CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

I doubt it but I guess we'll find out in 5 years.

 

[cruiser21]

My husband is easy. He does whatever I say. LOL.
Last week his company awarded him two round trip business class tickets to London. Since we have no one to watch our kids for me to go. He and my oldest son have decided to do something this year. I think they've settled on the Oktoberfest in Munich during fall break and then maybe Austria. My plans may change yet again. It will just be me and my youngest son sailing this Fall. I have to say pricing out cruises for two people has been a very enjoyable experience for me. I was just looking at the DCL Alaska cruise in September....hmm not a bad price. The WBTA has had some rooms open up. Not sure I can swing tickets to Barcelona though. I may put my Vista cruise off until March and take advantage of cruising DCL since now I'm only paying for two. I hate to go to the boring Caribbean while there off partying it up in Germany. Yes, I'm a little jealous... Ha Ha. No seriously it's a great opportunity for them to spend some time together. I'm looking forward to my trips with my youngest son. There's something very special about spending one on one time with your kid.
If I could just figure out what I want to do. I think I may have set a record for changing my mind. It's weird to think in 5 years they will both be adults. Time goes so fast.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My husband is easy. He does whatever I say. LOL.
Last week his company awarded him two round trip business class tickets to London. Since we have no one to watch our kids for me to go. He and my oldest son have decided to do something this year. I think they've settled on the Oktoberfest in Munich during fall break and then maybe Austria. My plans may change yet again. It will just be me and my youngest son sailing this Fall. I have to say pricing out cruises for two people has been a very enjoyable experience for me. I was just looking at the DCL Alaska cruise in September....hmm not a bad price. The WBTA has had some rooms open up. Not sure I can swing tickets to Barcelona though. I may put my Vista cruise off until March and take advantage of cruising DCL since now I'm only paying for two. I hate to go to the boring Caribbean while there off partying it up in Germany. Yes, I'm a little jealous... Ha Ha. No seriously it's a great opportunity for them to spend some time together. I'm looking forward to my trips with my youngest son. There's something very special about spending one on one time with your kid.
If I could just figure out what I want to do. I think I may have set a record for changing my mind. It's weird to think in 5 years they will both be adults. Time goes so fast.

I think it's really cool you get the one on one time with your kids. My oldest graduates next year then my youngest is 2 years later, I can't believe it, the time had flown by.

 

[mevelandry]

I'll have to update my decoration comparison:

Carnival just updated their decorations package. I should say "upgraded" as there is a defitive change in style/colors, they added a decorative towel to all decoration packages. Unfortunately, the prices definitely went up. Now they all start at 40$ (They used to start at 15$).

I feel like Carnival is slowly stepping up its game here and there with the new ships, the havana sections, upgraded gifts, etc.

Like they are trying to appeal more to a "more fortunate crowd"?

 

[cruiser21]

I'll have to update my decoration comparison:

Carnival just updated their decorations package. I should say "upgraded" as there is a defitive change in style/colors, they added a decorative towel to all decoration packages. Unfortunately, the prices definitely went up. Now they all start at 40$ (They used to start at 15$).

I feel like Carnival is slowly stepping up its game here and there with the new ships, the havana sections, upgraded gifts, etc.

Like they are trying to appeal more to a "more fortunate crowd"?

I have found Their 8 day Vista Caribbean cruises less then DCL, but more than NCL and Royals new ships. The Horizon prices are pretty high for Carnival.

 

[mevelandry]

I have found Their 8 day Vista Caribbean cruises less then DCL, but more than NCL and Royals new ships. The Horizon prices are pretty high for Carnival.

Interesting. Definitely sounds like they are trying to reposition themselves.

 

[cruiser21]

Interesting. Definitely sounds like they are trying to reposition themselves.

Most southerns leave out of San Juan. It's a good itinerary plus it's 8 days. It seems to be selling very well. I've done a southern on DCL and carnivals ports are completely different.

 

[mevelandry]

Most southerns leave out of San Juan. It's a good itinerary plus it's 8 days. It seems to be selling very well. I've done a southern on DCL and carnivals ports are completely different.

I meant repositioning regarding their reputation. (I should have been more precise). They have a reputation of being the "affordable booze cruise line". I have a feeling they want to be more "family oriented-middle class".

But repositioning cruises definitely sounds great and so does your itinerary. I almost booked the same cruise but I've always wanted to do Mexico and/or Key West first. Unfortunately Key West wasn't a possibility with the Vista but Cozumel was...

I wanna try Bermuda, Grand Turk and Tortola someday. Alaska. Greek Isles. British Isles.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Interesting. Definitely sounds like they are trying to reposition themselves.

I think they are. It's really funny to read the cruise critic reviews of the Vista, the die hard carnival fans do not like Vista. A lot of them don't like the decor, they prefer the gaudy look of a lot of the older ships. I think the new Carnival is really going after the family market who can't quite afford Disney or who doesn't want to pay the DCL prices anymore.

There was a post the other day there trying to garner support for CCL to change one of their ships to adults only so they didn't have to deal with kids on board.

 

[mevelandry]

I think they are. It's really funny to read the cruise critic reviews of the Vista, the die hard carnival fans do not like Vista. A lot of them don't like the decor, they prefer the gaudy look of a lot of the older ships. I think the new Carnival is really going after the family market who can't quite afford Disney or who doesn't want to pay the DCL prices anymore.

