Is RCCL really worth $1,000 more than Carnival?

[robmab]

We've been pretty loyal to RCCL, and want to continue that loyalty. However, I'm pricing out cruises for President's Day weekend 2010 and the exact same itinerary from Galveston is over $1,000 higher on Voyager of the Seas than on Carnival Conquest.

 

I've heard all different viewpoints on Carnival and my gut feeling is that we won't like it as much as RCCL, but that $1,000 difference is making it pretty hard not to at least try it.

 

We'd be bringing our kids with us for the first time, so the experience wouldn't exactly be the same anyway. However, it's still a lot of money to spend and I don't want to book something that we're ultimately going to hate.

For those who have been on both RCCL and Carnival (preferably Conquest or a similar ship), please give me your opinion on whether the RCCL experience would be worth $1,000 more to you.

[MrPete]

I went on my first RCCL cruise thinking if I were paying more, I was "buying up".

 

While the ship I sailed is quite nice, I at no time found it was better than Carnival, and found most things quite on par. For $1000, I'd sail on Carnival, if all else is equal.

[tally10]

We tried Carnival last Oct./Nov. on a 12 day Mediterranean cruise. We have been on mainly RCI and X in the last 20 years. We went in with low expectations and were amazed. Our experience was wonderful!!! This was the Carnival Freedom. Much better food, probably on par with Chops in quality, great staff, and beautiful ship. The wild colors did not offend us as some posters. I'd go back in a heartbeat, but they are not going back to Europe after the new Dream comes over. Granted, this was not the party atmosphere that you get in the Carribbean, but we loved our experience. Our next three cruises are with RCI and X, but I wish RCI would have equal to or better food. That is my main complaint with RCI. Other than that, it is about equal except Carnival has a very liberal smoking policy:(.

[msjaxson]

I loved the Conquest .. as did everyone in my group ....I would sail on her again in a hearbeat ..My parents were hesitant when i booked it for all of us ..but they enjoyed it as well ...

[klfhngr]

That's a lot of coin... Similiar lines, similiar service, slightly better food on CCL.... I'd jump ship to Carnival.. We've done both... enjoyed both... Weigh the pros and cons.. Seems like you already weighed the most important one: COST!

[Georgiagolfer]

Haven't sailed on CCL Conquest or RCI Voyager of the Seas, but DW and I have sailed CCL Glory and RCI Mariner of the Seas. Same classes of ships you are looking to sail.

 

We loved both cruises, some things similar, some better, some not better on each ship. We did enjoy watching people climb the rock wall and ice skate, but didn't participate in either. Loved the ice show itself. Neither of these are on CCL.

 

Loved eating outdoors for breakfast and lunch on CCL Glory, no tables to do this on RCI Mariner.

 

Loved Boleros lounge on Mariner, same for Piano Bar on Glory.

 

Food about the same to us although we give Glory the advantage (slightly) for the buffet. Main dining room a little more WOW on Mariner than Glory.

 

Only you can decide what is important and what you are willing to pay. We didn't pay $1,000 more for the Mariner, and I wouldn't, just the way I am (thrifty).

[bbrad8]

robmab: As you can see from my signature, we have sailed both Voyager & Conquest (and we did have our kids w/ us as well). Is there a difference in the ships, YES. As others have already said, RCI has the ice skating, rock climbing, mini golf, etc. Carnival will have a comparable kids program (although our kids would say they enjoy RCI better), similar staff, similar food, etc, so I believe your kids will enjoy their activities. Voyager has the Promenade, which our family does enjoy!!!

 

The ship design, activities and decoration are the major areas you are likely to notice a difference. That being said, over a $1000 difference in price for the same itinerary would make for an easy decision for us........YMMV!!! Will say, Voyager was 'slightly' more expensive for us to sail, but NOT that much more. ;)

 

Bruce

[BalconyPrincess]

We've done both, VOS and Carnival Glory. Apologies to Royal loyalists, but no way is RCL worth $1000 more. As previously stated, there are some things you will like better on each line. I was very worried to sail on Carnival (have done RCL and Princess), concerned about a "frat party" atmosphere and their reputation from some as the Walmart of cruising. I found none of that. There is not much difference between the two, and besides, your vacation is what you make it!

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

You can read 100 reviews, 50 good, 50 bad. You will never really know unless you go yourself and find out first hand.

[GTO-Girl]

No way I would pay $1000 more.:eek: I have only been on one RCI cruise (so far) and enjoyed it very much....BUT.....I did not find it any better than Carnival.

