Wonder vs. Excel class?

[irun5k]

Hey all, we've sailed Oasis of the Seas twice, but this was prior to the refit a few years ago.  We recently sailed on the Carnival Celebration.  Naturally, I've made a lot of mental comparisons of the two, especially as we consider booking a cruise for next year... ideally from Port Canaveral (closer, and Miami was a total train wreck.)  Mardi Gras or Wonder would be the two main contenders.

 

While we loved the Oasis years ago, one thing that Carnival's Excel class highlighted for us is how much the complementary dining experience revolves almost exclusively around the buffet and MDR for primary meals.  Sure, you could get a hotdog or a roast beef sandwich, etc. but complementary alternatives were limited there weren't really any at all of an evening. The Celebration had so many options and I was surprised to find that they were all really good.

 

This brings me to my question... I know the later ships in any given class tend to evolve quite a bit from the first in the series.  Has Wonder evolved in this regard?  In particular, I am interested in additional complementary options or more flexible al la carte paid options.  For example we wanted a nice but light dinner a couple nights and 4 of us at at Emril's for $30-$40 total which really hit the spot, vs. dropping closer to $200 in one of their steakhouse or seafood restaurant.  

 

Just in case, I'll broaden the question a bit- has Royal revamped dining on any of their ships in a way similar to what I've described?  

 

 

[Thisguylikestocruise]

I’ve never sailed Carnival so can’t compare them. However, Wonder has differences vs Oasis. El Loco Fresh is complimentary on Wonder. They have a machine that makes fresh tortillas in front of you. You add toppings like rice, beans, meat, cheese, salsa, guacamole, chips. Similar to a Chipotle. Most days it was good, although one day the guacamole was watery. I’ve been on Oasis and Wonder, Wonder is a beautiful and fun ship, we enjoyed it more than Oasis. Booked another cruise on it because we had so much fun. 

[firefly333]

Playmakers which is on a limited number of ships has very good ala carte selections imo. Though I'm not sure 4 could easily eat at Emrils for $30 to $40 unless you are sharing food. I would consider them comparable price wise. It was on oasis last week. 

 

The bbq on both ships I would say are comparable. ..though included on mardi gras and i guess celebration, on some vista class is extra at night for the finger food, horizon for instance. 

 

Free breakfast at johnny rockets is better than anything on carnival imo. 

 

Sushi places are comparatively priced on both. 

 

At diamond plus I get bogo every cruise. Carnival at diamond gives me ONE free pay restaurant.  .. no comparison imo, rcl wins for anyone at diamond plus or higher. And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

 

It's not apples to apples imo when I can do a bogo. Chops winds up cheaper for me.

[irun5k]

14 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Playmakers which is on a limited number of ships has very good ala carte selections imo. Though I'm not sure 4 could easily eat at Emrils for $30 to $40 unless you are sharing food. I would consider them comparable price wise. It was on oasis last week. 

 

Thanks, I forgot about it but we did have a Playmakers on Independence a couple years ago.  Enjoyed the wings and the venue had a fun vibe.   And yeah, my kids eat quality, real food like birds and junk food like crazed lunatics.   So, the would share a $3 red beans and rice at Emril's and maybe a dessert.     An hour later they'd complain they were hungry and fill up on pizza and soft serve.  Kids!  Keeps our dinner bill down, though.

 

 

 

[irun5k]

23 minutes ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

 El Loco Fresh is complimentary on Wonder. They have a machine that makes fresh tortillas in front of you. You add toppings like rice, beans, meat, cheese, salsa, guacamole, chips. Similar to a Chipotle. 

Thanks, sounds like a little more elaborate version of Blue Iguana on Carnival, so I think we would enjoy it.

[firefly333]

Carnival vs rcl.

RCL has more space than carnival, more crowded. 

 

Starting with vista class 5th deck promenade was closed in so you dont see the ocean when you walk thru and the public spaces were about halved. Theater much smaller and pillars so you have to go early. Comedy club stand in line to get in so much smaller. Cant book ahead, just stand in line.

 

Then excel class came out. Pay for areas where it's more quiet and easier to order drinks. The dining room does not hold everyone it's so smal, so yes they have 3 venues free which are pay on prior ships. ... as a answer because the dining room cant seat everyone it's too small. Dont know what they were thinking but I'd guess these venues will stay free to move people out from the dining room. Chibang which is mexican and asian, mixed reviews, the bbq place, and the italian are complimentary. JiJis on vista is much much better than chibangs.

 

The complimentary shaqs big  chicken rave reviews. As good as guys burgers. 

 

I do enjoy the fact food on carnival.  Dinner in the Mdr wasnt eatable for me. 

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, irun5k said:

Thanks, sounds like a little more elaborate version of Blue Iguana on Carnival, so I think we would enjoy it.

I wouldnt say more elaborate. Carnival wins for me as they make mexican salads in tortilla bowls. 

