We sailed Royal Carribean..but sticking to Carnival

[Xina143]

It's your right to think someone is arrogant no one is arguing that. But perhaps you have a different definition of arrogance than the dictionary states.

 

Not circumventing company policy doesn't make one/the company arrogant . It means they have policies out into place and will abide by them

 

 

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[K8S]

I love how people here quibble with a poster's point of view. It is really arrogant to think that somehow your point of view from 1, 10, 100, or 1000 cruises is somehow better or more enlightened than another poster's. It isn't about how you feel a poster should feel about their cruise; it is how they feel about their cruise.

 

Thanks to the OP for your thoughts on your family's cruises!!

 

***Like!!!***. Thank you OP for sharing.

[trixiegal]

Okay, I will jump in here. I don't think arrogant was used ONLY to describe that situation the OP described but I may be wrong. I personally used arrogant (haughty, presumptuous, aloof- LOOK IT UP) to describe my experience with RCI. I found all these adjectives perfectly describe the guest service staff and some of the crew we encountered. The entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth when thinking about RCI and how much $$$ you spend on a cruise comparable to Carnival's newest ships. No, it's not exactly apples to apples but the price difference cannot be attributed to stellar customer service like Disney. So I can relate to the OP in her assessment of RCI.

 

 

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[trixiegal]

Nope, I checked and she didn't say that. She said RC "is of arrogance."

 

I just love when people make up what the OP said just to prove some nonexistent point.

 

 

 

 

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[Pack My Bags]

Moving right along...

 

Speaking of customer service, does anyone know if Carnival still offers the "take your own luggage off disembarkation" option?

Edited June 9, 2014 by Pack My Bags
typo

[Perfect Stranger]

With three kids and you can take three cruises in four months, your husband must have a great job - lucky you! :D

[tandemcruzr]

Moving right along...

 

Speaking of customer service, does anyone know if Carnival still offers the "take your own luggage off disembarkation" option?

 

Yes, it is called 'Self Assist.'

[Pack My Bags]

Yes, just not sure if that's what they called it on Carnival as well. Excellent, thanks!

Edited June 9, 2014 by Pack My Bags
typo

[Taden99]

My first two cruises were on Carnival. Some people in my circle told me I need to try Royal Caribbean. So we did. I personal hated it. After 2 days of the 7 day cruise I was done with Royal Caribbean. The Royal Caribbean was very very nice on the inside .... but to me .... thats where it stopped.

 

The Cruise director constantly was slamming Carnival. There were some passengers that really seemed to be High Class. I personally was not comfortable with that. So .... went back to Carnival and havent looked back. As every Cruise is different ..... for the most part ..... I have enjoyed Carnival ! ! .

 

thats my 2 cents

 

 

We had the same experience when cruising on RC. Everyone in our party were wishing that we were back on Carnival. We lived the skating rink and the show they offered, but overall, we were not impressed. The kids even complained and asked that we go back to Carnival.

[GOUSFBULLS44]

DH and I are 38 with three boys (ages 5, 5, and 4). In the last 4 months we have sailed NCL Epic, Carnival Magic, and last week RC Navigator of the Seas.

 

Room: We had a family ocean view on carnival magic and RC. We had the family haven suite on NCL…which was fabulous and really can't compare with the other two so I won't. Our bathroom on RC did not get refurbished. The toilet was chipped in multiple areas and stained….ewwww. Our bathroom was dated and small. I was not impressed with RC. On Carnival magic we had two bathrooms and this is nice with 5 in a room. The room was larger on RC compared to Carnival. The storage would have been more efficient if RC would have added shelves to the closets. On RC our family OV overlooked the helicopter pad and beyond that we had an ocean view. We had two windows on RC..but we had to keep them closed for privacy as people could look in from the helicopter pads. Because of the bathroom situation for us…Carnival's room was better.

 

Windjammer Cafe: With 3 young children…buffets are always a nightmare. On RC having the drinks already poured was a nice touch. On carnival and RC we got offered help twice. On carnival a drink cart comes around and offers refills and pastries…that's a nice touch. Service was the same on both ships. Food options were better on carnival..but this is just personal preference. We though the food was tastier on carnival. NCL's service was lacking compared to the above two ships.

 

Activities: SAME…RC has the ice skating rink and rock climbing wall. Carnival has the sky course and rock climbing wall. NCL has the bowling alley and climbing structure for kids. SAME for all three

 

SHOWS: NCL had the best shows. RC got second place. Carnival third place.

 

Kids Club: We were in the young club (ages 3 to 5) on all three ships. Carnival wins. Carnival offered a structured schedule but allowed some leniency for the kids who might want to color or play with toys instead. RC was very strict…you had to participate in what they were doing…no other option. NCL had free play the first hour of all opening times…so three times a day you had 1 hour of free play. Carnival was open first cruise day. RC and NCL did not open until the second day of cruising. RC and NCL close from 12 to 2 and again from 5 to 7. If you leave your child in the club on a port day, NCL charges to feed your child. Carnival will give your child a mat, blanket, and pillow to sleep on. RC will leave your child on a bench (we witnessed this multiple times with other children). NCL will not allow your child to sleep in the club…you have to come get them. Our boys will be 6 next week and we have a 4 year old. RC offered to move our boys to the older group…but they also said once we move them they can't come back to this side…I thought that strict. Overall vibe: Carnival really gets it…they want your children to have a good time and they want them to come back..they will bribe them with candy and do whatever it takes…I didn't get this vibe from RC or NCL. CARNIVAL WINS!!!! Having said that…my kids had a blast in all three clubs.

