RCI or Carnival??? Can't decide which one!

[StormingtheCastle]

We want to do a cruise the last week of August/beginning of Sept. School doesn't start until after Labor Day and we have other summer activities and obligations until the 28th of August. Leaves a perfect week to cruise and wind down from summer with our 2 daughters.

 

My youngest turned 10 today (sniff, sniff) and the other is 14 and staring high school this year. We haven't had many family trips and last year DH and I did a cruise without them. Our Disney cruise was fun but we had really bad weather and never made it to Castaway Cay which DD10 was really, really disappointed about. I really want a nice trip to enjoy each other and for them to just be able to have FUN. I want my 10 year old to enjoy being a "kid" in the kids clubs another time and my 14 year old to be able to relax and enjoy herself before the pressure of high school begins. We want to do things together and also apart so the kids/teen clubs are a huge part of the decision.

 

We want to go out of Port Canaveral because it is a reasonable (but long) driving distance. So quite perfectly there are 2 ships there that would work:

 

Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas: 7 day to CocoCay, St. Thomas, St Maarten (Phillipsburg)

 

Carnival Dream: 7 days to Nassau, St Thomas, St. Maarten

 

Two beautiful ships with very similar itineraries (and the itinerary doesn't matter to much to us) and each with a list of pros and cons.

 

Of course budget is a huge issue and Carnival is $600 less. We would really be stretching the budget and cutting out extras like the more expensive shore excursions on RCI to compensate for the higher price--like just a taxi to a beach instead of a ship organized beach day etc... But it also looks like Carnival may "nickel and dime" you more and charge for some of the extras that RCI offers for free. Both of them think the idea of an ice rink on a ship is totally awesome and love to ice skate. The older one loves the water slides while the younger is scared of them and thinks the water area on the FOS looks more fun.

 

When asked where she wanted to go for vacation DD10 said "Castaway Cay!"-- so the stop in CocoCay would give a bit of that, although it looks like it isn't nearly as kid cool as Castaway is. DD14 wants to not be bored and loves activities and meeting new friends. The Carnival Roll Call already has several kids her age listed, but the RCI roll call isn't very active. This is an odd time of year to go so I am not sure if the amount of kids on board will affect the activities in a positive or negative way.

 

We want fun activities for the family, for DH and I only, and for the kids. We don't care about the extra dining--we love MDR and buffet. We enjoy comedy shows (family friendly and not;) ) We aren't ones to participate in the funny shows and contests, but we will be LMAO in the audience. Cabin size really isn't very important either. We are really pretty easy to please (We loved our MSC cruise when most didn't!).

 

My sister and mother have done RCI and loved them so I have a lean towards them, and a bit of a prejudice against Carnival--but I am open minded to trying them. And since it is the Dream that makes the decision more difficult.

 

HELP!

 

Oh, I should probably mention also that I am disabled and use a scooter to get around the ship and if we will be doing a lot of walking in port. I will be able to walk on CocoCay (as long as we don't go far), and unless we are getting transportation from fairly close to the ship to our destination and back I will need it in ports. I don't let it slow me down too much, but I do have the normal frustrations of handicapped access anywhere and on the ships especially getting on elevators since the 2 legged pax like to just push in front of me.

[crusinmama06]

Ok walking through these plans....

 

--going to Coco Cay would save you money over Nassau because you wouldn't need to pay for anything on CocoCay - the buffet would be moved from FOS to CoCo Cay so any food expenses are included in the price of your cruise. Just don't add any wave runners or beach mats/alcohol and you would have a free beach day

 

--however, $600 LESS on Dream :eek:, yeah that's a pretty big budget chunk. I have never made a secret of my love of the Royal Caribbean Freedom class ship. I REALLY REALLY love those ships. But I guess I would have to figure out if I $600 love them.

 

--they both offer free ice cream -- Freedom does at the Pool Deck (a small self serve called sprinkles)

 

--Freedom is fresh water pools, Dream is salt water

 

--Freedom has the H20 zone, Dream has the slides

 

--Freedom (as you said) has the ice skating rink, Dream has no ice skating

 

--BOTH have mini golf

 

--Freedom has simulated golf (added charge but free on days that they have competitions)

 

--BOTH have Pizza places

 

--BOTH have delis

 

--Freedom has Ben & Jerrys (but its a paid service and not worth it, we always go to the free ice cream Sprinkles at the pool deck)

 

--Freedom has the Adult only Solarium with a pool and cantelevered hot tubs and the Dream has the Adult only Serenity area with the cantelevered hot tubs (pool there? I don't know)

 

--Freedom has parades through the Promenade

 

--Freedom and Dream both have good kids programs (programs schedules at the link in my signature)

 

--FOOD, my personal edge goes to CARNIVAL. I just can't explain it. The main dining room food just taste better on Carnival. But the ship design is better on Royal Caribbean.

 

--Lastly, the cabins.....personally, I like the cabin design better on RCCL,

 

Independence of the Seas (sister ship of Freedom of the Seas)

 

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

[StormingtheCastle]

Thanks for the additional information. A lot of that I didn't know. But not sure it made the decision any easier! ;)

 

I have looked at your photobucket of the kids activities the last few days. Thanks so much for posting all of that.

 

I guess that in the end it probably really won't matter which we choose. Both ships will be probably be wonderful and we will probably have a great time on either.

 

Budget may be the ultimate deciding factor, so thanks for what you pointed out about CocoCay vs Nassau days. I hadn't thought about that, except that one of our goals is to go snorkeling together as a family and I figured it would be much cheaper to do on CocoCay (we have snorkels and masks and some fins).

