CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[we"reofftoneverland]

Has anyone here been on the Carnival Magic? We are thinking of trying it in January because the price seems so affordable (2500 for our family of 4 in a cove balcony room). We have only cruises with DCL, so we are a little nervous to try something new.

We have not tried the Magic but would not hesitate to book it. We have done some "research" on it because we almost booked it for spring break 2019. We ended up holding off because we do not have the school calendar yet and had trouble making a guess on the right week. We were also looking at a cove balcony for one room and we found reports of certain cove balconies on the magic only (so this is a design flaw specific to the magic) that are near some kind of exhaust system that releases a bad odor. I would google specific cabin numbers because from what I remember it only affects about 4 cabins. I had it all figured out when I was looking but no longer have the specific cabin numbers. I have read if you do end up in one of those cabins, the smell is only apparent on the balcony and if you complain at guest services they will try to move you or give you a credit of some kind. Anyway, just a heads up. Otherwise, looks like a really great ship. Our kids loved Carnival. The vibe is so positive and there are endless things to do. That is a great price.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I have now started to plan our April cruise. It will be a Key West - Cozumel 4 nights cruise departing from Miami.

We plan on staying in a beach front hotel in Fort Lauderdale for three reasons:

1) We were supposed to visit Fort Lauderdale on our last cruise but with a 6 hours delay in our flight we arrived in FLL at night so we had to postpone our plans.

2) It's hard to explain but while it is not a bad place per say, I did not fall in love with Miami like I thought I would so I don't see value in paying the big Miami rates for flights and hotels. I feel like Fort Lauderdale is a big more relaxed and I like it.

3) Huge difference in price for flights... and hotels at least 100$ less in FLL for very similar experience.

In Key West, since we only get half a day there, I've been think of booking the Old Town Trolley (hop on and off). DH and I usually prefer to walk but that would give us the option to get where we want to go a little bit faster. In KW, I would like to see the Hemingway House (strictly for the cats LOL), have brunch at Blue Heaven (and try their Key Lime Pie), eat Frozen Key Lime Pie from Kermitt, walk on Duval street, see the soldier and nurse kissing statue, walk in front of the most haunted places... Maybe see the Southernmost point. We booked this cruise because I've been reading about Key West for a long time, I've wanted to go there for so long. Chose to go in April because there are less risks to be re-routed during that period. I'm very excited.

In Cozumel, we are most likely going to visit Tulum and possibly with a cenote swim. I'm still looking up for details trying to figure out which excursion is the best for us as a lot of them go include Tulum.

I will book through Carnival as I don't mind paying a little bit more. I've been satisfied so far.

WHich ship? You will love key west. It is very walkable. You might find you can just walk it. We have been 3 times and have not done the on off train. A lot of people do it though.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Has anyone here been on the Carnival Magic? We are thinking of trying it in January because the price seems so affordable (2500 for our family of 4 in a cove balcony room). We have only cruises with DCL, so we are a little nervous to try something new.

I have not been on the Magic but I have been on Dream and Breeze (her sister ships). Breeze is my favorite ship! There is so much to do, or not do if you prefer. The kids clubs are great but they do close at meal times which I believe DCL does not. The Waterpark area is fun for even smaller kids as they have small slides and a splash play area (must be potty trained no swim diapers allowed). I think Carnival has a good balance of activities for all ages.

 

[cruiser21]

I have not been on the Magic but I have been on Dream and Breeze (her sister ships). Breeze is my favorite ship! There is so much to do, or not do if you prefer. The kids clubs are great but they do close at meal times which I believe DCL does not. The Waterpark area is fun for even smaller kids as they have small slides and a splash play area (must be potty trained no swim diapers allowed). I think Carnival has a good balance of activities for all ages.

I've been on the Breeze. I didn't know the Magic was a sister ship. Good to know.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I've been on the Breeze. I didn't know the Magic was a sister ship. Good to know.

Yes, they are all Dream Class:
Dream 2009
Magic 2011
Breeze 2012

 

[mevelandry]

WHich ship? You will love key west. It is very walkable. You might find you can just walk it. We have been 3 times and have not done the on off train. A lot of people do it though.

