Why Are Other Lines So Much More Expensive

[squirrelgardens]

don't act so surprised.

Ccl is a cheaper chuise line.

Ncl is the only cheaper one.

I read a lot of posts.

Thats what a high percentage of ccl clients want.

Don't act like your's is such a high horse.

Its carnival. The low price leader.

 

Noe why does ccl even have suites on their ships?

 

 

wow just wow.....

[squirrelgardens]

We are actually excited about revisiting CCL this spring on a TA to Barcelona. We are in a GS so we can really spend lots of time watching the sea.....my DH first cruise. As you can see by my signage I have taken all the high end even Regent. The quote by Fireofficer has me gobsmacked.

 

We did Celebrity 3 back to backs last year in a C1 and the aft balcony has food odors all day from the restaurants. Not a great experience and the sneaky smokers on their balconys. There are unclassy people on all the lines so was so taken aback by that comment about suites on CCL.

 

Please tell me we did the right thing. I hate snobs.

[LEtue]

I find that past quest promotions and a great TA (who discounts Princess) can make all the difference. I just booked my Spring 2013 cruise and after comparing past passenger deals on Carnival and Princess - I booked the Ruby Princess. The difference in price over the Dream was $116 total for 2 without counting the OBC from Princess :) I like the itinerary more so it was an easy decision. This was for outside cabins on both (Emerald Deck on the Ruby and Main Deck on the Dream).

 

HAL and Celebrity also have great past passenger rates and promotions but I find the atmosphere on both a bit too quiet ;)

[Cruise4Music]

Don't act so surprised.

CCL is a cheaper chuise line.

Ncl is the only cheaper one.

I read a lot of posts.

Thats what a high percentage of ccl clients want.

Don't act like your's is such a high horse.

Its carnival. The low price leader.

 

Noe why does ccl even have suites on their ships?

 

Your opinions are based on how many Carnival cruises?

 

Always wonder how many people bash Carnival without ever sailing with them?

 

I know one very vocal Carnival critic/poster who has not stepped foot on a Carnival ship for at least 5 years.

 

BTW if I spend 3 times more to sail on a line like, say, Crystal, then everything better be a whole lot better then Carnival.

 

I still bet Carnival is more fun after 10PM.:D

[Ship's Wake]

Lots of great and accurate comparisons here.

 

I like to think of it as looking at a computer, ie: hardware versus software.

 

In the last 12 months I was able to take a Mediterranean cruise on the Carnival Magic and later on the Holland America Eurodam.

 

Ship wise (hardware) Carnival on their newer ships can compete or beat most cruise lines in a comparable price range. On our Carnival Magic cruise (ship was brand new, on its third sailing ever) we had an inside Spa level cabin. My wife, mil, and sil could not have been happier! They loved this ship and still talk about that cruise today.

 

The product (software) was more appealing to me on the Holland America Eurodam. Hot breakfast each morning from room service (omelet, sausage, hot English muffins, coffee, fresh fruit) allowed us to not have to get up each day as early and go for breakfast - it all came to us. What a great way to ease into the day. The Asian specialty restaurant on the Eurodam was outstanding and only $20pp - we ate there three times on a seven day cruise.

 

I like to jog and was on the sports deck on the Carnival Magic. Budget entertainment at its worst. Here I am in Italy at the Livorno port and blaring over the jumbotron TV is CNN? Are you kidding me? They couldn't or wouldn't pay royalties to have any other type of entertainment on the big screen? At least I was moving. I felt sorry to the passengers relaxing by the pool on their vacation having to listen to CNN at top volume - what a way to get away from it all. Or, sailing into Venice (so beautiful to arrive by sea), what do you think was being played over the loudspeakers up on deck? Pavarotti? Bocelli? No, how about Bob Marley, no joke. Caribbean music in Venice (this was a cruise with Carnival's top cruise director John Heald).

 

The little details matter to some, but not to others. That's why we have choices.

 

Carnival's revenue model is based on getting you on board the ship and then selling or upselling you repeatedly things you may want (this is where the profit is). Other lines do the same, but just not as aggressively.

 

It's important to compare newer ships to newer ships when looking at cruises. Carnival still has a good number of older ships in their fleet that no longer have the facilities many customers look for today. To compete they have to discount. Doesn't mean you won't have a great cruise. Just that you could have a better cruise sometimes on a few other lines or on a newer Carnival ship. Usually I have found it is on the older ships where the "deals" are.

[squirrelgardens]

Agreed with above but the real revenue is the bar, bar and spa.

[SNJCruisers]

 

Please tell me we did the right thing. I hate snobs.