 

I would love to sail Freedom of the Seas but after pricing an early November cruise I found the same itenerary on Carnival for "HALF" the price :eek:.....and yes I am comparing the same type of room and location on the ship.

 

In this economy even people who can afford to cruise are starting to watch their dollars more carefully and I don't believe the average person is going to pay twice as much just to sail a particular line......at least I know I'm not.

[thereididitagain]

For those who have been on both RCCL and Carnival (preferably Conquest or a similar ship), please give me your opinion on whether the RCCL experience would be worth $1,000 more to you.

 

Yes I've been on both and there is no question IMO that RCCL is worth the extra $1000. Then again, I firmly believe that Celebrity is worth $1000 more than RCCL. YMMV.

[Cruise_Couple]

I have only sailed on RCCL so I am probably not qualified to answer your question. However, I will say that I have found that Royal Caribbean fits our needs flawlessly and therefore I have no desire to try a different cruise line regardless of price. We were very lucky to have selected Royal Caribbean for our first cruise and they have not let us down since. Why take a chance on a product you do not know? JMO.

[Perfect Stranger]

Your kids will enjoy the water slide and miniature golf on Conquest. I haven't sailed on that ship but have been extremely pleased with my other Carnival cruises.

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

I have only sailed on RCCL so I am probably not qualified to answer your question. However, I will say that I have found that Royal Caribbean fits our needs flawlessly and therefore I have no desire to try a different cruise line regardless of price. We were very lucky to have selected Royal Caribbean for our first cruise and they have not let us down since. Why take a chance on a product you do not know? JMO.

 

You did when you cruised on Royal Caribbean the 1st time. :rolleyes:

[MrPete]

We were very lucky to have selected Royal Caribbean for our first cruise and they have not let us down since. Why take a chance on a product you do not know? JMO.

 

The Burger King patron might say the same about McDonalds. :eek:

[mpp113097]

I guess we just haven't been as lucky on CCL as some of the others here. We would stay with RCI (actually we did for our upcoming cruise in Aug we looked at CCL which was cheaper and ended up booking LOS). We did not think the food was any better and the service was not as good IMO on Carnival Victory.

[katiel53]

We are Diamond Plus on RCI and last week sailed on Carnival Glory. We sailed on Carnival because there is no 7 day cruise other than Disney from Pt Canaveral at this time.

 

I would sail Carnival again in a minute for that kind of savings. Personally, I loved the Emerald supper club. It was far better, IMO, than Chops. The food overall on Carnival was better. The prime rib served the last night was so tender it could be cut with a fork and it was served medium rare, just as I ordered it.

 

Crab cakes are nowhere to be seen on RCI, but are an appetizer on Carnival. The deli on Carnival beats any lunch served on RCI.

 

The cabins though, to me, are a bit smaller than the ones on RCI. I know some people think they are larger, but Carnival cabins are all basically the same size and we normally get a JS or D1 on RCI and got an 8D (Balcony) on Carnival. That cabin was smaller than the D1 on RCI.

 

The casino is much larger than RCI casinos. We are retired so the rock climbing wall, the children's programs etc. aren't used by us, so I can't comment on the programs.

 

As I mentioned initially, for $1k, I surely would sail Carnival. As a matter of fact, I probably will sail them again for less of a savings. We are looking to sail the Carnival Dream as the ports are far more interesting on the Western Caribbean than they are on the Western on Freedom. JMO.

[lovesublime]

We've sailed RCI once and Carnival twice. We prefer Carnival. Conquest is a beautiful ship and the food is way better on Carnival IMO. We also feel that Carnival tries a little bit harder as far as service and the cabins are larger. Don't buy into all the gossip about Carnival being the "Walmart of the seas" - it's simply not true. Save the $1000 and give Carnival a try - you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

[Sarapdot]

My first cruise was on CCL Ecstacy. I enjoyed it and it did ge me hooked but I didn't like the food at all. We ate pb&j from room service like every day. Second was on RCCL Rhapsody. I did like this cruise better because the food was awesome. Really the food difference was the only thing that made me like RCCL more. RCCL was also a little nicer all around. However, I am booked on CCL Conquest next month. Going with a group of girls and we decided the cheaper price was worth it. I'd probably be happy on any ship as long as I'm going and get to see the different ports.

 

Anywhere is better than work!!! :D

[Bruin Steve]

Is RCCL really worth $1,000 more than Carnival?

 

YES!

 

In all honesty, it depends on how discerning you are...and in how much the budget means to you...

 

Everyone is different...

