Tried Royal Again, it was Okay kind of lackluster.

[BenjiRodney]

Just back Saturday from Vision of The Seas 7 nights from Tampa to Roatan/Belize/Costa Maya and Cancun.

 

I did feel for the folks who got left and those who did not get their luggage due to storms on Saturday. A reason to go a day early. The ship held over 1 hour to allow for some late arrivals, and some had to fly to Roatan and Belize to catch the ship.

 

There were 2 areas that Royal beat Carnival. The temperature of the rooms, we had a great air conditioning system and was able to keep the room cold. And the book on board your next cruise option. They were offering OBC for this cruise to use now and some other perks, so even though it was lackluster I (at this time) plan on the Oasis of the Seas in 2018. After 4 more cruises on Carnival.

 

Food/MDR was okay, service was over 2 hours each time we went. Some people were finished by the time we even got our main courses.

 

Ice Cream only available 1130 am - 900 pm. Carnival 24/7.

 

Shows okay, prefer the Playlist productions on Carnival.

 

Activities, Carnival seems to schedule more, I have saved my FunTimes going back to 2010 and compared them with the ones from Royal.

 

I liked that Carnival stays on Ship Time/Home Port time. Not this one, First night back one hour, 2nd night back another hour to match time in Roatan and Belize. Then leaving Belize, forward one hour to match Costa Maya and Cozumel and leaving Cozumel, forward again one hour to get back on Tampa time. (Enough with the time changes already)

 

Crew was the friendliest in the 3 times that we have been on RCCL.

 

Looking forward to the next 4 cruises on Carnival, it will be good to be back home.

[loxley]

I am absolutely shocked. Are you trying to tell us royal is not a step up from the bottom of the barrel carnival?

 

I hear you btw.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Clarea]

Having been on the same ship and itinerary last month, I appreciate the comparison, thanks.:)

[meatloafsfan]

Thanks for the review.

 

I agree that I find Royal a little on the lackluster side. It doesn't stop me from sailing with them if I find a great price (like the 6 night cruise in February 2016 for $2000 CDN total for 3 people).

 

I do like that they have steps into their adult pools, I love the freestyle coke machines (and now won't sail a Royal ship without them after sailing the navigator without them), like the café promenade set up (basically a nice place to hang out with a nosh and a beverage).

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the comparison. Trying my first Royal ship in October then back to Carnival.

[Trumpster]

A pretty accurate assessment from our experiences.

[Havingfun2010]

Just back Saturday from Vision of The Seas 7 nights from Tampa to Roatan/Belize/Costa Maya and Cancun.

 

The Vision of the Seas is one of the small ships that RCCL uses. It is visiting Tampa for a short period before moving back to Europe, where it is used in a port intensive itinerary. This class of ship is also used in short 3-4 day trips, such as it's sister Enchantment.

 

I did feel for the folks who got left and those who did not get their luggage due to storms on Saturday. A reason to go a day early. The ship held over 1 hour to allow for some late arrivals, and some had to fly to Roatan and Belize to catch the ship.

 

 

There were 2 areas that Royal beat Carnival. The temperature of the rooms, we had a great air conditioning system and was able to keep the room cold. And the book on board your next cruise option. They were offering OBC for this cruise to use now and some other perks, so even though it was lackluster I (at this time) plan on the Oasis of the Seas in 2018. After 4 more cruises on Carnival.

 

Food/MDR was okay, service was over 2 hours each time we went. Some people were finished by the time we even got our main courses.

 

In a European trip, this is actually considered a "plus" and not a negative. However, I think any dining room service can be a hit or miss on any ship, or any line. I found the service on this ship slow also, but yet, my table mates were awesome, so the time flew by.

 

Ice Cream only available 1130 am - 900 pm. Carnival 24/7.

 

I can never understand the fascination with this. Food and desert is available 24 hours a day at one location on the ship but yet soft service ice cream is so widely talked about. The pool deck is deserted mostly in the evening. Hopefully this is not a selling point

 

Shows okay, prefer the Playlist productions on Carnival.

 

7 piece band, 4 singers, 6 dancers, two headliner shows, aerial performance show. Any show can be better or worse based on a preference, but saying shows ok, needs a little more weight.

