Moving over from Royal Caribbean!

[hayesktrm]

I jumped, too. I have been on 3 RCL cruises, 1 CCL, 2 Disney and 1 NCL. I have enjoyed them all. The CCL one was a 3 night, older ship. Too much of a party scene for me (we had our young kids with us). However, took a 3 night girls' cruise on RCL and it, too, was very much a party scene. Since we were also partying, we had a great time.

 

We saved over $400 by switching from the Enchantment to the Glory and we're going from a 5-day to a 7-day...can't beat that. From what I've read over at the RCL board, a lot has gone downhill. I am sure they still have a great product (and I'm a stockholder), but Carnival does, too and at the end of the day the difference in price made me want to try Carnival again. Bigger, newer ship + better price + better intinerary = happy me!

[vacruizer]

This list made me laugh out loud! Thanks Hamlet! :D

 

Number 11 was the most amusing to me. Yes, I'm absolutely sure that Carnival "likes to turn off the stabilizers", since everyone knows that seasick passengers clearly spend so much more money than happy ones do. ;)

 

LOL - you are so right. When ships hit very rough seas they do turn off the stabilizers - once it gets to a certain point the rough seas would damage the stabilizers so yes, they are turned off. They extend out from the ship underwater and very rough seas could rip them off the hull. The same would happen on any other cruise line if seas got bad enough. :rolleyes:

 

The Captain is out for safety. They would much rather have people out spending money on drinks, casino, jewelry, bingo, etc. than stuck in their cabins seasick.

[familycruzer]

This is a joke right? You admit you've only sailed on the Sensation which only does three or four day cruises. Anyone who has ANY cruise knowledge realizes that there is very little comparison to be made between the shorter cruises and longer ones. But I also realize I'm probably wasting my breath trying to convince you otherwise...

 

The Carnival experience I remember is much like the one from this post but I was on a 4 nighter with my kids who were 5 and 9 at the time. I have stayed away for years after trying Royal Caribbean, but am willing to give Carnival another try with a newer ship and longer cruise. I am going in with an open mind and will have a good cruise no matter what. I wont have to cook or clean. Life is good!!

[Cruzaholic41]

I'm curious whether the Royal Majesty 3-day cruises to the Bahamas have the same "party" atmostphere/clientele as the Carnival cruises are supposed to have. My niece is taking her first cruise on the 3 day Royal.

 

Yes, it does. I have sailed that ship several times. Sometimes it is calm. Others, it is a party atmosphere. All in all, the clientele is exactly the same as Carnival's short cruises.

[gtalum]

Let's face it. CCL and RCCL are seeking the same market. RCL tries to pretend it's after a "higher-class" clientele, but in the end they're after the same market and Carnival is winning the game right now.

[Cruzaholic41]

RCL tries to pretend it's after a "higher-class" clientele.

 

I don't think that is true. I think it is a small number of passengers that have that opinion. Look at advertisments. RCI certainly doesn't advertise as a higher class. Both lines advertise fun and activites.

[metalmuff26]

I have done one cruise on RCCL and will be trying Carnival for the first time in April. I enjoyed everything about RCCL but now I have something to compare it to. Also, I have heard that the food and night life were a lot better on Carnival from some people at my work.

[punkidoodle]

I never said it was typical, just saying what I noticed and experienced. I don't think RC is holier than tho I just think it's a better ship and company with more stuff to do. I found that people on both ships were nice. I just felt RC took care of ME better.... that's why I cruise on RC. I wanted to try Carnival and it is nice for some but just not for me. I'm glad you like Carnival and make your home there. =)

 

I do NOT judge the class of people by one or two people. I judge the class of people by what I see the most on each ship. I'm not saying these people are low life's or have problems, I'm just saying it was a difference like you would see in the trailer park or a nice $300,000 housing complex. Not trying to be rude but I don't have another way of explaining it. If you drive through town and a trailer park or a nice well to do neighborhood you see different people. Sure they may all be nice and easy to get along with, fun, etc but they are different in some areas.... that's all I was trying to say.

