Carnival vs. Royal

[AmBear]

1 hour ago, BTHodgeman said:

I have not seen it on sale on Carnival before. Both lines “require” that all adults in a cabin purchase it, but as I mentioned I a previous post, Royal is flexible and allows non-drinkers to buy the refreshment package simply by calling. It also doesn’t have to be for health or religious reasons. Carnival does not make that exception. 

 

 

Will take your word on flexibility with RCL, what I quoted was from RCL's site. We haven't bought the drink pkge. on RCL or Carnival in awhile. The free casino drinks we get from both, and the free drinks as Diamond on RCL is enough as we get older! Not big drinkers anymore!-))

[rukkian]

2 hours ago, AmBear said:

Will take your word on flexibility with RCL, what I quoted was from RCL's site. We haven't bought the drink pkge. on RCL or Carnival in awhile. The free casino drinks we get from both, and the free drinks as Diamond on RCL is enough as we get older! Not big drinkers anymore!-))

The only people paying full price in RCI either have no idea, or bought it in the ship.  Some don't like the price games, but with it, their package is a much better value.  Their drinks cost more if you don't have the package, and anybody can get an exception to only buy it for one in the room.  

 

I am okay that carnival is more expensive, cause now we just won't buy it and will save money.  

[BigBuoys]

4 hours ago, AmBear said:

Will take your word on flexibility with RCL, what I quoted was from RCL's site. We haven't bought the drink pkge. on RCL or Carnival in awhile. The free casino drinks we get from both, and the free drinks as Diamond on RCL is enough as we get older! Not big drinkers anymore!-))

 

If Carnival made that exception to the rule, 85% of those non-alcoholic second guests will be back to drinking again. 🙂

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, AmBear said:

You'll also notice the RCL prices their drink pkges different prices on different ships! Why,,,don't know!

Simple supply and demand.  Trust mw

if they could they would (charge the same).  

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, AmBear said:

You'll also notice the RCL prices their drink pkges different prices on different ships! Why,,,don't know!

Simple supply and demand.  Trust mw

if they could they would (charge the same).  

[BNBR]

5 hours ago, AmBear said:

Will take your word on flexibility with RCL, what I quoted was from RCL's site. We haven't bought the drink pkge. on RCL or Carnival in awhile. The free casino drinks we get from both, and the free drinks as Diamond on RCL is enough as we get older! Not big drinkers anymore!-))

 

Kind of like suggesting NCL charges $99 for their package. Nobody actually pays full price. I've never paid more for a royal drink package than carnivals rate. And you can package it with the internet service at a really good rate which is even more savings. Cost a lot more with Carnival. And the Royal internet is substantially better, we watch Netflix on it. 

[sparks1093]

10 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

Kind of like suggesting NCL charges $99 for their package. Nobody actually pays full price. I've never paid more for a royal drink package than carnivals rate. And you can package it with the internet service at a really good rate which is even more savings. Cost a lot more with Carnival. And the Royal internet is substantially better, we watch Netflix on it. 

No one may pay full price but you certainly pay full price for the gratuities on that hyper-inflated price (and 20% gratuities at that, IIRC). 

[AmBear]

16 hours ago, BigBuoys said:

 

If Carnival made that exception to the rule, 85% of those non-alcoholic second guests will be back to drinking again. 🙂

Again if you read the RCL site the exception is only for health and religious reasons so don't get caught drinking on ship if you get the exception!

[BigBuoys]

1 minute ago, AmBear said:

Again if you read the RCL site the exception is only for health and religious reasons so don't get caught drinking on ship if you get the exception!

 

Easy peasy to work around. 🙂

[rukkian]

6 minutes ago, AmBear said:

Again if you read the RCL site the exception is only for health and religious reasons so don't get caught drinking on ship if you get the exception!

Here are the exceptions:

 

• Pregnancy
• Recovering Alcoholic
• Medical Reason
• Religious Reason
• Does Not Consume Alcohol Due to Personal Preference

I can personally confirm that the last one works.  You just have to call.  I had already purchased the refreshment for myself.

[BTHodgeman]

7 minutes ago, AmBear said:

Again if you read the RCL site the exception is only for health and religious reasons so don't get caught drinking on ship if you get the exception!

Can you provide a link to the portion of the RCL site that says that? I'm not trying to be smart, but I called last week and the agent made no reference to this nor does the confirmation e-mail reference it. 

[meatloafsfan]

I know I'm a little late to the party but I thought I'd throw in my opinion.

 

Some plusses for Royal:

 

Most of their pools have stairs in;

They offer a refreshment package which includes non-alcoholic beverages including mocktails, bottled water, specialty coffees;

Many of their ships have the Freestyle coke machines;

They have a lot of active activities (like rock climbing, ice skating, etc)

Café Promenade is 24 hours and conveniently located in the interior of the ship and offers a variety of foods (both savory and sweet).