To some of us, the money may not matter as much as it does to others...

I, for one, spend thousands of dollars on my cruises and am looking to get value for my money, not just the lowest price...I'll spend a little more to get what I want...

 

And...we all have different standards and criteria...

 

IMHO, you get what you pay for...

We have done three Carnival cruises now...

The first two, we took because in the 90s, Carnival had a monopoly on the Mexican Riviera route during the summer--which school vacation schedules dicatated was the only time we could go...

 

But, the last Carnival cruise we took was on the Carnival Liberty to Panama in July 2007...We took it immeditely after a cruise on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas because it gave us a different itinerary and dovetailed as to the dates with the RCCL cruise...

 

But, in taking the two back-to-back, we were really able to notice the differences--which were pronounced...

 

The Carnival ship seemed like a cattle ranch compared to the RCCL ship...There were approximately an equal number of passengers on the two ships--even though the RCCL ship was about one and one-half times the size. The dining room on the Carnival ship was so overcrowded and tables so close together that it affected the service, notwithstanding that every waiter on Carnival was serving about one and a half times the passengers that the RCCL waiters were serving (We counted)...The Carnival service was POOR...In order to see a show in the showroom on Carnival, one had to get there at least an hour before curtain time just to get a decent seat or seats together...There were lines and waits for everything...Getting an elevator at certain times was like a reflex game...

 

Also, the Royal Caribbean ships just have so many more amenities, the decor is far nicer...and I won't even get too much into the demographics in fear of insulting some people (Yes, most Carnival guest ARE good people--heck, we were among them--but there is a certain element of folks just looking for the cheapest possible experience--which manifests itself in some predictable ways)...

 

But, here's the thing: Most people cruising Carnival really don't get it...They are very satisfied with the experience...The ARE having fun...What's not to like about a cruise? It beats working...They are getting fairly good food, served to them in a more elegant style than they get at Denny's or McDonalds...They are getting a nice sized cabin--though they apparently have no problem with day-glo Orange vinyl decor...There is activity and things to do...They get to visit ports...

 

Face it, You can drive a Geo Metro with crank windows, an 85 horsepower engine, vinyl seats and no AC...it will still get you to work and back and wherever you want to go...and it only cost you $9995...Not everyone has to drive a Lexus or a Mercedes... ...or you can eat at Denny's...You'll get food...they'll serve it to you...and it beats cooking your own and cleaning up afterwards...And, that steak dinner only cost you $11.95!!! You may not really care if it's not Spago...Carnival is much the same...You get what you want...you get it at a cheap price...If it works for you, it's great...

 

For me, I prefer a little nicer car...and eating at a nicer restaurant...

I don't need to drive a Bentley or eat the lobster at the Palm...But, I am willing to spend more than the Geo Metro or Denny's...and I want really good value for my money...I drive an Acura and I eat at restaurants where I get a really good meal and pay a REASONABLE, but not cheap price...

 

And that is why I like Royal Caribbean...and am even willing to pay a little more for it (Though, in all of my cruises, I have never found the price differeential on conmparable itineraries and dates to be that far off--maybe you need a better travel agent)...

 

Royal Caribbean gives me a BETTER PRODUCT...and I am willing to pay a little more for that...I do not get that much vcation time that I care to compromise it looking for a bargain...

 

JMHO...

[ivycruise]

We've been pretty loyal to RCCL, and want to continue that loyalty. However, I'm pricing out cruises for President's Day weekend 2010 and the exact same itinerary from Galveston is over $1,000 higher on Voyager of the Seas than on Carnival Conquest.

 

I've heard all different viewpoints on Carnival and my gut feeling is that we won't like it as much as RCCL, but that $1,000 difference is making it pretty hard not to at least try it.

 

We'd be bringing our kids with us for the first time, so the experience wouldn't exactly be the same anyway. However, it's still a lot of money to spend and I don't want to book something that we're ultimately going to hate.

For those who have been on both RCCL and Carnival (preferably Conquest or a similar ship), please give me your opinion on whether the RCCL experience would be worth $1,000 more to you.

 

We've sailed both and enjoy both. The Glory is a Conquest size ship and is just fine. We're going again in a couple of weeks for spring break and my 16YO DD prefers it as she has thoroughly enjoyed the CO2 teen club. She could care less about rock climbing walls, flowrider, etc. You said your kids have not been on RCI previously so they won't know. My suggestion has always been that if your kids have been on a Voyager or Freedom class ship and loved all the extra features and would miss them, it could be difficult to take them over to carnival if they would just be miserable. Some kids (and adults) don't adjust well to change. Now that doesn't seem to be an issue with yours so take the risk. We love the Glory.

