April 22-29 Carnival Conquest Cruise Review by RC only Cruiser

[PhoenixCruiser]

Well the Carnival posters were not very happy with me when I complained about my cruise on Fantasy. Most posters get defensive when people do not like their cruise line, including myself.

 

The bashing goes both ways. On Carnival, crew say that Carnival has all the fun, on Royal Caribbean, they say that Royal Caribbean does. Both are fun lines, but I prefer Royal Caribbean. I think RC has more of a consistant cruiser satisfaction than Carnival does.

 

And I bet you didn't call them a bunch of Carnival Cheerleaders ;) :D

 

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[rcicruiser1015]

And I bet you didn't call them a bunch of Carnival Cheerleaders ;) :D

 

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Of couse not...;) :D!

[MrPete]

Imagination was only 7 years old when I sailed on her and I thought it was a disaster You do the math.

 

 

OK. I looked up the word online. Now I'd like to see how your experience matches the description I've just printed out.

 

Just want to see if the SAT Math scores are as good as the English ones.

[kruzerci]

OK. I looked up the word online. Now I'd like to see how your experience matches the description I've just printed out.

 

Just want to see if the SAT Math scores are as good as the English ones.

 

Nice to see you haven't gotten any funnier than the last time we posted on the same thread MrPete.

[Inshape]

Funny how you liked all the things on CCL that I liked better on RC. I think the balcony cabins are larger on CCL but better set up and functional on RC. On CCL I hated the main theater since the tables were there and not enough of a incline on the main level. Also, bar service was constantly served throughout the shows, not on RC. I find more space to sit out on RC and the activities on CCL are really red neck.... maybe after 3 ccl cruises it just became old. We think with the rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf inline skating ...there is so much more to do on RC. My kids love RC over CCL too.

Yes food was better on CCL and more places to get food and sit outside at the pool. On RC you have to go inside to get food and then you have to be covered from the bathing suit. That is a real pain.

[Inshape]

Funny how you liked all the things on CCL that I liked better on RC. I think the balcony cabins are larger on CCL but better set up and functional on RC. On CCL I hated the main theater since the tables were there and not enough of a incline on the main level. Also, bar service was constantly served throughout the shows, not on RC. I find more space to sit out on RC and the activities on CCL are really red neck.... maybe after 3 ccl cruises it just became old. We think with the rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf inline skating ...there is so much more to do on RC. My kids love RC over CCL too.

Yes food was better on CCL and more places to get food and sit outside at the pool. On RC you have to go inside to get food and then you have to be covered from the bathing suit. That is a real pain.

We love the sliding door on RC since we can leave it partially open where on CCL you have to put something in the door to hold it open.

[DeepWaterMariner]

We do not owe our loyalty to any cruise line. Diamond on RCI (nearly Diamond +), Elite on Princess and Celebrity, many cruises on HAL and NCL, and from the top of the market (Seabourn) to lines regarded less favorably than Carnival (some out of business). They all have had something to offer which we liked. I agree completely with the OP based on our Carnival cruises. Certainly I've noticed that the level of the RCI product and the Carnival product are getting closer together rather than further apart. For a real difference in service and food you need to go to Celebrity. Otherwise it has become hard for me to see the difference although I think Carnival currently has an edge on food over RCI. IMHO cruisers that fear trying another line after a few cruisers on a single line may be limiting there cruise enjoyment.

[Host Kewlguy]

We do not owe our loyalty to any cruise line. Diamond on RCI (nearly Diamond +), Elite on Princess and Celebrity, many cruises on HAL and NCL, and from the top of the market (Seabourn) to lines regarded less favorably than Carnival (some out of business). They all have had something to offer which we liked. I agree completely with the OP based on our Carnival cruises. Certainly I've noticed that the level of the RCI product and the Carnival product are getting closer together rather than further apart. For a real difference in service and food you need to go to Celebrity. Otherwise it has become hard for me to see the difference although I think Carnival currently has an edge on food over RCI. IMHO cruisers that fear trying another line after a few cruisers on a single line may be limiting there cruise enjoyment.

 

What about the loyalty programs? Do you see any difference between Royal and Carnival there? I heard Carnival finally implemented one after much resistance.

[jst4fun715]

Can anyone tell me what ships on Carnival would be closest to the Radiance class on RCI? I haven't been on the RCI mega ships and love the Radiance class....just may look for new itineraries.

