Reasons to come back carnival

[Cruisegirl6]

Hello,

 

A bit about us, we are both 55, I have taken my 77th cruise last month and we are platinum on Carnival. Our last Carnival cruise was two years ago on the Magic but the past two years we been on 5 RC cruises. My other half always gets a casino interior complimentary offer by Carnival but the past two years RC has been giving us complimentary balcony and Junior Suite staterooms so of course we been cruising on RC. For us, the buffet food on Carnival is just good on the larger newer ships and bad on the older ships and RC buffets are always very very good and always eat very well on RC. RC offers food late night, sandwiches, pastries cookies, etc as well as pizza and Carnival only offers pizza late evening which is never made you have to stand in line for them to make the pizza and get a slice...we stay up late in the evening around 2am so we do get hungry and like a bite to eat hours after having our dinner. We never reached the 15 drink maximum alcoholic drinks that Carnival has but enjoy the unlimited alcoholic drinks that RC offers, hate counting worrying we get to 15 and cut off. The Carnival Steakhouse has always been our favorite, we hate the MDR food and service overall so always go nightly to Carnivals steakhouse and RC specialty restaurants nightly. We don't do shows so this is not important to us and both RC and Carnival casinos sends us goodies to our cabin nightly. With this being said can you please tell us or try to make us go back to Carnival? We are considering the Breeze for next March-April and the casino is offering us a balcony rate of $2350 and giving my other half $1k in casino cash....RC is offering an abundance of junior suite and balcony rooms for next year that would only cost us taxes/fees $220.00 for the week long cruise on the Oasis and the Harmony (been on her also) is coming to Port Canaveral in May.

 

We are again booked a second cruise this year for October on the Oasis and have a Junior Suite and are turning diamond after this cruise. Help us decide Carnival Breeze or back on the Oasis? The reason why we considering back to Carnival is one, we never had a bad cruise and its nice to be on a different decorated ship. Ports are not of any interest, been there done it all....but I am reading Carnival has even more cutbacks, reading its difficult getting a drink (we always get the drink package and tip $1 extra per drink) and service is even more lacking...HELP!!:o

[Purvis1231]

For us, price and location are the main factors.

 

I hear you concerns but to be honest there is not much difference in the mass market cruise lines. As for your comment about it hard getting a drink, I do not think this is true. Sometimes the wait staff is too aggressive and we cannot go a few minutes without one asking us if we need a drink. Once the learn you are tipping an extra buck a drink, they will be johnny-on-the-spot.

Edited May 13, 2018 by Purvis1231
typo

[Cruisegirl6]

Money is not an issue to us (heck, we spend over 13k in a two week Aruba yearly July vacation for two of us) I simply would like to hear positive things and things people liked or didn't like about the Breeze, this will help us decide.

[mek]

Have you already been on an Oasis class ship? Personally, that's a no brainer to me - Carnival can't come close to what is offered on those ships, but I do understand they're not for everyone. My son returned from Oasis in February and it was too big for him and he didn't care for the Windjammer at all. He's returning to Carnival next January on Horizon but he's primarily going for the new ship and Guy's burgers.

[Towel Critter]

Since money is no issue, why not try Silversea? CCL and RCCL are both budget/family cruise lines. Not much of a difference between the two really. But Silversea would offer you a genuine upscale cruise.

[Cruisegirl6]

Mek, yes been on the Allure, Harmony and twice the Oasis and going back a third time on the Oasis this October. Love love these ships my most favorite ships of all cruise lines. But we keep going back and its the same decor....feels like the same ship and your correct, so many eating options its ridiculous in a very nice way. That is one reason why we debating what to do, will we. miss those options maybe or maybe not I just not sure lol. Carnival always cuts back (as all do but we find Carnival cuts back the most) and since its been two years since our last Carnival cruise I wonder what else have they cut back on?

 

Towel Critter- Funny, we were considering Italy on Oceania cruises and realized these ships as so are Silversea are way TOO SMALL for us. They don't offer all the nice bells and whistles that we are so used to plus you have to get dressed up for dinner which really isn't fun to us any longer. Surely they totally cater to your needs but at my age I am not ready yet to try them, perhaps in another 10 years when I am older and can't walk as much?