 

Casino: We only play blackjack at the tables. RC opens their tables at 12 pm. We like to gamble but can only do this when the kids are in the club…but the club is closed from 12 to 2 so that was a schedule conflict for us. On the NCL epic we felt like we were gambling in a hallway…we just didn't like the lay out of this ship. Also the payouts are not as great on the NCL epic. NCL epic kept all but one table open for high rollers. RC and Carnival had two $6 tables. Smoke was the same on all ship casinos…I liked that Carnival had nonsmoking tables.

 

Main Dining: Taste is personal preference and relative. I will only say that the service was the same on all three ships. They all offered great ambiance in the main dining area.

 

Fog delay: On carnival we didn't get off the ship until 6pm and on RC we got at 1pm. Carnival handled the delay better. They kept service going as if we were still their guests. They even let us sleep in and told us to pretend it was a dream and we could keep our cabins. RC shut down completely! You had to vacate your room as normal. They had breakfast but that ended at 9. You could not find food on the ship. My young boys were getting hungry at 11:30 but there was no food to be found. I heard from another passenger that he had the drink package and they wouldn't even refill his cup with soda. I did hear that they had cookies in one of the lounges, but that's not enough. Shame on RC for this one! If felt like being kicked out the door…we have served you for the time you paid and now we are DONE! RC could have handled this better.

 

pool layout: On Royal carribean there was nothing by the main pool…only ice cream. If you wanted food you had to go inside the windjammer. On the magic they have a grill right by the pool…so you could get in line wet! Also the drink station wasn't too far in either. Also on RC…once windjammer closed…you had to go to deck 5 to get water…unless you go upto a bar I suppose. It's minor…but with three young kids…these little things matter.

 

Movie night: I liked that RC played Frozen and Smurfs on the big screen…they had a good variety of movies for all ages. Carnival gave us popcorn

 

 

Overall Vibe: RC is of arrogance, Carnival is more modest and fun, and NCL is somewhere in between.

 

Overall: There is no doubt that RC's decor is prettier..but that's not enough for me to pay more then other cruise lines. I didn't feel their service was any better to warrant the extra cost in sailing with them. In fact at times their service was lacking compared to carnival magic. With young kids carnival was best for us. Would I sail RC again? Maybe….is it worth the extra cost? NO! Having said that…I had a blast on all three…cruising is FUN!

__________

 

Ive been on all three lines and agree with your findings the only other statement I would make is NCL nickles and dimes you more than the other two.

[facepirte]

I don't care if you dislike one line or another but this part makes no sense.

 

They are arrogant because they have a policy against canceling and rebooking under a lower rate? My understanding and yours of what the word arrogant means are clearly not the same. And I assume you are referring to the sales that pop up that are for new bookings only. Why would they allow you to get this price if you had already booked. Defeats the purpose of a new booking sale doesn't it.

 

To the poster who is upset about RCI not allowing you to cancel a booking & rebook under a promo...

 

May I ask... Will an airline allow you a return a ticket so you can buy a new fare? Will a wireless phone or cable company give you a promo if you are an existing customer? NO. It's not unheard of... You're reaching.

 

I am not up on RC best price guarantee policy so if I am off base completely I apologize for my ignorance in advance.

 

I don't find it as absurd as some it seems so do to expect a discount on my cruise rate if the price goes down. It is actually reaching to compare cruise rates to airline or cell phone rates since the OP is making a comparison between CCL and RCCL and when booked with the proper rate CCL will give you the discount.

[Layla and Beaux]

Thank you! I, for one, enjoyed and APPRECIATED your opinions on the three sailings. I hate that you took the time to write what *most* people here crave for (which is opinions, advice, and information)...and some have to nit pick your words and opinions.

 

Anyhow...thank you. As a mother of four, I am thankful you took the time to do this.:)

[Pack My Bags]

Dear OP,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, particularly regarding the children's programs. It was very helpful to hear your perspective.

 

 

I must go start packing now!!!

And on that note I must bid you all

FAREWELL,

HAPPY FATHERS DAY ,

SAFE TRAVELS &

SMOOTH SAILING.

[futurern]

I would also like to say "Thank You" for your review. I have sailed both Carnival and RCCL many times. My most recent cruise was on Independence Of The Seas in April 2014. I'm also a mother to five children ranging from ages 9 to 14. They absolutely LOVED It! We had a total of 8 people, to include my mother in law. My children did not ice skate, do the wave rider and only one did rock climbing. We paid more for this ship because of the activities offered. We all had fun doing excursions while at different places. While I enjoy cruising both lines, Carnival has a little bit of an upper hand for me and my family. My next cruise will be on Carnival Breeze in May 2015. My family and I will continue to cruise both lines and venture out to other lines in the near future. One common complaint from everyone in my family is that there was little to no food to be found after 10 pm, unless ordering room service which we did a few times. A couple of times was after midnight so we did incur a small fee.

[laurenpie]

Our first 2 cruises were with Royal Caribbean... We did have fun, but it was just the small things.

It felt like it could have been that bit more I guess "fun". To me, Carnival hit that on the head 100%.

 

Just too many small things all added up.

 

I keep intending to go back to RC, just to give it another go... When we research cruises for our next trip we always look at RC, but always end up sticking to Carnival.

 

Stick with what you like I think :)