[kruzerci]

Can anyone tell me what ships on Carnival would be closest to the Radiance class on RCI? I haven't been on the RCI mega ships and love the Radiance class....just may look for new itineraries.

 

You're not going to find anything that compares to a Radiance or Voyager class ship on Carnival. I would say the closest ones in size would be the Spirit or Destiny/Triumph class, but neither of them resemble a Radiance class ship whatsoever.

[Hojo's redbeard]

I just returned from the Carnival Conquest on Sunday after only have cruised Royal Caribbean. All I had heard from the Royal Caribbean cheerleaders were how tacky and low class Carnival was. Well they are totally wrong. I was worried about how gawdy the ship was going to be but found the it wasnt that bad. Have you seen the casino on Mariner? Now thats gawdy folks! The food on Carnival was alot better and we never felt the need to visit the specialty place to eat. Last time on Mariner we ate at the specialty places twice because the dining room food had gone down hill. Also our waiter was unbelieveable on Carnival, had a great personality and was excellent at his job. He got extra at the end of the week. Our room steward was good cleaned our room 3 times a day but last time on RC our room steward didnt even clean our room 2 of the 7 days. The employees on Carnival seemed so much happier and went out of their way to help and the passengers seemed alot happier also.There were alot more activities on Carnival. There were alot more snack bars to eat with alot better food. The pizza and calzones were wonderful and the deli sandwiches were delicious. Security was strictly enforcing the no saving chairs and the no kids in the adult pool. I never saw security enforce the rules on RC. There are things I liked better on RC like the solarium, you got the cup with a soda card where on Carnival it was extra. Some things were more expensive on Carnival and some things were more expensive on RC. Our corner balcony on Mariner was bigger but our room on Carnival was set up alot better and bigger. I like the balcony single doors on Carnival instead of the sliding door on RC. The ice show on RC won hands down but the theatre on Carnival was more comfortable with tables and more leg room. The past passenger benefits are better on RC but we get an interline discount on Carnival which saved us over 1,000. The free burgers on Carnival were alot better for the 3.95 burgers at Johnny Rockets. RC has a better room service menu for breakfast, you couldnt get an omelet with room service on Carnival. Both lines have terrible coffee and you have to pay for the good stuff. I was on Mariner in October and no new bedding for us, we had the Carnival bedding and it was wonderful but RC is correcting this. There was more outdoor seating for eating on Carnival and the lunch buffets were about the same with Carnival being a little more tasty. The Captains party on Carnival was great, lots of free drinks and snacks, does RC even have a party like this? Carnival doesnt have a peek a boo bridge we thought that was really cool. They werent pushing the drink of the day on Carnival like they were on RC. Our cruise critic group on Conquest was outstanding, we had so much fun and got together through out cruise and went on excursions together. I never saw any M&M folks after the meeting the on board. I would definately cruise RC again, I want to try Freedom or Liberty but also wont hesitate to cruise Carnival again, weve got Valor booked and saved 1500.00 with out interline discount. The 2 are very compareable with Carnival having some things better and RC having other things we liked better. Dont let the RC Cheerleaders sway you from trying Carnival, both are good and its really up to you how much fun you make your cruise.

 

After reading this, I pretty much agree. I believe that there are lots of factors. How old the ship is, how long it's been since drydock, how long staff has been on ship, dumb luck, etc. For Loyalty program and suite size/perks, it's RCL all the way. The beauty of the internet is that you can pretty much determine what is important to you and find out what best suits your needs. My DW has determined that Voyager or Freedom class is her cup of tea, although she absolutely LOVED the Carnival Miracle.

 

My big question, and the reason for quoting OP...What is this interline discount you mentioned??????? Saved you over $1000, saving you over $1500?????? Do tell!

[i-m-ed]

We are diamond C&A members, own RCL stock and after next cruise, we have an outstanding Nextcruise booking to use, we will likely be cruising a Southern Caribbean route on Princess. We feel the need to branch out and experience other cruise lines.

[Ms Belvedere]

I would take Sovereign over cruising on any Carnival ship again. Sometimes it's not just the ship that makes the cruise. It's the entire cruise experience. In my book, RCI gives me that and Carnival failed in my last three or four cruises. :)

 

Gordon, I've trusted your opinion since reading your messages on another board in the 90s. We want to try the Sovereign OTS sometime soon based on your pics but have read that it's a party ship like the shorter Carnival cruises. You've sailed twice on SOTS, what do you think?

