differences between RCCL and Carnival

[cruisemama69]

This is our first time trying Carnival--Spirit to Alaska June 22. We've always cruised with RCCL in the past. I've been trying to find our differences in the forums.

 

Looks like more smoking is allowed on Carnival ships. On RCCL, only places were the casino and outside. Is this true for Spirit, or should we expect smoking allowed in all public areas?

 

Also, I've heard mentioned that Carnival charges for additional entrees in the main dining room--is this accurate? On RCCL, you are encouraged to try whatever you want and as many entrees and desserts as you like to try at no additional charge. Our waiter also allowed us to use our coke cards in the main dining room during dinner. Does Carnival allow this?

 

Please dont think I'm saying one is better than another..just trying to find out differences. If anyone has sailed on both lines, we'd be curious to know pros and cons of each.

 

Thanks so much!

[KruznKel]

This is our first time trying Carnival--Spirit to Alaska June 22. We've always cruised with RCCL in the past. I've been trying to find our differences in the forums.

 

Looks like more smoking is allowed on Carnival ships. On RCCL, only places were the casino and outside. Is this true for Spirit, or should we expect smoking allowed in all public areas?

 

Also, I've heard mentioned that Carnival charges for additional entrees in the main dining room--is this accurate? On RCCL, you are encouraged to try whatever you want and as many entrees and desserts as you like to try at no additional charge. Our waiter also allowed us to use our coke cards in the main dining room during dinner. Does Carnival allow this?

 

Please dont think I'm saying one is better than another..just trying to find out differences. If anyone has sailed on both lines, we'd be curious to know pros and cons of each.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Smoking is only allowed in areas that are listed in the capers.. which usually are starboard side lido deck.. and some bars and the casino.. also in cabin and on balconies...

 

FALSE about charging extra for extra entrees.. never have been in our 8 cruises with CArnival... You can have whatever you like:)

[092306]

My wife and I have sailed RCCL and Carnival. We were on the Jewel of the Seas, IMO RCI has nicer looking ships, alot of wood accents and it just lokked better. Carnival I describe is like LAS VEGAS on water, even that is a bit of a stretch. Carnival I thought had better food offerings in MDR. On our 6 night cruise I had pasta/chicken, my wife had steak 5 out of 6 nights. I am not saying RCI had horrbile food, we(my wife and I) think Carnival had more offering we enjoyed. As far as the extra charge, well that's wrong. Carnival DOES NOT charge for anything extra in the MDR. Only thing they charge in the MDR is bar service just like RCI.

I think the only way RCI is better is at sea days. There seemed to be more things to do on the RC sea days then Carnival sea days. People watching, and bingo can only go so far. RC had the rock climbing wall, as well as the things Carnival has. I am not saying that RCI is better then Carnival, it is just different. They were two other things my wife and I noticed were, the cabins and buffet area.

The cabins were noticibly smaller on RCI. We had a balcony cabin on RCI and Carnival. RCI sacrifices room space for balcony space. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have a big balcony, but to have more room in the room would have been better.

The buffet area on RCI(The Windjammer) closed at 300 330pm. So if you wanted anything to eat, you had to pay at the SEAVIEW Cafe. If you wanted something to drink, you had to pay for it on RCI. We HATED that. That was very annoying. Carnival's LIDO deck never closes, it does close down some stations, but the area does NOT shut down.

These are the differences we experienced between RCI and Carnival. Hope this helps some.

[cruisemama69]

Very glad to hear the positives of bigger cabin space and food available 24hours. Not that you want to eat all the time, but you always seem to get hungry when nothing convenient.:)

 

Any experiences with spa treatments, room service--good quality and service quality, drink prices, etc.?

 

I'm loving all this great info.

[092306]

We have only done room sevice on Carnival. That was great. It was delivered when we wanted. As far as drink prices, well I would think Carnvial would be priced a little cheaper. RCI is just higher priced in everything. For instance, I am a SCUBA DIVER, I went diving through RCI and Carnival. They both use the same operator. Carnival excursion price was cheaper by I think 5 or 6 dollars, and that included equiptment. I know that is not a tremendous difference but it does go with my theory. IMO.

