Moving over from Royal Caribbean!

[J-Hawk]

Can anyone tell me what differences I may expect from RC? Also, what is included in a Carnival cruise?

 

Thanks!

[tbjl24]

Can anyone tell me what differences I may expect from RC? Also, what is included in a Carnival cruise?

 

Thanks!

 

The lines are more similar than different. Basically, Carnival won't have the flowrider, rock climbing wall or ice rink.

 

Everything is included in your fare(dinner, shows, sushi) except casino, alcholic drinks/sodas and coffee/pastries from the coffee shop.

[EastTexans2]

Everything is pretty much the same.....Carnival's cabins are bigger. We made the switch awhile ago and haven't looked back!

[poundcake09]

Welcome to Carnival! We welcome all other cruisers. The only request we have of you are :

1. Kick back.

2. Leave your worries behind.

3. Be prepared to have the time of your LIFE!

4. Don't hesitate to grab the DOD at any whim...

[Cruzman]

You will have a water slide, or perhaps a water park (depending on the ship). You will have pizza and ice cream/frozen yogurt 24/7, and you won't have to pay $3.95 for late room service. You won't have to pay extra for a steak in the dining room, or a hamburger any place they are served. Specialty coffees in the dining room will also be complimentary. Best of all, you won't have to pay a king's ransom to cruise on Carnival.

[firefly333]

Despite what you hear, if you are doing newer RCL ships, there is very little difference in cabin sizes and in fact the balconys are larger on RCL ships (somehow the cheerleaders never mention how small the balconys are on Carnival. The good news is the balconys are more affordable on Carnival.

 

Capachino and espresso is free in the dining room on Carnival, so I order a cup after dinner on Carnival.

 

Each has some good things. I enjoy each cruise for what it is. Many who post things about comparisons here or on the RCL threads have not been on the competing line, but post comparisons anyway, so dont take everything to heart. Just relax. Its a cruise, unless you hit a hurricane it will be fine.

[silentbob007]

Despite what you hear, if you are doing newer RCL ships, there is very little difference in cabin sizes and in fact the balconys are larger on RCL ships (somehow the cheerleaders never mention how small the balconys are on Carnival.

 

The Royal cheerleaders who parrot the "cabin sizes are virtually the same for newer ships" also leave out that that does not include standard inside cabins at around 150 sq. feet which are generally 20-30 sq. feet smaller than standard insides on Carnival, something evident even on the deck plans of Oasis.

[firefly333]

The Royal cheerleaders who parrot the "cabin sizes are virtually the same for newer ships" also leave out that that does not include standard inside cabins at around 150 sq. feet which are generally 20-30 sq. feet smaller than standard insides on Carnival, something evident even on the deck plans of Oasis.

 

I know, I was just saying that people saying all cabins are larger, could also mention all balconies on newer ships are larger on RCL. Depends on what you book.

 

Me Im going to be in a PR next Sunday, yippee. I dont even know the exact s.f. it gets so confusing as the PRs on Freedom are different s.f. than Voyager class yadda yadda yadda. Carnival cabins sizes are so much easier for me to figure out.

 

Before I get labeled as a RCL cheerleader, I have booked the B2B now on Conquest in Sept, Triumph in Dec and Ecstasy new balcony in Jan 2010. I keep saying I cruise them both. There are some things I prefer about RCL, but Carnival prices if you like to plan ahead are better. Drives me nuts waiting to book RCL until the last few months, but thats how I book and what works best for both lines for me.

[firefly333]

The Royal cheerleaders who parrot the "cabin sizes are virtually the same for newer ships" also leave out that that does not include standard inside cabins at around 150 sq. feet which are generally 20-30 sq. feet smaller than standard insides on Carnival, something evident even on the deck plans of Oasis.

 

I will say the OV I had on Voyager last spring was 180 s.f. and the OV I had on Ecstasy was 185 s.f. Voyager was built in 1999, so isnt that new of a ship. I also think RCL has lots more little cubby holes for storage, which I never use, afraid Ill forget if I put stuff in out of the way storage nooks. I do think they use the cabin space a little better. Call this being a RCL cheerleader, but I do think Carnival has more open space they dont use in the cabin, 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

I personally would not do SOV or Majesty again. Tried SOV once and that was enough. I hated the small cabins. Glad RCL is making larger cabins on the newer ships.

[Grayce]

I like the food better on Carnival. I found a lot more options on the Glory then I had on the Rhapsody. The Glory has a deli, chinese food, fish and chips, 24 hr pizza, a grill with hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken strips and fries. Some things I like better on RCCL was the room service breakfast menu. Carnival does not offer the option of having a hot breakfast from room service. I also liked that RCCL had an adults only solarium and pool.

