CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

So... Apparently on the new ships, the Havana section will be closed to all non-Havana guests (even past 7:00 PM).

 

[belle032]

So... Apparently on the new ships, the Havana section will be closed to all non-Havana guests (even past 7:00 PM).

I've never been on a ship with the Havana option, but I don't think this is a bad thing. Guests pay premiums for those rooms to have those private spaces so I'm not upset that now they actually are fully private. I figure it was kind of like DCL opening up Concierge spaces after 7PM to regular guests. Could you imagine the uproar?

Maybe someone who has booked those rooms or taken advantage of the after-7PM freedom will have a different opinion, but I don't see it as a negative.

 

[hdrolfe]

So... Apparently on the new ships, the Havana section will be closed to all non-Havana guests (even past 7:00 PM).

My son isn't 12 yet so we haven't gone in havana but we have family harbour booked for Dec 2020. I would be upset if everyone was allowed in that lounge area after a certain time after paying more for the room (in not the best location either, deck 2 a lot of them under the galley). I wasn't planning to take advantage of the after 7 rule so don't think it will impact me. But when kiddo is 12 or older, I can certainly see booking there and enjoying the area.

 

[mevelandry]

I've never been on a ship with the Havana option, but I don't think this is a bad thing. Guests pay premiums for those rooms to have those private spaces so I'm not upset that now they actually are fully private. I figure it was kind of like DCL opening up Concierge spaces after 7PM to regular guests. Could you imagine the uproar?

Maybe someone who has booked those rooms or taken advantage of the after-7PM freedom will have a different opinion, but I don't see it as a negative.

I agree with it too. Truth be told, when we sailed on the Vista, we were allowed to go and never did. And I agree that those who pay more should have it just for them.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So... Apparently on the new ships, the Havana section will be closed to all non-Havana guests (even past 7:00 PM).

They’re changing it on Vista class too, sometime later this month I believe.

 

[bcwife76]

Took the plunge and booked our first non-Disney cruise for spring break 2021! It was a toss up between Royal (Oasis of the Seas) and NCL (Breakaway), ended up booking NCL. A bit nervous. We will be Platinum (hopefully) by then so I told my dh no better way to celebrate our 11th cruise and turning Platinum than by doing it on another cruise line It's ok, our first Platinum cruise can then be in 2022 on the Disney Wish

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Took the plunge and booked our first non-Disney cruise for spring break 2021! It was a toss up between Royal (Oasis of the Seas) and NCL (Breakaway), ended up booking NCL. A bit nervous. We will be Platinum (hopefully) by then so I told my dh no better way to celebrate our 11th cruise and turning Platinum than by doing it on another cruise line It's ok, our first Platinum cruise can then be in 2022 on the Disney Wish

You guys got bit by the cruise bug bad, I remember your first cruise was our 4th on DCL. It’s hard taking the plunge to something other than Disney for the first time, but it’s been well worth it for us.

I’m excited to hear about your trip since we have NCL Escape booked for June 2021. We’re still struggling with that cruise a bit too. We’re used to DCL and Carnival now so trying a third cruise line is a little hard for us. In my mind I know it shouldn’t be, but change can be a little hard. Please share any info with us that you find out for the next year and a half, I know you’ll be researching things!!

Jack

 

[mevelandry]

Trying a new cruise line is always a bit stressful because it's new territory. You make adjustments.

My husband still can't get over the fact that RCCL doesn't have comedy shows every nights... Yet they had none on DCL.

 

[bcwife76]

You guys got bit by the cruise bug bad, I remember your first cruise was our 4th on DCL. It’s hard taking the plunge to something other than Disney for the first time, but it’s been well worth it for us.

I’m excited to hear about your trip since we have NCL Escape booked for June 2021. We’re still struggling with that cruise a bit too. We’re used to DCL and Carnival now so trying a third cruise line is a little hard for us. In my mind I know it shouldn’t be, but change can be a little hard. Please share any info with us that you find out for the next year and a half, I know you’ll be researching things!!

Jack

So my excitement might be shortlived and premature, I've read several bad reviews on the Breakaway regarding smoking, how back the smoke is ALL over the ship etc. Gross. Apparently the Bliss is the only ship in their fleet to have an enclosed smoking area in the casino (preventing it from wafting everywhere) and the only itinerary for March 2021 is Mexico (been there done that). So we could very well be jumping ship (pun intended) to Oasis. I really wanted to try one of the new Carnival ships but either the dates don't work for us or their itineraries are too similar to something we have already sailed with DCL. They are still on the list for Europe, however ;-)
Sigh....too darn complicated for my tastes

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So my excitement might be shortlived and premature, I've read several bad reviews on the Breakaway regarding smoking, how back the smoke is ALL over the ship etc. Gross. Apparently the Bliss is the only ship in their fleet to have an enclosed smoking area in the casino (preventing it from wafting everywhere) and the only itinerary for March 2021 is Mexico (been there done that). So we could very well be jumping ship (pun intended) to Oasis. I really wanted to try one of the new Carnival ships but either the dates don't work for us or their itineraries are too similar to something we have already sailed with DCL. They are still on the list for Europe, however ;-)
Sigh....too darn complicated for my tastes

Did you look into Mardi Gras?

