Help me choose Venezia 10 day or RCCL Symphony for 7 days?

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, Badfinger said:

Given your desire to check out that ship and did not mention price, but I would probably opt for the 7 day, take the money you don't spend and earmark it towards another cruise at a future date.  

I agree without knowing the price or price per day who can say. Also the ports on the 10 day are better, which might matter to me if I'd been to them before. Too vague to me. Who let's a message board decide who to spend money? 

[jimbo5544]

8 minutes ago, Badfinger said:

Given your desire to check out that ship and did not mention price, but I would probably opt for the 7 day, take the money you don't spend and earmark it towards another cruise at a future date.  

I would be interested in the price comparison.  

[Stick93]

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Huge and ugly.  Agreed 

I know your thoughts on Oasis - But interesting how carnival will now build a ship as large and put more of its amazing clientele in it. That’s really going to be more ship than carnival can handle. 

[Stick93]

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

10 beats 7 every day in my book

Not always. You would not do 10 days on symphony over the Venezia. Not all ships are equal and on this we agree about these two ships. 

[jimbo5544]

47 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

Not always. You would not do 10 days on symphony over the Venezia. Not all ships are equal and on this we agree about these two ships. 

I have not been sailed on either, so the jury is out (from my perspective).  Although I have been on Venezia.  

[jimbo5544]

50 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

I know your thoughts on Oasis - But interesting how carnival will now build a ship as large and put more of its amazing clientele in it. That’s really going to be more ship than carnival can handle. 

Long time before that occurs.  When the renderings come out we can opine on them.   I have my reservations on the whole thing.   Right now, the king of big and ugly is Icon and Utopia.  Even Royal lovers think they are ridiculous (they used another word I will not use here).  When Royal LOVERS think them beastly, we know the answer.  

[firefly333]

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I would be interested in the price comparison.  

People can call me cheap all they want but I decide by the $$$ and right now royal has better prices for solos. The one in January was from the carnival birthday sale where I could pick one and picked that 2 week journey cruise for half price. 

 

Out of no where royal announced a couple weeks ago that TA TP and transit cruises everyone solo is at 150% and if over 340 pts its 125%. My Travel agent repriced my already pretty awesome rates down to 125%. Both balconys so I also got a balcony discount. My first TA and my first full Panama transit coming up in 2025. I'm not going to pass up a deal to be loyal to anyone. Both older ships. 

 

When carnival offers me deals again I'll hop on them too. I love sales even in real life. I admit it. So without prices here who knows? I pick by what's the best deal. 

[jimbo5544]

12 hours ago, firefly333 said:

People can call me cheap all they want but I decide by the $$$ and right now royal has better prices for solos. The one in January was from the carnival birthday sale where I could pick one and picked that 2 week journey cruise for half price. 

 

Out of no where royal announced a couple weeks ago that TA TP and transit cruises everyone solo is at 150% and if over 340 pts its 125%. My Travel agent repriced my already pretty awesome rates down to 125%. Both balconys so I also got a balcony discount. My first TA and my first full Panama transit coming up in 2025. I'm not going to pass up a deal to be loyal to anyone. Both older ships. 

 

When carnival offers me deals again I'll hop on them too. I love sales even in real life. I admit it. So without prices here who knows? I pick by what's the best deal. 

Nothing wrong with that

[Stick93]

On 8/16/2024 at 7:39 PM, jimbo5544 said:

Long time before that occurs.  When the renderings come out we can opine on them.   I have my reservations on the whole thing.   Right now, the king of big and ugly is Icon and Utopia.  Even Royal lovers think they are ridiculous (they used another word I will not use here).  When Royal LOVERS think them beastly, we know the answer.  

I have not been on icon but the reviews are for sure very mixed. But oasis will be copied 7 times at least. The model is so profitable they are still building them. Most successful ship for Royal or it would have ended at 3 or 4 of them. So I think an opinion of big and ugly is a kind of complement from a carnival loyalist as slight professional jealousy. As far as icon class I will opine on that ship when I get on which I have no plans for at this time. 

Lastly, I was recently on the Venezia twice, and she is a very pretty ship that is being wasted by Carnival. The slogan Italian at seas basically means that they kept the ship in its current motif, but the product is still as Carnival as it gets. The ship’s common areas were dirty and main pool deck is way too small for a warm climate- I sailed in the summer. The equivalent Havana is beautiful, but it lacks a pool. I think the ship  would’ve been much better doing Alaska in the summer. 
 

