Carnival vs. Royal

[BNBR]

3 minutes ago, Spicey477 said:

Thanks!  I think BNBR and I were posting at the same time! 🙂

 

And Harmony/Symphony have the really cool Abyss dry slide, too.

 

Plus you have the flowriders and even a zip line.  The kids areas are far better and bigger than Carnivals as well, including a science lab and even a kids movie theater.

Edited February 27, 2019 by BNBR

[pacruise804]

On 2/26/2019 at 10:02 AM, BNBR said:

I have paid for JR's.  I wouldn't pay for a family of 4 as $40 for lunch seems too much, but for the 2 of us it was $20.  It's NOT Guys or comparable, obviously.  Sit down service with a waiter, great service, appetizers, the burgers so hot almost burned my mouth - tasty, too.  And dessert as well.  For $20 we thought it was not unreasonable.  If JR's were free, there would be a huge line and it would suck.  So you pay for the premium service and experience.  I'm not sure I would refer to $9.95 as gouging.  Same price as a drink on HMC.  Perspective.

 

This is one area where NCL (known for nickle & diming) actually does a good job with O'Sheehans as an included restaurant.  Great service might be a stretch, but it was certainly competent.  I think they might have even been 24 hour.  We only sailed with NCL once, but I don't remember long lines or waits to be seated.

 

Princess also had a nice included lunch restaurant on Regal - Alfredo's where you could get full table service, apps, several Italian choices, and dessert if desired.  Great service there too, and no lines.

 

While $10 pp isn't gouging, it does add up and doesn't appear to be necessary based on other lines.

[BNBR]

15 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

 

This is one area where NCL (known for nickle & diming) actually does a good job with O'Sheehans as an included restaurant.  Great service might be a stretch, but it was certainly competent.  I think they might have even been 24 hour.  We only sailed with NCL once, but I don't remember long lines or waits to be seated.

 

Princess also had a nice included lunch restaurant on Regal - Alfredo's where you could get full table service, apps, several Italian choices, and dessert if desired.  Great service there too, and no lines.

 

While $10 pp isn't gouging, it does add up and doesn't appear to be necessary based on other lines.

 

NCL has Margaritaville which would be a Johnny Rockets equivalent. Margaritaville is better but also a much more expensive upcharge than JR. 

[pacruise804]

I didn't realize that.  They didn't have it on our 2016 cruise.

[BTHodgeman]

On ‎2‎/‎13‎/‎2019 at 8:18 PM, Moz said:

The RCCL ships are far nicer as far as decor.  Food is about the same except as one person said the comfort food eg Guys burgers and Mexican food bar which are excellent.  The biggest difference is the entertainment and clientele.  If you enjoy raunchy comedy and below par shows in the theater you will do fine.  Lots of baseball caps and men in tank tops in dining rooms if that makes a difference.  Also a louder crowd in general,  The staff on Carnival are very friendly and the ship is spotless.  We were once avid Carnival cruisers but have moved on due to clientele.

I haven't made it through all the pages of this post yet, but I will add that I've never noticed the described clientele on any of my Carnival cruises. In the main dining room, we have really only ever observed people with jeans/slack and t-shirt/polos/dress shirts. I don't recall ever seeing a pair of shorts of a tank top , except at the buffet on the pool deck.

 

But, I guess here's my thing: I don't care what people wear. It doesn't impact my dining 'experience' in any way. I care much more about the service and food quality than what others are wearing on their vacation, and I will never understand why others care so much about what other people wear.

 

By the way, we are taking our first Royal cruise in two weeks. Maybe the stark clientele difference that some people on these boards obsess over will finally reveal itself...

 

Also, here is how I would compare our pre-cruise experience so far:

 

1.) All cruise lines are in the business of making money, but many things that are free on Carnival are not on Royal (Guy's Burgers vs. Johnny Rockets, free ice cream vs. Ben and Jerrys, free late night food options vs. Playmakers, etc.)

2.) Shore excursions through the cruise line are more expensive. Now, we rarely book directly through the cruise line unless we have less than 8 hours in port. But at places like Labadee, the single zip line is $94. In almost any other port, you can do 3-4 hour zip line courses for around the same price. Also, a clamshell rental is $45 vs. a normal beach umbrella rental of $15-20.

3.) Royal's booking process/website/check-in/cruise planner is a disaster. The website has major issues. We couldn't see our final balance online, couldn't make any payments online, etc. Cruise Planner is a better interface, but it has spotty availability. Carnival's website just seems to be more stable.

4.) One major plus is that Royal is flexible with the drink package. I drink and my SO does not really, so we've never been able to find value in spending $100+ a day on drinks for me. Royal let me purchase one Deluxe package and one Refreshment package, which is a really nice compromise.

