Which cruise line is 2nd to RCCL in your opinion-or equal?

[98Charlie]

Here are some specifics to support my displeasure with Carnival:

 

Our main issue was poor service. Our wait team was responsible 6 large tables of 8-12 people each, so no matter how hard they tried, they could not give the same type of attentive service we get on RCI or any other line. (The most I've ever seen the wait team on other lines have is 2 large and 1 small table. On Explorer in 2003, our team had 2 large tables. Same on AOS in 2004. On Mariner in 2006, our large table of 12 was our waiter's only table. In 2007, the team had one table for 2, one for 6 and one for 8.) They were able to anticipate our every need, even before we asked. On Carnival, our water/ice tea glasses weren't refilled automatically, and when we asked, it took 15 minutes minimum for them to grant our request. Same if we asked for an extra fork, grated cheese for our pasta, more bread, etc. We were told on Carnival that if we wanted seconds, we needed to order it upfront because otherwise the waiters wouldn't be able to run down to the galley to get more during the meal. Same if we thought we might not like a dish - order a second entree upfront, so that you'll have both at the same time in case you don't like one. That's unacceptable! The cabin steward also had about twice as many cabins as the typical RCI steward, so service was lacking there too. We were told by the employees themselves, as well as by ship's officers, that this is a typical workload for them.

 

Granted, we sail during the summer holidays when the ships are at capacity, but we were packed into that dining room, and around the pool, like sardines on Miracle. The waiter had no room to maneuver around the tables, and kept pushing our chairs in VERY tightly and passing hot dishes over our heads.

 

Our second issue is that the Lido buffet is between the pool and the aft bank of elevators. So, there is through-traffic of sunbathers, in various states of wetness and undress, walking through the dining area while you are eating. It was grossly unsanitary and unappetizing.

 

Another issue: The kids club was in the very front of a passenger deck (deck 5, I think, through a long corridor of cabins), and not out in the public areas like on the sports or pool decks. It was difficult to get to, and underutilized, especially by older children/tweens. This left a large number of children without something to positively occupy them during the day. My own kids were bored to death on this ship.

 

The adult pool is out in the open sun without any shaded areas. My elderly mother cannot tolerate the sun, so she couldn't enjoy sitting out by the pool.

 

Whomever designed the layout of this ship didn't consider important issues such as the above. As well, the ship was VERY smoky - the odor of stale cigarettes wafted through the passageways and came into our cabin via the ventilation system. Mainenance told us that this wasn't a problem with our cabin, that's how all the cabins are.

 

These are only a few examples...I could go on and on with more, but I think the point has been made why we wouldn't sail Carnival again, even if it were free.

 

 

Can understand why you were unhappy with your cruise. We have had similar experiences on other cruise lines. In fact, our cruise on NCL Wind was very similar to what you described on your Miracle cruise.

 

However, we have booked several cruises on NCL since then with a bit more knowledge of how the various ships are laid out and what the ships offer and have been very happy with our other NCL cruises.

 

We've had cruises on other lines as well that didn't exactly meet our expectations from other cruises. Have never said we wouldn't cruise those lines again, however. Every ship on cruise line has its ups and downs at different times of the years and on different itineraries.

 

I'm not fond of RCL right now based on our 2 past cruises on that line -- but doesn't mean we won't try the line again. Wasn't nuts about our first cruise on Princess with anytime dining but tried it again with traditional dining and loved it.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

Dianne

[3redheads]

Thank you so much for your answers! I think your responses will be helpful to many parents out there.

 

I'm off to research your suggestions. :p

[PSCruiser]

Another vote for Princess as 2nd choice. Movies on deck, and you can get traditional dining if you book early. And - love that pizza!!!!

[cruiserbryce]

we really had a wonderful time on Princess and would certainly cruise with them again. The ship was great, service was amazing and as much as I hate to say it...the food in the dining room has RC beat

[MrPete]

I would say RCCL and CCL are completely interchangeable.

[MrPete]

Here are some specifics to support my displeasure with Carnival:

 

Our main issue was poor service. Our wait team was responsible 6 large tables of 8-12 people each, so no matter how hard they tried, they could not give the same type of attentive service we get on RCI or any other line. (The most I've ever seen the wait team on other lines have is 2 large and 1 small table. On Explorer in 2003, our team had 2 large tables. Same on AOS in 2004.

