Who has sailed Carnival after Royal Caribbean?

[Sun Lover]

After reading many reviews about the different cruise lines, I think we're going to try Carnival next time. It would have to be one of the biggest ships, though, because I think we'd be bored on a smaller one. It still won't be anywhere near the size of the Oasis class on RCI but I don't want to sail on them again after the experience we just had. Thanks for the information.

[Hotel CA]

Act together sorry

 

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Prefer having CCL get their Cat together myself

[cruzeluver]

If a drop in quality of the Oasis class is your motivation, then I would only consider a Dream class Carnival ship or newer. Their older ships are going to be a big drop down in amenities and "wow factor" from Oasis class. We love Royal, especially Oasis and Freedom class (have our first Radiance class booked for September). But we will consider Carnival but ONLY newer ships.

[Keys2Heaven]

We have sailed on several cruises on Royal Caribbean over many years but feel like the quality is deteriorating. I would like to hear how Carnival compares. I was just looking online a little bit at cruises on Vista or Horizon. Thanks.

 

Serenade of the Seas in 2009 then Carnival Valor 6 years later. Didn't notice a whole lot of difference between the two. I will say, for US, the dinners in the MDR on Carnival were better.

 

Yes, decline is industry wide. There is a thread about it over on Celebrity as well. Nobody is immune.

[jordanaire]

We had sailed with Carnival several times before we decided the try RCL. We sailed aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas within 6 weeks of each other. There were a few differences between the cruise lines but not worth paying extra when sailing RCL. The food is much better as is the entertainment on Carnival. There were more activities on RCL for all ages. We really liked the ice skating shows on RCL. But we have since sailed with Carnival because of the way they have treated us, the food, the ships and the price. Our 21st Carnival cruise is coming up in 6 weeks!

 

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[Sun Lover]

Have you sailed on Carnival Vista? If so, was it comparable to RCI's Adventure of the Seas?

[CruisingNole]

I was going to give Breeze a shot as it is coming to Port Canveral this year, which is convenient to me. After hearing for years that Carnival was the cheapest cruise line, I found it to the be the exact opposite. An oceanview balcony for 2 adults on The Breeze was more expensive than Oasis/Allure/Harmony (at least during the months I checked) and their drink packages are about $4 more expensive than the $48/day Oasis was charging. Maybe their prices just aren't competitive in Florida, but they are cheaper in other states? I don't know. Either way, I stuck with Oasis as I was on a tight budget.

[zanydoc]

We are diamond with RCI and my family and I are booked on our first Carnival ship-the Dream next month. Really looking forward to a change of pace, food, entertainment, people, staff and venues! I think it will be fun to try something different and new to us. I’m guessing we won’t notice any “decline” because we really don’t have any expectations to begin with. Of course, I’ll be heavily relying on Cheers to help me form my positive opinions...:D!

[nijoli]

I've sailed on Carnival Ecstasy but also said RC Explorer of the Seas (twice) and Voyager of the Seas (once). I am booked on the Carnival Dream this May. I found them both great but Carnival was way more fun and laid back. I would go on either one any chance I got, though.

[bingomamma19]

We have sailed on several cruises on Royal Caribbean over many years but feel like the quality is deteriorating. I would like to hear how Carnival compares. I was just looking online a little bit at cruises on Vista or Horizon. Thanks.

 

I have done 8 carnivals and 1 recent one on the Allure on RCI.

 

I way preferred Carnival overall to RCI. The only thing I liked better on RCI was the shows--advanced ticketing and the quality.

 

We will stick to Carnival for the value and the balcony rooms I can afford :) Next up--Alaska on the Carnival legend in August

[Kyndal93]

Me. I started out on RC, then went to Carnival and never plan on going back. Yes, RC ships are nicer, and they have better shows. But I always have more fun in Carnival, everything stays open late, everyone is drinking and having a good time. The comedy shows are better and the parties are better. I guess I’m not looking for a relaxing cruise like I could get on RC, I’m looking for constant fun and party on Carnival.

 

One other plus for RC, no continuous shufflers in Casino.

 

 

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[Sun Lover]

I have done 8 carnivals and 1 recent one on the Allure on RCI.

 

I way preferred Carnival overall to RCI. The only thing I liked better on RCI was the shows--advanced ticketing and the quality.

 

We will stick to Carnival for the value and the balcony rooms I can afford :) Next up--Alaska on the Carnival legend in August

 

Do they not take reservations in advance for shows on Carnival?

[katstoy]

Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have sailed both Carnival, Royal and Disney and IMO Carnival and Royal are comparable with no real difference. I will sail based on itinerary and price.

[myfamilyluvs2cruise]

We have done CCL, RCL, NCL and Disney. We took a long break from Carnival, for no purposeful reason other than we wanted to try RCCL's brand new mega ships- and then sailed the Harmony on its 2nd voyage in the States, the Quantum- yuck the whole ship had Noro :( -and the Oasis twice. We went back on Carnival last Spring break after our long hiatus and sailed on the CCL Sunshine. I was super apprehensive especially after having been on the latest and greatest and reading some negative reviews about the Sunshine. But the itinerary was awesome and we wanted to mix it up. I have to say that we LOVED being back on Carnival. We thought the service was better and friendlier, the food was WAY better overall, and the vibe was fun. We definitely cannot knock the mega ships- their "WOW" factor is real- the shows are spectacular, the ships are decorated beautifully, the amentities are incredible. But, for the basics- food, service, live entertaiment in small comfy venues, personal attention, itinerary- we think Carnival does a better job overall. You might want to stick with the newest and biggest Carnival ships so they compare more favorably. I would also say that I personally think the shows on Carnival are not good at all- especially if you are comparing the RCCL or NCL's big stage Broadway productions, ice shows, Blue Man Group, aqua theater, etc. So if keep your expectations in line with reality you will be fine. But we personally prefer smaller venue live entertainment which Carnival totally excels at- piano bars, little bands here and there on the ships, etc. I definitely find the older ships to be asthetically not so pleasing, but that is just me. I can look past that when everything else is good. We are going back on the Sunshine in 3 weeks and can't wait! Can't hurt to give it a try! Good luck!

