Help comparing CCL and RCCL, please

[handbellplayer]

We just got back from Glory (check out my review on the Carnival Board, if you're interested) and we're talking about our next cruise. We've been on three Carnival cruises (Ecstacy, Destiny, Glory) and one RCCL (Sovereign). We liked some things about CCL and some about RCCL and we're trying to decide which to choose for our next cruise. I'm curious as to whether some of the things I didn't like so much on Sovereign are different on newer larger RCCL ships, because there were so many things we did like on SOS. My main questions are the following:

Are the staterooms on RCCL really small? On Sovereign, we generally had plenty of space in the cabin, but I remember climbing over my husband to get ot of bed in the middle of the night. Are cabins on the newer RCCL ships larger (I mean for a standard inside or oceanview cabin) or better-arranged?

The daytime casual eating choices were very limited on SOS - I love the deli, pizza, Asian and grill on Carnival and don't care for "cafeteria-type" food at lunch. Do the newer RCCL ships have more choices?

Wow, I guess those are the only two concerns. Can anyone who has cruised both lines help?

Thanks!

Anne

Glory 5/1/04

Glory 5/1/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;5;1;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[birdie16]

I cruised the Glory last September...and we had a horrible experience, in part because we are used to being spoiled by RCI.

The Sovereign is one of the smallest and oldest ships of RCI so the cabins are small and the choices of activities and food are not as good as one of the larger ships. The Glory is the newest and biggest of Carnival's fleet so you really are not even coming close to comparing apples to oranges.

The Glory is big...the cabins are nice, but we felt all they did was add cabins, not public areas or activities. We really missed the wide open spaces that the RCI ships offer as well as the adult only (enforced) solarium pool. RCI really knows how to design a ship! Try the Radiance or Voyager Class once and I bet you won't go back to Carnival.

<center>
<img src=http://animatedgif.net/animals/birds/green_bird_e0.gif>
Voyager of the Seas 2/1/04
Glory 9/20/03
Monarch of the Seas 7/21/03
Splendour of the Seas 2/3/03
Rhapsody of the Seas 9/22/02
Elation 2/3/02

[Rustynail]

I've sailed on Carnival's Legend and had a fabulous time. We cruised on the Century in Dec and hae a good time. Next up in the new Carribean Princess this coming Jan with RCL next up on our mission to try out as many cruise lines as possible.

I agree that you will always find things you like better on each ship or cruiseline. I guess the question then is do you settle for the cruiseline that offers you most of the things you like to do you continue to look for that ultimate experience?

Rusty

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2005;1;22;11;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until we sail the Carribean Princess<BR


CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
<IMG
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=475109651"] Roll Call.... click here to join the fun![/url]
</applet>
CARNIVAL'S LEGEND JAN 2003
CELEBRITY'S CENTURY DEC 2003

[birdyhunter]

We're doing the same thing you are. We've cruised CCL before and had a great time. We wanted to try something different this year and to experience a different cruise line. We picked the intinerary and then looked for the ship. we ended up selecting the Adventure. I'm confident we will have a good time and that there will be some things we like better and some things that aren't as nice. The other posters were right you aren't comparing apples to apples as far as ships go. If you were on the Glory you will need to go on a Voyager class ship to experience RCCL large vessel apthmosphere. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[img]http://home.tiscali.nl/t411310/adv/thadventure-ZDsc20077.jpg[/img]

[B]<MARQUEE>RCL Adventure of the Seas July 4, 2004 </MARQUEE>[/B]

Till we leave :
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;7;4;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]

Carnival Destiny 7/01
Carnival Pride 7/02

[img]http://i.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/logos/pistons_65.gif[/img] NBA Championship 2004!
Win Pistons 4 Bucks 1 On to round 2
Pistons 3 Nets 3

[goodml]

My family and I love both lines. If you enjoy Carnival you will still enjoy them even after sailing on RCCL. The Voyager class is phenomenal (we enjoyed it immensely) but we don't always want that style of ship either. Had a fabulous time on the Victory last year. We love the differences in the two lines. There are things that we like and don't like about each but I've never had a bad trip on either. The Sovereign cabins are very, very small. You will find the cabins on the newer and larger RCCL ships much better. You're attitude is excellent and you'll have a great time no matter which one you sail on. Take the biased opinions with a grain of salt.

