CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[Mika02]

Have you called? Sometimes rooms are not shown online that might be available to book if you call. Also, things can open up closer to pay in full time as people cancel. But that's a risk of course

I'd suggest Disney first, we've done it both before and after a cruise and it is much more relaxing to do the cruise after the hectic Disney days.

I haven't called yet. But that was what I was going to do next just want to narrow down my options before I call. I know what room I would want for my dad and the kids, just got narrow down what I want for myself and my boyfriend and then back up rooms incase those don't work out.

 

[mom2brooke76]

My husband and I have been on 13 Disney cruises across the entire fleet and the kids have been 10 times. He and I want to try other lines so booked the Carnival Paradise for the spring break Western Caribbean after watching some vlogs. Anyway, just yesterday we got a good deal on the Liberty during MLK weekend (we’re FL residents). It was so good that we booked it and are bringing my 15 year old daughter. How are the kids clubs? Obviously it’s not the Vibe, but any experiences good or bad? Thanks!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I did request private table the other day, but was told have to do it on the ship, not can reserve in advance. Oh well. That will be our first stop.

John Heald (Carnival Cruise Ambassador) has a FB page. You can post there and request a table for 2 (or 4 or however many you are traveling with). He'll make your request to the ship. He's good with helping to arrange stuff like that or other celebrations on board.

 

[Lynne G]

Oh thanks PrincessTrisha. I will try that and see. I get his feed in my Facebook page. Guess because of saying Carnival around here.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Still curious how the teen clubs are compared to the Vibe. My daughter is 15.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Still curious how the teen clubs are compared to the Vibe. My daughter is 15.

We have a 17 year old that has been on 5 (trying to remember how many, maybe 6) ccl cruises since age 14 or 15. Almost every cruise we have made him attend opening night at the clubs. It is called O2 or circle C I think. We have checked out the clubs too. The kids look mostly socioeconomically similar to the Disney kids, lots of phone usage, and the counselors are super engaged. Very welcoming with lots of activities planned. Unfortunately I cannot give you a full review because my son likes to freewheel and refuses to hang out at the clubs. But he has been on several dcl cruises too and he also “refused” to spend time in those clubs. Ugh. We have 2 younger kids, who absolutely adore camp ocean (younger ccl club) and prefer it to dcl’s oceaneers. Camp ocean counselors are very engaged, much more so than on dcl, and so even though the clubs are not as visually wow as on dcl, there seems to be more substance. Our kids come away with lots of arts and crafts and friends and tales of Gaga ball. The 11 year old started doing the shipwide scavenger hunts last cruise and loved them. He is not normally social, so ccl is really doing something right. It is one of the main reasons we keep going back to ccl! Sorry I don’t have more info on the older clubs, but if the younger club is an indicator, they are probably great.

 

[mevelandry]

Prices have started to come out regarding Bermuda from NYC (Spring 2021) but Carnival won’t release the dates and I’m annoyed. LOL

So far, most cruise lines ask 1000$ CAD or more per person.

Hoping for a better price from Carnival... They tend to place new ships or re-imagined ships on that itinerary and I like that idea.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Prices have started to come out regarding Bermuda from NYC (Spring 2021) but Carnival won’t release the dates and I’m annoyed. LOL

So far, most cruise lines ask 1000$ CAD or more per person.

Hoping for a better price from Carnival... They tend to place new ships or re-imagined ships on that itinerary and I like that idea.

I am getting the impression that on new ships and cool/unusual itineraries prices only go up on CCL. I check regularly for price drops and on our panorama cruise next summer, the price has gone from $5300 to $6200! This also happened with our vista cruise a couple of years ago. But I find most CCL cruises have a bit of price drop as the cruise gets closer.

 

[mevelandry]

I am getting the impression that on new ships and cool/unusual itineraries prices only go up on CCL. I check regularly for price drops and on our panorama cruise next summer, the price has gone from $5300 to $6200! This also happened with our vista cruise a couple of years ago. But I find most CCL cruises have a bit of price drop as the cruise gets closer.

We’ll see. I am trying to find the lowest price as possible as Bermuda cruises can be pricey.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We’ll see. I am trying to find the lowest price as possible as Bermuda cruises can be pricey.

Have you checked NCL? We looked at a Bermuda cruise once with them out of nyc. Good price. They also do Bermuda out of Boston. And they have a lot of sailings. I just looked at them and I think they start at about $600.

Ok edit. That about $600 is a five day (new ship Joy). But they do have a lot of options and seem fairly priced.

 

[mevelandry]

Have you checked NCL? We looked at a Bermuda cruise once with them out of nyc. Good price. They also do Bermuda out of Boston. And they have a lot of sailings. I just looked at them and I think they start at about $600.

Ok edit. That about $600 is a five day (new ship Joy). But they do have a lot of options and seem fairly priced.

I've checked.

We promised my in-laws that we would bring them to see NYC (they have never been there and this is where my husband proposed...), That makes the 4 nights just a little bit too short --I would like to spend at least two days there, there are so many things I'd like to see! A 5 nights would have been perfect-- and the 7 nights too expensive as we are speaking.

The conversion in Canadian Dollars is rough. It comes to 3000$ CAD for two.

 

[Lynne G]

So Mevelandy, did you book a Bermuda cruise after all?

 

[belle032]

Question time!

For those of you who have sailed on RCCL & NCL, which do you prefer and why? I'm always interested in branching out, but DH is very reluctant to leave CCL. We don't have kids, so I don't need any advice on kids clubs, but if anyone has any opinions on these other 2 cruise lines, I'd love to hear them!

 

[Mika02]

Just Recieved word that the Mardi Gras will not be delivered in time so the 1st 8 summer sailings are cancelled. Just wanted to let anyone know just incase your booked on these sailings.

 

[SamFaniam]

You’re going to love Vista. We have the Fun Times for the Cozumel, Roatan and Belize itinerary, let me know if you want me to email them to you.

I know this post is old, but I was wondering if you still have these. We are considering a Vista cruise with this itinerary.

 

[mevelandry]

So Mevelandy, did you book a Bermuda cruise after all?

Still waiting for the dates to come out...

 

[mevelandry]

Ooof... An accident between two Carnival Ships happened this morning:

The Carnival Glory crashed into Carnival Legend in Cozumel.

https://cruisefever.net/carnival-cruise-ships-collide-in-cozumel/

 

[mevelandry]

It looks pretty bad. I hope nobody was killed or injured... If any of you are on one of the ships as we're speaking, please let us know that you are okay.

EDIT: The dining room was hit. OMG.

 

[lklgoodman]

That would be so disappointing to have your Mardi Gras cruise cancelled. Hopefully those affected will get some OBC for a future cruise. At least they announced it now and not just a month or two ahead. Yikes on the crash! Does anyone know, what parts of the ship are damaged? Cabins or public spaces. Awful to see it happen, but at least it was on older ships and not their newer ones. Can you imagine being on the sky ride on one of the newer ships and having that happen? Glad no one was hurt and hope it doesn't impact the cruise for those on board.

 

[mevelandry]

That would be so disappointing to have your Mardi Gras cruise cancelled. Hopefully those affected will get some OBC for a future cruise. At least they announced it now and not just a month or two ahead. Yikes on the crash! Does anyone know, what parts of the ship are damaged? Cabins or public spaces. Awful to see it happen, but at least it was on older ships and not their newer ones. Can you imagine being on the sky ride on one of the newer ships and having that happen? Glad no one was hurt and hope it doesn't impact the cruise for those on board.

Based on the deck plans it's the Aft Dining Room.