 

Some plusses for Carnival:

 

Great daytime food choices with many made-for-you options (Guy's, Blue Iguana, Deli, Pizza, Pasta bar, etc.)

Good beds, pillows and bedding;

Cheap on demand movies $5 compared to $13-$15 on Royal;

Great variety in the MDR including extra vegetable sides;

Lots of daytime activities that are not "sporty" (like Trivia);

Partnered with Dr. Seuss and Hasbro which increases non-sporty activities;

Dedicated comedy clubs which host multiple shows each night.  

[Mr305]

Just got off a Mariner of The Seas cruise about two weeks ago, nothing to write home about.  Dining room service was incredible slow, food wasn't that great and the design of the ship leaves a lot to desire.

 

• Royal ships have that indoor mall design, promenade is indoor with rooms on both sides.  Haven't been on the Oasis class but from what little I've read, it's the same.
• There's no true lobby like Carnival, so you have to find one of several areas to hang out and there's very little seating at some of these.  Perfect example, Boleros vs Havana Bar, there's a ton of seating at Havana Bar plus you even have tables to play Dominos.  Boleros on Mariner was mostly stand up, just a couple of seats near it.
• Mariner's promenade had very little seating, other that what's around the Cafe or Sports Bar or Pub, there's nothing else you can use to sit and people watch.
• Royal's steakhouse is nothing to write home about, the dessert we ordered came from Windjammer.  Was quite shocked given that Carnival's steakhouse does everything in house.
• The prices of drinks, internet and the likes on Royal are quite high.  On average, a drink on Carnival is about $9-$10 plus 15% service charge, on Royal you are looking at $12-$14 plus 18% service charge.  Johnny Rockets is an up charge, Guy's Burger Joint is included in your cruise.
• At least on Mariner, the shows were horrible, reminded me of when I first sailed on the Carnival Destiny.  Old old dancers, some singers and a band, nothing to write home about.  The juggler guy is also not that great.  Compare to Carnival, the theater was nice, plenty of seating but hardly anyone attended.  The ice skating show was alright but the venue is small and seats weren't that great.
• The dining room staff kept asking us to give them a great review, never seen this on a Carnival ship.  Also, for breakfast, they have juice pre-served on these shot like glasses (slight bigger).  Point is, all juices were at room temperature and if you asked for a cold OJ, they tell you it's the way it is.
• Room was small, we had a balcony.  The balcony was slightly bigger than Carnival's and the chairs were better.  Closet space was also limited, just shelves on one side of the closet then the middle is open so you can store luggage.  In short, not very practical.  The dresser drawers were small as well as the TV, on Vista or Horizon, the TV is a good 40" or so, centered with the bed and fully interactive.  Decor is on the old school side, greens and light to yellow wood looking furniture.
• The top deck of Mariner was nice, they spent all the remodeling budget there.  Crown Viking Lounge is nice, my only complaint was that the couches needed to go, stained and worn down.
• As far as food, Carnival hands down.  Most things we had in the dining room or in the Promenade Cafe didn't have much flavor.  Pizza was great as well as Johnny Rockets.
• As for ships feeling open, you can't beat Breeze, Vista or Horizon.  These newer class ships have a ton of seating areas, indoor and outdoor, that allow you to kickback and have a drink or just plain old people watch.
• One more thing, specialty restaurants, the cost of these on Royal is crazy.  Izumi vs Bonsai, with Bonsai you order what you want and prices are very reasonable.  Izumi, is a flat price, for our upcoming med cruise they are asking $49 and on Mariner remember being around upper 30s.

We have a second Royal cruise coming up and now I'm having second thoughts.

Edited March 4, 2019 by Mr305

[BNBR]

11 minutes ago, Mr305 said:

Just got off a Mariner of The Seas cruise about two weeks ago, nothing to write home about.  Dining room service was incredible slow, food wasn't that great and the design of the ship leaves a lot to desire.

 

