Looking for some honest feedback

[roscoegirl]

Of course, you weren't being closed minded or judgemental at all when you said many people on RCI are snobbish and rude. And the next time someone asks for honest feedback, I'll be sure to run it past you first.

 

See my response to Upandadam above...

[cruisinfanatic]

Carnival has slightly better rooms on average and a more comfortable show lounge. The hub of their ships is the casino. A bit more of a Walmart crowd on Carnival and a bit more of a rude foreigner crowd on RCI. :cool: Many more similarities than differences.

Totally wrong in my opinion. The foreigner crowd you talk about is common with Oasis and Allure, but not their other ships in the Caribbean. Because it's the newest best thing (destination) in the world to do.

As far as showroom comfort? How can you pick carnivals hard bench seating to that or RCL's theater seating?

[roscoegirl]

I am one of the "Walmart people" and like many of my fellow "Walmarters" I have cruised both lines over my 12 cruises. I like different things about both cruise lines. My last two cruises were Carnival Triumph and Carnival Magic so time to swing back to RCCL!

 

I too am a HUGE RCCL fan - Voyager class is my favorite! However since I've had wonderful cruises on both lines (and even my one Norwegian cruise) I am able to select my cruises based on finances, itinerary, and departure port. All that factors in because the less I spend the more future cruising options I have later. Sometimes I do inside cabins to save money, other times I do older ships to save money, and sometimes I sail out of my home state port, because it saves me money.

 

So you asked for an honest opinion. Mine is that only you know whether switching to Carnival is going to ruin your cruise experience. If you think it might you should just spend the money and stick with a product you KNOW you love!! You can't go wrong there!

 

I feel fortunate that so far I haven't met a cruiseline I didn't enjoy :D because it means I always have a lot of options when I cruise! This year you'll find me and my Walmart mom chillin' in our Crown Loft suite on RCCL. And next Christmas it's a family vacation in inside cabins back on Carnival!:)

 

Have fun, whatever you decide!

 

 

 

Simply the Best!!:)

[jimdalva]

I am one of the "Walmart people" and like many of my fellow "Walmarters" I have cruised both lines over my 12 cruises. I like different things about both cruise lines. My last two cruises were Carnival Triumph and Carnival Magic so time to swing back to RCCL!

 

I too am a HUGE RCCL fan - Voyager class is my favorite! However since I've had wonderful cruises on both lines (and even my one Norwegian cruise) I am able to select my cruises based on finances, itinerary, and departure port. All that factors in because the less I spend the more future cruising options I have later. Sometimes I do inside cabins to save money, other times I do older ships to save money, and sometimes I sail out of my home state port, because it saves me money.

 

So you asked for an honest opinion. Mine is that only you know whether switching to Carnival is going to ruin your cruise experience. If you think it might you should just spend the money and stick with a product you KNOW you love!! You can't go wrong there!

 

I feel fortunate that so far I haven't met a cruiseline I didn't enjoy :D because it means I always have a lot of options when I cruise! This year you'll find me and my Walmart mom chillin' in our Crown Loft suite on RCCL. And next Christmas it's a family vacation in inside cabins back on Carnival!:)

 

Have fun, whatever you decide!

 

I agree with this! I would add that I would chose the Longer and Cheaper cruise ,no matter which line.

[Upandadam]

Totally wrong in my opinion. The foreigner crowd you talk about is common with Oasis and Allure, but not their other ships in the Caribbean. Because it's the newest best thing (destination) in the world to do.

As far as showroom comfort? How can you pick carnivals hard bench seating to that or RCL's theater seating?

 

As you can see, I've also been on the Mariner, but my impression could certainly be skewed from The Allure. As for the showroom comfort, I'll take a sofa style seat with a table in front and lots of leg room over a small confined seat any day and I've heard a lot of others on this board express the same opinion.

[Upandadam]

I am one of the "Walmart people" and like many of my fellow "Walmarters" I have cruised both lines over my 12 cruises. I like different things about both cruise lines. My last two cruises were Carnival Triumph and Carnival Magic so time to swing back to RCCL!

 

I too am a HUGE RCCL fan - Voyager class is my favorite! However since I've had wonderful cruises on both lines (and even my one Norwegian cruise) I am able to select my cruises based on finances, itinerary, and departure port. All that factors in because the less I spend the more future cruising options I have later. Sometimes I do inside cabins to save money, other times I do older ships to save money, and sometimes I sail out of my home state port, because it saves me money.

 

So you asked for an honest opinion. Mine is that only you know whether switching to Carnival is going to ruin your cruise experience. If you think it might you should just spend the money and stick with a product you KNOW you love!! You can't go wrong there!

 

I feel fortunate that so far I haven't met a cruiseline I didn't enjoy :D because it means I always have a lot of options when I cruise! This year you'll find me and my Walmart mom chillin' in our Crown Loft suite on RCCL. And next Christmas it's a family vacation in inside cabins back on Carnival!:)

 

 

 

Have fun, whatever you decide!

 

As is obvious from my signature, I'm one of the Walmart crowd. Lol

[Upandadam]

Absoulutely not...that was my assessment based upon my personal experience... Conversly, referring to other cruisers as 'Walmart Cruisers' simply because they sail on a cruisline not owned by RCI is, in my opinion, judgemental.

 

Instead of attacking me for expressing my opinion, please feel free to disengage and ignore my posts.:) Thanks!

