Jumping Cruise Lines

[Josh'sMom628]

My hubby and I are booked on our 2nd carnival cruise next month (SOOOO EXCITED!!), and we are already talking about making plans for next year.

 

I really think that I would like to take a cruise on another cruise line, but I'm almost more nervous about it than I was prior to our first cruise...

 

is it weird to change cruise lines? Is there anything I should know??

[sailorschelle]

I've sailed on a few lines, and enjoyed them all. I'm not picky, though. I think that they all have their pros and cons. I usually choose a ship for its itinerary, and have never been disappointed. I just have to adjust my expectations:)

[canadianfam]

I've read on these boards that Royal Caribbean has one of the best loyalty programs. I don't know what the loyalty program is for Carnival, so this could be one basis for comparison.

 

I started with Royal Caribbean, and enjoy the extra perks through being a Platinum member (after 5 cruises). We usually book our next cruise while on the ship, which gives us a $100 on board credit. There are various other extras, like a small gift and a coupon book for $ off things like pictures, spa treatments, casino, drinks, etc.

[janetz]

You should not be afraid of trying another line. Since Carnival is the only line you have sailed, you will see what you have been missing. For most, your first cruise is your best because you are new to cruising. :D

[Seago2]

I usually pick a cruise based on the port of embarkation. That, to me, is more important than anything else. That said, I'm getting EXTREMELY sick of Nassau and we are ready to try a completely different itinerary.

 

I enjoy trying different lines. I have sailed the same ship three times and the last time was one time too many.

[Spikesgirl]

While we primarily cruise with Princess, we have tried other lines. It really depends upon itineraries - there are places that we want to cruise where Princess doesn't go - or goes on a bigger ship than we want to cruise upon.

 

Don't be nervous about choosing a different cruiseline, it can be exciting and make cruising brand new again. At the same time, it's important to find a line that works well for you, is within your budget and that you are comfortable with.

 

Charlie

[CPT Trips]

Make the change! We have cruised Disney, Carnival, and Princess once each as well as HAL, NCL and RCCL multiple times. Each cruise line and each ship have distinct personalities and all offered an enjoyable vacation. I guess we are easy to please :) or maybe cruise lines have the concept of customer service down ;).

I would cruise on any of the lines again - for us it has come down to cost and itinerary. I would also give Celebrity and Cunard a try if/when the right cruise comes along.

[geoherb]

I've been sticking with Princess, Celebrity, and HAL for the past few years. Before that, we did three cruises in a row on Royal Caribbean. The huge ships that Royal Caribbean has come out lately with don't interest me. I'd be willing to go on one of their smaller Radiance-class ships.

 

My first two cruises were on Carnival and Norwegian. They got me hooked. When we switched over to Royal Caribbean, however, I knew we'd never go back to Carnival or Norwegian.

[Josh'sMom628]

Thanks for all the feedback!!

 

:D I appreciate it!

[paul929207]

Like much of life, it comes down to personal preference. Some people are afraid of change & will stick to only one line. Others regularly change lines.

 

There is not reason to fear changing lines. While there are differences between lines, they all offer the same basic features. Check out the lines you are considering on these boards to help you make the best choice for YOU.

[goosefl]

Really never had a bad cruise. Its all what you make of it. Some complain of the food but I would bet they don't have that quality or varity at home.

I go to relax and leave all daily things both bad and good at home. Retired now so no bad things. You can plainly see what line I like. Try them all and you will find your nitch.

[caviargal]

As you can see, we all have different priorities when choosing a cruise. For me, itinerary is pretty irrelevant, especially in the Caribbean. My priorities are for a more traditional and formal cruising experience, as few kids on board as possible, a well appointed cabin, great service and good to very good food. This has changed from when I was younger and was more interested in clubbing til dawn.:D.

 

IMO, if you are really happy with Carnival, then why try another line? I like to stay at hotels I know and have had a good experience and dine at my preferred restaurants where I can be reasonably assured of consistency and food and service that meet my needs. I used to be an RCI loyalist (49 cruise since the 70s) but went elsewhere when their ships got too big and their target market became families. It is not what I enjoy so I looked elsewhere to find what works for me now. I prefer small, adult oriented ships so if I am cruising for vacation, that is what I book.

 

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

[carlmm]

After your first cruise you can take a much better educated decision for your next cruise:

 

You really liked every aspect of the first one? Fine, why change?

 

If you did not like everything, at least you know now what is important to you. In this case you should read different cruise reviews and the lines' forums here to identify the line which offers what you missed respectively does not offer what you would prefer not to experience again.