[Tennessee Rose]

You won't know until you actually try this ship yourself. So, go ahead and book the CCL ship and try it out! It sounds like it could just be an additional trip, not an either/or between this one and the Oasis class ships.

Either way, enjoy your cruises!

[Joebucks]

No two people have the same interests. You have to decide what is important to you. It sounds to me like Royal is your new favorite. They are also giving you some incredible deals too. On the other side, the Breeze is a fan favorite Carnival ship on these forums. Sometimes, it can be nice to change up your cruising habits. It can keep it from going stale when you aren't doing the same things repeatedly.

 

Don't get caught up in the "cutback" nonsense. Every cruise line is always evaluating how they spend their money. As far as the service, some argue that Carnival's is even better. I never had an issue getting a drink. Your concern with Cheers really baffles me. You state that you have never hit the 15 drink limit, but you worry about hitting it. Then you mention the money isn't a concern. If you ever did hit the limit, you can still buy extra drinks. Don't get caught up in the typical negative opinions that float around here.

[Tatka]

Hello,

 

A bit about us, we are both 55, I have taken my 77th cruise last month and we are platinum on Carnival. Our last Carnival cruise was two years ago on the Magic but the past two years we been on 5 RC cruises. My other half always gets a casino interior complimentary offer by Carnival but the past two years RC has been giving us complimentary balcony and Junior Suite staterooms so of course we been cruising on RC. For us, the buffet food on Carnival is just good on the larger newer ships and bad on the older ships and RC buffets are always very very good and always eat very well on RC. RC offers food late night, sandwiches, pastries cookies, etc as well as pizza and Carnival only offers pizza late evening which is never made you have to stand in line for them to make the pizza and get a slice...we stay up late in the evening around 2am so we do get hungry and like a bite to eat hours after having our dinner. We never reached the 15 drink maximum alcoholic drinks that Carnival has but enjoy the unlimited alcoholic drinks that RC offers, hate counting worrying we get to 15 and cut off. The Carnival Steakhouse has always been our favorite, we hate the MDR food and service overall so always go nightly to Carnivals steakhouse and RC specialty restaurants nightly. We don't do shows so this is not important to us and both RC and Carnival casinos sends us goodies to our cabin nightly. With this being said can you please tell us or try to make us go back to Carnival? We are considering the Breeze for next March-April and the casino is offering us a balcony rate of $2350 and giving my other half $1k in casino cash....RC is offering an abundance of junior suite and balcony rooms for next year that would only cost us taxes/fees $220.00 for the week long cruise on the Oasis and the Harmony (been on her also) is coming to Port Canaveral in May.

 

We are again booked a second cruise this year for October on the Oasis and have a Junior Suite and are turning diamond after this cruise. Help us decide Carnival Breeze or back on the Oasis? The reason why we considering back to Carnival is one, we never had a bad cruise and its nice to be on a different decorated ship. Ports are not of any interest, been there done it all....but I am reading Carnival has even more cutbacks, reading its difficult getting a drink (we always get the drink package and tip $1 extra per drink) and service is even more lacking...HELP!!:o

How much does your husband spend(leave) in casino to warrant these offers? I doubt cruise lines do it for free.

[Cruisegirl6]

Joebucks, thank you....Yes, worried I hit the limit we have gone to 13 twice, and I thought one would get cut off and not be allowed to get another drink once they hit the 15th. Another major issue is if you order lets say a Jack and coke, they give it to you in a small glass (smaller glasses than RC, Princess and NCL) then they try to up charge you for a double for $3 more just to get a regular size glass, we just hate this, so in reality, going on Carnival lets say getting a jack and coke we will get half the size glass which means we will be using more of our 15 allowed daily drinks. Do they remain to charge you for a larger glass?

 

We always had a wonderful Carnival cruise just don't have all the options RC offers but its nice changing the pace.

