Going to give Carnival a try!

blueliner · #1 (**permalink**) May 23rd, 2007, 02:01 PM

I've only cruised on RCCL up until this year. But a great opportunity came up and I just couldn't pass it up. I got a really good deal on a Carnival cruise, 6-day western Caribbean on the Carnival Liberty for October. This will be exactly 3 weeks after we get back from an Alaska cruise on RCCL. I'm looking forward to giving Carnival a try! This particular cruise goes to the Caymans and Jamaica which are 2 places I haven't gotten to visit on a cruise yet. So experienced Carnival cruisers, what does an RCCL cruiser need to know before I board the Carnival Liberty in October?

(Actually, I'm looking forward to the Caribbean cruise much more than the Alaskan cruise, the Alaskan cruise is entirely for my wife! I'd much rather be in the warm Caribbean!)

IBCRUZIN' · #2 (**permalink**) May 23rd, 2007, 02:12 PM

I have done both cruiselines and IMHO, Carnival is more of a fun place to be. RCCL is more low key. RCCL's service is better. Carnival's food is better.

RCCL has the big amenities, rock climbing, virtual golf, ice skating.

Carnival has loud, ridiculous fun competitions. (The only place you can get a "24 karat gold plastic piece of ship") For example:

On the first or second night of the cruise, at dinner time, they split the passengers into three teams. Red Team, White Team and Blue Team. Throughout the cruise, whenever someone wins one of Carnival's stupid, hokey competitions, that person's color get points. Each night at dinner, the maitre D announces the current score for each team. People cheer, people holler, people scream and people whistle. It is loud. It is crass. It is a whole bunch of fun!!!

That is what you have to look forward to. RCCL is a bit more dignified. Carnival allows you to relive your childhood without any shame at all.

Oh yeah! By the way . . . .

TAG, YOU'RE IT!!

Happy Cruzin'

msblackjack · #3 (**permalink**) May 23rd, 2007, 02:31 PM

IBCruzin pretty much summed it up - I would like to point out that RCCL is just a very minute upgrade as it compares to the aesthetics of the ships. I think I have had better service and food on Carnival, but do have to admit that my favorite all time bartender was on Royal Carribbean.

The pool decks are much prettier are RCCL as compared to Carnival's older ships; I think the newer ships are much nicer.

Plus you will be cruising in October and missing the real party crowds.

So we will all be interested in your comparision when you get back!

Chris M · #4 (**permalink**) May 24th, 2007, 10:17 PM

I agree, you can't go wrong with either but in my opinion, Carnival does have the better food, service and entertainment (overall). I do agree the "colors" competition is absolutely childish on Carnival - they've been doing it for quite some time now and I just keep hoping they'll get rid of it. Overall though, my votes go with Carnival. I've sailed on about 30 cruises and it seems to me that Carnival cares more about their customer than any other cruise line.

Dutchman · #5 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2007, 11:40 AM

Always check things out for yourself. You will enjoy

Cruise Cat · #6 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2007, 07:21 PM

As you can see by my signature, we do both cruise lines. I have more fun on Carnival, and I've found the food to be much much better (they use these new things called "spices" in their food!).

Carnival usually has a lot more kids running all over the place and security does very little to keep them under control. You may even find a Camp Carnival Counselor parading the kids down the Promenade disturbing all the guest with their shouting/singing.

misguidedangel · #7 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2007, 08:30 PM

I was asked by my mom when we were on ther Victory in Costa Maya a question. She wanted to know why I choose Carnival vs RCI. We had Legends of the Sea in port with us in Costa Maya and we were clearly a much larger ship. I told her the big reason was I had cruised on Carnival before and I knew I would have fun. I also said that since she was paying for it I didn't want to go with RCI because the same cabin on a RCI ship would be anywhere from $400-800 US more for the same kind of cabin We would have had to book a deluxe balcony cabin on a RCI ship vs a standard balcony cabin for the "Carnival X" named ships. I also know that RCI is stuffier and I was there to have a good time, not be looked down upon because I was doing something goofy.

The "color" idea was only Red and Blue on the Victory and I thought it was something interesting, but I wasn't too interested in trying to get as many points, but rather have as much fun as I could. I did really, really, really try as hard as I could to win one of the "24 karat gold plastic ship on a stick with it's very own dust cover." I almost won the famous faces contest, alas, I wasn't quite as good with famous faces, I only got 24 of the 30, one gal got 2 more than me....*sigh*...I was hoping to get something for the "what's in the bag" since our team just barely missed winning, but no, the men who were dragged up on staged and dressed up in their best womens clothes won the prizes...I was disappointed, but man was it fun...alas, the one item NO ONE remembered to grab was a lifejacket..."IT was too big to fit in the bag" was the response from all teams...

I'm so looking forward to crusing with Carnival again in September. I doubt I will go with any other cruise line since Carnival is so much fun!

