Carnival vs NCL or RCL

[Cap 1]

We are getting ready to book our 4th cruise, the others have all been Carnival. We have loved all of them, but I wonder what we are missing from other cuise lines. The second cruise we received ship pins & a past guest cocktail party, but got nothing on the 3rd. I wonder if they stopped doing that or if it was because it was only a 4 day cruise. We loved feeling a little special being a 'past guest' and that was a big part of our loyalty to Carnival.

 

I guess my question is what have others experienced with Norwegian, Royal Caribbean or Celebrity compared to Carnival.

 

We are early 50's & we both enjoyed the care-free, party atmosphere on Carnival.

 

Thanks for any input!

[Bonnie J.]

We do not like the freestyle dining on NCL. Have had some long waits to get into their dining room. On one NCL cruise they gave us a beeper! WE really like RCCL and think of Celebrity as more of a country club type of cruise but still enjoy them.

Check itineries and lay out of ship and let that help you decide which ship. Don't forget Princess!

WE are Concierge Club on Carnival but also enjoy other cruise lines.

CRUISE LINES WE'VE BEEN ON:

Dolphin

Commodore

Regency

Premier

Cape Canaveral Cruises

Carnival

Royal Caribean

Celebrity

NCL

Princess

Costa

[momofmeg]

NCL is not bad-if you eat before 6:30 pm in the main dinning rooms. In the pay extra, you of course, make a reservation. If you go at 7-7:30 pm-the most popular dinner time-yes, you will wait. We only went that time if we had a reservation in a pay extra restaurant.

 

I also think it has to do with how manyare in your group-just like in Cracker Barrel/Ruby Tuesdays-those type of restaurants- you are seated fairly quickly if you are a small party, but a larger party has to wait longer, as there are not as many large tables. NCL tables the majority are tables for 4, with also a considerable number of tables for 2. The larger tables there are not as many. NCL doe snot seat you with people outside your party.

 

I think if it is just the 2 of you, you may like NCL better for dinner seating, as they have more tables for 2 than other lines. But, if you want to take the kids and grand kids,then you will not like it as well.

 

As far as RCI, are you athletic? The RCI megaships have all sorts of things you can do, ice skating, rock climbing for voyager class, and also flow riding pools on the freedom class or larger. This is why they are more expensive, because they offer these extra choices. Since, I am not athletic, that does not appeal to me, and I see no reason to pay a premium for things I will not use. However, that is a great line for families with teens, and for 20 and 30 somethings. Now,the RCI radiance class ships do appeal to me, they are designed more with the 50 somethings in mind.

[Cruzaholic41]

I guess my question is what have others experienced with Norwegian, Royal Caribbean or Celebrity compared to Carnival.

 

If you love that carefree and fun atmosphere on Carnival, I suggest steering away from Celebrity. Celebrity is a step up in every aspect, but with that comes a more subtle and older crowd.

 

Royal Caribbean is very similar to Carnival. The biggest difference you will see is that their ships are a lot nicer. They are hit or miss with having a party crowd on board.

[karen&roy]

I would stay with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. LOVE the freedom class ships on RCCL . They are definately my favorite, but didnt like NCL at all. We are in our 50s and love to party also :p

[Catladyesq]

We have been on 15+ cruises with at least 10 on RCCL -- our opinion, we prefer RCCL over NCL or Carnival. Carnival seems to have compromised quality (esp. food) and service to fill cabins with "families". Our first cruise was on NCL's, the Norway (grand dame of the seas back in '98). Enjoyed the experience, but find RCCL has itineries more to our liking as well as wonderful service. We truly enjoyed the freedom class. Where can you go rockclimbing, ice skating and rollerblading (the latter I think is no longer available) all on one ship. RCCL is our recommendation.

[grandmato4]

The description of what you like would indicate RCI would be a good choice for you trying a different cruiseline.

[cv322]

I can't comment on RCCL, but agree with the assessments of Celebrity....a bit more upscale & country-clubish. I think the traditional dining on Carnival and the food in the main dining room on Carnival is better than NCL's main dining room. The food in any supper club on Carnival is on par with LeBistro or Cagney's on NCL. The cabins on NCL are smaller & the drinks are somewhat pricier. HAL has the most beautiful ships IMHO, but there's nothing to do after midnight.:eek:.

 

There are a ton of activities on both Carnival & NCL on sea days. The high level of service on Carnival & NCL is comparable. Wonderful crews on both lines.

 

I equally love Carnival, NCL, & Celebrity, but will wait until I'm 80 to cruise HAL again.

[NavarreCruiser]

DW and I cruise quite often on both CCL and RCCL. Like most people who do both lines we find not that many differences. Carnival's older ships have bigger cabins than RCCL's older ships. On the newer ships cabin size is comparable. RCCL buffet restaurants have a greater selection and a more convenient layout than Carnival's. 5 to 10 years ago I would have said RCCL had better quality food. I no longer feel that this is the case. Be prepared for a certain amount of snobbishness on a RCCL ship toward Carnival especially from veteran RCCL cruisers.