 

This exactly decribes our experience on the Explorer of the Seas in August. We made our displeasure known to the maitre D', but will not keep us from returning another time.

[corkpopr]

Mr. Pete, you must be kidding about carnival. the dregs of the cruise industry. nice ships, clean, good cabins, great casinos, great service. unfortunatly the passengers ruin it!

[aqhacruiser]

hal:)

[aqhacruiser]

double

[sagiv666]

If you couldn't sail RCCL, which line would you sail if you had kids? Rule out Disney since the kids are 9 and 14.

 

Of the line you choose, do you have a particular ship which you enjoyed?

 

I look forward to reading the responses!

 

:D

 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I have sailed with Holland America Cruises (HAL) quite a few times. Their food and all their services are wonderful (this includes activities for adults as well as for young people. I cruised on a number of their ships, and have no particular favorite.

One interesting observation: their crews (other than the officers) were more homogeneous (mostly fromthe Philippines) than I found on Royal Caribbean. Toward the end of our cruises, they always put on a show for the passengers, based on customs from home -- very educational as well as enjoyable. They are also hard-working and wonderful with young people as well as with adults.

We cruised to Alaska on the Radiance, and even Royhal Caribbean admits they are thetop line in that region.

This does not mean we found faults with Royal Caribbean -- quite the opposite. We cruised with them once and hope to repeat the experience on the Radiance and perhaps on other ships of the fleet going to different locatins.:D

[MrPete]

Mr. Pete, you must be kidding about carnival. the dregs of the cruise industry. nice ships, clean, good cabins, great casinos, great service. unfortunatly the passengers ruin it!

 

You should pick your destinations more wisely. And I find that most people I speak with cruise on both lines.

 

And no, I'm not kidding.

[cruisinisforme]

Not cruise RCCL...oh my I dont know what I would do! RCCL is definitely my cruise line of choice but I have tried carnival and actually I am booked on two more with some friends who wanted to go.

 

I havent tried princess yet but I have heard a lot of good things and keep saying I am going to try it.

 

I think the decision about what cruiseline we like is personal. We all like certain things for certain reasons, and what may be attractive to me may not be to you. I had a great time on all my carnival cruises, but I still prefer rccl for my own reasons.

[cruzeluver]

NCL without a doubt! I don't know if its how they are picked, or how they are trained, but I find the onboard staff on NCL is the best in the biz! We have had nothing but warm, attentive service on both of our NCL cruises, and I cannot wait to sail with them again (on the Star) in April.

 

Our cruise on the Mariner last month was my first with RCCL since I was a kid, and we had a wonderful time. Gorgeous ship and wonderful service. We will definetly cruise with RCCL again, but my heart belongs to NCL.

[jevotm]

Another vote for Princess, it seems they are interchangable with RCI. Very similar product in a different wrapper.

[Kingz]

I would recommend giving NCL a try.

If they had a 3day from LA we would take that as 1st choice.

We really like the freestyle. Very easy and a LOT more places to dine at.

Some you pay for but most are just alternatives.

 

Good cruising.

[broberts]

Here are some specifics to support my displeasure with Carnival:

 

Our main issue was poor service. . . .These are only a few examples...I could go on and on with more, but I think the point has been made why we wouldn't sail Carnival again, even if it were free.

 

So sorry you didn't enjoy yourself on the Miracle. I had written a fairly lengthy post that commented on your experience. Then I realized that it would be pointless to post. It seems obvious to me that, for whatever reason, you were disposed to find fault with your Carnival cruise. If you honestly applied the same criteria to an RCI cruise I suspect you would have reached similar conclusions.

[sagiv666]

When it comes to answering this question, I am an independent looking for the lines that are not only the best buy, but which also give the best all-around service. I love Royal Caribbean, and would travel with this line again. I began my cruising experiences with Holland America and also have never been disappointed -- although Royal Caribbean offers more balcony cabins, and after having cruised in a balcony cabin on the Radiance last month, I don't think I could settle for anything lower, unless it's a cruise of very short duration. In fact, we are sailing to Canada and New England on the Norwegian Spirit (NCL) at the end of the month -- a balcony cabin, naturally.

I feel the same about politics. I go with the person I believe in most, who supports the issues I back, and who I feel would make the best leader (whatever office I'm voting for). I guess I felt the same way choosing my wife -- this policy serves me well in life and I'm not changing it now.