 

Activities, Carnival seems to schedule more, I have saved my FunTimes going back to 2010 and compared them with the ones from Royal.

 

Larger ships are so packed with items to do, that there is not enough time, but the small ships, are always limited. Can you explain exactly what more activities are? Are we talking about belly flops etc, or all you talking about other items like special sales events? If you were to filter out all sales events, or "spending money events" than what does it look like.

 

 

I liked that Carnival stays on Ship Time/Home Port time. Not this one, First night back one hour, 2nd night back another hour to match time in Roatan and Belize. Then leaving Belize, forward one hour to match Costa Maya and Cozumel and leaving Cozumel, forward again one hour to get back on Tampa time. (Enough with the time changes already)

 

Not all RCCL ships do this. It has a benefit, as well as annoying. The benefit is that most people use their phones as time pieces, and with the auto changing times, causes some issues with people. Also, people on local time, can get confusing, so that's the benefit. I think it's a toss up of what is better.

 

Crew was the friendliest in the 3 times that we have been on RCCL.

 

Looking forward to the next 4 cruises on Carnival, it will be good to be back home.

 

Exactly what was better? Besides air conditioning? You did not mention the 3 different bands on the ship, which everyone misses on Carnival. One Caribbean style, one regular band, and one show band? At least 15 or more live musicians? What about the secondary shows in the evenings? Service levels at the bars? The food and layout at the buffet? The lunch in the MDR and breakfast in MDR? What about the ease of getting on and off the ship, without photographers in your face blocking the way? Anything about the relaxing way to wait in the atrium bar while getting a pre dinner drink instead of waiting on steps for the doors to open? Service in the Casino? Did you notice the ship generally does not have a huge amount of smoking? Even in the Casino? Did you attend the past guest party, for "every past guest"?. What about the top tier parties? What about the formal night reception to meet the officers? I coould have more questions but will leave it at that.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I can't wait for your review of the Oasis.

[Je Souhaite]

Good read. Disagree with much based on my experience. At the time we started sailing RCCL, most stuff was on par between the two lines, except RCCL had the better ships (that's what cruising is all about), especially the "lido" deck and the Windjammer, as well as both decks 4 and 5 (promenade).

 

The only thing missing was the fun element that Carnival offers. It does add something to a cruise. RCCL makes up for it with their superior service and entertainment. The food is hit or miss, but I've always found something to eat, and never had to send it back. My last CCL cruise, every order for every meal was incorrect. Every single one.

 

And RCCL does have self serve ice cream. It's all frozen yogurt.

[meatloafsfan]

Exactly what was better? Besides air conditioning? You did not mention the 3 different bands on the ship, which everyone misses on Carnival. One Caribbean style, one regular band, and one show band? At least 15 or more live musicians? What about the secondary shows in the evenings? Service levels at the bars? The food and layout at the buffet? The lunch in the MDR and breakfast in MDR? What about the ease of getting on and off the ship, without photographers in your face blocking the way? Anything about the relaxing way to wait in the atrium bar while getting a pre dinner drink instead of waiting on steps for the doors to open? Service in the Casino? Did you notice the ship generally does not have a huge amount of smoking? Even in the Casino? Did you attend the past guest party, for "every past guest"?. What about the top tier parties? What about the formal night reception to meet the officers? I coould have more questions but will leave it at that.

 

Not the OP but I had to respond.

 

I don't miss it on Carnival. I found lots of live music on the Pride.

 

Secondary shows on Royal - you think they beat out the 4 comedy shows on Carnival? And the karaoke almost every night? So much variety of stuff to do on Carnival where Royal tries to funnel everyone to their main theatre. If you're not there, there's not much going on.

 

And sorry but the food is better on Carnival. The buffet on Royal is terrible. Royal has the tutti salad bar at lunch (which is a plus) but sorry I find that the Sea day brunch menu is better than the lunch menus on Royal.

 

Service in the casino was 10x better on Carnival. Frequently couldn't get a drink in the Royal casino - oh, and Drinks on Us for gamblers? That's only on Carnival.

 

And I'd rather wait in the Alchemy bar on Carnival for the MDR doors to open than anywhere on Royal.