[want2seaitall]

Carnival = Cubic Zurconia
Royal Caribbean = Diamond

My first balcony on the Vision!!! 2/20/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=da70d6&cdt=2005;2;20;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
RCCL Majesty of the Seas - April 2004
Carnival Inspiration - June 2003
RCCL Monarch of the Seas - July 2002

[karen_cpa]

Just got off the Voyager and I can say after being on 4 Carnival Cruises that the food was much better on Carnival. The food on the Voyager was kinda iffy at best - although breakfast in the Windjammer was consistently excellent. I don't know if it is a RCCL thing, or a Voyager thing, or leaving from the NJ port if the vendors are different than the rest of the fleet - but that food was not impressive at all.

Found the rooms sizes to be about the same - we had a balcony on VOS and had plenty of room. There is a TON of closet and drawer space, so everything was put away and the room never seemed cramped.

Voyager of the Seas - 05/04
Tahitian Princess - 10/03 (Our Honeymoon)
Carnival Paradise - 08/02

[wizfourfam]

We are also interested in exploring RCCL cruises. Picked the AOS as well for the itinerary. Almost choked when I checked the pricing!! Will continue to shop and watch the prices.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by birdyhunter:
We're doing the same thing you are. We've cruised CCL before and had a great time. We wanted to try something different this year and to experience a different cruise line. We picked the intinerary and then looked for the ship. we ended up selecting the Adventure. I'm confident we will have a good time and that there will be some things we like better and some things that aren't as nice. The other posters were right you aren't comparing apples to apples as far as ships go. If you were on the Glory you will need to go on a Voyager class ship to experience RCCL large vessel apthmosphere. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[url="http://home.tiscali.nl/t411310/adv/thadventure-ZDsc20077.jpg"]http://home.tiscali.nl/t411310/adv/thadventure-ZDsc20077.jpg[/url]

_<MARQUEE>RCL Adventure of the Seas July 4, 2004 </MARQUEE>_

Till we leave :
[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;7;4;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;7;4;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/url]

Carnival Destiny 7/01
Carnival Pride 7/02

[url="http://i.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/logos/pistons_65.gif"]http://i.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/logos/pistons_65.gif[/url] NBA Championship 2004!
Win Pistons 4 Bucks 1 On to round 2
Pistons 3 Nets 3

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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until we Triumph again!


Carnival Triumph 12/03, Carnival Imagination 02/03, Costa Angelique 9/78

[Cruising89143]

I have done two RCI cruise and many Carnival cruises. I am trying a Voyager class ship in December but I can tell you that I did not notice much difference between the two lines. Carnival still has larger staterooms but RCI is improving on this with their newer ships. Personally, I love the Spirit class of ships. Very roomy and no crowded feeling at all. When it all boils down to it, I would look at price and itinerary. I was able to get a good deal on the Navigator for December but I would refuse to pay what RCI is asking for those ships at certain times of the year. You have die hard fans of both lines and they will defend them to their dying days but I would still go with who has the best deal and itinerary.

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

9/02/2004 Fantasy
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;9;2;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
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[jemingway]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dentalchic:
Carnival = Cubic Zurconia
Royal Caribbean = Diamond

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Complete nonsense.

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[goodml]

cruisingator2 and karen_cpa: that's exactly how we feel.

[want2seaitall]

jemingway...that is right...your opinions are 100% accurate...and mine are [I]nonsense[/I]...my opologies for having an opinion that doesn't match yours!!!

The OP ask for a comparison...by coming on this board and posting you are hoping to get many, several, tons of opinions that you can digest and will help you make a decision.

I just reread her the title of the thread and...nope...doesn't say anything about jemingway's opinion only!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Let me state...I've tried both lines...my family of four prefers RCCL, without a doubt, to Carnival. Would I cruise on Carnival again...for the right price...the right port...and the right itinerary...YES. Why...because sometimes CZs are pretty and fit the budget a little better. In my OPINION...they don't compare to the real deal.

My first balcony on the Vision!!! 2/20/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=da70d6&cdt=2005;2;20;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
RCCL Majesty of the Seas - April 2004
Carnival Inspiration - June 2003
RCCL Monarch of the Seas - July 2002

[jemingway]

dentalchic, I apologize to you. I did not mean to offend you, but your comment didn't seem responsive to someone who is looking for information. You made a remark with no explanation that I obviously disagreed with. Obviously, I could have done a better job and I ask for your forgiveness. I will be nice. OK?