Lou 123 · #8 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2007, 10:36 PM

You will have fun on either line.
Have a great cruise!

mehawk · #9 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2007, 03:55 PM

Yay Carnival...

blueliner · #10 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misguidedangel

I was asked by my mom when we were on ther Victory in Costa Maya a question. She wanted to know why I choose Carnival vs RCI. We had Legends of the Sea in port with us in Costa Maya and we were clearly a much larger ship. I told her the big reason was I had cruised on Carnival before and I knew I would have fun. I also said that since she was paying for it I didn't want to go with RCI because the same cabin on a RCI ship would be anywhere from $400-800 US more for the same kind of cabin We would have had to book a deluxe balcony cabin on a RCI ship vs a standard balcony cabin for the "Carnival X" named ships. I also know that RCI is stuffier and I was there to have a good time, not be looked down upon because I was doing something goofy.

I wouldn't say RCI is stuffy, I've seen passengers do some pretty goofy stuff on an RCI cruise. I know everyone has their favorite cruise line, I just want to check out Carnival and see what they're all about.

Lou 123 · #11 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueliner

Quote:

Originally Posted by misguidedangel

I was asked by my mom when we were on ther Victory in Costa Maya a question. She wanted to know why I choose Carnival vs RCI. We had Legends of the Sea in port with us in Costa Maya and we were clearly a much larger ship. I told her the big reason was I had cruised on Carnival before and I knew I would have fun. I also said that since she was paying for it I didn't want to go with RCI because the same cabin on a RCI ship would be anywhere from $400-800 US more for the same kind of cabin We would have had to book a deluxe balcony cabin on a RCI ship vs a standard balcony cabin for the "Carnival X" named ships. I also know that RCI is stuffier and I was there to have a good time, not be looked down upon because I was doing something goofy.

I wouldn't say RCI is stuffy, I've seen passengers do some pretty goofy stuff on an RCI cruise. I know everyone has their favorite cruise line, I just want to check out Carnival and see what they're all about.

We are a good group. You will have a great time.

subtropic · #12 (**permalink**) May 30th, 2007, 12:22 AM

Don't get hung up on Carnival vs RCI. Each has its strengths and they are very much equal in most amenities. I still say you get more bang for your buck in cabin value with Carnival. RCI has a bit more "class" (if that matters you know like reserved), while Carnival is a bit more unhinged. I enjoy both (and Princess too).

GroovyDeeDee · #13 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 12:38 AM

Carnival has loud, ridiculous fun competitions. (The only place you can get a "24 karat gold plastic piece of ship") For example:

It's a "24 Karat Gold Plastic Ship on a Stick" and I am proudly displaying 5 on my mantle right now, thank you

GroovyDeeDee · #14 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 12:42 AM

I can't figure out how to post with quotes. Dang! But anyway, misguided angel, do you wanna buy one of my 24 karat gold plastic ship on a sticks?

Libragirl · #15 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyDeeDee

I can't figure out how to post with quotes. Dang! But anyway, misguided angel, do you wanna buy one of my 24 karat gold plastic ship on a sticks?

GroovyDeeDee,

I had about 500 posts before I figured out how to do it, so don't feel bad. All you have to do is click on the "quote" above the entry.

Libragirl (Mary)

Lou 123 · #16 (**permalink**) June 1st, 2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyDeeDee

I can't figure out how to post with quotes. Dang! But anyway, misguided angel, do you wanna buy one of my 24 karat gold plastic ship on a sticks?

Did you get the quote thing yet?
Let me know if you need help!

GroovyDeeDee · #17 (**permalink**) June 2nd, 2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou 123

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyDeeDee

I can't figure out how to post with quotes. Dang! But anyway, misguided angel, do you wanna buy one of my 24 karat gold plastic ship on a sticks?

Did you get the quote thing yet?
Let me know if you need help!

I think I got it?!!?

Lou 123 · #18 (**permalink**) June 2nd, 2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyDeeDee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou 123

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyDeeDee

I can't figure out how to post with quotes. Dang! But anyway, misguided angel, do you wanna buy one of my 24 karat gold plastic ship on a sticks?

Did you get the quote thing yet?
Let me know if you need help!

I think I got it?!!?

Yes you did, good job!

MTSFP · #19 (**permalink**) June 2nd, 2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris M

I agree, you can't go wrong with either but in my opinion, Carnival does have the better food, service and entertainment (overall). I do agree the "colors" competition is absolutely childish on Carnival - they've been doing it for quite some time now and I just keep hoping they'll get rid of it. Overall though, my votes go with Carnival. I've sailed on about 30 cruises and it seems to me that Carnival cares more about their customer than any other cruise line.

I agree about the colors competition, but I have a simple solution - I simply ignore it.

You only have to participate if you want to.

On the other hand, I always help those kids out when they are on their treasure hunts.