5.) Royal seems to have a broader selection of itineraries and destinations. Carnival definitely seems to target the "mass cruising" market, with lots of either short cruises or cruises that go to the same places (i.e. ships from Orlando, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, and Galveston all seem to go to Cozumel every sailing! lol). We like to experience new ports, and Carnival is introducing enough new ships/repositioning ships, and offering enough Journeys cruises to keep us happy so far!

 

Brent

[BNBR]

33 minutes ago, BTHodgeman said:

1.) All cruise lines are in the business of making money, but many things that are free on Carnival are not on Royal (Guy's Burgers vs. Johnny Rockets, free ice cream vs. Ben and Jerrys, free late night food options vs. Playmakers, etc.)

2.) Shore excursions through the cruise line are more expensive. Now, we rarely book directly through the cruise line unless we have less than 8 hours in port. But at places like Labadee, the single zip line is $94. In almost any other port, you can do 3-4 hour zip line courses for around the same price. Also, a clamshell rental is $45 vs. a normal beach umbrella rental of $15-20.

3.) Royal's booking process/website/check-in/cruise planner is a disaster. The website has major issues. We couldn't see our final balance online, couldn't make any payments online, etc. Cruise Planner is a better interface, but it has spotty availability. Carnival's website just seems to be more stable.

4.) One major plus is that Royal is flexible with the drink package. I drink and my SO does not really, so we've never been able to find value in spending $100+ a day on drinks for me. Royal let me purchase one Deluxe package and one Refreshment package, which is a really nice compromise.

5.) Royal seems to have a broader selection of itineraries and destinations. Carnival definitely seems to target the "mass cruising" market, with lots of either short cruises or cruises that go to the same places (i.e. ships from Orlando, Tampa, Miami, New Orleans, and Galveston all seem to go to Cozumel every sailing! lol). We like to experience new ports, and Carnival is introducing enough new ships/repositioning ships, and offering enough Journeys cruises to keep us happy so far!

 

Brent

 

Guys and Johnny Rockets are not comparable concepts.  You can get free burgers on Royal, too.  Royal has free soft serve as well as late night free food options like Sorrentos.  Royal has MORE venues so you should be thrilled you have more options, like Playmakers, Johnny Rockets, ice cream, etc.

 

You are also comparing the private island Labadee zip line, which is I think the longest over water zip line in the world, to excursion zip line courses?  Do zip lines at another stop....  You are comparing apples and oranges.  My villa on HMC is $499 which is about the same price as an over the water cabana on Labadee...

 

You seem to be making really unfair comparisons.  Which means you should actually be pleasantly surprised...

Edited February 28, 2019 by BNBR

[bethshebas]

I've only been on one RCCL the rest are on Carnival.  Will likely stay.  I think a lot of it depends on what kind of cruiser you are. For me a cruise ship is a floating casino and spa.

 

What I liked about my RCCL cruise: the promenade.

What I didn't like: the casino was in the belly of the ship and didn't have any windows.  The spa rooms also didn't have any windows.

 

Most of the Carnival ships I have been on have windows in the casino so you can take a break  and look out at the ocean. Also, most of the spa treatment rooms have windows in them.

 

The deal breaker for me:  on Carnival you can do your own laundry.  Yes I know RCCL will let you fill a bag and they do your laundry for you but I won't do that. I want to do my own.

 

On a 7 day cruise I like to take 3 outfits for day 3 outfits for night,  do laundry half way through the cruise and then re wear them.  That way I can just take a back pack and my yoga bag.  Carry on only!

 

 

[sparks1093]

3 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

NCL has Margaritaville which would be a Johnny Rockets equivalent. Margaritaville is better but also a much more expensive upcharge than JR. 

Why does that not surprise me?🤣

[jimbo5544]

14 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

Guys and Johnny Rockets are not comparable concepts.  You can get free burgers on Royal, too.  Royal has free soft serve as well as late night free food options like Sorrentos.  Royal has MORE venues so you should be thrilled you have more options, like Playmakers, Johnny Rockets, ice cream, etc.

 

You are also comparing the private island Labadee zip line, which is I think the longest over water zip line in the world, to excursion zip line courses?  Do zip lines at another stop....  You are comparing apples and oranges.  My villa on HMC is $499 which is about the same price as an over the water cabana on Labadee...

 

You seem to be making really unfair comparisons.  Which means you should actually be pleasantly surprised...

The free burgers on Royal are junk, no comparison to Guys.  I will agree that JR and Guys are not comparable as it costs 10 bucks to eat one on a Royal ship....yeah I know it is a seating charge...still costs

Edited March 1, 2019 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

13 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Why does that not surprise me?🤣

Margaritaville (we tried it on the Bliss, was Ok but I think it was about 18/person

[sparks1093]

48 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Margaritaville (we tried it on the Bliss, was Ok but I think it was about 18/person

I would take a pass on it. I am averse to paying for food when it's included in the price and have only done so twice. 

