As much as I love Carnival it is time to expand to other lines.....

[gotscrapz]

We have switched over to NCL after many many Carnival Cruises. I had forgotten that I have back the Mardi Gras for this coming September sometime in 2021, and that is when we last sailed on Carnival - the Panorama. I decided to keep the cruise and I am looking forward to it.

 

I will say what I said in another thread. NCL brings comfort and class, but Carnival brings the fun.

 

On NCL the service, beds, bathrooms, etc, and food, included drink and other packages are amazing. 

Not comparing apples to oranges but also the Haven is beyond an amazing experience. The shows are true Broadway-caliber shows. Sailing spa suites or balconies on each line - NCL wins hands down for us.

 

But - the Carnival people are fun. The fun squad and cruise directors are fun. The food inmho is awful, but hey I always lose a few pounds because I am literally hangry the whole time lol. But we always have a blast. We have met people that have kept in touch with and cruised with from well over 10 years ago.

 

I will continue to compare the itinerary and prices on both lines, but honestly, I think we are solid on NCL at this point. This CCL cruise was already on the books before we started cruising with NCL. I am excited to try this new class of ship on the Mardi Gras and I have enjoyed the Havana area on ships before.  But honestly to have the drink package, wifi, etc included for often a better price and to have amazing food vs inedible, I choose NCL. But we will see if, after this next cruise, I feel different? 

 

I will say that I am very flexible and if friends pick a cruise on either line I would go with the majority vote- but if I am choosing for myself it'd be NCL.

 

I am looking at an Alaskan cruise through between NCL, Princess, and Celebrity at this point though because some lines have longer itineraries. Not an RCL girl though.

 

I am gold on CCL and Platinum on NCL if that makes a difference? 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, gotscrapz said:

...I am looking at an Alaskan cruise through between NCL, Princess, and Celebrity at this point though because some lines have longer itineraries. Not an RCL girl though...

Not trying to move anyone away from any cruise line, but since you mentioned longer itineraries and Alaska, have you looked at Holland America? Definitely no elaborate theater shows,  but very stronge in AK and has longer itineraries. 

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!

[Mr305]

Last year we did a 6 day on Horizon and most recently, a 3 day on Conquest.  The weed was out of control on both these ships, you could smell it on people’s clothes as they walked by or when sitting out on the balcony.

 

Celebration was a bit better last Thanksgiving but you would occasionally smell it.  Not sure if this is also an issue on other lines but it’s getting frustrating, you can’t enjoy the balcony or some parts of the ship.

 

As a result, we’ve started to look at other lines for future cruises.

[LatinaInTexas]

I started cruising late in life so don't have any intention of building loyalty, will sail whatever line is comped or cheap. I love Carnival but also loved the other cruise lines I have tried, just not quite as much. Every cruise has been great with just some very small, inconsequential issues here and there.

It seems I get bored easy so can't imagine myself ever cruising the same ship multiple times, eating the same food over and over again, or visiting the same ports over and over so trying other lines has suited me perfectly.

I figure after a few more cruises I will move on to try something new, probably all inclusives and land vacations. Time is ticking at my age so feel the need to experience other things. Everyone has to find what works for them, luckily there are endless, unlimited options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spencercoop]

I have only cruised Carnival so far, but I just booked an 11 day Alaska cruise on the Crown Princess. I paid less for the cruise in a mini suite than a 7 Day Carnival Alaska cruise in a balcony.

Edited July 9, 2023 by spencercoop

[Saint Greg]

After 22 Carnival cruises, my next one is on NCL. I do have four Carnival cruises next year. Two were great deals (for me at least) that I booked during the big spring sale of 2022. The other two are on Jubilee. New ship I can drive to. Other than that my business is up for grabs. 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. As I have previously posted I have been cruising since 1971 and am top tier on all the major lines. I am not married to any line, airline, hotel. Variety is what I enjoy. If the ship, hotel, port, itinerary airline meets my needs then that is what I will choose.  The perks are nice but Ill pay for my laundry don’t need another tote bag etc. My opinion is not for everyone but at this stage in my life variety is spice. All the best.

[firefly333]

10 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Not trying to move anyone away from any cruise line, but since you mentioned longer itineraries and Alaska, have you looked at Holland America? Definitely no elaborate theater shows,  but very stronge in AK and has longer itineraries. 

