CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

I think BI is way underrated. That is my favorite breakfast on the ship and I love the shrimp and chicken tacos at lunch.

I've tried the pork tacos. Loved it.

 

[belle032]

I think BI is way underrated. That is my favorite breakfast on the ship and I love the shrimp and chicken tacos at lunch.

Agreed! I love BI for breakfast and lunch. Rarely a line. I actually like it better than Pig & Anchor. Totally underrated!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Love the chicken and pork tacos. My last cruise they also had steak. I also like BI much better than Pig & Anchor. I actually don't like PA at all! It just does not taste like good BBQ (disclaimer I live in Tennessee). I should not write about food just before lunch, my stomach just gurgled!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Agreed! I love BI for breakfast and lunch. Rarely a line. I actually like it better than Pig & Anchor. Totally underrated!

The huevos rancheros with an arepas is my new favorite breakfast! So delicious.

 

[belle032]

Love the chicken and pork tacos. My last cruise they also had steak. I also like BI much better than Pig & Anchor. I actually don't like PA at all! It just does not taste like good BBQ (disclaimer I live in Tennessee). I should not write about food just before lunch, my stomach just gurgled!

I honestly didn’t think it was that good of BBQ either. And also thought the portions were really small comparative to other places. I know you can just go grab more but the line was so long it wasn’t worth it.

The huevos rancheros with an arepas is my new favorite breakfast! So delicious.

YES! My favorite. They also have them during the Sea Day Brunches in her main dining room. That’s where I discovered them! So good!

 

[mevelandry]

Love the chicken and pork tacos. My last cruise they also had steak. I also like BI much better than Pig & Anchor. I actually don't like PA at all! It just does not taste like good BBQ (disclaimer I live in Tennessee). I should not write about food just before lunch, my stomach just gurgled!

If P&A is not good BBQ compared to Tennessee, I'm booking flights to go to Tennessee right away.

 

[mevelandry]

The huevos rancheros with an arepas is my new favorite breakfast! So delicious.

Huevos Rancheros. Never dared to order it. I should definitely try it next time. What is an arepas? Can I order that at BI?

 

[mevelandry]

I honestly didn’t think it was that good of BBQ either. And also thought the portions were really small comparative to other places. I know you can just go grab more but the line was so long it wasn’t worth it.

(...)

I always ask for double portion. (+I'm obsessed with their Mac'n'cheese).

 

[trvlgirlmq]

If P&A is not good BBQ compared to Tennessee, I'm booking flights to go to Tennessee right away.

Well, come on down. If you like guinea pigs you can stay in DS's room

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Huevos Rancheros. Never dared to order it. I should definitely try it next time. What is an arepas? Can I order that at BI?

Let's see, an arepas is a slightly sweet cornbread stuffed with cheese. You can get them at breakfast at BI on the side where they serve the tacos in the afternoon. That is also the location of the huevos rancheros.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I like the arepas but preferred the huevo rancheros from the sea day brunch. Love shrimp burritos from BI.

Being from Canada, BBQ isn't too easy to find (it's certainly not what we're known for); we have BBQ on the Sunshine (not Guys P&A - just BBQ) and it was good - and serve yourself so no worries about the portion sizes.

100_2145

I'm cruising on the Sunshine again in January (right before my Disney Fantasy cruise) and it's being refurbished in the fall - really hoping they add the Guy's P&A.

 

[mevelandry]

Hi guys,

As I am trying to create a general information thread in the RCCL section (because I could not find one!) ... I thought it was time to update the first post of the Carnival thread.

I'd like it to be more informative regarding Carnival (while stating the differences between DCL and Carnival) than making it sound like "competition" between the two cruise lines... (At least when it comes to the first post, after that, comparisons and reviews are more than welcome).

Also, if you think a theme is missing, please let me know!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hi guys,

As I am trying to create a general information thread in the RCCL section (because I could not find one!) ... I thought it was time to update the first post of the Carnival thread.

I'd like it to be more informative regarding Carnival (while stating the differences between DCL and Carnival) than making it sound like "competition" between the two cruise lines... (At least when it comes to the first post, after that, comparisons and reviews are more than welcome).

Also, if you think a theme is missing, please let me know!

