Tell me this is a "no-brainer".....about to "jump ship" from RC to Carnival

[nanseev]

Allure of the Seas vs. Carnival Panorama

 

History:  Live in Californian and been on about 9 cruises in my life, both Caribbean and Mexico/Mexican Riviera.  First was Carnival Miracle, second was RC Oasis....and then never looked back and travelled RC going forward - Harmony, Adventure, Liberty, Navigator x 3 ...and one MSC cruise in between those.  Embarked from various Florida ports, Galveston, and Los Angeles areas.  We live in CA, so airfare always adds the extra expense, so when Navigator came to the west coast it was fabulous, although I do prefer cruising in the Caribbean.    

 

We tend to stay on the ship - I enjoy the lack of crowds on port days, and try to save the $$ I would spend on excursions/food off of the ship for the casino on the ship 🙂 .  My daughter does enjoy the Flowrider, which has been one of the reasons we stayed with RC, but it's not the "end all, be all" for her, and my son enjoys the sports deck and will hang in the teen club.  My husband and I tend to enjoy the casino, comedy shows, trivia and just relaxation time versus the "rides" and "thrills".

 

I haven't been on an Oasis class ship in a few years, so I have been shopping for options.  I'm missing the sandwiches from the Park Cafe in Central Park...lol.  Wonder is out of my price range.  With Allure now going out of Galveston, I've found a decent price for my family for the week I need to travel (I'm a teacher so my travel weeks are not flexible).  We're not heavy gamblers, but do get some casino offers, but they are usually for interior or OV rooms during timeframes within the school year, so we tend to not be able to take advantage of them.

 

I was ready to book Allure...and then I did a random search for cruises during the week I wanted....and the Carnival Panorama popped up in my search.  After researching, I'm seriously considering the Carnival Panorama.  It's a "new" ship, a larger ship (more like Oasis class), and the price of the cruises is basically identical, but I don't have to pay for airfare with Panorama.  I'm giving up the Caribbean for Mexican Riviera, and giving up the Flowrider, but there's other fun things for the kids....but the biggest reason is that I'm saving around $2,000+ by the time I add in airfare and hotel.

 

I feel like saving $2k (and it would probably end up to be more with transfers, travel meals, etc.) is worth jumping ship.  I've been Loyal to Royal....so it's hard for me to pull the trigger.

 

Tell me it will be ok...lol....I know this group is skewed towards Royal...as am I.  But.....it's $2,000 of spending money (or money for another cruise this summer) that I will have.  Has anyone traveled on both and can give me some insight?

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by nanseev

[dada2199cc]

Airfare is so expensive now that even my weekend 3-day cruises have been cut back in half.  Flying from Chicago means zero local options!

 

I says jump ship once and report back.

[Piscesgirl20003]

It will be okay.  As long as you like cruising with Carnival, go for it.  Definitely save the money.  Looks like the Panorama has some fun things to do.

[reallyitsmema]

I am Loyal to my family and pocketbook.  I would have no issues trying something new and saving a lot of money.

[cruisinghawg]

Panorama is the size of Freedom class not Oasis. Which is fine with me. Might want to check the tonnage per passenger between Panorama and Freedom. 

[starfish327]

I love RCCL but I tried them all, I just went on a 10 days Carnival cruise in August, I had a ball (and I went by myself) but it was ok since I was hanging with locals. . PRO: No airfare, 30 minutes from home, FREE room service, laundry and ironing room and 30 minutes to get home at the end. Con: The service is different, warm meals, longer wait time BUTTTTT I still had a ball.

[PWP-001]

Do what you feel is best for you and your family. 

 

No one on these boards really know you and your situation to offer any valid advice about that decision.

 

Whatever you decide will be fine and won't have any real impact on members here.

[lovescats5]

I would stick with Royal.  Have been on two Carnival,  both of which had lots of kids and the kids were loue and rude.  I understand the airfare as we live in NV and pay lots to fly to east coast but would rather pay the money for Royal.

 

[Sunshine3601]

30 minutes ago, lovescats5 said:

I would stick with Royal.  Have been on two Carnival,  both of which had lots of kids and the kids were loue and rude.  I understand the airfare as we live in NV and pay lots to fly to east coast but would rather pay the money for Royal.

 

Loud and rude happens on royal too.  We sailed end of August on Oasis and lots of rude people.  Was the worst large group of people I've met on a royal ship.

[Sunshine3601]

For a savings of $2000 +/- I say go for it.   Doesn't hurt to try something different.   

[Ashland]

San Pedro is my home port only a 45 min drive....so I'll stick with Navigator. We were so happy an RCI ship finally came back to our coast so we will continue to support that. 

[mmtska]

I've been on 2 Carnival cruises and had a blast. Granted I can't compare since this June will be my first Royal, but I'm not a huge party person, and we had a lot of fun. So while Carnival sometimes gets a bad rap, it's mostly for the weekend party cruises, and that can honestly happen anywhere. Save the money, check out another line, and then you can make the next decision off of that!

[molsonschooner]

1 hour ago, cruisinghawg said:

Panorama is the size of Freedom class not Oasis. Which is fine with me. Might want to check the tonnage per passenger between Panorama and Freedom. 

