Royal Caribbean fan seeks Carnival help

[maureencruiser]

Hi Everybody! I usually sail RC, but, right now Carnival is offering some great no solo supplement fares that I just can't pass up. I've had a rough year so far which includes losing my job. :( But, I have a new job now and REALLY need to cruise. :) I can get off the last week of April which gives me a couple of choices, but, I really don't know the CCL ships like I do the RC ships, which are sister ships, which are newer, that sort of thing.

 

I am someone who cruises for the SHIPS, not the ports. The experience of being on a cruise, the food, the shows, the entertainment, that is what I am looking for. So, I would appreciate any opinions about which of the following cruises experienced CCL cruisers would recommend for me.

 

Option 1 is 7 nights on the Pride out of Baltimore. The cruise is 529 plus Amtrak for 128. Total cost=657.

 

Option 2 is 5 nights on Sunshine out of Canaveral. The cruise is 389 plus airfare for 405. Total cost=794. (I might be able to get cheaper airfare if I squirrel around a little more, fly into MLB or out of a nearby airport. I just looked quickly. )

 

Option 3 is 5 nights on Victory out of Miami. The cruise is 349 plus airfare for 243. Total cost=592.

 

Please, I am VERY interested to hear what you all think of these choices. I will be writing a review of whichever cruise I do, so, you will know how I liked it. Thanks in advance to anyone who chimes in! :D

[huntm]

The only ship I have sailed that you are looking at is the Sunshine. We did this in Jan and had a wonderful time.

 

Here is a link to my review

http://www.whenshiphappens.com/blog/2014/02/carnival-sunshine-yay-or-nay.html

 

Perhaps someone else has been in the others and can compare for you!

 

Congrats on your new job!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[christmas]

Hi Everybody! I usually sail RC, but, right now Carnival is offering some great no solo supplement fares that I just can't pass up. I've had a rough year so far which includes losing my job. :( But, I have a new job now and REALLY need to cruise. :) I can get off the last week of April which gives me a couple of choices, but, I really don't know the CCL ships like I do the RC ships, which are sister ships, which are newer, that sort of thing.

 

I am someone who cruises for the SHIPS, not the ports. The experience of being on a cruise, the food, the shows, the entertainment, that is what I am looking for. So, I would appreciate any opinions about which of the following cruises experienced CCL cruisers would recommend for me.

 

Option 1 is 7 nights on the Pride out of Baltimore. The cruise is 529 plus Amtrak for 128. Total cost=657.

 

Option 2 is 5 nights on Sunshine out of Canaveral. The cruise is 389 plus airfare for 405. Total cost=794. (I might be able to get cheaper airfare if I squirrel around a little more, fly into MLB or out of a nearby airport. I just looked quickly. )

 

Option 3 is 5 nights on Victory out of Miami. The cruise is 349 plus airfare for 243. Total cost=592.

 

Please, I am VERY interested to hear what you all think of these choices. I will be writing a review of whichever cruise I do, so, you will know how I liked it. Thanks in advance to anyone who chimes in! :D

 

I LOVED the Sunshine. I have not sailed on the others. Sunshine has all the 2.0 upgrades such as Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana, Red Frog Pub, New Sports Bar, Cucina del Capitano, JiJi Asian Kitchen and more. Pride and Victory does not have any of that. So I would choose Sunshine.

[wrigley80]

We have done all 3 ships you have mentioned. And if you are cruising for the ship experience then without a doubt you need to book the Carnival Sunshine. We were onboard in early December and it was an amazing cruise. The ship is beautiful...there are so many new and exciting dining options

 

I did a photo review from our Sunshine cruise...let me find the link and I will post here for you to check out

[wrigley80]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1961373

 

**** This is a link to my Photo Review of the Carnival Sunshine....enjoy

[Dymediva]

I would choose the Sunshine I loved her:D She's a great ship and the staff is great as well!

[wrigley80]

One more thing for ya to consider.....I know you said you cruise for the ship and not the ports. But if the itinerary on the Carnival Victory is the one that goes to Half Moon Cay (its a Private Island owned by Holland America but Carnival uses it as well) that is a very good option because Half Moon Cay is absolutely gorgeous

 

Come back and let us know what you have decided

[PSkinner]

I have sailed both Carnival and Royal. We loved the Voyager but not the Mariner even though they were the "same" class. I have sailed Victory, Destiny, and Triumph which are all pretty much the same. Sailed Triumph after the 2.0 upgrades and loved it even more. The Sunshine is the revamped/upgraded Destiny with all the bells and whistles.

 

I would say sail the Sunshine and get the most out if your cruise!.

[WendyVF]

The Pride may not be the newest but it is still a great ship and & 7 days!!! The best part about the Pride is that overall it draws the nicest group of people that I have ever cruised with. The itinerary stinks but if you are just looking to getaway and relax it's a good choice. Even better is that from Lynchburg you could find a park and cruise and drive for close to the same cost as Amtrak and then you'd be on your own schedule.

[Susiecruisey]

I would pick sunshine.

