CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Yes, the cabanas offered by Carnival are located at the Margaritaville pool.

The big issue is that in the past the beach was run by Carnival as a free spot (free chairs, etc.). The locals didn't like this and now they run the beach and offer chairs/umbrellas for rent. They are not the nicest and there are so many that it is very crowded. It went from being practically a private island to any other overrun beach. We didn't even know where the "free" chairs were on our last visit and had to pay.

If you can disregard that the water is great. Clear and you can see lots of fish.

I was told the green umbrellas/chairs in the back were free. And yes, very crowded. If you can't see the ocean from there, what is the point?

I liked Jack's Shack: 10 min walk from the Center, free chairs, 10$ for an umbrella. We were about 15 people there on the beach, no vendors except for 1 guy with necklaces.

 

[mevelandry]

I have done many Carnival Cruises and despite unpopular opinion from people. I’ve never had anything but great experiences.

Disney is a wonderful cruise line that is perfect for people who want more quiet and relaxation in my opinion. Carnival is more ‘fun’ for me. On Disney I often find myself indoors or just kind of ‘wandering’ because I don’t know what there is to do for someone my age but with Carnival I am constantly on the go (usually drinking) so I love that about it. The price is right for me as well.

The paid dining on Carnival is as good as Palo in my opinion (Remy is a different story) but I do feel the paid restaurants on Carnival offer more variety than Disney’s paid restaurant/s.

Overall both are great to me but it’s just based around what you want out of a cruise.....I will also say that people’s behavior on Disney Cruise line has been better from my experience.

My own actual critique of Disney is they are too rigid on their event times. They might have karaoke (as an example) for a 30 minute window. This is about 5 people singing and then the place closes and just sits empty for hours until the next event, but there could be a lot of people having fun and Disney will just stop the event. Whereas Carnival is a bit more fluid.

Your comment just reminded me of how my Mother-in-law (who's a big fan of Mickey) was disappointed by the fact that we encountered Mickey once as he was leaving a dining room.

They were walking him back to a "cast member only" section of the ship and despite the fact that there was people and kids there, he was walking very fast, did not even slow down and barely waved at us.

He could have high-fived the kids or something... :/

P.s.: And no, he was not due to be somewhere else at that time.

 

[Dug720]

Your comment just reminded me of how my Mother-in-law (who's a big fan of Mickey) was disappointed by the fact that we encountered Mickey once as he was leaving a dining room.

They were walking him back to a "cast member only" section of the ship and despite the fact that there was people and kids there, he was walking very fast, did not even slow down and barely waved at us.

He could have high-fived the kids or something... :/

P.s.: And no, he was not due to be somewhere else at that time.

He may not have been "due to be somewhere", but it's possible that his friend had reached the limit of time in the suit allowed. It's very much like flight crews in terms of restrictions on time on duty.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Your comment just reminded me of how my Mother-in-law (who's a big fan of Mickey) was disappointed by the fact that we encountered Mickey once as he was leaving a dining room.

They were walking him back to a "cast member only" section of the ship and despite the fact that there was people and kids there, he was walking very fast, did not even slow down and barely waved at us.

He could have high-fived the kids or something... :/

P.s.: And no, he was not due to be somewhere else at that time.

That stuff drives me crazy too. Happened to us on DCL as well. They just ignored us as we crossed paths. They don't do that at DL. If you see characters walking from one place to another at DL, they interact with you. I kind of understand them not interacting at wdw because it can be wild there. But DCL is even calmer than DL.

 

[lovin'fl]

I was told the green umbrellas/chairs in the back were free. And yes, very crowded. If you can't see the ocean from there, what is the point?

I liked Jack's Shack: 10 min walk from the Center, free chairs, 10$ for an umbrella. We were about 15 people there on the beach, no vendors except for 1 guy with necklaces.

