Looking for some honest feedback

[ktharris120]

Hi All,

 

My dh and I are booked on the Feb Break Sailing of Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne..7 night Bahamian. I am paying about $1500 for the two of us in a promenade stateroom. We did this cruise last year and despite the cold weather, we had a lovely and relaxing time.

 

I have been getting offers from Carnival. I can sail for 8 nights to the Bahamas in an inside midship lido deck room for $969 total for the two of us.

 

I am a HUGE RCCL fan and have sailed on Voyager Class ships many times. I have only taken a couple of short carnival cruises.

 

The plus for carnival is:

 

one night more

$500 plus savings

port is 20 -25 minutes closer to home

The carnival itinerary is better hours in port (ie all day instead of afternoon arrivals).

 

Carnival tells me that the room will be 185 sq feet....rccl lists promenade as 165 sq ft.

 

I would love to have some honest feedback from someone who has knowledge of both lines.

 

Thank you!

[Cruisegirl6]

I been on 50 cruises...many Carnival and RC so I feel I can honestly give you my accurate opinion to your question.

 

First I need to know what is the name of the Carnival ship?

[LovesCruising]

I am assuming its the Pride out of Baltimore?

 

Didn't think of the Splendour

[Cruising89143]

Since you have cruised both lines you know what to expect from each cruise line. After that it would come down to what is more important. Price, itinerary or going with what you like best? I assume that this is the Carnival Splendor?

 

For me if I were making the decision going with what I like best. Carnival is now dead last on my list of cruise lines. IMHO there are better options out there and it would be waste of my money. Good luck with your choice.

[39august]

You are comparing the price of an inside cabin to the price of a cabin with a view. What is the difference in price comparing both RCI and Carnival inside cabins? I do know from these boards that Carnival's cabins are larger.

[Upandadam]

Carnival has slightly better rooms on average and a more comfortable show lounge. The hub of their ships is the casino. A bit more of a Walmart crowd on Carnival and a bit more of a rude foreigner crowd on RCI. :cool: Many more similarities than differences.

[Cruisegirl6]

The only Carnival ships that I recommend that are decent is the Dream, Breeze and Magic.

 

Kathy you said that your paying 1500 on RC for promenade room and Carnivals offer is 969 for inside room. I can tell you that the promenade rooms are very nice and include a sitting area which you won't be getting on the Carnival ship. You will be able to look out the large window to the interior of the ship its nice.

 

Then comes the issue of food, putting aside the three carnival ships I recommend and assuming its not one of them, you cannot compare the service and food of what you get on RC to Carnivals. Carnivals service/staff overall always has been a hit and miss...RC always is excellent overall. Food...MDR can be on par with one another that's just a matter of personal taste but I assure you the buffets on RC are so much better overall (variety, selection) than Carnivals. At night you can get more things to eat where Carnival is really extremely limited on what you can eat past 11pm.

 

As far as the size stateroom, you really won't be able to tell much difference. RC is planned out very well. You will get much better quality shows on RC.

 

I also would like the extra day but let me just say one thing...we were debating Carnival Breeze (8 days) or Allure ( 7 days) it was a difficult choice there but then we really thought about what is most important, to us its the service, selection/variety of food offered and RC won.

 

You pay for what you get. :)

[Desert Cruizers]

Having not sailed Carnival I can't offer a comparison on the two ships. Myself I prefer the RCCL ships. My final decision on a particular cruise, comes down to the price, ship, itinerary and times in Port. With the cost differance, and your knowing both lines, then you will need to decide which is important. To me an inside cabin would not be my choice but that is just me. I have been known to pay a little more for a cruise, because I prefer the ship and itinerary.

[help04me]

Hi All,

 

My dh and I are booked on the Feb Break Sailing of Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne..7 night Bahamian. I am paying about $1500 for the two of us in a promenade stateroom. We did this cruise last year and despite the cold weather, we had a lovely and relaxing time.

 

I have been getting offers from Carnival. I can sail for 8 nights to the Bahamas in an inside midship lido deck room for $969 total for the two of us.

 

I am a HUGE RCCL fan and have sailed on Voyager Class ships many times. I have only taken a couple of short carnival cruises.

 

The plus for carnival is:

 

one night more

$500 plus savings

port is 20 -25 minutes closer to home

The carnival itinerary is better hours in port (ie all day instead of afternoon arrivals).

 

Carnival tells me that the room will be 185 sq feet....rccl lists promenade as 165 sq ft.

 

I would love to have some honest feedback from someone who has knowledge of both lines.

 

Thank you!