 

Tatka hello- You and everybody won't believe me but quite honestly family didn't until my brother/sister in law went on a cruise with us and this last cruise my sister and brother in law joined us and everybody actually witnessed my other half always cashing out huge ticket wins! I have to say he always wins in the casino and just plays slots, I have no idea how he does it but he does play $3 to maximum on slots and I think the least he won on all our cruises was $600 with an average of 2k and a few other cruises he came home 3k-6k! I don't win, but I don't bet that much in a hit, I am lucky to come back with all my money but generally find myself loosing $400 on a week long cruise. Its funny, because I always get facetime from my other half as I am not next to him and watch his bonuses and wins...I have no idea how he does it just lucky.

 

About the complimentary casino offer, I have no idea how much one needs to play but I think it goes by the number of hits and possibly how much you bet....when you play a slot you accumulate points and I believe at 1500 points gives you the drinks on us card but have no idea about how many points one needs to get the complimentary cruise.

 

Most people loose in the casino, the reason why they give comps out to certain people but even coming home winning we still get them.

[Towel Critter]

 

Towel Critter- Funny, we were considering Italy on Oceania cruises and realized these ships as so are Silversea are way TOO SMALL for us. They don't offer all the nice bells and whistles that we are so used to plus you have to get dressed up for dinner which really isn't fun to us any longer. Surely they totally cater to your needs but at my age I am not ready yet to try them, perhaps in another 10 years when I am older and can't walk as much?

If you enjoyed Carnival in the past because of the relaxed atmosphere you should still enjoy it. That hasn't changed. In fact it is more "relaxed" than ever. If you aren't overly concerned with amenities, service, and such - which you are not, it seems - you'll hardly notice the cutbacks.

[Cruisegirl6]

Towel Critter, hello, yes we are concerned about service overall....we don't want to wait forever for a drink or for a table in the buffet to be cleaned or wait 20 minutes for a slice of pizza...on another note, this isn't going to be our only cruise next year so another reason to try the Breeze.

 

I would love to hear why people that went on the Breeze loved her or didn't?

[winddawn]

Hello,

 

A bit about us, we are both 55, I have taken my 77th cruise last month and we are platinum on Carnival. Our last Carnival cruise was two years ago on the Magic but the past two years we been on 5 RC cruises. My other half always gets a casino interior complimentary offer by Carnival but the past two years RC has been giving us complimentary balcony and Junior Suite staterooms so of course we been cruising on RC. For us, the buffet food on Carnival is just good on the larger newer ships and bad on the older ships and RC buffets are always very very good and always eat very well on RC. RC offers food late night, sandwiches, pastries cookies, etc as well as pizza and Carnival only offers pizza late evening which is never made you have to stand in line for them to make the pizza and get a slice...we stay up late in the evening around 2am so we do get hungry and like a bite to eat hours after having our dinner. We never reached the 15 drink maximum alcoholic drinks that Carnival has but enjoy the unlimited alcoholic drinks that RC offers, hate counting worrying we get to 15 and cut off. The Carnival Steakhouse has always been our favorite, we hate the MDR food and service overall so always go nightly to Carnivals steakhouse and RC specialty restaurants nightly. We don't do shows so this is not important to us and both RC and Carnival casinos sends us goodies to our cabin nightly. With this being said can you please tell us or try to make us go back to Carnival? We are considering the Breeze for next March-April and the casino is offering us a balcony rate of $2350 and giving my other half $1k in casino cash....RC is offering an abundance of junior suite and balcony rooms for next year that would only cost us taxes/fees $220.00 for the week long cruise on the Oasis and the Harmony (been on her also) is coming to Port Canaveral in May.

 

We are again booked a second cruise this year for October on the Oasis and have a Junior Suite and are turning diamond after this cruise. Help us decide Carnival Breeze or back on the Oasis? The reason why we considering back to Carnival is one, we never had a bad cruise and its nice to be on a different decorated ship. Ports are not of any interest, been there done it all....but I am reading Carnival has even more cutbacks, reading its difficult getting a drink (we always get the drink package and tip $1 extra per drink) and service is even more lacking...HELP!!:o

 

It sounds like you already know the differences between Carnival and RC well. I don't think there have been any great changes for the better on Carnival recently. If anything, cutting is becoming more the norm, but it sounds like you're aware of that too. Personally, I vacation where I get the best comps as long as I have a good time. If your comps on RC are that much better, personally that is what I'd choose.