 

[bcwife76]

Did you look into Mardi Gras? View attachment 451491

Yes the Mardi Gras looks amazing!!! But for scheduling reasons only one of those 4 days could possibly work....Saturday to Saturday cruises are difficult during spring break just because of the way my husband's vacation schedule is structured. Basically March is the end of an old vacation schedule and the beginning of the new one for the year right in the middle of the month So planning Spring break trips, unlike the rest of the year, are tricky.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Yes the Mardi Gras looks amazing!!! But for scheduling reasons only one of those 4 days could possibly work....Saturday to Saturday cruises are difficult during spring break just because of the way my husband's vacation schedule is structured. Basically March is the end of an old vacation schedule and the beginning of the new one for the year right in the middle of the month So planning Spring break trips, unlike the rest of the year, are tricky.

Gotcha

 

[mevelandry]

So my excitement might be shortlived and premature, I've read several bad reviews on the Breakaway regarding smoking, how back the smoke is ALL over the ship etc. Gross. Apparently the Bliss is the only ship in their fleet to have an enclosed smoking area in the casino (preventing it from wafting everywhere) and the only itinerary for March 2021 is Mexico (been there done that). So we could very well be jumping ship (pun intended) to Oasis. I really wanted to try one of the new Carnival ships but either the dates don't work for us or their itineraries are too similar to something we have already sailed with DCL. They are still on the list for Europe, however ;-)
Sigh....too darn complicated for my tastes

I think I hear that about every cruise ship that has a casino... Never experienced a smell all over a ship so far.

 

[bcwife76]

Gotcha

I think I hear that about every cruise ship that has a casino... Never experienced a smell all over a ship so far.

Captain wishy washy reporting for duty We're going on Carnivals newest ship, Mardi Gras!!! My dh says he'll find a way to make the vacation time work even if he has to take an unpaid day (the ship leaves Saturday so he'd have to take at least one extra day off as it literally leaves the FIRST day of the new vacation schedule lol).

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Captain wishy washy reporting for duty We're going on Carnivals newest ship, Mardi Gras!!! My dh says he'll find a way to make the vacation time work even if he has to take an unpaid day (the ship leaves Saturday so he'd have to take at least one extra day off as it literally leaves the FIRST day of the new vacation schedule lol).

I’m so excited for you. I’m really excited about that ship, she looks amazing, who wouldn’t love a roller coaster 18 decks in the air on a cruise ship????? Am I right?

The cruise director is going to be Matt Mitchum and he is awesome, makes all the deck parties super fun. Carnival is definitely different than DCL, but still tons of fun, and the casual food options are way better, we live Carnival food.

I’m anxious to hear what you think about it when you get back.

 

[belle032]

PIF for our January cruise on the Conquest! Considering we are expecting a snowstorm today, I’m already counting down the days until the sunshine!

Now it’s time to pick out excursions, save for the beverage package and start planning our WDW trip

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

So my excitement might be shortlived and premature, I've read several bad reviews on the Breakaway regarding smoking, how back the smoke is ALL over the ship etc. Gross. Apparently the Bliss is the only ship in their fleet to have an enclosed smoking area in the casino (preventing it from wafting everywhere) and the only itinerary for March 2021 is Mexico (been there done that). So we could very well be jumping ship (pun intended) to Oasis. I really wanted to try one of the new Carnival ships but either the dates don't work for us or their itineraries are too similar to something we have already sailed with DCL. They are still on the list for Europe, however ;-)
Sigh....too darn complicated for my tastes

We had a cruise scheduled on the breakaway for about a year ago and ended up cancelling because of many overwhelmingly bad reviews. I am not sure what it is about that ship... if you are going to try another line, I definitely would go with one of the newest ships first so that you will not be disappointed. We have been on NCL and our kids really did not like their club. Like refused to go which is very unlike them. Not sure if that is important to your family. Our kids love dcl and carnival clubs— I mean really love the Carnival clubs. We are trying princess in March so I can report back on those clubs soon.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Captain wishy washy reporting for duty We're going on Carnivals newest ship, Mardi Gras!!! My dh says he'll find a way to make the vacation time work even if he has to take an unpaid day (the ship leaves Saturday so he'd have to take at least one extra day off as it literally leaves the FIRST day of the new vacation schedule lol).

Ok just ignore my last post!! I responded without reading through the entire thread! Your kids will love Carnival. You cannot go wrong with Carnival’s new ships. We are going on the Panorama (ship before Mardi gras) summer 2020. We love their old ships too, but their new ships really compete well with dcl.

 

[mevelandry]

Captain wishy washy reporting for duty We're going on Carnivals newest ship, Mardi Gras!!! My dh says he'll find a way to make the vacation time work even if he has to take an unpaid day (the ship leaves Saturday so he'd have to take at least one extra day off as it literally leaves the FIRST day of the new vacation schedule lol).

So exciting!!!

 

[mevelandry]

PIF for our January cruise on the Conquest! Considering we are expecting a snowstorm today, I’m already counting down the days until the sunshine!

Now it’s time to pick out excursions, save for the beverage package and start planning our WDW trip

Let us know what you pick!