CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[we"reofftoneverland]

I couldn't resist. My husband and I keep saying (every year) we should have booked something in January...

I was taking a look at short cruises for January 2020 when I found this extremely cheap Celebrity Equinox 2 nights cruise departing from FLL... The total was 350$/pp... CAD* (!!!) including fees and taxes. (It's a good price. DH and I usually pay more than that for a week-end in NYC...!)

I booked a GTY inside cabin. It stops in Nassau so we'd stay on the ship. Also, we love FLL so, add one night in a hotel prior to the cruise and it would make an excellent short getaway! YOLO!

I know we can't predict the future and there are strong chances I might have to cancel it but I really want to try. Worst case scenario, the deposit is refundable.

*182$ USD/pp before taxes and fees.

That sounds awsome

 

[mevelandry]

That sounds awsome

We are super excited.

While it may sound way to short for some people, my husband and I think 2 and 3 nights are the perfect way to experience a new cruise line.

We are doing the same with RCCL in October with a 3 nights cruise (We are doing a Land & Sea...The land part being Universal Studios Orlando. Last time we were there was in 2014! I can't wait!) ...

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Interesting. In your opinion, what is the difference between the two (groups of children).

I do not have kids so my interactions have been mostly with adults... On DCL, I've felt a lot of "Excuse me!" and "I've paid X thousands of dollars for this cruise" attitude... Which is kinda strange. Maybe I got lucky but I have never felt that in WDW (which can be cery expensive as well).

EDIT: The most recent bad comments I've seen come from RCCL groups. Apparently, paying 100$ more per person than a Carnival cruise gives you access to a whole new world of luxury.

I just know that my kids always find "friends" on Carnival and never have on DCL. I think DCL is more clicky. A lot of parents set up "friendships" before the cruise for their kids through social media. I'm just more laissez faire. I am not the mom hanging out in the kids club with her kids (not a fan of "open house" times). I just drop them off. So I am not 100% sure what goes on in there.

We are not laissez faire about behavior though! Old school there. Lol

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Mardi Gras Deck Plans!

https://www.icruise.com/deckplans/carnival-cruises-mardi-gras-deckplans-deck-5.html

 

[mevelandry]

I just know that my kids always find "friends" on Carnival and never have on DCL. I think DCL is more clicky. A lot of parents set up "friendships" before the cruise for their kids through social media. I'm just more laissez faire. I am not the mom hanging out in the kids club with her kids (not a fan of "open house" times). I just drop them off. So I am not 100% sure what goes on in there.

We are not laissez faire about behavior though! Old school there. Lol

Wait... That's a thing?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We are totally going on Mardi Gras, holy crap I can hardly wait!!!!!

 

[hdrolfe]

We are totally going on Mardi Gras, holy crap I can hardly wait!!!!!

I am super excited! I don't see Family Harbor on the deck plans but there are some blanks. Also no cove balconies... hoping once they fill in the gaps those will be there! But even if not, we are going on that ship!! It's that or Horizon in 2021. Just waiting for some itineraries! Can't wait!!!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Wait... That's a thing?

Yeah and that's cool but it's just not us.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Just saw the mardi gras. Wow. Hope it has beignets!

 

[amiskell28]

Wait... That's a thing?

Yep. It is. We sail on 2/9, I'm part of the FB group, and they set up pen pal groups for the kids ahead of time. I actually kind of like the idea, especially for only children who may find it tough to find a friend. We didn't do it, however, because the cruise was a surprise at the time for our daughter. Oh well, she will find some friends, I'm confident of that!

 

[tidefan]

We are totally going on Mardi Gras, holy crap I can hardly wait!!!!!

Ditto!

 

[mevelandry]

I'm currently watching different "how to save money on a Carnival cruise" videos and I noticed that I know many tips already.

So here's a few tips that I husband and I already use in order to save a lot of money...

ALCOHOL

-You can bring 12 cans of soda per person & 1 bottle of wine (750 ml) on board on embarkation day.

-Each day there's a "drink of the day" (1 or 2$ less), on embarkation day, they have the "Fun Ship Special". (The Fun Ship is probably my favorite drink on Carnival!)

-If you take a look at the Fun Times, some events have 1$ or 2$ off a certain type of drinks (like mimosas).

-In certain venues, it is possible to buy a pitcher of a certain drink (ex: Punchliner drink in the Comedy Club). Those pitchers are good for 4 glasses for the price of 3 glasses.

-On embarkation day --and selected days after that--, the casino bar has a "happy hour" (most of the time around noon or beginning of the afternoon) on three drinks and 2 brands of wine. It's two for one. I'm a big fan of one of then called "Island Rum Punch".

-You can buy a "bucket of beers" (that will make you save 1$ per bottle/can of beer).

-If you book some specialty dining on the first night, you get 1 free bottle of wine per table or 50% off the bottle of your choice.