[Towel Critter]

Towel Critter, hello, yes we are concerned about service overall....we don't want to wait forever for a drink or for a table in the buffet to be cleaned or wait 20 minutes for a slice of pizza...on another note, this isn't going to be our only cruise next year so another reason to try the Breeze.

 

I would love to hear why people that went on the Breeze loved her or didn't?

I had no complaints with the Breeze, other than the "Generic cruise ship" décor. I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the over-the-top, as some refer to it, look of the older Farcus designed ships. I wouldn't want that look in my house, but for a week or so it is fun. As for service, you shouldn't notice any difference in waiting times than you encountered two years ago on your last Carnival Cruise. The biggest change is that you may be given a card by your room steward to fill out, specifying once or twice a day service.

[Towel Critter]

Towel Critter, hello, yes we are concerned about service overall....we don't want to wait forever for a drink or for a table in the buffet to be cleaned or wait 20 minutes for a slice of pizza...on another note, this isn't going to be our only cruise next year so another reason to try the Breeze.

 

I would love to hear why people that went on the Breeze loved her or didn't?

One more note regarding the Breeze. I don't know which deck you prefer to book, but on the upper decks, when you look down you see an extended promenade instead of water. For this reason, when booking a Dream class ship we prefer a cove balcony, which is just above the water level. We enjoy the ocean and don't like feeling cut off from it. This may or may not matter to you, but I thought I'd bring it to your attention. Happy cruising!

[Tatka]

Good for your hubby!

He is quite lucky!

Slots have one the lowest winning rates.

My husband plays only Black Jack, which has winning probability 48% to casinos 52%... but a bit less on cruises due to soft 17.

He avoids casino at all costs especially on cruises even though in life time he has pretty good advantage.

I was discussing CAS program with him, but he doesn't believe cruise companies would offer free accommodations unless they get profit. That's why I asked.

Thank you.

[firefly333]

Ive been about equally on both rcl and carnival and I think the total opposite you do about the food and availability, though on Oasis, is a step above most rcl cruises food choice wise, you can go get cookies at night etc.

 

But my problem with rcl is the lack of food and i hate that they close the buffet between meals, drives me crazy. I go in there to read and have a/c and grab a bite and rcl buffet area is closed and locked.

 

i also prefer the food at meals on carnival ... but i like the free wine on rcl and the shows are better.

 

something to like on both, but unless you are on oasis class and above i fiind food scarce on rcl between meals. johnny rockets costs money, used to get a coupon for one free meal there, but i didnt see one last time ... guys burgers is free, etc.

 

i could go on about food choices ... but the cookies are the best on rcl, especially the fresh ones in the promenade on oasis class up.

 

oasis had some kind of mexican the deck above the buffet i thought was kinda awful. but then Im not a fan of mexican soft burritoes on carnival either.

 

the bbq on carnival is awesome, if you have a ship that has it. Ive done magic a few times but not Breeze, though same category, i mostly go out of galveston ... whichever is the best deal, though ill pay a tad more for rcl.

 

I always wonder why rcl taxes and port fees are higher than carnivals?? for smaller cabins unless you are in a higher category, i can get a larger cabin on carnival and taxes are quite a bit less. makes no sense.

[Cruisegirl6]

I been so confused that I just booked a "sample" cruise on the Elation for my husbands birthday first week in February....I think after our cruise on the Oasis this October we will decide whether we go RC or Carnival Breeze for March-May next year. If he gets a RC"freebie balcony or better" as he always has, it makes more sense to go RC. He also received $1k casino cash for this 5 night cruise (my PVP said he never seen a casino credit this high and the highest my other half has ever gotten in the past was $900) so in reality, its like getting a free cruise because we also had a credit of $600 with Carnival that we had to book and use by June 2 this year.

 

Towel Critter- We would be on the Empress or Verandah deck, are we able to see down to the water there?

 

Tatka hello, yes he is, just don't know how he does it lol...

 

Firefly333- What ship was that on and how long ago? The Parc Cafe is open pretty much from early am to around 7pm or so, then there is the Wipeout Cafe although that may close around 4pm, the doghouse is open until 7pm (its the only hot dogs we ever eat they so good), then of course you have Sorrentos open 24 hours and what I like about that they constantly have all different types of pizza cooked, they never run out of pizza where you have to wait for it....and then the Cafe Promenade is open 24/7 and you can get an assortment of sandwiches on different types of bread, sometimes they have salads and they have pastries, cookies, brownies and desserts there.