The Carnival Victory! Sailed on her last year and loved it and it's going to be refurbished this winter (John Heald told me --on Facebook-- that it was going to be upgraded to Fun Ship 2.0... Awesome!)...

I'm sure we could walk it but since we only get 5 hours in port, I thought the train could help get from point A to point B a little bit faster.

 

[mevelandry]

In the description for my next cruise, I forgot to mention the price...

4 nights (Key West-Cozumel)on the Carnival Victory departing from Miami. Inside cabin --Had 3 cruises with verandah rooms, spent less than 30 min/day--... Our cabin is on Deck 6/Aft.

...710$ (taxes and fees included) for 2 adults.

 

[oumagic]

I appreciate the comparison review. We have done more Carnival cruises than any other and have enjoyed all of them (mostly smaller ships). We have only done one DCL cruise and loved it as well.

We only have one cruise booked so far for 2018 and it is on DCL, but if we do a second cruise in 2018, it will be on Carnival. My family of 4 really likes Carnival but when we get our group of 9 together, the group vote is “only DCL.”

 

[mevelandry]

I appreciate the comparison review. We have done more Carnival cruises than any other and have enjoyed all of them (mostly smaller ships). We have only done one DCL cruise and loved it as well.

We only have one cruise booked so far for 2018 and it is on DCL, but if we do a second cruise in 2018, it will be on Carnival. My family of 4 really likes Carnival but when we get our group of 9 together, the group vote is “only DCL.”

Which cruise lines has the rest of the group sailed on?

 

[oumagic]

Which cruise lines has the rest of the group sailed on?

They have sailed Carnival and DCL. They just prefer DCL and don’t care to cruise often. My family prefers more frequent cruises and due to our travel budget, that means we must open up to other lines.

My parent-in-laws (not in this group of 9) sailed Carnival back in the early 2000’s and said “never again.” Then a few years ago my daughter’s dance team had a performance on Carnival so they went and said that they were pleasantly surprised. Enough that we went with them on another the same year. So in other words, things are constantly evolving.

I am REALLY looking forward to our DCL cruise next year (December 27, 2018) but not sure I can wait that long to cruise and may squeeze Carnival in somewhere spring or summer. Thanks for the Carnival reviews!

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks to you! If you decide to cruise with Carnival again, feel free to submit your own review.

 

[cruiser21]

Yes, they are all Dream Class:
Dream 2009
Magic 2011
Breeze 2012

Two of these are the same age as the Dream and Fantasy and all are younger then the Wonder and Magic. I always thought the Magic was an older ship.

 

[lucyddr]

I guess I'm just a little DIsney brainwashed because it's hard for me to imagine another cruise line catering to kids as well as they do. But those pools and slides look much better than anything Disney has!

Our children haven't been on a Disney cruise yet, but have stayed at Lilo's Playhouse at WDW. While they enjoyed it, they never asked to go again. On our Carnival cruise, they begged to go to Camp Carnival constantly....if the doors were open, they wanted to be there!

I feel an obligation to take ours on DCL, yet dread it... We have cruised Disney twice before children and Carnival many more times, and I just don't see us ever choosing DCL over Carnival again.

Trust me...kids LOVE Carnival!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Our children haven't been on a Disney cruise yet, but have stayed at Lilo's Playhouse at WDW. While they enjoyed it, they never asked to go again. On our Carnival cruise, they begged to go to Camp Carnival constantly....if the doors were open, they wanted to be there!

I feel an obligation to take ours on DCL, yet dread it... We have cruised Disney twice before children and Carnival many more times, and I just don't see us ever choosing DCL over Carnival again.

Trust me...kids LOVE Carnival!

I feel no such obligation! My kids love the parks and we get our Disney fix every few years there. Other than price my big turn-off of DCL is the dining format. I don't ever see us cruising any line that does not have an open seating option.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I was obsessed with Pig & Anchor to the point I had to eat there every time it was open (lunch on embarkation day and on sea days).

