Apples to Apples

[MommaOf3Princesses]

This year we cruised on a Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise. Since many people ask on these boards how they compare i wanted to do a quick comparison since ship classes and itinerary were similar.

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN - 3 night Bahamas out of Port Canaveral

Ship: Monarch of the Seas

Cabin: Oceanview

Ports: Nassau, Coco Cay (missed due to weather)

 

CARNIVAL - 5 nights Bahamas out of Port Canaveral

Ship: Ecstasy

Cabin: Grand Suite

Ports: Freeport, Nassau, Half Moon Cay

 

How they compare....

 

Embark/Debark: quick and easy on both (they use different terminals)

Ship Overall: Ecstasy was nicer and more updated

Casino: MotS was nicer

Pool Area: Ecstasy was nicer with more chairs/options

Food Options: Ecstasy had more options

Buffets: MotS buffet food was very good and varied more. Ecstasy buffet was awful food and very repeatative.

Main Dining: Carnival food in MDR beat out MotS. The MDR on Ecstasy food was so good.

Entertainment Staff: MotS had more entertainment options

Staff Overall: Ecstasy staff was nicer/happier, they seemed happy and always smiling

Drinks: I enjoyed the drinks on Ecstasy more but they were similar and priced similar

 

Overall these two ships were more similar than different. They both offer something for everyone. For me it all comes down to price and itinerary and that is how i will pick my next cruise!

[jarrettdad]

How did the costs compare?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thank you nice job ..

[jimbo5544]

Nice post and review. Ships are probably comparable in age

[NHNEV2003]

Good honest comparison-- thanks.

 

 

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[cruzsnooze]

How do you call it apples to apples comparing the grand suite on carnival to an oceanview on RCL? How can you compare a 3 night cruise to a 5 night cruise? It was definatly not a fair comparison.

[CapeCodCruiser]

How do you call it apples to apples comparing the grand suite on carnival to an oceanview on RCL? How can you compare a 3 night cruise to a 5 night cruise? It was definatly not a fair comparison.

 

OP did not make any observations about cabins nor any items that 2 more days on a cruise would really make a difference.

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

How do you call it apples to apples comparing the grand suite on carnival to an oceanview on RCL? How can you compare a 3 night cruise to a 5 night cruise? It was definatly not a fair comparison.

 

Nowhere in the review is there a comparison of the kind of cabin.

 

 

Thanks for the review. I have been on both of these ships also and think they are pretty comparable. We also missed Coco Cay on the MOS, and having read reviews on CC, it was pretty 50/50 on whether or not that port would be missed, so while I was disappointed, I wasn't too surprised.

[firefly333]

How did the costs compare?

 

RCL Monarch and Majesty are particularly cheap because they are older ships that RCL is selling off, 2 already sold.. very small cabins. Not like the rest of the fleet. Only these two left, not sold off.

 

I would take a cruise on any other ship but these two if you really want to know more about how RCL compares.... these two ships are exceptions and sizes of cabins changed a lot when they built more ships.

[SkyMaster]

RCL Monarch and Majesty are particularly cheap because they are older ships that RCL is selling off, 2 already sold.. very small cabins. Not like the rest of the fleet. Only these two left, not sold off.

 

I would take a cruise on any other ship but these two if you really want to know more about how RCL compares.... these two ships are exceptions and sizes of cabins changed a lot when they built more ships.

 

I don't know about that Fly. I cruised "Mariner of the Seas" last year, and the cabin was very, very small. I was surprised at the size of the cabin, on that relatively new ship! We haven't sailed the Alure of her sister yet. Are the cabins really that much larger on the very newest RCI ships?

 

"SKY"

[Cushing985]

How do you call it apples to apples comparing the grand suite on carnival to an oceanview on RCL? How can you compare a 3 night cruise to a 5 night cruise? It was definatly not a fair comparison.

 

She didn't compare cabins and I would think a 3 day cruise and a 5 day cruise would have the same type passenger. Don't analyze so much...it will just give you a headache! Concentrate on the food, pool, embarkation and casino.