Just off Carnival Horizon 8 day that went to Grand Turk. We rented 2 cabanas at the Margaritaville pool. We were a party of 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 9, 11, 16 and 16). We requested, at desk on ship, that we have our 2 cabanas next to each other. We got off the ship and was at hostess stand at Margaritaville bar around 10:30. Hostess walked us out to our cabanas and they were not next to each other and she claimed they were last 2 left (though the 3 to the very right end did not appear to be occupied then).

We were told the server buzzer didn't work in 1 cabin. Hostess promised server would be around every 5 minutes...she wasn't. The cabin was dumpy and they need remodeling but the AC worked. We ordered food and drinks (the two 16 year old boys hung out in 1 cabin and the rest of us were in the other, on the deck). We all went to the beach for a bit (where, by the way, drinks are sold way cheaper by the locals). The water was dirty and rocky. Folks told us that when you get off ship and go to the right there really isn't a beach now due to hurricane. If you walk down toward Jacks, past the netted area, the water is a little cleaner and a little less rocky but still not fabulous (it is nice once you get past that shallow seaweedy rocky gunk).

When we walked back to our cabanas there was a lady laying on the lounger on the deck of one (the one the two 16 year olds were using). We asked our server to please shoo her off and she said "no, I am making tips off of her and you all aren't using it". We say "um...we paid a lot of money for that cabana". And she mumbles "you all are over here and I want her tip" and she walks away. Then when we get our tab ($400) and go to pay with CC, she says "can you pay my tips in cash so I don't have to share with the cooks and staff in the kitchen?". We tipped the cash.

Then...my DH leaves his sneakers in the cabana when we leave. We leave a good bit before the ship is due to go. But does the cash tipped server send the shoes to the ship? NOPE.

And Jack's shack has gotten more crowded too. I saw a pic from the day we were there and the whole beach area was packed like a sardine can with lounge chairs. We walked down there on our last cruise (the Magic in 2016) and was not super impressed. We were there with another ship that time and the island was packed. That time disappointed as well. My first time there was the best (on the Pride, only ship there, in 2013). I had a great visit that time. It wasn't too crowded and the water was super clean that I just sat at the water's edge and let the waves roll over me. It was soooo nice. But it's kinda jacked up now. Sad.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Just off Carnival Horizon 8 day that went to Grand Turk. We rented 2 cabanas at the Margaritaville pool. We were a party of 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 9, 11, 16 and 16). We requested, at desk on ship, that we have our 2 cabanas next to each other. We got off the ship and was at hostess stand at Margaritaville bar around 10:30. Hostess walked us out to our cabanas and they were not next to each other and she claimed they were last 2 left (though the 3 to the very right end did not appear to be occupied then).

We were told the server buzzer didn't work in 1 cabin. Hostess promised server would be around every 5 minutes...she wasn't. The cabin was dumpy and they need remodeling but the AC worked. We ordered food and drinks (the two 16 year old boys hung out in 1 cabin and the rest of us were in the other, on the deck). We all went to the beach for a bit (where, by the way, drinks are sold way cheaper by the locals). The water was dirty and rocky. Folks told us that when you get off ship and go to the right there really isn't a beach now due to hurricane. If you walk down toward Jacks, past the netted area, the water is a little cleaner and a little less rocky but still not fabulous (it is nice once you get past that shallow seaweedy rocky gunk).

When we walked back to our cabanas there was a lady laying on the lounger on the deck of one (the one the two 16 year olds were using). We asked our server to please shoo her off and she said "no, I am making tips off of her and you all aren't using it". We say "um...we paid a lot of money for that cabana". And she mumbles "you all are over here and I want her tip" and she walks away. Then when we get our tab ($400) and go to pay with CC, she says "can you pay my tips in cash so I don't have to share with the cooks and staff in the kitchen?". We tipped the cash.

Then...my DH leaves his sneakers in the cabana when we leave. We leave a good bit before the ship is due to go. But does the cash tipped server send the shoes to the ship? NOPE.

