Booked Royal Caribbean--- but why???

[SCUBADOO414]

Woo-Hoo! Looks like a broken hip waiting to happen!!! ;)

[azkcruizers]

One of those flowrider things took my sons shorts right down to his feet LOL:eek: Thank goodness it was a quiet day at an indoor waterpark! He won't step foot or bottom on one of those again!

 

Karen

[dclark]

I've done both and in no way, shape, or form does that comparison stand true. I just read so much about how RCCL is superior, crew more friendly, etc etc and I've yet to see it. Most people who down Carnival have never even sailed the line; they are just thinking about what Carnival's reputation was 20 yrs ago!

?

 

RCL has riding on their past for too long. The people who say that the food is just as good or better than CCL usually say food is subjective and never give an example to support their conclusion-this is because they can't! The quality of materials that CL starts off with is far superior (better cuts of beef, larger shrimp, etc), on Princess, it is even more apparent (large scallops, shrimp, prime rib and lobster claws in the buffet, king crab in the MDR!).

I don't know why RCL cheer leaders claim that RCL has better service. Our cabins were often not cleaned until mid afternoon and a couple of times, got not turned down service. We had one cruise where we didn't get our luggage until 7:00pm. On CCL , we have always had cabin made up before noon, always gotten turned down service and always gotten a chocolate or two on the pillow. We also have also gotten out luggage before 4:00pm. Objectively, this is much better than RCL.

The RCL cheer leaders have brain washed themselves into thinking RCL is superior, to the degree that you could serve them a plate of Spam and call it it "Porc Pate" and they'd be raving about how good it is!

Funny thing- 30 years ago, CCL was a cruise line with bad food and contests that invloved men parading around in risque things like woman's lingerie. CCL is not like that, but RCL is (ever been to the Quest?).

Were I to go cruise RCL again this summer, I'd miss that nice CCL lobster, those delicious burgers at the grill, potent mixed drinks on formal nights, those shrimp skewers,late nght comedians and that water slide. I'd also miss that $2000 that I would have saved by sailing CCL. The only postiive thing that I can say about RCL is that I'd lose weight if I sailed with them!

[hotpinkpanther]

No, not yet. I emailed Johna but haven't heard anything back from her. I haven't had much luck on the website. I can't find the 'quad'/'dbl' connecting rooms that I need. I'm too new at this to figure that out... and believe me, I've been trying. ;)

 

Just an FYI, the deck plans we see on Carnival's website do NOT show connecting rooms. I booked the Dream, May 29, 2010 sailing for my family. We needed two connecting rooms. The connecting rooms show up on my PVPs computer though so he was able to book us in them.

 

So don't give up on those connectors, just wait and speak to your TA or even give Carnival a call and ask questions about the connecting rooms. I don't think Johna is in on weekends but you should be able to get a hold of her tomorrow. Just give her a call and leave a voicemail, also follow up with an email. She is good about getting back w/you.

[hotpinkpanther]

RCL has riding on their past for too long. The people who say that the food is just as good or better than CCL usually say food is subjective and never give an example to support their conclusion-this is because they can't! The quality of materials that CL starts off with is far superior (better cuts of beef, larger shrimp, etc), on Princess, it is even more apparent (large scallops, shrimp, prime rib and lobster claws in the buffet, king crab in the MDR!).

I don't know why RCL cheer leaders claim that RCL has better service. Our cabins were often not cleaned until mid afternoon and a couple of times, got not turned down service. We had one cruise where we didn't get our luggage until 7:00pm. On CCL , we have always had cabin made up before noon, always gotten turned down service and always gotten a chocolate or two on the pillow. We also have also gotten out luggage before 4:00pm. Objectively, this is much better than RCL.

The RCL cheer leaders have brain washed themselves into thinking RCL is superior, to the degree that you could serve them a plate of Spam and call it it "Porc Pate" and they'd be raving about how good it is!

Funny thing- 30 years ago, CCL was a cruise line with bad food and contests that invloved men parading around in risque things like woman's lingerie. CCL is not like that, but RCL is (ever been to the Quest?).

