1st Carnival cruise-what different to expect?

[dolfandude]

I just cancelled my Adventure of the Seas July 09 cruise and booked the Carnival Glory. I've cruised 3x on RCL and twice on NCL. I was just wondering what you'd say I can expect different on Carnival. And any input on the Glory would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Steve

[Lv2Camp&Cruise]

My parents sailed with us on the Carnival Fantasy in October after sailing several other lines including NCL, RCI, and HAL. They were very surprised by how much they enjoyed Carnival. They stated that while the service wasn't quite as upscale as on HAL that the staff were very friendly and accomodating. They enjoyed the bright colors and fun atmosphere. They told me that they would gladly sail Carnival again!

[tha sista]

I just cancelled my Adventure of the Seas July 09 cruise and booked the Carnival Glory. I've cruised 3x on RCL and twice on NCL. I was just wondering what you'd say I can expect different on Carnival. And any input on the Glory would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Steve

 

I have cruised 15 times on CCL and once on RCI, just last month. I was on the Grandeur and so there was no promenade, but you will find CCL ships have no promenade. You will also find they are a bit more "Vegas" style in their decor. I personally like it. No rock wall and no flowrider or ice rink. Beyond that I found the differences subtle, but complementary to both. CCLs french fries and burgers are way better than RCI though! If you like cruising, you will like your time on CCL!

[dolfandude]

CCLs french fries and burgers are way better than RCI though!

 

Now, you can't be taking Johnny Rockets into consideration on that one!;):D

[tha sista]

Now, you can't be taking Johnny Rockets into consideration on that one!;):D

 

You are correct, no Johnny Rockets on Grandeur...Burgers and pizza were in the solarium, and they were atrocious! CCL does have awesome fries on their lido buffet though!!!

[maxamuus]

You dont get charged for ordering a steak in the dining room. ;)

[red lobster]

The food in the MDR is better and the portions are larger on Carnival. The buffet is easier to use on RCI. The casinos are about the same, but since you asked about the Glory my DH won a progressive on the last night of the cruise so that made it very special. I think both lines do a really good job with entertainment, the clubs are fun on both. Carnival has free sushi every evening around 5:00. Royal has the Quest, I've heard Carnival is adding it, but I have not cruised since I read that. I think the crew members on both are wonderful. I think you will have a great cruise, I love them both.

[cccer]

Carnival: better bedding

better pizza

water slide

Drink card soda out of can (RCL had fountian soda - very bad)

 

 

 

RCL: Keep kids in better control (my opinion)

Better room service menu

Rock wall

 

All other things seemed the same: food, service, staff

Of course this is just my opinion. Any cruise is good.

[DarthGrady]

10 CCl and 1 RCI here. I enjoy both lines, both seem to offer similar experiences. Of course RCIs newer ships are more impressive with all their ammenities, but I have yet to feel bored on a Carnival cruise.

 

We went on Glory's eastern trip back in 07 and had an excellent cruise. The ports were great and the ship was really well run. The dining room food was very good, and the supper club was even better. The only thing I did not like about Glory was how crowded the Red Sail Buffet got during lunch. It got to where we either went early or late to avoid the mob. If you do go at peak hours, the upstairs area (where Fish and Chips is) gets alot less crowded.

[PollyNJ]

They both come with a ocean...that is all that matters to me.

[Cobra1365]

I have cruised 15 times on CCL and once on RCI, just last month. I was on the Grandeur and so there was no promenade, but you will find CCL ships have no promenade. You will also find they are a bit more "Vegas" style in their decor. I personally like it. No rock wall and no flowrider or ice rink. Beyond that I found the differences subtle, but complementary to both. CCLs french fries and burgers are way better than RCI though! If you like cruising, you will like your time on CCL!

 

I assume you mean they have no Mall like set up in the center of the ship...they do have a Promenade...hence Promenade deck.

 

To OP, I think you will find the cruise lines are more similar than different. RCCl has a more refined decor on their ships. But, everything else is very much the same. Personal taste is where they really differ. for us, we found the food a little better and the shows better on Carnival. But our friends preferred RCCL. So, the only true way is to take the cruise with an open mind geared toward having agood time rather than going intent on comparing. Do the comparison after the cruise...otherwise, you will find yourselves inspecting everything rather than enjoying everything!

