RCCL compared to Carnival? Help! :)

[sweston85]

Hi...

 

So, for those of you who have been on both, or just RC, maybe you can help me out. My BF and I went on a Carnival cruise a few weeks ago and he didn't like it at all... not cruising itself but the atmosphere on Carnival. He felt it was basically a big party ship full of drunk 20-somethings. And, he also felt Carnival was ALL about consume, consume, consume. He felt at any chance they were SHOVING their premade drinks at you... Especially the first day on the ship when a worker wouldn't let him get a word in edge wise about if the drink was free and the worker just kept pushing the drink on him. My question is... is Royal Caribbean like this?? Or, are they more relaxed, less of one big party? We know Princess is very, very relaxed... not party... but I personally need at least a little excitement, lol.. but could someone enlighten me on Royal Caribbean? If it helps, we would be on the 7 night Adventure of the Seas ship out of PR... so, yes, please... someone let me know about Royal Caribbean! :) I just don't want my BF to get on another cruise and hate it because it was like the Carnival one he hated, and then he never wants to cruise again. I know he would probably loooove Princess because it's older people (we aren't "older", though... we're 23..) and the ship just seems a lot slower paced than Carnival... but, I'm hoping RC is the same as Princess... obviously I dno't expect it to be AS relaxed and less high-energy... but, ya... HELP! :eek: :)

 

Oh, and... we are booked on the Carnival Destiny... but, we ask these questions because we are cancelling.. just not sure if it's going to be for Princess or RC! :) That's why I need you help! Thanks! (My votes for RC, though!! :) So, positive feedback, please! :)

[golfer1966]

Also asks you if youd like to buy the drink of the day, but dont hound you if you say no, but he may get asked a few times a day to be honest. We havent been on any other cruise line other than RCI so I cant comment on other ships, but like I said they will ask you about the drinks. I would have to think RCI is more relaxed than Carnival though. I have done the Adventure and the Serenade out of San Juan and I think you will like it.

 

Any other questions...???

[LDR]

I think if AOS is your first RCI cruise you have made an excellent choice. We

were on in March and it has been my favorite cruise/ship so far. It was during

spring break and there were lots of kids, and partying, but everyone

seemed to have a wonderful time and we never saw any unruliness or problems. Beautiful ship, great crew and ports-very enjoyable cruise!

 

I have sailed on Carnival and RCI and I am currently booked on both. I intend to have a great time on both. Personally, I prefer RCI over Carnival, but that is where I feel more comfortable. Cruising should be where you feel the best fit is for you and there are plenty of choices out there!

 

Have a great cruise!

[hazeleyez3]

Well..I have been on Carnival a few times, Princess once, and just went on my first RCI.

 

I don't think they push the drinks. They will ask you, but never seemed to hound you.

 

One of the positives with RCI was that they don't have the team competitions - where they announce at dinner who is leading. They also don't have the waiters parade around all the tables each night (I think they did it twice and it wasn't as long a process).

 

They have a lot of activities on board - so much so that it was difficult to choose which one I wanted to do. Princess it was a bit difficult to find something.

 

RCI seemed to have multiple music genres. They had a latin band, ballroom music, the disco/club, piano bar, and the standard poolside band.

 

The production shows I found similar to Carnival; however, they also had another show called "Revolution." They had a band that acts as the Beetles perform -- this was not RCI staff.

 

The Adventurer has an ice rink, so make sure you don't miss that. There is also the promenade which has different shops that stay open til around 11pm, and a cafe that is open 24/7 (has pizzas, sandwiches, desserts).

[hazeleyez3]

I forgot to mention...

 

My husband and I are in our early 30s, and we both prefer RCI over Princess.

[TamaLee]

I have been on both the Destiny and AOS recently out of San Juan. I preferred the AOS better. She's just a newer and larger ship. Nothing to do with the passenger "type".

 

As for the pushing of drinks and other commercialism I think Royal is just the same as Carnival.

 

Sounds like your boyfriend is buying into the prevailing opinion that Carnival is a party ship. I personally believe that they are both the same. Neither one are big party ships.

 

Your milage/opinion may vary.;)

[737NG]

We said we would love Princess but boy we were wrong. We are a little older (late 20's and early 30's). We must of been the youngest people on the ship. Not a great memory at all for us. For being 23 I think you should stick with RCI. Better all around crowd. Not to say we wouldn't sail Princess again but RCI is a better fit for us for now (plus we loved our Carnival cruise). It really depends on what time of year and how long the cruise is to judge what type of crowd will be joining you.

[cruise_ahoy]

Carnival: Cheaper. A "budget line". Good line for first-timers. More crowded than most ships. Less amenities. Less service. Average food

 

RCI: More expensive. Better amenities. Better service. Somewhat better food.

 

They aren't in the same class at all. The reviews - professional and personal by the hundreds - bear this out.

 

It's up to you. Cheaper or better? I think it's ok to go cheaper for the first cruise to see if you generally like it. But then you might want something more out of your experience. We certainly do.