/ it depends on what is important I will not even cruise on a rc ship unless it is voyager class or higher. I love the royal promenade and the ice shows . and as far as the cabins I am in them to sleep and to get ready for dinner. a lot of people put a high value into the staterooms I personally do not see the importance just my opinion what ever you choice good luck and enjoy

[roscoegirl]

Just curious...What exactly is a 'Walmart crowd'? I've been on 3 different RCI ships (one of those twice) and on the Carnival Pride 3 times. I have yet been able to determine who shops at Walmart and who doesn't. If it's the behavior of the guests that lends itself to the 'Walmart' comparison, I can say I've never had a problem on the Pride...met many nice folks who really enjoy socializing. On RCI however, some guests are snobbish and rude.

 

To answer the OPs question: I've sailed on the Explorer and there really is no comparison to the Pride (if in fact that's the Carnival ship with the better pricing)

 

Yes, the cabins on the Pride are very nice in terms of the amount of space. The Explorer is a beautiful ship IMO with much more to get into however, I was not that impressed with the MDR foods. Portofino's on the Explorer was great.

 

On the Pride, the MDR foods are just as good as the steakhouse- David's, which was also great. The Explorer has one big plus--the Ice Shows: simply fabulous!

 

The Pride is a good cruise for the money but not many 'bells/whistles'. That having been said, I'd still sail the Pride for as long as she will be home ported in Baltimore.

 

Once on the Explorer was enough for me. Hope this info helps you to decide :)

[Upandadam]

Just curious...What exactly is a 'Walmart crowd'? I've been on 3 different RCI ships (one of those twice) and on the Carnival Pride 3 times. I have yet been able to determine who shops at Walmart and who doesn't. If it's the behavior of the guests that lends itself to the 'Walmart' comparison, I can say I've never had a problem on the Pride...met many nice folks who really enjoy socializing. On RCI however, some guests are snobbish and rude.

 

To answer the OPs question: I've sailed on the Explorer and there really is no comparison to the Pride (if in fact that's the Carnival ship with the better pricing)

 

Yes, the cabins on the Pride are very nice in terms of the amount of space. The Explorer is a beautiful ship IMO with much more to get into however, I was not that impressed with the MDR foods. Portofino's on the Explorer was great.

 

On the Pride, the MDR foods are just as good as the steakhouse- David's, which was also great. The Explorer has one big plus--the Ice Shows: simply fabulous!

 

The Pride is a good cruise for the money but not many 'bells/whistles'. That having been said, I'd still sail the Pride for as long as she will be home ported in Baltimore.

 

Once on the Explorer was enough for me. Hope this info helps you to decide :)

 

Shopping at Walmart doesn't make you part of the Walmart crowd nor does being part of the Walmart crowd make you a bad person. rolleyes: but if you've cruised enough different ships and itineraries, you know my meaning. If not, you won't.

[Cruisegirl6]

My comparisons RC and Carnival ships (excluding Dream, Magic and Breeze because I highly recommend these three ships)

 

Ship interior- both clean

Ship Exterior/outdoor deck space- both

Pool- RC definitely, much larger, nicer and fresh water Carnival has salt water

Breakfast buffet- RC more choices but scrambled eggs fake/dry ones on Carnival)

Lunch buffet- RC

Dinner Buffet- never ate just seen it have to say both

Late night snacks- RC

Bedding- both even

Balcony- RC

Interior Stateroom- they both have great qualities and sufficient amount of storage, bathrooms are equal also

Nice place to sit with view- RC Viking Crown Lounge

Cocktails- both

Service overall- RC way better

Specialty dining- both excellent but RC many more choices

Shows- RC (ice show is the best always)

Casino- Carnival more generous lets say lol

Assortment slots- Carnival

Activities- both same

For Kids- RC offers more choices but both are wonderful

MDR Food- just depends on personal taste, I may prefer Carnivals more but we really dine 5 out of 7 nights at specialty dining so maybe I can't make this judgement

Liquor package- RC no limits given

Embarkation/Disembarkation- equal

 

Now if you were to ask me whether I choose NCL or Carnival I have to say Carnival!!

[Wilda]

Did you post this on the Carnival board as well? Seems like you should ask both camps in order to get more balanced feedback!

 

I have sailed both and would not go back to Carnival. I would sail w/Princess again- which shows that I am not fully loyal to Royal. Only you can decide...

[roscoegirl]

Shopping at Walmart doesn't make you part of the Walmart crowd nor does being part of the Walmart crowd make you a bad person. rolleyes: but if you've cruised enough different ships and itineraries, you know my meaning. If not, you won't.