I think the first post comes across as a comparison, not let’s bash DCL. I’ll have to start looking on the RCCL side of the Dis more often as we get closer to our Anthem cruise next June. I’m getting so excited for that ship!

 

[mevelandry]

I think the first post comes across as a comparison, not let’s bash DCL. I’ll have to start looking on the RCCL side of the Dis more often as we get closer to our Anthem cruise next June. I’m getting so excited for that ship!

I agree that it was not DCL bashing... But with time, as more and more recent reviews and comparisons appeared, I felt like the original one in post #1 was a little less relevant and think it would be more interesting to explain how Carnival works and the differences between the two cruise lines.

Arghhhh. I'll always regret not sailing on the Anthem.

 

[TheMcNicols]

Interesting thread...we are taking our youngest granddaughter (4 1/2) on her first cruise in December (the Dream). Our tradition has been to take them to WDW between ages 4-5 but due to timing, her parents are taking her for Halloween this October. So, we opted for the cruise. We are Platinum on Carnival and so far, from all the reading I've done, the dinner dress code seems to be the biggest difference (at least for kids). We are looking forward to December!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hi guys,

As I am trying to create a general information thread in the RCCL section (because I could not find one!) ... I thought it was time to update the first post of the Carnival thread.

I'd like it to be more informative regarding Carnival (while stating the differences between DCL and Carnival) than making it sound like "competition" between the two cruise lines... (At least when it comes to the first post, after that, comparisons and reviews are more than welcome).

Also, if you think a theme is missing, please let me know!

I think the first post comes across as a comparison, not let’s bash DCL. I’ll have to start looking on the RCCL side of the Dis more often as we get closer to our Anthem cruise next June

Interesting thread...we are taking our youngest granddaughter (4 1/2) on her first cruise in December (the Dream). Our tradition has been to take them to WDW between ages 4-5 but due to timing, her parents are taking her for Halloween this October. So, we opted for the cruise. We are Platinum on Carnival and so far, from all the reading I've done, the dinner dress code seems to be the biggest difference (at least for kids). We are looking forward to December!

You’ll have a wonderful trip. Dinner attire is extremely casual on DCL, we’re always in shorts and polo shirts. We’re at the point now where we much prefer a cruise to WDW. You’re grandkids are very lucky to have grandparents like you. I wish you an amazing cruise and many more after this one!

 

[mevelandry]

Interesting thread...we are taking our youngest granddaughter (4 1/2) on her first cruise in December (the Dream). Our tradition has been to take them to WDW between ages 4-5 but due to timing, her parents are taking her for Halloween this October. So, we opted for the cruise. We are Platinum on Carnival and so far, from all the reading I've done, the dinner dress code seems to be the biggest difference (at least for kids). We are looking forward to December!

(For some reason my reply did not appear last night...)

I honestly haven't notice a difference in the way people dress in the dining room between DCL and Carnival.

Possibly more Disney princess attire for little girls but that's about it.

 

[TheMcNicols]

(For some reason my reply did not appear last night...)

I honestly haven't notice a difference in the way people dress in the dining room between DCL and Carnival.

Possibly more Disney princess attire for little girls but that's about it.

Thanks for the input...since it's only a 4-night cruise, I know we'll be okay. Just used to so many on Carnival wearing shorts (supposedly a no-no) to the MDR. LOL! We love Carnival because of the reasonable price and the Western Caribbean let hubby scuba dive 3-4 times a week. Done it so many times, I rarely get off the ship, I stay on board and write mystery novels.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the input...since it's only a 4-night cruise, I know we'll be okay. Just used to so many on Carnival wearing shorts (supposedly a no-no) to the MDR. LOL! We love Carnival because of the reasonable price and the Western Caribbean let hubby scuba dive 3-4 times a week. Done it so many times, I rarely get off the ship, I stay on board and write mystery novels.

(Ouuuhhhh a writer. I love it! )

I have seen people wearing shorts in the MDR on DCL. The only clothes they don't permit are swimwear and tank tops. Other than that, it's "cruise casual" (shorts and t-shirts allowed).

You'll have a great time. Disney is very nice.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks to @hdrolfe reminding me about Labadee on the info thread I created in the RCCL thread, I realized that I absolutely should create a section to talk about Amber Cove and Grand Turk in the "Private Island" section for this thread. Carnival offers exclusive access to those two ports after all!