Please help me decide: Carnival Triumph or RCCL Radiance of the Seas?

[Blackboots]

PLEASE HELP!

 

I'm planning a December 2010 cruise (for our family's Christmas present to each other) & I'm faced with two cruises that are extremely similar. There are 4 of us--husband & wife early 50's, 22yo DD & 20yo DS. Both cruises leave on December 16th: the Carnival Triumph out of New Orleans and RCCL's Radiance of the Seas out of Tampa.

 

Points:

*Both are 4 nights and only go to Cozumel (which we love.)

* We'll drive to New Orleans or Tampa and we're familiar with both cities.

* We've cruised with RCCL (Mariner, Monarch) but are open to Carnival.

* Pricing is similar. We are looking at adjacent interior cabins.

* We like a quieter pool scene (well maybe not the kids), the casino, and meeting new folks at dinner. We'll get involved in onboard activities.

 

If you've sailed on either or both ships I would appreciate your honest feedback. While we're comfortable on Royal Caribbean and Radiance sounds nice I think we'd like the festive atmosphere and New Orleans port on Triumph,too.

 

Thanks, you Cruise Critic folks are the best!

[tiger belle]

I have only sailed Carnival, so I can't compare to RCCL

 

we did the 4-day cruise on Triumph just this April...the Triumph is a beautiful ship, and I was not disappointed...I will say that the crowd out of NOLA is a party group as a whole...and I think the 4-day cruises are much more of a party atmosphere than the 7-day ones...there were a lot of 20-somethings on our cruise, so that would be a plus for your kids

 

we are booked for the 7-day Triumph cruise leaving on December 20th, so if you decide on the Triumph cruise, we can wave to you as you're getting off and we are embarking :)

[DFritz]

Too bad you can't have the Radiance out of NOLA. As for ship I would definitely take the Radiance although the Triumph is nice but definitely a difference in service and atmosphere but I really love NOLA as a port to cruise from. The Triumph will definitely be more of a party atmosphere and I'm not a big fan of most of the shipboard activities with Carnival over RCI. Strictly personal opinion and I've sailed 11 times on RCI and 7 on Carnival. Either will still give you a nice family vacation.

[adjburch]

What you get out of a cruise is what you put into one but I have to say that I really like RC and the others over Carnival but I have taken MORE Carnival due to the port being closer to my home.

[goodml]

Let me qualify this by saying I will be sailing on Triumph in December so I am in no way shooting it down. But, if the $$ are similar, the Radiance class ships are absolutely gorgeous. They are so open and there's so much glass in the public areas that the sea is more visible than on any other class.

 

We've sailed on Jewel of the Seas (Radiance class) and Victory (sister ship to Triumph.) Given your criteria and again, if the cost is close I'd take Radiance right away. Make no mistake, on the shorter cruises, you will get more of a party atmosphere on either ship. We have not found RCCL any different than Carnival in that scenerio. Just in terms of ship amenities though, Radiance wins. Plus they have the Solarium which is a covered, adults only pool area. Gotta love that.:)

[LHP]

Never sailed RCCL...but just trying to judge from your post....

 

(especially the "quieter pool scene) if you can get the RCCL for about the same price...I would vote for it if for no other reason than the Adult Solarium.

[sassyredhat]

Haven't sailed Triumph, but have sailed Radiance twice, the last time just this past May. As you can see, we have sailed different classes on CCL.

 

Love Radiance ! And we west coasters are not happy RCI took her away. :)

 

We are in our early 60's. DS and DIL went with us (42 and 33), and they loved the ship. It's a bit quieter than CCL, and the ship is just plain beautiful.

 

Pat

[jerseygirl79]

My guess is that you'd prefer Radiance as well, but you should give Carnival a shot. The DS and DD would probably prefer CCL.

 

On my RCI cruise it was more laid back than any of my CCL cruises. I'm 31 and I LOVE Carnival. I have a co-worker who is 24 and she prefers CCL as well.

[NavarreCruiser]

Let me qualify this by saying I will be sailing on Triumph in December so I am in no way shooting it down. But, if the $$ are similar, the Radiance class ships are absolutely gorgeous. They are so open and there's so much glass in the public areas that the sea is more visible than on any other class.