And Jack's shack has gotten more crowded too. I saw a pic from the day we were there and the whole beach area was packed like a sardine can with lounge chairs. We walked down there on our last cruise (the Magic in 2016) and was not super impressed. We were there with another ship that time and the island was packed. That time disappointed as well. My first time there was the best (on the Pride, only ship there, in 2013). I had a great visit that time. It wasn't too crowded and the water was super clean that I just sat at the water's edge and let the waves roll over me. It was soooo nice. But it's kinda jacked up now. Sad.

Ugh, now I am really not looking forward to GT in March. How was the Horizon?

 

[mevelandry]

Just off Carnival Horizon 8 day that went to Grand Turk. We rented 2 cabanas at the Margaritaville pool. We were a party of 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 9, 11, 16 and 16). We requested, at desk on ship, that we have our 2 cabanas next to each other. We got off the ship and was at hostess stand at Margaritaville bar around 10:30. Hostess walked us out to our cabanas and they were not next to each other and she claimed they were last 2 left (though the 3 to the very right end did not appear to be occupied then).

We were told the server buzzer didn't work in 1 cabin. Hostess promised server would be around every 5 minutes...she wasn't. The cabin was dumpy and they need remodeling but the AC worked. We ordered food and drinks (the two 16 year old boys hung out in 1 cabin and the rest of us were in the other, on the deck). We all went to the beach for a bit (where, by the way, drinks are sold way cheaper by the locals). The water was dirty and rocky. Folks told us that when you get off ship and go to the right there really isn't a beach now due to hurricane. If you walk down toward Jacks, past the netted area, the water is a little cleaner and a little less rocky but still not fabulous (it is nice once you get past that shallow seaweedy rocky gunk).

When we walked back to our cabanas there was a lady laying on the lounger on the deck of one (the one the two 16 year olds were using). We asked our server to please shoo her off and she said "no, I am making tips off of her and you all aren't using it". We say "um...we paid a lot of money for that cabana". And she mumbles "you all are over here and I want her tip" and she walks away. Then when we get our tab ($400) and go to pay with CC, she says "can you pay my tips in cash so I don't have to share with the cooks and staff in the kitchen?". We tipped the cash.

Then...my DH leaves his sneakers in the cabana when we leave. We leave a good bit before the ship is due to go. But does the cash tipped server send the shoes to the ship? NOPE.

And Jack's shack has gotten more crowded too. I saw a pic from the day we were there and the whole beach area was packed like a sardine can with lounge chairs. We walked down there on our last cruise (the Magic in 2016) and was not super impressed. We were there with another ship that time and the island was packed. That time disappointed as well. My first time there was the best (on the Pride, only ship there, in 2013). I had a great visit that time. It wasn't too crowded and the water was super clean that I just sat at the water's edge and let the waves roll over me. It was soooo nice. But it's kinda jacked up now. Sad.

I'm a bit shocked. I would have complained to guest services about this since they sell those cabanas as "excursions".

I have cancelled the cabana we had booked for our family cruise in 2019 --so glad I did after reading this!!!-- and replaced it with the "Home Sweet Home" excursion instead.

 

[mevelandry]

Ugh, now I am really not looking forward to GT in March. How was the Horizon?

You could book an excursion? Some of them have great reviews.

 

[lovin'fl]

Ugh, now I am really not looking forward to GT in March. How was the Horizon?

We had a havana cabin and LOVED the havana area and all of deck 5 really. The Havana area led out to the ocean plaza where they had a small breakfast buffet (and lunch though we never tried it at lunch) and there was a bar there where we met up with our friends each night before dinner. Then the Java Blue coffee counter was near that and then Guy's Pig and ANchor which had the BBQ lunch counter outside on deck. Then past that was the Alchemy and piano bars with the pay extra Sushi and Teppanyaki and steakhouse (we did sushi twice and steakhouse once and Asian pay extra once up above Lido deck). So we had quick and easy access to a lot.

