CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Thoughts on the NCL Prima?

https://www.ncl.com/cruise/prima

It looks very special and I like it.

Expecting rates to be more expensive...

 

[DCLDVC1]

It looks very special and I like it.

Expecting rates to be more expensive...

It's a beautiful ship. The Infinity Beach area looks very relaxing.

 

[belle032]

Thoughts on the NCL Prima?

https://www.ncl.com/cruise/prima

Looks gorgeous. Love the clean, open look and the ocean colors. I also really enjoy that new ships are doing indoor/outdoor seated dining. There's no reason DCL couldn't do this in 1 of their dining rooms at least. The Infinity Beach concept looks amazing and that glass walkway is a very cool addition. Just a small thing, but innovative!

Makes me more eager to give NCL a try!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I think I remember having tea on a port day in Alaska (Princess, 3 different cruises/ itineraries). It was afternoon tea, so it didn’t conflict with doing excursions. (In addition to Sea Days).

Carnival had tea on the two sea days on a 4-night cruise to Cozumel. Actually a better selection of sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. Please tea from a selection. Good options are chosen from a cart. On my cruise, this was poorly attended, as was a Dr Seuss brunch, which was surprisingly good.

Tea on Princess is a plus for me. Scones with clotted cream, sandwiches, and assorted cookies. The tea is made in large batches, but is fine enough. Gloved waiters come around with platters of goodies. This is not greatly attended either. The Pub lunch gets a better turnout on Princess.

I love afternoon tea on Carnival, it’s really a great experience! And the Dr Seuss brunch is fantastic! It’s a fun experience and I had the best steak and eggs ever at brunch, it was a wonderful 6 oz petite filet that was cooked perfectly and had a sensational flavor. I highly recommend doing both.

 

[kaseyC]

Thoughts on the NCL Prima?

https://www.ncl.com/cruise/prima

The ship looks really cool. All of the public areas look fantastic. Absolutely love the look and new location of the Haven. We booked a Haven suite for the Sept. 2022 - 12 night WBTA from Southampton to NYC. For 2 of us it was not much more than a verandah is going for on the Disney Magic's 2022 EBTA.

 

[brewcrew]

Thoughts on the NCL Prima?

https://www.ncl.com/cruise/prima

It looks gorgeous!!!!

 

[auntlynne]

I love afternoon tea on Carnival, it’s really a great experience! And the Dr Seuss brunch is fantastic! It’s a fun experience and I had the best steak and eggs ever at brunch, it was a wonderful 6 oz petite filet that was cooked perfectly and had a sensational flavor. I highly recommend doing both.

I had the filet, too. It was the best meat I had on the cruise. The man next to me ordered pancakes. When the food arrived, he was not happy with his choice. Our entire row of diners egged him on to order the filet. Definitely a cruise newbie, unaware that he could get additional food. Very happy to see him enjoy his steak replacement. I think that $5 brunch was as good, food-wise, as $40 dinner at Palo (who’s kidding, it costs the price of a tip at this point in my cruising life). I’m curious to see how the new prix fixe or a la carte choice works in Palo.

 

[mevelandry]

Our airline messed up our reservations so we had to change our cruise plans. We had to make the heartbreaking choice to move the date ahead and to go from 3 nights to 4 nights with an upgraded balcony view on MSC Divina. On top of that, we have to suffer an overnight on their brand new Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Please send us thoughts and prayers.

 

[brewcrew]

Our airline messed up our reservations so we had to change our cruise plans. We had to make the heartbreaking choice to move the date ahead and to go from 3 nights to 4 nights with an upgraded balcony view on MSC Divina. On top of that, we have to suffer an overnight on their brand new Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Please send us thoughts and prayers.

That sounds rough. I’m sure you will find the strength to endure it!!!

 

[mevelandry]

That sounds rough. I’m sure you will find the strength to endure it!!!

Thank you. We'll try to stay strong.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Carnival is still planning on sailing Breeze, Vista, and Horizon in July so we really had only 1 choice, we’re booked on the 7/3 Vista cruise out of Galveston. If it sailed will be our 5th cruise on Vista, we did the same cruise in 2019, stops in Honduras, Belize and Cozumel, we might not even get off the ship. We’re so hoping she’s able to sail

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Our airline messed up our reservations so we had to change our cruise plans. We had to make the heartbreaking choice to move the date ahead and to go from 3 nights to 4 nights with an upgraded balcony view on MSC Divina. On top of that, we have to suffer an overnight on their brand new Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Please send us thoughts and prayers.

I hope you’re doing ok with such horrible luck, I’m here to listen if you need to get the disappointment off your chest

 

[auntlynne]

Maybe you need a support cruiser to travel with you to make sure you are okay with the changes.

 

[mevelandry]

Maybe you need a support cruiser to travel with you to make sure you are okay with the changes.

I’m definitely in need of a support group.

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival is still planning on sailing Breeze, Vista, and Horizon in July so we really had only 1 choice, we’re booked on the 7/3 Vista cruise out of Galveston. If it sailed will be our 5th cruise on Vista, we did the same cruise in 2019, stops in Honduras, Belize and Cozumel, we might not even get off the ship. We’re so hoping she’s able to sail

Sounds amazing. I hope you can sail!

 

[belle032]

Carnival is still planning on sailing Breeze, Vista, and Horizon in July so we really had only 1 choice, we’re booked on the 7/3 Vista cruise out of Galveston. If it sailed will be our 5th cruise on Vista, we did the same cruise in 2019, stops in Honduras, Belize and Cozumel, we might not even get off the ship. We’re so hoping she’s able to sail

I'm with you - I'd sail just about any ship /itinerary right now if it just meant we could cruise! If ships start sailing, I'm alllll over booking something for later this year.

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival Corp has just announced Alaska cruises. Vaccines are mandatory for all guests.

 

[belle032]

Carnival Corp has just announced Alaska cruises. Vaccines are mandatory for all guests.

Looks like NCL & RCCL are too! I've spent the morning comparing prices & itineraries and all are pretty similar. Carnival & NCL are still listing Victoria as a port on their itineraries, so I'm waiting to see if that is updated. Ideally, I'd book NCL again now that we have a 10% discount after our original sailing was cancelled.

 

[mevelandry]

Looks like NCL & RCCL are too! I've spent the morning comparing prices & itineraries and all are pretty similar. Carnival & NCL are still listing Victoria as a port on their itineraries, so I'm waiting to see if that is updated. Ideally, I'd book NCL again now that we have a 10% discount after our original sailing was cancelled.

I'm still hopeful that Canada will authorize stops before the end of cruise season.

 

[bcwife76]

I'm still hopeful that Canada will authorize stops before the end of cruise season.

I read that Horgan (premier here in BC) has some meetings scheduled with the Alaska delegates so I'm assuming technical stops are on the agenda. Whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen. The port of Victoria is freaking OUT about this bill.