Panorama is quite a bit smaller than Freedom class, it does cram more passengers on it though

[cruiselvr04]

If you’ve never tried them go for it.  We have (several times) and it didn’t improve for us so we won’t do it again.  The lines are more similar then different but we just don’t care for the gaudy ships and what we consider to be lesser entertainment. Food is the same.  It depends on what you cruise for.  But you won’t know unless you try it for yourself.  

[nanseev]

Thanks everyone for the insight....I think the fact that it's a newer ship for me also made a difference.  We are already going on the Navigator for the 4th (or 5th?) time out of San Pedro in February, so I'm looking for something different, and Navigator didn't have a 7-day during the week that I need to travel.

 

I also forgot that I did get a $500 OBC with the Panorama...so make it a $2,500+ savings.....

 

I was able to pull the trigger....we booked the Panorama!  So I will report back mid-April and let you all know how it goes....is it bad that I used my RCCL credit card to pay for the deposit?? lol!

Edited November 21, 2022 by nanseev

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, cruisinghawg said:

Panorama is the size of Freedom class not Oasis. Which is fine with me. Might want to check the tonnage per passenger between Panorama and Freedom. 

Actually it's the size of Voyager class

[Cruising89143]

1 hour ago, cruisinghawg said:

Panorama is the size of Freedom class not Oasis. Which is fine with me. Might want to check the tonnage per passenger between Panorama and Freedom. 

More the size of the Voyager class. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

30 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

If you’ve never tried them go for it.  We have (several times) and it didn’t improve for us so we won’t do it again.  The lines are more similar then different but we just don’t care for the gaudy ships and what we consider to be lesser entertainment. Food is the same.  It depends on what you cruise for.  But you won’t know unless you try it for yourself.  

The newer ships don't have the gaudy decor and a lot of the ships that had the gaudy interiors have been scrapped. (Fantasy class ships) There are still some of the gaudy decored ships in the fleet but the Panorama is not one of them.

[Illbcruzn4life]

17 minutes ago, nanseev said:

Thanks everyone for the insight....I think the fact that it's a newer ship for me also made a difference.  We are already going on the Navigator for the 4th (or 5th?) time out of San Pedro in February, so I'm looking for something different, and Navigator didn't have a 7-day during the week that I need to travel.

 

I also forgot that I did get a $500 OBC with the Panorama...so make it a $2,500+ savings.....

 

I was able to pull the trigger....we booked the Panorama!  So I will report back mid-April and let you all know how it goes....is it bad that I used my RCCL credit card to pay for the deposit?? lol!

I was going to say to check your VIFP for potential savings since you cruised once you may have some casino discounts. Sounds like the $500 OBC might be just that.

 

Congrats and hope you have a GREAT time.

[lazydayz]

I think you are going to love it, along with the extra $2500. The reviews  on the Panorama have been positive 

[mcgore83]

Would not think twice!  I think you and your family will enjoy Carnival and the savings!  I have sailed both lines many times.  If ports are not important, more reason to go for a more economically responsible vacation.

[tcs1366]

Everyone has their reason for choosing a cruise line, some stay quite loyal as they get more perks with more cruises.  While I do not consider myself a seasoned cruiser, will only be going on my 9th in 15 yrs, but we moved from the midwest to FL so we are closer to cruise ports... then covid hits and that came to a screeching halt.

 

Me .... I go into a cruise with zero expectations, that way I can never be disappointed.  I enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the waves.  Pure peace and quite.  I dont gamble and food is just that, food.  I do not need 5 star, though I would hope not to get cold and crappy, which has never happened ~ and I can be fine with the buffet a few times during the week.

 

all that aside.... it comes to the bottom dollar for me. and flying does add quite an expense, especially these days.  cruising with a family is even more costly when you add it all up.  

Being retired, I try to watch what I spend - So I've been mostly on Carnival and have always had a great time.  I've never had a bad cruise.  My next one on RC will be my most costly aside from Alaska, so we shall see if all their bells and whistles keeps me as a customer.

 

Good for you making the change, sometimes it's not always a good change, but you wont know until you try.   Just have a blast as even a bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work.  😉   because you are on a cruise and not at work.

[cruisinghawg]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Actually it's the size of Voyager class

SB thanks I thought it was in the Mardi Gras class

[80sGal]

We are regular Carnival cruisers, getting ready to try RC in May.   We've done the Panorama sister ship, Horizon, twice.  And most of the other classes too, so here's some tips.  Carnival shows aren't as flashy from what I have gleaned from my RC searching but they are fun.  The Atrium bar typically has good music.   The piano bars are usually lively.   The Serenity Deck is nice for quiet adult time.  Kids Clubs are great!  The Panorama has the private Havana area, but only Havana rooms or Grand Suite has access.   Try the Fahrenheit Steakhouse -- it's very good.   Shipwide the Kiss on the Lips and Pineapple Chipotle martini from Alchemy bar are popular drinks, as are drinks from Red Frog.   Panorama has Hibachi for a fun dining experience.   There's lots of good seating areas on the Vista class outdoors too.  Have fun!  

Edited November 21, 2022 by 80sGal
Typo

[tinkr2]

I think you will have a great time on Panorama. Ive been on Horizon and its a fantastic layout. The lunch choices on Carnival are awesome, Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana. enjoy saving the cash.