Carnival vs. RCCL pricing

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Can royal match Carnival, apples to apples, without sales?

 

Funny some of them don't sound like sales.

 

too many intangibles to give a definitive answer.

 

You really have a bee in your bonnet over this.:)

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

The one thing that I've noticed is that Carnival pricing is pretty straight forward no matter where you book your cruise, and I appreciate that. There may be some special discounts like military, interline, casino, etc, but otherwise what you see is what you get.

 

With other cruise lines, it feels like a scavenger hunt searching for the lowest price possible. With Princess and Holland, it took me forever to comparison shop. Every TA website had a different price and a different promo available. Prices varied wildly from one to another. With Royal Caribbean, even though their pricing appears to be the same no matter where you book, it seems like you need to dig deeper to get to the best price possible. For example, I just upgraded from an Oceanview to a Balcony for our upcoming Anthem cruise for a lower price. I had to combine a few promos and I found them by searching different websites. They are having a "balcony for the price of an inside stateroom" promotion PLUS I was able to secure an interline rate which reduced the rate another $200, PLUS the usual Crown and Anchor discount. I'm happy about the reduced price, but come on.

 

I usually book insides and on Carnivals page the advertised price for insides is not really the price of an inside unless you want a 1A. How many couples book these?

 

If i see a price of $499 for an inside it surely going to be $539 at least for a 4a.

 

While it's not false advertising it is stretching the truth a tad.

 

Bill

 

Bill

[Je Souhaite]

I usually book insides and on Carnivals page the advertised price for insides is not really the price of an inside unless you want a 1A. How many couples book these?

 

If i see a price of $499 for an inside it surely going to be $539 at least for a 4a.

 

While it's not false advertising it is stretching the truth a tad.

 

Bill

 

Bill

 

The other side of the coin is, while it's true many cannot ADVERTISE a lower price for Carnival, you can certainly get a cheaper unadvertised rate. I still get lower retails from TA's than I can from a PVP.

[Trumpster]

The other side of the coin is, while it's true many cannot ADVERTISE a lower price for Carnival, you can certainly get a cheaper unadvertised rate. I still get lower retails from TA's than I can from a PVP.

 

 

The informed fare finder. How usefull. Pockets full of coupons no doubt. ;)

[simplelife]

It is always a good idea to check prices on similar cruises. Pricing depends on the particular ship, itinerary, and date and what sales/promotions are going on. The past few cruises we have done, Carnival was by far the best price. I did not see enough value in what other lines were offering to justify the higher cost, so Carnival it has been. We have in the past paid a higher price when we have desired a particular itinerary or amenity.

[Tapi]

The other side of the coin is, while it's true many cannot ADVERTISE a lower price for Carnival, you can certainly get a cheaper unadvertised rate. I still get lower retails from TA's than I can from a PVP.

 

 

Contrary to other cruise lines (like Holland and Princess) that do allow varying prices from one TA to another based on their volume and sales, Carnival restricts the amount of discounts and OBC that TA's can offer in order to maintain a more competitive environment across the board. If a TA is offering a substantially different price than other TA's or is advertising "too low to publish" rates, chances are that they are cutting their own commission in order to attract business. Not only is it demeaning to themselves as well as other TA's, but it's a practice that Carnival frowns upon and could cost that TA the right to sell Carnival.

Edited May 8, 2016 by Tapi

[jimbo5544]

H

The other side of the coin is, while it's true many cannot ADVERTISE a lower price for Carnival, you can certainly get a cheaper unadvertised rate. I still get lower retails from TA's than I can from a PVP.

 

Holy cow, I did not know you sail on Carnival....go figure.

[feealicious]

Not always true. I just booked through Royals sale and did the same week through carnival and carnival was more expensive and offered less. I can't justify trying carnival if it prices for more and I already know I love the oasis class ships! Maybe next time for Carnival!

[TravelLots]

I usually book insides and on Carnivals page the advertised price for insides is not really the price of an inside unless you want a 1A. How many couples book these?

 

 

 

If i see a price of $499 for an inside it surely going to be $539 at least for a 4a.

 

 

 

While it's not false advertising it is stretching the truth a tad.

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

That is so true! And if you're like me - must do midship, upper levels, with staterooms above and below my deck - you could be paying way more than that.

[Trumpster]

That is so true! And if you're like me - must do midship, upper levels, with staterooms above and below my deck - you could be paying way more than that.

 

And I still can't reach the cost of a Midship, upperlevel balcony on Royal. It's still more $. Just not as much. ;)

[cyclenut]

I found this thread interesting. I spend most of my time on the Disney forum where there is always a thread or two about why Disney costs so much more than Royal. Here on the Carnival forum I'm seeing this thread comparing Carnival to Royal. Is Royal the new benchmark or something?

 

I'm sailing the Breeze in September. Whenever I price out a cruise I always check Carnival pricing and I do find it a bit lower but when I compare itineraries, ship (including age) and cabins I often find sailing Royal or even Disney to be the better "value" for us. That's because I value some of the things that these other sailings offer. I'm sailing the Breeze in September because I checked out the price for other sailings and this Carnival sailing offers the best value this time.