 

Also with you being a well to do banker that is great! You have a good education and great job. I on the other hand dropped out of school in the 10th grade, went in the military and run my own business. I'm not the sharpest branch on the tree by any means. I've been on the bottom of the world making $280 a week with a wife and two kids (hard to survive) I have also made much more in my own business so it is easier for me to see different views because I have been in the low income field and higher income field. I'm not judging anyone, simply saying after both cruises I enjoyed the RC cruise MUCH more and thought the company and the ship itself was much better.

 

I'm wondering if your observations aren't skewed somewhat. I don't think you're comparing apples to apples. Wasn't your RC cruise a 7 night cruise in July and your Sensation cruise a 3 nighter over spring break? Obviously the 3 nighter over spring break is going to draw a much roudier crowd.

[NavarreCruiser]

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.;)

As you can see by my cruise history we cruise quite a bit with both lines. We just got home yesterday from a 7 day on Voyager OTS, our first cruise as diamond members. The Concierge lounges were a nice perk, free drinks and nice snacks from 4:30 to 8:00 each evening. And the Concierge was helpful with a number of small requests and problems. Galveston embarkation and debarkation were fast and problem free. Voyager OTS is 10 years old and it shows in some small ways. But the ship is going for a major drydock next month, so I'm sure it will look better after that. There are more similarities than differences between the 2 lines. My personal opinion, and it is only an opinion, is that RCCL cruisers tend to be older, more loyal, snobbier, and more reserved. CCL cruisers tend to cruise less frequently, are generally younger, looser and more party oriented. Diamond level and above on RCCL does get more benefits than platinum on CCL, but Carnival crews seem to respect and treat platinum members with more deferrence

[Wennfred]

As you can see by my cruise history we cruise quite a bit with both lines. We just got home yesterday from a 7 day on Voyager OTS, our first cruise as diamond members. The Concierge lounges were a nice perk, free drinks and nice snacks from 4:30 to 8:00 each evening. And the Concierge was helpful with a number of small requests and problems. Galveston embarkation and debarkation were fast and problem free. Voyager OTS is 10 years old and it shows in some small ways. But the ship is going for a major drydock next month, so I'm sure it will look better after that. There are more similarities than differences between the 2 lines. My personal opinion, and it is only an opinion, is that RCCL cruisers tend to be older, more loyal, snobbier, and more reserved. CCL cruisers tend to cruise less frequently, are generally younger, looser and more party oriented. Diamond level and above on RCCL does get more benefits than platinum on CCL, but Carnival crews seem to respect and treat platinum members with more deferrence

 

I just posted on the RCI board and all 3 post were immediately erased, I'm only guessing they know that I am right about seeing more RCI Customers defect and come on over to the Carnival board.

 

Right now its not a good time to Cruise because of many with Economic Challenges, its just hard out there with many with out jobs etc.

 

But what I said is that RCI Customers are finally breaking away from their Holier then Thou attitude and coming over to Carnival because the see that Carnival offers a great package for the buck.

 

And also everyone knows the those RCI customers are in denial that Carnival has the best food.

 

We welcome all RCI Customers here, We will not Erase your post here either.

 

 

 

 

Fred

 

 

Fred

[dclark]

I disagree with those who say the lines cruisers are the same. If anything, CCL cruisers are more discerning. RCL has gotten away with lots of penny pinching, like charging for a burger (Johnny Rockets), food quality cutbacks, charging for an edible steak in the mdr, charging for late night room service. If CCL did these things, CCL cruisers would go to a all inclusive or different line, they wouln't sand for it

RCL cruisers are happy to have a plate of rice with $.50 worth of shrimp as "dinner".

What's the difference between a garbage barge and a RCL ship? Food tastes the same on both, but RCL also offers a rock climbing wall!

[Julienatul]

The newer Carnival ships are designed very similar to RCCL. You wont find rock climbing, ice skating, johnny rockets or flow rider but you will find better water slides, water parks, mini golf, entertainment in the dining room, larger cabins, and a more laid back atmosphere and much better prices for the same itinerary. There really isnt too much difference. Try it, I bet you will be very surprised.

