Just returned from 1st Royal Caribbean cruise.....

[Texas_firefighter]

....after finally achieving Platinum on Carnival, we were excited to try RCI. We sailed the 5 day Bermuda from Bayone NJ. Here are our impressions....

 

In no particular order:

 

Ship (Explorer of the Seas), beautiful!! Our first cruise on a ship this big. Still, no lines!

 

Service: Great! The staff seemed more friendly...to us and each other...happier, and more eager to do extras for us. Advantage ...RCI.

 

Shows: Good enough, same as Carnival, IMO. Ice show, different story. It was outstanding. The two special guests even more so!

 

Food: (main dining room) Very good. We thought better than Carnival (sorry Carnival) you're slipping here. The prime rib was great..and cooked to order..how about that! (buffet), we had breakfast here every morning, good, but just same ol stuff...no complaints and good service here.

 

My Time Dining: Great. Very accomadating. We had the same area and mostly same table for 4 with the same waiter ,Arvind, the entire cruise. Host was pleasant and cheerful, even under pressure of a crowd, trying to get everyone seated.She did not seem put out, as the host did on Carnival.

 

Specialty: Porifino's, we booked an evening here after reading raves about it on CC. Sorry, although a very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and good service, we felt the food was the same quality as the dining room, (good, but not a step above).We could have saved that cash. Advantage ...Carnival Supper Club on this one.

 

Cabins: smaller than Carnival, but loved the shower doors instead of the curtain!

 

Nightlife: about the same as Carnival. Promenade is great for hanging out. Casino...tiny and outdated. Slot tournament, poorly run. Advantage Carnival here.

 

The Quest: hillarious!!

 

There was far less trivia games, announcements, bingo and sales pitches than Carnival. Advantage to RCI on these things.

 

Ice cream machine was either closed or out of vanilla, advantage to Carnival here. I guess RCI would rather see you go down to B&J's. Johnny Rocket's,food was ok, no dancing waiters. Pretty much a dud here.

 

Photographers : better than Carnival, and more opportunities for taking pictures. Also no pirates and such coming around for pics while dining.

 

Robes: My wife missed these. They are available in ALL staterooms on Carnival.

 

Pool po po's : allowed kids in adult only Solarium , but swooped in on us when we inadvertently sat in "gold card" pool chair...who reads signs...lol. No biggie, we tucked our tails and moved to poolside. Not cool having to walk all the way to promenade from pool to get pizza and back. Poolside waiters not seen either. Advantage to Carnival for pool area food,drink, and activities.

 

Overall , we loved Royal Caribbean. There are things we like about both lines. So...as others have said on CC, it all comes down to itenerary and price. I'd sail both anytime. Next up though...RCI in October on the Jewel.

[KangarooCruiser]

....after finally achieving Platinum on Carnival, we were excited to try RCI. We sailed the 5 day Bermuda from Bayone NJ. Here are our impressions....

 

In no particular order:

 

Ship (Explorer of the Seas), beautiful!! Our first cruise on a ship this big. Still, no lines!

 

Service: Great! The staff seemed more friendly...to us and each other...happier, and more eager to do extras for us. Advantage ...RCI.

 

Shows: Good enough, same as Carnival, IMO. Ice show, different story. It was outstanding. The two special guests even more so!

 

Food: (main dining room) Very good. We thought better than Carnival (sorry Carnival) you're slipping here. The prime rib was great..and cooked to order..how about that! (buffet), we had breakfast here every morning, good, but just same ol stuff...no complaints and good service here.

 

My Time Dining: Great. Very accomadating. We had the same area and mostly same table for 4 with the same waiter ,Arvind, the entire cruise. Host was pleasant and cheerful, even under pressure of a crowd, trying to get everyone seated.She did not seem put out, as the host did on Carnival.

 

Specialty: Porifino's, we booked an evening here after reading raves about it on CC. Sorry, although a very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and good service, we felt the food was the same quality as the dining room, (good, but not a step above).We could have saved that cash. Advantage ...Carnival Supper Club on this one.

 

Cabins: smaller than Carnival, but loved the shower doors instead of the curtain!

 

Nightlife: about the same as Carnival. Promenade is great for hanging out. Casino...tiny and outdated. Slot tournament, poorly run. Advantage Carnival here.

 

The Quest: hillarious!!

 

There was far less trivia games, announcements, bingo and sales pitches than Carnival. Advantage to RCI on these things.

 

Ice cream machine was either closed or out of vanilla, advantage to Carnival here. I guess RCI would rather see you go down to B&J's. Johnny Rocket's,food was ok, no dancing waiters. Pretty much a dud here.

 

Photographers : better than Carnival, and more opportunities for taking pictures. Also no pirates and such coming around for pics while dining.

 

Robes: My wife missed these. They are available in ALL staterooms on Carnival.

 

Pool po po's : allowed kids in adult only Solarium , but swooped in on us when we inadvertently sat in "gold card" pool chair...who reads signs...lol. No biggie, we tucked our tails and moved to poolside. Not cool having to walk all the way to promenade from pool to get pizza and back. Poolside waiters not seen either. Advantage to Carnival for pool area food,drink, and activities.

 

Overall , we loved Royal Caribbean. There are things we like about both lines. So...as others have said on CC, it all comes down to itenerary and price. I'd sail both anytime. Next up though...RCI in October on the Jewel.

 

Thanks for the review firefighter - what were your impressions of the departure sequence from NJ and your time in Bermuda, oh and lastly what cat cabin did you have? Lastly you impressions of value for $$'s.

 

Regards,

[BroncosFan2010]

Thanks for the review. Glad RCCL lived up to its reputation.