 

The thing I find frustrating about Carnival pricing is that you have to get to the hold your cruise state on their web site before you can really know the price of the cruise. Carnival always looks cheaper when I start to look but it isn't always cheaper by the time I select the sail dates, cabin category, cabin location, etc. Then when you add the intangibles that allow you to asses value (not just price), shopping for a cruise can be very time consuming. That's why a lot of people just stick with a particular cruise line and stack up the loyalty points.

[minerva78]

I really want to sail on a Royal ship. To me a cruise is just as much about the ship as it is the ports. I was spoiled sailing on the Breeze last, so I really want to try a Freedom or Oasis class ship. However my husband cares more abut the ports, he really doesn't care about the ship amenities. We like western itineraries, Cozumel is our favorite port, but right now we'd rather visit Belize and Roatan on Carnival rather than Labedee and Falmouth on Royal. So when I price out a 7 day western in October on the Glory in a regular balcony, it's a hard sell for me to convince DH we should pay $1100 more for the four of us on an Oasis balcony or $1700 more on a Freedom balcony (really?). We have a certain week we are looking at, heck I might even consider an eastern itinerary if I can find something educational to do, but no luck there and we still prefer Carnival's eastern to Royal's. I looked heavily at Royal when planning our last trip on the Breeze - again, no luck with ports or prices on Royal. I am very interested in sailing Royal, but i'm going to need to find an itinerary DH likes enough to go on one of the "malls at sea" he calls the Oasis class ships, lol.

[cyclenut]

I really want to sail on a Royal ship. To me a cruise is just as much about the ship as it is the ports. I was spoiled sailing on the Breeze last, so I really want to try a Freedom or Oasis class ship. However my husband cares more abut the ports, he really doesn't care about the ship amenities. We like western itineraries, Cozumel is our favorite port, but right now we'd rather visit Belize and Roatan on Carnival rather than Labedee and Falmouth on Royal. So when I price out a 7 day western in October on the Glory in a regular balcony, it's a hard sell for me to convince DH we should pay $1100 more for the four of us on an Oasis balcony or $1700 more on a Freedom balcony (really?). We have a certain week we are looking at, heck I might even consider an eastern itinerary if I can find something educational to do, but no luck there and we still prefer Carnival's eastern to Royal's. I looked heavily at Royal when planning our last trip on the Breeze - again, no luck with ports or prices on Royal. I am very interested in sailing Royal, but i'm going to need to find an itinerary DH likes enough to go on one of the "malls at sea" he calls the Oasis class ships, lol.

 

That is a pretty large price gap. I really haven't see Freedom of the Seas be that much higher before. You must have picked a popular sailing that is nearly sold out. I know the Freedom is a very beautiful ship. My wife and I sailed her for our 25th wedding anniversary to the Western side and it has to be my second favorite cruise of all time. A very close second behind the Disney Fantasy Eastern route that happened to be blessed by outstanding weather.

 

My first sailing on a larger and newer Carnival ship is this September out of Galvaston but honestly the Royal pricing was only a bit more. Not the numbers you are talking about. That's for just two of us, but I don't think $1700 more for the Freedom for a party of four is what I've seen either.

 

The hardest part of shopping is comparing same to same. Each line sets up their cabin categories differently and not all balcony cabins are the same. It's possible you've found a higher priced class on the Royal ships without realizing it.

[minerva78]

That is a pretty large price gap. I really haven't see Freedom of the Seas be that much higher before. You must have picked a popular sailing that is nearly sold out. I know the Freedom is a very beautiful ship. My wife and I sailed her for our 25th wedding anniversary to the Western side and it has to be my second favorite cruise of all time. A very close second behind the Disney Fantasy Eastern route that happened to be blessed by outstanding weather.

 

My first sailing on a larger and newer Carnival ship is this September out of Galvaston but honestly the Royal pricing was only a bit more. Not the numbers you are talking about. That's for just two of us, but I don't think $1700 more for the Freedom for a party of four is what I've seen either.

 

The hardest part of shopping is comparing same to same. Each line sets up their cabin categories differently and not all balcony cabins are the same. It's possible you've found a higher priced class on the Royal ships without realizing it.

 

I know, I do a lot of price comparisons and I have never seen the Freedom that high before, or that much higher than the Oasis/Allure. I am looking at the second week in October, so we can do a cruise for my daughter's birthday on October 12. Carnival Glory is around $2300 (which I can tolerate), Royal Oasis around $3400, and Royal Freedom around $4100 (so my math was off, it's about $1800 more than the Glory). Although our schools don't have a fall break, lots of schools do have them around this time. That's the only way I can explain the prices. The only advantage of the Freedom though is that it's a shorter drive down I-95 and the itinerary includes Grand Cayman, but really, is that worth $700 more than the Oasis?! I also hated there were hardly any 5 day itineraries on Royal in October, because I'd be willing to sacrifice an extra day or two to try a Royal ship. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Carnival, we have always had a blast on our cruises. But after 5, soon to be 6, cruises on Carnival, I want to try another line so I don't get bored with cruising. I just wish Royal's prices would behave a little more so I can try them out. :rolleyes:

 

ETA: I was looking at the cheapest available regular balcony on Royal compared to a midship Verandah balcony on the Glory. So I'd imagine these would be pretty comparable.

