RCI fans cruises Carnival and loved it!

[Majesty Fan]

Hubby and I returned the Carnival Inspiration 5 day cruise. In April I was getting burned out and needed a break. We wanted to go to Cozumel but did not want to go the Bahamas so our option would be the Mariner inside for over $2100 Enchantment for a 5 day at $1700. So I looked at Carnival. I normally do not cruise in the summer but needed to get away. We had an outside for 5 nights for $1200 on the Inspiration. I am not new to cruising. This would be my 27 cruise.

 

from embarkation everything went smoothely. You can drop off luggage at your cabin before they are ready at 130pm. There are amnties in the bathroom. More space in the cabin to put luggage. There is even a a laundry mat to wash clothes. Drinks prices were the same but on those fufu drinks you can use the same cup for refill at a cheaper price.

 

The food was as good as RCI. The 24 Pizza was fantastic, also made to order sandwhichles like reubens. 2 different ice cream machines. Tips are done prepay.

 

Sushi bar, cheaper photo's with packages. Nice scrapbooking items. Not any more expensive than they are on land.

 

Water Slide and chess, and mini golf!

 

The last cruise we did on RCI was on radiance to Hawaii. The cruise was good but saw lots of cutbacks, CD told that priority tender ticket was for Diamond plus. Never told there was a diamond lounge. I will still cruise RCI but will now also cruise CCL. We live in FL so they are in way more ports than RCI and prices are cheaper as well.

Lexi

[trislow]

We (RCCL fans!) also did a Carnival cruise 7 night W Carib in Dec 07 and loved it. Thanks for sharing!:)

[Loves_Dogs]

I enjoyed each of my Carnival cruises and wouldn't hesitate to cruise them again. Sometimes you just want to try something different, which is why my next cruise is on Royal. Inspiration was my first cruise and is 'to blame' for my addiction to cruising. Glad you enjoyed her as much as we did.

[Clarkk W Griswald]

We're RCI fans as well and trying our first Carnival cruise next March. Glad to hear good things about Carnival! One thing I know already...the price is much cheaper.

[MrPete]

What took you so long???? :)

[sailor05]

Shhhh!!! Don't let RCCL hear you all say that.:eek: They may get their feelings hurt.;)

[flcouple]

We used to like the Celebration out of Jax for short cruises. We did the Inspiration last year and I have to say it was the most unenjoyable cruise I have had in all my 30+ years of cruising. Carnival skipped the Mexico port and gave us board games, $20 bingo cards, and belly flop contests in return. They also gave us talks on things like "A day in the life of a cruise crew member." Talk about not even trying to make up for the skipped port. The $25 OBC hardly helped cover the bingo. Later Carnival's only statement to us was that the cruise contract doesn't require them to go to any ports. I found that telling of what they think of customers. Then when we returned to Tampa, the lost some of our luggage. When they found it the next day, we had to pay $62 for them to send it to us.

 

I might go on another Carnival cruise someday, but it won't be in the Inspiration. I like RCL ships so much better. The ships seem nicer, the crew friendlier, and a lot fewer total drunks on board. Just our opinion of course.

[thesawch]

I too am trying Carnival as i could not get as a good of a deal with RCCL as Carnival gave me on the valor 7 nights western Carr. with balcony for 670 dollars each and cruise air was approx. 570 dollars CANADIAN.The air fare privately is now over $800 via NWA and United $900.RCCL could not come near that price.

[flcouple]

I too am trying Carnival as i could not get as a good of a deal with RCCL as Carnival gave me on the valor 7 nights western Carr. with balcony for 670 dollars each and cruise air was approx. 570 dollars CANADIAN.The air fare privately is now over $800 via NWA and United $900.RCCL could not come near that price.

 

I think Carnival has some good ships, but watch out for the charges. On Liberty they were even charging a .50 cake cutting fee for a piece of cake. I think you get what you pay for. Carnival is more of a party cruise based on the ships I have been on. If that is what you are looking for, then they are a good less expensive cruise. Why do you think they call them the "Fun Ships." Just depends on what kind of partying you like I guess.

[WISH84]

We've enjoyed our trips on Carnival and other than my very first cruise, have always traveled on Carnival until this past January when we gave Princess our first try. We loved the Princess feel about the ship and the staff was just fantastic. Our next trip will be my second time with RCI and my wife's first with them.