Thanks,

Ms B

[jamaica71594]

Bottom line, is all a matter of preference. I still consider myself a rookie cruiser, but I have sailed Carnival and just recently RCCL(majesty). RCCl won hands down for me, and most had to do with service and cleanliness. Our cabin was small, but I expected that after reading these boards, and I for one preferred eating inside rather than out on the deck. As far as the food, I ate plenty on the Majesty, and really did not need any more snacks and midnight buffets than we received. I just can't eat that much food. I enjoyed every meal, and late evenings, the last thing we wanted was food. They could have had food piled to the ceiling on every floor, and it would have been too much for me. As long as there was Breakfast, lunch, dinner and light snacks, I was fine. I especially enjoyed my early morning coffee service in my cabin by the staff. My room was cleaned thoroughly everyday.

 

My 1st cruise on Carnival was not bad at all, but when I compare it tp my experience with RCCL, there is no comparison. Would I sail Carnival again, maybe, but right now I am hooked on RCCL, did I already say that;)

 

But as I just said, Service and cleanliness matters to me most above anything else, and both scored high with RCCL.:D

[kruzerci]

Gordon, I've trusted your opinion since reading your messages on another board in the 90s. We want to try the Sovereign OTS sometime soon based on your pics but have read that it's a party ship like the shorter Carnival cruises. You've sailed twice on SOTS, what do you think?

Thanks,

Ms B

 

I know this was for Cruisingator, but I just wanted to throw my opinion out there. We were on the 4 day Soveriegn last month and we had a great cruise. All shorter cruises tend to have a wilder atmosphere, but we sailed during the middle of Spring Break season and we had no issues. The ship was actually pretty tame compared to what we were expecting from a short spring break Bahamas cruise.

 

Sovereign is not the best ship Royal Caribbean offers, but it is a great choice for those quick little getaways on a great ship.

 

I have some pictures posted if you care to take a look. http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

 

I'll let Gordon take it from here ;) .

[PH8]

. I like the balcony single doors on Carnival instead of the sliding door on RC. .

WHY????????? To me, I dont understand why you would like a single door compared to a slider........:confused: :confused: I think the slider lets in more light.....and the cabin doesnt seem so dark during the day..

[blwms]

Cruise on the Carnival Holiday twice several years ago, just got off the Mariner last week. Wow what a difference, the Mariner is a great ship.

 

Maybe because the Holiday was one of their older ships they didn't care about quality and it showed in the food, service, shows, and condition of the ship. Looking back at it now it was just down right terrible.

 

Just back from the Holiday and the ship is wonderful! Of course, the Holiday has been refurbished since your cruise and the service, food and ship in general was far superior to any of our 11 cruises....3 Carnival, 2 RCL, 3 Costa, 3 Princess. And the cabin was spacious, great bedding and clean, clean, clean! Tell you what...if you will try Carnival again I will give RCL another chance..LOL...just kidding you and I do respect your opinion. Wouldn't life be boring if we all liked the same thing?

[ruskatab]

Parrothead, I had a 9A on Carnival and we had 2 full windows plus a glass door. The bed was centered in front of one of the windows, when I woke up in the morning I looked up and saw the ocean from my bed. There was alot more light in the room than on the corner aft on Mariner. Also to everyone, I did not post my review on The RC board to get anyone mad. I just wanted RC cruisers to know that Carnival in my opinion is not the Walmart of cruising as so many RC loyals claim. The main reason we chose to try Carnival was after 3 years on RC nothing had changed. It was the same exact menu, the same shows, and it was time to branch out for something different. I am looking forward to trying Princess also. I will cruise RC again, Freedom and Liberty are definately on my list. As for the interline rate, you can go to myinterline.com and see if your company is on the list for a discount. My hubby works for the F.A.A. and qualifies for the discount on some cruiselines but RC is not one of them.

[Cruising89143]

Gordon, I've trusted your opinion since reading your messages on another board in the 90s. We want to try the Sovereign OTS sometime soon based on your pics but have read that it's a party ship like the shorter Carnival cruises. You've sailed twice on SOTS, what do you think?

Thanks,

Ms B

 

Ms B, It really depends on the crowd for that particular cruise. Of course we have no way of knowing what that will be until we get on board. The four night cruises tend to be more tame than the three night cruises but none of my cruises on the Sovereign have been over the top. I have found plenty of quite places on the ship. I stay away from spring break cruises.