[firefly333]

I don't know about that Fly. I cruised "Mariner of the Seas" last year, and the cabin was very, very small. I was surprised at the size of the cabin, on that relatively new ship! We haven't sailed the Alure of her sister yet. Are the cabins really that much larger on the very newest RCI ships?

 

"SKY"

 

Have you been on Majesty or Monarch?? Insides are 119 s.f. and OVs were listed as 121 s.f.. much much smaller than Mainer, which insides are only a little smaller and balconys, overall s.f. is larger than a standard balcony on Carnival. Believe me .. there is a huge difference in the size of cabins on these 2 ships vs the others.. so compare for yourself on cruisedeckplans.com

 

This is what a quad OV on SOV looked like (its now sold), listed as 121 s.f. This is almost the entire cabin, plus a desk and bathroom. thats it.

 

[rsjc]

Thanks for your comparison!! Its always nice to hear peoples opinions.

[APDMOM]

Overall these two ships were more similar than different. They both offer something for everyone. For me it all comes down to price and itinerary and that is how i will pick my next cruise!

 

My motto, exactly! I think anyone can tell from our cruise experiences that we are not cruise line loyal - price comes first & ports are a close second.

 

I think you did an excellent job of comparing two very similar ships. Both were inaugurated in 1991 and refurbished in 2011. They are of similar size and the items you compare are indeed very appropriately "apples to apples " :D I, for one appreciate the review! It is helpful. Thank you!

[larkz]

Overall these two ships were more similar than different. They both offer something for everyone. For me it all comes down to price and itinerary and that is how i will pick my next cruise!

 

Thanks. Very helpful information, good to know.

[NavarreCruiser]

Have you been on Majesty or Monarch?? Insides are 119 s.f. and OVs were listed as 121 s.f.. much much smaller than Mainer, which insides are only a little smaller and balconys, overall s.f. is larger than a standard balcony on Carnival. Believe me .. there is a huge difference in the size of cabins on these 2 ships vs the others.. so compare for yourself on cruisedeckplans.com

 

This is what a quad OV on SOV looked like (its now sold), listed as 121 s.f. This is almost the entire cabin, plus a desk and bathroom. thats it.

 

 

 

We havent been on the Monarch or Majesty OTS but we were on sister Sovereign (sp) OTS 3 times. That class of ship and Nordic Empress (later renamed Empress of the Seas) had some of the smallest cabins known to mankind.

[Georgiagolfer]

We havent been on the Monarch or Majesty OTS but we were on sister Sovereign (sp) OTS 3 times. That class of ship and Nordic Empress (later renamed Empress of the Seas) had some of the smallest cabins known to mankind.

 

You got that right. Our very 1st cruise was on Nordic Empress, and we had an inside. I could stand at the door and turn the light off at night and jump in bed before it got dark.:D LOL. Seriously, loved it so much, we have been cruising ever since, RCI and CCL.

[MommaOf3Princesses]

How did the costs compare?

 

Cost for both were about $85-105 per person per day. We got a great upgrade from Carnival from OV to GS a few days before departure so that is why Carnival was a little bit more per day per person.

[MommaOf3Princesses]

How do you call it apples to apples comparing the grand suite on carnival to an oceanview on RCL? How can you compare a 3 night cruise to a 5 night cruise? It was definatly not a fair comparison.

 

I never compared the cabins or the number of days....the amenties, food, ships, ports, services and staff. The Ecstasy and Monarch both run short cruises and turn over thousands of passangers every few days.

[MommaOf3Princesses]

Yes both ships are old but Ecstasy has been updated recently. I have also been on 7 night RCI on the Navigator of the Seas and yes it is a different experience....many cruise itinerary and ship classes play a big part on comparasons that is why i felt these 2 were apples to apples.

 

I plan to do a mega ship in the next few years, but i need an AI or resort vacation next!

[SASA13]

Thank you for doing this. It is a great comparision :o

[NavarreCruiser]

[/color]

 

You got that right. Our very 1st cruise was on Nordic Empress, and we had an inside. I could stand at the door and turn the light off at night and jump in bed before it got dark.:D LOL. Seriously, loved it so much, we have been cruising ever since, RCI and CCL.

 

You gave me a chuckle. It took us a few years but now we are serious cruisers doing 90 nights a year.