Liked the Hub app and we ate in MDR 4 times and it was easy to check in on the app and we never waited more than 5 mins for a table. The MDR was slow and the food meh (but that's kinda typical...and after one night eating in the MDR we later went and got sushi and it was sooooo good that we just wanted to try the pay extra places and they were all yummo...did the seafood counter for lunch a couple times and that also was good as was the wok and Guy's burgers and even the pizza). The pay extra that takes resies, they are tough to get. Starting around day 3...we started looking then and had trouble so we did sushi twice as that was walk in only. Could never get the Teppanyaki and we pre booked the steakhouse (thank goodness). Somehow my friends got the Asian place for just us adults (party of 4) one night. The Italian place was illusive too. (so book pay places before cruise or right when you get on the ship)

The ship is big and there are a lot of pax. We didn't get to try everything and we avoided the crowds too so that didn't help. We like the Pride best. But the ship was clean and the staff great. The port was chaotic but once we went inside we got on the ship quick and easy. Getting on/off in ports was quick and easy. Loved the Havana...can't say that enough. Loved all the food options since the MDR and buffet was meh to us, we liked having lots of other options (can't go hungry, that's for sure). DH really liked the theater and watched Venom and then made me go do the Thrills thing with him. We didn't do any of the big shows. Saw one comedy show. Friend's DDs sang karaoke. We went to the piano bar and we listened to the guy girl duo in the Pig and Anchor. We played a few games of trivia. Friends DDs did the slides a few times. They were in family harbor section and loved it.

Biggest negatives...crappy TV channels and the big football games (college and pro) and MLB playoffs were not shown in the sports bar or casino or pig and anchor bar. They had one football channel on and it had crappy games, according to the fellas in our group. The other 2 channels played junk. The cabin TVs had zero zilch sports channels (and no Survivor or Walking Dead for me). Next negative was our cabin...we had an inside on deck 6 aft that is part of the Havana. It is directly above the stage in the Havana lounge and, well, you can get the gist...loud music until 1am that vibrated our bed and was louder than DH's snoring. A third negative was a spa salon experience. Pre booked getting my hair done for formal night (wash and style). Tried to cancel due to feeling seasick. They said no refund. I went and she says she should put it up and then she wouldn't wash it (dirty hair goes up better). So she whips it up in like 20 mins and then hands me a receipt. I didn't have my readers (lost them at WDW). But I tell her I pre paid and she said she knows and the receipt was nothing 'not to worry'. I see a line for tips (like with cheers drinks) so I ask if I can add a tip and she says 'of course' so I write in $8. I see later that she refunded my $42 paid and re charged me $56 (I suppose for up-do) and it had $8 auto tip already. So $56+8+8=72...eeeeekkkkk.

There were couple other little negatives like the chaotic/disorganized/long muster drill (Hub app messaged us to be there at 3:30 but it didn't begin until 4:15). The disembarkation was also disorganized and long. There was some delay and then long periods between when he called next group. We just went before our deck was called (we were self assist) and got in line at 8:15 (when he called deck 8 and above and we were 6) and was at car around 8:50 (35 minutes to roll luggage off ship seems too long). Customs was taking soooo long per family with really really examining and questioning so that line backed up like crazy but there were crowds of folks waiting outside so I think they purposely slow down at each level....too many folks for that terminal to handle.

As much as we loved Havana, we decided to look for a Conquest class ship next time. Have the Legend on my radar (and luckily it's not out of port of Miami). Smaller pax capacity but still a decent size ship. But I give this cruise a solid B. Had great fun with our friends. Ate too much and drank too much (dang Cheers package...which we decided not to do next time). Had a great time in St Kitts and St Maarten and they were 2 new ports for us and we loved them. Also think we stick with 4-7 day cruises. This trip was about 4 days too long (it was 8 day cruise and we did 2 nights coming down by stopping at WDW and then stopped a night at HHI on the way back...11 nights). And the last 2 days of cruise were seadays which was too much ship time at once for us (so will also keep that in mind next booking).

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

You could book an excursion? Some of them have great reviews.

