CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[Monykalyn]

So, if any one has info on Cozumel, Belize, Rotan, and Grand Cayman ports, I'd be appreciate. I've been looking at tours online, but not sure which ones yet.

In Cozumel we were with a friend who'd been there many many times-we rented moped scooters and toured the island, then stopped at some dive place on the water for lunch. So good and the guy who owns it had just caught a large crab-he ended up frying it as appetizer for us at no charge (he got a good tip!).
We've got Moby Dick's reserved for our sting ray snorkel and then the hubs and dd are doing a scuba (Carnival excursion- John Heald posted a 10% discount code on earth day!) while the boy and I may try to get to Hell or maybe just Sunset house for lunch

 

[mevelandry]

We just got back from our trip on the carnival magic. I will post some of our trip later.

Awesome!

 

[quickcat]

We just got back from our trip on the carnival magic. I will post some of our trip later.

Looking forward to it! It has some itineraries that I really like so curious as to how you liked it.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Carnival Magic Review -- Spring Break 2019 -- Western Caribbean

Hi everyone I have some time this morning so I figure I will get started on a review of our trip. Most of my pictures will be of myself, my husband, my ten year old son, and my 8 year old daughter. We met up with my husbands family (they live across the country) for this cruise. They picked the date and the actual cruise since their kids are older and can't miss school. We actually have already done this exact cruise on the dream several years ago.

We have sailed on many lines Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Costa. I have never had a bad cruise. We have sailed on Carnival 5 times. I am open to sail any cruise but often found that Carnival has a good price and the islands we want. As I mentioned earlier we try to pick newer/updated ships when we sail with the kids. They love the waterslides, ropes course, etc. When its just my husband and I we aren't that picky. I love getting off the ship and exploring the islands.

I will say that this was our most expensive cruise yet. The spring break dates made the sailing more than we are used to paying and flights were really high. And you will see later that we spent a bit more on excursions than we normally do.

Ok I think that is enough background info. I tend to ramble.

 

[BrookeMQ]

The first day is always a bit crazy. The sailing before us got delayed in customs so boarding was delayed. It was just one line for everyone to get into it didn't matter your arrival time that Carnival gave you. The line was long but it actually moved pretty fast and we got on right when we should have anyways.

We got are photo taken. My son was getting a bit impatient. ha ha


We went and had lunch. We love all of the different options that carnival had instead of just a buffet. My husband got guys burgers, my son had the Mongolian wok, I had fish tacos, and my daughter had pizza.

 

[BrookeMQ]

The kids enjoyed the waterslides. We had fun at the sail away party.




We met up with my husbands family at dinner each night. We enjoyed most of our meals in the dining room. I loved the strawberry soup. Its always a favorite. The brisket and the mahi mahi were all hits. And of course the chocolate melting cake.

​

 

[BrookeMQ]

Sea Day

We spent our sea day riding the water slides, swimming and playing on the ropes course and mini golf. My husband loves to play dodgeball in the mornings.

My daughter and I went to sea day brunch. I love getting the fun French toast (covered in frosted flakes) and she enjoys the pancakes covered in chocolate.

We tried something new this time and went to tea time. It was cute and I would do it again. Lipton tea is free but they other "fancier" teas for under $2. I got a mint one. The desserts were yummy.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Sea Day continued...

It was the first of two formal nights for this cruise. My son wasn't into getting pictures as you can see. We managed to finally get an ok one of our little family. We also got one of all the cousins and then are entire group

Lobster was on the menu so everyone gets excited. I don't care for it. My husband got two.

The kids enjoyed watching Bumblebee pool side and even had a late night swim.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Sea Day

We spent our sea day riding the water slides, swimming and playing on the ropes course and mini golf. My husband loves to play dodgeball in the mornings.

My daughter and I went to sea day brunch. I love getting the fun French toast (covered in frosted flakes) and she enjoys the pancakes covered in chocolate.

We tried something new this time and went to tea time. It was cute and I would do it again. Lipton tea is free but they other "fancier" teas for under $2. I got a mint one. The desserts were yummy.

Thanks for your review

 

[BrookeMQ]

Grand Cayman

We have been to Grand Cayman a few times. On our honeymoon we did an island tour to Hell, Turtle farm, etc. And we have gone to seven mile beach. This time we decided to walk to Eden Rock to snorkel and then head to Cemetery beach. (the end of 7 mile beach.

Eden Rock was a short walk maybe 10 minutes tops to the right when we got off the tender. There is a dive shop there if you need to rent anything. We got our own equipment at Costco and it has paid for itself. There was stuff to see right when we got in. (There is a ladder). Lots of fans and these fish with cool wing like fins. There was even a small octopus in a hole in the rock right by the ladder (you can see a tentacle in the picture) There are three buoys that mark where to snorkel. They aren't necessarily close but not too far. I am an ok swimmer and I could do it no problem. Out there was where the coral was and just lots more to see.

 

[mevelandry]

Grand Cayman

We have been to Grand Cayman a few times. On our honeymoon we did an island tour to Hell, Turtle farm, etc. And we have gone to seven mile beach. This time we decided to walk to Eden Rock to snorkel and then head to Cemetery beach. (the end of 7 mile beach.

Eden Rock was a short walk maybe 10 minutes tops to the right when we got off the tender. There is a dive shop there if you need to rent anything. We got our own equipment at Costco and it has paid for itself. There was stuff to see right when we got in. (There is a ladder). Lots of fans and these fish with cool wing like fins. There was even a small octopus in a hole in the rock right by the ladder (you can see a tentacle in the picture) There are three buoys that mark where to snorkel. They aren't necessarily close but not too far. I am an ok swimmer and I could do it no problem. Out there was where the coral was and just lots more to see.

I'd love to know what you took your underwater pictures with. They look amazing.

 

[BrookeMQ]

I'd love to know what you took your underwater pictures with. They look amazing.

Thanks. I have an Olympus tough underwater camera. Its pretty easy to use.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Grand Cayman continued...

We walked back to the cab stand about 5 minutes and got a cab to cemetery beach. It was about $6 a person.
Its called cemetery beach because its right next to a cemetery

There are no facilities here so it keeps the crowds away

It was beautiful and just what we wanted. We put our towels down in the shade and played in the water all day.

 

[BrookeMQ]

We celebrated my daughters birthday this night also. I ordered a cake from the candy shop. The waiters sang to her.

 

[Monykalyn]

OMG @BrookeMQ I just read your review over lunch break on the CC board Really loved it!

 

[mevelandry]

Apparently Carnival is slowly starting Netflix streaming on their ships now?

I can imagine DCL will do the same thing with its upcoming streaming service...

 

[BrookeMQ]

OMG @BrookeMQ I just read your review over lunch break on the CC board Really loved it!

Thanks. I didn't know if I was allowed to mention that or not. Its way more detailed if anyone wants to check it out. I am just doing a quick one here.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Apparently Carnival is slowly starting Netflix streaming on their ships now?

I can imagine DCL will do the same thing with its upcoming streaming service...

That would be cool. I usually download a bunch of things from Netflix to watch on the cruise.

 

[hdrolfe]

Apparently Carnival is slowly starting Netflix streaming on their ships now?

I can imagine DCL will do the same thing with its upcoming streaming service...

Oh that could be dangerous, though kiddo likes to watch something while he falls asleep so that could be good.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Oh that could be dangerous, though kiddo likes to watch something while he falls asleep so that could be good.

Yes. The Tv choices were awful. The kids usually wind down watching a bit of tv before bed. We didn't do that all this trip.