 

We have found that we normally get what we expect with the cruise line we are traveling with. However as a recent poster pointed out, the Carnival line is called "The Fun Ships" for a reason. The older I get I find I just can't handle the shinanigans of the younger kids and I'm only 44. 80% of them are just fine but those 20% can ruin a trip. I would rather dodge a few squirly seniors (sorry, not trying to be rude) than trying to dodge the kid in his swimsuit and a bucket of beer trying to prove to his friends just how drunk he can get without loosing his lunch (oops, he just lost the bet) and so did we!!

[CRUIZIN SUZAN]

I think Carnival has some good ships, but watch out for the charges. On Liberty they were even charging a .50 cake cutting fee for a piece of cake. I think you get what you pay for. Carnival is more of a party cruise based on the ships I have been on. If that is what you are looking for, then they are a good less expensive cruise. Why do you think they call them the "Fun Ships." Just depends on what kind of partying you like I guess.

 

For the 1st few years of our marriage, we loved to sail Carnival. Yipee, the fun ships. Party atmosphere, lots of silly pool games and contests, etc. We would stay up late, hit the casino, PG/Adult comic, then pizza at 2am.

 

Then we had our son. We then liked to sail Carnival because it was very family friendly. Their staff are super accomodaing (esp. in the dining room) to little tykes. They have the best kids program on the seas (IMHO & that of my DS's), lots of activity on deck and on sea days, etc. ALso one of the better kids menus and the option to have Camp Carnival staff take the kids to dinner if you choose and several "Coke-tail" parties and ice cream socials for the little ones. Less choices in shore excursions than say RCI, but more reasonably priced and options available for those travelling with younger kids. There were always announcemnts on the PA reminding you of the happenings around the ship which was helpful- can't miss the family disco hour!! Their Camp Carnival also takes un-potty trained kids in diapers and will do diaper changes if needed. That is unheard of with any other line. This was a plus for us as our DS (very, very late potty-trainer) was used to 3 days a week at a learning center/day care and we were concerned he would be bored w/o his usual interaction w/other kids.(he wound up spending little time there when he was 3, but by 4 he did not want to be w/us at all and just wanted to go to see "his friends" at CC)

 

Then we were lucky enough to have my folks watch our DS for a short 5 day kid-less cruise- and then we found that Carnival just did not do it for us in that situation. Too loud, too much steel drums poolside (CONSTANT), overly eager drink waitstaff at the pool. We just wanted to reconnect and have some couple time, and it was just not the right atmosphere for that, in my opinion. We sought the quietest lounges, stayed on deck away from the pool area and did room service every a.m. and even ate a few nites in the Lido as we were not able to get a table for 2 in the dining room. Just too many PA announcements and distractions for us this time.

 

Sometimes CCL met or exceeded our expecations for our particular situations. Sometimes, another line would have been the better choice. It is all a matter of perspective.

 

Of course, their really gaudy, loud, and plastic ships are a real turn off for us-but on some cruises we were honestly just too busy to notice or care very much!

 

By the way, my DH and I disagree but other friends and family that I polled agree- Carnival food is a scootch better than RCI BUT not as many choices. IMHO I find most RCI desserts are unimaginative and boring (except the Ranger Cookies) and the entree portions are larger-thereby not requiring me to have multiple app's. (but I still do!!)

 

I am glad you loved the Carnival Cruise. For the money-we have always found it to be a good deal. I am glad your thread has been met so positively here and you have not been bashed so far for your opinions. You know- the "Walmart of cruiselines" (yes, I actually read that!!!) sometimes gets a bad rap boards other than CCL. Sometimes from folks who have never even set foot on the deck of a CCL ship. I never met a cruise I did'nt like. Except maybe NCL. hee hee

[isujim]

More and more people are trying different lines.......at least from my observation. We are going back and trying Princess again next year. The mega lines in many ways (not all ways) are getting more alike......price and itinerary become a defining factor. I'm glad to see people trying different lines.

