Is RCCL really worth twice the $$ VS Carnival??

[ripjerry95]

I have wanted to try RC for a long time now. But even the shorty 4 day cruises are like double the money. I am a little scared of the Allure/Oasis but would try freedom or independence. But again, husband and I are broke and find that we can cruise with Carnival and not feel guilty.

[WarumistdieBananekrumm]

The biggest ship I have been on is RCCL Explorer of the seas which did have the promenade in the center. I have also only been on 1 Carnival which was a smaller ship. I feel like the bigger RCCL ships are more for the older crowd and I felt like there wasn't much to do. Carnival has better food. For the price you can't beat what Carnival has to offer. RCCL ships are nicer tho. Personal preference but that's my opinion. I was 18 when I went on my first cruise and for kids I would choose Carnival.

 

Traveled repeatedly on both cruise lines; agreeing with the above - ALL are very valid points;

particularly in view of the kids' age!

 

Have fun and enjoy. :)

[allison0523]

The Freedom class ships are nice, but not twice the money nice, in my humble opinion.

 

I agree and we have been on the Freedom of the Seas, CCL Sensation and Legend. But, I think a lot of it is a matter of preference. But, for that price difference, I would go with the Dream. I thought the food was just as good or better on Carnival as RC and the entertainment was similar but RC was a little bit better. Good luck deciding!

[cantwait2cruise]

I just got back from the Explorer of the Seas and for my money, I'd stick with Carnival.

 

I found the food and entertainment to be uneven. Sometimes things were very good, some things were very bad and a lot was "meh".

 

I missed the seemingly constant activity that's on Carnival cruises - I found there was rarely anything to do on the Explorer (I don't rock climb or skate). Activities were limited, short and it was like everything was scheduled at 10am, 2pm and 10pm. Nothing was scheduled during early dining but they seemed to have no problem scheduling stuff so that we had to beat it out of late dining to get there.

 

Portofinos was a joke for us (terrible), compared to our awesome experiences at the steakhouse on the Dream.

 

The adult pool area was nice but over cholerenated - I wear a tshirt over my swimsuit so my sholders don't burn - it was bleached from medium green to very light green after 1 time in the pool and hot tub.

 

The buffet food was repetative, bland and overall not very enticing. We ended up eating in the dining room for every sea day lunch and skipping most breakfasts.

 

The cruise wasn't bad - it just wasn't as good as I've experienced on either Carnival or Disney.

 

For the price we paid, it served it's purpose - was very relaxing, didn't do much, enjoyed the freestyle coke machines and some of the meals. It's just not an experience I'm rushing to repeat.

 

I am looking to book another Carnival cruise though - I now appreciate the fun atmosphere, the costant activities and the menus (yes, I had the recent menus and the comedy brunch last October so I'm not in for any disappointments).

 

How about Carnival vs. Disney since I see in your signature that you've done several Disney. We would love to do A Disney cruise but wow the prices. We've done three off site Disney trips and are Disney lovers but are worried about the high cost of Disney cruises.

[kathy884]

We are doing a little more extravagant trip than normal for DS's high school graduation. I knew he'd enjoy one of the huge RCCL ship (would get a kick out of cruisng on the biggest cruise ship in the world), so priced out midship balcony. With air, cruise, excursions, etc., it was way higher than I thought it would be. For the same money for our extended family group (14), and this is what we are actually doing, we are renting a beautiful house on the beach in Kauai, getting a few rental cars, doing some great excursions and beach days. Budget wise the two trips were almost exactly the same price. // Just can't pay that much for a Carribean cruise that goes to ports I'm been to many times before or pay that much for a cruise in general.

 

I'ver never cruised RCCL before but my brother (a frequent cruiser) thinks RCCL is worth a premium over Carnival, but if it's more than $150 pp he usually does Carnival instead. He loves the RCCL class of the Voyager and above. Thinks they are just stunning, really well designed.

 

For our next cruise, we are looking at the Carnival Valor out of San Juan. It's not one of the RCCL mega ships, but the Jewel of the Seas for the same timeframe for a balcony cabin is $130 pp more, not too bad. Vacations to go rated the Valor 4.0 and the Jewel 4.5, so thinks of the RCCL ship as a little nicer. Itininaries are different, though. Just mentioning that in some markets, there isn't that big a price differential. In this market, but yet another different itinary, the Celebrity Summit rated 5.0 is just $55 more than Carnival for a balcony. // For a port intensive San Juan cruise, I personally, however, would pick the cruise for the ports more than anything else.

[travelplus]

Having been on RCCL and enjoying it I booked my second cruise on RCCL because we loved our Trans Atlantic so much that our mentality is "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I am also hoping to go on Celebrity and Azamara too.

