I want to try Carnival--RCCL friends stick their noses up

[robsvacation]

If you look above you'll see one reply says the food is better on one line, the next reply says it's the other. One reply says this line as better entertainment, the next say it's the other. Basically it's too close to call.

 

Start a conversation a Carnival ship and you'll likely hear "oh yes, we've been on RCCL and loved it, we love them both!" Start the same conversation on a RCCL ship and after they look at you like you have two heads you'll hear "I would NEVER cruise Carnival, puh!"

 

If you haven't already, post this question on the RCCL board and see what happens. You'll get a lot of replies like you're seeing here, and likely more than few "I would never's." Take that for what it's worth!

[floridacruiser63]

I'm excited about Carnival sailing out of Baltimore.RCCL friends say Carnival stinks.I feel its probably equal.Tell me they are wrong.................Frankie

 

As an experienced cruiser who has gone on both CCL as well as RCCL, I can only tell you to experience them both and then make your own judgements. Both lines are great, both have great service.:D

[love2vacation]

I'm excited about Carnival sailing out of Baltimore.RCCL friends say Carnival stinks.I feel its probably equal.Tell me they are wrong.................Frankie

 

I could have written your title message!

We are trying to decide on a cruise for March 2009 and have it narrowed between a Carnival and a RC cruise. I think the Carnival ITN is more interesting but everyone else leans toward RC.

 

We had a nice time on our one Carnival cruise and can't see what all the fuss is about! I do see some points in favor of RC like "adults only" pool but it isn't a big deal to me and I have to admit the service in the dining areas was much better on all our RC cruises.

 

Oh decisions, decisions! I think maybe ITN and air fair rates will help make our decision.

[Kurbanfan]

On which Princess ship have you been?? Last September there was food around the clock on Caribbean Princess..yes around the clock!

 

That's what I would like to know to. :confused: Because we had the same experience as you on the Crown.

 

That's not true at all, they offer food aftetr 10:00 pm and it is superior to what you'd find on CCL. For example, last Jan, at around 11:00pm, I went up to the buffet on the Dawn Princess and not only was it open, they were carving up prime rib! I have only seen prime rib once in a CCL buffet and that was ten years ago, what some people think is prime rib is really just roast rib.

Also, one Princess closes their buffet, they have "bistro" service where they serve you, menu style. I used it once and had an excellent, grilled to order steak.

 

This is true.......

 

I was wondering about the food after 10 pm also. :confused: One of the things I enjoy most on Princess is being able at any time of the day to get something tasty to eat without having to order room service.

 

I agree! They have food available at all hours. And it is just not 24 hour pizza and ice cream lol! Thy were grilling burgers and bratwurst on the pool deck until 11:30 every night....not to mention one of the buffet was open all night when we sailed......

[dan40]

I'm excited about Carnival sailing out of Baltimore.RCCL friends say Carnival stinks.I feel its probably equal.Tell me they are wrong.................Frankie

 

How many times have your friends actually cruised on Carnival???? The overwhelming majority of Carnival bashers do it on hearsay. No real experience.

 

I have many cruises on both and would/will do the next cruise on either. There is much more the same on the 2 lines than there is different.

 

A little history to consider. RCCL can trace its line back to freight carriers into the 1800's.

Carnival did not exist until the early 1970's. Carnival started with borrowed money and an old ocean liner. And, FIRST CRUISE, ran aground leaving the harbor in Miami. Once they got pulled off the sand, they went to the Bahamas and had to empty the slot machines to buy fuel to return to Miami. So they started on a shoestring, while RCCL was doing fine.

Today Carnival owns CUNARD, HOLLAND AMERICA, COSTA, PRINCESS and many other lines and when they order a new ship, they have the money to pay for it.

Last quarter Carnival's PROFIT nearly equaled Royal Caribbeans total volume.

They did not get from stuck on a sand bar to owning [not financing, owning] more than 80 ships by treating millions of customers in a slipshod manner.