[dudaze11]

We like the beauty of the RCL ships, especially the Radiance class ships. Our first cruise together was our honeymoon and was on the Serenade so we have real fond memories of it. However, we have booked Carnival cruises ever since because of the price and have enjoyed them also. It is hard to have a bad time on a cruise, IMO. Its hard to pinpoint exact differences as they vary from ship class to ship class. It seems that the general idea is the same but the price differences once on the ship have already been documented here.

[cruiserbryce]

cant believe how many people are so up in arms over RC changes at the moment...we are trying CCL for the first time in April, but only b/c RC doesnt do the Baja Mex cruises anymore

[bike1964]

Price! Price! Price!

 

Ports! Ports! Ports!

 

Those are the only 2 things we look @ when booking a cruise. Whoever has the lowest price and the best choice of ports for us wins. Right now, it's Carnival. We don't care about all the "kids" stuff, flow rider, rock wall, in line skating, ice skating... Never use them. To me, that just attracts more kids!!!:( We don't care how the ship looks, and how much time they spend cleaning the windows. We are budget cruisers who want to get to the ports, get off and enjoy ourselves.:)

 

Peace

[WishIwasOutThereNOW]

i've only been on RCCL enchantment of the seas and CCL glory, liberty & destiny, and only comparing these four ships, the main differences i noticed is it seems to be more room on the EOTS lido deck. maybe just an illusion, the EOTS lido was flat and the CCL lidos are terraced.

 

the EOTS had a round buffet. i never knew where the line started or which way it was rotating. all the others passengers seemed to be having the same trouble. a real cluster. i really didnt like the round buffet. CCL has the more traditional straight line buffet.

 

on ETOS, on the deck the casino was on, you cant go from one end of the ship too the other without going through the casino. nothing against gambling, i just didnt like having to navigate that crowd to get to where i was going. the CCL ships you can walk by the casino without having to go throught it.

 

i really like on EOTS where the elevator opened up in the dance club. doors open, BOOYAW, right on the dance floor. pretty cool.

 

i've found carnival's crew a little more friendly and open than the crew on EOTS. i really hate too say this, but sometimes i'd rather talk too the crew than the other passengers. find out a little about them and what their lives are about. what it's like where they're from, stuff like that. maybe the EOTS crew was too busy or something, i dont know. and not to say the EOTS crew was not friendly and pleasent, just a little more distant(?).

 

let me say first, i love milkshakes. i have one every night after dinner. i dont know what it is, but CCL's milkshakes beat EOTS' milkshakes hands down. could be the difference in the ice cream. EOTS used ben and jerry's and CCL uses Häagen-Dazs.

 

other than that, it's all good on both lines.

[raytownlady]

We're also trying Carnival for the first time in May. Up until now, weh have sailed only on RCI or Celebrity. We have always been interested in Carnival but have finally decided to give it a try and the great prices we got help to seal the deal.

[vacruizer]

i've only been on RCCL enchantment of the seas and CCL glory, liberty & destiny, and only comparing these four ships, the main differences i noticed is it seems to be more room on the EOTS lido deck. maybe just an illusion, the EOTS lido was flat and the CCL lidos are terraced.

 

the EOTS had a round buffet. i never knew where the line started or which way it was rotating. all the others passengers seemed to be having the same trouble. a real cluster. i really didnt like the round buffet. CCL has the more traditional straight line buffet.

 

on ETOS, on the deck the casino was on, you cant go from one end of the ship too the other without going through the casino. nothing against gambling, i just didnt like having to navigate that crowd to get to where i was going. the CCL ships you can walk by the casino without having to go throught it.

 

i really like on EOTS where the elevator opened up in the dance club. doors open, BOOYAW, right on the dance floor. pretty cool.

 

i've found carnival's crew a little more friendly and open than the crew on EOTS. i really hate too say this, but sometimes i'd rather talk too the crew than the other passengers. find out a little about them and what their lives are about. what it's like where they're from, stuff like that. maybe the EOTS crew was too busy or something, i dont know. and not to say the EOTS crew was not friendly and pleasent, just a little more distant(?).

 

let me say first, i love milkshakes. i have one every night after dinner. i dont know what it is, but CCL's milkshakes beat EOTS' milkshakes hands down. could be the difference in the ice cream. EOTS used ben and jerry's and CCL uses Häagen-Dazs.

 

other than that, it's all good on both lines.

 

If you prefer the flat lido layout you might want to try one of Carnival's spirit class ships - Miracle, Legend, Pride or Spirit. They have the more traditional flat layout instead of the tiered stadium seating. I prefer the flat lido as well - those ships also aren't glassed in at the aft pool and bar like the Glory, Liberty, Victory, etc. which I also love. Nothing beats a late night coffee or beer back there chilled out watching the sea go by in the open air. :D

[SAAdds1]

Price! Price! Price!

