mtchg Posted April 21, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 21, 2004 A comparative review of CCL and RCI as a result of two near successive Cruises: Conquest (7 nite) Jan 11-18 and Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (12 nite) Jan 26th-Feb 7th. Having cruised Carnival many times in a short time, I feel qualified to judge their pros and cons. The Splendour was my first RCI cruise, on a longer, 'older aged' cruise..so the reader should keep that in mind. Detailed decor reviews for both ships are bountiful elsewhere.Suffice to say both ships are beautiful in distinct ways and I enjoyed both very much. my rating system 1 to 5. 1 being poor, 5 is superior. Embarcation CCL: 3 RCI: 5 CCL experiences have been mixed (I would rate the Conquest pretty good, a 3). The Splendour was the best of my 13 cruises. As soon as my airport shuttle (NOT an RCI bus) pulled up to the Galveston port, an RCI rep stepped in and announced "Ladies and gentleman, your vacation starts now!" Even a vet like me was put at ease as he explained he would take care of our luggage and to proceed into the terminal. I never even had a chance to tip a porter as the RCI rep took the porters aside and began to help with luggage. Inside, RCI reps were numerous; even handing out lemonade as we waited and making sure documents were in order BEFORE folks got up to the desk. The process was expedited by receiving my key/seapass card at the same time I checked in with docs, as opposed to having to go to another location as is CCL practice. 35 minutes max till I was on the vessel. Cabin size/comfort/utility CCL: 4 RCI: 3 The lowest category cabin in the CCL fleet has at least 30 more square feet than the "cozy" Splendour inside stateroom, all 135 square feet of her. I was able to view a Splendour outside and Verandah junior suite. In all cases the Carnival equivalents were roomier. But the Splendour utilized space well and my room was attractive, even fitting a small couch; nice touch. Taller men beware: I had to "arrange" myself somewhat on the commode lest my knees hit the bathroom wall. Its seems with two or more in this cabin, space could be a problem. CCL gets the nod here. Still to come in Part II: Pool/Lido and Dining Carnival Miracle 02/13/05 Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04 Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04 Paradise 03/02/03 Carnival Spirit 01/03 Carnival Legend 12/02 Carnival Victory 04/02 Sensation 01/02 Carnival Triumph 11/01 Imagination 11/00 Paradise 01/00 Holiday 11/98 Norway 1986 Mardi Gras 1986 (original CCL vessel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dien2cruize Posted April 22, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Interesting review. More please? Happy Cruizin' Linda Ecstasy 4/02 Paradise 11/29/04 Inlaws 50th wedding anniversary Pride 5/29/05 Daughters Sweet 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Dawg Posted April 22, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Mtchg, <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Taller men beware: I had to "arrange" myself somewhat on the commode lest my knees hit the bathroom wall.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> What type of "arrangements" do you suggest for a taller woman? Ken & Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikkiFer Posted April 22, 2004 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Whew, I was sweating it while reading your embarkation for the Conquest!! HEE HEE, it was a short walk right, not too far right!!! Can't wait to read more! Nikki (O.A.T.C. & Proud of it!) <marquee direction=right width=45%>Mariner of the Seas 09-19-04!</marquee> Carnival Miracle 02-13-05! Triumph 09/08/01, Holiday 04/17/02, Inspiration 01/19/03, Triumph 05/10/03, Ecstacy 09/15/03, Conquest CONQUESTADORS!! 01/11/04 Check out my pictures! http://community.webshots.com/user/nikkifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brn2crz Posted April 22, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Nice format...keep it coming. Cathy NCL-Starward 1982 NCL-Seaward 1986 NCL-Norway 1992 Carnival-Celebration 1996 Carnival-Jubilee 2001 RCI-Rhapsody 1999 RCI-Rhapsody- 2003 Grand Princess or Rhapsody ? 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtchg Posted April 22, 2004 Author #6 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Please look for part II coming this weekend. Post any questions and I will try ti incorporate answers in the rest of the review. mitchC Carnival Miracle 02/13/05 Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04 Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04 Paradise 03/02/03 Carnival Spirit 01/03 Carnival Legend 12/02 Carnival Victory 04/02 Sensation 01/02 Carnival Triumph 11/01 Imagination 11/00 Paradise 01/00 Holiday 11/98 Norway 1986 Mardi Gras 1986 (original CCL vessel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtchg Posted April 24, 2004 Author #7 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Next part about to be posted Carnival Miracle 02/13/05 Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04 Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04 Paradise 03/02/03 Carnival Spirit 01/03 Carnival Legend 12/02 Carnival Victory 04/02 Sensation 01/02 Carnival Triumph 11/01 Imagination 11/00 Paradise 01/00 Holiday 11/98 Norway 1986 Mardi Gras 1986 (original CCL vessel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halos Posted April 24, 2004 #8 Share Posted April 24, 2004 I agree with all of the above. Keep it coming..this is great! I believe in Miracles MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004 Calm Seas, Good Friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyf Posted April 24, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Enjoying the report I like to try different ships and lines. Judy CCL Inspiration 4/4-4/11/04 NCL Sea 4/14-4/27/03 Wonder 5/16-5/19/02 Wonder 5/3-5/8/01 Fantasy 2/15-2/18/01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilltopfamily Posted April 25, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 25, 2004 mtchg: Kearney!!!! We're in Lincoln. Hello there neighbor. Enjoying your comparison thus far, will eagerly await further installments! Penny Disney Magic~~Eastern 7/03 Carnival Celebration~~Western 3/04 Aug 1, 2004 Carnival Elation--Yippee, Our 3rd Cruise!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemingway Posted April 25, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 25, 2004 I alwys tell people that Carnival has much larger cabins than RCCL and no one ever believes me. I am glad to see more proof. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrounds Posted April 25, 2004 #12 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Like your style, Mitch. Looking forward to the next installment. Interested to know if you received any "flak" when informing anyone you were a Carnival cruiser previously. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseFever Posted April 25, 2004 #13 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Me too, this is interesting! Happy Cruising Chris www.LifeIsCruising.com Next up: Caribbean Princess 06/26/04 Star Princess 10/24/04 Diamond Princess 12/22/04 Carnival Miracle 03/13/05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymbrat33 Posted April 25, 2004 #14 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Thank you for the interesting review! Keep it coming! Imagination 8/02 Glory 8/03 Victory 3/04 Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Island Annie Posted April 25, 2004 #15 Share Posted April 25, 2004 I have to agree with you Mitch. After just returning from my first RCCI cruise on the SERENDE OF THE SEAS, (18 on CCL)I will add, that, in my observation . . . it seems that people cruise on RCCI to have a "relaxing" vacation, while people seem to cruise on CCL to have a "FUN" vacation:-) Each day we were at sea, (on the SERENADE) I noticed most people that were "poolside" were taking a nap, reading a book, or sitting in the shaded areas just relaxing. While on my past CCL cruises, people have always been up dancing, mingling, or participating in the onboard activities. (having "FUN") Needless to say . . . Just one RCCI cruise has sent me right back to Carnival, and I have just booked ,my next cruise on the MIRACLE:-) I hope my observation will be helpful for those needing to decide between RCCI/CCL. RCCI = relaxing CCL = F-U-N!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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