[SAAdds1]

We have sailed RCCL 8 times, and Carnival 8 times. I really don't notice a difference in the passengers. As far as the ships go, I don't really care how they are decorated and how much time they spend cleaning the windows, what time the Rock wall or the flow rider opens. It may make a difference to some people who plan on spending their entire trip in their stateroom.:o

 

IMHO, its' not about the ship or the size of the stateroom, its the service and quality of food, and right now Carnival has the edge.

 

Trust me, there is nothing on RCCL worth paying an extra $200-$300 for on a same itenerary as a Carnival, or a Princess sailing.;)

 

Those of you that are skeptical about Carnival, keep wasting your hard earned dollars because you might get attacked by a mullet if you stay out past 10:00!!!:rolleyes:

 

Have to agree with you. So glad I switched and saved $700 (and added two days to my cruise).

[SAAdds1]

Yeah! Go away, and keep our low-class Wal-Mart drunkard fares down! :) ;)

 

Now, THAT'S funny. I don't care who you are...

[themarm]

Number 11 was the most amusing to me. Yes, I'm absolutely sure that Carnival "likes to turn off the stabilizers", since everyone knows that seasick passengers clearly spend so much more money than happy ones do.

 

seasick passengers spend! they spend their time tossing their cookies. :p

[VABeach]

Shorter, 3 and 4 day cruises, usually are more of a "party croud" no matter what the cruise line.

 

Honestly, the rudest ecounter I ever had with another passenger was on HAL, not RCI or CCL. :rolleyes:

[Cindy]

Honestly, the rudest ecounter I ever had with another passenger was on HAL, not RCI or CCL. :rolleyes:

 

The rudest jerks (brothers) I ever met were on one of our Princess cruises. Unfortunately they were at my dinner table.:( Anyone who thinks that the passengers on (insert name of ANY mass market cruiseline here) are classier than the passengers on a competitor is fooling themself. The only real demographic that I think you could make a broad statement about is that a longer cruise tends to attract a different passenger load than a 3 day cruise.

 

 

The newer Carnival ships are designed very similar to RCCL. You wont find rock climbing, ice skating, johnny rockets or flow rider but you will find better water slides, water parks, mini golf, entertainment in the dining room, larger cabins, and a more laid back atmosphere and much better prices for the same itinerary. There really isnt too much difference. Try it, I bet you will be very surprised.

 

A much better price for the same itinerary is what caused us to look around. When I think about what I like to do on a cruise, one of the most important things to me is a balcony where I can read and relax and get away from responsibility for a while. We like nice dinners, good wine, and frou-frou drinks. A good cruise to me has nothing to do with a rock wall or an ice rink. That's why when I saw a Cat. 11 on the Conquest for $1,500 less than a JS on the Voyager it was a no-brainer for me.

Do I like the Voyager? Yes, it's a beautiful ship and I'm somewhat of a ship freak...I'm just fascinated with ship design and a ship the size of Voyager captures my fancy! Do I like her enough to spend an extra $1,500 for comparable accommodations on the same dates and itinerary? Not even close.

[J-Hawk]

Thanks for everyone's great input! We will be cancelling our cruise on Oasis and trying out Carnival in January.

[js]

But what I said is that RCI Customers are finally breaking away from their Holier then Thou attitude and coming over to Carnival because the see that Carnival offers a great package for the buck.

 

We welcome all RCI Customers here, We will not Erase your post here either.

 

 

Fred

 

Fred, my family and I cruise RCCL often, not because of our Holier then Thou attitude, as you state above, but rather because the kids always have fun and so do my dh and I.

We are never disappointed in what we pay for the service, onboard activities and ships.

We decided to give CCL a try simply because of the price and since I am brining two extra children with us, cost is a concern. Thinking a newer ship will be wonderful as well as new ports. It has nothing to do with a better then you attitude. Not all of us in RCCL are like that. RCCL does not boast in their commercials they cater to more wealthy or mature person, they obviously try to show they are a fun family cruiseline.

Not wanting to start a back/forth match but I am not one that is breaking away from my "attitude".

[js]

Thanks for everyone's great input! We will be cancelling our cruise on Oasis and trying out Carnival in January.

 

WOW! We did the same thing for August 2010. While I know the Dream and the Oasis will not compare with all the bells and whistles, I am confident that we will be sailing a new ship and have a ton of fun! My family is very excited!