They are both good lines.

 

Dan

[popcorngal]

 

We had a nice time on our one Carnival cruise and can't see what all the fuss is about! I do see some points in favor of RC like "adults only" pool but it isn't a big deal to me and I have to admit the service in the dining areas was much better on all our RC cruises.

 

 

The Spirit class ships, such as the Pride that will be going out of Baltimore, all have "adults only" pools. I could be wrong, but I think most of the other class ships have them too. We spend alot of time there!

[Rockee4055]

I'm excited about Carnival sailing out of Baltimore.RCCL friends say Carnival stinks.I feel its probably equal.Tell me they are wrong.................Frankie

 

Everyone has their own opinion. I guess there just jealous because we get better prices....:rolleyes:

 

Honestly, we've sailed all but 2 of our cruises on CCL. We sailed one on the Grand Princess (pre CCL) and we absolutely hated it.

 

CCL is fun, the food is great and even though there were some not perfect cruises with them and issue we've had was taken care of immediately.

 

They dance and sing in the dining room, the social host sit and talk to you. I just think it is a friendlier atmosphere.

 

I've never sailed RCCL mainly because of the price. I think they are way to high and from what I hear from others (not on CC) they are no different as far as the food.

 

Our preferred cruise line is CCL. We have 2 booked for next year then it's off to platinum status....;) .

 

I'm sure you'll enjoy it if you choose to sail with them. Don;t make assumptions based on others' opinions. try CCl and come to your own conclusion.

[MrPete]

My argument with the RCI loyalists who insist RCI actually IS a more upscale product is that they're just trying to justify the fact that they pay more for their cruise. They want to convince themselves that they are justified in doing so.

 

Personally, I don't care what someone else pays for their cruise or why they sail a particular line. If they want to think RCI is more upscale, then more power to them. In my limited experience, I've found the two lines to be nearly identical.

Again, just a mindgame to try to make themselves feel better about their own choices. Personally, I think people are foolish to spend more than they need to, but that's just me.

[jessemon]

You can see in my siggy that I have cruised them all just about. RCCL and Carnivl are very equal. If the price and cabin were the same the only thing that might sway me would be the itinerary. If the itin were the same the only thing that would sway me would be price...

I have found them to be very equal.

[PollyNJ]

My father used to always say..those who walk with their noses up in the air never really see the whole picture. I have sailed both lines and have had a great time. Actually I have loved all my 17 cruises. If you are sailing with your friends I am sure you will have a good time no matter which line you choose. I pick my cruise according to the intinery and price just like Mr Pete said. I sail more often on Carnival because I can take more cruises that way..plain and simple. I did my first Carnival cruise some 15+ years ago, and yes they had a totally different reputation then, and yes they were a different line then. It amazes me that people still think of Carnival this way.

[bobar]

Well y'all am going on my 10th ccl trip on the freedom in 3 weeks. have done ncl 7 times,rccl,3 times,celebrity,holland america,and others..

Carnival (for the mainstream american cruidelines) is definately the most fun. cabins are the biggest at sea. Casinos are great...Lively and fun!!

Rccl is quieter and almost boring at times..I think rccl's food is a bit more up scale,especially things like fish..you will not get chilean sea bass or grouper on carnival...i wish carnival had better fish selections...

carnivals pools areas are great and their lounge music very good, always have a fun piano bar.there service and stasff continue to get better and better. There prices and ncl's prices are usually the best...

so for the mainstream american lines i would give them the nod,however,when it comes to caribbean sailing,i now sail MSC or Costa,the 2 italian cruislines, which are incredible compared to any of the american lines and usuallt the same price or cheaper...they areonly here in the fall and spring and sail out of fort lauderdale..Costa is owned by carnival.