 

On my last Royal cruise, the past guest party was held at 10am. Exactly the time that people want to be pounding back the drinks, eh? :rolleyes:

[Havingfun2010]

Not the OP but I had to respond.

 

I don't miss it on Carnival. I found lots of live music on the Pride.

 

But how much? Please compare?

 

Secondary shows on Royal - you think they beat out the 4 comedy shows on Carnival? And the karaoke almost every night? So much variety of stuff to do on Carnival where Royal tries to funnel everyone to their main theatre. If you're not there, there's not much going on.

 

On Carnival, is it four different comedy acts or one repeating? RCCL did have Karaoke just about every night. I saw parts of it at least on 4 nights out of 7. Don't know about the other nights. On the bigger ships, it is in the ON AIR club. Smaller ships in the lounge. Besides the main lounge, the shows were also in the atrium, with the exception of the larger ships, where they have bigger facilities around the ship.

 

And sorry but the food is better on Carnival. The buffet on Royal is terrible. Royal has the tutti salad bar at lunch (which is a plus) but sorry I find that the Sea day brunch menu is better than the lunch menus on Royal.

 

I really don't know much about buffets, because except for breakfast, I stay away. My last cruise I had a steak at lunch? Another day I had Lamb? I'm not sure how the MDR is worse, but it is a manner of opinion.

 

Service in the casino was 10x better on Carnival. Frequently couldn't get a drink in the Royal casino - oh, and Drinks on Us for gamblers? That's only on Carnival.

 

If you gamble enough, and lose enough money, than it is a consolation prize to get free drinks.

 

And I'd rather wait in the Alchemy bar on Carnival for the MDR doors to open than anywhere on Royal.

 

On my last Royal cruise, the past guest party was held at 10am. Exactly the time that people want to be pounding back the drinks, eh? :rolleyes:

 

The past guest party is not about free drinks! It's a social event to say think you. However, Carnival does not have it for "second time" cruisers. Carnival cut it out because rumor had it that it became a drunken party....:D

[Yvonne]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Oasis of the Seas is a ship I hope to be on in a couple of years. We've done 3 Royal cruises and did enjoy them. Can't really decide, between Royal and Carnival, which is our favorite.

 

I do appreciate being able to order a hot breakfast from Royal's room service menu and enjoy it on my balcony, wish Carnival would expand their breakfast room service menu.

 

The long dinners was probably the fault of the serving team, we've encountered slowness in dining room meals on both lines.

 

Surprised you like Carnival's Playlist shows, seems like most people don't. I don't care for them, always miss the actual props (instead of video), and they have fewer dancers and singers, and no live orchestra.

 

And I love the cafe promenade on Royal's ships.

 

But we sail with whichever line has the best price and lately Carnival has won.

[jimbo5544]

The past guest party is not about free drinks! It's a social event to say think you. However, Carnival does not have it for "second time" cruisers. Carnival cut it out because rumor had it that it became a drunken party....:D

 

Huh, imagine that, some here like Carnival better (which you find beyond belief ). Your replies have made my day!

[Havingfun2010]

Huh, imagine that, some here like Carnival better (which you find beyond belief ). Your replies have made my day!

 

Thanks! :D

[Tapi]

Thanks for your review! I'm curious about how your Oasis cruise will compare to the 3 vision class sailings that you've done on Royal. I'm thinking that it may be like taking 3 fantasy class cruises on Carnival and then sailing on the Breeze or Vista. ☺

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for your review! I'm curious about how your Oasis cruise will compare to the 3 vision class sailings that you've done on Royal. I'm thinking that it may be like taking 3 fantasy class cruises on Carnival and then sailing on the Breeze or Vista. ☺

 

They certainly are different I cannot argue that.

[cruzeluver]

Thanks for your review! I'm curious about how your Oasis cruise will compare to the 3 vision class sailings that you've done on Royal. I'm thinking that it may be like taking 3 fantasy class cruises on Carnival and then sailing on the Breeze or Vista. ☺

 

This!!

 

The Vision class are some of Royal's oldest, least feature-filled ships. Try Voyager class or newer.

[crewsweeper]

Benji...

 

Come sail with us on the Oasis in January 2018. Both of us would have been on the Vista by then and can sit up in the Solarium, and make comparisons big ship to big ship.

