After 3 Carnival cruises...

[jdjaguar]

we are going to give RCL Freedom a shot next summer...will report back my views on each line..all i know is RCL is about 30-40% more expensive than the cruise we booked on the Glory 2 years ago.

 

in the meantime, anyone who has sailed both lines care to shed their opinions?

[Maxax]

I think you will find a few things you like about RCCL more than Carnival...and a few things you like about Carnival more than RCCL.

 

But bottom line...you will like saving 30-40% the most...and will return to Carnival!

[Kurbanfan]

we are going to give RCL Freedom a shot next summer...will report back my views on each line..all i know is RCL is about 30-40% more expensive than the cruise we booked on the Glory 2 years ago.

 

in the meantime, anyone who has sailed both lines care to shed their opinions?

 

We just booked the Mariner of the Seas for May cheaper then the Splendor, Spirit or the Pride........

Can't wait!!!

[jdjaguar]

I think you will find a few things you like about RCCL more than Carnival...and a few things you like about Carnival more than RCCL.

 

But bottom line...you will like saving 30-40% the most...and will return to Carnival!

which few things did you like about one over the other?

[DG2004]

I think you will find a few things you like about RCCL more than Carnival...and a few things you like about Carnival more than RCCL.

 

But bottom line...you will like saving 30-40% the most...and will return to Carnival!

 

 

 

hit the nail on the head with that post

[firefly333]

I booked Voyager recently, a guarantee, and they did good by all of us with guarantees. The price beat Conquest same date by quite a bit.

 

I dont think Id pay 30 - 40% extra, but never had to with RCL.

 

Sounds like you picked a expensive week to book.

[tripeee]

I have been on both and generally RCC is more $$ but not always. My 1st RCC was to Alaska and I was originally booked on Carnival but the dates and flights did not work out so I changed to RCC and probably paid a little more but it was the crusie we wanted at the time. I have a March 2009 booked on the CCl Legend and Oct 2009 for RCC Explorer. I found the food better on RCC than on my first Carnival cruise but have seen an improvement with Carnivals food on the last two cruises. I felt the entertainment more entertaining on RCC. I enjoyed the wine tastings and wine packages available on RCC. But love to cruise and the price difference had generally made Carnival the better choice for me.

[VentureMan_2000]

Nothing wrong with trying something new...

 

so... what do yout think about KY's his & her's...? :D

[JordanLovesCruisin]

which few things did you like about one over the other?

 

Personally, I love RCI. I have been on the Mariner and the Adventure, which have the same deck plan as theExplorer

 

Here are some my personal likes about RCI and Canival

 

Royal:

 

1. The indoor movie theatre. It was never packed, played 3 movies a day. It was also a nice spot to cool off! Not many people took advantage of this, as we were the only ones every day to watch the movie showing.

 

2. The kid and teen program had more desirable activities aimed towards the proper age groups than Camp Carnival and Club 02. There was much more of a turn out on RCI than Carnival.

 

3. ALL of the elevators worked :)

 

 

Carnival:

 

1. The ship isn't quite as large as RCI's and is easier to navigate around. RC tends to have rooms such as the casino, lounges, etc to walk through to get to the other side of the ship. It is just an easier layout

 

2. Personally, I like the food better on Carnival

 

3, Atmosphere. More fun, more energy

[jaycee200]

RCL = Quest Game :) Definitely schedule that into your day when it is time for the Quest Game :)

[kaylahszoo]

I love Quest!!!! They had a similiar game on NCL this summer. I'd bet that Carnival soon will have a version of it. Draws a crowd- a bar crowd. :D

[flpab]

I tried RCCL and won't do it again. I don't care if my room is small, not in there enough but RCCL was extremely small compared to Carnivals room size. The food was not as good imo. My husband and I are not early to bed people and we are in our 50s but the boat was so quiet after 11 except for the casino. It was weird, we would were sort of bored.