 

The buritoes in fresh on rcl was pre made on oasis and wrapped, and they nuked them in a large microwave and put them out. Not made to order. 

 

Carnival wins for me. .. and I'm not a burrito fan. 

 

Though the cafe on oasis also had burritos.. 

[nelblu]

38 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

As D on Carnival you get unlimited drinks and wi-fi.

[Thisguylikestocruise]

15 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I wouldnt say more elaborate. Carnival wins for me as they make mexican salads in tortilla bowls. 

 

The buritoes in fresh on rcl was pre made on oasis and wrapped, and they nuked them in a large microwave and put them out. Not made to order. 

 

Carnival wins for me. .. and I'm not a burrito fan. 

 

Though the cafe on oasis also had burritos.. 

There’s premade wrapped burritos like you mentioned, and the option to make your own burritos or nachos on Wonder. I considered it more of a snack than a full meal. They also had breakfast and it was never busy for that.

[Mikew0805]

36 minutes ago, irun5k said:

Thanks, sounds like a little more elaborate version of Blue Iguana on Carnival, so I think we would enjoy it.

My opinion, Blue Iguana is better. I really love the made to order breakfast burritos. 

 

 

[firefly333]

19 minutes ago, nelblu said:

As D on Carnival you get unlimited drinks and wi-fi.

News to me. I'm diamond on carnival for my next cruise.

 

Are you sure this isnt casino not diamond? Never heard of this on carnival as a perk. Maybe this is a joke post? 

[firefly333]

10 minutes ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

There’s premade wrapped burritos like you mentioned, and the option to make your own burritos or nachos on Wonder. I considered it more of a snack than a full meal. They also had breakfast and it was never busy for that.

I agree it's a snack for me. I got the chips and put cheese sauce and pico on them for a snack. It was fine for chips and cheese sauce for me, nothing else. Yes I tried the beans last week. Ok. 

 

Carnival I get the tortilla bowl and they make a salad in it. 

 

If wonder has burritos made to order its more than oasis and allure had. ..but dont like burritos so wouldnt matter, I want crispy taco shells. Or bowls. 

[nelblu]

9 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

News to me. I'm diamond on carnival for my next cruise.

 

Are you sure this isnt casino not diamond? Never heard of this on carnival as a perk. Maybe this is a joke post? 

It's a question that I'm asking you--you quoted "And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival."   You probably meant D+ on Royal gets the daily 5 drinks and 2 free days of wi-fi.

[soremekun]

I'm sailing both Mardi Gras and Wonder this year.  I'm looking forward to enjoying both.

[firefly333]

23 minutes ago, nelblu said:

It's a question that I'm asking you--you quoted "And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival."   You probably meant D+ on Royal gets the daily 5 drinks and 2 free days of wi-fi.

I said I'm diamond on carnival. I never said what I am on rcl, but yes I'm D+. 

 

I asked if this diamond perk on CARNIVAL was for casino  .. .as I never heard of free drinks for diamond on carnival. 

 

You just assumed I meant diamond on rcl I guess, but i never said other than my perks which are D+ on rcl. I was talking about diamond on carnival ... hence I guess you felt a need to ask my rcl status?

[nelblu]

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I said I'm diamond on carnival. I never said what I am on rcl, but yes I'm D+. 

 

I asked if this diamond perk on CARNIVAL was for casino  .. .as I never heard of free drinks for diamond on carnival. 

 

You just assumed I meant diamond on rcl I guess, but i never said other than my perks which are D+ on rcl. I was talking about diamond on carnival ... hence I guess you felt a need to ask my rcl status?

Please re-read your post # 3, and I'm going to highlight the areas in question.  Unless there's another Firefly😜

 

Playmakers which is on a limited number of ships has very good ala carte selections imo. Though I'm not sure 4 could easily eat at Emrils for $30 to $40 unless you are sharing food. I would consider them comparable price wise. It was on oasis last week. 

 

The bbq on both ships I would say are comparable. ..though included on mardi gras and i guess celebration, on some vista class is extra at night for the finger food, horizon for instance. 

 

Free breakfast at johnny rockets is better than anything on carnival imo. 

 

Sushi places are comparatively priced on both. 

 

At diamond plus I get bogo every cruise. Carnival at diamond gives me ONE free pay restaurant.  .. no comparison imo, rcl wins for anyone at diamond plus or higher. And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

 

It's not apples to apples imo when I can do a bogo. Chops winds up cheaper for me.

[twangster]

Carnival is better for comfort food and more of it is complimentary.

 

  

[firefly333]

15 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Please re-read your post # 3, and I'm going to highlight the areas in question.  Unless there's another Firefly😜

 

Playmakers which is on a limited number of ships has very good ala carte selections imo. Though I'm not sure 4 could easily eat at Emrils for $30 to $40 unless you are sharing food. I would consider them comparable price wise. It was on oasis last week. 

