RoyalFan2011

My favorite place is on a cruise ship and it has always been on Royal Caribbean.  Last Sunday I stepped on the Carnival Celebration and really felt like I was cheating on Royal.  I wasn’t sure what differences I would fine, but was surprised by some and thought I would share them.

* Carnival doesn’t require anyone to wash their hands before eating.  They only had 2 sinks in the front entrance of their buffet area.  My immediate reaction was, this is nice since there wasn’t a line to wash my hands.  I do wish more people would have used the sinks or Carnival would have offered hand sanitizers. 

* I enjoyed the variety of free food options that Carnival options.  But the Windjammer on Royal has many more food options/stations.  The main dinning options were very similar, but Royal has much better dessert options.

* Carnival has at least 3 self serve ice cream machines that are option until at least midnight.  This was awesome!

* No fresh squeezed orange juice on Carnival (was told the machine was broken at the Havana Bar).  The had pressed juice options, but I missed this so much.

* I love that Royal offers the Royal Replenish beverage options that includes juices and non alcoholic frozen drinks.  Carnival has the soda or alcohol package, they really need a 3rd middle option.

* I have never seen bartenders (not sure what to call them) in the main dining room going around every night on Royal selling shots.  I was not impressed by this.

* Carnival does not require reservations for onboard entertainment, you might have to get to the venue earlier than Royal, but you can plan your day that day, not months in advance.  I also loved that they had a new Comedian on board every night, we never had issues getting seats.

* I liked how Carnival had pools on multiple floors both in the front and back of the ship.

* I don’t ever remember seeing armed (could have been tazers, I never asked) secruity guards on Royal but they were everywhere on Carnival.  This did not make me feel safe, but once I saw how hard they sold shots it made more sense, 

* Employees on Royal care more about the guests and the guest experience.   I saw multiple Carnival employees argue in front of guests, ignore quests, and be rude to each other and guests.  That was the most surprising thing of the week.  

Being on a cruise is always going to be my favorite place and I’m happy we tried a different line.  It was good to see the differences.

My next cruise will be in January and I’m looking forward being back on Royal!

I purchased this mainly so I didn’t have to worry about checking in as soon as it opened and also having access to my room as soon as I board.  I hate having to drag my carry on luggage with me for hours before the room opens.  This is our first Carnival cruise and Royal doesn’t offer this option, so I’m excited to try it.  Will also be nice to see if our luggage actually arrives first, but not holding my breath,  

Thanks for the feedback.  I reprinted and the logos were there!

We will be taking our first Carnival cruise in two weeks. I was able to purchase the Faster to Fun add on a few weeks ago.  I checked in to our cruise a few days ago, and I don’t see anything about the Faster to Fun listed on our luggage tags or our check in documents.  Is this normal? 

The MB20 cruise was organized by Rose Tours.  The Goo Goo Dolls was also on board with them.  The passengers were divided into two groups when we checked in, an A group and a B group.  Since the main theatre was not large enough for everyone, both bands played 4 times in the theatre, twice to each group.  Matchbox also did a Q&A on the Lido Deck along with another show for all the passengers.  It was the best 3 days ever and we made lifelong friends.  My daughter ended up on stage with Paul Doucette multiple times and went home with his guitar.  Still seems like a dream and wish they would do it again.

Back in 2013 I was on the Carnival Imagination for the Matchbox Twenty cruise.  I doubt another cruise will ever beat that experience, but it didn’t have any of the typical Carnival activities.  My daughter (20) and I are now booked on the Celebration for a cruise in June and I have lots of questions.  All my other cruises have been on Royal Caribbean so I want to make sure I am as prepared as possible.

• We have Your Time Dining.  Can we make an exact time booking online?  Or do we wait until we board or is it just go anytime and hope it’s not too busy?
• Is it cheaper to buy massages pre cruise or once we get onboard?
• We have never been to Amber Cove or Grand Turk.  Any recommendations for people that don’t really drink?
• When can we buy tickets for the roller coaster on board?
• How difficult is it to buy a cabana for a day on the Celebration?  I know they are offered to certain suite guests first.  Will they go on sale on line, or do we wait until we board?
• Royal has “The Key”, does Carnival have anything similar that makes boarding, departure, etc easier for those not in suites?

Thanks in advance for your help and I’m sure I’ll have more questions along the way!

Any idea when the 2026 Panama Canal cruises will be released?  It’s been on my bucket list and I think 2026 will be the year I can check it off the list.

I’ll be on my first cruise since the changes took place.  I’m the first to admit I am a very picky eater.  All I ever ate was the grilled chicken breast.  I might be ordering off the kids menu 😀

I just emailed the Diamond Lounge Concierge on the Mariner of the Seas with a few questions on our upcoming cruises.  The response time was really quick, but it was a template email that didn’t address either of my questions.  Has anyone had luck emailing them and getting actual questions answered?  I have never tried this in the past, so wasn’t sure what to expect.  Thanks.

I’ve always wondered how the people scanning the bags  know who is traveling together in which room.  I think I’ll have two bottles in two different bags and see what happens.  Thanks!

We have our first B2B in January and don’t plan on leaving the ship/cruise terminal on turnover day.  Can we bring 4 bottles of wine when we first board and have them store 2 bottles for our second leg?  

Are there any excursions in Cozumel where you can snorkel and potentially view sea turtles?

I thought since they are different classes of ships, there might be some differences. 

I am looking at booking a two bedroom grand suite on either the Mariner or Independence.  I’ve read that both ships have obstructed aft balconies.  Does one of the ships have better after views than the other?  We are looking at the 9th floor for both ships.  Thanks for your help!

Looking forward to your review.  We will be on the Harmony the week after you.

If anyone is either on the Harmony now, or will be in the next 2-3 weeks, can you take a picture of the spa packages?  We are really interested in massage therapies.  I’m curious if prices are less if we book in advance or it it better to wait.  Thanks!

Is is cheaper to buy a massage before the cruise or when on board?  I believe the pre-cruise prices are less, but not sure if the daily specials would be better.  Also curious if we booked ahead of time, would we still get our diamond+ discount?  Thanks for your advice in advance. 

 In the past there were four options on Barefoot Beach.

For our upcoming cruise in January I am seeing cabanas available for booking online for Barefoot Beach in Labadee.   We are in a suite and the last time we were in Labadee (pre Covid) we booked the cabana through the concierge.  Does anyone know if the concierge is still the person to contact for a cabana or do we book online?  The prices online are at least double what we paid in the past. 

Can anyone tell me if the. Park Cafe is open on the Allure?  My husband loves the roast beef sandwiches and salads there.  We cruise on Sunday.  Thanks!

We are on the Allure on 1/22.  Thanks for sharing all your thoughts!

We have the 2 room GS on the Allure in January. I am excited to hear you reviews on it.  

Thank you so much for all the great information!

I generally cruise with Royal Caribbean, but am seriously considering a NCL.  My daughter and I love the musical Six and would love to see it on a cruise.  How does entertainment work on NCL?  Can people see shows some than once?  Do you need reservations?  How many times is a production performed in a week?  Are there ever chances to meet the cast?  If you are in a certain type of cabin, does it help to get seats?  Thanks in advance for your help. 

How was your excursion?   We are thinking of booking directly as well. Would love to hear what you thought about it.