 

I read mixed reviews on Carnival but am not discounting them just not our taste. I love the various activities on RCCL and the services rendered were great.

[TMWTim]

Interesting thread. We only head out of Galveston, we can drive there saving $$$ for flights and so forth, so we have only been on CCL thus far. I have yet to see a reason to switch cruise lines out of Galveston. I am hearing news about Galveston becoming a more popular cruise port in the near future with additional lines and many more itinerary options. However, I can't justify paying almost double for the same itineraries. I have no problem paying the additional fee but can't figure out why I would. You guys in Florida have it made! Jealous I am.

[ibcnusoon]

Spot on!

 

Not sure where the "double the price" came from, but it is inaccurate. Sure, there may be some cruises where RCCL is more expensive, but if you do your homework, you can get very reasonable rates AND a better product from RCCL.

 

In addition, the RCCL loyalty program is head over heels better than Carnival's.

 

I agree. Where are people seeing double for RCL cruises??

 

First of all, if you want entertainment on a ship STAY AWAY FROM CARNIVAL! You will be sorely disappointed, entertainment anywhere on the ship is slim to none, unless you call trivia games with 10 other people in the grand auditorium "entertainment". The only live music we found was in the casino bar and it was so packed and smokey from people sitting at he bar, people passing through, it's always an adventure trying to pass by on Promenade deck.

 

Anyway, I won't continue to rant on Carnival. Just that people saying it's twice the price probably own stock in Carnival. I am cruising on NCL this year and RCL next year, I compared the prices to Carnival and although I'm paying a little more, I feel I'll get the best overall experience, not just a floating motel that Carnival is turning into.

[darth frosty]

Oasis and allure for the sheer experience of being on a ship that size.

 

But for any other ship IMO you cant beat ccl price.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Are there new menus since October? If you are talking about the menus that changed in 2011 they really did not change just added stuff (nothing I am in favor of) but still the same original things.

I like Carnival's MDR food better than RCCL but sure like the entertainment on RCCL. They are real shows. What I remember in the '80's on Carnival. I have to admit we don't cruise for the shows. RCCl has some different amenities that Carnival doesn't but not on every ship--flo rider, rock/transition wall. Not something I need ( I have that type of equipment in my business), but others really like it.

I really find most lines are more similar than different. Just my opinion after cruising the 3 of the main lines for 25+ years.

As seen above people have their own preferences for a number of reasons so while valid for one person may not be for another.

You may change your tune when you see and taste the new menus on Carnival

[Traci1960]

As you can see from my signature, I have cruised NCL and Carnival (Dream and Magic) and have Carnival Breeze booked for April 2013 (cant wait to try the new resteraunts) and RCCL Allure for January 2014.

 

I LOVE Carnival's larger ships. They are easy to navigate, and have great COMPLIMENTARY resteraunts! That being said, the evening show kinda suck...

 

I have always wanted to book "The largest cruise ship in the world!" and even though with 2 new knees I wont be on the flowRider or Rock wall, I wanted to have the RCCL experience and the broadway entertainment sounds awesome. There are SO MANY dining options, although most have extra costs involved, so I only plan on one specialty dining (received with my booking as a bonus!)

 

I was able to book both the Breeze and the Allure for almost the exact same cost for our balcony cabin - although the balcony on the Allure will overlook Central Park (a truely unique experience)

 

I am looking forward to comparing the different lines for sure!!

[lattegirl10]

I recently got off the Breeze and thought it was awesome, but when I started giving comparisons to friends, the Oasis won.

 

Regarding food: I loved the options offered on both cruises, Oasis had more but they charged for them. Across the board with everything, it felt like we were being "nickled and dimed" for everything. Johnny Rockets is good but Guys Burger joint was awesome. So if you are willing to pay extra for the cruise in comparison to Carnival and extra for the specialty then Allure/Oasis is maybe better. Maybe.

 

Entertainment- Oasis is better. Period

 

Activities- If you list what the Breeze has and then list what Oasis/Allure has that's fun- Oasis/Allure wins. (ice skating, rock climbing, zipline, 2 flowriders, 3d theatre, serenity deck etc.)

 

But, Carnival usually has a hipper, crazier. more fun crowd.

 

 

I hope this helps.

 

They are both great and its good to try both.

[dclark]

I also don't like the fact that you have to get tickets for a lot of the shows, etc. Just a P.I.A., in my opinion. I did enjoy the ice show, simply because it's something different, but there again, I had to stand in line to get a ticket, and stand in line to get into the rink/theater, and that's no fun

 

At least they HAVE shows!