 

All of my NOS trips have been heavily discounted and I loved the ship but I certainly wouldn't pay a significant premium for it and to me, 1K is significant.

 

It seems the majority of kids have a great trip on a Conquest size ship in the kids clubs. You may also be pleased if you go with an open mind and decide that maybe even repeat trips will then be necessary, as we have.

[SecretSK]

We've been pretty loyal to RCCL, and want to continue that loyalty. However, I'm pricing out cruises for President's Day weekend 2010 and the exact same itinerary from Galveston is over $1,000 higher on Voyager of the Seas than on Carnival Conquest.

 

I've heard all different viewpoints on Carnival and my gut feeling is that we won't like it as much as RCCL, but that $1,000 difference is making it pretty hard not to at least try it.

 

We'd be bringing our kids with us for the first time, so the experience wouldn't exactly be the same anyway. However, it's still a lot of money to spend and I don't want to book something that we're ultimately going to hate.

For those who have been on both RCCL and Carnival (preferably Conquest or a similar ship), please give me your opinion on whether the RCCL experience would be worth $1,000 more to you.

 

Wow, we're looking at the same ship Voyager, the week prior (Feb. 7) for Western Caribbean and while I am not as familiar with the categories on Carnival, the difference in price for the same itinterary the following week was about $200 less on Conquest.

 

As to your original question, $1000 is a really big difference! I've never been on Carnival Conquest, but we sailed Carnival Valor in 05 (Western) and had a great time. We went in with very low expectations since it was during hurricane season (05 was VERY busy hurricane season) and had a really great time. The itinerary was the best we've ever sailed, even with the iffy weather.

 

We just sailed on Liberty on RCI and had a fantastic time, but I wouldn't say the differences between the lines are worth $1000. I've sailed RCI more than any other line, and if I had to choose, I'd say I prefer them mostly because of familiarity. If I had to compare my trip on Valor to Liberty (though it isn't completely fair because I just got back from Liberty), I'd say Valor had a MUCH better buffet and snack food options. I don't really remember the food on Valor, other than the buffet and the pizza and cookies. :o The service on RCI was great, especially in the dining room, but is having your chair pulled out and a napkin on your lap at each meal, and anticipating your needs/likes worth $1000?

 

It can't hurt to give Carnival a try. If our next itinerary was $1000 less (and they went to Roatan again), wild horses couldn't keep me away! ;)

[DonnaK]

You have to make your own experiences and comparisions, but we had a very uncomfortable and very disappointing cruise on Carnival Miracle, so much so, that we will never sail Carnival again no matter how good a deal it is. Service and design of the ship (layout) were our biggest complaints - for example, the wait team in the dining room was responsible for three times more diners than any wait team we've ever had on any other ship, and this was reflected in the level of service we received. You can click on the review link in my signature for a more detailed comparison.

 

We definitely believe that RCI is worth more. And before you think that I'm just another RCI cheerleader, we sailed Princess for a lot less than RCI, and felt that Princess provided an equivalent cruising experience.

[Boston and beyond cruiser]

While I LOVE the Voyager class ships on RCI, no way are they worth $1,000 more than any Carnival ship. That $1,000 could go a long way towards your NEXT vacation, if you ask me!

 

Not sure how old your children are, but my daughter has always preferred Carnival - just the "wow" factor, I guess. Myself, I love them all, with a slight leaning towards the Voyager class. That said, I always have more fun on Carnival. They're not called the fun ships for nothing!

 

While food is subjective, I prefer the food on Carnival, especially the buffet. My daughter always loved the 24-hour pizza and Caesar salad on Carnival.

 

The decor is over the top on Carnival, but who cares? I sailed on the Gem and thought the decor was ridiculous, but did I enjoy myself? Of course!

 

Give Carnival a try and let us all know what you think. If nothing else, your kids will love it!

[Kurbanfan]

YES!

 

In all honesty, it depends on how discerning you are...and in how much the budget means to you...

 

 

Evidently it must mean something or the op wouldn't have brought it up;)

 

It always blows me away when people try to distinguish cruise lines by the people who sail on them.........there are many people who cruise all lines not just one in particular, or at least try to........how would you describe those people(like me):confused: What kind of cars do you think we drive?

Me thinks some people are not living in the real world:rolleyes:

What a shame!

 

OP I would not pay that much more.........Carnival is a great cruise line! Try it for yourself!