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Mike & Tracy's continuing adventures: B2B on Carnival Vista & Norwegean Getaway

MikeyA53

By MikeyA53,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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MikeyA53

MikeyA53

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Our last breakfast

 

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We were not in a rush to disembark since we were staying in Miami for one night before leaving early the next morning. I don’t know if it would have made a difference if we would have left earlier but getting off the ship and out the terminal took a long time. There was a long queue to collect your luggage and then to go through customs. Carnival Vista debarkation was much quicker and easier.

 

Here’s Tracy adding some more pins to our Caribbean map, on this B2B we went to three new ports, Bonaire, Costa Maya and Harvest Caye. During the past 14 cruises we have visited 24 different locations in the Caribbean.

 

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That’s the end of the review; I made some comparisons between Carnival and Norwegian throughout the Norwegian Getaway part of the review. Now I will make a final comparison between the two ships and companies. I will focus on what was important to us. If there are things I leave out it’s probably because they were somewhat equal and therefore not worth mentioning. One of those was the food; we found the quality was very good on both ships.

 

Tracy and I attended four specialty restaurants on Getaway and our favorite was Cagney’s, followed by Teppanyaki, Le Bistro and Moderno.

 

On Vista, we attended three specialty restaurants and the Chef’s Table. We would rate them in the following order, Chef’s Table, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonzai Sushi and Ji Ji Restaurant.

 

Given the chance we would return to all of them except Moderno, I know this may be some people’s favorite restaurant but remember food is very subjective.

 

The way I will make the comparison is what we liked on Carnival or Carnival Vista then what we liked on Norwegian or Norwegian Getaway.

 

Carnival

 

-Cabin and balcony are larger than on Norwegian.

 

-Liquor prices (Cocktail $10.29 with service charge) on Norwegian ($12.92 with service charge).

 

-Permitted to bring 12 cans of soda per person on board.

 

- Bottle water onboard was inexpensive while very expensive on Norwegian. Norwegian has recently lowered their prices on bottle water but it’s still more expensive than Carnival.

 

-Guy’s burger, nothing close to it on Norwegian.

 

-Pig & Anchor, nothing like it on Norwegian.

 

-Gym, more equipment, especially treadmills. Not enough on Norwegian.

 

-Staff friendliness, I would rate Carnival an 8.5 and Norwegian a 7. I’m aware that can change from cruise to cruise.

 

- Able to bring two bottles of wine on board. Norwegian charged a corkage fee of $15 a bottle

 

-IMAX theater

 

-Thrill theater

 

-Sky Course (bike)

 

- Mini golf, not as fancy but also not as frustrating to play because of the elevated hole on Norwegian.

 

-Jogging track, on Carnival it was much wider, on Norwegian it was the width of two persons and it went by the busy Margaritaville restaurant.

 

-Cherry on Top, Tracy and I got ourselves some candy a few times.

 

- Serenity, it’s free, on Norwegian you have to pay a fee for the Vibe Beach Club.

 

-Carnival has robes in all their cabins, however I have been informed that you can request robes from your room steward on Norwegian.

 

-Daily internet fee, on Norwegian you have to get a package for the duration of the cruise.

 

-Entertainment staff.

 

-Carnival has launderettes with ironing board, Norwegian does not.

 

-Prices on most things are less on Carnival

 

 

 

Norwegian

 

-Décor, very nice ship.

 

-There is more variety in the Garden Café compare to Carnival Lido Deck.

 

-O’Sheehan, loved it. Open 24 hours and it’s free.

 

-Spa is much nicer than on Vista

 

-The ability to reserve theater acts and comedy shows.

 

- The Illusionarium theater

 

-The rope course

 

- Less smoke, I don’t remember smelling it anywhere.

 

-You can bring more wine onboard at ports if you are willing to pay the corkage fee.

 

-Dining entertainment

 

-Climbing wall

 

-Main lounge, no view obstructions

 

-The welcoming committee at ports, refreshment, tents for shade and wet towels for your face, nice touch

 

- This does not affect us but is worth mentioning, Norwegian has Studio cabin for solo cruisers. On Carnival a solo guest has to pay almost double.They pay for guest 1 and 2 but only pay one tax.

 

- Muster was very efficient; it was over in 15 minutes.

 

- Shuffleboard, Norwegian had three, two in secluded areas and one in the sport complex, Carnival had one in their busy sport complex.

Do we prefer one cruise line over the other; no they both have their pros and cons. I believe we will be cruising on both of them in the future and well as other cruise lines.

Well that’s it, hope you enjoyed it. Now that the kids are grown and are busy with school and work our future cruise plans will be to try different cruise companies for a while. We have booked MSC Divina for Nov 4th, 2017 followed by Norwegian Escape on Nov 11, 2017 (We decided that 7 days on Norwegian Getaway wasn’t enough time to experience everything Norwegian has to offer) and then Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam on Nov 18th, 2017. Therefore a B2B2B for a total of 21 days. Will we be cruising with Carnival again, absolutely! Cheers.

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richstowe Great Review Rare

richstowe

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I was just about to ask what your final evaluation was comparing the 2 cruise lines . You beat me to it . :D

 

I believe you will enjoy exploring what all the mainstream brands have to offer . Can't wait for your next review .

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retiring soon

retiring soon

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HI all!

 

MikeyA53 ~ thanks so much for your informative account & comparison of 2 of my favourite ships.(y) Looking forward to your 21 day escape in November, a month I usually like to avoid here in Ontario, gloomy! I lean towards NCL as I travel solo mostly so they're best for me but love me some Carnival too. Divina looks like a beautiful ship so look forward to hearing more about it.

Thanks again.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

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Crusin Karen

Crusin Karen

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Thanks again for the review and BON VOYAGE for your future trips. Sounds like an awesome 21 days. Be sure to come back to the CCL board and let us know when and where you post your review. Now I have to go on a diet. I gained 25 lbs just reading your review and seeing the food porn! :eek:CHEERS to you both!

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JillK

JillK

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As always, very thorough and comprehensive reviews. The photos are fantastic and really give us at home an idea of what we can expect. Really liked the comparison of the lines at the end. Agree with your points based on my experience.

 

Looking forward to hearing back from your next B2B2B adventure... and seeing pros/cons and comparisons of those lines. Based on what some family members of mine who have cruised with HAL, you will be the youngest by far. Curious to know if that turns out to be the case.

 

All the best,

Jill

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jbhcw

jbhcw

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Thanks so much for your review of the two ships....after sailing the Getaway in November it was like reliving our cruise! I thought Million Dollar Quartet was also the best show I've seen on the high seas....We loved Teppanyaki but mainly because we had such a good cook...he was very good at what he does!

 

We also sail Hal...so will really be interested to see what your opinions are of that cruise line...again thanks...wonderful pictures:):)

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Crusin Karen

Crusin Karen

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thanks for the review...the only thing I am confused about is what is this working out you mention?

LOL....they must have been doing SOMETHING because I gained 25 lbs just READING and LOOKING at their food porn. I don't see how either one of them could have stayed so trim. Geez, Tracy even wears a bikini! :eek::cool::)

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MikeyA53

MikeyA53

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I was just about to ask what your final evaluation was comparing the 2 cruise lines . You beat me to it . :D

 

I believe you will enjoy exploring what all the mainstream brands have to offer . Can't wait for your next review .

 

 

Thanks Richard, Tracy and I would like to try most of them in the near future.

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