My husband always says the included food is so good that we don't need to pay for specialty dining but I am a fan of upgrades. Lol

In Jiji Asian Kitchen, we had the duck, the pork belly, the Chicken Kung Pao, Fried Rice (don't know what it was infused with but Wow!) and Noodles... that I forgot to take a picture of... they were delicious. I would recommend those dishes.

For dessert, I highly recommend the Rose Crème Brûlée... if you enjoy having a little Rose Water in your dessert... (I know sone people can't stand it. I love it)... It was so creamy and delicate... A masterpiece!

I call Jiji Asian Kitchen the "Asian Remy" now.

If you like Asian food and haven't try Bonsai Sushi, I would recommend it as well. I don't eat sushi but I was a fan of those Teriyaki Wagyu Beef bites (4$).

I am so glad that you enjoyed your Vista cruise.

JiJi's is my favourite at sea specialty restaurant of any cruise line we've sailed with (and only $15 per person!).

 

[mevelandry]

I am so glad that you enjoyed your Vista cruise.

JiJi's is my favourite at sea specialty restaurant of any cruise line we've sailed with (and only $15 per person!).

We loved it! I may have mentioned it in another post but my husband says he's now 100% Carnival (but open to try other cruise lines like RCCL and NCL!)

I still can't believe that Jiji was just 15$/pp... I can't get over the fact that the specialy dining were so affordable! Cucina too was excellent for 15$/pp --we loved the free lunch as well-- The Steakhouse was an excellent value for 30$/pp... I also thought Bonsai Sushi was an nice addition and very affordable!

 

[cyclenut]

Two of these are the same age as the Dream and Fantasy and all are younger then the Wonder and Magic. I always thought the Magic was an older ship.

A friend of mine has sailed both the Magic and the Breeze. He likes the Magic better. There are minor differences really, but I think it came down to the crew more than anything else. That's how similar the ships are. I can't say often enough how much we enjoyed the Breeze. I checked prices for the Vista in Galveston the other day and am trying to convince myself to pull the trigger and book it. I looked at the DCL 2019 itinerary and just didn't see anything too exciting there. I'm more excited about the Vista in Galveston!

 

[cruiser21]

A friend of mine has sailed both the Magic and the Breeze. He likes the Magic better. There are minor differences really, but I think it came down to the crew more than anything else. That's how similar the ships are. I can't say often enough how much we enjoyed the Breeze. I checked prices for the Vista in Galveston the other day and am trying to convince myself to pull the trigger and book it. I looked at the DCL 2019 itinerary and just didn't see anything too exciting there. I'm more excited about the Vista in Galveston!

I enjoy cruising out of Galveston. It's an easy port for us living in AZ. Hotels are cheap in the Fall too.

 

[mevelandry]

We decided to ask my FIL and MIL if they wanted to come with us on our April Carnival Victory cruise. They just booked their reservation.


****************************************

Carnival Victory (which will go under dry dock in January), 4 nights, Key West and Cozumel, inside cabin, deck 7: 800$ USD for 2 adults.*

VS our last cruise...

Disney Wonder (which was out of dry dock 8 months earlier), 3 nights, Bahamas, inside cabin, deck 7: 1700$ USD for two adults.

That's 900$ USD less than our 2017 Family Cruise, and they get one extra night and a better itinerary.

*****************************************

I showed my MIL actual pictures of the Victory (pre-dry dock) and she likes it the way it is.

Hopefully, John Heald is right and they will add Guy's Burger, Blue Iguana and Pig & Anchor in January. That would be an excellent addition to a great ship.

MIL and FIL are both very excited to get to know Carnival. They want to see the comedy shows and can't wait to see Vrooom (musical revue). I think they are going to enjoy it very much.


I'm currently briefing them on the difference they will find between DCL and Carnival.


*Booked Early Saver so they could still get a lower rate later (and therefore get a little OBC).

 

[mevelandry]

In other news, Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's Bahamas Private Island) is now a serious contender VS Castaway Cay... A big fat WOW:

EDIT: Links won't work... Google "Great Stirrup Cay USA Today" and you should get to see pictures.