RCI vs CCL comparative review Part I

[mtchg]

posted 04-21-04 09:04 PM
A comparative review of CCL and RCI as a result of two near successive Cruises:

Conquest (7 nite) Jan 11-18 and Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (12 nite) Jan 26th-Feb 7th.
Having cruised Carnival many times in a short time, I feel qualified to judge their pros and cons. The Splendour was my first RCI cruise, on a longer, 'older aged' cruise..so the reader should keep that in mind.
Detailed decor reviews for both ships are bountiful elsewhere.Suffice to say both ships are beautiful in distinct ways and I enjoyed both very much. my rating system 1 to 5. 1 being poor, 5 is superior.

Embarcation CCL: 3 RCI: 5

CCL experiences have been mixed (I would rate the Conquest pretty good, a 3). The Splendour was the best of my 13 cruises. As soon as my airport shuttle (NOT an RCI bus) pulled up to the Galveston port, an RCI rep stepped in and announced "Ladies and gentleman, your vacation starts now!" Even a vet like me was put at ease as he explained he would take care of our luggage and to proceed into the terminal. I never even had a chance to tip a porter as the RCI rep took the porters aside and began to help with luggage. Inside, RCI reps were numerous; even handing out lemonade as we waited and making sure documents were in order BEFORE folks got up to the desk. The process was expedited by receiving my key/seapass card at the same time I checked in with docs, as opposed to having to go to another location as is CCL practice. 35 minutes max till I was on the vessel.

Cabin size/comfort/utility CCL: 4 RCI: 3

The lowest category cabin in the CCL fleet has at least 30 more square feet than the "cozy"
Splendour inside stateroom, all 135 square feet of her. I was able to view a Splendour outside and Verandah junior suite. In all cases the Carnival equivalents were roomier. But the Splendour utilized space well and my room was attractive, even fitting a small couch; nice touch. Taller men beware: I had to "arrange" myself somewhat on the commode lest my knees hit the bathroom wall. Its seems with two or more in this cabin, space could be a problem.
CCL gets the nod here.

Still to come in Part II: Pool/Lido and Dining


MitchC

Carnival Miracle 02/13/05
Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04
Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04
Paradise 03/02/03
Carnival Spirit 01/03
Carnival Legend 12/02
Carnival Victory 04/02
Sensation 01/02
Carnival Triumph 11/01
Imagination 11/00
Paradise 01/00
Holiday 11/98
Norway 1986
Mardi Gras 1986
(original CCL vessel)

[mtchg]

bump

Carnival Miracle 02/13/05
Splendour of the Seas 01/26/04
Carnival Conquest(adors!) 01/11/04
Paradise 03/02/03
Carnival Spirit 01/03
Carnival Legend 12/02
Carnival Victory 04/02
Sensation 01/02
Carnival Triumph 11/01
Imagination 11/00
Paradise 01/00
Holiday 11/98
Norway 1986
Mardi Gras 1986
(original CCL vessel)

[justcruzin85374]

hi, what happened to your original thread? I couldn't find it. Have you posted part 2 yet?
Looking foreword to part 2.

Soveriegn 92 E. Caribbean
Majesty 95 W. Caribbean
Granduer 97 E. Caribbean
Rhapsody 00 Mexico
Vision 02 Alaska
Radiance 03 Panama Canal
Brilliance 3/29/04



Radiance of the Seas/Panama Canal 10/18/2003
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;10;18;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]Are we there yet?
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;10;18;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

My bags are always packed!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;3;29;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Brilliance 3/29/2004

[royalcaribbeanfan]

Try sailing on a Voyager class ship and see how that stacks up!!!!

Happy Cruising

Patty

[petersonwith3]

Thanks so much for this....I was on Conquest at XMAS and will be travelling on RCCL next month. This review is very helpful.

p.s. did you try to upgrade at the time of check-in?

Carnival Jubilee 5/94
Disney Magic 5/01
Star Princess 5/03

Carnival Conquest 12/03
RCCL Brilliance 5/04