Again this is just what I have experienced

[092306]

I just looked up SCUBA DIVING excursions. 7 night VALOR, SCUBA in Cozumel w/ equipt cost $72. 7 night LIBERTY OF THE SEAS SCUBA in Cozumel w/ equipt $99. Just thought it would be good to show you an example. RCI just costs more is all. I am not saying that it is a bad thing, all I am saying is RCI costs more.

[cruisemama69]

thank you, thats a big help.

 

i'm thinking of booking most of my excursions on my own--mainly because we don't like the whole cattle call thing. only concern there is ship cancelling port of call.

 

thanks

[092306]

I only used the ship excursions due to the fact I don't bring my own equipt due to flying. It would be an extra suitcase I'd have to check. Anyway good luck and no matter who you chose, enjoy your cruise!!!

[mtchg]

Carnival's Main Dining Room food is a little better/RCI's ships are more beautiful; and

the service may be marginally better on RCI

 

Everything else about the same. To disagree with a previous poster; the Carnival Spirit to

Alaska will not be like a Vegas atmosphere; but it certainly will be fun; just like Serenade will be.

 

If one is significantly less expensive; go with that one.

 

 

Mitch

[albean99]

I like both cruise lines. There's pros and cons about each but one thing that stands out for me is the casual eating in the Windjammer on VOTS vs on Carnival Conquest. There were better choices on the Conquest and loved the fish place upstairs from the buffet. There were also more drink stations and seats up there. I got very bored with the choices at the Windjammer which was mostly buffet and a sandwich place and we didn't always want to eat in the MDR.

 

We're back on Carnival on the Liberty this fall so will see if my memory was right. I've been on 3 Carnival and 2 RCL cruises and thought all were pretty in their own way. I do think the Carnival is a bit more fun and love the Legends show.

[Pilot53]

We just sailed on the ROS (RCCL) and did not have to pay in the Seaview cafe. We ate their, (like pigs) almost every night, and so did all the kids, and we did not have to pay for anything, except for soft drinks or booze, of which we had neither.

 

I have never done Carnival, but we are scheduled on 12/22/10 for Mexico on Spirit. These comparisons are very interesting.

[mtchg]

On the Jewel OTS the Seaview Cafe rocked...many times we would eat there for lunch and then for a late nite snack; and as you said...the price is right.

 

Mitch

[BecciBoo]

Hi Carnival cruisers: I'm asking this here because I didn't want to start a thread over here. We watch the ships depart Galveston on the Galveston Cruise watcher thread on the RCCL board every week and today I noticed something as Conquest went by...the tail(stacks) was all blue, I thought it was red so I went and checked the Carnival site and this is what I got:

Then got a print screen from the webcam and I am sure there is now no red on the tail. Do any of you know if they are changing the colors on the tails ship by ship? Here is the print screen from the webcam in Galveston

 

 

[FLCRUISINGCPL]

We find the people who love Carnival are very loyal. We also find the people who sail Royal Caribbean often are very loyal.

 

We cruise them both, and here is our view of the differences:

1. Royal Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis class are unique in the industry - we prefer them

2. Carnival food in Main Dining Room is very good, maybe a tad better than Royal

3. Royal Windjammer layout with stations as opposed to Carnival Lido buffet lines are easier and quicker to navigate for breakfast and lunch.

4. Food on the buffets are similar, but Carnival Burito Bar, Fish and Chips, and Asian are good

5. Cabin size on Carnival is generally larger

6. Carnival ship decor is unique to Carnival, when you travel on Royal and Princess the decor has a similar feel. We find Carnival ships have a feeling of being dark inside rather than bright and airy. Even with the mult-level atriums they feel dark to us.

7. Smoking is more prevalent on Carnival, they have more areas than other cruise lines, and have more smokers as a percentage of the total passengers. Some Carnival folks may not agree, but they have to try other cruise lines to have a comparison. We travel often enough (6-7 cruises per year) we notice the difference as we move to Carnival.

8. Entertainment is generally weaker on Carnival than Royal and NCL. Pool bands are 2 people and alot of electronic backup, production shows have 1 lead male and female singer, production shows do not change very often, and beyond Piano bar not as much night time live music as we find on other cruise lines.

 

Do not worry, just expect there to be differences and enjoy yourself. Learn to have a great cruise and vacation no matter what the differences are between cruise lines.