Were I to go cruise RCL again this summer, I'd miss that nice CCL lobster, those delicious burgers at the grill, potent mixed drinks on formal nights, those shrimp skewers,late nght comedians and that water slide. I'd also miss that $2000 that I would have saved by sailing CCL. The only postiive thing that I can say about RCL is that I'd lose weight if I sailed with them!

 

ITA with everything!

[misguidedangel]

First of all, ask your spouse of kids if they want to ice skate, rock climb, or use the flowrider (all are likely extra charges to use these features). Yes, RCI has the indoor "mall" atmosphere on Promenade, but if that means nothing to you then is it worth the extra $1200? Now, if you get an indifferent answer or a firm no to some or all then discuss it with your family and see if they are willing to switch to Carnival, that is, if you've only paid the deposit. You can get a balcony cabin for your and your spouse and an inside for the kids and have some of the $1200 different for two insides left over.

 

Both Carnival and RCI have the same features--stage shows, entertainment, food. It is debatable who is better, but that is all in each of our opinions--some think RCI is better, others Carnival (it is a no win situation as my opinion is mine and yours is yours).

 

RCI makes you pay more because they have a more expensive ship/fleet to maintain. The Oasis alone is a billion dollar plus ship. Guess who is helping to pay for that ship--you the RCI customer.

 

I would tell anyone who is planning a cruise to plan it around what they want to do on the ship. you have to look at each itinerary and ship for the cruise lines and see what you and your spouse (who is paying for the trip--kids shouldn't be the one making the decision, but they can have opinion. You are paying, so you choose). A fellow coworker went on RCI because they are all active and really wanted to try the activity based features on RCI. Me, well, I can care less about ice skating, rock wall, surfing, and inline skating....I want a nice casino, well stocked shops, and choice of lounges, bars, and clubs. I love the design/layout of Carnivals ships, so I stick with them....

 

Planning a vacation is a big purchase, so plan it so you choose the right line, ship, itinerary, and dates (as in hurricane season--options about itinerary must be kept open for that time of the year).

 

Good luck...

[tedjazz]

RCL has riding on their past for too long. The people who say that the food is just as good or better than CCL usually say food is subjective and never give an example to support their conclusion-this is because they can't! The quality of materials that CL starts off with is far superior (better cuts of beef, larger shrimp, etc), on Princess, it is even more apparent (large scallops, shrimp, prime rib and lobster claws in the buffet, king crab in the MDR!).

I don't know why RCL cheer leaders claim that RCL has better service. Our cabins were often not cleaned until mid afternoon and a couple of times, got not turned down service. We had one cruise where we didn't get our luggage until 7:00pm. On CCL , we have always had cabin made up before noon, always gotten turned down service and always gotten a chocolate or two on the pillow. We also have also gotten out luggage before 4:00pm. Objectively, this is much better than RCL.

The RCL cheer leaders have brain washed themselves into thinking RCL is superior, to the degree that you could serve them a plate of Spam and call it it "Porc Pate" and they'd be raving about how good it is!

Funny thing- 30 years ago, CCL was a cruise line with bad food and contests that invloved men parading around in risque things like woman's lingerie. CCL is not like that, but RCL is (ever been to the Quest?).

Were I to go cruise RCL again this summer, I'd miss that nice CCL lobster, those delicious burgers at the grill, potent mixed drinks on formal nights, those shrimp skewers,late nght comedians and that water slide. I'd also miss that $2000 that I would have saved by sailing CCL. The only postiive thing that I can say about RCL is that I'd lose weight if I sailed with them!

 

I totally agree... if you put the CCL where the RCL is and vice versa. Then it would be accurate. IMHO Except I do love the Warm Melting Chocolate Cake on CCL, RCL doesn't have a desert that can compete. :)

[SCUBADOO414]

I do think RC needs to cover their costs when they add such features as Flow Rider, Rock Wall and Ice Rink. Personally, after much thought and discussion, we don't feel these features would be utilized by our family. Our kids are still young and enjoy more of the water features... like what the Dream is offering! I guess we've decided it's worth the switch, but now we have to decide on itinerary and ship! It's like starting over again... it's really not an easy decision, especially since we're planning with another couple!

I want to say thank you to everyone that has provided input on this subject. I've carefully read what you have posted and sincerely appreciate all the advise and opinions. Everyone here is extremely helpful, thanks again!