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!

Hal is on my list when I move to florida next hear. My friends say they have the best food.

[Ilovesailaway]

There is a whole world beyond Carnival. The way many lines are pricing and packaging deals the competition for your cruising dollar has never been stronger. I have sailed with 6 different lines and although its true cruising is cruising, trust me it's a nice change when you leave your comfort zone.

In the past couple years I have become a fan of HAL. I also will be trying my first Virgin Voyages cruise soon. I can't imagine strictly staying with Carnival when so many of there competitors are offering such value right now.

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Hal is on my list when I move to florida next hear. My friends say they have the best food.

😊🤗

[gotscrapz]

I want to add that my kids loved the kids club on Carnival - all ages. Only my youngest had been in the teen club on NCL (the others were older) and she hated it. 

[gotscrapz]

13 hours ago, spencercoop said:

I have only cruised Carnival so far, but I just booked an 11 day Alaska cruise on the Crown Princess. I paid less for the cruise in a mini suite than a 7 Day Carnival Alaska cruise in a balcony.

 

I have been eyeing this cruise as well. I have never sailed Princess but I am open to try it. I liked their Alaska itinerary and found the same with the mini-suite.

[tonit964]

On 7/7/2023 at 10:31 PM, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

I have recently decided to start booking other lines as I am getting really good deals while Carnival is charging me 2x-4x what other lines are. This isn't to say Carnival is losing my business completely but I refuse to be one of the customers that subsidizes it for the Casino rates. Not to mention other lines are throwing me good deals and it is hard to pass up these sailings.

 

I have booked Grandeur of the Seas out of Tampa in Sept for $800 for a seven-day cruise while that same time frame and port is 2k for me to cruise on Paradise for two fewer days. I truly don't understand the pricing that Carnival is throwing my way. 

 

I also booked a ten-day MSC Cruise out of PC for 1k while a Seven day on MG is again 2k with three fewer days. 

 

And Finally, I have booked an October Alaska sailing on Encore out of Seattle for just under $900. 

 

I still have my NYE Cruise on Vista booked and if I hadn't already paid that off I might have not kept it if these cruises on other lines go well. I also realize the grass isn't always greener on the other side but for the amount of money I am saving I will swallow whatever differences I might dislike compared to Carnival. 

I agree about not being completely loyal to one line. I just got off the Encore 7 night Alaska and never again for me on NCL.

So looking forward to being on Carnival again in October then Princess early next year.

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

17 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Not trying to move anyone away from any cruise line, but since you mentioned longer itineraries and Alaska, have you looked at Holland America? Definitely no elaborate theater shows,  but very stronge in AK and has longer itineraries. 

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!

 

HAL is still a bit on the older side for me but I don't begrudge anyone that sails them. 

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

15 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

After 22 Carnival cruises, my next one is on NCL. I do have four Carnival cruises next year. Two were great deals (for me at least) that I booked during the big spring sale of 2022. The other two are on Jubilee. New ship I can drive to. Other than that my business is up for grabs. 

 

Not quite on your amount of Cruises with Carnival Greg but yeah it is time to try other lines and see what is out there. I only have Vista booked for now. 

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, tonit964 said:

I agree about not being completely loyal to one line. I just got off the Encore 7 night Alaska and never again for me on NCL.

So looking forward to being on Carnival again in October then Princess early next year.

I have not been on NCL, but have cruised Carnival and Princess. What is it about NCL that makes you mark it off your list?

[carribbound]

I am a loyal Carnival cruiser, however, this time I am shopping around. I am bored with the Carnival itineraries. I miss them sailing out of San Juan. But, I was also bummed they always had an older ship sailing out of San Juan. I dislike Nassau, Bahamas and Dominican Republic. They went to Dominica for a short while which was nice. I would like to see them go to Tortola, Grenada, and maybe some other newer to Carnival islands. I might be trying another cruise line this winter season. I would really miss my favorite Carnival foods but I am certain I can find new ones.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Hal is on my list when I move to florida next hear. My friends say they have the best food.

 

Jump on the Rotterdam, and try it out with us (Thanksgiving '24)... nice 12 night itinerary 🙂

 

Tom

Edited July 9, 2023 by Tom-n-Cheryl
Corrected to show Thanksgiving '24 instead of '25 !