• Royal ships have that indoor mall design, promenade is indoor with rooms on both sides.  Haven't been on the Oasis class but from what little I've read, it's the same.
• There's no true lobby like Carnival, so you have to find one of several areas to hang out and there's very little seating at some of these.  Perfect example, Boleros vs Havana Bar, there's a ton of seating at Havana Bar plus you even have tables to play Dominos.  Boleros on Mariner was mostly stand up, just a couple of seats near it.
• Mariner's promenade had very little seating, other that what's around the Cafe or Sports Bar or Pub, there's nothing else you can use to sit and people watch.
• Royal's steakhouse is nothing to write home about, the desert we ordered came from Windjammer.  Was quite shocked given that Carnival's steakhouse does everything in house.
• The prices of drinks, internet and the likes on Royal are quite high.  On average, a drink on Carnival is about $9 plus tip, on Royal you are looking at $12-$14 plus 18% service charge.  Johnny Rockets is an up charge, Guy's Burger Joint is included in your cruise.
• At least on Mariner, the shows were horrible, reminded me of when I first sailed on the Carnival Destiny.  Old old dancers, some singers and a band, nothing to write home about.  The juggler guy is also not that great.  Compare to Carnival, the theater was nice, plenty of seating but hardly anyone attended.  The ice skating show was alright but the venue is small and seats weren't that great.
• The dining room staff kept asking us to give them a great review, never seen this on a Carnival ship.  Also, for breakfast, they have juice pre-served on these shot like glasses (slight bigger).  Point is, all juices were at room temperature and if you asked for a cold OJ, they tell you it's the way it is.
• Room was small, we had a balcony.  The balcony was slightly bigger than Carnival's and the chairs were better.  Closet space was also limited, just shelves on one side of the closet then the middle is open so you can store luggage.  In short, not very practical.  The dresser drawers were small as well as the TV, on Vista or Horizon, the TV is a good 40" or so, centered with the bed and fully interactive.  Decor is on the old school side, greens and light to yellow wood looking furniture.
• The top deck of Mariner was nice, they spent all the remodeling budget there.  Crown Viking Lounge is nice, my only complaint was that the couches needed to go, stained and worn down.
• As far as food, Carnival hands down.  Most things we had in the dining room or in the Promenade Cafe didn't have much flavor.  Pizza was great as well as Johnny Rockets.
• As for ships feeling open, you can't beat Breeze, Vista or Horizon.  These newer class ships have a ton of seating areas, indoor and outdoor, that allow you to kickback and have a drink or just plain old people watch.
• One more thing, specialty restaurants, the cost of these on Royal is crazy.  Izumi vs Bonsai, with Bonsai you order what you want and prices are very reasonable.  Izumi, is a flat price, for our upcoming med cruise they are asking $49 and on Mariner remember being around upper 30s.

We have a second Royal cruise coming up and now I'm having second thoughts.

 

You really need to cruise Oasis class.  You would feel a lot different. Especially when it comes to seating. 

[Mr305]

I totally agree, Oasis Class is a different caliber.  What's kept me away from them is pricing, a party of 4 is almost twice the cost when compared to Carnival's Horizon (Latest Ship).

[BNBR]

3 minutes ago, Mr305 said:

I totally agree, Oasis Class is a different caliber.  What's kept me away from them is pricing, a party of 4 is almost twice the cost when compared to Carnival's Horizon (Latest Ship).

 

Which is why we are sailing Magic this summer. Got a good price on Symphony later in the year though. Last year Allure had a great price and was less than anything Carnival had during that week. Just never know. I'll pay more for Oasis, but not double.  Sometimes it's cheaper, sometimes it's way more expensive. Helps to be flexible in sailing dates. 

[Mr305]

Doing Magic in December out of Fort Lauderdale, looking forward to that cruise.  We got a cove, which is our favorite balcony, close to the water and bit a more private.

Edited March 4, 2019 by Mr305

[krehberg]

On 3/1/2019 at 5:16 PM, rukkian said:

Understand most, but what do you mean by royals drink package being a down payment?

I'm primarily a wine drinker...and granted, while RCCL has a much better of selection of wines by the glass, most of them exceed the limit.  On Carnival, I do find myself enjoying the Alchemy bar more (and mixed drinks) due to weak wine offerings and of course do BYOB the allowed amount of wine on board to enjoy at the Steakhouse and for at least 1 elegant night.  Also usually buy at least 1 nice bottle per cruise with the 25% discount.  That said, I typically racked up some serious charges on RCCL enjoying the nicer wine offerings.  Yes, if I merely stuck to mixed drinks and cheaper wines on RCCL, I could probably fit all in the included allowance, but I can't help myself at the wine bar 🙂

[rukkian]

3 minutes ago, krehberg said:

I'm primarily a wine drinker...and granted, while RCCL has a much better of selection of wines by the glass, most of them exceed the limit.  On Carnival, I do find myself enjoying the Alchemy bar more (and mixed drinks) due to weak wine offerings and of course do BYOB the allowed amount of wine on board to enjoy at the Steakhouse and for at least 1 elegant night.  Also usually buy at least 1 nice bottle per cruise with the 25% discount.  That said, I typically racked up some serious charges on RCCL enjoying the nicer wine offerings.  Yes, if I merely stuck to mixed drinks and cheaper wines on RCCL, I could probably fit all in the included allowance, but I can't help myself at the wine bar 🙂

Yes, if you are only drinking expensive wines, then it may just be better to buy bottles (and take 2 with you) vs buying the package.  Expensive wines are about the only drinks not included in the package in my experience.