 

Well thank you for that explanation (I think)...:rolleyes: I guess maybe I have not sailed enough to be closed-minded and judge people one way or another. I've enjoyed the cruises I have taken and I am glad there are a variety of different people/personalities on all ships and all cruiselines.:)

 

To the OP: I don't think you could go wrong with either cruise option...you are sure to have a great time with either ship! Happy Sails!!:)

[Upandadam]

Well thank you for that explanation (I think)...:rolleyes: I guess maybe I have not sailed enough to be closed-minded and judge people one way or another. I've enjoyed the cruises I have taken and I am glad there are a variety of different people/personalities on all ships and all cruiselines.:)

 

To the OP: I don't think you could go wrong with either cruise option...you are sure to have a great time with either ship! Happy Sails!!:)

 

Of course, you weren't being closed minded or judgemental at all when you said many people on RCI are snobbish and rude. And the next time someone asks for honest feedback, I'll be sure to run it past you first.

[Cruising89143]

Well thank you for that explanation (I think)...:rolleyes: I guess maybe I have not sailed enough to be closed-minded and judge people one way or another. I've enjoyed the cruises I have taken and I am glad there are a variety of different people/personalities on all ships and all cruiselines.:)

 

To the OP: I don't think you could go wrong with either cruise option...you are sure to have a great time with either ship! Happy Sails!!:)

 

So calling people snobbish is not closed minded? Pot meet kettle.

[Merion_Mom]

Carnival has slightly better rooms on average and a more comfortable show lounge. The hub of their ships is the casino. A bit more of a Walmart crowd on Carnival and a bit more of a rude foreigner crowd on RCI. :cool: Many more similarities than differences.

 

I was sort of tempted to "call you out" on your post until I looked at your signature:

 

CCL Dream - Exotic Western - Platinum 2012

CCL Freedom - Western Caribbean 2011

RCI Allure of the Seas - Western Caribbean 2011

CCL Spirit - Cabo San Lucas 2010

CCL Spirit - Southern Mexican Riviera 2010

RCI Mariner of the Seas - Mexican Riviera 2009

CCL Splendor - Mexican Riviera 2009

CCL Miracle - Southern Caribbean 2009

CCL Elation - Cabo San Lucas 2008

CCL Elation - Cabo San Lucas 2008

CCL Triumph - Eastern Caribbean 2007

Grand Princess - Western Caribbean 2006

CCL Triumph - Western Caribbean 2005

 

If anyone has the credibility to post that, YOU DO! :)

[EllieD]

I am one of the "Walmart people" and like many of my fellow "Walmarters" I have cruised both lines over my 12 cruises. I like different things about both cruise lines. My last two cruises were Carnival Triumph and Carnival Magic so time to swing back to RCCL!

 

I too am a HUGE RCCL fan - Voyager class is my favorite! However since I've had wonderful cruises on both lines (and even my one Norwegian cruise) I am able to select my cruises based on finances, itinerary, and departure port. All that factors in because the less I spend the more future cruising options I have later. Sometimes I do inside cabins to save money, other times I do older ships to save money, and sometimes I sail out of my home state port, because it saves me money.

 

So you asked for an honest opinion. Mine is that only you know whether switching to Carnival is going to ruin your cruise experience. If you think it might you should just spend the money and stick with a product you KNOW you love!! You can't go wrong there!

 

I feel fortunate that so far I haven't met a cruiseline I didn't enjoy :D because it means I always have a lot of options when I cruise! This year you'll find me and my Walmart mom chillin' in our Crown Loft suite on RCCL. And next Christmas it's a family vacation in inside cabins back on Carnival!:)

 

Have fun, whatever you decide!

[C Cruise Dude]

Hi All,

 

My dh and I are booked on the Feb Break Sailing of Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne..7 night Bahamian. I am paying about $1500 for the two of us in a promenade stateroom. We did this cruise last year and despite the cold weather, we had a lovely and relaxing time.

 

I have been getting offers from Carnival. I can sail for 8 nights to the Bahamas in an inside midship lido deck room for $969 total for the two of us.

 

I am a HUGE RCCL fan and have sailed on Voyager Class ships many times. I have only taken a couple of short carnival cruises.

 

The plus for carnival is:

 

one night more

$500 plus savings

port is 20 -25 minutes closer to home

The carnival itinerary is better hours in port (ie all day instead of afternoon arrivals).

 

Carnival tells me that the room will be 185 sq feet....rccl lists promenade as 165 sq ft.

 

I would love to have some honest feedback from someone who has knowledge of both lines.

 

Thank you!