 

[jimbo5544]

5 hours ago, Stick93 said:

I have not been on icon but the reviews are for sure very mixed. But oasis will be copied 7 times at least. The model is so profitable they are still building them. Most successful ship for Royal or it would have ended at 3 or 4 of them. So I think an opinion of big and ugly is a kind of complement from a carnival loyalist as slight professional jealousy. As far as icon class I will opine on that ship when I get on which I have no plans for at this time. 

Lastly, I was recently on the Venezia twice, and she is a very pretty ship that is being wasted by Carnival. The slogan Italian at seas basically means that they kept the ship in its current motif, but the product is still as Carnival as it gets. The ship’s common areas were dirty and main pool deck is way too small for a warm climate- I sailed in the summer. The equivalent Havana is beautiful, but it lacks a pool. I think the ship  would’ve been much better doing Alaska in the summer. 
 

 

I can afford to sail anybody.  I choose Carnival.  One time on Oasis was enough for me.  I could have sailed Icons debut but chose to pass.  Foe the record, it was royal fans that think it is big and ugly, I jist agreed.  
 

For the record I agree on the pools and the area like Havana (on Venezia).  This ship was built for the China market.  I was at a TA even on her three weeks ago i saw nothing dirty. 

[cruise-4-ever]

I was very interested on what Carnival has done to change or upgrade to the Carnival style of ship.  I will be taking the 11 day sailing out of NYC in Nov 2024.  Living in NJ it's a bonus to me.  No long distant travel.  I read many reviews and so many videos on You Tube.  In the most part were very favorable on the ship.  You are always going to have negative comments.  I take it all with a gain of salt.  Happy sailing on whatever you decide.

[DeniseTr]

On 8/15/2024 at 10:28 AM, elcuchio24 said:

 

Not sure if it would be of interest to you, but the Kennedy Space Center tour in port Canaveral is pretty great, if you're into that kind of stuff. We have done it twice and are doing it again in November!

With the benefit of not having to travel over an hour to get to theme parks on bus.

[DeniseTr]

My only real concern is what I've read about the smoke. I really hate that on most ships,the best route across ship leads thru the smoke-filled casino. Based on reviews, this seems worse on Venizia with smoke invading large portions of ship.

Last time I selected a deck up high that went straight thru and used that for all travelling on ship.

You would think with technology today they would be able to better address the smoke.

[CarolRoy]

Have been on the Venezia .  it wasn't our favorite ship! We did the 10 day out of NYC in April of this year. Two very small pools for so,so many people. I guess the ship was meant for cruises in China and not the warm Caribbean climate. Have been on RC Oasis and did not feel crowded.  Will be going on the Symphony this October for a 7 day cruise.  Looking forward to the Symphony.

[KKB]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:25 AM, Heatherco said:

Hi there! Wondering if you guys can help me choose!  My husband and I are in our late 50’s and have been long time cruisers mostly with Royal.  We have only done one Carnival cruise on the Valor to Canada many years ago and had a great time.  Have also sailed Celebrity and Princess.  While we love Royals ships (particularly while our kids were growing up) we have loved every cruise we have been on.  

 

We are looking to book a last minute to us cruise out of NY/NJ this fall so we don’t have to fly and have narrowed it down to either a 10 day Eastern on the Carnival Venezia or 7 day Bahamas on Royal’s Symphony of the Seas.  We love Royals ships and have been wanting to try their Oasis class ships and thought this one might be a good time to just “try” the ship since the itinerary kind of stinks.  Port Canaveral isn’t really a stop in my book.😁. So we would do that one primarily for the ship and just to enjoy being on it.

 

Then I saw the Venezia has a 10 night out of NYC to the Eastern Caribbean and thought that might be fun too.  Because it has five sea days, however, I wanted to ask here and get some opinions on the ship itself.  I saw that the pool is small which is fine by us, Are there lots of shows and activities?  Is the ship nice?  Food?  Overall vibe?

 

Which would you choose?  Thanks fo any input!

 

OK...we sailed mostly Princess & Celebrity for 20 yrs...with a few RCCL & NCL thrown in.

Have done Oasis class (tho it's been some time) & liked it.

Tried Carnival for 1st time Jan. 23--Miracle to Hawaii. People said we would hate Carnival.