 

If anyone else has experience or input I would love to hear it.

[QTMichele]

Michele gave you a great response (as always :) ) so I won't elaborate too much except to say these two things:

 

1. We loved the Freedom of the Seas - she was a fantastic ship offering so many things to do that we couldn't do them all. We could have been on the ship without spending another dime and been quite happy. :) I have a review with pictures in my signature - check it out, if you're interested.

 

2. The money can be a huge factor in deciding; however, look for price drops on Royal... we were able to get a huge one. In fact, we found a price drop about a month before our sailing and moved from 2 insides and 1 balcony to FOUR promenades (2 sets of connecting) and 1 junior suite for almost $500 LESS than what we originally paid. Price drops are not guaranteed, but they do exist and many people experience them. Since you're cruising during hurricane season, I would think that you may experience one as well. No guarantees, but something to think about.

 

Have a great time figuring out which line you're going to book... and let us know. :D

[crusinmama06]

QTMichele came up with the BEST response, I didn't catch the DATE! The price drops! Yes, that date is notorious for price drops. That's why I sail during that time period and yes, we have been getting price drops ;)

 

The difference between Royal and Carnival in price drops (I am talking if you are booked directly) -- when Royal drops the price, you just call...the price drop is honored.

 

When Carnival drops the price, they usually don't just have a price drop that can be easily caught by a price drop program - they have upgrades - they've been sneaky lately. If you did the early saver rate, then you can't call, you have to fill out the "early saver rate form" online and wait up to 3 days to get an email response back. :rolleyes:

[Kidsx5]

They both sound like amazing cruises on great ships. What a tough decision! I'd personally probably got with the one saving me $600 :)

[imsulin]

I'd personally prefer Coco Cay over Nassau any day! However, there's a nice and very large public beach on Paradise Island which is accessible by taxi. I've never seen a good snorkeling area, though. Also, amenities (restrooms, refreshment stands) can involve a long beach walk! On Coco Cay, you should be able to find a beach wheelchair with very wide (plastic) tires for no charge. You have to be pushed, though, and should request one ahead of time. It can be difficult walking through sand! Coco Cay is also a tender port, so you would have to navigate that, as well. Nassau is not, but it can be a bit of a haul to get from the ship into Nassau proper, but it is all paved and flat. If you do chose the Dream, you can sign up for a snorkeling excursion in Nassau. There are similar excursions in St. Maarten and St. Thomas as well. I also prefer the Carnival food over RCI (especially the 24-hour pizza and the soft-serve!). (Actually, I prefer Princess food). I haven't really found any nickle & diming difference between RCI and Carnival. That $600 difference sounds like a real factor, though! Also you will be cruising right during the middle of the pesky Hurricane Season, but the last two years have been very mild, so you should be fine. Good luck with whatever you choose, and please let us know!

[MrsZee]

But it also looks like Carnival may "nickel and dime" you more and charge for some of the extras that RCI offers for free.

 

I am trying to think, since I haven't been on an RCI, what Carnival charges for that RCI doesn't. The only thing extra's are alcohol, casino, spa, specialty coffee and the Steakhouse. (right? Am I missing anything?) I was always under the impression that you paid for more on RCI, but then again I have never gone on one. Maybe someone can correct me.

 

Both sound like an awesome trip, and I am jealous that you have two such great options. :) I will say that you sound like you are leaning to RCI.

[QTMichele]

QTMichele came up with the BEST response, I didn't catch the DATE! The price drops! Yes, that date is notorious for price drops. That's why I sail during that time period and yes, we have been getting price drops ;)

 

The difference between Royal and Carnival in price drops (I am talking if you are booked directly) -- when Royal drops the price, you just call...the price drop is honored.

 

When Carnival drops the price, they usually don't just have a price drop that can be easily caught by a price drop program - they have upgrades - they've been sneaky lately. If you did the early saver rate, then you can't call, you have to fill out the "early saver rate form" online and wait up to 3 days to get an email response back. :rolleyes:

 

Flattery will get you EVERYwhere! LOL :p

 

Thanks for expanding on the price drops with Carnival. I wasn't sure what their policy was - not quite that obsessive about researching other lines. Yet. ;)

[cruising grandma]

Freedom also has the Flowrider at the aft. Freedom also has a full basketball court. I don't know about the Dream. Royal Caribbean will honor price drops until the very end.......Carnival will only allow early saver rates the price drops, and like someone mentioned, you must fill in the request.(not a problem, several cruising with us next week have received lots of $$$ this way) If you have not booked early saver rates, the best you can do if your category price drops is to upgrade your cabin to a higher category.(which is what we did) I personally enjoyed Coco Cay more than Nassau, but would go back either place. Schools here begin the middle of August, so not many children from here would be cruising then. I'm sure you will all enjoy whatever you decide!

[MNmomof4]

Before you book your cruise check with the high school if they have anything scheduled before school starts. Our high schools have an open house or some sort of activities for freshman's to spend time at their new school to get familiar with the layout and meet peers. Having 2 boys go through that experience, I wouldn't want my other kids to miss that experience. If you freshman is involved in sports, that also starts before the first day of classes. We use to do lots of traveling the week before labor day but that stopped once high school came also.

 

I have been on the dream and loved it. There are small slides that younger children enjoy as well the bigger slides that my 4yr old loved. The 18hole mini golf was also really nice. There was surprisingly a fair number of teens on that cruise for january. I am booked on a sister ship to Freedom, the liberty and I think my teens will love. $600 can pay for a lot of excursions.

 

I'm sure you will enjoy any cruise you pick.

[JENANDGENE]

My vote always goes to RCI !!