Royal Caribbean the McDonalds of cruise lines?

[Robo1098]

2 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Why would you be hurt by someone else’s opinion of something?

I guess I wasn't hurt like I went home upset but I was surprised. I brought up the cruise because I was broaching the subject of them booking the same cruise as well because I knew she had been on a few cruises and her boyfriend that is my friend has not. She didn't dismiss it but her response surprised me and I wasn't familiar with NCL so I didn't want to push something she wasn't happy with.

[smeck]

Have you checked the prices lately hardly McDonalds.

[Mikew0805]

13 hours ago, Robo1098 said:

You are right this is getting old. I didn't post is to stir the pot and if you would read the responding posts you would see it really hasn't. I like Royal Caribbean and have several more cruises booked with them. Most people said that what the person said is not derogatory. So go on policing the internet and make all the incorrect assumptions you want. Trolling has never been my intention and I'm not sure why you are fixated on a post that really hasn't stirred argument.

You did realize that person was not calling you a troll. They were actually defending your right to an opinion. Did you read their post?

[Iamcruzin]

On 10/22/2018 at 3:46 PM, voyager70 said:

Mc D's used to serve pizza?  I don't remember that.  Give me a Filet of Fish anyday though.  Make it 2 (they're small) ☺️

 I have never seen in that in NY. Then again no self respecting New Yorker would buy pizza at McDonalds especially since real Pizzerias out number McDonalds in any neighborhood. 

[RW_MI]

On 10/23/2018 at 1:08 PM, pcur said:

I've cruised for 45 years on just about every mid-priced cruise line except Carnival.  I had a good comparative experience in 2017 when we went on a b2b2b on 3 different cruise lines:  HAL, NCL, and RCCL.  RCCL was the best of the three.  My NCL Spirit cruise in Europe last year was fantastic, though.  

 

I think it's a matter of ships and itineraries, and it's all subjective as stated above.  Having cruised RCCL, Celebrity, NCL, HAL, Princess, Costa, and Cunard, we still find RCCL to be our favorite.

 

I've been on three RCCL cruises and really enjoyed them.  I just put a hold on a HAL cruise (10 day Southern Caribbean with a great-for-me itinerary).  Any thoughts on the difference between RCCL and HAL?  From what I've read so far, I'm seeing it as an older demographic (especially on a ten day) and maybe not as many activities at night, but I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

[pcur]

11 minutes ago, RW_MI said:

 

I've been on three RCCL cruises and really enjoyed them.  I just put a hold on a HAL cruise (10 day Southern Caribbean with a great-for-me itinerary).  Any thoughts on the difference between RCCL and HAL?  From what I've read so far, I'm seeing it as an older demographic (especially on a ten day) and maybe not as many activities at night, but I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

HAL is more subdued and quiet.  I think it's because there are usually few children on the ship.  They are very classic ships with good service and good crews.  Their buffet is a step above.  We were on a 28 night cruise from Honolulu to Vacouver, and ate in the buffet for dinner about 10 nights.  They have separate areas for appetizers and desserts that are wonderful.  Their food is fresh prepared with cooking stations behind the buffet, and the staff serve you, except for sushi, and pre-prepared items.

 

The main dining room service is very good, as is the food.  Can't complain there.

 

You are correct, the night activities are minimal, except for the casino, but we don't go to many entertainment venues on any cruiseline, so it's not a problem for us.  

 

I thoroughly enjoyed our HAL cruises, and the HAL board here on CruiseCritic has some very gracious and helpful people.

 

RCCL is more oriented to keeping you active, busy, entertained.  HAL is more oriented to keeping you stress-free, calm, and comfortable.  A 10 day HAL cruise will probably be more 40 - 80 age group.  Our 28 night the ages ranged more like 65 - 85.

Edited November 18, 2018 by pcur

[RW_MI]

5 minutes ago, pcur said:

I thoroughly enjoyed our HAL cruises, and the HAL board here on CruiseCritic has some very gracious and helpful people.

Thanks, pcur, your whole post was very helpful!! 

[pcur]

8 minutes ago, RW_MI said:

Thanks, pcur, your whole post was very helpful!! 

Happy to help.  One more thing:  on our Honolulu to Vancouver cruise HAL had really good guest lecturers.  They do this (like RCCL) for cruises with lots of sea days, but I find HAL's speakers are more interesting.  

[HBE4]

On 11/6/2018 at 7:36 AM, Iamcruzin said:

 I have never seen in that in NY. Then again no self respecting New Yorker would buy pizza at McDonalds especially since real Pizzerias out number McDonalds in any neighborhood. 

 

So is RCCL the Lombardi's, the Pizza Hut or Domino's of cruise lines?

[A&L_Ont]

On 11/6/2018 at 7:36 AM, Iamcruzin said:

 I have never seen in that in NY. Then again no self respecting New Yorker would buy pizza at McDonalds especially since real Pizzerias out number McDonalds in any neighborhood. 