Yes, there are snobs everywhere. There are the ones that put down Carnival and believe that their cruise line of choice is so much better and they keep calling Carnival the Wal-Mart of the seas. And then of course there are those few balcony snobs that sail on Carnival that look down their noses at the cruisers who look for the cheapest deal and are relegated to inside accommodations. I am not implying that all people that have turned their back on inside cabins once they "went balcony" are snobs.....but there are a few select ones that post on these boards that like to generalize and paint with wide brush strokes with some of their postings.

[Georgiagolfer]

Yes, there are snobs everywhere. There are the ones that put down Carnival and believe that their cruise line of choice is so much better and they keep calling Carnival the Wal-Mart of the seas. And then of course there are those few balcony snobs that sail on Carnival that look down their noses at the cruisers who look for the cheapest deal and are relegated to inside accommodations. I am not implying that all people that have turned their back on inside cabins once they "went balcony" are snobs.....but there are a few select ones that post on these boards that like to generalize and paint with wide brush strokes with some of their postings.

 

Haven't noticed any "balcony snobs" on CCL looking down on those who book OV and/or Inside rooms. Also never understood the Wal-Mart label or RCI's label as Target. Some people just like to make themselves feel better about their choices, I guess.

[janetz]

I just looked at Celebrity and there was a very affordable cruise that went to St. Lucia. Thinking of booking for next Dec.

 

 

Go for it. You get what you pay for. Celebrity offers a great product.:)

[Deckhandoug]

Our closest port is Tampa so here is a comparison just on price. Each ship brings with it differing things.

 

All western Carribean, all generally the same ports, all prices listed are for 4 people in 1 cabin, all are OV cabins bottom level price for the first 2 weeks of December 2013 (when we are looking for our next cruise)

 

7 Day choices

 

Carnival Legend $1855.92

( This is es rate also the french door cabins which are priced as interiors can be had for less around $1700ish)

 

NCL Norwegian Dawn $2014.96

(be advised this is lowest full view window there are portholes and obstructed view cabins for less)

 

HAL Ryndam $3413.72 :eek:

(currently the 3 and 4 persons are at a fare of $788.43...:eek: one would hope this cost would go down before sailing if not :confused:)

 

 

5 Day choices

 

Carnival Paradise $1152.32

 

RCL Brilliance of the Seas $1679.20

 

Is the brilliance worth $500 more than paradise? Paradise is old and "small" but we found her to be in great shape and having an excellent crew.

 

Hal can go jump off a cliff given that rate. No way its worth double! Is it?

 

Ryndam was great, excellent food and service but not worth those prices to us, what we paid for our Alaska cruise was much more inline with current 7 day cruises on other lines.

 

I'd choose Carnival over RCL and NCL would be my last choice, all things being even.

[Jana60]

Looking to do a cruise that includes St. Lucia and would like to try another cruise line just to see what it is like. They cost so much more than Carnival and I don't understand why. Could someone that has been on a different line please explain this to me?

 

Some people like on lines entertainment better or the food better or just different color scheme in the decor but when it comes down to it, I don't know why the others are so much more expensive. I have cruised on NCL 4 times, RCCL 3 times, Princess 2 times, and Carnival 9 times and I find it is all really just a matter of the opinion and personal preferences. My last cruise was on Princess to Alaska in a mini-suite and while Alaska was fantastic and not to be missed, the entertainment was not as good on Princess as it is on Carnival and the food was only slightly better yet the cruise cost at least 3 times the price of my Carnival cruises. The dining room service is better on Princess but the stateroom service is not nearly as good and the staff in general were much less friendly than on Carnival. You should try a few lines if you can afford to do so and decide for yourself which you like best. Thats what I did.

[Jana60]

Princess allows you to carry on all the wine , and beer you want .along with carrying on more at port stops. With their soda card , You get the sodas , AND milkshakes , juice , virgin drinks , International Cafe is open 24 hrs a day for soups ,sandwiches , hot cookies , pastries , salads, ect

 

Princess told us for our Cruise in June that we could bring 1 bottle of wine each just like Carnival. Their sodas and more card is great but did cost more than their Sodas only card. Carnivals Bottomless bubbles card only gives soda and juices. I would happily pay the higher price to get the Virgin drinks. On Carnival or on Princess you can buy bottles of booze from BonVoyage. On Princess we were able to use that booze to turn Virgin drinks into regular drinks but on Carnival I can only make well drinks or juice drinks but no frozen drinks or more complex drinks.