 

As for the robes, you can ask your stateroom attendant for these, no matter what cabin category you have. They will give them to you as long as they have some available.

[Bothofus]

Thanks for the review. DH and I have debated alot over trying a Carnival cruise. We don't have alot of time for travel, and would hate to regret trying Carnival if we don't like it.

 

We sailed the Explorer last year and loved it, too.

 

Rachel

[emilygrace]

Nice balanced review! If you think the Explorer was a pretty ship you are in for a treat with the Jewel! It is my all time favorite ship, even over the QM2.

[Texas_firefighter]

Thanks for the review firefighter - what were your impressions of the departure sequence from NJ and your time in Bermuda, oh and lastly what cat cabin did you have? Lastly you impressions of value for $$'s.

 

Regards,

 

We signed up for the "Express" departure. and kept our luggage with us the night before leaving. Only thing is....i think more than half of the ship did too! It did not start as soon as it was supposed to due to not having clearance from the port. We actually started about 9am which was 15 minutes later than our time listed but by then it was not spread out as intended, but everyone participating then tried to go down to deck 1 all at once. Still in all, everyone was moved through pretty smoothly and the buses to the "tent" were lined up and loading quickly. We got a van cab and were at our Jersey City hotel by 10:30 ish. Marriott Courtyard was perfect!

Bermuda... WINDY and raining off and on. Funny thing was, while it was drizzling rain at Kings Wharf, it would be cloudy but pleasant at Hamilton or out farther. We went to the caves,which were beautiful and worth the visit.Afterward we ate at the Swizzle Inn which was very pleasant on the patio. Second day we shopped in Hamilton as our snorkle tour with Jesse James was cancelled.Oh well. We had an inside for this cruise as we thought we would not use a balcony and as it turned out we were right! Great value for the money, sure.

 

 

Thanks for the review. Glad RCCL lived up to its reputation.

 

As for the robes, you can ask your stateroom attendant for these, no matter what cabin category you have. They will give them to you as long as they have some available.

 

Thanks, we'll know next time.

 

 

Thanks for the review. DH and I have debated alot over trying a Carnival cruise. We don't have alot of time for travel, and would hate to regret trying Carnival if we don't like it.

 

We sailed the Explorer last year and loved it, too.

 

Rachel

 

I don't think you'd regret it, but I think it comes down to which ship and itenerary when it comes to Carnival. The Spirit class ships are great.

[QTMichele]

Loved your comparison! Glad you had a great cruise. :)

[foxesden1]

Thanks for the review. Glad RCCL lived up to its reputation.

 

As for the robes, you can ask your stateroom attendant for these, no matter what cabin category you have. They will give them to you as long as they have some available.

 

Good TIp!

[Jolimont]

Thank you, interesting read. How did you like the beds on RCI? That's one thing we've loved on our last 2 Carnival cruises!

[bamelin]

Thanks for the review. Glad RCCL lived up to its reputation.

 

As for the robes, you can ask your stateroom attendant for these, no matter what cabin category you have. They will give them to you as long as they have some available.

 

I didn't know that!

 

Awesome thanks for the advice.

[Texas_firefighter]

Thank you, interesting read. How did you like the beds on RCI? That's one thing we've loved on our last 2 Carnival cruises!

 

 

We thought the beds were very comfortable. We slept better than most cruises.Of course, we like them firm, which they were. Then again, I can sleep anywhere.

[BroncosFan2010]

I didn't know that!

 

Awesome thanks for the advice.

 

No problem. Personally, I don't want/need the robes. I have 2 at home and never use them.

[Susie51]

Thank you for your review. I liked the way you judged the ships.

[bionicman97]

Nice review!

[bamelin]

No problem. Personally, I don't want/need the robes. I have 2 at home and never use them.

 

I have a robe at home too that I never use. But when I'm at a nice hotel/resort for some reason I'll use a complimentary robe every day =)

[klingoncruiser]

Nice review. As you work you way up the food chains with RCI, you will get those robes in the room. lol

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Nice review and comparison.

Thanks for sharing! :)

 

***

[Cruise Cat]

Good balanced review. Depending on what ship I was on last, I have flip-flopped some of the plus/minuses.

[hollon]

Can you compare the Dream (if you've been on it) to the RCCL ship you were on?

[Texas_firefighter]

Welcome to RC!!

Nice review and comparison.

Thanks for sharing! :)

 

***

 

Thanks for the welcome, looks like we'll see you in October on the Jewel.

 

Can you compare the Dream (if you've been on it) to the RCCL ship you were on?

 

 

Sorry, I have not .

[clarkie138]

Thanks for the review. Glad RCCL lived up to its reputation.

 

As for the robes, you can ask your stateroom attendant for these, no matter what cabin category you have. They will give them to you as long as they have some available.

 

 

I just went on May 22nd and it was freezing and windy, was very disappointed. Lost the only sweatshirt I had before I got on the ship, during checkin, and Royal wouldn't give me so much as a robe to sit on my balcony to use.

[rushedmom]

Great review!

 

What are the charges for the Supper Club on Carnival?

[Puffinater]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Good reading.

[Hammerman417]

Great review!

 

What are the charges for the Supper Club on Carnival?

 

$30.00 pp Well worth every penny!!

[akcruz]

Very nice review. I agree, both lines are very similar and depending on the ship you will get pros and cons to each.

 

Sorry to hear you didn't like the specialty restaurant. If you sail on another RCI ship give it another try. We've found they differ from ship to ship just like everything else.

 

On the robe discussion, you also get them in a JS and above. We have robes at home and never use them. We like them on the cruise for stepping out on the balcony before getting appropriately dressed :D. Other than that really don't use them on the cruise.