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[cruisinfanatic]

Check out my Victory and Navigator reviews. I do some comparing in each.

To say RCCI is far above Carnival and vise versa in nonsense. They both have their plusses compared to the other. It's totally based on the preference of the cruiser. I personally prefer RCCI over Carnival, and have the experience on different classes of each to compare.
To say food is bad on either is rediculous too. There is no way that you would not be able to find something to like. No one starves.

[I][B]
Tropical 9/91
Ecstasy 9/93
Monarch 9/95
Sensation 9/96
Grandeur 9/97
Inspiration 9/98
Enchantment 9/99
Grandeur 9/00
Explorer 3/01
Grand 9/01.........[url="http://cruisereview.homestead.com/GrandPrincessReview.html"]Review!![/url]
Victory 9/02........[url="http://cruisereview.homestead.com/VictoryReview.html"]Review!![/url]
Navigator 3/03....[url="http://cruisereview.homestead.com/CruiseReviews.html"]Review!![/url]
Adventure 9/03....[url="http://cruisereview.homestead.com/AdventureReview.html"]Review!![/url]
Voyager 9/04
Email....Cruisinfanatic@AOL.COM
[/I][/B]

[want2seaitall]

jemingway...without a doubt...I apologize for snapping back...I agree...I didn't go into much detail...I guess I shouldn't have replied at all...I've just replied to similar threads...again, again, and again...about the same thing...so I was just trying to help...and give a condensed version...lol!!! No offense to the OP...I know that darn search isn't working.

It is the way I feel...but like I said...I would love to give them another try...on one of their newer ships...I'd be so happy to have other options...on cruises. But...I'm not a picky person at all...and we really didn't think too highly of our Carnival experience.

Have a good evening.

My first balcony on the Vision!!! 2/20/05
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=da70d6&cdt=2005;2;20;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
RCCL Majesty of the Seas - April 2004
Carnival Inspiration - June 2003
RCCL Monarch of the Seas - July 2002

[jemingway]

dentalchic, I promise never to insult you again(or anyone else for that matter). I know I can and will do a better job of not bashing anyone.

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[luv2camp]

Our OPINION.....from one sailing on RCI Serenade.

We have cruised both lines and like others...we see pro's and con's for each. We absolutely LOVE the ability to order a hot breakfast to eat on the balcony on RCI, CCL is a "continental" breakfast. Windjammer food was good..but always pretty much the same. CCL has a better selection in their casual dining area. Maybe not better tasting...just more to chose from.

Enjoyed Seaview Cafe....WHEN it was open. It was only open when Windjammer was closed.

Drink prices are a little less on CCL.

Cabin size on Pride and Glory were a smidgen larger than Serenade.

Decor of RCI ships are simply gorgeous compared to CCL. Attracts a different genre of people.

We liked the late night entertainment on CCL better. There is MUCH more to do on an RCI ship during the day. More public spaces. You MUST try the billiard tables!!

As you can tell by signature...none of the con's turned us off from sailing RCI. We are booked for two more. It boils down to itinerary and pricing. We are doing NE/Canada with a Promenade stateroom....can't get that with CCL. We don't consider Alaska cruising to be a "party barge"....so RCI is fine with us. Now for a Caribbean party...can't beat CCL.

Hope this helps...and again...our OPINION only.

Carnival Pride 06/08/2002
Carnival Glory 09/06/2003
RCCL Serenade 04/17/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=a0522d&cdt=2004;09;19;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until VOS New England/Canda

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=a0522d&cdt=2005;08;28;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until SOS Alaska Inside Passage

[elaineb]

We've been on both a small ship and a larger ship on Carnival, and a small ship on RCCL. This summer we're doing the AOS. I think it's not a good comparison to compare a small ship on one line to a larger ship on another. But to put in my two cents, our overall experience so far:
Carnival - better dining room food; larger room size; more late night things to do; friendlier people
RCCL - better service; better organization getting people on & off ship; nicer decor; more knowledgeable shore excursion staff
That being said, I'd still take either line depending on itinerary and price. We wanted to do the Souther Carrib. and liked better the islands that RCCL is going to. Carnival had less ports and and extra sea day. The price - well RCCL took my breath away! I knew cruising in July would be pricey, but that is the only way we could accomodate everyone's schedule. In short, if cruising Carnival every other time gets us on more cruises, well then I'm all for it!