[cruse2loose]

I can drive to either Galveston TX or New Orleans LA to take a cruise. I have only done Carnival out of TX but I noticed prices were cheaper out of New Orleans. I spoke with a man on my recent Triumph cruise and he said cheaper prices out of New Orleans as there is competition, other cruise companies along with Carnival. I may try one of the other out of New Orleans just to try it. I am retired, can travel on short notice and have just perferred Galveston TX port as opposed to New Orleans.

I think the cruise is all about what you do with your time. I just enjoy relaxing, not having to cook or make my bed and seeing amazing locales.

[SNJCruisers]

I can drive to either Galveston TX or New Orleans LA to take a cruise. I have only done Carnival out of TX but I noticed prices were cheaper out of New Orleans. I spoke with a man on my recent Triumph cruise and he said cheaper prices out of New Orleans as there is competition, other cruise companies along with Carnival. I may try one of the other out of New Orleans just to try it. I am retired, can travel on short notice and have just perferred Galveston TX port as opposed to New Orleans.

I think the cruise is all about what you do with your time. I just enjoy relaxing, not having to cook or make my bed and seeing amazing locales.

Since you can drive to NOLA, have you thought about the new Sunshine? After it debuts over in Europe, it starts off from NOLA with a 6 day sailing on 11/18/13 and then does 7 days alternating between Eastern & Western itineraries. The 12/8/13 Western is only 429 + taxes.

[TravelGal22]

Thanks so much for all of the interesting replies. I have learned allot from this thread. I've booked the Celebrity Summit for the end of Nov. 2013 and paid $589 for an OV in one of their refurbished cabins that has a huge window. We are very excited to try a new line and the itinerary is fantastic! It is for 7 days I believe.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Thanks so much for all of the interesting replies. I have learned allot from this thread. I've booked the Celebrity Summit for the end of Nov. 2013 and paid $589 for an OV in one of their refurbished cabins that has a huge window. We are very excited to try a new line and the itinerary is fantastic! It is for 7 days I believe.

 

Great price and a great cruise. Have fun.

[Jane2357]

I have only ever been on two lines - Carnival and Celebrity. I have 1 Carnival booked right now, my 4th - and 2 booked on Celebrity, my 3rd & 4th. I am not a snobby person but do speak my mind so if anything I say offends someone - it is not my intent. The first time I ever heard of someone calling Carnival the Walmart of Cruise Lines was from a travel agent :eek: - before that I had never heard the term but after 3 Carnival's I'd have to say yes - it is the bargain line as is Walmart - so I don't see calling it that as an insult.

 

I find it difficult to compare ship to ship - as a newer Carnival might well be "nicer" than an older Celebrity, but I think that Celebrity does a better job of maintaining their older ships. Service - yes there are some special touches that make a Celebrity cruise special - love the champagne when you board, the icey towels at the end of a lone port day but Cabin Steward to Cabin Steward - the best one I EVER had was on Carnival. Still - the passengers on Celebrity are more upscale - and I have always seen them enforce the dress code - so the entire experience is more upscale.

 

The crowd is much younger on a Carnival and in my experience not as polite to fellow cruisers but there is alot more night life. I cruise both lines with my 1st choice Celebrity - just a quieter more upscale experience BUT many of my friends can only afford Carnival and some of the BEST times that I have EVER had on a cruise were on Carnival. :D

 

I enjoy each experience for what it is. I'm booked Oct. '13 in my 1st ever Carnival suite - booked in Jan. '13 in my 1st Concierge Class on Celebrity and in Feb. '14 in my 1st ever Celebrity Aft Wrap Sky Suite - I'm so excited for each of these experiences - do I expect them to be equal - no - but I expect that I'll LOVE them all!!!! Cruise on.

[SNJCruisers]

Thanks so much for all of the interesting replies. I have learned allot from this thread. I've booked the Celebrity Summit for the end of Nov. 2013 and paid $589 for an OV in one of their refurbished cabins that has a huge window. We are very excited to try a new line and the itinerary is fantastic! It is for 7 days I believe.

Glad to see that you took my advice from post #37 in this thread regarding the Celebrity Summit when I mentioned it as a possibility since you wanted to visit St Lucia. Have a great cruise and enjoy the huge window.

[Tripper10]

Holland America and Princess. I'm looking for a quieter experience.

 

It's a better product so it cost more.

[Spurs Fans]

We have cruised on Carnival, RCI and Celebrity. Celebrity in our opinion is by far the best for quality of food, entertainment and staff attentiveness. Carnival is good for what they offer, but fall far short of the quality of Celebrity.