 

The bbq on both ships I would say are comparable. ..though included on mardi gras and i guess celebration, on some vista class is extra at night for the finger food, horizon for instance. 

 

Free breakfast at johnny rockets is better than anything on carnival imo. 

 

Sushi places are comparatively priced on both. 

 

At diamond plus I get bogo every cruise. Carnival at diamond gives me ONE free pay restaurant.  .. no comparison imo, rcl wins for anyone at diamond plus or higher. And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

 

It's not apples to apples imo when I can do a bogo. Chops winds up cheaper for me.

You do often find a way to argue about something you think I said . .. again no where did I say I was diamond on rcl. I am diamond on carnival as I said. 

 

Go argue about something with someone else, not make believe what you read into what I wrote. 

 

And why ask if I'm diamond plus ...you know those perks were diamond plus. I'm convinced you like to nit pick. Good luck. If i said it was diamond on rcl, I'd agree, but that's not what I wrote . .

 

I was answering a post about diamond perks on carnival ... not saying I was diamond on rcl. Doesnt say that. Just you trying to int pick. Diamond is carnivals higher level ...which is what my post was responding to. And I'm diamond .. .on carnival.  

Edited March 25, 2023 by firefly333

[nelblu]

5 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

You do often find a way to argue about something you think I said . .. again no where did I say I was diamond on rcl. I am diamond on carnival as I said. 

 

Go argue about something with someone else, not make believe what you read into what I wrote. 

 

And why ask if I'm diamond plus ...you know those perks were diamond plus. I'm convinced you like to nit pick. Good luck. If i said it was diamond on rcl, I'd agree, but that's not what I wrote . .

 

I was answering a post about diamond perks on carnival ... not saying I was diamond on rcl. Doesnt say that. Just you trying to int pick. Diamond is carnivals higher level ...which is what my post was responding to. And I'm diamond .. .on carnival.  

Not being argumentative--I'm paraphrasing your words not mine.  I even highlighted what you wrote.  Let's leave it at that.

[irun5k]

39 minutes ago, twangster said:

Carnival is better for comfort food and more of it is complimentary.

That was my experience as well and something we really enjoyed so that is why I was curious if Oasis class had changed at all in the last few years but it is sounding like some very minor evolution vs. anything evolutionary.  There are plenty of opportunities, e.g. replace the hot dog place with a Street Eats concept which had some really good offerings.

 

Shaq's, Guys Burgers, Street Eats (three different windows), and Blue Iguana were all great to hold us over until dinner if we got back from our ports in mid afternoon.  Never had time to try the sandwich place, but I did really like the 4 cheese white pizza at Miami Slice.

 

That being said we are leaning toward Wonder for our next cruise- although I could just as easily go with Mardi Gras but I think the rest of the family wants to change it up since Mardi Gras is so similar to the Celebration.  

Edited March 25, 2023 by irun5k

[crzndeb]

2 hours ago, nelblu said:

As D on Carnival you get unlimited drinks and wi-fi.

Is this new? As D on Carnival, I never got unlimited drinks or Wi-Fi.

[firefly333]

19 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Not being argumentative--I'm paraphrasing your words not mine.  I even highlighted what you wrote.  Let's leave it at that.

Yes you read it wrong and cant admit I never said that. You said you paraphrased it ... meaning how you took it and I explained and quite clearly answered what level on rcl I am . Which you knew.

 

You often argue black is white .. just made up arguments.

 

Right now I do rcl since for me as a solo it's cheaper than carnival. Carnival gives solos no discount.

 

Hence just the 14 day next jan on dream. I'd like to book jubilee but cant see paying more for a inside on jubilee than a balcony on harmony same dates. So booked harmony, but I'm watching prices. Hoping for a deal. .. and plan on a move to florida next year. 

[firefly333]

3 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Is this new? As D on Carnival, I never got unlimited drinks or Wi-Fi.

That's the exact post I was quoting when I got attacked. I asked if maybe they were seeing casino trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. 

 

Bravo. Glad to see you as I know you do both lines too. Dont hate either. HI!

[nelblu]

3 hours ago, crzndeb said:

Is this new? As D on Carnival, I never got unlimited drinks or Wi-Fi.

I have no idea as I never cruised Carnival.  It was a question to poster (unfortunately, I left the? off) that I will not name who made the following statement " And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

 

Anyway, have a good evening.

 

 

[crzndeb]

24 minutes ago, nelblu said:

I have no idea as I never cruised Carnival.  It was a question to poster (unfortunately, I left the? off) that I will not name who made the following statement " And I sure miss my free drinks and wifi on carnival. 

 

Anyway, have a good evening.

 

 

I understand…Diamond doesn’t get that on Carnival unfortunately. That’s why I like being D+ on Royal. In Sydney right now, getting ready to board Ovation tomorrow. I figured with my 5 legs, I will have 270 vouchers 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Time to find friends. I rarely use the 5 a day.