Our Semi Studious Pick: LOS over Carnival Breeze

[1Texansgo]

We are a fiftyish couple travelling without children or grandchildren. We previously cruised about once a year but had not been on a cruise for several years. We sailed the Liberty of Seas in September and had a good time. We have also enjoyed Carnival cruises in the past so I strongly considered booking the Breeze for next September. However, after much discussion my wife and I opted to again book LOS. Here is our analysis whether correct or not.

COST: The two ships were so close in cost that we would rate this as a tossup.

DINING: Although food is so subjective the inclusive multiple dining venues on the Breeze gave Carnival the edge here.

DRINK PACKAGES: We are always going to get the alcohol drink package as we like to pay as much up front as possible. That said, it is disappointing that Carnival's package starts on the second day of the cruise. Advantage RCL.

ENTERTAINMENT: Again, subjective but we gave the advantage to Carnival.

POOLS: The solarium and adult pool is where we spend a lot of time especially on sea days. Big advantage to RCL.

SHIP Layout: LOS in our opinion is a much prettier ship and we enjoy the promenade so advantage RCL.

CASINO: Both seem to be smoky so no advantage to either ship.

PRIORITY BOARDING ETC: Carnival's FTTF doesn't excite us so no advantage to either.

ACTIVITY DECKS: Slight advantage to LOS.

Given the above we will again sail LOS and I am sure we will have a great time. However, I am sure we would have a great time on the Breeze as well. We are definitely NOT Carnival haters!

[Bootman4U]

After sailing ONCE with Carnival more than 20 years ago and being appalled at the lack of on-board organization, the constant hawking of drinks and Bingo, and, most of all, the downright scary lack of attention to safety drill presentation (all this after having sailed on several Royal vessels) we actually went on the Carnival Victory several weeks ago as part of a four-night reunion event.

 

Yes, the Victory is an "older" ship. But in many ways it seemed somewhat poorly maintained, exterior-wise; the buffet layout was IMO a disaster and somebody at Carnival has decided that really REALLY LOUD rock music is appropriate fro casual meals. Safety drill? Mob scene with somewhat better content and presentation but still disorganized by Royal standards. And worst of all: hand sanitation???? By passengers??? NOBODY, staff-wise, was even attempting to get passengers to sanitize their hands. Entertainment? The usual LCD type stuff.

 

Sorry, this time I really mean NEVER AGAIN with that company.

[trihawks1]

My daughter and her husband went on Carnival Breeze for their honeymoon last November. My daughter has cruised on celebrity, Royal, and now Carnival. Although they enjoyed their. Raise, she said never again on Carnival. She prefers RCCL. Lol her cruise before her honeymoon was Oasis...so that spoiled her. She has cruised on Indy too so I'm sure you will enjoy LOS. We have booked freedom for this December. She never said why she didn't like carnival...just the feeling I guess she got. She does prefer the promenade and entertainment is better on RCCL.

 

 

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[dwayneb236]

We had only ever cruised on Carnival till our Harmony cruise in February. The wife said she would never go back to Carnival. As for me.. I'm suire I would still have a blast on Carnival and would not hesitate to go back, but she runs the show so I'm doubting I will. As for Royal, loved the last cruise and am very happy to sail them again, and we are in January on the Liberty. Can't wait.

[ToddnMichelle]

So far my wife and I have cruised once on both lines and loved each for different reason. We took our kids on Breeze last October and we all had a blast. Nothing against CCL but our first (honeymoon) cruise was on the Mariner and there was just something we loved about RCCL that the Breeze was missing. No one thing really, maybe just the overall atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, i wouldn't hesitate to cruise the Breeze again or even the Vista once it moves to Galveston next year however with the current influx of specials going on lately, I jumped at the opportunity to give the LoS a try in April. Will be an "adults only" trip this time with my in-laws and we can't wait.

[shopperwhite]

I took my entire family on breeze a year ago. Had a great time. The waiters couldn't be nicer and the kids loved the dr.suess breakfast and the waterslides.

My middle son has 3 kids and their were two washrooms in his room,

[dpcmh]

Thanks OP. I haven't sailed Carnival yet, but I've had my eye on the Breeze. I'm happy to see a nonhate post comparing 2 nearly same category ships.... The one thing I have different than your list, my other half doesn't drink....so on Royal, I can get the drink package and the other half the soda package. I wished Carnival had the same policy on this matter....so Carnival keeps loosing my next bookings...

[racerxspeedy]

We cruised the Breeze when it was first launched. The prices at the time were much less than LOS. We loved the casual food options, but the pool areas were way too crowded for us. The Carnival nightly shows are significantly less exciting than RCs larger ships. The service and MDR experience was comparable. Carnival has more of a party crowd feel - which can be fun at times. Carnival has unique port options that we recommend as well (Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, and Mahogany Bay-Roatan).

 

We would cruise the Breeze again, but never at the same price as LOS.

[matj2000]

The Liberty cruise last year was the reason I said I quit RC.

However we already had the Harmon booked and paid so we took it last Spring Break.

It was a big difference in every aspect.

Even though I live in Houston, I will never sail on the Liberty again......

[racerxspeedy]

Sorry to hear your LOS cruise was less than desired. I haven't cruised out of Galveston. We stay away due to the long bus ride from the airport to the port.

 

You are lucky to be close to any port. Carnival offers some longer Southern and Panama cruises out of Galveston that could be fun.