 

I never took notice of the port fees carnival vs rc...I just pay whatever it is....but perhaps RC has larger ships and maybe this is the reason they may be higher?

 

My husband only brings 1k-2k cash, but I think its not about how much you spend I believe its about how much time you spend a day in the casino and how many points you accumulate on a slot which most likely depends upon how much you spend a hit on a slot. I do know he ranks up a bit over 5k points on each RC cruise and that gives us a balcony cabin, only they been offering us cruises with Junior Suites so we had that last month and in October. You can get an interior cabin I believe with maybe around 2800 points and an Oceanview with around 3700 points.

 

Yes, for the past 5 years we been paying $13k- 14K per trip for Aruba but its so worth it, Aruba is a beautiful, safe, clean island, there is no venders haggling you and trying to sell you things it is not allowed. The people are the nicest friendliest people I ever encountered on any island, the food/dining is abundant and excellent and you just get what you pay for plus you don't sweat there are always strong Tradewinds to keep you feeling comfortable even during July!

[Towel Critter]

 

Towel Critter- We would be on the Empress or Verandah deck, are we able to see down to the water there?

 

 

You wouldn't be able to look straight down to the water on those decks. To do that you'd have to be in a cove balcony, which are below the extended deck. Of course, you can still see the water from any balcony by looking outward, but you can only see it directly below you from a cove balcony, deck 2, I believe. It isn't a big deal to most people, but I hated that cut-off from the water feeling.

 

 

This is on Dream class ships. It isn't a problem on Conquest class, Spirit class, or Fantasy class.

[firefly333]

 

Firefly333- What ship was that on and how long ago? The Parc Cafe is open pretty much from early am to around 7pm or so, then there is the Wipeout Cafe although that may close around 4pm, the doghouse is open until 7pm (its the only hot dogs we ever eat they so good), then of course you have Sorrentos open 24 hours and what I like about that they constantly have all different types of pizza cooked, they never run out of pizza where you have to wait for it....and then the Cafe Promenade is open 24/7 and you can get an assortment of sandwiches on different types of bread, sometimes they have salads and they have pastries, cookies, brownies and desserts there.

 

I never took notice of the port fees carnival vs rc...I just pay whatever it is....but perhaps RC has larger ships and maybe this is the reason they may be higher?!

 

Ive got that Irish skin and about 10 years older than you guys and had 4 skin cancers removed and supposed to avoid the sun ... (I know but i still like cruises)

 

Last time i did Oasis we did a outside balcony and I was so sorry I didnt book a inside balcony near the high diving.

 

It was too hot and sunny to ever sit out and the balcony wasted on me.

 

I sure want one of those inside balconys where you can see the high diving.

 

tbh I havent done higher than a junior suite on RCL, not a full suite where you get the champange and the extra entrance to the suite lounge, but the junior suite was nice and that time we did enjoy the balcony.

 

Ive talked to another guy who gets cabins comped by RCL. tbh I dont think Carnival does this, or I just havent heard, and I cruise solo and talk to a lot of people so I think I would have heard. I think you will do better if you get a comped suite or a balcony, but Id ask for a inside balcony ... but then im over sensitive to the sun with that Irish skin. Sure I know you get a cabin for gambling a lot on Carnival ... but not the same like on RCL value wise. suites on carnival basically have no perks that I dont get via loyalty.

 

Ive done Oasis a couple of times and did love the park cafe.

 

teensy gripe was so many europeans who didnt speak english, those new rcl ships are a destination worth coming across the pond to see. I just automatically get on a elevator and if only a couple people i say hello, just how I was brought up, and got a little tired of the "no english" back.

 

but whats not to love about the Oasis? its awesome. I would pick it over Breeze except for flying to Florida.

 

Ill take whatever ships go out of Galveston.

 

I lived oceanfront in Boca for 13 years before I moved here and worked and never cruised. ha. Moved to Texas and quit working and then started to cruise.

 

I had a oceanfront condo in Boca Raton with a huge private deck one story below penthouse ... so maybe thats also why a balcony looked at the water isnt as important to me.

