Tired of waiting on Carnival's fall 2012 itineraries, thinking of trying Royal...

[MamaParrotHead]

Hello everyone! I've been on 4 Carnival cruises, but am tired of waiting for them to roll out their fall 2012 cruises, so I'm checking out Royal. Can someone give me the low down on things like the Family Staterooms (are they ALL minimum of 5 pax?), the differences between the classes (I prefer the Conquest class on Carnival, if that helps anyone explain them to me), and give me a run down on what actually is included in the cruisefare (as far as speciality shops/restaurants, etc.).

 

Thanks!

[Mewissy]

Hello everyone! I've been on 4 Carnival cruises, but am tired of waiting for them to roll out their fall 2012 cruises, so I'm checking out Royal. Can someone give me the low down on things like the Family Staterooms (are they ALL minimum of 5 pax?), the differences between the classes (I prefer the Conquest class on Carnival, if that helps anyone explain them to me), and give me a run down on what actually is included in the cruisefare (as far as speciality shops/restaurants, etc.).

 

Thanks!

 

I believe you helped me out when I asked some questions on the Carnival board, so I'll do my best :D

 

I can't help with the family staterooms. We've only ever cruised as a couple. However, a lot of people mention booking two adjoining rooms for families of four.

 

I remember the Carnival boards responses to me about ship classes, so based on what I learned, I think you would want a Voyager, Freedom, or Oasis class ship. Freedom class is my favorite, but I have enjoyed the Oasis and Voyager classes very much as well. Size-wise, they get bigger and hold more passengers as you move up from each of these classes. However, the Voyager and Freedom classes have many of the same amenities (with the Freedom class having more). The Oasis class is in a league of its own.

 

Included in your cruise fare is most food and some drinks. On each of the classes I mention there are some specialty restaurants. On the Voyager class there are 1 or 2 specialty restaurants for dinner at $20/$25pp (and Johnny Rockets at just under $5pp). Freedom class has 2 specialty restaurants and JR (same pricing). Oasis class has more options and Oasis and Allure differ on what restaurants they have in some cases. As for drinks water (not bottled), lemonade, flavored water, iced tea and coffee are included. You can buy an unlimited soda package as well.

 

I should mention that there are a number of food options included such as the MDR (which is often, but not always, open for lunch and breakfast as well), a Windjammer buffet, and usually a pizza shop and/or cafe that serves snacks 24 hours.

 

HTH

[Mewissy]

Just thought of something...

 

Since you have children, you may want a Freedom or Oasis class. The Kids Zone (water area/pool) and Flow Riders are on these ships.

[Mewissy]

BUMP

 

Just want to see if anyone else can jump in and help!

[crusinmama06]

Not including Oasis class - if you do any ship Freedom class and older, the cruise fare will include everything that your cruise fare includes on Carnival with the exception of:

 

--If the ship has a Johnny Rockets - $4.95 charge

 

--If the ship has a Ben & Jerry's - you can choose to get premium ice cream there but on those same ships they have FREE (included) self serve ice cream stations

 

--If the ship has a Chops (Premium Steak House) or Portofino (Italian Restaurant) -- then like Carnival you can choose to eat in those restaurants for a surcharge of $25 per person (Chops) and $20 (I think it's still $20) for Portofino.

 

--If the ship has a Cupcake Cupboard, just like Carnival with their Specialty dessert place, you can purchase items there.

 

--NO CHARGE for rock wall, zipline, ice skating (or ice skate rentals), flow riders, H20 zone water park, Adventure Beach, Bungee Trampoline, kids clubs before 10pm.

 

Just like Carnival

-- Sorrento's Pizza is no added charge

-- Main Dining Room is no added charge

-- Windjammer buffet is no added charge

-- Cafe Promenade (just like Carnival's deli) - no added charge (except for the Seattle's Best Specialty Coffees)

 

Now with Oasis and Allure -- I haven't been on them personally and there are different restaurants that I am not as familiar with. If you are looking at those, someone else will have to walk you through those. ;)

[richstowe]

I know this is off topicish but why is it so important to be thinking about booking 18 months from now.

