Carnival VS. RCI/Princess/Celebrity

[girlstar]

Has anyone been on either Carnival and RCI or Carnival and Princess or Carnival and Celebrity?

I have been on RCI (Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas), Princess (Grand and Sun - before Princess was bought by Carnival) and Celebrity (Galaxy) and am now booked on my first Carnival cruise (Pride). I have always been a bit hesitant about trying Carnival because I just envision it as being a different crowd of like partiers and people in their bathing suits all day and a bit less classy.

Is there much of a difference?

Any insight would be great!

[HighFlyer]

Well, since you already booked your ticket, all I will say is, have an open mind. It won't be as rowdy if you avoid March, May and June, as those sailings will have more of the college crowd on board (unless you're into that stuff). One thing I've noticed on carnival was the lack of enforcement of the rules/policies. Passengers routinely ignored the 'cover up before entering the buffet' sign (and these are the folks that you actually want to see covered up ). While on Princess, passengers were denied entry into the dining room if they weren't properly dressed on formal night. Overall, I found that Princess had a much more classier cruising experience.

I have been on Princess many times since the takeover, and I can say that the Carnivalization of Princess hasn't happened yet. Meanwhile, it is quite evident that RCI has been cutting back (no more midnight/24 hr buffets, slim dinner selection).

[Oni-kun]

i've only been with RCI on explorer of the seas and i liked it. I heard carnival is rowdy and their ships just look crappy lol

[rb]

i've only been with RCI on explorer of the seas and i liked it. I heard carnival is rowdy and their ships just look crappy lol

Been on Carnival and RCI and yes the above comments were correct in my case..service was good and entertainment was very good

[rc51]

We've only done Princess and have been happy with the experience..even though even Princess had some of the American passengers lacking in the 'classness' category. You would think people in the 50's and 60's would be old and wise enough to behave properly...I guess Americans are exempt.

We are sailing Celebrity in June..and have heard it's a step above Princess..hopefully so, as the cost is also higher.

My parents have sailed Princess, HAL, NCL, Celebrity. Their preference is Princess. They didn't like NCL at all.

I've heard/read that NCL and Carnival are the ones to avoid unless you're young and want to party, or have kids that will need catering to.

In the end, you do get what you pay for. There is a reason why NCL and Carnival are the cheapest, relatively speaking

[girlstar]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I am worried the people will be rowdy partygoers....but I had no choice but to book Carnival since Princess has no ships doing the Mexico route at that time (May) and RCI ships aren't the Voyager class so I'm not into them (they have Vision class out there). The Carnival was the only newer and larger ship sailing out there. They need better ships for Mexico

[rc51]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I am worried the people will be rowdy partygoers....but I had no choice but to book Carnival since Princess has no ships doing the Mexico route at that time (May) and RCI ships aren't the Voyager class so I'm not into them (they have Vision class out there). The Carnival was the only newer and larger ship sailing out there. They need better ships for Mexico

You might luck out in May...how long is the cruise 7 or 10 days?

I've heard there is a big difference in demographics btwn the 2 sailings.

May might be good, spring breaks are long over with, but school is still in session, so the chance of alot of 'rug rats' on the ship should be minimal.

You never know with Carnival though.

When we sailed last year to the Caribeann, there was a Carnival ship in one of the ports the same time as us...I had heard that out of 3000 passengers there were 1250 kids!!! aged 1-16!!

All I can is OUCH!!!!! That's waayy to many rug rats for me...as parents on these seem to lose all parenting skills while onboard...(but that's assuming they had any to being with in the first place!!)

Good luck..enjoy your cruise.

[HighFlyer]

May might be good, spring breaks are long over with, but school is still in session, so the chance of alot of 'rug rats' on the ship should be minimal.

But most colleges and universities will be finished by May, so you'll get rug rats of an older variety, without parental supervision

I just had a look at the fares in May for the Pride, and they seem quite pricey by Carnival, and even Princess/RCI standards, so you might luck out in that the sailing has now become 'unaffordable' to the younger crowd.

[mlc2000]

I was on Aventurer of The Seas, SOuthern Carib.

Like a floating shopping mall.

3000+ people, no time to relax.

I don't like the idea of taking an elevator UP to the pool.

Cruising ain't for everyone.

I prefer the beach.

Maybe when I'm old and grey(er), I'll try it again .

[girlstar]

Thanks everyone.

I can handle the large crowd of chlildren if there are any lol. When I went on Mariner it was "President's Week" (man they have so many holidays in the States) and practically the entire Northeast's children were on board I think it was 1000 children.

As for the college crowd I am in the age range

[Pavel]

Personally, I'd rather NOT cruise than go on a Carnival cruiseship. I have heard the same from others regarding Carnival.

[Pavel]

I was on Aventurer of The Seas, SOuthern Carib.

Like a floating shopping mall.
3000+ people, no time to relax.
I don't like the idea of taking an elevator UP to the pool.
Cruising ain't for everyone.
I prefer the beach.
Maybe when I'm old and grey(er), I'll try it again .

What month did you go? Didnt you have time to relax at the beach when in port?