Edited February 20, 2018 by myfamilyluvs2cruise

[Sun Lover]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like if we book a cruise on one of the newest ships, that would be our best bet. I'm thinking either Vista or Horizon. I do like their itineraries better. The Oasis class ships on RCI are so limited as to where they can dock and having been to the same ports several times, we're ready for something different.

[CruisingNole]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like if we book a cruise on one of the newest ships, that would be our best bet. I'm thinking either Vista or Horizon. I do like their itineraries better. The Oasis class ships on RCI are so limited as to where they can dock and having been to the same ports several times, we're ready for something different.

 

Please follow-up after the booking process. I'm curious what the price difference is between your RCI and Carnival trips. Granted, I only checked one Carnival ship (Breeze) but a 7 night itinerary very similar to Oasis going out of the same port was about $200 more for an oceanview balcony plus $4/day more for drink package. I also got $225 in OBC with Oasis, none with Carnival. All things considered, breeze was going to cost about $500 more than Oasis which made it a deal breaker for me.

[Kevin]

Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have sailed both Carnival, Royal and Disney and IMO Carnival and Royal are comparable with no real difference. I will sail based on itinerary and price.

I feel the same way.

 

There are certain things that are better on one line versus the other but all in all it evens out.

 

I have an upcoming Carnival cruise followed by a Royal one. Each was picked based on price and timing.

[Sun Lover]

Yeah, I've always heard Carnival was cheaper than RCI. Maybe things are changing as Carnival builds newer and bigger ships. At this point I'd pay extra to go on Carnival rather than go on RCI. It's a shame, too, because with our latest cruise, we moved up from Platinum to Emerald. With Carnival, we'll be starting over from square one.

[VaTech8912]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like if we book a cruise on one of the newest ships, that would be our best bet. I'm thinking either Vista or Horizon. I do like their itineraries better. The Oasis class ships on RCI are so limited as to where they can dock and having been to the same ports several times, we're ready for something different.

 

 

Also consider Dream, Magic or Breeze.

[Cap'n Ron]

Yeah, I've always heard Carnival was cheaper than RCI. Maybe things are changing as Carnival builds newer and bigger ships. At this point I'd pay extra to go on Carnival rather than go on RCI. It's a shame, too, because with our latest cruise, we moved up from Platinum to Emerald. With Carnival, we'll be starting over from square one.

At least Carnival offers Faster to the Fun, so you can get a few of the perks for a fee.

 

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[cheermomof2girls]

We have cruised Carnival several times and went on RC last November. Disclaimer, we have only done small ships, 5 and 4 day sailings due to our schedules. If the prices and itinerary were the exact same, I'd probably pick Carnival.

 

For a few reasons- number one- the staff on Carnival are A LOT friendlier in my opinion. We missed the alchemy bar, and the casino is much larger on Carnival, and I like the comedy clubs on Carnival.

We did not enjoy the main dining room on RC, the waiter verged on rude and the food was just ok. However, we loved the sushi place on RC- ate there twice. Steakhouse- Carnival wins by far.

 

I preferred the layout of RC, the photographers and shops were more out of the way and I really liked the ease and layout of the RC. It was not crowded at all on our sailing and it was enjoyable. I thought the buffet on RC was considerably better and I like the late night options on RC. I don't eat the ice cream but my kids would have hated not having it available 24/7 if they had been on the RC with us.

 

I liked Royal's port in Cozumel better, but we didn't do an excursion, just walked around, ate, etc so it was nice to have a change of scenery there. Oh and I like that in Galveston, drink package started day 1 on RC vs day 2 on Carnival. However, the overall bars and drink selections were better on Carnival.

 

If RC was cheaper (it was on the sailing we went on), I would probably go with it, but I wouldn't pay more.

[VaTech8912]

Do they not take reservations in advance for shows on Carnival?

 

No, the shows and entertainment have no pre-booking/reservations. We have always found seats easily with the exception of the comedy club which does require going very early. After each show, they make everyone exit so the next group can come in however.

[Moz]

We are opposite from the OP since we were Platinum + on Carnival and new to RC or NCL. We first went on NCL and last year on RC. The food and service was similar on all cruises but the entertainment much better on both RC and NCL. The differences that led us to the other lines rather than Carnival were the clientele. Carnival is big on their late night comedy shows, that seems to be their big draw and the crowds display that. The shows are very crude and blue which draws a louder, rowdy group but to each his own. Otherwise Carnival always served our purpose but we really enjoyed a different experience on RCL and NCL. It does pay to try other cruise lines and not stick exclusively with one line as many do.

[sheila59]

We have sailed on NCL about 9 times, RCCL 3, Disney 2, Princess 1, Carnival , (soon to be 3) Cunard 1, Fred Olson 1.

I agree cutbacks and cabin crew have gone down in the last few years. You don’t get anywhere near the service we got on our first cruise in 2010, you were welcomed and nothing was to much trouble, nowadays it’s very rare that you get anywhere near that.

[splash_in_the_water]

we started cruising about 11 years ago. First cruise was on The Elation. Very good time for us, things were great. 2x/day stewards, food was great, etc.... a few more since then and also a cruise with RC a few years ago. RC was pretty good, mostly the same as far as I was concerned. We have another coming up with carnival in a few weeks. It's been some time so I'm pretty interested in what it's going to be like this time around. I expect some changes, but We're hopeful for a good cruise. I'm sure it will be.