[SNJCruisers]

We have cruised on Carnival, RCI and Celebrity. Celebrity in our opinion is by far the best for quality of food, entertainment and staff attentiveness. Carnival is good for what they offer, but fall far short of the quality of Celebrity.

Out of curiosity, which is the truth and which is BS.....your signature states that your cruise history includes Premier, RCI and Celebrity, while your opening statement says "we have cruised on Carnival, RCI and Celebrity."

If for some unknown reason your past Carnival cruises magically got erased from your signature, then you can make a viable comparison since you have cruised on both lines, but if your signature is telling the truth.....then you're just like those over on the loyal royal boards who like to paint with wide brush strokes and assumptions by passing along second and third hand information.

[Gloria Mundi]

If you are discerning enough to appreciate the brand of toiletries in your cabin, the type of linens, the china in the main dining room, the ettiquette displayed by your waiter, cabin steward and other staff members, the taste and quality of the decoration throughout the ship, the level of professionalism of the entertainment onboard, the quality and preparation of the cuisine onboard,...the more upscale brands may be for you.

 

I puzzled over the reasons for the cost differences when DH and I booked a small ship (under 100 passenger) cruise, at spending-your-kids' inheritance prices. There was none of the la-di-da stuff described above- in fact, it was a bit rustic. No entertainment, either. Heavens, what were we thinking?

 

What we paid for was a US-based crew, most with more education than DH and me put together (I have a Bachelors, he has some college, crew members had Masters' in degrees like Marine biology). Five out of the 25 crew were licensed to pilot the boat. None of them folded my jammies into animals (I sleep in a T-shirt anyway). Gratutities were voluntary (although about 10% was recommended) and other than that our bill for 7 days was $140. That included liquor in moderation. The only excursion charge was for when I went snorkeling and used their heavy-duty wet suit and other gear. It was $40. All other excursions (skiffs near glaciers, unlimited kayaking, paddleboarding, hikes) and morning yoga classes were included. They had no income streams from casinos, rock-climbing walls, kickbacks from shops in port, restaurant upcharges, etc. There were no hordes.

 

We'll be back again. While we were not pampered, fawned over and fed caviar off Royal Doulton, we loved it. You really do get what you pay for.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Out of curiosity, which is the truth and which is BS.....your signature states that your cruise history includes Premier, RCI and Celebrity, while your opening statement says "we have cruised on Carnival, RCI and Celebrity."

If for some unknown reason your past Carnival cruises magically got erased from your signature, then you can make a viable comparison since you have cruised on both lines, but if your signature is telling the truth.....then you're just like those over on the loyal royal boards who like to paint with wide brush strokes and assumptions by passing along second and third hand information.

 

 

While they don't have Carnival listed, they really didn't slam Carnival at all. They said Carnival falls short of Celebrity in quality. Thats all. Its not like they made wild half cocked accusation at Carnival.

 

Do you feel Carnival offers the same quality as Celebrity?

[crusinfamof4]

We have sailed on Disney and CCL. On Disney we ate in one of the MDR one night, I didn't care for it, so we opted to not eat there again. Unbeknownst to us (it was our first cruise) they closed the buffet for dinner and it turned into another MDR. As such we were regulated to Pizza, tacos and burgers for dinner. On the other hand, on our two past CCL cruises, we ate in the MDR most evenings, the buffet didn't seem to offer too much. I had a baked potato, a roll, and 3 cheese cubes for dinner one night on the Fascination last week. Enough said.

 

The cabins on Disney were nice, they had a room seperator--i.e. curtain--where we could close the kids off. However, they were still in the room with us. There would have been no way we could have afforded to get them their own cabin like they had last week on CCL.

 

Disney shows, very, very good. I mean, I enjoyed one of the shows on the CCL Dream and the shows on the Fascination were ok, too many thongs (and trust me, I am far from prudish)! But Disney had excellent shows!

 

I would love to sail the other lines, such as RCCL and Norwegian, just they are too much.

[SNJCruisers]

While they don't have Carnival listed, they really didn't slam Carnival at all. They said Carnival falls short of Celebrity in quality. Thats all. Its not like they made wild half cocked accusation at Carnival.

 

Do you feel Carnival offers the same quality as Celebrity?

Based upon my lone Celebrity cruise on the Zenith about 20 years ago, I would say no. I do recall the food being heads and tails better than Carnival's was, but then again, both cruise lines have made many changes over the past 20 years. Both have evolved and are offering many innovative things that savy consumers want. If you do paint with wide brush strokes though, Celebrity is a few notches above Carnival, but that is a subjective opinion on my part. The only knock I have against Celebrity is that they never sail in the Caribbean during the summer.