mtchg

I understand there are beaches within walking distance of the port. Is there decent snorkeling and can we rent the equipment on site (like we do on Coki Beach in St. Thomas). Would like to avoid purchasing an excursion with guide. We are experienced snorkelers. Thoughts?

I am Platinum, though my upcoming October cruise is my first in a few years. I have never been offered any upgrade, whether free or reduced price. But I know it occurs. I don't expect it or much care at this point.

I am Platinum for both CCL and RCCL but admittedly have not cruised since Alaska on Rhapsody of the Seas in 2013 (going on Carnival again in October) In 2010 did a 14 day Mediterranean cruise on the Independence of the Seas..beautiful mega-ship that we really enjoyed. But our previous Carnival cruises were just as enjoyable. That was years ago, so with time and the pandemic, subsequent budget, supply and staffing issues have deteriorated the quality of all lines. Hopefully temporarily. 

 Drazil65 is spot on. We've cruised several times in the Fall. Once I cruised during my namesake Hurricane Mitch. (I got a lot of ribbing on board for this) They switched the itinerary to avoid the storm and except for one day the weather was great. Prices tend to be lower so it's a good time to cruise in my view.

Thanks for the responses, especially cruiserofships. Long and detailed and I appreciate it. Some good changes, some not as good but certainly not a deal breaker. I do wonder about some folks (usually older guests) who don't do the Smart Phone thing....

OK specific: Is room service whittled down to just once a day still, and if so when do they generally clean as opposed to the original mid-morning and early evening?

Just booked my first cruise in years, and first Carnival since the 2000's. Was glad to see CCL automatically converted me to new VIFP system and I'm still Platinum status. I sailed Triumph once upon a time and now will reboard it again as Sunrise after what looks to be an excellent refurb. My inquiry is toward those veterans that can share what changes (pandemic and just in general) can I expect from the "legacy" Carnival pre 2010 and now.

Tick tock Tick tock.....it's been 3 years since the last...way too long.

Few cruisers have actually done as many of both lines (with a sprinkling of NCL) as I have; although it's been a while since I've done Carnival; my last and next will be on Royal Caribbean; but then I would like to try one of Carnival's newer ones like the Breeze, sounds like a great ship (and a real evolutionary step forward for CCL).

In my view, both lines are for more the same than different, no matter how much each line's cheerleaders argue to the contrary.

Decor/ship design: Royal Caribbean (but Carnival's new ships are catching up)

Food: very much the same..with different strengths and weaknesses for both

Service: the same. I know RCCL enthusiasts try to argue that Royal is much better, but I think

both lines do a very good job considering how many they are serving on the ship.

Loyalty Programs: Not even close. RCCL invests a lot to make their returning customers feel special. Obviously Carnival feels it's best not to; and maybe they have a point because?????

Cost: Close, but Carnival is usually less expensive while still delivering a nice cruise experience. We love em both...

We sail both lines and I am divided about the food. For breakfast from room service, Royal Caribbean is far better. For lunch in the buffet, Royal Caribbean is better in that it has stations rather than a long line. The grill, deli, Mongolian Wok, pasta bar, burrito bar and pizza are tons better than anything Royal Caribbean has for lunch.

 

I like the food in the MDR better on Carnival. Lunch on Royal Caribbean in the MDR is the same every day, but the salad bar can't be beat! I think Carnival's desserts have flavor whereas Royal Caribbean's are not that great.

 

I would prefer the ships of Royal Caribbean. I don't use the flow-rider, the rock climbing wall or ice skating, but the ships are beautiful--not gaudy like Carnival. I think the comedy shows on Carnival beat any of the entertainment Royal Caribbean has to offer.

 

I have had better luck in the casino on Carnival and with being Platinum on there, I get a free entry into the slot tournament. I didn't get that any time on Royal Caribbean.

 

We will continue to sail both lines. There are so many positives to each line, that we just decide on the ports as well as price and go from there.

The above I think, when you throw away all cheerleading biases is the closest to real truth in admittedly a very subjective situation. Both lines have their strengths and a few weaknesses...and neither is near as "superior" as some proponents would have you believe.

I think there are two items that can be pretty objectively stated.

Royal Caribbean surpasses Carnival in ship design/ship activities...

Royal Caribbean is almost always more expensive for similar itineraries; sometimes considerably so..

Mitch

Sounds like a great time. How many ports?

9 ports counting Southampton; fairly intensive...but then again it's a two weeker, so still 5 sea days.

Ports include: Gibraltor, Corsica, Cannes/Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, Lisbon and Vigo in that order.

Mitch

I hope you two have a blast on the Indy!

Thanks itbw38!!

Beth and I are going with friends to London/Southampton for 5 days..then 14 nites on the Independence of the Seas; Oasis notwithstanding, still the biggest cruise ship in Europe and it looks absolutely exciting. I am not worried at all about the food...Im sure we will enjoy every bit of this adventure.

Mitch

Royal Caribbean offers this too, upon request. Just ask.

This is true; in fact as I was going over my Indy documents, I noticed they have 3 special email addresses dedicated to requests concerning allergies, vegetarian, etc.

Mitch

I was on the Destinty and then the Liberty a few weeks later. My personal subjective experience was that the food on RCI was slightly better, the buffet was better, and Carnival had better desserts. Just my and opinion and my guests as well. I have been on a total of 4 Carnival cruises and 10 Royal, so I am not just a two cruise reviewer. I was on the Indy in Feb., and I really enjoyed the cruise, great staff and shows. The food was good.