 

And where did I say I called anyone Walmart Cruisers simply because they sail on a cruise line not owned by RCI? Interesting non judgmental open mind you have there. And please feel free to ignore my posts as well. Such as the first one you made a snide remark about. Yep, that's the one.

[cruisinfanatic]

As you can see, I've also been on the Mariner, but my impression could certainly be skewed from The Allure. As for the showroom comfort, I'll take a sofa style seat with a table in front and lots of leg room over a small confined seat any day and I've heard a lot of others on this board express the same opinion.

Nice to be able to walk in fronok, but they are far from comfortable.

RCL's seats are not confined at all. Unless you're too big to fit in them

[Upandadam]

RCL's seats are not confined at all. Unless you're too big to fit in them

 

They are on the Mariner and Allure. Like a movie theater seat. And I'm 5'8" and 180 lbs. And no table in front.

[sandy toes]

Sorry about the touchy emotions running around today... Frommer's is a very good source for details about cruise lines and they used to use the term "Walmart" in describing CCL. Now they do not, but they do use terms like "utterly unpretentious", "very casual, down to earth", "like the reformed frat boy...button down shirt...can still meet his buddies for a drink". CCL has come a long way. They do offer a good product for a lot of cruisers...just not a fit for everyone BUT then no one line fits everyones tastes...that is why there are so many products out there for us to choose from.

I like to be on a ship that does not show its wear and tear and that can only happen if it is well maintained (taken care of and refurbed by the cruise line).

I do not know how the Pride got pulled into this but oh well...from NY I would look at the age of the ships and when they were last refurbished, Splendor built in 2008, Explorer built 2000/refurb 2010. I know the OP didn't mention but if the port of Manhattan is important, there are other ships to consider also...NCL Gem (Built 2007/refurb 2010), NCL Breakaway(brand new built 2013). I tend to also, look at time in port and itineraries when making my decision.

[Upandadam]

Sorry about the touchy emotions running around today... Frommer's is a very good source for details about cruise lines and they used to use the term "Walmart" in describing CCL. Now they do not, but they do use terms like "utterly unpretentious", "very casual, down to earth", "like the reformed frat boy...button down shirt...can still meet his buddies for a drink". CCL has come a long way. They do offer a good product for a lot of cruisers...just not a fit for everyone BUT then no one line fits everyones tastes...that is why there are so many products out there for us to choose from.

I like to be on a ship that does not show its wear and tear and that can only happen if it is well maintained (taken care of and refurbed by the cruise line).

I do not know how the Pride got pulled into this but oh well...from NY I would look at the age of the ships and when they were last refurbished, Splendor built in 2008, Explorer built 2000/refurb 2010. I know the OP didn't mention but if the port of Manhattan is important, there are other ships to consider also...NCL Gem (Built 2007/refurb 2010), NCL Breakaway(brand new built 2013). I tend to also, look at time in port and itineraries when making my decision.

A voice of reason. Thank you, and nice observations for the OP.

[tigger-ttfn]

Of course, you weren't being closed minded or judgemental at all when you said many people on RCI are snobbish and rude. And the next time someone asks for honest feedback, I'll be sure to run it past you first.

 

Cat fight

[capsfloyd]

I have been on 7 cruises on carnival , number 8 will be in Febuarey on the magic

2xs on conquest ...had great service on ALL

 

Will co Navagator on RCC in oct of 14

[dealer9296]

I have sailed both.......I never even look at Carnival......Always felt RCL a step up.

[Heatherco]

OP...we have sailed Royal, Carnival, Princess and Celebrity and loved them all!

 

We are in our late 40's and Royal is our favorite when we bring our kids. Just think there is more for them to do. When we have sailed by ourselves, we loved Celebrity for their gorgeous ships and wonderful serivce. ( When we embarked, they greeted you with white glove service with complimentary champagne.)

 

They sail out of NJ as well. May be worth taking a look to see what their offerings are that week.

 

Between Explorer and Pride, we would choose Explorer. But I would also try Carnival Splendor (newer ship) out of NY as well.

 

Decisions...decisions!

 

Have a great trip whatever you choose!

[smeck]

Sailed both lines and like many cruisers found both more similar than different. Having said that the tiebreaker goes to Royal. More live music, and ships better laid out, feels less crowded.

[CruisingMachine]

If you sail with Carnival and have a lousy time, did you really "save" $500?

 

Or did you just throw $1000 away?

[iluvcruzin]

Kathy - I've sailed on many cruise lines including CCL and RCCL.

 

The reason why the price on your RCCL cruise is higher is because of the week you selected. It's President's day week and many schools on the east coast have winter/spring break at that time. If you are flexible, look at switching to another week in February to save a few $.

 

I am assuming you are comparing against the CCL Splendor leaving either Thursday 2/13 or Friday 2/21.

 

The PR room you selected on the Explorer - not sure if you've stayed in one of these but they are equated to an inside. For us we kept the curtains closed all the time because one could see right in from the other side. The small bench on the end really isn't a comfortable seating area so we didn't use it except for storing stuff. If you are considering staying on the 2/16 sailing, consider an inside if it's cheaper.

 

I am not sure if you work but it would require more days of vacation off for Carnival since it doesn't start and end on a weekend. Something to consider.

 

I prefer Coco Cay over Freeport. But could be flexible so it's not that big of a difference.

 

You can't go wrong on either cruise selection. I've never had a "bad" cruise and am not a loyalist to any one line. It's what you make of it.

 

But if you really want to save $, consider switching weeks on RCCL and then do a compare.