They were wrong! We loved it! I did Splendor for 20 days in Feb & still a fan.

 

Food: edge to Carnival. RCCL MDR is my least fav at sea (well, after MSC). Carnival casual choices are GREAT. I will give edge to RCCL specialty dining but have only tried the steakhouse on Splendor & was underwhelmed, so my comparison is small.

 

Entertainment: Edge to RCCL on production shows (tho on Quantum last year, not impressed), but Carnival is #1 in comedy--NO other line even comes close. We had 3 different comedians each night on the Miracle (and new shows every night!!!!), picking up new comedians in Hawaii.

 

Activities: Carnival wins here. RCCL can be a bit short in this area. 

 

Our Anthem cruise in 2018 was out of NYC & stopped in Orlando & we just stayed onboard too. Weird stop.

 

I say give Carnival a try...ALTHOUGH I have heard some stories of unruly children on the Carnival cruises out of NYC. I have NO idea why, but I have seen it on several reviews on different sailings. Avoiding school vacations could minimize this. (I couldn't figure out how reviews of MSC of rude passengers on various ships & itineraries was possible...until I experienced it on 2 different ships on 2 different continents!! Yet, giving MSC ONE more try next week...)

 

Yet I say give Carnival another try since you haven't in a while & who doesn't like THREE MORE CRUISING DAYS! 

 

I see you are sailing the Symphony--be sure to report your thoughts after.

But I highly recommend you give Carnival a try again. 

Crew told us to avoid short cruises & those during school breaks.

Edited August 18 by KKB

[jimbo5544]

18 hours ago, KKB said:

 

OK...we sailed mostly Princess & Celebrity for 20 yrs...with a few RCCL & NCL thrown in.

Have done Oasis class (tho it's been some time) & liked it.

Tried Carnival for 1st time Jan. 23--Miracle to Hawaii. People said we would hate Carnival.

They were wrong! We loved it! I did Splendor for 20 days in Feb & still a fan.

 

Food: edge to Carnival. RCCL MDR is my least fav at sea (well, after MSC). Carnival casual choices are GREAT. I will give edge to RCCL specialty dining but have only tried the steakhouse on Splendor & was underwhelmed, so my comparison is small.

 

Entertainment: Edge to RCCL on production shows (tho on Quantum last year, not impressed), but Carnival is #1 in comedy--NO other line even comes close. We had 3 different comedians each night on the Miracle (and new shows every night!!!!), picking up new comedians in Hawaii.

 

Activities: Carnival wins here. RCCL can be a bit short in this area. 

 

Our Anthem cruise in 2018 was out of NYC & stopped in Orlando & we just stayed onboard too. Weird stop.

 

I say give Carnival a try...ALTHOUGH I have heard some stories of unruly children on the Carnival cruises out of NYC. I have NO idea why, but I have seen it on several reviews on different sailings. Avoiding school vacations could minimize this. (I couldn't figure out how reviews of MSC of rude passengers on various ships & itineraries was possible...until I experienced it on 2 different ships on 2 different continents!! Yet, giving MSC ONE more try next week...)

 

Yet I say give Carnival another try since you haven't in a while & who doesn't like THREE MORE CRUISING DAYS! 

 

I see you are sailing the Symphony--be sure to report your thoughts after.

But I highly recommend you give Carnival a try again. 

Crew told us to avoid short cruises & those during school breaks.

Nice well thought out post

[john91498]

2025 will be the first year we have no cruises on carnival. The family decided it's going to be a Royal year with Navigator and Utopia scheduled for next year. Really looking forward to the Utopia as we've been on the Navigator a few times already.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, john91498 said:

2025 will be the first year we have no cruises on carnival. The family decided it's going to be a Royal year with Navigator and Utopia scheduled for next year. Really looking forward to the Utopia as we've been on the Navigator a few times already.

Are you flying from calif to florida for a 3 or 4 day cruise? If I didnt live here I woukdnt fly in. I am booked for utopia in feb, but also wonder kinda s2s. 1 day between. 

[RoperDK]

19 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Are you flying from calif to florida for a 3 or 4 day cruise? If I didnt live here I woukdnt fly in. I am booked for utopia in feb, but also wonder kinda s2s. 1 day between. 

We are looking at booking a S2S situation for Utopia, also.  We have an 8 hour drive and without some other vacay plans, a 3/4 day isn't worth it to us.  Good news is there are lots of options out of PC. 