I just liked the get of the ship for 2 hours and hang on the beach aspect of GT. Sometimes I feel over scheduled when we do excursions. I also looked at the excursions available and GT seems like a more expensive place to book (2 adults, 3 kids-- who seem to qualify as adults for prices now ). Not a lot of local population, so not a lot of competition? Not sure what it is. But... I was reading on CC last night about GT and what you and lovin'fl report is all over CC! People say it is awful there now. Bad vibe with locals, dirty beach, overcrowding, so maybe we will bite the bullet and book one. If we do, it will probably be something that includes Gibbs.

 

[lovin'fl]

I just liked the get of the ship for 2 hours and hang on the beach aspect of GT. Sometimes I feel over scheduled when we do excursions. I also looked at the excursions available and GT seems like a more expensive place to book (2 adults, 3 kids-- who seem to qualify as adults for prices now ). Not a lot of local population, so not a lot of competition? Not sure what it is. But... I was reading on CC last night about GT and what you and lovin'fl report is all over CC! People say it is awful there now. Bad vibe with locals, dirty beach, overcrowding, so maybe we will bite the bullet and book one. If we do, it will probably be something that includes Gibbs.

You can still get off and have a beach day. It won't be top 10 most memorable but free and easy. Just walk past the initial Margaritaville stuff and maybe past the netted off area (down where they bring in the little boats for parasailing and whatnot). Rent 2 loungers from the locals (a cost but like $30 or something) and have a little swim. Buy a bucket of beer from the locals or walk to Jacks. It won't be the best day of the cruise but it can still be the cheaper day. ALso later is less crowded. So maybe eat late breakfast/early lunch on ship and get off and be last back on the ship.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We had a havana cabin and LOVED the havana area and all of deck 5 really. The Havana area led out to the ocean plaza where they had a small breakfast buffet (and lunch though we never tried it at lunch) and there was a bar there where we met up with our friends each night before dinner. Then the Java Blue coffee counter was near that and then Guy's Pig and ANchor which had the BBQ lunch counter outside on deck. Then past that was the Alchemy and piano bars with the pay extra Sushi and Teppanyaki and steakhouse (we did sushi twice and steakhouse once and Asian pay extra once up above Lido deck). So we had quick and easy access to a lot.

Liked the Hub app and we ate in MDR 4 times and it was easy to check in on the app and we never waited more than 5 mins for a table. The MDR was slow and the food meh (but that's kinda typical...and after one night eating in the MDR we later went and got sushi and it was sooooo good that we just wanted to try the pay extra places and they were all yummo...did the seafood counter for lunch a couple times and that also was good as was the wok and Guy's burgers and even the pizza). The pay extra that takes resies, they are tough to get. Starting around day 3...we started looking then and had trouble so we did sushi twice as that was walk in only. Could never get the Teppanyaki and we pre booked the steakhouse (thank goodness). Somehow my friends got the Asian place for just us adults (party of 4) one night. The Italian place was illusive too. (so book pay places before cruise or right when you get on the ship)

The ship is big and there are a lot of pax. We didn't get to try everything and we avoided the crowds too so that didn't help. We like the Pride best. But the ship was clean and the staff great. The port was chaotic but once we went inside we got on the ship quick and easy. Getting on/off in ports was quick and easy. Loved the Havana...can't say that enough. Loved all the food options since the MDR and buffet was meh to us, we liked having lots of other options (can't go hungry, that's for sure). DH really liked the theater and watched Venom and then made me go do the Thrills thing with him. We didn't do any of the big shows. Saw one comedy show. Friend's DDs sang karaoke. We went to the piano bar and we listened to the guy girl duo in the Pig and Anchor. We played a few games of trivia. Friends DDs did the slides a few times. They were in family harbor section and loved it.