Seriously (and politely) how can you plan life so far in advance?

Also how can you stand to have a cruise booked that far out?:confused:

[MamaParrotHead]

I have a group who cruises with me of about 80 people from all over the US, Canada and some from Europe. It takes a good chunk of time to research and get our options out to everyone, hear back from them on their opinions, come to a consensus on a cruise. Plus then give everyone enough time to book their travel plans, ask off from work (which is more involved for some than others) and get everyone's act together in a timely manner.

[Cruising89143]

Not including Oasis class - if you do any ship Freedom class and older, the cruise fare will include everything that your cruise fare includes on Carnival with the exception of:

 

--If the ship has a Johnny Rockets - $4.95 charge

 

--If the ship has a Ben & Jerry's - you can choose to get premium ice cream there but on those same ships they have FREE (included) self serve ice cream stations

 

--If the ship has a Chops (Premium Steak House) or Portofino (Italian Restaurant) -- then like Carnival you can choose to eat in those restaurants for a surcharge of $25 per person (Chops) and $20 (I think it's still $20) for Portofino.

 

--If the ship has a Cupcake Cupboard, just like Carnival with their Specialty dessert place, you can purchase items there.

 

--NO CHARGE for rock wall, zipline, ice skating (or ice skate rentals), flow riders, H20 zone water park, Adventure Beach, Bungee Trampoline, kids clubs before 10pm.

 

Just like Carnival

-- Sorrento's Pizza is no added charge

-- Main Dining Room is no added charge

-- Windjammer buffet is no added charge

-- Cafe Promenade (just like Carnival's deli) - no added charge (except for the Seattle's Best Specialty Coffees)

 

Now with Oasis and Allure -- I haven't been on them personally and there are different restaurants that I am not as familiar with. If you are looking at those, someone else will have to walk you through those. ;)

 

Adding to Michele's post concerning the Oasis class ships. All above is the same and below is a guide to dining on the Oasis class ships. Basically the Oasis class just gives a cruiser more options. You can cruise without spending any additional money. There are plenty of places to dine without paying a surcharge but the extra options are nice to have. All entertainment such is included in your cruise fare including the shows in the theater, Aqua theater and ice show. 3-D movies are also included.

10020614_Allure_Specialty_Restaurant_Flyer[1].pdf

[richstowe]

OK - I get it . That is lots of work. Good luck.:)

[MamaParrotHead]

thanks everyone! can anyone fill me in on the interior cabins that have windows to the promenade? we normally cruise OV but this seems like an intriguing option. And anyone who has cruised both, can you give me your opinions on the differences between the lines?

[Cruzface]

I have cruised both lines and they are more similar than different. The biggest difference between them is the food and the ship size. RCI clearly has the better ships. LOS was the greatest ship we have every been on. Check out my review below. However, we found the food overall to be better on Carnival. You will have a great time on either. Enjoy!

[jmom5]

to answer your question regarding the family staterooms, the minimum number of 5 to book is correct and they will not book you in it unless you have that number. but, if it is getting close to the sailing and these rooms are still open, they will open them up for anyone to book, even if you only have 2 people. we are a family of 7 and i have booked a family promenade room a couple of times for my kids (we stayed across the hall in a balcony stateroom). My kids LOVE it (they love looking down on the promenade) and they loved all being in the same room (and it has a bathtub). but, the connecting staterooms are a good option because of the extra bathroom.

promenade rooms are great we've always liked them and prefer them to an inside. also its a window seat so you can sit there and look out over the promenade. they do only sleep 2 though unless you are going on an oasis class - they have promenades that sleep up to 4 people.