Nordic Empress 3/01
Carnival Triumph 4/02
Fascination 8/03
Adventure of the Seas 7/04

[halos]

This is like a breath of fresh air!!!!
Complimnets to all for great comparisons without the bashing!

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[imatarb]

I am also interested in this thread as we are in the process of planning another cruise next year, and we'd like to try RCCL. I cruised RCCL 10 years ago on the Monarch, and it was fabulous, so would like to try again. Just recently returned from the Carnival Victory, and it was a great time, too, and the itinerary was awesome.

There are truly pros and cons to each line and each ship, frankly. I think it's important for people to decide what means most to them and go from there. For me, the itinerary and price is important, and I'd consider either RCCL or CCL again.

Lisa [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[b]Monarch of the Seas - 1994
Royal Majesty - 1996
Carnival Victory - 2004[/b]

<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than a day at work</MARQUEE>

[momofmeg]

birdie16 this is the second post where you mentioned the adult only pool. Miracle a spirit class ship like Glory, had an adult only pool and jacuzzi at the end of the lido on the back of the ship. Does Glory not have this?

dentalchic maybe you should say Carnival is moissanite and Royal Carribean diamond to be more fair. What it really depends on is what ship and not what line. But I won't say anything too negative (Ihope) maybe after my Mariner cruise I will be able to say better if RCCL is nicer then Carnival or not as the only RCCL ship I have been was Sovereign which is an old ship. Anyway I have not been glory (and doubt I will be because we are going for Mariner) but I found that Miracle as far as food, entertainment and service was great. We had all sorts of live music in like five different lounges(-never went to the disco not our thing so I am not counting there). But there was plenty of nostalgia rock,country, jazz and classical going on every night in different lounges.

Carnival Tropicale 10/15/98 Western Caribbean
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 11/22/99 Bahamas
Carnival Fascination 09/23/00 Southern caribbean
HAL Statendam 05/20/01 Alaska
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 11/08/01 Bahamas
Pacific Princess 09/29/02 Bermuda
Carnival Inspiration 12/14/03 Western caribbean
Carnival Miracle 04/09/04 Bahamas

[This message was edited by momofmeg on 05-23-04 at 03:03 PM.]

[Cruising89143]

Actually the Glory is a Conquest class ship and the Miracle is a Spirit class ship. The adults only pool on the Glory was in the aft area of the ship but I saw kids in there anyway.

Gordon

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url]

NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04.

9/02/2004 Fantasy
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;9;2;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[mgasparro1]

I just cruised Carnival Legend in October and i have cruised Nordic Empress 3 times in the past 2 years..i will NEVER cruise Carnival again..the crew is much nicer on rcl and i had alot more fun on the nordic than on the "fun ship"..Crew was overly serious and the food was not great..the room was nice on Legend, but just as nice on Nordic...im cruising on Voyager in September and i cannot wait!!!! RCL all the way!!!

[jezzdogg]

While, we have not cruised Carnival, we have cruised Celebrity, Royal and Princess. We have found on the new ships the staterooms in equivalant categories are all about the same size. Again this is my opioion but, Celelbrity has the best food and service of these 3. While Royal has the best entertainment and nightlife. Princess are nice ships and the cruiser are all within a comman age bracket 35-55, however, as of late they seem to be cutting corners. By that I mean, no band at pool side(just one person playing the steel drums) and no live music for the shows-all are prerecorded and the singers lip-sign to it, and no buffets- by the pool activities at night-they feel the food court is open 24 hrs so there is no need.
For those of you that have bookd a Voyager class ship make sure you attend the parade, which is very cute and also the ice show, which is amazing and the rocking thru the decades. What ever you do enjoy. A bad day at cruising sure surpasses a day at work.
Century
Soveiryn
Mercury
Galaxy
Grand Princess
Milliennium
Voyager
explorer
sea princess
adventure
empress
summit
Mariner
Island Princess
Millieiumm August 2004
Navigator Feb 2005
Jewel July 2005

norm

[Hlitner]

The newer RCL ships have larger cabins than on the older Soverign class, but they are a bit smaller than the Carnival cabins. As to food, we think Carnival has better buffets, and RCL is a little better in the dining room. Entertainment seems to vary depending on each cruise,, but we would generally say they are comparable. We would cruise with either line without any hesitation.

Hank
(45+ cruises on 12 cruise lines)