[Havi2000]

Oh gosh...I'm terrified now!! We last took our 2 sons on the Carnival Sensation in 2000, & I remember vividly thinking how can we survive in this cabin for a week! I have booked the RCCL Grandeur for the four of us in July. I chose it because we could drive to the port(Norfolk) & I liked the itinerary with 4 sea days. Of course the "boys" are now 19 & 23 & I'm reading that RCCL's cabins are smaller than Carnivals & that sometimes the ships are boring....Oh good grief, what am I gonna do with them for 9 nites. We do have a "large outside" cabin, lol #2070, can anyone give me any info???HELP!!!

[Cotton]

........you will not get chilean sea bass or grouper on carnival...i wish carnival had better fish selections...

.

 

Bobar - I'm pretty sure I've had Chilean Sea Bass on Carnival.

 

I order it whenever I see it on a menu...and could almost swear I've had it on Carnival ships. Did I just dream it up?;)

[luckycruzer]

I'm excited about Carnival sailing out of Baltimore.RCCL friends say Carnival stinks.I feel its probably equal.Tell me they are wrong.................Frankie

 

with the noses in the air!

[luckycruzer]

I think there are more similarities than differences between the two lines. IMO, the service and entertainment are about equal. I've enjoyed my cruises on both lines.

 

However - Carnival does have larger cabins, and much better food; being a retired chef from N.O., I'm a bit picky. Nothing really bad about RCCL food, just not as good in the preparation, presentation, and taste as Carnival. I also love the fact that I can have complimentary espresso and cappuccino in Carnival's dining room for every meal....but had to pay quite a price for it on RCCL.;)

 

As some of the above mentioned, I was immediately wondering if those friends have actually cruised ON a Carnival ship? Doubtful. Best to be the judge of that yourself. Enjoy!:)

 

Ms Cotton !

[alinehu]

Been on the Grandeur cabins are definitely smaller. Sorry

[love2vacation]

I would have booked a separate room for the young adults. NO WAY would I ever fit 4 adult people to a room. We did take our 17 year old with on on a cruise (we had a balcony cabin) though it worded the bathroom logistics where too stressing!:rolleyes: There is the privacy issue as well and we like our "space".

 

We decided if we ever traveled again with adult kids we would book them a separate room. You might see if there are any last minute good prices on an inside for them.

[beachdogboarder]

Thank You for all your replies.Carnival is no doubt worth trying......Frankie

[Sandi149]

Bobar - I'm pretty sure I've had Chilean Sea Bass on Carnival.

 

I order it whenever I see it on a menu...and could almost swear I've had it on Carnival ships. Did I just dream it up?;)

 

Yup, they do have sea bass...not sure if it's Chilean though and they definitely have grouper cause I had it. :D

 

http://unofficialcarnivalwiki.com/wiki/Dinner_Main_Courses#Fish_and_Seafood

[dan40]

I've never seen any trolling lines or nets behind either a RCCL ship or a CCL ship. Since they're not catching the seafood they serve, I'll eat my fish at a good seafood land restaurant.

 

But it is silly that seafood is better on land than it is on the sea!!!!!!

 

Dan

[patterson3]

Start a conversation a Carnival ship and you'll likely hear "oh yes, we've been on RCCL and loved it, we love them both!" Start the same conversation on a RCCL ship and after they look at you like you have two heads you'll hear "I would NEVER cruise Carnival, puh!"

 

That's what always strikes me as funny- I've talked to people who have sailed on Cunard and Holland America about Carnival and they enjoyed themselves on Carnival or a couple that haven't cruised with Carnival at least said they were open to the idea...And I've also talked to people who have only sailed Royal Caribbean and most have said they'd "never sail on Carnival"....It's interesting because the people I talked to who are loyal to RCI also said they'd never sail Cunard because it was "too prissy" or too stuck up...? Umm, my experience has been that the people who I've talked to who have sailed RCI are the ones who are stuck up...