I will sail on the Oasis in the future, but right now for the money and new ship, I'll try CCL. I really hope we like it a lot/love it since we cruise often and can save money at the same time. When you cancel, please make sure you tell RCCL you are canceling because of the price and you can get a new CCL for much cheaper (if you so desire to tell them why).

You'll have to let us know all about the Dream.

What cabin(s) will you be booking?

[alphakitty]

Money has nothing to do with higher class I never said that, let me try to explain better.

 

Carnival - Notice many people with mullets and tshirts running around with 2 Budweiser in hand screaming "time to party biyatches"

 

Royal Caribbean - Noticed people in bars on ship with nice outfits, drinking and talking without screaming. Never once saw anyone dry humping their mate on the deck in front of kids. Could talk and communicate well with cooks. Never noticed any guys with hair as long as a girl screaming biyatches....

 

ROFL this makes me laugh. My experience with both lines is that the demographics are the same and very varied on each. A lot depends on the time of year, the length of cruise and embarkation port.

 

Only time I've ever witnessed a real problem was on Royal when a husband/SO beat the woman he was traveling with bloody. :eek: This happened in the cabin next door to us. They were both stinking drunk. It was my first RC cruise. I knew enough to know that could happen anywhere, anytime, on any line.

 

In all my Carnival cruises I've never noticed any of the characters you are quoted above as seeing "many" times. I've noticed couples in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, etc......singles, seniors, families on every cruise I've taken.

[snorkelingsearchers]

I have only been on two cruises. Carnival Inspiration 7 day Western and RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas 7 day Western. I agree that they are very similar. I thought that the food was a little bit better on Carnival.

 

They were both great!

 

I agree that you should pick on price and ports first, and then ships. We loved the glass on Rhapsody, but that is ship (or rather class(es)) specific.

 

For example, we are booked on Legend for the fall a Western Caribbean and are shopping Alaska for June 2010 right now - which we are narrowing down between NCL, HAL, Celebrity, and RCI. Carnival is only out because their itinerary leaves something to be desired.:rolleyes:

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I have only been on two cruises. Carnival Inspiration 7 day Western and RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas 7 day Western. I agree that they are very similar. I thought that the food was a little bit better on Carnival.

 

They were both great!

 

I agree that you should pick on price and ports first, and then ships. We loved the glass on Rhapsody, but that is ship (or rather class(es)) specific.

 

For example, we are booked on Legend for the fall a Western Caribbean and are shopping Alaska for June 2010 right now - which we are narrowing down between NCL, HAL, Celebrity, and RCI. Carnival is only out because their itinerary leaves something to be desired.:rolleyes:

 

Why not Princess to Alaska? HAL and Princess have been doing Alaska the longest and have very good reputation.

 

Bill

[coolcruisin79]

Hey Everyone!

Seems to be everyone is saying what i'm thinking...I have been on three cruises with RCCL and i'm going on my third with Carnival in June. The experiences have varied from ship to ship. I can say I have never had a bad experience on either line. Then again, cruising is always what you make of it. I hear people complain about little things and it drives me crazy. Just relax and have a good time!!!

I chose this carnival cruise based on price. My parents are coming with my husband and I this time. They were "loyal to royal" and felt guilty about booking with carnival. However, when they found out they could have a category 11 suite on Carnival for the same price as an inside stateroom on RCCL they were in! And, I've been sharing all the cool stuff i've been learning on the boards and they are excited for something new.

Can't wait to cruise!

Colleen:)

[Guest TropicOne]

Money has nothing to do with higher class I never said that, let me try to explain better.

 

Carnival - Notice many people with mullets and tshirts running around with 2 Budweiser in hand screaming "time to party biyatches"

 

Royal Caribbean - Noticed people in bars on ship with nice outfits, drinking and talking without screaming. Never once saw anyone dry humping their mate on the deck in front of kids. Could talk and communicate well with cooks. Never noticed any guys with hair as long as a girl screaming biyatches....

 

I have been on 3 Carnival 3 & 4 day cruises and never at any time seen what you claim happened.