[silentbob007]

Definitely try other lines. No matter what other people say, no one's cruise expections will be the same as yours, so it is hard to judge sometimes what will cause one person to return and another to scream never again (or never once). I've heard that Celebrity is definitely more subdued, but have not experience it for myself. Have not been on NCL for so long I can't comment. RCCL can have a party crowd (lots of variables) so that might be a good branch out.

[STARFISH*4]

having done all the lines you have mentioned...this is what i always tell people...if you want FREE STYLE and no pressure to be dining at a certain time and to do WHATEVER...go NCL

if you want PARTY SHIP do CARNIVAL....

if you want lots to DO actually on the ship RCCL

if you want to be CATERED to and step-up from the others...CELEBRITY

these days i do NCL cos i want to do WHATEVER and be RELAXED and no PRESSURE...btw other than formal nights we rarely wait long...being a party of 2 or 4...i think it just all depends on the ship and time of year

during the holidays...more kids travelin so thats the BIG DIFFERENCE i notice!

[bianca5454]

Cruising is become our primary vacation way. We've done three cruises with Carnival and just returned from a European cruise with Royal. I always thought that RC was just a step up from CC, but was quite disappointed with RC.

 

CC offers many little extras that RC does not. RC also did not do a very good job in keeping you informed about events that were occuring in other parts of the ship as CC does. The food was 100% better on CC. Service in the formal dining was looong. The offerings and times at the Windjammer were too complicated. CC offered a greater variety of food around the clock.

 

Based on the reviews, I agree that the passangers on the European cruise are rude and pushy. I am by lingual and thought I would fit right in, but found that not to be the case.

 

CC is definately the fun ship and RC does have a lot of nice activity options for kids (ice skating, rock climbing, inline, putt putt course was much nicer than on CC). However, we prefer CC's extra touches, information and pool activities (even for the spectator).

 

We are interested in an Alaskan or New England Cruise for next year and I would love some input about the Princess Cruise line in comparison to CC. We have two teen girls and the ship MUST been kid/teen friendly. Any suggestions, advise, input would be greatly appreciated.

 

PS: I will say that my 15 year old did make some friends from around the world and are now keeping in touch via email.

[Leafpeeper]

We love cruising on NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Carnival. We like different ships on each of these cruiselines. We appreciate the differences and don't compare one cruiseline to another. We simply enjoy that there are differences because we get bored sailing the same ship same itinerary over and over.

 

We love Crown Princess: Kareoke, multiple swimming pools (fresh water), FOOD (surf & turf), gorgeous view from the deck behind the specialty restaurant, great lounges with great late night entertainment, balcony cabin furniture arrangement maximizes space--huge closet, great miniature golf, but most of all, we LOVE the MUTS (movies under the stars outdoors) and Princess Pizza. We do wish Princess had a better dessert selection.

 

We love Jewel of the Seas (RCCL): Prefer this class (Radiance) over the megaships. The decor of this ship is one of my favorites of any ship on any line and is similar in many ways to Crown Princess. We are so HAPPY RCCL has added anytime dining for people like us who want to eat whenever we feel like it. We also like that they have plenty of tables for 2. This ship also has a miniature golf course. It has 2 specialty restaurants like Crown Princess. We can live without the ice rink and ice shows on the megaships. We enjoyed the enclosed solarium pool with retractable roof because of rainy days, hot days, and cool days.

 

We also love Carnival for many reasons: price, larger inside cabins, great lunch buffet, pizza & caesar salad 24 hr. We don't enjoy assigned dining times eating with strangers and wish Carnival had more tables for 2 and anytime dining on all ships. DH loves the casino most on Carnival--especially when they have the great table game specials from 8-11pm. We also think Carnival entertainment is fantastic--even on the older ships with weekend cruises. I don't like the balcony door on Carnival ships. We like the sliders which are easy to open.

 

NCL is one of our favorite cruiselines because they have so many different restaurants with specialty restaurants ranging from $10-$20pp. Sometimes they run 2 for 1 rates before 7pm. We love a choice of Italian,French LeBistro, Mexican, Asian(Thai/Chinese), Japanese Teppanyaki, Cagney's Steak House, not to mention the 2 anytime main dining rooms (free) and a buffet. What we miss on new NCL ships is the movie theater. I wish they had movies in the atrium on the jumbo screen they use for Wii games and football or else use the Bliss Lounge for movies before 11pm.

 

Enjoy experiencing new things. Try it, you might like it. We have sailed ships on each of these cruiselines that we loved and ships that we didn't care for. Disliking one cruise would never stop me from trying another ship on the same line.