SOUVENIRS

-Check the Fun Times because they sometimes have a tasting paired with a sale on Tortuga Rum Cakes.

-On the last day of the cruise there are a lot of souvenirs on sale (t-shirts, beach bags, frames, etc.) - 50 to 80% off!


TO AVOID MISPLACING TOWELS (and avoid having to pay a 20$ fee)

-You can bring towel clips to keep them in place on your chair.

-You can borrow towels at the booth near each pool and bring them back once you are done with them.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Check your Carnival reservations for price drops! I just check our March 2019 cruise this morning and got an extra $127 in onboard credit on one cabin due to price drop. The other cabin had gone up, so nothing on that one. Even if your cruise has not gone down, there is a new onboard credit rate running right now that will add up to $100 onto your booking. I do not think it applies to inside cabins.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I'm currently watching different "how to save money on a Carnival cruise" videos and I noticed that I know many tips already.

So here's a few tips that I husband and I already use in order to save a lot of money...

ALCOHOL

-You can bring 12 cans of soda per person & 1 bottle of wine (750 ml) on board on embarkation day.

-Each day there's a "drink of the day" (1 or 2$ less), on embarkation day, they have the "Fun Ship Special". (The Fun Ship is probably my favorite drink on Carnival!)

-If you take a look at the Fun Times, some events have 1$ or 2$ off a certain type of drinks (like mimosas).

-In certain venues, it is possible to buy a pitcher of a certain drink (ex: Punchliner drink in the Comedy Club). Those pitchers are good for 4 glasses for the price of 3 glasses.

-On embarkation day --and selected days after that--, the casino bar has a "happy hour" (most of the time around noon or beginning of the afternoon) on three drinks and 2 brands of wine. It's two for one. I'm a big fan of one of then called "Island Rum Punch".

-You can buy a "bucket of beers" (that will make you save 1$ per bottle/can of beer).

-If you book some specialty dining on the first night, you get 1 free bottle of wine per table or 50% off the bottle of your choice.

SOUVENIRS

-Check the Fun Times because they sometimes have a tasting paired with a sale on Tortuga Rum Cakes.

-On the last day of the cruise there are a lot of souvenirs on sale (t-shirts, beach bags, frames, etc.) - 50 to 80% off!


TO AVOID MISPLACING TOWELS (and avoid having to pay a 20$ fee)

-You can bring towel clips to keep them in place on your chair.

-You can borrow towels at the booth near each pool and bring them back once you are done with them.

Thanks for the info! I never knew that the Drink of the day was a bit less expensive.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the info! I never knew that the Drink of the day was a bit less expensive.

Yes. Usually 1 or 2$ less.

 

[mevelandry]

BREAKING NEWS:

Princess Cays, the private island resort owned by Princess Cruises, was devastated by a fire which tore across the island according to local reporting.

p.s.: That's where we are supposed to go with my family in April. I sure hope they won't replace Princess Cays with FREEPORT because I'd be very mad.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

BREAKING NEWS:

Princess Cays, the private island resort owned by Princess Cruises, was devastated by a fire which tore across the island according to local reporting.

p.s.: That's where we are supposed to go with my family in April. I sure hope they won't replace Princess Cays with FREEPORT because I'd be very mad.

Sorry to hear this. Awful. I wonder how it happened.

 

[tidefan]

BREAKING NEWS:

Princess Cays, the private island resort owned by Princess Cruises, was devastated by a fire which tore across the island according to local reporting.

p.s.: That's where we are supposed to go with my family in April. I sure hope they won't replace Princess Cays with FREEPORT because I'd be very mad.

We are supposed to be there in Mid-march. My guess is that they'll either fix it up (as it was back buildings for the most part), use Half Moon Cay if possible, or maybe substitute Grand Turk if that's an option (since it's a Carnival Corp. port). If not, they'll likely just add another sea day...

 

[hdrolfe]

Looks like Mardi Gras cruises are posted. I'm a little disappointed. The week of March break I was hoping for has a 7-night cruise but only 3 ports, Amber Cove, Grand Turk & San Juan. Not an itinerary I'm interested in to be honest. Not sure why they only have 3 ports, even the Western that alternates with it.

Any way! I think there are some good opening itineraries if you are interested in checking it out Not sure all the details are there but good luck!

Not sure you can actually book yet though... but some details are available and if you have a PVP they will book for you.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Looks like Mardi Gras cruises are posted. I'm a little disappointed. The week of March break I was hoping for has a 7-night cruise but only 3 ports, Amber Cove, Grand Turk & San Juan. Not an itinerary I'm interested in to be honest. Not sure why they only have 3 ports, even the Western that alternates with it.

Any way! I think there are some good opening itineraries if you are interested in checking it out Not sure all the details are there but good luck!

Where are they