 

and the funny thing is to me RCI and Carnival are very similar....I personally believe Carnival is slightly more laid back but most of the newer Royal Caribbean ships have more to do. I believe the food is better on Carnival, service is equal, and decor is a little more subdued on Royal Caribbean (which is either a good or bad thing depending on your tastes)....

 

So, if I were you I wouldn't think twice about taking a Carnival cruise. Keep an open mind and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I haven't sailed Royal Carribean yet. I've been on NCL in Hawaii and Carnival Spirit from San Diego. I enjoyed both cruises. Different in ways but mostly the same.

 

My TA keeps trying to convince me to sail Royal and insists it is better but I just can't justify the extra cost. I was planning a cruise for my kids first cruise and trying to find a cruise that I could take all 4 of us for about 2K total with insurance, gratuity etc. Of course on board expenses additional but I couldn't find a Royal cruise for that price. I had a couple options with Carnival. My TA said but its only about an extra $800 for RC. To me, 800 is a lot of jack. Ain't gonna happen. Maybe it is better in some ways but it ain't worth paying extra when so many people say Carnival is great and I certainly enjoyed my last CCL cruise.

[cruiselover10]

We have been on Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Celebrity. Before our first Carnival cruise which was on the Legend of the Seas, I too was a Carnival snob. We went on the Legend, which is a gorgeous ship and had the best time and that changed my mind. The crew was fabulous, they could not do enough for us. We then booked the Carnival Spirit that went from Honolulu to VanCouver because we liked the Legend so much and it was pretty much the same experience. I like the layout of the Carnival balcony cabins so much better than RCCL and Princess. There is so much more room in the cabins. The only issue with the balcony cabins is they don't have sliders on the balcony doors, they have something similar to a storm door so unless you prop a chair against it you cannot leave the door open. The buffet area has a much larger selection and they don't shut the drinks off (fruit punch lemonade, coffee, etc. ) after a certain hour like Celebrity does, which after all of our cruises we found this was the worse cruise we ever had. The crew is not at all friendly and we unlike most people found the food not all that good, in fact it is the first cruise that we ever sent food back because we couldn't eat it. I didn't think a grilled chicken salad for lunch in the dining room should have all rib bones and gristle on the chicken breast, which is what we got. We have recently been on the Mariner of the Seas and the Freedom of the Seas which is the MOST AMAZING ship but I like the food area on Carnival so much better. The alternative restaraunt that you pay for is worth ever penny but that also is the same on RCCL. We are going on the Victory in March, which has a great itinerary with different islands going out of San Juan. One complaint I have about RCCL is their itineraries, which basically are the same no matter what ship you go on. Don't listen to your friends. If you want to have a great cruise go with Carnival. Choose the itinerary that you want to go on and then look at the ship. We try to stay away from older ships. We did choose the Victory because of the itinerary and I cannot wait to be on it.

[Kurbanfan]

Oh gosh...I'm terrified now!! We last took our 2 sons on the Carnival Sensation in 2000, & I remember vividly thinking how can we survive in this cabin for a week! I have booked the RCCL Grandeur for the four of us in July. I chose it because we could drive to the port(Norfolk) & I liked the itinerary with 4 sea days. Of course the "boys" are now 19 & 23 & I'm reading that RCCL's cabins are smaller than Carnivals & that sometimes the ships are boring....Oh good grief, what am I gonna do with them for 9 nites. We do have a "large outside" cabin, lol #2070, can anyone give me any info???HELP!!!

 

Don't be terrified lol! People post on here about Princess ships being boring with a older crowd. Then we sailed Princess and found out that was untrue.

I believe the grandeur has different size staterooms and some of them compare to Carnival. Just like Princess balcony staterooms are a bit smaller then Carnival, but they are laid out much better. Also Princess balcony is bigger then Carnival's which fits our needs much better.

I am sure you and your kids will have a blast:)

[krystalkruzer]

One is not any better or worse than the other.It comes down to which one suits YOU best :)