 

The Sovereign is a great ship for those quick get aways. She does not have all of the bells and whistles that the newer ships have but RCI has taken very good care of her. I do suggest a Junior Suite or higher as the cabins are small. I would not hesitate to cruise on this ship again and will in the future. If I can answer any more questions please let me know.:)

[vjmatty]

Well I for one would like to thank ruska for the review, as for me there seem to be attractions and limitations with both cruise lines. What shocks me is the level of animosty developed, to the point where folks can't even accept an apology from another member. :(

 

It's a cruise line, people, not a spouse... a corporation that is in the business of making money. Yes we enjoy what they sell us, which is why they are making a LOT of money off of ME. So some people are faithful to one line and others like to explore.... so what? And for those of us who are eclectic in our enjoyment of cruising, it is helpful to read these comparisons of different cruise companies. There is no need to defend loyalty to one cruise line and no need to justify trying different compaines either.

[Mikew0805]

I read today Carnival will have a new ship coming out in 2008 called Splendour. Gee, how original.

 

Open mouth... insert foot?? :rolleyes: :p

 

What about the loyalty programs? Do you see any difference between Royal and Carnival there? I heard Carnival finally implemented one after much resistance.

 

Yeah they did, and there are big differences. You pay through the nose to utilize RCI's. I don't care about $$ off of a cabin, when a Carnival cruise can be up to $$$$$ lower to begin with.

 

Honestly, I can only find one thing in each that has anything of value ( to me ) Carnival, maybe the wash & fold service... RCI, the preferred seating in the dining room at D+. That is just me I guess, since I do not travel on cruises for the past passenger benefits.

 

Can anyone tell me what ships on Carnival would be closest to the Radiance class on RCI? I haven't been on the RCI mega ships and love the Radiance class....just may look for new itineraries.

 

Yes... the Spirit class would be the closest. Both are about 90k GRT.

 

It's hard to fault people for choosing one line over another, that is a personal preference. I love Carnival, and so far I like RCI. Hope to love em after the Serenade.. She looks gorgeous!

 

UGH, Now I just have to find a cruise to fill the 359 day gap between the next two cruises.

[Mikew0805]

Sovereign is not the best ship Royal Caribbean offers, but it is a great choice for those quick little getaways on a great ship.

 

I have some pictures posted if you care to take a look. http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

 

 

Nice pics, I enjoyed them!

[Ms Belvedere]

I know this was for Cruisingator, but I just wanted to throw my opinion out there. We were on the 4 day Soveriegn last month and we had a great cruise. All shorter cruises tend to have a wilder atmosphere, but we sailed during the middle of Spring Break season and we had no issues. The ship was actually pretty tame compared to what we were expecting from a short spring break Bahamas cruise.

Sovereign is not the best ship Royal Caribbean offers, but it is a great choice for those quick little getaways on a great ship.

I have some pictures posted if you care to take a look. http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

I'll let Gordon take it from here ;) .

 

Thanks for your answerKrusRCI, we liked your pics of the ship and Atlantis. We're looking for a quicky getaway and thought that the Sovereign. We'd avoid both Spring Break and the times when school's out. The bells and whistles like rock-climbing and skating aren't an issue. :) Thanks agan!

[Ms Belvedere]

Ms B, It really depends on the crowd for that particular cruise. Of course we have no way of knowing what that will be until we get on board. The four night cruises tend to be more tame than the three night cruises but none of my cruises on the Sovereign have been over the top. I have found plenty of quite places on the ship. I stay away from spring break cruises.

 

The Sovereign is a great ship for those quick get aways. She does not have all of the bells and whistles that the newer ships have but RCI has taken very good care of her. I do suggest a Junior Suite or higher as the cabins are small. I would not hesitate to cruise on this ship again and will in the future. If I can answer any more questions please let me know.:)

 

Thanks Gordon, I appreciate you taking the time to answer. We've seen her in Port Canaveral and remarked that she was a pretty ship from the outside, your pics and KruzeRci confirm it. I didn't have my contacts in this morning when I replied to his message - looks like I had a little too much Cinco de Maya. :rolleyes:

Ms B

[Lisichka]

Wow, I can't believe the immature attitude I read in many of the responses here. What a disappointment. :(

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