Carnival Conquest or RCI Voyager of the Seas?

[CharlesCutiePie]

Hello,

 

My husband and I have been on 4 CCL cruises and for the most part have enjoyed them. We have been on Fantasy, Ecstasy(2x), and Spirit.

 

I am deciding what cruise we will do next and need some input please.

 

Choice: Conquest 7 days out of Galveston either Bahamas or Jamaica ports.

Voyager of Seas 7 days out of Galveston going to Belize and Roatan.

 

I have been to Belize and Roatan before on Princess. My husband has been to Jamaica and hates it, but of course he loves me and will be happy with whatever I pick.

 

We are both in our 30s but a very laid back couple. He describes himself as a country boy. We do not like to party and have never been to any of the dancing clubs or karoake; just not our thing.

 

When we cruise we mostly go to the shows, casino, relax on deck, eat mostly in the MDR with a few room service deliveries. Sometimes I go to the art auction for fun.

 

I am looking for more opinions as to which ship would more suit us? My husband is a no frills person. He does not like fancy stuff, but I do so we need a nice balance.

 

What are the fellow cruisers like?

We prefer cruisers that are laid back like us and not snooty at all. We've come across a few snooties on Carnival, but for the most part people are laid back and having fun. How are most RCI cruisers?

 

Thank you and any feedback is appreciated.

[lady_cruiser]

I'm been on The Conquest and I've been on The Voyager and I prefer The Voyager. Why? Because I am in my early 60s so I have my stay-up and party-all-night days behind me. Royal Caribbean caters to the older crowd which suits us to a tee. The only downside to leaving out of Galveston on Royal Caribbean is that you do not have any choices in where you are going. Its the Western Caribbean and that's it.

 

Carnival on the other hand gives you a choice, The Western Caribbean or Key West and The Bahamas. So this January we decided to give The Conquest another try and head for the Eastern Caribbean. Did we enjoy this route? Yes, yes minute of it. We loved Key West and The Bahamas and we would go again but only if Royal Caribbean would offer their Galveston cruisers that option. We just didn't enjoy The Conquest but this is our choice. We have no explanation except that we prefer Royal Caribbean. I don't know if it is the cruiseline or the ship itself, I just can't explain it. But I do tell people that they need to give that ship a chance and make up their own minds on whether or not they will like it.

 

I think you owe it to your husband and yourself to try The Eastern Caribbean at least once and just be your country selves and relax. When the music in the lounges gets to be too much for your husband you both can always retreat to your cabin and relax on your balcony. And hopefully you will be lucky enough to get a balcony.

[Abear2]

I have also been on both ships and I vote ROYAL CARIBBEAN all the way ! I loved the Voyager and you can go to the ice skating show on this ship. ;):D

[clackey]

We are in our upper 50's:rolleyes:, don't drink or gamble and have done one cruise on RC, one on Princess and seven on Carvival. RC had the nicest (read prettiest, best laid out) ship, Princess was the biggest and less crowded, but Carnival always had something to do. The other two were more laidback and (I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the hey) dull. If a person could get bored on a cruise it would have to be on these two. There I've said it and you can't change my mind. For my money it is Carnival.

 

Of the two Conquest itineraries, I would have to side with your hubby and pick the Bahamas. I know some day I will have to go to Jamaica just to see if the bad reviews are true, but for now I would opt for the eastern route.

[DonnaK]

We are in our upper 50's:rolleyes:, don't drink or gamble and have done one cruise on RC, one on Princess and seven on Carvival. RC had the nicest (read prettiest, best laid out) ship, Princess was the biggest and less crowded, but Carnival always had something to do. The other two were more laidback and (I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the hey) dull. If a person could get bored on a cruise it would have to be on these two. There I've said it and you can't change my mind. For my money it is Carnival.

 

Of the two Conquest itineraries, I would have to side with your hubby and pick the Bahamas. I know some day I will have to go to Jamaica just to see if the bad reviews are true, but for now I would opt for the eastern route.

 

 

According to your signature, you were on Splendour of the Seas, which is an older, smaller RCI ship. I can't imagine anyone being bored or lacking for activity on a Voyager-class RCI ship or above. It took 4 cruises on this class of ship for us to have done everything that's available to do.

 

I would absolutely choose RCI over Carnival regardless of price or itinerary because I like their ships better, and on our Carnival Miracle cruise, service was very poor compared to RCI

[Cruzaholic41]

WRC had the nicest (read prettiest, best laid out) ship, Princess was the biggest and less crowded, but Carnival always had something to do. The other two were more laidback and (I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but what the hey) dull. If a person could get bored on a cruise it would have to be on these two. There I've said it and you can't change my mind. For my money it is Carnival.

 

Don't take this as flaming because it is not. I just want to clear things up. Voyager of the Seas is not Splendour of the Seas. These are two completely different ship classes offering two completely different experiences, so your RCI experience does not help the Op.

 

I have not been on these two ships, but I have been on their sisters. There is no comparison. The design and amenities on Voyager far surpass that of Conquest. The ice show, alone, is worth choosing this ship. The Royal Promenade and 3 story dining room are must sees in the cruising world. Unlike the smaller, older RCI ship classes, Voyager always has something to do.

 

I said this once before to someone considering these two.....If you choose Conquest, you'll be happy because you won't know what you are missing. If you choose Voyager, you will know the second you step aboard and see the Royal Promenade for the first time that you made the right decision.

[clackey]

Point taken, my fellow cruiseaholics. I must admit that the Splendour was nice and I am sure that I would like one of the Voyager Class ships, but I may as well confess.

 

I'm CHEAP!;)