 

Have fun and welcome to Carnival!

[CSIMelissa]

Welcome to Carnival!

 

Haven't sailed with the other lines because I've been so happy with Carnival I have never gone with anyone else.

 

WELL, I DID have some RCL cruises booked but I canceled them all because of... well... I won't get started on my rant.

 

Anyway, you will love the Carnival experience. The food is wonderful, I love the atmosphere on the ships, the pricing, their itineraries but what keeps me coming back most of all is the people of Carnival.

 

Getting ready to take cruises #9 and #10 with Carnival.

 

SO sit back and enjoy yourself and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[slotaddict]

After sailing Celebrity, NCL, RCL in the past - we did our first Carnival cruise last November - loved every minute of it = We sailed the Pride and it was just an excellent ship.

 

Liked Carnival so much we are doing it again next October - give it a try you have absolutely nothing to lose.

[2PinaColadas]

You can expect fun, fun and more fun on Carnival. We canceled our NCL and booked with Carnival again. :)

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

You dont get charged for ordering a steak in the dining room. ;)

 

You CAN get a steak in the MDR on RCI without paying...it's just a different cut of meat...to be fair.

 

That said, I've been on RCI and CCL and would choose CCL anyday...though I am giving RCI another try in 22 days on the Grandeur...like someone else said, they both come with the ocean!

[deepnite10]

its like pears and apples..i like both :D

[FlLadybug]

I just cancelled my Adventure of the Seas July 09 cruise and booked the Carnival Glory. I've cruised 3x on RCL and twice on NCL. I was just wondering what you'd say I can expect different on Carnival. And any input on the Glory would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Steve

 

We did Sovereign of the Seas after the big renovation. The beds were aweful, felt like we were laying in a canoe. Called and complained and they brought an eggcrate mattress, not much better.

 

We have sailed twice on carnival, sorry, don't remember all the ships names, but did do the Inspiration and their beds are awesome!!!

 

The food on RCI was nothing compared to Carnival. The food in RCI dining room was almost the same as on the buffet. I figured this out after no one was showing up on RCI main dining room. The only difference was the cut of steak, the pasta dish may have been upgraded say to a fancier pasta dish, but still the same.

 

The shows on RCI were nothing compared to what I have seen on CCL.

 

CCL is more vegas style but still classy and enjoyable.

[dolfandude]

Thanks for all the responses. I just cannot imagine not having a great time on a cruise ship! Whatever the cruiseline. We look forward to the Glory in July!

[Casino Player]

I just cancelled my Adventure of the Seas July 09 cruise and booked the Carnival Glory. I've cruised 3x on RCL and twice on NCL. I was just wondering what you'd say I can expect different on Carnival. And any input on the Glory would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Steve

 

Congrats on coming over to Carnival Cruise Lines. What is different on Carnival than on RCCL and NCL? The staterooms are larger. The food is better quality and there is more of it. 24-hour pizza and soft serve ice cream. Better service than the other two lines you mentioned. Complimentary cappiccino and espresso in dining room. The first cruise line to have a 24-hour resturant.

The running joke is if you go to a cook on RCCL and ask what something is that is not marked the standard line as told to me was, "I don't know what that is." The sad fact, they don't and you won't either if you are brave enough to taste it.

[kids1stcruise]

i have to say while we enjoyed our ncl cruises we Really enjoyed our carnival cruise. i thought the food was much better and portions bigger. i know the liberty was a great ship and hope we enjoy the pride just as much in july:D

[BonnieSte]

Now, you can't be taking Johnny Rockets into consideration on that one!;):D

 

I will definately compare the Jonny Rockets. I was soooo dissapointed with them. I had never been to a Jonny Rockets so I was looking forward to it on the Explorer. My husband and I liked the show and thought it was cute but the food was gross!:eek:

[dolfandude]

I will definately compare the Jonny Rockets. I was soooo dissapointed with them. I had never been to a Jonny Rockets so I was looking forward to it on the Explorer. My husband and I liked the show and thought it was cute but the food was gross!:eek:

 

I'm trying to figure out out the "food was gross.". It is a hamburger! how bad could it be? We go to JR's in Buckhead (Atlanta) and Destin and the RCl versions are just as good. Did you expect Mortons or Ruth's? It's a fricking hamburger!

Gross? Hard to believe.