Edited May 14, 2016 by minerva78

[Mikew0805]

I guess I disagree with most posters. In the list of cruises I have taken with Royal, none of them were higher than the Carnival Counterpart. The 15 day Hawaii was in an extended balcony, that I booked 17 months in advance and we paid just over $900 p/p.

 

RCI had ridiculous prices on the Oasis class at first, and now on the Anthem.

 

It may be time of year as well. I do not cruise in Summer (Did that once, never again) it's too dang hot, and too many kids. I like late Sept through late April, avoiding spring break and xmas. Who knows.. maybe that is the difference, as I am typically in lower season when I cruise.

[TravelLots]

It may be time of year as well. I do not cruise in Summer (Did that once, never again) it's too dang hot, and too many kids. I like late Sept through late April, avoiding spring break and xmas. Who knows.. maybe that is the difference, as I am typically in lower season when I cruise.

 

 

I think time of year can play a big role. Unfortunately, the only time I can cruise is during the summer, spring break, holidays, etc. and the prices are killer!

[beerman2]

I agree, we always check out Carnival, RCCL, NCL, and sometimes a few others...for us it does come down to price and getting the most bang for our buck!

 

And right now the best bang for the buck is NCL when you factor in the extra ( drink package, speciality dining).

 

I know those packages aren't for everyone , however for those that do enjoy those, NCL is a better value cost wise right now.

[AmberTeka]

Many moons ago the wife and I used to go to Milford and Bridgeport for a nice weekend of jai lai.

 

I'm sure they are both history by now.

 

Bill

 

They used to have a Fronton n Daytona Beach. Many nights, My husband and I, then dating, made the trip down to see Jai Ali with High Hopes....only to ride back to Jax ( 1964 white mustang) without even a dime for a phone call if we broke down.

 

they ( much dispute about who "they" were) Burned the Fronton down Twice. Today you csn get taped games...they are streamed at Dog Tracks.........but not the Same.

Still play in Dania. CANNOT get my husband to go when we sail from Miami.

I love it.

Fort Pierce used to have a Fronton. Only used 2 months of the Year. Ditto Orlando and Melbourne. Hate to see it die out...

[Lerin]

We just got back from a RC cruise where we had originally planned on a Carnival one. The price difference was similar to what the OP posted.

 

BIG MISTAKE!

 

Will never sail RC again, even if the price is the same as Carnival. Normally I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." This was not the case for our RC cruise; total rip off.

[ryano]

I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." This was not the case for our RC cruise; total rip off.

 

I actually hated that saying until I found out how true it could be. I got what i paid for on Carnival for sure. Great food, service, newer ship and overall better experience on Magic for several hundred less than a comparable cruise on Royal on an older ship. That several hundred allowed me to book Magic again, at a excellent rate, and pay for about a third of the cruise.

Edited May 16, 2016 by ryano

[Tapi]

RCI had ridiculous prices on the Oasis class at first, and now on the Anthem..

 

I agree, but surprisingly we scored a better deal on the Anthem of the Seas than on the Carnival Sunshine sailing the same week to Bermuda. The Sunshine is priced higher than the Norwegian Breakaway as well. Go figure! [emoji848]

Edited May 16, 2016 by Tapi

[simplelife]

Intersting that the OP says it's only because of the price increase that he is asking for a smuggling plan, yet his post begins by saying he has "always" smuggled. Smuggle or not, but own the decision.

[denatravels]

I agree, but surprisingly we scored a better deal on the Anthem of the Seas than on the Carnival Sunshine sailing the same week to Bermuda. The Sunshine is priced higher than the Norwegian Breakaway as well. Go figure! [emoji848]

 

 

Anthem 5 days to Bermuda often prices lower than other cruises that are 7 day

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Tapi]

Anthem 5 days to Bermuda often prices lower than other cruises that are 7days.

 

 

Yes, the total cost of the Anthem is lower because it's a 5 day, but the per day price is what I'm referring to. For a balcony, Sunshine is at $168pp/pd, Anthem is at $136pp/pd and Breakaway is at $128pp/pd.

 

In my experience, longer cruises have a lower pp/pd price than shorter cruises, but this is one time when the opposite is the case.

[denatravels]

Yes, the total cost of the Anthem is lower because it's a 5 day, but the per day price is what I'm referring to. For a balcony, Sunshine is at $168pp/pd, Anthem is at $136pp/pd and Breakaway is at $128pp/pd.

 

In my experience, longer cruises have a lower pp/pd price than shorter cruises, but this is one time when the opposite is the case.

 

 

Got it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app