Edited May 13, 2018 by firefly333

[Cruisegirl6]

Firefly333- I totally understand why you want and need an interior...I live with lupus and when its active I also have to be out of the sun and wear upf clothing.....fortunately knock on wood I have been in remission for a year hoping it stay that way lol.

We also loved the JS on the Oasis, had the largest hump cabins and again in October, love all the storage but didn't need it all for just two but it was a nice touch just to have it. I liked the JS because not only did you get two chairs and a high table that you actually can eat on, you get the two chaise lounges...very nice.

 

Carnival does give my other half a comp interior room that we have to reserve in a certain amount of time but it does not contain a list of cruises to choose from as RC offers, you can use it on any cruise and sailing date, but they never give anything more than interior but I am sure for a fee you can upgrade.

 

Funny you mentioned europeans, we had many of them last may on the Harmony but rarely saw any on the Oasis last October and this April none, I gather they probably have a huge group bookings on certain sailings.

 

Balcony, we rarely get use of it maybe no more than an hour in a week but I like the light, sun. :)

[Surrealistic]

Hello,

 

A bit about us, we are both 55, I have taken my 77th cruise last month and we are platinum on Carnival. Our last Carnival cruise was two years ago on the Magic but the past two years we been on 5 RC cruises. My other half always gets a casino interior complimentary offer by Carnival but the past two years RC has been giving us complimentary balcony and Junior Suite staterooms so of course we been cruising on RC. For us, the buffet food on Carnival is just good on the larger newer ships and bad on the older ships and RC buffets are always very very good and always eat very well on RC. RC offers food late night, sandwiches, pastries cookies, etc as well as pizza and Carnival only offers pizza late evening which is never made you have to stand in line for them to make the pizza and get a slice...we stay up late in the evening around 2am so we do get hungry and like a bite to eat hours after having our dinner. We never reached the 15 drink maximum alcoholic drinks that Carnival has but enjoy the unlimited alcoholic drinks that RC offers, hate counting worrying we get to 15 and cut off. The Carnival Steakhouse has always been our favorite, we hate the MDR food and service overall so always go nightly to Carnivals steakhouse and RC specialty restaurants nightly. We don't do shows so this is not important to us and both RC and Carnival casinos sends us goodies to our cabin nightly. With this being said can you please tell us or try to make us go back to Carnival? We are considering the Breeze for next March-April and the casino is offering us a balcony rate of $2350 and giving my other half $1k in casino cash....RC is offering an abundance of junior suite and balcony rooms for next year that would only cost us taxes/fees $220.00 for the week long cruise on the Oasis and the Harmony (been on her also) is coming to Port Canaveral in May.

 

We are again booked a second cruise this year for October on the Oasis and have a Junior Suite and are turning diamond after this cruise. Help us decide Carnival Breeze or back on the Oasis? The reason why we considering back to Carnival is one, we never had a bad cruise and its nice to be on a different decorated ship. Ports are not of any interest, been there done it all....but I am reading Carnival has even more cutbacks, reading its difficult getting a drink (we always get the drink package and tip $1 extra per drink) and service is even more lacking...HELP!!:o

 

It seems clear you are doing better on RC so why come back?

[Lottacruises]

Money is not an issue to us (heck, we spend over 13k in a two week Aruba yearly July vacation for two of us) I simply would like to hear positive things and things people liked or didn't like about the Breeze, this will help us decide.

Do them both then, why choose only one?

[xeroxme]

Cruisegirl as long as you like the food better and your getting better deals on rooms on RCCL I would keep cruising them. I personally liked the food on RC to slightly better than carnival but I only did Oasis once and I hated the massive ship too many people for me and you had to get tickets for shows before you sailed. Beautiful ship just too many people. I sail more on carnival because I like the music and bands by the casino. Music 50's age people like. I did like the breeze over the Oasis for comedy shows etc. but I prefer the smaller ships 2000-2500 people because you only have one lido deck. Why do I want an overcrowded lido deck. Lol. Anyways have fun.

 

 

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[xeroxme]

Great Post cruisegirl. Made me think of my own reason again. Ha. Happy cruising

 

 

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