Im not doubting you; and again I have only sailed on Carnival and one NCL since my first three RCCL cruises. There are many others who agree with you...but to repeat myself; yours is a definite minority of the hundreds I have read ( and I don't mean 90-10%...but 60-40...)...You already have decided who is best from your own experience and that is what's important.

Mitch

You can put about twice the amount of laundry in the washer than in the bag for less cost. For $8, you furnish your detergent, rinse/softner, wash, and dry as opposed to $15 for the laundry bag.

 

And don't think I "waste" time in the laundry room waiting. I put the load in the washer and come back later to transfer to the dryer. Come back and hang them up and fold a few undies. Remember, I'm only talking about 4 days worth of laundry so it's not much and impacts the schedule very little and saves money. I am platinum as well and I let Carnival do mine since it is free and I save even more!

Ok...so you do your own laundry....but let Carnival do some for free, because your Platinum?? But they will do ALL of it for free..??

Or did you mean you USED to use the laundry facilities UNTIL your were Platinum..

At any rate; even pre platinum, I just can't relate to carrying laundry into a laundry room on vacation; but for those that can, Kudos to Carnival for the less expensive option. RCCL does not have that option.

Mitch

Much better? Carnival has better deserts, their beef is low grade. The MDRs are close to equal, and the windjammer is laid out better. How can anyone say one is "much better" than the other? It's very close to the same.

While I agree opinion of food is VERY subjective; if you did as much exhaustive perusing of CCL vs RCCL reviews over many months as I have, reviewers (those that have had a least TWO cruises on each)..both CC members and professional reviewers, a distinct pattern emerges. Throw out the exaggerated cheerleading types from both camps..throwing out the "flamers"...it is plain that Carnival gets the consensus for better Main Dining Room fare.

I haven't sailed RCCL for 4 years; so I will get to see (or taste?) for myself starting July 3 on the Independence of the Seas.

Mitch

After reading this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1215262

sounds like Carnival is sliding down a slippery slope.

...if by "slippery slope' you mean they have banned power strips, are enforcing the liquor ban more stringently, and have eliminated repeater "pins". Those are pretty much the complaints on that CCL thread. Marginal issues at most. Alot of complaints of the new CEO compared to the legendery John Dickenson; but more in style than substance.

Royal Caribbean has it's own issues; and to be fair to all the cruiselines; they are just trying to cope with a bad economic atmosphere; and historically low price points; a necessity to fill berths; but a strain on the bottom line.

Mitch

"Just returned from Alaska... They were rolling out many new menu items and the head chef from Miami Coorperate was on board to oversee this transition. It was "Hands Down" much better than the previous Carnival Cruise and an improvement over Jewel of the Seas taken in Fall 2000"

I imagine so, since Jewel of the Seas didn't debut unitl the Spring of 2004. ???

Mitch

Carnival Food: Better than RCCL

RCCL Ships (design, activities/family) Better than Carnival

Price: Carnival cheaper.

Thats it in a nutshell.

Mitch

Joe Gibbs is greater

:cj

John Wooden. RIP....and he wouldn't put up with some of his contemporaries behavior either.

The rudest by far are the ones who call older people rude.Such selfish self centered snobs.No doubt their children will treat them badly one day with attitudes like that

:cj

No one said ALL..or even MOST senior citizens are rude. However there is a small but vocal portion of the seasoned citizen group, that consider themselves naturally entitled by their age to not follow the normal traditions of politeness and decorum in group settings; and quite frankly most of them are females.

I experienced that on one 8 nite cruise imparticularly...cutting in line, loud inappropriate complaining..basically the same self centered behavior the above poster has accused their critics of.

I always stay polite; bite my tongue and "respect my elders" (and hey I'm in my 50's)....but I don't appreciate it, and the criticism of their behavior on this forum is justified.

Mitch

Yes! $3 to wash and $3 to dry with detergent and fabric softner for $1 each if I remember correctly.

 

Laundry facilities are on all Carnival ships. Additionally, they offer a wash and fold service and once or twice a week, depending on the length of the cruise I think, they offer a $15 bag service where they will wash and fold everything you can stuff in the bag for one price. My advice? Stick with the laundry. You can wash more and dry more than you can stuff in that bag for about half the price. But, if you prefer not to do laundry on your vacation, then let them do it.

 

My wife and I do the same as you're thinking. We pack for about 4 days and wash mid-cruise. It's not that big a deal and it beats lugging several suitcases around on embarkation and debarkation day!!!

 

If you are VIP cruisers with Carnival, you get the wash and fold service free, so the options are many......:)

We are Platinum and yes, the free laundry is one of the best perks in the industry, we always take advantage of it. However, though you would save money by doing your own wash; for just a few more dollars; Carnival will take care of this with their special; why waste precious vacation time in a laundry room?

Mitch

...In fact sailed her TWICE since her refurbishment. Forget about the age of the ship. They have totally revamped her (it was famously 90's Vegas neon before) and I think I would call her "beautiful" with still a touch of that famous Carnival fun feel.

I also have sailed the Holiday (I think I saw a poster whose only cruise until booking the Fantasy was Holiday)...and this will be a BIG step up.

We enjoyed the Serenity area ("Serenity Now!" Frank Costanza)....however; it's not overly large, and no dedicated bar. It's perhaps not as special as it's made out to be, but we took advantage of it none-the-less.

Most of the questions have already been answered but if you have any other, post away or email mitchinam@yahoo.com

Mitch

early in the morning..drinking coffee.....sun coming up..

Mitch