[CRUISE4JANE]

Yes both ships are old but Ecstasy has been updated recently. I have also been on 7 night RCI on the Navigator of the Seas and yes it is a different experience....many cruise itinerary and ship classes play a big part on comparasons that is why i felt these 2 were apples to apples.

 

I plan to do a mega ship in the next few years, but i need an AI or resort vacation next!

 

I am going on Navigator of the Seas in February. How are the balcony rooms and promenade rooms? Are they extremely small? :confused: Hate to ask this question, but sometimes it takes a while for someone on RCI board to answer. I don't think they have too many CC members on that board. :rolleyes: Never had to wait but a second for Carnival members to answer when I was on their board.

[firefly333]

I am going on Navigator of the Seas in February. How are the balcony rooms and promenade rooms? Are they extremely small? :confused: Hate to ask this question, but sometimes it takes a while for someone on RCI board to answer. I don't think they have too many CC members on that board. :rolleyes: Never had to wait but a second for Carnival members to answer when I was on their board.

 

I had a PR cabin and love the promenade cabins, though they are not huge, the window had a window seat to watch the parades that are so crowded I would miss them otherwise. It was one of my favorite cabins on RCL (well of course the JS was nicer, but for a cheaper cabin).

 

People on the Carnival boards propagate that all the cabins are smaller on RCL, which isnt true, just means they travel on the older ships. Balconys the total s.f. is LARGER than a regular balcony on Carnival.

 

Do you have a E or D balcony?? the Es are the smallest.

 

Sleeps up to: 4

Avg sq ft cabin: 184

Balcony: 47 (equals 231 s.f. total)

 

vs

 

Carnival's balconys are 185 s.f. plus 35 s.f. balcony

 

So if you count the balcony .. which is larger than Carnivals, the total s.f. is larger .. but people say well the E balcony is 1 s.f. smaller inside. .. whatever.

 

You will have MORE s.f. than on Carnival for a standard balcony with the smallest balcony on that ship.

 

D balconys

Sleeps up to: 4

Avg sq ft cabin: 202

Balcony: 50

[wiskt]

This year we cruised on a Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise. Since many people ask on these boards how they compare i wanted to do a quick comparison since ship classes and itinerary were similar.

 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN - 3 night Bahamas out of Port Canaveral

Ship: Monarch of the Seas

Cabin: Oceanview

Ports: Nassau, Coco Cay (missed due to weather)

 

CARNIVAL - 5 nights Bahamas out of Port Canaveral

Ship: Ecstasy

Cabin: Grand Suite

Ports: Freeport, Nassau, Half Moon Cay

 

How they compare....

 

Embark/Debark: quick and easy on both (they use different terminals)

Ship Overall: Ecstasy was nicer and more updated

Casino: MotS was nicer

Pool Area: Ecstasy was nicer with more chairs/options

Food Options: Ecstasy had more options

Buffets: MotS buffet food was very good and varied more. Ecstasy buffet was awful food and very repeatative.

Main Dining: Carnival food in MDR beat out MotS. The MDR on Ecstasy food was so good.

Entertainment Staff: MotS had more entertainment options

Staff Overall: Ecstasy staff was nicer/happier, they seemed happy and always smiling

Drinks: I enjoyed the drinks on Ecstasy more but they were similar and priced similar

 

Overall these two ships were more similar than different. They both offer something for everyone. For me it all comes down to price and itinerary and that is how i will pick my next cruise!

 

 

Good comparison. I was on the Monarch a while ago and the one comparisson I noticed (and pointed it out in my review) was I just felt that the upkeep & maintainence of the RCL ship was poor. I noticed very old paint peeling on the metal railings and the peeling wooden hand rails around the one deck. To the point of splinter hazzard. It just appeared a little neglected to me. I had heard that RCL was planning on selling the MONARCH & the MARINER so seemed like RCL was focussing more on their HUGE money-makers like OASIS etc..

 

I do want to sail on the OASIS or the FREEDOM of the seas and hopefully will get the full RCL experience. I felt a little shorted on the MONARCH, regardless of older ship or not it was still RCL and expected the same experience. Im sure it will be a totally different one.