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On 7/8/2023 at 10:32 AM, P&PNH said:

Read this thread and found the match program very interesting. So, I looked up MSC ships.  Looks like MSC goes for the floating city route with large capacity vessels. That killed my interest in MSC.  Like smaller ships with less people.  Different folks, different stokes.

Two words (when considering MSC): Yacht Club

 

That's the only way to fly, errrr, CRUISE with MSC -- IOHO !!

 

Tom

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, tonit964 said:

I agree about not being completely loyal to one line. I just got off the Encore 7 night Alaska and never again for me on NCL.

So looking forward to being on Carnival again in October then Princess early next year.

Got off MSC last week, going on Royal in October, then back to MSC in April for 14 days, and then back to Carnival in September on Jubilee.

[Drew B 58]

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I have not been on NCL, but have cruised Carnival and Princess. What is it about NCL that makes you mark it off your list?

I know you didn’t ask me and I’ve never sailed NCL, but when I heard they charged a corkage fee for your bottle of wine AT EMBARKATION, I decided I will never sail them.  Now this is not like if you bring the bottle to a restaurant and they open it and pour it and provide the stemware.  This has to be paid in advance, even if you intend to open it yourself and consume it in your cabin! 
 

In my opinion, that is just outrageous!  What are they going to charge for next?  Bringing your own TOOTHPASTE aboard?!?!  It’s a matter of principle more than the money.  I can’t support such crooks!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 minutes ago, Drew B 58 said:

I know you didn’t ask me and I’ve never sailed NCL, but when I heard they charged a corkage fee for your bottle of wine AT EMBARKATION, I decided I will never sail them.  Now this is not like if you bring the bottle to a restaurant and they open it and pour it and provide the stemware.  This has to be paid in advance, even if you intend to open it yourself and consume it in your cabin! 
 

In my opinion, that is just outrageous!  What are they going to charge for next?  Bringing your own TOOTHPASTE aboard?!?!  It’s a matter of principle more than the money.  I can’t support such crooks!

 

Yep, but when they "give me" two nights of specialty dining each sailing (based on our loyalty status - and one of those dinners includes wine), I can forgive them for that. Plus, we always have a beverage package as part of our booking, so I'll just mosey over to the Haven bar and get a couple of glasses to bring back to our cabin.

 

One way or another, all cruise lines will pick your pocket... 😉

 

Tom

[gotscrapz]

2 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

I know you didn’t ask me and I’ve never sailed NCL, but when I heard they charged a corkage fee for your bottle of wine AT EMBARKATION, I decided I will never sail them.  Now this is not like if you bring the bottle to a restaurant and they open it and pour it and provide the stemware.  This has to be paid in advance, even if you intend to open it yourself and consume it in your cabin! 
 

In my opinion, that is just outrageous!  What are they going to charge for next?  Bringing your own TOOTHPASTE aboard?!?!  It’s a matter of principle more than the money.  I can’t support such crooks!

If you have the drink package they do not. They give you the drink package free and if you accept it you pay gratuity on it when you accept it.  I have never seen them charge anyone on embarkation but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. To me this is a great deal, even if they charged me corkage for something I brought on board (they haven't). YMMV. That's why it's great that we have so many cruise lines to choose from.

[gotscrapz]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Yep, but when they "give me" two nights of specialty dining each sailing (based on our loyalty status - and one of those dinners includes wine), I can forgive them for that. Plus, we always have a beverage package as part of our booking, so I'll just mosey over to the Haven bar and get a couple of glasses to bring back to our cabin.

 

One way or another, all cruise lines will pick your pocket... 😉

 

Tom

I totally agree.

[tonit964]

5 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I have not been on NCL, but have cruised Carnival and Princess. What is it about NCL that makes you mark it off your list?

I disembarked the Encore this morning. Overall, the staff were very unhappy, and some were downright rude.
The food wasn’t that great in my opinion buts that’s so subjective. 

I don’t understand why they hold most of the activities in the Atrium when it’s clearly not adequate space for so many that show up. Every day they’d pull out the folding chairs.

 

I could go on but I always think everyone should try a new line to them and decide for themselves. You’ll never know unless you try it.