Biggest negatives...crappy TV channels and the big football games (college and pro) and MLB playoffs were not shown in the sports bar or casino or pig and anchor bar. They had one football channel on and it had crappy games, according to the fellas in our group. The other 2 channels played junk. The cabin TVs had zero zilch sports channels (and no Survivor or Walking Dead for me). Next negative was our cabin...we had an inside on deck 6 aft that is part of the Havana. It is directly above the stage in the Havana lounge and, well, you can get the gist...loud music until 1am that vibrated our bed and was louder than DH's snoring. A third negative was a spa salon experience. Pre booked getting my hair done for formal night (wash and style). Tried to cancel due to feeling seasick. They said no refund. I went and she says she should put it up and then she wouldn't wash it (dirty hair goes up better). So she whips it up in like 20 mins and then hands me a receipt. I didn't have my readers (lost them at WDW). But I tell her I pre paid and she said she knows and the receipt was nothing 'not to worry'. I see a line for tips (like with cheers drinks) so I ask if I can add a tip and she says 'of course' so I write in $8. I see later that she refunded my $42 paid and re charged me $56 (I suppose for up-do) and it had $8 auto tip already. So $56+8+8=72...eeeeekkkkk.

There were couple other little negatives like the chaotic/disorganized/long muster drill (Hub app messaged us to be there at 3:30 but it didn't begin until 4:15). The disembarkation was also disorganized and long. There was some delay and then long periods between when he called next group. We just went before our deck was called (we were self assist) and got in line at 8:15 (when he called deck 8 and above and we were 6) and was at car around 8:50 (35 minutes to roll luggage off ship seems too long). Customs was taking soooo long per family with really really examining and questioning so that line backed up like crazy but there were crowds of folks waiting outside so I think they purposely slow down at each level....too many folks for that terminal to handle.

As much as we loved Havana, we decided to look for a Conquest class ship next time. Have the Legend on my radar (and luckily it's not out of port of Miami). Smaller pax capacity but still a decent size ship. But I give this cruise a solid B. Had great fun with our friends. Ate too much and drank too much (dang Cheers package...which we decided not to do next time). Had a great time in St Kitts and St Maarten and they were 2 new ports for us and we loved them. Also think we stick with 4-7 day cruises. This trip was about 4 days too long (it was 8 day cruise and we did 2 nights coming down by stopping at WDW and then stopped a night at HHI on the way back...11 nights). And the last 2 days of cruise were seadays which was too much ship time at once for us (so will also keep that in mind next booking).

Thanks for your review! We have been on Vista and liked it a lot but had some of the same observations. For the price, we thought it was awesome. Loved all the food options. We were on the 2nd floor in cove balcony and loved it. Embarkation was hell but debarkation was quick (I think because we walked up from deck 2 and right off the ship). We prefer the Conquest size ships too. We have never tried CCL sushi but keep saying we will! Definitely will on Breeze next March. Love CCL steakhouses. The TV channels on CCL are pitiful now and you leave with a real CNN headache, awful channel. Your spa experience is what makes me nervous about going to those places. Lol

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

You can still get off and have a beach day. It won't be top 10 most memorable but free and easy. Just walk past the initial Margaritaville stuff and maybe past the netted off area (down where they bring in the little boats for parasailing and whatnot). Rent 2 loungers from the locals (a cost but like $30 or something) and have a little swim. Buy a bucket of beer from the locals or walk to Jacks. It won't be the best day of the cruise but it can still be the cheaper day. ALso later is less crowded. So maybe eat late breakfast/early lunch on ship and get off and be last back on the ship.

I was reading on CC someone recommended John's ocean view bar and Edith's fish fry. Apparently the beach is great there. It is a cab ride away. I also saw Governor's Beach is a walk down the beach past Jack's. (Anyone tried either?) We may try one or go to Gibb's. I also looked it up and there is another ship in port the day we are there!

 

[southerngirl528]

Overall both are great to me but it’s just based around what you want out of a cruise.....I will also say that people’s behavior on Disney Cruise line has been better from my experience.

Certainly agree with you here. Not sure how many time you have sailed DCL, but I have never been in an adult activity like karaoke where there were plenty of interested folks where they have cut it shorter than scheduled. I've spent over 3 months total on Disney ships.

GRAND TURK AND MARGARITAVILLE

Enjoyed all your photos, mevelandry. But when I saw those poor horses, my first thought was, "do they not have a weight limit for those small horses"? As someone that loves horses and grew up with them, most places DO have a weight limit. Good thing is those horses don't look starved.