 

Ports! Ports! Ports!

 

Those are the only 2 things we look @ when booking a cruise. Whoever has the lowest price and the best choice of ports for us wins. Right now, it's Carnival. We don't care about all the "kids" stuff, flow rider, rock wall, in line skating, ice skating... Never use them. To me, that just attracts more kids!!!:( We don't care how the ship looks, and how much time they spend cleaning the windows. We are budget cruisers who want to get to the ports, get off and enjoy ourselves.:)

 

Peace

 

This is the way we feel, except we're not all that picky about the ports. We cruise mainly to be on a cruise ship. Stopping off is just extra for us. :D

But, after going to someplace several times (like Nassau), I'm not sure I would even get off of the ship on that day, so ports do concern us...just not as much as price.

[bike1964]

This is the way we feel, except we're not all that picky about the ports. We cruise mainly to be on a cruise ship. Stopping off is just extra for us. :D

But, after going to someplace several times (like Nassau), I'm not sure I would even get off of the ship on that day, so ports do concern us...just not as much as price.

 

I know what you mean about Nassau. We only need 1 more RCCL cruise to make Diamond, but there is a huge thread about them cutting back on Diamond perks, so we really don't feel the need to go back to them. We booked the Valor on the Early Saver program in Sept. for $349pp, and the closest RCCL can come to a 7 night Western in Sept. is $699pp.:rolleyes:

That's a no brainer in my book.;)

[spencercoop]

If you prefer the flat lido layout you might want to try one of Carnival's spirit class ships - Miracle, Legend, Pride or Spirit. They have the more traditional flat layout instead of the tiered stadium seating. I prefer the flat lido as well - those ships also aren't glassed in at the aft pool and bar like the Glory, Liberty, Victory, etc. which I also love. Nothing beats a late night coffee or beer back there chilled out watching the sea go by in the open air. :D

 

This also applies to the Fantasy Class and the Splendor.

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

cant believe how many people are so up in arms over RC changes at the moment...we are trying CCL for the first time in April, but only b/c RC doesnt do the Baja Mex cruises anymore

 

I feel your pain...can't get much info on the RCI boards right now because of all the talk about certain people losing CL privileges. I've been on Carnival and RCI and think they are about the same. So far have enjoyed Carnival a bit more, but I like to try them all! Up next is RCI due to the itinerary, and price wasn't too bad.

 

I think you will enjoy your Carnival cruise!

[TahoeBob]

We booked the Valor on the Early Saver program in Sept. for $349pp, and the closest RCCL can come to a 7 night Western in Sept. is $699pp.:rolleyes:

That's a no brainer in my book.;)

Another no brainer for ME.

 

carnival Ledgend 11-15 $429.00 inside PP

other lines same week

RCI $749.00

Disney $899.00

Hal $599.00

Norwwegian $549.00

Princess $549.00

[Wennfred]

Can anyone tell me what differences I may expect from RC? Also, what is included in a Carnival cruise?

 

Thanks!

 

Funner Fun Ship crowd, good people to hang around with and meet, thats for sure.

 

 

Fred

[copman]

Where are you getting the milkshakes? I must be missing something...Getting ready to cruise on the Splendor in 3 weeks and I want to make sure I find these...

[summer08bride]

Price! Price! Price!

 

Ports! Ports! Ports!

 

Those are the only 2 things we look @ when booking a cruise. Whoever has the lowest price and the best choice of ports for us wins. Right now, it's Carnival. We don't care about all the "kids" stuff, flow rider, rock wall, in line skating, ice skating... Never use them. To me, that just attracts more kids!!!:( We don't care how the ship looks, and how much time they spend cleaning the windows. We are budget cruisers who want to get to the ports, get off and enjoy ourselves.:)

 

Peace

 

I really enjoyed your post! Price and ports are important to us as well, we dont have kids and dont want the kiddie stuff either (and agree that they bring in more kids). We just care about good food, good entertainment is a plus (We like the adult comedy shows) and good price!

 

Glad to see you are booked on the Valor - we're about to book the Valor as well ;)

[dclark]

Another no brainer for ME.

 

carnival Ledgend 11-15 $429.00 inside PP

other lines same week

RCI $749.00

Disney $899.00

Hal $599.00

Norwwegian $549.00

Princess $549.00

 

It is incredible that RCL is charging $200 more than Princess! Yikes! Princess has crab legs, great sea food, superior service and bath amenities, cheaper drinks, champagne waterfall and all of that is less than RCL!