[john91498]

48 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Are you flying from calif to florida for a 3 or 4 day cruise? If I didnt live here I woukdnt fly in. I am booked for utopia in feb, but also wonder kinda s2s. 1 day between. 

 

We're flying in and going to Disneyworld first before going on the Utopia in August.

[firefly333]

24 minutes ago, john91498 said:

 

We're flying in and going to Disneyworld first before going on the Utopia in August.

You are braver than me. Unless you do all those fast lanes you see 2 rides in a day. I'd do universal, but not Disney and I live here. Too too crazy. Wow. Brave. Wow. Good luck. 

[john91498]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

You are braver than me. Unless you do all those fast lanes you see 2 rides in a day. I'd do universal, but not Disney and I live here. Too too crazy. Wow. Brave. Wow. Good luck. 

 

It's for the kids and I already told them that Disneyworld is very similar to Disneyland. They're older now and are not really into rides. Since they already experienced all the rides at Disneyland, going to Disneyworld is just a tick off the bucket list.

 

Although, the last time I was in Florida in the summer, the heat was virtually unbearable.

[UPNYGuy]

as someone that is an avid Carnival, MSC, and Royal cruiser, the Venezia is a ship that I wont sail on. 

 

The passenger space ratio is one of the worst in the Carnival fleet. Take the overall tonnage, and divide it out by the passenger load. 135,000 tons for about 4000 passengers at double occupancy vs 228,000 tons for about  5500 pax double occupancy.

 

I also will not sail on it due to the ship being severely under-pooled for the amount of pax it can carry, which can lead to lots of congestion in the pool areas.

 

My final reason for not sailing on it is that it does not have a 'ship within a ship' area, like the other vista and excel class ships (which would be a requirement for me to deal with the poor space ratio).

Edited August 21 by UPNYGuy

[Stick93]

Okay I sailed both the Venezia twice this summer and Symphony for 1 week. 
 

The ships are very different as is the experience on the ships. 

 

If you are looking for the same carnival product that is on every ship - Venezia won’t disappoint. There are tweaking contests in the main lobby, the hair chest contest, and the same shows with 8 performers that I have seen on 3 other ships.  Actually Family Feud was the best show and the cruise director MarcQ did a great job presenting it.  The NY crowd on carnival is somehow more rough and rude then  out of Florida and PR (the other ports I have left from)-  I saw many passengers cursing at staff and berating them. Security does nothing to stop some of the madness going on and the code of conduct doesn’t exist.  The ship is cramped and there are not enough pools to sit around or cool off if you want. The only area I would recommend would be the terrazza area which I took on both cruises. This area is quiet and pretty boring, without the riff raff - but there is no pool. I assume after the summer rush for sure this ship is much better to cruise. 
 

Symphony is an oasis ship that’s is has a classic Royal feel. The shows were all new to me even after being on Oasis and Allur, they seems all authentic to that ship. Hairspray was done very nice, the water show is unique and different, the ice show had very talented skaters and the forth show a show about the history of aviation called Flight and was really the best of all the shows. They actually had a model airplane flying with a person reminiscent of the wright brothers fly around the theater at the end of show .  In each show there were 15-25 actors on stage at any given time. The ship is also crowded but large enough to handle the crowed a bit better than carnival. The crowd was a bit less rough even coming out of NY. Seems more calmer people and people who want to behave cruise Royal in the summer. The only downside to my cruise was in Coco Cay on the celebrity ship  docked next to us my young son and daughter watched with just about the whole starboard side of our ship two people going at it on their balcony. The staff at Coco Cay was a bit rude but maybe because they live on a secluded island. But at least we didn’t see any big fights on the ship or at Coco Cay. 
 

I have more days on Carnival and when we started cruising would not think of jumping ship to a different cruise line but now  will only cruise Carnival if that ship fits into my schedule better than anything else. Carnival is no longer my first choice and DW and me would rather be on Royal or Celebrity as we feel it serves us better. I have been on  10 different carnival ship and 7 different Royal ships and the Royal ships have much more WOW and wholesome entertainment plus different shows on every ships. I also have never felt in danger on Royal like I have on Carnival - which is prob why I have jumper ship more often now then 10 years ago.  
 

Thankfully there seems to be a flavor for different people. Enjoy the cruises you go on! 
 

 

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