[cruisead]

We've done more than 60 cruises on all the lines, and on some that don't exist anymore, and we've learned the pros and cons of each line. We look at it this way---if you only eat vanilla ice cream for dessert, you won't have any idea how great rocky road or rum raisin is. You just might find out that while Carnival was good, there are others that are just plain great in comparison.

[CPT Trips]

As you can see, we all have different priorities when choosing a cruise. For me, itinerary is pretty irrelevant, especially in the Caribbean. My priorities are for a more traditional and formal cruising experience, as few kids on board as possible, a well appointed cabin, great service and good to very good food. This has changed from when I was younger and was more interested in clubbing til dawn.:D.

 

IMO, if you are really happy with Carnival, then why try another line? I like to stay at hotels I know and have had a good experience and dine at my preferred restaurants where I can be reasonably assured of consistency and food and service that meet my needs. I used to be an RCI loyalist (49 cruise since the 70s) but went elsewhere when their ships got too big and their target market became families. It is not what I enjoy so I looked elsewhere to find what works for me now. I prefer small, adult oriented ships so if I am cruising for vacation, that is what I book.

 

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

 

 

Of course that last line bumps up against the concept of constant innovation.

[caviargal]

Of course that last line bumps up against the concept of constant innovation.

 

What some consider progress in the cruise line business others do not. For me, rock climbing walls, video arcades, extra charge coffee and ice cream, ice rinks, movie screens blaring at the main pool - all relatively new "innovations" - are not positive changes though some consider them innovations. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.;)

[DanJ]

I think in looking at the Carnival ship you have been on, and the one you are going on, it's already going to feel like a different cruise line. The 2 Carnival cruises we have been on were like that, older smaller ship to newer larger ship, and it was like night and day.

 

Part of it comes down to your life situation and how often you think you'll be able to cruise. If you can go a few times a year, then you can sample a few lines, then settle on the one you like and go crazy on the loyalty program they have. If you are like me and can go every few years, I suggest there is too much variety out there to limit to one cruise line. We are doing our third Princess cruise in January, then after that, I'm thinking we are going elsewhere to try something new. Not because I think I'm stuck on vanilla, but more like sometimes I want cookies 'n cream instead of rocky road LOL.

[SheriNtexas]

My hubby and I are booked on our 2nd carnival cruise next month (SOOOO EXCITED!!)' date=' and we are already talking about making plans for next year.

 

I really think that I would like to take a cruise on another cruise line, but I'm almost more nervous about it than I was prior to our first cruise...

 

is it weird to change cruise lines? Is there anything I should know??[/quote']

 

 

Not weird at all to try another cruiseline! In MY case, I have only sailed on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and only because that was who was sailing from Galveston, which I can drive to. Some people are totally loyal to one line, while others have cruised on different lines. There is something to be said to sail a certain ship, for example, several times, because you "know" the ship and don't have to spend a lot of time learning it. I myself would not hesitate to try another cruiseline just to see the differences! I just like cruising and the cruiseline is just not that important to me! I'm pretty easy going and just enjoy getting away!!:)

[klct39lg]

We have been on Disney and Princess and our next cruise will be on Norwegian. It doesn't bother me to try different lines. Maybe after I have been on several different lines, I might narrow it down to one or two. I am sure that as I get older my preferences will change and that will dictate my cruise line choices.

 

It seems that all of the lines have loyalists, and that's great too, because they have lots of information specific to "their" line, which is helpful to us line jumpers.:)

[momofmeg]

My hubby and I are booked on our 2nd carnival cruise next month (SOOOO EXCITED!!)' date=' and we are already talking about making plans for next year.

 

I really think that I would like to take a cruise on another cruise line, but I'm almost more nervous about it than I was prior to our first cruise...

 

is it weird to change cruise lines? Is there anything I should know??[/quote']

 

why do you call that jumping cruiselines? Persoanlly I think it is good sense-if there was only one line there would be a monopoly and the prices would be outrageous so we want to keep competition.

 

besides I love going on differant lines. I have my favorites but they may not necessarily be your choices -so I say try whatever line you want-after all I have not been on a bad cruise yet.

[want2cruiseagain]

I'm glad someone started this thread. We are still newbies and want to try other cruise lines as well. That is why I like these boards. You can get so much information ahead of time so you won't feel like you are going it alone or taking a chance.

[newmexicoNita]

Our experience has been trying all lines helps us decide what is right for us. We have our favorite, 2nd favorite, etc. to us it comes down to itinerary, why we are cruising and price. all being somewhat equal we go with freestyle so it is NCL, but we are always looking at other lines as well.

 

I think, after 2 cruises on Carnival it is time you give another line, any mass marketed one a try. then you can decide if you want to stay loyal to Carnival or do more experimenting.

 

Nita