My RCI comparison to CCL.

[tucho]

First a little about us. Wife and I are in our late 50’s(58). Try to cruise about once a year, have 25 CCL cruises and 4 Royal. This could get a little bias towards CCL, but I’ll do my best to be neutral.

 

We haven’t cruised Royal since the late 90’s, but just came off the Jewel of the Seas this past week. This was a last-minute booking and the price point was good. I know the Jewel is one of their old ships, but we usually cruise Carnivals older ships. Just came off the Elation back in January, the newest has been the Dream a few years ago.

 

What I’m going to try to do is compare the different standards, protocols and styles, between the two lines. Being that Jewel is the only ship for Royal I can make my comparison I’m assuming their company wide.I’m sure I will be corrected when I get something wrong.

 

We sailed out of San Juan. Embarkment went petty smooth, only complaint got there early around 10;00 AM. Had to stand in line before the porters would take your luggage. After that we were on board within an hour. Plus, we had to fill the health form at the check-in counter, not being able to print out online, and pre-fill out like CCL. When we finally got on board went up to Lido for lunch, but had to wait for the Windjammer restaurant to open,opens at noon.

 

Food, dining and service. Breakfast, to compare the two the food mostly the same. The service in the MDR was very slow, could be just on the Jewel. Being the itinerary was port intense, lunch was more of a snack before dinner. The lack of food venues was a little disappointing, MDR closed at 1;30,so WJ (windjammer) was the only option.

 

Dinner, I prefer early seating, but booking so late my time dining was given. Seen the Maître about switching, told us nothing was available. He did suggest to make reservations at the time we would want to eat and have the same time and table for the rest of the week. He offered to do that, right there so yes, told I would like 6 PM table for two. So that’s what happen for the rest of the week, which was nice no waiting just walked right in. I don’t think CCL offers that, but would be nice if they did. Service was good, but for me it seemed there was a lack of entry choices, plus the food was just warm, I like my food hot!! Now again don’t know if just the Jewel or across all ships about the warm food.

 

Entertainment, it seemed to us there was a lack of choices to do between 7 to 10pm. The main show room (Coral theatre) would sometimes not start till 8:45, then 10:30. They did have a nice 4-piece band play some good 70’s to 90’s music in the center lobby area. Only problem was lack of room to watch. You could stand around the railing on the upper floors. The back-show room(safari club) usually had a Latin band play Latino music. Most of the time all this started around 8:30.

 

The piano player didn’t have her own room was out in the middle of the walk way between the casino and Safari club. It was kind of distracting having people walking by all the time. Personally, I think she was one of the worst piano players we encountered. First time I’ve seen the player have prerecord backup music and vocals to accompany her sing, no adlibbing.

 

Wow!! Didn’t think I was going to write this much, hope I didn’t put people to sleep. Speaking of sleeping that’s petty much what the main shows did to me. I don’t know who their costume designer is, but they should be fired!! The production shows with the singers and dancers was like watching different versions of the statue of Liberty and the three wise men from Christmas nativity scene running around the stage. The gowns looked like the were made from old 70’s couch upholstery. I might be old, but not dead, show some T&A. The live orchestra with the show was nice, but the two together was like watching the Lawrence Welk show.

The live orchestra was nice to listen to before show time,compared to Carnival’s prerecord music. Royal has what they call headliner shows. One of the three was a song and dance guy who we enjoy very much. The other two a magician and a comic, average stuff. Carnivals show even with the prerecorded music, lot more stimulating.

 

Have to start wrapping things up. Biggest disappointment was told the water slide was only for kids, they let go down once. Wow, making me feel old.:loudcry::loudcry::loudcry:

Most surprising thing they had two billiards tables, that were self-leveling while you were playing when the ship was moving, so cool!!

 

Overall this was enjoyable cruise, even with lack of hot food, things to do. Would cruise Royal again only if the price point is equal or better then Carnival. Could go on with other observations to express my opinions maybe for some other time.

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the report!

[riclop]

Thanks for the comparisons.