[jimbo5544]

41 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

I would take a pass on it. I am averse to paying for food when it's included in the price and have only done so twice. 

The Bliss actually had some good features, but we were amazed at the for pay opportunities.  We ate a lunch at Margaritaville, but we did not have to pay (it was at the naming ceremony on a 2 night sleepover at the New York pier. 

[jimbo5544]

44 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

I would take a pass on it. I am averse to paying for food when it's included in the price and have only done so twice. 

Does that include all for pay?

[BNBR]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

The free burgers on Royal are junk, no comparison to Guys.  I will agree that JR and Guys are not comparable as it costs 10 bucks to eat one on a Royal ship....yeah I know it is a seating charge...still costs

 

I didn't say the free burgers were better on Royal. They are not. But you can't compare a sit down restaurant and a buffet style counter serve. It's totally different concepts.  Guys is better than the free burgers on Royal from the buffet or MiniBites/Wipeout. Royal does still have lots of free options that carnival doesn't have.  The Dog House for one and also Park Cafe. Love the roast beef sandwiches. 

[BNBR]

3 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

The Bliss actually had some good features, but we were amazed at the for pay opportunities.  We ate a lunch at Margaritaville, but we did not have to pay (it was at the naming ceremony on a 2 night sleepover at the New York pier. 

 

Margaritaville used to be a la carte. Pissed off a lot of people when they changed to the big upcharge. Before you could spend a few bucks on an app or a burger, now it's a total ripoff. 

[jimbo5544]

The roast beef sandwiches are good.

[jimbo5544]

3 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

Margaritaville used to be a la carte. Pissed off a lot of people when they changed to the big upcharge. Before you could spend a few bucks on an app or a burger, now it's a total ripoff. 

It was a good burger, but I doubt we would ever do it again.  They also had a really nice wine bar (Mondavi Brothers I believe), but never got in there, my guess it is pricey.

[sparks1093]

20 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Does that include all for pay?

Does what include all for pay? 

[wytygr8]

On 2/26/2019 at 10:02 AM, BNBR said:

I have paid for JR's.  I wouldn't pay for a family of 4 as $40 for lunch seems too much, but for the 2 of us it was $20.  It's NOT Guys or comparable, obviously.  Sit down service with a waiter, great service, appetizers, the burgers so hot almost burned my mouth - tasty, too.  And dessert as well.  For $20 we thought it was not unreasonable.  If JR's were free, there would be a huge line and it would suck.  So you pay for the premium service and experience.  I'm not sure I would refer to $9.95 as gouging.  Same price as a drink on HMC.  Perspective.

 

Except that if you include the price of the $15 buffet you could be getting for free, you’re really paying $25 each, and I wouldn’t  pay $15 each for Johnny Rockets on land, let alone $25. I call that gouging, even if you don’t.

[jimbo5544]

7 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Does what include all for pay? 

Lol, all for pay restaurants or just Margaritaville....

[BNBR]

6 minutes ago, wytygr8 said:

 

Except that if you include the price of the $15 buffet you could be getting for free, you’re really paying $25 each, and I wouldn’t  pay $15 each for Johnny Rockets on land, let alone $25. I call that gouging, even if you don’t.

 

It makes no sense to include a made up buffet price.  Using your math, Royal should owe JR patrons $5.  Really, $10 is not a big deal for a premium experience.   You can also stay home in your bed for free vs going on a cruise.  

[sparks1093]

11 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Lol, all for pay restaurants or just Margaritaville....

Sorry jimbo, not enough coffee yet this morning. All pay restaurants. 

[sparks1093]

9 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

It makes no sense to include a made up buffet price.  Using your math, Royal should owe JR patrons $5.  Really, $10 is not a big deal for a premium experience.   You can also stay home in your bed for free vs going on a cruise.  

No, it isn't too much but I'd hardly call JR's a "premium" experience (and I thought it was more than $10). 

[BNBR]

7 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

No, it isn't too much but I'd hardly call JR's a "premium" experience (and I thought it was more than $10). 

 

It's not formal, but if course it's premium vs Guys or a buffet. 

[Jerseygirl1416]

47 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

I didn't say the free burgers were better on Royal. They are not. But you can't compare a sit down restaurant and a buffet style counter serve. It's totally different concepts.  Guys is better than the free burgers on Royal from the buffet or MiniBites/Wipeout. Royal does still have lots of free options that carnival doesn't have.  The Dog House for one and also Park Cafe. Love the roast beef sandwiches. 

Johnny Rockets on Anthem is a counter style restaurant with fast food type seating. No wait service. I didn’t try JR on Anthem but did think guys was really good. I agree with the roast beef sandwiches from Park Cafe. Delicious! As for the Dog House on Oasis, unfortunately the two times we went we were given stale bread so I couldn’t say it was good. Great venue if they practiced quality control.