[runner15km]

Pride 7 day ! Well design ship and smaller then the other two. Sunshine is attracting a lot of families. The Victory and Sunshine many people find it confusing to locate the MDR.

Another plus for Pride is the retractable roof over one of the pools.

[Fitzget]

Sunshine has a lot of options for restaurants, activities, etc. and has all the new Carnival 2.0 upgrades. I have sailed RCCL as well, and if you're looking for an experience similar to that of which you get on say a Freedom class ship, go with Sunshine.

 

I like the Spirit class ships a lot (Pride) but it doesn't offer nearly the dining or activity options offered on the Sunshine.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Fitzget

[Hotdog 52]

Pride 7 day.

[John Reid]

I have cruised RCI five times on four different ships. I have cruised Carnival Pride twice and will do so again.

 

Which itinerary are you looking at on the Pride? The one including Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk is very good. The Bahamas itinerary would see us staying on the ship. We don't consider that a disadvantage!

 

We liked Pride. We liked the MDR for dinner and the choices. I didn't think Lido breakfast and lunch were as good on Pride, but the Sea Day brunch was very good. We did Lido dinner on Pride once - never again. But, again, the dining room was great.

 

There are many more entertainment choices on RCI cruises. We found enough to do on Pride. There were three nights of crew shows in the theater. We thought they were good to fairly good. There was a "physical comedian" one night. Tricks on a unicycle combined with comedy. He was actually good. This night will vary as it is a walk on performer. One night was the "Love and Marriage" show. On RCI it was an extra show; it was a main night on Pride. One night was large group trivia and on stage games. One night was the "Legends" show featuring performances by winners of karaoke competitions. Eh. It was enough to keep us busy.

 

No main stage comedians; they will be in the comedy club. There are multiple shows but tend to be crowded as it is a small venue. We only went once in two cruises. There will be a band in the Starry Night Club. It was a smoking venue our first cruise but non-smoking the second. There is a piano bar one deck above. Song choices are audience driven. Be ready for Sweet Caroline and Queen! There were two guitarist/singers who alternated between the Atrium Bar and the Casino Bar. Plenty of trivia; we enjoy that.

 

For the right price, they were two good cruises. Also, Port of Baltimore is a breeze though Pride runs a later arrival and boarding than most ports.

 

Have a great cruise whichever you choose.

[TheCalicoCat]

Hi Everybody! I usually sail RC, but, right now Carnival is offering some great no solo supplement fares that I just can't pass up. I've had a rough year so far which includes losing my job. :( But, I have a new job now and REALLY need to cruise. :) I can get off the last week of April which gives me a couple of choices, but, I really don't know the CCL ships like I do the RC ships, which are sister ships, which are newer, that sort of thing.

 

I am someone who cruises for the SHIPS, not the ports. The experience of being on a cruise, the food, the shows, the entertainment, that is what I am looking for. So, I would appreciate any opinions about which of the following cruises experienced CCL cruisers would recommend for me.

 

Option 1 is 7 nights on the Pride out of Baltimore. The cruise is 529 plus Amtrak for 128. Total cost=657.

 

Option 2 is 5 nights on Sunshine out of Canaveral. The cruise is 389 plus airfare for 405. Total cost=794. (I might be able to get cheaper airfare if I squirrel around a little more, fly into MLB or out of a nearby airport. I just looked quickly. )

 

Option 3 is 5 nights on Victory out of Miami. The cruise is 349 plus airfare for 243. Total cost=592.

 

Please, I am VERY interested to hear what you all think of these choices. I will be writing a review of whichever cruise I do, so, you will know how I liked it. Thanks in advance to anyone who chimes in! :D

 

For me 7 nights wins over 5!

I've been on the Pride & Grandeur - Other than the fact that the Pride is darker (Instead of windows there are cabins around most of the atrium) I found them to be more alike than different.

[lovestocruise19]

The Pride was my very first cruise ever and will always hold a special place in my heart. She is in the Spirit class and as of now doesn't have any of the 2.0 upgrades that Carnival has been implementing. Victory also doesn't have any of the 2.0 upgrades yet. This also means both of these ships don't have the Playlist Productions shows, which, trust me, is a GOOD thing. The Playlist Productions shows are a step down from the original shows. Sunshine has the Playlist Production shows.

 

Both Sunshine and Victory have the seaside theater and the Pride does not.

 

Sunshine is not a new ship, but rather an older ship (used to be Destiny) that was totally overhauled and upgraded and renamed Sunshine.

 

Pride, Victory and Sunshine all have a Serenity deck. In Sunshine's case, it is three levels with a waterfall.

 

If you love sea days, the Pride offers more sea days to get down to Florida from Baltimore.

 

I haven't been on Sunshine or Victory, but here are a few pictures of the Pride for your viewing pleasure. Feel free to read my Pride review (link in my signature), too, but some of the pictures from that review have disappeared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[John Reid]

The Pride was my very first cruise ever and will always hold a special place in my heart. She is in the Spirit class and as of now doesn't have any of the 2.0 upgrades that Carnival has been implementing. Victory also doesn't have any of the 2.0 upgrades yet. This also means both of these ships don't have the Playlist Productions shows, which, trust me, is a GOOD thing. The Playlist Productions shows are a step down from the original shows. Sunshine has the Playlist Production shows.

