Choosing a Ship-RCI or Carnival Pride/Spirit

[iscrk]

Hi All!! Have not posted in awhile and glad to be planning a cruise! I realize that this is a Carnival Board, but I am looking for balanced opinions on which ship to choose. Some details...traveling with myself and husband (mid-40's ;) ) and two boys ages 12 and 14. We have cruised twice before in the carribean on Disney Magic...changing cruise lines due to Disney pricing itself out of the market, and the kids aging out of the Disney-esque brand...too babyish they say! We like to do snorkeling and beach stuff, zip tours, etc. but usually book tours on our own.

 

Want to hit the Mexican Riveria on a 6-8 might cruise, out of Los Angeles or San Diego last week of Oct. 2008. Doing research, I see that the three ships we are considering is Carnival Spirit or Pride, or the RCI Vision out of L.A.

 

My concerns...we are not smokers, How is smoking on the ships?

Is Carnival/RCI too much of a party ship for young teens? For awhile (years ago), Carnival had the reputation of being party-party all the time. My hubby and I will have a few cocktails, but don't want to run into noisy blantant (sp?) drunkenness on the ships. Now we realize that we won't avoid this completely, but just wanted some opinions on this.

 

How are the ships themselves? Looking to book oceanview, possible balcony. Any cabin tips? Again, we are new to both cruise lines so looking for any help! Thanks in advance to all Cruise Critic friends!

[NCTribeFan]

DD & I are asthmatic and our December cruise on Miracle (sister ship to Pride & Spirit) didn't give us any problems with smoke.

 

Yes, I could smell smoke, but the ventilation was so good that unless someone was sitting right next to me with a cig, it didn't cause me any problems. We were able to spend time in the sports bar and I spent several hours in the casino. I did have to use my inhaler one night when I went to bed, but compared to the smoke problems on the Fantasy-class ships, it was negligible.

 

We had 7192, and extended balcony. Cabin was standard size (185 sq ft) with a 60 sq ft balcony (compared to the regular 40 sq ft).

 

 

I think I'd go with a regular balcony next time just because I do enjoy looking straight down at the water.

 

 

The ship is very well laid out. Never felt crowded except when entering the Captain's party, and that was just because everyone was in line to shake his hand.

 

Nice adult pool area in the back where I hung out.

 

I had planned on sailing Legend in December (another sister ship) but had to change my plans. I believe Pride is relocating to the east coast and I wouldn't hesitate to sail her.

[firefly333]

RCL now has a policy of no smoking in any cabins. You can smoke out on your balcony if you pay for a balcony cabin, but regular cabins they no longer allow any smoking under threat of fine. I noticed how few smokers were on my last RCL cruise compared to last year. Up on the pool deck in the morning there were only a few die hard smokers compared to a whole table in the past.

 

As far as avoiding drinking you can run into that anywhere. We were playing cards at a time in the daily planner and about 10 drunks came into the card game to play a noisy drinking game. The worst was a older lady in her 60s or 70s. This was on a RCL cruise. We had to stop playing they were so noisy standing up and yelling and had brought their drinks in with them. They were pretty obnoxious so we left. Your sons might see something like this and swear off drinking and making fools of themselves.

[CRUZ-AHOLIC]

Hi All!! Have not posted in awhile and glad to be planning a cruise! I realize that this is a Carnival Board, but I am looking for balanced opinions on which ship to choose. Some details...traveling with myself and husband (mid-40's ;) ) and two boys ages 12 and 14. We have cruised twice before in the carribean on Disney Magic...changing cruise lines due to Disney pricing itself out of the market, and the kids aging out of the Disney-esque brand...too babyish they say! We like to do snorkeling and beach stuff, zip tours, etc. but usually book tours on our own.

 

Want to hit the Mexican Riveria on a 6-8 might cruise, out of Los Angeles or San Diego last week of Oct. 2008. Doing research, I see that the three ships we are considering is Carnival Spirit or Pride, or the RCI Vision out of L.A.

 

My concerns...we are not smokers, How is smoking on the ships?

Is Carnival/RCI too much of a party ship for young teens? For awhile (years ago), Carnival had the reputation of being party-party all the time. My hubby and I will have a few cocktails, but don't want to run into noisy blantant (sp?) drunkenness on the ships. Now we realize that we won't avoid this completely, but just wanted some opinions on this.

 

How are the ships themselves? Looking to book oceanview, possible balcony. Any cabin tips? Again, we are new to both cruise lines so looking for any help! Thanks in advance to all Cruise Critic friends!

 

Hi, you may find it helpful to read my written review, listed below in red font. It was on my first Carnival ship, having sailed on RCI 5 times prior.

 

I don't know anything about Spirit/Pride, and I never sailed any of RCI's Vision class ships. Some brief notes of my experience on Carnival Freedom (their latest and greatest): I hardly noticed smoke at all (nonsmoker). While I was never in the casino, a couple of times I was "parked" outside it for a while enjoying the seaview, and never noticed a smell either. No smell in the stateroom.

 

I was surprised that there wasn't this 'insane party party party' atmosphere I expected. It was exactly the same as RCI. Then again, I missed most all the spring breakers by a week or more, so who knows :)

 

Freedom was great, decor tacky :) Just think of it as part of the "fun". I had a Deck 1 OV, space bigger than a Deck 2 OV on Voyager or even a Deck 7 Balcony on Radiance. 3 CLOSETS! Plush robes to use while you're there (you can buy if you like at end of cruise). Re Carnival balconies, I hear they have som "wrap" balconies (in addition to normal) that people rave about.

 

Anyway, check out my written review for a more detailed analysis from someone who also loves RCI!

 

Cindy

[KatSt]

Hi All!! Have not posted in awhile and glad to be planning a cruise! I realize that this is a Carnival Board, but I am looking for balanced opinions on which ship to choose. Some details...traveling with myself and husband (mid-40's ;) ) and two boys ages 12 and 14. We have cruised twice before in the carribean on Disney Magic...changing cruise lines due to Disney pricing itself out of the market, and the kids aging out of the Disney-esque brand...too babyish they say! We like to do snorkeling and beach stuff, zip tours, etc. but usually book tours on our own.

 

Want to hit the Mexican Riveria on a 6-8 might cruise, out of Los Angeles or San Diego last week of Oct. 2008. Doing research, I see that the three ships we are considering is Carnival Spirit or Pride, or the RCI Vision out of L.A.

 

My concerns...we are not smokers, How is smoking on the ships?

Is Carnival/RCI too much of a party ship for young teens? For awhile (years ago), Carnival had the reputation of being party-party all the time. My hubby and I will have a few cocktails, but don't want to run into noisy blantant (sp?) drunkenness on the ships. Now we realize that we won't avoid this completely, but just wanted some opinions on this.

 

How are the ships themselves? Looking to book oceanview, possible balcony. Any cabin tips? Again, we are new to both cruise lines so looking for any help! Thanks in advance to all Cruise Critic friends!

I've never sailed on RCI, but I've been on the Pride twice and Spirit twice. They are sister ships and have the same layout. I would recommend either one of them. They are both great ships. The Spirit is an 8 night cruise so if you can swing it, I would go for the extra night. I've also taken 3 teens on the Pride and they've always had a good time.

[iscrk]

Your sons might see something like this and swear off drinking and making fools of themselves. Firefly333...hahaha! One could only hope!

 

Thanks all for your relpies and insights! After sailing Disney twice, we are in unchartered territory!