[kidless]

We have only sailed RCCI once and loved it but have sailed Carnival many times....but always loved it. I think both lines have good and not so good but a lot depends on where you are in your life and what you are looking for in a vacation. For now we are happy exploring RCCI but that isn't to say we won't sail Carnival again as they have much to offer to and are usually (but not always) priced lower then RCCI..........................:D

[silentbob007]

I have been interested in sailing a Fantasy-class ship that has been "upgraded" ... glad to know that you enjoyed it. The way I see it, you may have a favorite cruise line, but life's too short not to try other companies. :)

[Georgiagolfer]

With today's economy, I feel price will be the deciding factor more often than not. CCL and RCI to me are very similar in total package. RCI more glitzy, but CCL more often cheaper. May be partly due to them having more ships, plus they own other lines, which may give them better purchasing power for essential ship provisions. DW and I like both lines and definitely look at price now more than ever.

[ncb106]

With today's economy, I feel price will be the deciding factor more often than not. CCL and RCI to me are very similar in total package. RCI more glitzy, but CCL more often cheaper. May be partly due to them having more ships, plus they own other lines, which may give them better purchasing power for essential ship provisions. DW and I like both lines and definitely look at price now more than ever.

i will never trade rccl for carnival ilove rccl i had taken 10 cruise with carnival and never got a gift from them not even a upgrade,rccl the second cruise they gave me a grade up to a jr suite,carnival does no treat they past guess good,rccl 5***** cruise line

[rsjc]

Have sailed RCCL one time and Carnival many. Have had no problem with Carnival or RCCL. Currently have a cruise booked on both lines. Can't wait for our Voyager cruise next March. Both lines meet our needs just fine. With the cost of flying and having five in our family we stick with the best option Galveston has at the time we want to cruise.

[keggy]

Thank you for posting this!

 

We are thinking of adding a cruise on for over Thanksgiving weekend this year. Our choices are:

RCI Navigator out of Fort Lauderdale

Carnival Inspriation out of Tampa

Carnival Desitiny out of Miami

 

All 3 go to Cozumel and Destiny also goes to Key West, which we would really like - but it isn't a make or break for us.

 

Any insight?

[flcouple]

Thank you for posting this!

 

We are thinking of adding a cruise on for over Thanksgiving weekend this year. Our choices are:

RCI Navigator out of Fort Lauderdale

Carnival Inspriation out of Tampa

Carnival Desitiny out of Miami

 

All 3 go to Cozumel and Destiny also goes to Key West, which we would really like - but it isn't a make or break for us.

 

Any insight?

 

Just be aware that the Inspiration doesn't make port in Cozumel almost 50% of the time. That is what Carnival told us later after the messed up our cruise on the Inspiration. Nice ship otherwise.

[ken_nyc]

We started cruising on Carnival for our first 2 cruises and loved it, no real complaints against them. Last year cruised on the Mariner and also loved it. The Mariner was pretty much the same except for the size and type of decor. Will cruise on either one depending on the money factor and itinerary.

[Batch5]

Great to hear we are looking at seven day out of Baltimore (no flying) next October, half of the money of our Explorer cruise granted we are doing the 9 nights. In addition have been to Bermuda 5 times looking for a change and figure with these prices would give it a shot, sailed on Carnival back in my teens and early 20’s and only heard good things lately.

Oct 11, 2009 Sunday 569 interior 689 ocean 839 Balcony

[01Sweetpea]

Our first cruise was on the Carnival Miracle (in 2005 out of Tampa) we LOVED it and would have sailed Carnival again in a heartbeat.

 

The reason we are on the EXOS this time is the Miracle is sailing out of NY (where we are cruising out of this time), and we wanted to try a different ship. Since no other Carnival ship was sailing we choose RCCL.

[keggy]

Just be aware that the Inspiration doesn't make port in Cozumel almost 50% of the time. That is what Carnival told us later after the messed up our cruise on the Inspiration. Nice ship otherwise.

 

Thank you for that - much appreciated!

[TXMary]

I can't imagine not having a good time on any cruise line. All of our cruises have been on RCI with the exception of one Princess cruise. We had a good time on the Grand Princess (loved, loved, loved the Anytime Dining!!), but it wasn't nearly as much fun as RCI to us. The crowd was considerably older. I would consider Carnival, but RCI is our first choice always. I have been looking more at Carnival lately though since RCI decided to pull out of Galveston full time. I also would consider Carnival for the shorter cruises out of Galveston. Sometimes you just need a quick getaway and RCI pulled out on that one too. But, until I'm unhappy with RCI for whatever reason, they will always be our go-to cruise line. They haven't disappointed me yet! :) :)

[FlyingPhotog]

My only 2 Carnival cruises were on very outdated ships, so I need to give one of the newer ones a try.