TiredTrucker

I think I remember reading in some fine print on cancellations that the future cruise you want to apply the credit on needs to be booked within the 12 month window, but the actual sail date can be later. Worth asking Carnival for clarification.

What is the cantina? Mongolian Wok didn't give out the papers where you select your choices? That sucks.

What is the $15 charge actually for? I haven't sailed Princess and your post has me confused. Isn't Ocean Ready the name of the app? And they charge for the app? Or only the use of Ocean Now via the app, which is like room service for drinks?

Agree with your point, but then I've not cruised before. Isn't Princess on par with all the major lines in implementing the new charges for things like room service and wifi? Not that it lessens the sting of getting charged for what used to be free, but where are you going to go where this isn't the norm? Honestly, I would much rather pay Princess $5 for RS for our entire order than Carnival's new al-a-carte pricing. Ouch!

We are booked on Panorama for March...first ever cruise. Wish us luck. 😊

Thanks, I had a hunch the drink packages brought in significant profit for the lines, given how they push them. I would spring the cost for the included beverage package on NCL just for the fun of it, and the Bliss appears to lean heavily on lounges for entertainment. Not considering it for Carnival though. I believe we are going to book Carnival this time. I lean toward NCL but Carnival is cheaper and I think my kids will enjoy it more. I wish I could afford both but even one is a big expenditure in my case, both in terms of money and vacation time. I am curious why you consider RC the better of the three. If we enjoy this cruise my wife and I might try for an Alaska later, perhaps on the Bliss, though I hear Princess is also recommended for Alaska.

The auto gratuity is slightly more expensive, as is the initially ticket cost, to go NCL. The cost of the "free" perks appear cut-and-dry at $350 for the beverage for each room that takes it, and $35 for the dinner package. We are fine with these charges. However, if there are charges I'm missing please point them out. On Carnival there are no included dining at all so we would pay full price if we indulged in that, in addition to gratuities. And while the Carnival Cheers is arguably the better drink package the cost would be more than double what we will pay for the "free" one on NCL, and we can't drink enough to make it worth taking at that point. Carnival does let you bring cans of soda and juice onboard and I do appreciate that. The consensus does sound like Panorama is a "funner" ship, and I do understand that's subjective. I think the onboard music options on NCL are more to my interests, as is the decor and overall look of the staterooms, and more laid back attitude and international dining options (as well as 2 "free" specialty dinners). Meanwhile my wife and kids are possibly more interested in the lively Carnival atmosphere and having more included onboard eateries to choose from at any given moment. Decisions, decisions. But as this is our first cruise and we have no firm expectations going into it so I'm sure either choice is going to be a fun experience.

We tried RCL but no sailings in the month we are going. We are locked into a specific date range that isn't very flexible, unfortunately.

I did find that out early on at least. Still, the $350 gratuity on that drink package is cheaper than paying full price for the Carnival one plus gratuities...but agreed, on principle it's not a good look.

Makes perfect sense, thank you.

I do love Indian food. 😋 I've heard that NCL is known for nickel-and-dime but in trying to research both them and Carnival I don't see how they are any different in that regard. What am I missing?

Debating between booking (2 rooms) on either of these for a first cruise with wife and kids (youngest is 17), Mexican Riviera 7 night. NCL costs a bit more but with the OBC from a TA and Free at Sea "perks" the cost difference is negligible. Carnival's online booking on the other hand isn't offering me...well, anything really. And the OBC offers from TA's for the Panorama are significantly less as well. Opinions of NCL seem to be either love it or hate it, while most people I talk to really enjoy Carnival. Curious what others think.