There was a post the other day there trying to garner support for CCL to change one of their ships to adults only so they didn't have to deal with kids on board.

I like the look of the Vista, it is more "épuré".

DH and I mostly spend time in adult sections and adult restaurants but an adult only ship sounds a bit extreme to me.

 

[cruiser21]

I meant repositioning regarding their reputation. (I should have been more precise). They have a reputation of being the "affordable booze cruise line". I have a feeling they want to be more "family oriented-middle class".

But repositioning cruises definitely sounds great and so does your itinerary. I almost booked the same cruise but I've always wanted to do Mexico and/or Key West first. Unfortunately Key West wasn't a possibility with the Vista but Cozumel was...

I wanna try Bermuda, Grand Turk and Tortola someday. Alaska. Greek Isles. British Isles.

I knew what you meant. I guess I was trying to say I don't think the Vista and Horizon are cheap. I think because of their unique itinerary's they will attract a different crowd.

I think they are. It's really funny to read the cruise critic reviews of the Vista, the die hard carnival fans do not like Vista. A lot of them don't like the decor, they prefer the gaudy look of a lot of the older ships. I think the new Carnival is really going after the family market who can't quite afford Disney or who doesn't want to pay the DCL prices anymore.

There was a post the other day there trying to garner support for CCL to change one of their ships to adults only so they didn't have to deal with kids on board.

My Co worker won't cruise Carnival because there are too many kids. I love kids, and I love seeing happy families. My favorite thing on DCL is drinking a martini before dinner, and watching all the kids dance in the promenade lounge. Especially the little girls in the princess costumes. I won't go near the kiddy pool though. I can't imagine the amount of urine in that thing.

 

[mevelandry]

I knew what you meant. I guess I was trying to say I don't think the Vista and Horizon are cheap. I think because of their unique itinerary's they will attract a different crowd.

My Co worker won't cruise Carnival because there are too many kids. I love kids, and I love seeing happy families. My favorite thing on DCL is drinking a martini before dinner, and watching all the kids dance in the promenade lounge. Especially the little girls in the princess costumes. I won't go near the kiddy pool though. I can't imagine the amount of urine in that thing.

I think longer cruises don't attract the "booze cruisers". The alcohol package is expensive for three days, can't imagine how much it would cost for 6 to 8 nights!

Little princesses... I had tears in my eyes watching the princesses interaction with the kids at the Princess Gathering.

 

[mevelandry]

Here are exemples of the decoration packages I was talking about yesterday. They now seem more decorative and "adult". Now they all include a towel and a 5X7 frame. Very pretty!

 

[Dug720]

I think longer cruises don't attract the "booze cruisers". The alcohol package is expensive for three days, can't imagine how much it would cost for 6 to 8 nights!

Little princesses... I had tears in my eyes watching the princesses interaction with the kids at the Princess Gathering.

Well, I know there was a party of 10 who I shared a van to the port with last Sunday in Miami who were all going on the Splendor for a 7-night and they spent the drive to the port videoing each other about what they were going to do on board...
"Drink"
"Drink"
"Drink. And tan. And Drink"
"Drink"
"Drink. Casino. Drink."
"Drink."
"Read. No, you know I'm kidding. Drink."
"Drink and tan. And drink."
"Drink."
"Drink. Drink in the casino. Drink."

So it is NOT just the short cruises.

 

[mevelandry]

Well, I know there was a party of 10 who I shared a van to the port with last Sunday in Miami who were all going on the Splendor for a 7-night and they spent the drive to the port videoing each other about what they were going to do on board...
"Drink"
"Drink"
"Drink. And tan. And Drink"
"Drink"
"Drink. Casino. Drink."
"Drink."
"Read. No, you know I'm kidding. Drink."
"Drink and tan. And drink."
"Drink."
"Drink. Drink in the casino. Drink."

So it is NOT just the short cruises.

I know people who don't need cruises to get drunk every day. So... Yeah. There will always be some exceptions.

 

[RedSox68]

A serious discussion just happened. DH doesn't want to sail with DCL ever again. He just realized that the Spa Room was giving full access to the spa amenities to him as well (he thought it was just going to be for me! LOL)...

Also, he says he's sick of the Mouse.

I guess I get the green light to book any other cruise line, now.

Oh, he'll probably come around in the future -- but congrats on being able to branch out

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I actually thought the decor of Vista was too austere except the staterooms which I loved. I don't like Farcus and don't like the older ships but love Breeze and think that decor is cruise-like without being over the top gaudy.

 

[mevelandry]

Oh, he'll probably come around in the future -- but congrats on being able to branch out

I think it's going to take a while... He's really into Non-DCL cruise lines since we've been on the Victory.

I showed him pictures of the Vista and the Anthem and Oasis of the Seas and he definitely wants to go that way.

 

[mevelandry]

I actually thought the decor of Vista was too austere except the staterooms which I loved. I don't like Farcus and don't like the older ships but love Breeze and think that decor is cruise-like without being over the top gaudy.

Which parts did you find austere ?

Love the cabins!

 

[cruiser21]

I know people who don't need cruises to get drunk every day. So... Yeah. There will always be some exceptions.

Yes and there are people who sail DCL who drink, drink and drink. It's a vacation after all and that's what some people like to do. Some people can drink all day and not get drunk. It's depends on how much you eat and space out your drinks.