CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Thank you (my new kitten, Olaf!)

I did read that about Alaska, but the rest are different, I wonder how it will all play out between all the cruiselines. I know Carnival has more families so understand that, but thought they would require them for adults at least.

Best name ever.

I just think Carnival prefers to let news out only when they are forced to do so.

I'm expecting vaccines to be mandatory for adults and/or all that can be vaccinated.

 

[belle032]

CARNIVAL COVID-19 GUEST PROTOCOLS
https://www.carnival.com/legal/covi...abAfjmloQhARBNEqj1INClc9aXUKJ4AnBADvfA20MEZsI

The mask & physical distancing protocols are so vague to me. So masks are necessary when physical distancing can't be maintained-does that mean everywhere inside the ship? What if the loungers on deck are 6 ft. apart? Or seats in the theater are blocked to allow space between groups? Or certain machines in the casino are closed? I understand the necessity of them IF they aren't sailing a fully vaccinated ship, but it's a big difference to only needing masks in the terminal and maybe getting up to go to the bar or to your dining table vs. needing to wear them at all times.

Call me crazy, but what if cruise lines could sail both fully vaccinated cruises and "masked up" & physically distant cruises? You're fully vaccinated? Great, these are the itineraries for you. You don't want to vaccinate? Great, bring your masks, be ready to distance, and book this itinerary. I know the logistics would probably be impossible, but then people wouldn't really be able to use the "freedom" argument.

 

[mevelandry]

The mask & physical distancing protocols are so vague to me. So masks are necessary when physical distancing can't be maintained-does that mean everywhere inside the ship? What if the loungers on deck are 6 ft. apart? Or seats in the theater are blocked to allow space between groups? Or certain machines in the casino are closed? I understand the necessity of them IF they aren't sailing a fully vaccinated ship, but it's a big difference to only needing masks in the terminal and maybe getting up to go to the bar or to your dining table vs. needing to wear them at all times.

Call me crazy, but what if cruise lines could sail both fully vaccinated cruises and "masked up" & physically distant cruises? You're fully vaccinated? Great, these are the itineraries for you. You don't want to vaccinate? Great, bring your masks, be ready to distance, and book this itinerary. I know the logistics would probably be impossible, but then people wouldn't really be able to use the "freedom" argument.

This is one thing I dislike. Carnival are good communicators but for the last months, when it comes to health measures, they have been as vague as possible...

 

[mevelandry]

CARNIVAL COVID-19 GUEST PROTOCOLS
https://www.carnival.com/legal/covi...abAfjmloQhARBNEqj1INClc9aXUKJ4AnBADvfA20MEZsI

Apparently, Carnival confirmed that people sailing to Alaska will have to present proof of vaccination otherwise they won't be able to get on board (with no refund) and unfortunately, kids --or adults-- who are not eligible for vaccination cannot sail.

As for the rest of the cruises, as usual, they are being as vague as possible and plan to do test cruises.

 

[brewcrew]

This is one thing I dislike. Carnival are good communicators but for the last months, when it comes to health measures, they have been as vague as possible...

I just think they have to be careful with what they say. Protocols change day to day it seems so they probably don’t want to say something and then take it back. I can‘t even imagine.

 

[mevelandry]

I just think they have to be careful with what they say. Protocols change day to day it seems so they probably don’t want to say something and then take it back. I can‘t even imagine.

Wouldn't it be best to be more severe and then relax measures as "good news" come out?

 

[brewcrew]

Wouldn't it be best to be more severe and then relax measures as "good news" come out?

Absolutely! I agree with you on that.

 

[belle032]

Anyone familiar with Alaska?! So we are seriously considering Alaska again this Fall. NCL has 2 itineraries out which are slightly different. One includes Skagway and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier and the other doesn't include either of those, but it cruises Glacier Bay.

The 2nd one works a touch better for our dates, but is Skagway a must stop? They're running about the same price. And actually, the entire sailing is costing almost $2K LESS than our original booking for the same cabin type and same perks (beverage package, specialty dining, Wifi, etc). Really the only major difference is it's on the Bliss rather than the Encore. I'm having a hard time not justifying rebooking!

 

[brewcrew]

Anyone familiar with Alaska?! So we are seriously considering Alaska again this Fall. NCL has 2 itineraries out which are slightly different. One includes Skagway and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier and the other doesn't include either of those, but it cruises Glacier Bay.

The 2nd one works a touch better for our dates, but is Skagway a must stop? They're running about the same price. And actually, the entire sailing is costing almost $2K LESS than our original booking for the same cabin type and same perks (beverage package, specialty dining, Wifi, etc). Really the only major difference is it's on the Bliss rather than the Encore. I'm having a hard time not justifying rebooking!

Skagway is where you get to ride the White Pass Railway. If you are interested in that then yes, Skagway is a must. We have done Disney to Alaska roundtrip from Vancouver with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with our glacier day being Tracy Arm. Our excursion in Skagway was fabulous.