 

We've sailed on Jewel of the Seas (Radiance class) and Victory (sister ship to Triumph.) Given your criteria and again, if the cost is close I'd take Radiance right away. Make no mistake, on the shorter cruises, you will get more of a party atmosphere on either ship. We have not found RCCL any different than Carnival in that scenerio. Just in terms of ship amenities though, Radiance wins. Plus they have the Solarium which is a covered, adults only pool area. Gotta love that.:)

 

 

I tend to agree with this and the other posts. We have sailed many times on both lines aand although we have not been on either of these ships, have sailed in the Radiance class on RCCL and the Conquest class on CCL (very similiar to Triumph). both of these ships will be nicer than the Sovereign class ships you have sailed in the past. From a physical plant standpoint the Radiance wins. Because of the 4 day length they are likely to both have a party atmosphere. Which ever you choose I am sure you will have a great time.

[Blackboots]

Thanks so much, everyone! Again, love you Cruise Critic Folks. :) I do have a couple more questions concerning cabins. Would LOVE pros and cons!

I got some specific cabin numbers from my TA today:

 

On the Triumph the available cabins are on the Riviera Deck, fore, numbers 1229-1245. Adjacent, not connecting, all interiors. Would appreciate info from anyone who's been on that deck as far as night sounds, space, etc.

 

On Radiance: choose from two sets of interiors on Deck 8, fore/mid 8015-8017 and 8517-8519.

 

Dfritz: Agreed, the Radiance out of NO would be perfect! Tiger belle, I'll definitely give you a wave! Adjburch, perfectly said--you do get out a vacation whatever you put into it.

 

I figured the party atmosphere would prevail on both ships due to the length of the cruise. I'm fine with that. However, it's nice to have a pool or large whirlpool area to escape to when you want to read or listen to music and not watch the sexy legs contest. I like having both worlds available!

[Tapi]

If you do end up sailing on the Carnival Triumph, but you're still looking for that "quiet pool atmosphere", head for the aft pool under the retracting glass roof.

 

It's much quieter and less crowded than the main pool!

[Blackboots]

Thanks Tapi: it looks as if we will go with the Triumph. The lure of New Orleans is the deciding factor. It's now just a matter of finding the best cabin that fits our budget. Any opinions/experience with cabins on the Triumph would be appreciated!

[Luluwa]

Triumph, Triumph, Triumph! :p

[Grits53]

I haven't tried RCCL, but I was on the Triumph twice this spring and love that ship! I agree that the aft pool is the one for you. (Plus, it's surrounded by the pizza, grill, and ice cream machine! :D Oh, and a bar, too, if you like to drink.) DO NOT MISS the Big Easy show!!

[dreamlooker]

i truly beleive have more fun on the ship with this line than the other :D

[Tapi]

Thanks Tapi: it looks as if we will go with the Triumph. The lure of New Orleans is the deciding factor.

 

Congrats on booking your cruise. As you can see from my signature, we're sailing on the Triumph in August. I'll make sure to post a full review.

 

We're planning on arriving in New Orleans the night prior, and we will be taking a morning bus tour before heading to the port of New Orleans (tour company is Gray Line).

 

As far as cabins go, we've been on the Riviera Deck forward before, and it was fine. There is some rumble and shuddering if the seas are choppy, but otherwise, no complaints.

 

If you're looking at inside cabins, keep in mind that on the Triumph there are some cabins that are considered "inside" cabins even though they actually have a window that overlooks an open deck on deck 6, 7, 9, and 10. (I believe they're category 4J's).

 

If you wish to splurge just a bit, regular oceanview cabins are considerably larger (220 sq ft instead of 185 sq ft for the insides). Usually, they're not much more $$ than inside cabins. I usually book 6A or 6B!

[missabbi]

I LOVE the Triumph! Great choice!

[Blackboots]

Tapi, that's a good idea about the oceanview cabins. My DH has to use a C-PAP machine and any extra space we can get around the bed (and I'm guessing we'll have to manuever around with an extension cord, too) would be worth it. I'm going to ask my TA if there's any balconies with nearby interiors, too. But it's good to know that the Riviera Deck wouldn't be too bad if we end up with two interiors. We're ready to give Carnival a spin!

 

Thanks to everyone else for backup on our decision! I'm looking forward to reading any Triumph reviews, tips, and especially finding other folks who'll be on our cruise on the 16th. As soon as I have definite cabins I'll post here and I'll do a trip review in December. As far as RCCL, DH and I have decided to shoot for a 25th anniversary trip next year on Oasis or Allure.

[matj2000]

You gotta be crazy to choose the Triumph, especially if the Radience is close to the same price...

[Blackboots]

matj2000: I understand your point, but going out of New Orleans was the deciding factor for my family. IIRC Voyager OTS will be going out of NO next year, so having a ship of that class will be great for those of us who can drive to that port!