[lyttleone1977]

I've cruised both lines, Carnival 2 vs RCCI 1 - I definately like Carnival better. Everyone has their own opinions. For me it as based on service. I sailed Enchantment of the Seas a little over a year ago, was not impressed by the decor, the room was very tiny, the food stunk most of the meals. I didnt like the fact that I had to pay for ice cream (yes it was Ben and Jerry's and very good) but I can get free ice cream on Carnival. I'm scheduled to go back on Carnival to Alaska this summer. Might look at doing RCCI again, but only if I was on a bigger ship - was bored most of the time on the other.

[lady_cruiser]

I just completed my second cruise with Carnival and have sailed on Royal Caribbean 3 times. As an older adult in her very early 60s my personal preference is Royal Caribbean.

 

If you sailed on RCL you know that smoking is only allowed on balconies and certain areas of the ship. This way the people coming into a cabin that has had a smoker before them does not have that smoky smell to the cabin.

 

On RCL our cabin steward was always visible. It seemed that every time we were in our hallway we would run into him/her. This gave us the opportunity to stop and chat with them (and they are encourage to do this.) And this gave us the opportunity to ask them if we could pick up some little item for them in the port, etc. While our cabin was always very clean on Carnival the only time I saw him was right before the sail away. Yes we had his phone number but I am not going to call him and risk disturbing him if he was resting just to find out if he wanted something from the port we were in.

 

On Carnival we never saw the M'aitre come by our table or any of those tables near us. On RCL our M'aitre made sure that he made the rounds of all the tables even if had to speak to several tables at one time asking us if we needed anything. He even helped bring dishes to the tables when it seemed that his waiters were extra busy.

 

As you know if you have a certain status (like diamond or platinum level) or are in a suite Royal Caribbean has a Concierge to help you with show tickets (ice show), tour tickets, reservation for the specialty restaurants, etc. And even a Concierge Lounge that you can make use of with free drinks and appetizers during a couple of hours before the first dining times. If they offer this Carnival all I can say is that it isn't offered on the Carnival ship I have been on.

 

Both cruise lines are equal when it comes to their nightly entertainment, which we also enjoy.

 

While meals were good on both cruise lines I prefer the meals on RCL. I find they have more to choose from during the day and night. Especially the Promenade Cafe (on the Voyager) which is open 23 hours a day wich a choice of pizza, cookies, sandwiches, etc. The only down-side with RCL that they charge a 3.99 fee for room service after 10:00 PM. But their reasons are valid. It cuts down on waste, especially when kids where just ordering room service to order it and not eating the food.

 

Will I sail on Carnival again? Probably. Will I sail on RCL - most definitely.

[Casino Player]

This is our first time trying Carnival--Spirit to Alaska June 22. We've always cruised with RCCL in the past. I've been trying to find our differences in the forums.

 

Looks like more smoking is allowed on Carnival ships. On RCCL, only places were the casino and outside. Is this true for Spirit, or should we expect smoking allowed in all public areas?

 

Also, I've heard mentioned that Carnival charges for additional entrees in the main dining room--is this accurate? On RCCL, you are encouraged to try whatever you want and as many entrees and desserts as you like to try at no additional charge. Our waiter also allowed us to use our coke cards in the main dining room during dinner. Does Carnival allow this?

 

Please dont think I'm saying one is better than another..just trying to find out differences. If anyone has sailed on both lines, we'd be curious to know pros and cons of each.

 

Thanks so much!

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO cruisemama69: I have cruised both cruise lines. I still cruise on Carnival and not on RCCL. The staterooms are larger on Carnival, the food is better on Carnival. There are no additional charges for food on Carnival, after all, this is not RCCL. Steaks in the MDR are no surcharge unlike RCCL. Ice Cream has no surcharge unlike RCCL. The alternative resturants have no surcharge with the exception of the specialty resturants. On RCCL I had to pay a surcharge for the priveledge of eating in Johnny Rockets which wasn't a real Johnny Rockets. And an aquaintence told me that RCCL charged for steaks in the MDR.

If you have children Carnival has Camp Carnival which wins awards in the cruise industry as having the best program for children.

As I say, it is your vacation. Choose wisely to where you think you will have a good time.