We are booked for Alaska northbound voyage next summer and they have the same three stops plus Glacier Bay. I have heard that Glacier Bay is a must while in Alaska.

You will enjoy any Alaskan cruise. It is just beautiful!

 

[mevelandry]

Interesting news:

https://carnival-news.com/2021/05/2...gain-cdc-approval-as-restarts-plans-progress/

 

[hdrolfe]

Interesting news:

https://carnival-news.com/2021/05/2...gain-cdc-approval-as-restarts-plans-progress/

A good step forward. Gives me hope

 

[belle032]

Edit: According to an NCL FB group, they are switching ships for Alaska. (Back to the Encore, which we were originally booked on!) So they are working on getting everyone already booked switched over, then will reopen. Hopefully crisis averted!

Ughhhhh may have missed our Alaska window! I was just on the NCL website to put a deposit down and NOTHING is showing for 2021 Alaskan sailings. I'm hoping it's a glitch, but then again people want to cruise and everything might just be sold out!

Guess it's time to check Carnival & RCCL sailings. Not necessarily a bad thing, but was looking forward to trying NCL!

 

[tidefan]

Edit: According to an NCL FB group, they are switching ships for Alaska. (Back to the Encore, which we were originally booked on!) So they are working on getting everyone already booked switched over, then will reopen. Hopefully crisis averted!

Ughhhhh may have missed our Alaska window! I was just on the NCL website to put a deposit down and NOTHING is showing for 2021 Alaskan sailings. I'm hoping it's a glitch, but then again people want to cruise and everything might just be sold out!

Guess it's time to check Carnival & RCCL sailings. Not necessarily a bad thing, but was looking forward to trying NCL!

Why not go Princess? They usually have the best itineraries up there.

 

[belle032]

Why not go Princess? They usually have the best itineraries up there.

You're right-can't believe I didn't think of Princess. Always heard they were great for Alaska. I wanted to rebook on NCL because we had a credit from our original sailing being cancelled, but if for whatever reason that falls through I will be checking them out.

 

[hdrolfe]

With Carnival now saying "vaccinated" for cruising, which I am for in a general sense, I may have to cancel everything for December. Kiddo won't be 12 until mid cruise and while I hope to get him vaccinated before then, I'm not sure if it will happen. So, I'll be waiting to see and hopefully know by September what's going on. Before I have to PIF.

Since I just booked a Disney trip for April/May, not sure we'd do one in December as well. My flights to Orlando are already booked but I can change them. Also have to cancel my hotel bookings... and just generally replan everything. Disney isn't even really an option since they seem to be really busy in December (go figure lol). Sigh. I just want to cruise!! Was very excited to be going on Mardi Gras. At least our August 2022 Bermuda on Magic will happen.

 

[mevelandry]

With Carnival now saying "vaccinated" for cruising, which I am for in a general sense, I may have to cancel everything for December. Kiddo won't be 12 until mid cruise and while I hope to get him vaccinated before then, I'm not sure if it will happen. So, I'll be waiting to see and hopefully know by September what's going on. Before I have to PIF.

Since I just booked a Disney trip for April/May, not sure we'd do one in December as well. My flights to Orlando are already booked but I can change them. Also have to cancel my hotel bookings... and just generally replan everything. Disney isn't even really an option since they seem to be really busy in December (go figure lol). Sigh. I just want to cruise!! Was very excited to be going on Mardi Gras. At least our August 2022 Bermuda on Magic will happen.

I thought the "vaccinated" cruise were just Alaska?

 

[bcwife76]

I thought the "vaccinated" cruise were just Alaska?

From the interview Duffy gave this morning, it sounds like it's all Carnival cruises going forward (for now). I found her answers a bit wishy washy but I was also staring at the beautiful ship behind her at the time (we were supposed to be on the Mardi Gras this past March):

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/...ent-talks-restarting-cruise-industry-78081592

 

[mevelandry]

From the interview Duffy gave this morning, it sounds like it's all Carnival cruises going forward (for now). I found her answers a bit wishy washy but I was also staring at the beautiful ship behind her at the time (we were supposed to be on the Mardi Gras this past March):

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/...ent-talks-restarting-cruise-industry-78081592

You are right, I happened to watch it earlier tonight. It sure sounds like it's going to be mandatory.

 

[mevelandry]

Not gonna lie, I teared up yesterday morning as I watch Carnival Mardi Gras‘s arrival at Port Canaveral. (I can’t wait to be back on a ship!)

For those who do not wanna watch the whole video, start at 48 minutes:

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Carnival still hasn’t made a firm commitment on what we’re going to need for our July cruise, expecting something Monday or Tuesday. My wife and kids got their first dose a couple weeks ago only so they could go on a cruise, so we’ll be ready to go if they do require it. I don’t care what they decide, just get me on a ship!

We’re at WDW right now and are having a good time but realized we really do much better on cruise vacations.

I’ll let you know as soon as I hear something either way!