Cruising89143

Food is usually very subjective. We are the ones who enjoy Tuscan. Yes we have had an occasional meal there that did not add up but then I can say the same about other cruise lines. One of our worst meals was at Chops on Royal Caribbean but we still dine there as we have also had very good meals. The only way you will know is to try it for yourself.

As I posted yesterday, we are not loyal to one cruise line. We do have three Royal cruises on the books this year with one being a TA. We liked the itinerary so we booked it. Price wasn’t bad either. For next year we found a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda in a Celebrity suite for much less than what Royal wanted. Celebrity does suites much better than Royal and in this case for a much better price. We have also booked a Christmas market River cruise on Avalon. Not cheap but on the bucket list. We will fill in with other cruises as we find ones that fit what we’re looking for. We have looked at Oceana but unless it’s one of their three larger ships, we will pass as we have no interest in those four smaller older ships. There is only one cruise line that we currently have no interest in but we want to try the MSC YC. We have had five booked on MSC but they were all canceled due to the pandemic. They’re moving the Bellissima to the west coast next fall. We will more than likely give them a try. Looking around at the competition is a good thing if you’re not happy.

We enjoy both lines for different reasons. Royal has better entertainment hands down. Especially the Oasis class. Lately we have found the service on Royal to be just as good or in some cases better than Celebrity. That never used to be the case. IMHO Celebrity has skewed more contemporary mass market getting closer to Royal Caribbean. I call it the Jason Liberty syndrome. Celebrity is a small step up in the food department. Royal can be more expensive than Celebrity so be careful. Especially when it comes to suites and Royal’s suite perks don’t match that of Celebrity’s retreat unless you book Star class. When it comes to Europe. As stated above you will have long days in ports. I look as the ship as a floating moving hotel that takes me from one location to another. Itinerary is much more important to us. For example we booked a TA for this fall. Royal won out with the itinerary over Celebrity.

We have enjoyed most of the shows on Royal with the exception of Chicago and 1977.

We’re not willing to fly for a Carnival cruise. 🙂 That leaves us the Radiance, Panorama and Firenze. I have read about the nightmare embarkation/debarkation out of Long Beach. Terminal and area seems to small for the ships and large amount of passengers. We would rather just do a B2B on the Navigator before this if we want an easy drive to cruise.

No it’s not. We cruise on the NV multiple times a year and I can assure you the prices are not cheap. We all know that you have think Royal has hit rock bottom so some of us aren’t buying your stuff.

We each receive two offers each and every week through Carnival’s casino program. Even that cannot get us back on Carnival.

That has not been the case for a while. Not sure why you continue to post this?

Makes two of us.

Solstice will be closer to the Equinox than the Silhouette but the Soltice has not been Revolutionized/updated. The Equinox no longer has the wine bar as a Gastrpub was added in its place. The Solstice still has the wine bar. The Silhouette has the Lawn Cub Grill and The Porch. The Solstice does not and still has the gas blowing where the Lawn Club Grill is located on the Silly. Those are probably the biggest differences.

No, have three on the books for this year but we also cruise other lines as well. Everyone should do what makes them happy.

Seems to me they have figured it out. Also for all those complaining about the larger ships like Oasis class doing the shorter cruises, we read the same complaints right here on CC when the Voyager and Freedom class moved to the three and four day itineraries.

I read a recent article that stated the shorter cruises are much more popular now. Royal is simply taking advantage of this current situation. The article also stated that the shorter cruises worked out better financially for Royal.

Not referring to rates when it comes to choosing. I will take the NV over the QN when it comes to the two ships. Plus the NV offers seven night cruises that does the traditional MR and the QN does not. Ensenada leaves a lot to be desired.

The itineraries leave a lot to be desired. Also, the prices are ridiculous based on the itineraries. Give me the NV any day.

It looks as though RCI is moving to shorter cruises and trying to push those wanting longer itineraries to Celebrity. I looked at the QN cruises out of LA. Looks like they drawn up or planned by a third grader. No imagination at all.

I read several articles where both Michael Bayley and Jason Liberty stated that the Allure will be fully amped and will also receive some of the learnings from the Icon so this is more than a carpet refreshment. https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/royal-caribbeans-liberty-allure-to-undergo-modernization/#google_vignette

As I stated above, “before” the pandemic there was talk of an additional pier. https://www.portseattle.org/projects/new-cruise-terminal

I’m thinking Alaska and L.A year round. Prior to the pandemic MSC was working with RCI and another cruise line (I think NCL) on a new terminal for Seattle. Of course the pandemic stopped the discussion. I’m guessing that they want to expand across more U.S ports.

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/finance/royal-caribbean-lifts-profit-outlook-accelerating-cruise-demand https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/02/royal-caribbean-increases-financial-guidance-for-2024/

They’re bringing the Bellissima out here. If RCI keeps two ships out here the west coast is going to get competitive. Carnival will finally have some competition.

Looks like the Bellissima is scheduled out of the port of L.A starting fall of 2025. https://artifacts.portsamerica.com//wbct/pdf/2025-la-schedule.pdf

I had not noticed that but went back to look. Sad. Who could possibly find humor in any of this?

Depends on who is currently on board. Crew move around and we have found that also changes how each ship operates. Some officers/crew are simply better at their jobs than others and it can show. So IMHO there is no simple answer.

Personally, I don’t think it can get much worse than Carnival. Been there, did that and have no desire or reason to return. Just my two cents. Many love the line and that’s great but not us.