This is equally so interesting to me!! I have been on Carnival (first cruise 27 years ago), Norwegian, Princess, Royal, and Celebrity. I am totally loyal to Royal, being a Diamond member. My experience with Royal is it's like staying at a Marriott hotel. It is consistently good and no matter what ship you go on, it's a great experience.
Wellllll, on Monday, I am going on the Carnival Paradise for a friend's 40th. It's so funny but I always hear how cheap Carnival is, and was looking forward to a "cheap" vacation. Holy cow!! This will be my most expensive cruise. To compare, I am staying in a Junior Suite and it is costing $917 for 5 nights (before any taxes, gratuities, etc.), so works out to be $183/night. The ship is going to Key West and Cozumel. Not ones I would call show stoppers, like Cuba for example, that warrants a higher price. I am already booked on Freedom of the Seas for August, which is a 7 night cruise, also staying in a Junior Suite. That one is costing $1,062 for 7 nights (before any taxes, gratuities, etc.) or $152/night. Now, onto the drink package. Carnival's is costing $52/day and they limit you to 15 drinks a day!! Now, I know 15 sounds like a lot but when you think about it, two mimosas for breakfast, a late morning bloody mary, 2 pina coladas in the hot sun, etc. it goes by fast. To compare, on Royal, I pay $56/day, which is unlimited drinks and internet package.
My point is everyone tells me how cheap Carnival is, yet how is this becoming my most expensive cruise vacation. They don't give away any freebies like Norwegian and Royal does, and seem to charge for everything. I feel like I am going on the Spirit Airlines of cruises.
Just off First Royal Caribbean Cruise
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
This is equally so interesting to me!! I have been on Carnival (first cruise 27 years ago), Norwegian, Princess, Royal, and Celebrity. I am totally loyal to Royal, being a Diamond member. My experience with Royal is it's like staying at a Marriott hotel. It is consistently good and no matter what ship you go on, it's a great experience.
Wellllll, on Monday, I am going on the Carnival Paradise for a friend's 40th. It's so funny but I always hear how cheap Carnival is, and was looking forward to a "cheap" vacation. Holy cow!! This will be my most expensive cruise. To compare, I am staying in a Junior Suite and it is costing $917 for 5 nights (before any taxes, gratuities, etc.), so works out to be $183/night. The ship is going to Key West and Cozumel. Not ones I would call show stoppers, like Cuba for example, that warrants a higher price. I am already booked on Freedom of the Seas for August, which is a 7 night cruise, also staying in a Junior Suite. That one is costing $1,062 for 7 nights (before any taxes, gratuities, etc.) or $152/night. Now, onto the drink package. Carnival's is costing $52/day and they limit you to 15 drinks a day!! Now, I know 15 sounds like a lot but when you think about it, two mimosas for breakfast, a late morning bloody mary, 2 pina coladas in the hot sun, etc. it goes by fast. To compare, on Royal, I pay $56/day, which is unlimited drinks and internet package.
My point is everyone tells me how cheap Carnival is, yet how is this becoming my most expensive cruise vacation. They don't give away any freebies like Norwegian and Royal does, and seem to charge for everything. I feel like I am going on the Spirit Airlines of cruises.
Please tell me I'm wrong!!