[suzy1212]

Hi Carnival cruisers: I'm asking this here because I didn't want to start a thread over here. We watch the ships depart Galveston on the Galveston Cruise watcher thread on the RCCL board every week and today I noticed something as Conquest went by...the tail(stacks) was all blue, I thought it was red so I went and checked the Carnival site and this is what I got:

Then got a print screen from the webcam and I am sure there is now no red on the tail. Do any of you know if they are changing the colors on the tails ship by ship? Here is the print screen from the webcam in Galveston

 

 

 

The conquest's tail is red. I think it was just hard to tell in the webcam shot because of the sun. This picture was taken last month in Grand Cayman.

[sjcruiser]

Both are basically equal in my view. Carnival has a leg up in the food department and adult entertainment (the nightclub). Royal was more laid back and relaxed to me, but it may have been due to time of year.

[dan40]

RCL, newer ships very nice.

Carnival, MDR food noticeably better

RCL, some buffet food better.

Carnival many more buffet choices.

Carnival Steakhouse vastly superior to any food on any RCL owned ship.

RCL usually more expensive.

Otherwise barely a difference.

 

The Steakhouse is the only clear advantage of one line over the other.

[Lineaway]

A couple comments.......

 

Littleone1977 I had to laugh as I read your post on RCCL Enchantment of the Seas. I have been on RCCL 2X, Costa, Celebrity, HAL, NCL 3X. The Enchantment had the worst food of any ship we have been on. I could describe the food but you would think I was stretching it a bit. I would say we had good to excellent food on every other ship with the Enchantment being fair to poor or just nasty. We ended up on the RCCL NOS a few years later and the food was alot better.

 

laydcruiser I will be on my first Carnival cruise in March, I also had to chuckle about your M aitre D comment as I am just the oposite. I prefer the M aitre D stay away from our table . Every cruise I have been on they have hovered around, except for HAL but we had a real "needy" lady at our table and it probably scared him away. Not sure why they want to bother us while we are eating with small talk. Then they want a tip at the end. All of the servers on all lines have been great, I have never needed anything. The exception was Celebrity, that M aitre D basically camped out around us. I needed him to go away as I never saw him so much as clear a spoon from our table but he did talk alot to the young ladies at our table. I thought about rolling up a ten dollar bill and throwing it to another table to get rid of him.

 

casino player, I didn't have to pay for steaks on RCL NOS MDR but on the Enchantment Mythbusters was trying to see if they could cut that steak with a laser but failed (see episode 22 season 3). Things may have changed in 2 years and I did notice RCCL is playing the nickle and dime game but in the MDR unless you wanted wine or cocktails there were no extra charges. Your right about Johnny Rockets ........ I don't know why someone would pay for burgers on a cruise.

[dan40]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO cruisemama69: I have cruised both cruise lines. I still cruise on Carnival and not on RCCL. The staterooms are larger on Carnival, the food is better on Carnival. There are no additional charges for food on Carnival, after all, this is not RCCL. Steaks in the MDR are no surcharge unlike RCCL. Ice Cream has no surcharge unlike RCCL. The alternative resturants have no surcharge with the exception of the specialty resturants. On RCCL I had to pay a surcharge for the priveledge of eating in Johnny Rockets which wasn't a real Johnny Rockets. And an aquaintence told me that RCCL charged for steaks in the MDR.

 

If you have children Carnival has Camp Carnival which wins awards in the cruise industry as having the best program for children.

 

As I say, it is your vacation. Choose wisely to where you think you will have a good time.

 

 

I have not sailed on a non-Voyager class or higher RCL ship since the VOS was introduced. My understanding of the surcharge in RCL's MDR is for a CHOP"S steak on ships that do not have a Chop's. The regular steak [NOT GOOD] is no charge. The Chop's steak, $14.95, [not worth the upcharge] is the only extra priced item. Carnival's MDR beef dishes are nothing to write home about either. But I'm a thick rare steak nut.

[Dawnyy99]

You can use your soda cards in the MDR on Carnival. The waitress will just start bringing your pop after the first few nights.

[dingoguy]

The conga difference between RCC= BORING.. 20 person, Princess..50 person....Carnival 200 to 400 ="s MORE FUN.:D Rcc - larger nicer ships, less Americans (most likey the reason for boring), food well.. not good, more things to do (rock wall, Ice ring,etc,) Princess - older crowd, small bathrooms, better shows, good all around. Carnival - people having fun, better food, ice cream anytime, best bargain, best all round. But any day cruising is better than any day work.( ON ANY SHIP)

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