[jmom5]

also, i am not one that agrees that the two lines are more alike than different, but the ship is a big deal to me. i don't just use the ship as a mode of getting from island to another, i love being on the ship so that part of a cruise matters a lot to me and that is where rccl is head and shoulders above carnival or most cruiselines for that matter. and i thought our food on the carnival freedom was not good at all. the only thing i loved was the warm chocolate melting cake, everything else left a lot to be desired in my opinion - which is exactly that, my opinion.

as far as charges - they are similar - specialty restaurants, coke package, etc.

[MamaParrotHead]

Thanks everyone. Can someone compare the kids' programs for me? I'm assuming the demographics are similar to Carnival, as far as the same amount of kids being on each line.

[firefly333]

Iv had a PR cabin and we just loved it. It has a window seat and though the cabin isnt that big, the sitting area is fun and you can sit there and watch the parades at night in the promenade. Decks 6, 7 and 8. Deck 8 PRs have windows slanting down for better viewing.

 

I would have willingly given up my OV on voyager to swap it out for a PR. Convenient, central locations.

 

The childrens programs are very similar to carnivals.

 

Pools on RCL are much much larger and more outside activities.

[briscogun]

Thanks everyone. Can someone compare the kids' programs for me? I'm assuming the demographics are similar to Carnival, as far as the same amount of kids being on each line.

 

I haven't sailed on Carnival, but the Adventure Ocean program on RCI is pretty nice if you take my daughters word for it. They break down into different age groups, and I believe you have to be 3 or older to use them. From what I've heard, the programs for teens are kind of hit and miss, but the younger kids really liked it. My daughter, age 7 as of our last cruise, wanted to go there every day. My youngest son, 3 last time out, was sort of luke warm about it, but he's finicky. They do a fun pirate parade on the last night of the cruise, have lot's of activities, games, toys, slides and things, etc. They plan activities and schedule things day to day. It's not just day care, they really try to create an active environment to engage the kids.

 

We're doing a cruise on Freedom this summer, so we're hoping that between the Adventure Ocean program, the H2O Zone, Ice Skating, Flow Rider, etc., the kids will be exhausted and have a blast!

 

We love RCI, and so do the kids. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

[MamaParrotHead]

Are there such things as connecting PR cabins? We normally get 2 connecting OV's, there will be 4 of us.

[MamaParrotHead]

I haven't sailed on Carnival, but the Adventure Ocean program on RCI is pretty nice if you take my daughters word for it. They break down into different age groups, and I believe you have to be 3 or older to use them. From what I've heard, the programs for teens are kind of hit and miss, but the younger kids really liked it. My daughter, age 7 as of our last cruise, wanted to go there every day. My youngest son, 3 last time out, was sort of luke warm about it, but he's finicky. They do a fun pirate parade on the last night of the cruise, have lot's of activities, games, toys, slides and things, etc. They plan activities and schedule things day to day. It's not just day care, they really try to create an active environment to engage the kids.

 

We're doing a cruise on Freedom this summer, so we're hoping that between the Adventure Ocean program, the H2O Zone, Ice Skating, Flow Rider, etc., the kids will be exhausted and have a blast!

 

We love RCI, and so do the kids. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

 

The kids' programs sound like they're run similarly as well. As far as the other bells and whistles...kids are pretty timid, not into the flow rider, waterslides, rock walls, etc. As far as what I have to lose...we only get to cruise about once every other year, so it'd be a pretty major bummer to gamble and be disappointed in the cruise, kwim?

 

Food for thought. Thanks!

[Mewissy]

Took a look at the deck plans on the Freedom and yes they had connecting Promenade View rooms. If you look at the deck plans, rooms with two way arrows between them connect. I checked deck 6 and saw a bunch.

 

Good luck!

[QTMichele]

thanks everyone! can anyone fill me in on the interior cabins that have windows to the promenade? we normally cruise OV but this seems like an intriguing option. And anyone who has cruised both, can you give me your opinions on the differences between the lines?

