rc over carnival -- specifics please

[Gabe's Mom]

We have only cruised once so far... about a year ago a 4 night cruise to Bahamas on carnival. Loved it... we are limited to a 4 or 5 day cruise and would like to leave from Tampa, port Canaveral or Jacksonville because of driving distance. Our choices are carnival or royal Caribbean. For all of you RC fans, what are the positives that would make us want to go with a different line?

Also we have done a land based all inclusive to Cozumel, so itineraries are really not the determining factor. Seas might be though... it will be in October, is the gulf stirred up then under normal circumstances??

So come on you RC fans, give me some reasons to try a line other than Carnival!!

[drapeaur]

Please see my post under the "General Cruise Chat". It is labelled "Nightlife - Royal Carribean vs Carnival". It may give you a little insight.

[Mike52]

Been on 5 Carival cruises,all 5 good with no complaints.Been on 2 RCCI cruises,1 great (Serenade of the Seas) and 1 terrible (Splendor of the Sea's) Going in Oct and knowing that there will be few kids,I would get the most bang for your buck.You can't go wrong with either. Sooner or later your going to get a not so good cruise like we did on the Splendor on any cruise line.

[Sonny V]

My first cruise was on Carnival—I loved it and wanted to cruise again. My second cruise was on NCL, I liked it, but thought Carnival was a little better. My Third cruise was On Royal Caribbean…and so was the 4th, 5th,…and all the way up to my 44th next week. I'm a loyal customer to RCCL, and they really treat me well in turn. If you decide to sail with Royal Caribbean, I would highly recommend a "Voyager" class ship.

Sonny

[Jim C.]

You really can't go wrong with either. If you liked CCL you will most likely enjoy RCCL. I have tried both and liked both. Pick the cruise for the ship, and the itinerary and budget that suits you and you'll be happy.

But go ahead and try different lines, who knows, maybe you'll like Princess best... they are all slightly different because they try to appeal to varying tastes.

[Berick1234]

Not such thing as a BAD cruise, some are just better than others.....RCL has always been good to me...I lean towards NCL but will jump on any ship that I can get a good price on...it's just being out on the sea that keeps me coming back...food is food, places are places, but the sea is something special....Happy Cruising no matter which ship you choose...

Bob E

[JasonCPhT]

I have only been on 1 cruise (until next week), and it was on Rhapsody of the Seas from Royal Caribbena. I live in Galveston, so the ship is like 4 blocks from my apartment.

We were gonna go with Carnival that time instead of Royal Cqaribbean, but their customer service agents were rude and derrogatory towards my cousin and myself, so we went with Royal.

Carnival was very rude when I called, and even ruder to my Grandmother when she called to correct the situation (she has been on 15 cruises with Carnival), so nobody in our family will do ever go with them. Royal was excellent. We had the best service. By the second night they knew wheat drinks we liked at dinner and the bar. The waitor would even make personal suggestions to each of us at the table. He even played games with us on the deck of the ship. Anyways, aside from the rant. . . . I will always choose Royal over Carnival, but am open to NCL or some others. I have also looked at a Windjammer Cruise later this summer.

[fivepoints]

Only been on two: 2006 CCL, 2008 RCL.
RCL seemed fancier to us. More and fancier everything.