 

Both Sunshine and Victory have the seaside theater and the Pride does not.

 

Sunshine is not a new ship, but rather an older ship (used to be Destiny) that was totally overhauled and upgraded and renamed Sunshine.

 

Pride, Victory and Sunshine all have a Serenity deck. In Sunshine's case, it is three levels with a waterfall.

 

If you love sea days, the Pride offers more sea days to get down to Florida from Baltimore.

 

I haven't been on Sunshine or Victory, but here are a few pictures of the Pride for your viewing pleasure. Feel free to read my Pride review (link in my signature), too, but some of the pictures from that review have disappeared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know about the OP, but thanks for posting the pictures. With winter here being so miserable, it was nice to be reminded of two good cruises!

[2Shoes2Go]

Pride gets our vote! Love the ease of moving through the ship and the eclectic decor. Baltimore is a great, little port, too. Seven is more than five! More is good!:)

[gtalum]

I'm a huge Carnival fan. That said, if you sail primarily for the ship itself, for wow factor, I don't think Carnival is going to satisfy you.

 

My favorite sea day activity is reading on a high deck overlooking the ocean. I can do that on he oldest tiniest ship afloat just as well as I could on the latest greatest Behemoth of the Seas. If I were looking to be wowed by a ship, though, I don't think it would work out between me and Carnival.

 

That all said, hands-down the nicest ships in Carnival's fleet are the Spirit class, so I have to go with Pride as the best option for you, out of the ones that you have presented.

Edited March 19, 2014 by gtalum

[Ciardasully]

First off, Congratulations on your new job!

 

I have only sailed the Sunshine out of your options. I did do a review which is in my signature if you are interested.

 

I can't wait to read your review!

[Fla Senior]

Just was on Sunshine last week. It would be my only choice because of all the upgrades. It wasn't on your list, but the only better choice would be Breeze out of Miami. The other ships just don't have all the food & entertainment options.

[Fitzget]

I didn't realize the Sunshine option was a 5 night. Go for Pride and 7 days then, you deserve it!

 

While Sunshine may have more options for dining and entertainment, Pride is a great ship (and actually my favorite class). Great layouts, and a great serenity aft pool deck (adults only).

 

Go and enjoy those 2 extra days.

[mikem5]

I would go on the sunshine because of it being your first carnival cruise. Nothing against the other ships, but the sunshine is one of carnivals nicer ships. It's small because it was an older ship that was completely overhauled but is practically brand new with a whole new name and pretty much a new ship. Like I saw someone say earlier it's second only to the breeze. Just my opinion, either way have a nice time, and hope you enjoy your experience with carnival!

[cdamion]

I guess I will be the only one to say don't do the Sunshine. As others stated it is a completely revamped ship and is quite attractive. The problem is it has jammed more people on board and will feel crowded compared to Royal. I also personally don't think the upgrades are necessarily a good thing as there are more upcharges.

 

Victory is an older ship that has not had any of the upgrades. People have said it needs to be updated (I myself will be on Victory three weeks from tomorrow, but who's counting).

 

Pride is Carnival's Spirit class and will have the best passenger flow and it has the fewest passengers of all three by a few hundred even though it is actually longer (but a bit narrower). You also have Carnival's steakhouse available if you don't mind the upcharge and people pretty uniformly think the food is great. Finally, this cruise is a full week!

 

Pick the Pride.

 

I had shied away from Carnival for a bit, but that single supplement waiver happily got me back.

 

At the end of the day, any of the 3 will be fine. I just think coming from Royal, the Pride will be your best bet.

[Angelica1104]

I vote Pride 7 day. We have been on her 4 times and in February we did the Grandeur for the first time. There were more similarities than differences. We are not big specialty restaurant people and I thought the MDR on the Pride was a tad better than on the Grandeur. (Most likely because I'm a huge dessert fan and I think Carnivals beat RCL)

 

We found the Windjammer and Park Cafe to be better than the Lido on Carnival. The Serenity area on the Pride is great. I did love the live band on the pool area on The. Grandeur. I miss that on Carnival. My DH loves the Comedy shows on Carnival, but the shows in the main theatre were better on the Grandeur.

 

We enjoy trivia on both lines, although I think there were some pros on RCL. (LOL) The Spirit Class ships are my favorite, better flow, less pax, and I do enjoy the staff on the Pride. Baltimore is a wonderful and easy port to sail from.

 

Both casinos will take your money but I sampled both! Expect a larger room on the Pride than on RCL and the beds are comfy. I enjoy both lines. We got a good deal on the Grandeur and I wouldn't hesitate to sail RCL again.

 

I will always do a 7 day over a shorter cruise if the cost is comparable. It sounds like you can really use a break...I hope that whatever cruise you take is wonderful.