 

[mevelandry]

Certainly agree with you here. Not sure how many time you have sailed DCL, but I have never been in an adult activity like karaoke where there were plenty of interested folks where they have cut it shorter than scheduled. I've spent over 3 months total on Disney ships.



Enjoyed all your photos, mevelandry. But when I saw those poor horses, my first thought was, "do they not have a weight limit for those small horses"? As someone that loves horses and grew up with them, most places DO have a weight limit. Good thing is those horses don't look starved.

Truth is I didn't even notice the weight of the people riding them.

 

[southerngirl528]

Truth is I didn't even notice the weight of the people riding them.

Well, your pix were very nice, so thanks! It was the proportion of person to horse that caught this farm girl's eye.

 

[belle032]

Well, your pix were very nice, so thanks! It was the proportion of person to horse that caught this farm girl's eye.

I’m a horseback rider and I totally agree with you. The horses are smaller, possibly large ponies from what I could tell. They weren’t malnourished from what I could see but I would never ride one out of principle. Honestly I can’t understand why people want to ride them at all. Horseback riding excursions are one thing, but a random guy pulling a horse down a touristy beach? Absolutely not.

 

[j1d1]

-I like visiting ports. We got off the ship in Nassau to walk in town and did not encounter weird people, vendors or drug vendors which was nice. People in the shops were actually smiling and nice to us. (Complete opposite of our two last visits).

- The Mariner of the Seas was next to us in Nassau and it looks AMAZING. I can't wait to try it/RCCL!

A little off topic in a Carnival comparison thread, but you must have been in Nassau the same day we were there on the Disney Dream. The Dream was next to the Mariner of the Seas. Everyone in my family was commenting about all the things there seem to do on the Mariner. My son and I got a great look at it from the line to the Aquaduck. Looked like lots of fun. We are booked on the Mariner of the Seas next May. I got some cool pictures of my son in between the two ships. The pictures will be cooler when he's actually sailed on both.

Is that the Sensation next to the Disney Dream?

We got off and walked around. Plenty of people trying to sell things but it never felt dangerous. My son decided to get his hair braided. Turned out he could have had it done on the ship for about half the price.

Thanks for this thread. Our next cruise is a New Year's cruise on the Carnival Dream.

 

[mevelandry]

Well, your pix were very nice, so thanks! It was the proportion of person to horse that caught this farm girl's eye.

I’m a horseback rider and I totally agree with you. The horses are smaller, possibly large ponies from what I could tell. They weren’t malnourished from what I could see but I would never ride one out of principle. Honestly I can’t understand why people want to ride them at all. Horseback riding excursions are one thing, but a random guy pulling a horse down a touristy beach? Absolutely not.

I went back to look at the pictures... I don't know much about horses so I trust your judgment. I've "seen" them as ponies and was surprised that they carried adults to begin with. My husband did ask me if they were strong enough to carry them as well.

They definitely seem healthier than the horses I saw in Nassau (carriage horses that were just skin and bones).

I don't do horse rides or carriages so I don't know how strong they are.

 

[mevelandry]

A little off topic in a Carnival comparison thread, but you must have been in Nassau the same day we were there on the Disney Dream. The Dream was next to the Mariner of the Seas. Everyone in my family was commenting about all the things there seem to do on the Mariner. My son and I got a great look at it from the line to the Aquaduck. Looked like lots of fun. We are booked on the Mariner of the Seas next May. I got some cool pictures of my son in between the two ships. The pictures will be cooler when he's actually sailed on both.

Is that the Sensation next to the Disney Dream?

We got off and walked around. Plenty of people trying to sell things but it never felt dangerous. My son decided to get his hair braided. Turned out he could have had it done on the ship for about half the price.

Thanks for this thread. Our next cruise is a New Year's cruise on the Carnival Dream.

I think there was only two ships in port when we were there... It was just the Mariner and us. We were there last monday. We are booked on the Mariner for next year so I was indeed very interested by it.

My husband and I walked in town in Nassau and we felt much safer than the two last times we were there...