[madaamt]

flpab, Dh and I are in our late 30's and we had the same problem on Rccl. It was 11:30 and other than the casino the ship was dead.. I do enjoy both cruise lines but I prefer Carnivals customer service, food, larger staterooms and of course there wonderful beds..:D

[lil_red_mini]

I love Quest!!!! They had a similiar game on NCL this summer. I'd bet that Carnival soon will have a version of it. Draws a crowd- a bar crowd. :D

 

What is this quest game I keep hearing about???:confused:

[creek42]

We had the same feeling! RC tends to roll up the decks after 11:00....we had a bad experience with the food the entire cruise in both buffet and dining room....on carnival you won't be able to do every planned event, because they have 3 or 4 things going at a time to break up the crowds,,,,RC...it felt like a cattle group be hearded....and forget the deck buffet....by the time we got through the crowd...the food was very slim. I would really like to try the Freedom of the seas b/c we watched the building of it on the travel channel, but hubby says no more RC, we are sticking to Carnival!

[cruisertime]

My wife and I sailed on the Freedom two years ago and had a great time.

 

The ship is huge, service was good, food was ok, ice show was good, something different.

 

Having said all that, can't wait for the Glory next month!

[henepup]

In April we where on the Miracle, had a great time. In September we where on the Majesty of the Seas, we had a great time. We really enjoyed the Miracle, the food, the service, the casino and the fact that it was an 8 day cruise didn't hurt. On the Majesty of the Seas, we had a good time, but we made the good time. It was only a 4 day cruise, the ports where fine, but the service and food lacked. And yes the cabin was very small!!! Several years ago we where on the Mairner of the Seas and it was okay, the food lacked and the service lacked. But we could have a good time anywhere!!

Henepup

[calbred01]

Have sailed on two RCCI cruises and one Carnival but with another Carnival booked for Feb. on the Spirit. Price was a consideration but also the ports were another! We loved both and everything is so objective. I thought the food on Royal was better but the wait staff on both made for such a wonderful time that the actual taste difference was marginal (it was all good!). On Royal we were up late dancing until 2 am and met such a great group of people that we wish we could take them all home with us. On our one Carnival we were so worn out with our excursions, late dinner & shows that we did not even look for the dance club! Had fun excursions on both lines & the staff was just as great from one line to the next which IMHO can make or break a cruise since they are the frontmen (or women) for the whichever line you are on. I don't go to make comparisions I go for a vacation and have a wonderful time on each.

[Maxax]

Whew...sorry, been busy...but here's my answer to this question:

 

First off: RCCL - better buffet...a lot more choices. Carnival...better dining room food...better quality!

 

Second: The RCCL room stewards were magicians...or at least ours was...we hardly ever saw the guy...but if we were gone just for a few seconds...he had the room cleaned before we returned...always...he was fast.

 

Third: Each line has their own distinct ship attractions that we like. LOVE Carnival's Piano Bar...and Loved RCCL's Viking Crown Lounge.

 

Fourth: Generally, like the layout of the Carnival ships better. RCCL...has too many walk ways...and passenger traffic areas...that go right through the middle of a bar. Nothing against the bars....but if you are sitting there quietly having a drink in a bar...trying to have a conversation...there is a constant flow of traffic...marching by making it hard to speak.

 

Lastly: The service is great on both...but we had to at least give RCCL just a slight edge in this category.

 

Bottom line....both are really nice...and I'll take the price difference over anything else!

[halos]

Each line has certain things that make it special. I just took my first Royal cruise in September. I had a wonderful time, the ship was GORGEOUS...the crew was excellent BUT in no way is it worth paying 30 to 40% more to sail it.

I caught a great deal and will sail RCI again in Oct next year, and I'll only book future RCI cruises if they are good deals. IMO an RCI cruise is not worth more than CCL.

[DGP1111]

I am sooooooo looking forward to a future Freedom of the Seas sailing.

Doing a Promenade cabin, which will be quite unique to me.

But for now. . . . only 37 days until my next CCL cruise. :) :)