want to have the same experience every time I cruise so I like to switch lines. I keep intending to book Princess or Celebrity but then when I start looking I find a deal I just can't pass up on one of the other two so we haven't ventured beyond them yet. Soon though:D .

[Ms Belvedere]

does someone have a link to the photo of the royal promenade? thankya much :)

Here are links to some pics that people have posted on Webshots.com

 

Mariner Promenade

 

We really like the inside/Promenade rooms on Mariner, they aren't that expensive and give you something to look at other than 4 walls or the television. I'd like to see the addition of rooms overlooking the inside on Carnival ships, they wouldn't have to have an actual Promenade but just a window overlooking the Atrium would be nice. That would probably have to be a new ship design.

 

Ms B

[nybumpkin]

Our wait staff was great but had too many tables to take care of. Our drink person was always late getting to our table and we usually did not get our drinks until the main course. On RC, by the 2nd night , our drinks were waiting.......GSMOM

On our first cruise on Victory, we had great bar service - oldest son had his Coke and I had my Scotch waiting every night after the first night. DH didn't order the same drink every night, and our server was very apologetic that she couldn't have his drink waiting for him! We had a good server on Conquest as well, but we never had cocktails waiting for us. (However, he did have our bottle of wine chilled and waiting for us - we stayed with the same wine each night with dinner.) The most difficult order we had was getting milk for our younger kids - it comes from the galley, not the bar, so it seems to throw off the wait staff a bit.

[LibraByTheSea]

Ok you have to have 1 naysayer

I havr been on almost 30 cruises; july 16 make my 18th with Carnival

I have sailed NCL, HAl, RCL and Princess

I am a 50+ very young single

My favorite is Carnival and after a divorce after 20yrs its was my dirvorce gift with my sisters (we all got divorced the same year) We sailed the Triumph and had the time of our lives lol

Had sailed the Triumph during spring brak with my daughter for her fpring brak before she graduated from Osu (deans list) and that was an experience

We had a great time and it was a fabulous way to reenter the single scene after 20 yrs of marriage...changed my perspective

I am heading on my 18th Carnival cruises out of a total of 29 cruises. A commendastion to this ship is I am not new to cruising and it is a great ship!

Any particular questions email me for info

HOWEVER!!!! My cruise form hell was on RCL...booked a suite....right undr the ping pong table...6am til midninght....;ping ping ping and then the sound of teens running after the Ball! never stopped all day. This was a round the Caribbean 10 day cruise booked totally for relaxation Additionally, we had tropical systems and could not get to port on port days which left us in "ping pong hell" for most of our "suite" category cruise. I am in real estate and recgonize you dont present a problem without a reasonable solution...found the Star Gazing Observation deck with Plenty of room as an alternative location fo the ping pong at my ceiling and no cabin bebeath. Met with the Pursr, the Hotel Mgr, 2-3 other people who thought they could appease me. this ponging was non stop 5ish til mis night

I met with the cruise director and his response was :'what, should i not let people play ping pong?"

Bottom line...no one cared

I have been on18 Carnival cruises when issues arise they are handled professionally and acknowledge the inconvenince with a perk( may be little but some concession)

RCL said "tuff chit...you are in a "suite and cant relax inyour suite balcony cabin all day...ooops" book beter next time

SOOOO I can say I did come away a better cruiser and study deck plans becouse I work in a very hectic business world and the biggest reason i cruise is to relax (although since my divorce I have been knwon to close the disco and make last call at the aft bar before 4am lol)

All cruises are what you make them...I have sailed NCL (1st) Carnival, Royal Carib, Holland America and Princess. My 2 favorite are Carnival and Princess (sister companies) Holland (much older crowd) was awesome and the ports were amazing (10 day southern) and RCL has disapointed me the most.

With that said...I booked the Valor by myself on 07/16/06 same ship and itinerary as I did last Oct

BUT for variety for my next cruise I may look to Princess (awesome ships) or try 1 of the RCL mega ships BUT I see great reviews for the NEW NCL ships and look real hard at the deck plans

Guess I better sell alot of real estate to keep up me cruise addiction

[20SomethingJeff]

My wife and I have been on 4 cruises and will make it 5 in Aug. Explorer of the Seas 02, Celebrity Century 03, Triumph 04, back to RCCL on the Navigator of the Seas 05, and are booked on the Glory in Aug 06.

 

In my opinion the triumph was my favorite. Were the RCCL ships nicer? Yeah a little. But Carnival is sooooo much more fun. We are not big partiers either. I can't even put my finger on why, but I loved it.

 

They are both fantastic and the Royal Promanade is amazing, but for me it is Carnival.

 

 

Jeff