 

DW just got back from the Independence of the Seas and enjoyed it. But says the food in their Chops and Giovanni's isn't up to the standards of Carnival's Steakhouses or Italian/Pasta Bars. But she got a good deal on a balcony cabin.

[kicker]

I might get flamed for this, :rolleyes: but:

 

If you look at CC's Carnival boards one of the first threads is a request from CC entitled "Clean it up", which refers to postings by Carnival cruisers. No such admonition on the Royal boards.

 

What does that mean to me? Carnival cruisers tend to be more the partying type, and probably overall younger, while Royal is a bit more laid back, and slightly older. Younger cruisers overall would tend to be a bit "looser" with language and such.

 

That being said, cruisers often vary from ship to ship and port to port. Having cruised out of Florida, Norfolk, and NYC, I can tell you NYC cruisers can be quite different from southern folks no matter what cruise line you choose.

 

As far as which cruise line is better, an experienced cruiser once told me, ANy cruise is a good cruise".

[cb at sea]

Vision is an older, smaller ship. You can't really compare 2 cruise lines when you are on different ships!

 

yeah..RCI doesn't have 24/7 ice-cream...GOOD LORD...NO ICE CREAM!!! But..you had great fresh air in your cabin! BREATHING....oh, so nice!

 

C'mon...it's some of this...some of that. Both are good cruise lines, or they wouldn't be in business.

[jonbgd]

yeah..RCI doesn't have 24/7 ice-cream...GOOD LORD...NO ICE CREAM!!! But..you had great fresh air in your cabin! BREATHING....oh, so nice!

 

.

 

Actually the availability of ice cream on RCCL to some of us is important

A late night ice cream fix is sometimes really nice instead of just a cookie. Something I do miss from CCL

[hotsauce126]

Carnival cut it out because rumor had it that it became a drunken party....:D

I'm sorry but that reeks of BS

Edited April 12, 2016 by hotsauce126

[dacsmom]

Both lines have good and bad points. I do agree with you the Vision class is great for a nice, relaxing cruise but not so great for excitement. I would like to hear what you think of the Oasis, I loved the Allure.

[quickrate]

Vision is an older, smaller ship. You can't really compare 2 cruise lines when you are on different ships!

 

yeah..RCI doesn't have 24/7 ice-cream...GOOD LORD...NO ICE CREAM!!! But..you had great fresh air in your cabin! BREATHING....oh, so nice!

 

C'mon...it's some of this...some of that. Both are good cruise lines, or they wouldn't be in business.

I think what you are missing here is this is the OP's opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

Pat

[BenjiRodney]

Exactly what was better? Besides air conditioning? You did not mention the 3 different bands on the ship, which everyone misses on Carnival. One Caribbean style, one regular band, and one show band? At least 15 or more live musicians? What about the secondary shows in the evenings? Service levels at the bars? The food and layout at the buffet? The lunch in the MDR and breakfast in MDR? What about the ease of getting on and off the ship, without photographers in your face blocking the way? Anything about the relaxing way to wait in the atrium bar while getting a pre dinner drink instead of waiting on steps for the doors to open? Service in the Casino? Did you notice the ship generally does not have a huge amount of smoking? Even in the Casino? Did you attend the past guest party, for "every past guest"?. What about the top tier parties? What about the formal night reception to meet the officers? I coould have more questions but will leave it at that.

 

The Caribbean Band the lead singer she was flat, sounded monotone.

 

The 4 singers for the production shows were miss matched, did not sound good together.

 

Did Breakfast and Lunch in Windjammer based on the slowness of the MDR.

 

Atrium Bar was always crowed, if you didn't mind waiting.

 

Service in the Casino was slow, I had to go ask for help when the machine malfunctioned.

 

Did not attend the past guest party as it was scheduled at a time in port before you had to be back on. Port time was more important.

 

Lines were long to meet the captain/officers. Plenty of other chances to interact with them at other less formal times.

 

Cigars, Cigars, and more Cigars on the one side of lido, so if you happen to walk down the wrong side, beware of the smoke.

 

Is that want you wanted or should I go on. Oh and security had to run the children out of the adults only pool several times.

 

Charge for popcorn 1.25 Carnival free for the big screen movies. Drinks at the R Bar are now priced at 12.00 each.