[DanBoy]

Princess... and why would "anytime dining" be an issue??? ou can have that OR traditional..bes t of both worlds..It's about CHOICE..RCL doesn't offer you that choice

[98Charlie]

Princess... and why would "anytime dining" be an issue??? ou can have that OR traditional..bes t of both worlds..It's about CHOICE..RCL doesn't offer you that choice

 

Agree with you on the choice issue. Princess offers you a choice between traditional and anytime dining. Some pax complain that anytime dining isn't what it was originaly cracked up to be, but the option is still there.

 

Have only cruise RCL twice, GOS and LOS, wasn't really impressed with either cruise regarding dining options in either dining room or buffet. However, we enjoyed our cruises even though we felt the food quality was not what we expected from a cruise line like RCL. Haven't cruised RCL's larger ships, however, and hope to cruise one of those in the future for comparison.

 

As far as value for the bucks spent, I still vote for Carnival on a cruise at least 7 days or longer and not booked during spring break of summer months. Can't say enough about the food quality we found in the regular dining rooms and the service we had on our 3 cruises so far and we are really looking forward to our January cruise on the Miracle. Loved every aspect of our Jan. 07 cruise on sister ship Legend.

 

Still say the cruiselines offer different strokes for different folks and there's so many options out there that everyone can find their own nitch for favorite cruises and cruise lines.

 

We had some cruises we deem perfect in all ways in the past; some that had a few glitzes along the way; but none that would make us say we will ``never'' cruise a given cruise line or ship again.

 

Chefs, captains, maitre' de's, hotel managers, etc. change from time to time on all cruise ships at sea. What was once on a given ship may well be not what is on that ship again within a few weeks, months or years to come.

 

Dianne

[lagbunch8]

Disney is my #1 for a family cruise.(best line by far that I have sailed)

 

My kids are 5,5,8,10,11 &12

 

IMO 9 & 14 are not "too old" for DCL but, that is your choice of course.

 

When my kids are older it will be RCCL(freedom or above class). After that I think we will do more land based vacations.

 

I will never take my kids on a Carnival cruise. I myself will not be booking any new cruises with Carnival beyond what I have booked.(assuming I don't cancel)

 

My DH and I would like to cruise Princess to Alaska. We are also interested in a River cruise.

[emilygrace]

I would say Celebrity would be my #2 choice.....I've sailed on RCL, NCL, Princess, Cunard and X and Celebrity would be it for me. The others were nice, but not quite a good fit for me. I still want to try HAL, just for the experience.

[98Charlie]

Disney is my #1 for a family cruise.(best line by far that I have sailed)

 

My kids are 5,5,8,10,11 &12

 

IMO 9 & 14 are not "too old" for DCL but, that is your choice of course.

 

When my kids are older it will be RCCL(freedom or above class). After that I think we will do more land based vacations.

 

I will never take my kids on a Carnival cruise. I myself will not be booking any new cruises with Carnival beyond what I have booked.(assuming I don't cancel)

 

My DH and I would like to cruise Princess to Alaska. We are also interested in a River cruise.

 

Guess if I had that many chkldren at those ages I'd be cruising Disney as well and take more land based vacations after that as well as cruise vacations on mega ships that have more venues to entertain the children.

 

Dianne

[lephysteria]

It is interesting to hear what my fellow posters would say in response to this question. I've enjoyed reading what you all thought.

 

I've sailed Carnival and Princess. If it were just the two adults sailing, I would suggest Princess. Although personally, DH and I would be more willing to give Princess another try before my parents would. They hated their cruise. We enjoyed our Princess cruise but had the same issues my parents did (there were a lot of angry old people on their ship ... their words, not mine ;) )

 

Since it is the family with kids sailing, I would recommend Carnival. They have bigger cabins and generally a louder interior decor on their ships. I feel that RCCL's crew, entertainment, service, and layout are much better. That being said, I'd give my left foot to be on a carnival ship than at work ;)

[3redheads]

Thanks for the responses. We have sailed Disney and my kids enjoyed RCCL more. Plus, they're so darned expensive!

 

I'd like a different itinerary, so may have to try another line at some time. I will still be calling tomorrow night for the reduced deposit and credits.

 

Thanks again!