 

I have sailed Explorer in January and I have sailed Carnival 6 times. I suspect that the Carnival ship is the Breeze or the Freedom (have sailed both). As much as I loved Explorer, I would save the money and go out of and return to a warm weather port than NY in February. I did a quick look up, if it's Splendor out of NY, I would go with Explorer. The reason, the Royal Promenade. It's cold out side ad it's a nice place to be. On our last day, we could not go out because of bad weather. IMHO. Jack

 

This is what it looked like.

[iheartbda]

I was sort of tempted to "call you out" on your post until I looked at your signature:

 

CCL Dream - Exotic Western - Platinum 2012

CCL Freedom - Western Caribbean 2011

RCI Allure of the Seas - Western Caribbean 2011

CCL Spirit - Cabo San Lucas 2010

CCL Spirit - Southern Mexican Riviera 2010

RCI Mariner of the Seas - Mexican Riviera 2009

CCL Splendor - Mexican Riviera 2009

CCL Miracle - Southern Caribbean 2009

CCL Elation - Cabo San Lucas 2008

CCL Elation - Cabo San Lucas 2008

CCL Triumph - Eastern Caribbean 2007

Grand Princess - Western Caribbean 2006

CCL Triumph - Western Caribbean 2005

 

If anyone has the credibility to post that, YOU DO! :)

I'm stuck on the "bit more of a rude foreigner crowd on RCI.":confused:

[KarinaGW]

I have sailed a bunch on RCCL and only once on Carnival (the Fascination (long story) which I found out after the fact (from some Carnival cruisers) is not anywhere near a Carnival top of the line ship. Here are the notes I wrote to myself at the time (new comments will be in red.)

 

Good points:

 

Decor, (I really like the Carnival ships, shoot me, but see below)

Taste of food (Taste, I say. I will contend that Carnival is Denny's level & RCCL Applebee's/Outback)

Buffet drink cart (Carnival flat out does drinks better than RCCL)

Drinks, in general (see above)

Cabin & stuff (Had an inside cabin. Bigger than RCCL, had a robe. nice layout)

Outside eating options (I like the way their WJ equivalent is laid out. Many more options for both eating outside)

Cute, gimmicky drink cups (see above)

Drink of day discount. (ditto)

deli (OMG, I would kill for that damn deli..didn't care much about the pizza station, but good corned beef or pastrami...yumm)

Sushi every day (mediocre sushi, except one which I've forgotten the name of, but sushi) at tea-ish time

 

Bad

MUSTER

Activities locations (They have a beautiful ship with gorgeous spaces and they use them BADLY!!)

training of dining room waitstaff (The training, not the enthusiasm/friendliness)

Food availability - hours, room service

Hours!!! - serenity, the anti-funship

Attitude towards singles, ESPECIALLY photographers

 

 

Same on both RCCL & Carnival

Personnel friendliness

Cleanliness

Sit down breakfast

 

However, I will (from that experience) stick with RCCL. I certainly never feel like a second class citizen on an RCCL ship as I did on Carnival. I prefer the food, in general. There's just a certain je ne c'est quoi about the line that I prefer.

 

From speaking to some Carnival folks while waiting to debark (they said not to base my Carnival impressions on that sailing. They only consider Fascination good for a quick gambling weekend and if they want the full cruise experience they sail out of South Florida), I was contemplating giving Pride a shot since she sails from Baltimore. But, if I'm gonna do that, I better hustle as apparently Carnival is ditching the NE next year some time.

[Merion_Mom]

I'm stuck on the "bit more of a rude foreigner crowd on RCI.":confused:

 

From looking at his cruise list, I would say that that remark came from his Allure cruise. There are VAST numbers of non-North Americans on those cruises, and they can be, at times, "difficult". :eek: :rolleyes:

[iheartbda]

From looking at his cruise list, I would say that that remark came from his Allure cruise. There are VAST numbers of non-North Americans on those cruises, and they can be, at times, "difficult". :eek: :rolleyes:

Ok, gotcha' but it was a broad brush based on one ship.;)

[Merion_Mom]

Ok, gotcha' but it was a broad brush based on one ship.;)

 

Agreed.

[roscoegirl]

Of course, you weren't being closed minded or judgemental at all when you said many people on RCI are snobbish and rude. And the next time someone asks for honest feedback, I'll be sure to run it past you first.

 

Absoulutely not...that was my assessment based upon my personal experience... Conversly, referring to other cruisers as 'Walmart Cruisers' simply because they sail on a cruisline not owned by RCI is, in my opinion, judgemental.

 

Instead of attacking me for expressing my opinion, please feel free to disengage and ignore my posts.:) Thanks!