 

... now you have me thinking back to the day. 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2018 by A&L_Ont

[Ourusualbeach]

50 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

... now you have me thinking back to the day. 

 

 

 

Kingston was one of the test stores.  I remember taking a road trip just to try it out.

[ehwspain]

If she thinks that RCL is the McDonalds  of cruise lines I wonder what she thinks Costa is?

[Robo1098]

1 minute ago, ehwspain said:

If she thinks that RCL is the McDonalds  of cruise lines I wonder what she thinks Costa is?

I don't know. She didn't expand much on the  comment. I was hoping the she and my friend would come on a cruise we had already planned on Symphony. After the comment I didn't know what more to say.

[A&L_Ont]

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

 

Kingston was one of the test stores.  I remember taking a road trip just to try it out.

 

London too.  Did you know that London Ontario had Canada’s second McDonalds and the first in Eastern Canada?  It is at Wonderland and Oxford Streets, and is still there today. Trivial facts.

[sfaaa]

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

... now you have me thinking back to the day. 

 

 

That's what I'm talkin' about. Bring back the McPizza  now.

[Ourusualbeach]

11 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

London too.  Did you know that London Ontario had Canada’s second McDonalds and the first in Eastern Canada?  It is at Wonderland and Oxford Streets, and is still there today. Trivial facts.

Uh oh. The rest of the trivia players in March don't stand a chance with you and Courtney on the same ship. 

 

 

[fla gang]

On 10/22/2018 at 2:43 PM, twangster said:

Everything is relative.  If she had sailed mostly on NCL's newer ships then tried Enchantment I could see such a conclusion. 

 

If I sailed just Oasis class then sailed NCL's Jewel or Sky I would likely have a Motel 6 reference in mind.   

 

Everyone should try different cruise lines to find what floats their boat (ship).  We are not the same and our cruise needs are different. Each line has old, tired, small ships and each has new flashy ships.  Compare apples to apples.

My thoughts exactly. Compare each lines new ships and each lines old ships. I have also found the MDR food to be better on the smaller/older ships. Fewer to cook for.   We've had good and bad service on new and old ships , but it has been random. I think it's who you started with and have become loyal to. My sister is a total Carnival junkie and says she has never had a bad Carnival cruise, so why try any other cruise lines!

[KmomChicago]

Nasty and ridiculous comment, designed to make you feel inferior for your lack of understanding / appreciation of the finer things in life. I've done Disney and Celebrity, albeit many years ago, and guess what? I like Royal Caribbean (and also Carnival) just as well. Really - exactly as much, and the price point is significantly lower. 

 

And by the way, you may have noticed that there is no shortage of McDonald's lovers in the world, so what is the point really? Something most people can afford, and that plenty of those will massively enjoy. . . but if they don't fit into McD's clientele, they can easily buy something else more suited to their veddy veddy fine tastes. Your friend may need to wear Nieman Marcus attire  and be followed around by a butler carrying trays of caviar canapes to prove her superiority.  When really, she is spoiled, common, and obviously ungrateful for her privileged place as the passenger on the ship (any cruise ship, any line), rather than, for instance, the crew.   

 

Ooh, how do I really feel?

[shopaholic6]

On 10/22/2018 at 7:07 PM, Biker19 said:

What did she opine on the status of NCL?

 

KFC 

[vacationlover_mn]

Speaking of pizza... I’m super bummed I never got a chance to try the pizza at subway or McDonalds.  I’m from MN, and I guess we aren’t picky 😉

Edited November 19, 2018 by vacationlover_mn

[ano]

20 years ago we started on RC and maybe have done 6 or 7 cruises with them. But haven't been on them in at least 10 years. I do still like McDonalds, however. They don't nickle-and-dime you. I pay for my order before the the food comes, and when they deliver the food, they don't hand me a bill for hundred of dollars in extra charges and gratuities.

[nhraformula00]

 

[BirdTravels]

 

Quote

I prefer RCCL because I like newer ships and they have more to do for longer cruises. I still prefer Carnival for shorter (3-4 night) trips, and Celebrity was great for less frills and more relaxation. 

NCL has launched 5 new Quantum class ships in the past 5 years (one more next year) and nearly 100% of the rest of their fleet has undergone a complete overhaul dry dock (demoed down to the deck plates and rebuilt)  in the past 4 years. 

 

We sail on both NCL and RCL. Each has pluses and minuses. 

Edited November 20, 2018 by BirdTravels

[sfaaa]

9 minutes ago, nhraformula00 said:

 

Everyone gets a free cruise, generous OBC and free internet. Simply McNificent.  What's not to like?

[BirdTravels]

McDonald’s best meal: Portuguese sausage, spam, eggs and rice