 

I really hope you give Royal a try! We took our kids on the Freedom of the Seas last January and they loved it! I have a review in my sig - please skim it because I think it would answer many of your questions about cruising with a family/group on this class ship. We had two connecting promenade staterooms as well so - loved how that worked out for us and I'd do it again!

 

I'm not sure what dates you're looking at, but consider a 5 night on the Liberty (she a Freedom Class ship) on November 19 - my group will be there!!! :) Like you, I'm planning a big group cruise. I asked for advice on the Carnival boards and you were helpful there! Thanks! We found an option on Carnival (Liberty), but I've been so "sold" on the Freedom class for what it offers for all ages that we changed our minds and went back to Royal (I knew what I was getting on Royal and was a little afraid to try Carnival for the first time with so many new cruisers in our group - a little of what you're feeling now I assume).

 

Keep asking questions! We are here to help. :)

[QTMichele]

Forgot to mention... Freedom class (Freedom, Liberty and Independence) and Oasis class (Oasis and Allure) have freshwater pools.

 

Also, if you go to Royals website and look under "ships," you will find they group their classes together. This helps so much when trying to choose a class of ship. The classes are listed from newest/largest (generally speaking) to oldest/smallest.

[MamaParrotHead]

Two more things, and thanks so much for all the help!

 

First off, does anyone have a link to the dinner menus? Secondly, can someone go over with me the transportation costs and options from Orlando to Pt. Canaveral?

 

Thanks!

[proudpatriot07]

You should definitely give Royal Caribbean a try! Your kids will really love it. Hubby and I did the Freedom of the Seas two weeks ago (Eastern), and there was SOOOO much more to do, especially for kids.

 

They have ice skating, a flowrider, a rock wall, dodgeball tournaments, and tons of shows. All the kids on the ship looked like they were having a great time at the kid's club too, and there are DreamWorks characters on some of the ships (Oasis, Allure, Freedom, maybe more?)

 

In my opinion the two cruise lines are more alike than different. Royal Caribbean is a little more formal- not just "anything goes" like Carnival, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (on our last Carnival cruise, a girl came to dinner wearing a revealing cover up... seriously).

 

But really, it seemed like there was so much more to do on sea days compared to Carnival. And the Freedom OTS was so beautiful- seriously. If you like beautiful cruise ships, you would love it.

 

Anyway... good luck with your decision. I don't know anything about rooms (except I will say our interior room on RCI did seem a little smaller than Carnival but not drastically) or transportation from Orlando to Canaveral (we drove and did park and cruise). But the Royal ships are really incredible.

[MamaParrotHead]

Thanks for all the great info. It's really helping me atleast get a sketchy outline of what to expect. My next question is, can someone give me a rundown of the public areas on FOS and what they are? I can't always tell by looking at the deck plans.

 

And Michelle- the picture of the shark in your review was me flipping out about swimming there, lol.

 

Also- can someone give me an idea about the older kids' programs on RCI? I'll have a 12, almost 13, year old as well as my 9 year old. Also, does RCI do group babysitting/later night club hours or is it in cabin babysitting only? We normally just hang out until 11 or 12 and pay the fee for an hour or two for group sitting on CCL.

 

Thanks.

[Cruising89143]

There is the Royal Promenade which is the heart of the ship. This is where RCI holds the 70's dance party, parades and where places like the Sorrento's Pizza, Cafe Promenade, Bull and Bear Pub, Champagne Bar, Shops and Guest Relations are located.

 

One deck below on deck four is where Boleros Latin bar, Photo Gallery, casino, Crypt disco and Schooners Piano bar are located.

 

On deck three you have on On Air which is RCI's Karaoke bar along with showing sports games on TV. Center Ice is also located here for the ice shows, 80's night and the hilarious game "Quest".

 

One of the best lounges on the ship is Olive or Twist located up in the Viking Crown at the top of the ship. The views from here are outstanding. They have entertainment here each evening.

 

I have photos of the Freedom in my link below.