CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

As I wrote the previous post it, it reminded me about debarkation morning. Cruising with a passport has gotten way easier, at least on Carnival and at the Galveston port. Carnival is now using facial recognition software and so is customs. After we picked up our luggage and went to leave the terminal, they separated us into two lines, those with passports and those without. The passport line was moving super fast despite there being more people. When we got to the front they had about 10 iPads set up on stands and an agent directing us to them one at a time. We stepped up, it scanned our face making sure it matched to our passports, gave us a green light and we were on our way. It was awesome! No more waiting at the booth for them to look at everything and ask us questions. It seriously was less than 10 seconds to do, I loved it!!!

I have experienced this before. Super quick and easy.

 

[serene56]

I believe so, although I think the Spirit Class ships have a few balconies that connect to window and maybe even inside cabins.

balcony connect to an inside cabin check out like area 5108/5106 there is only two sets on each deck starting with deck 5, 6 and 7 these tend to go quickly and hold only 4 people total in both cabins

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

balcony connect to an inside cabin check out like area 5108/5106 there is only two sets on each deck starting with deck 5, 6 and 7 these tend to go quickly and hold only 4 people total in both cabins

Thank you, I thought there were some, I think that’s a great idea for a ship. I really want to try one of the Spirit Class ships, I don’t know why but they just seem really amazing to me.

 

[Trvlnomad]

Glad to discover this thread. Planning first Carnival cruise on Mardi Gras. Will need to read through For some tips. Went with a balcony cabin for now - waiting on some reviews on the Havana area.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Glad to discover this thread. Planning first Carnival cruise on Mardi Gras. Will need to read through For some tips. Went with a balcony cabin for now - waiting on some reviews on the Havana area.

Which sailing are you on? I can hardly wait to hear some reviews!

 

[mevelandry]

Have you guys seen some of John Heald’s new videos (« walkies ») about the Mardi Gras? The ships looks spectacular!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Have you guys seen some of John Heald’s new videos (« walkies ») about the Mardi Gras? The ships looks spectacular!

Yes!!! Watched them this morning, can hardly wait to go on.

 

[mevelandry]

Yes!!! Watched them this morning, can hardly wait to go on.

We have just watched the one with the Lido and the infinity pool on Deck 16... Can’t wait for this winter!

My husband and I really have a feeling that Mardi Gras will change Carnival guests experience and may have an impact on older ships at some point. (À la Fun 2.0 that was added to older ships).

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We have just watched the one with the Lido and the infinity pool on Deck 16... Can’t wait for this winter!

My husband and I really have a feeling that Mardi Gras will change Carnival guests experience and may have an impact on older ships at some point. (À la Fun 2.0 that was added to older ships).

I think they’re moving further to the family cruising segment, and have a feeling it’s going to upset some of the Carnival diehards. Mardi Gras definitely does not feel like a Carnival ship. I think it’s awesome and can hardly wait to hear about your experience.

 

[mevelandry]

I think they’re moving further to the family cruising segment, and have a feeling it’s going to upset some of the Carnival diehards. Mardi Gras definitely does not feel like a Carnival ship. I think it’s awesome and can hardly wait to hear about your experience.

I already thought they stepped up their game with the Vista class but Mardi Gras and Celebration are going to be game changers.

Never thought I would say this but I strongly believe that DCL (who keep raising their prices, pricing out their most loyal guests) has some serious competition now.

A 7 nights in a Cloud 9 Spa cabin has cost us (on Mardi Gras) what it would have cost us for a 3 nights on Disney Cruise Line...

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I already thought they stepped up their game with the Vista class but Mardi Gras and Celebration are going to be game changers.

Never thought I would say this but I stringly believe that DCL (who keep raising their prices, pricing out their most loyal guests) has some serious competition now.

A 7 nights in a Cloud 9 Spa cabin has cost is (on Mardi Gras) what it would have cost us for a 3 nights on Disney Cruise Line...

I agree, that’s why we ended up canceling our Wish cruise and adding a second week on Mardi Gras. I was pretty disappointed in Wish, I felt like DCL didn’t really bring anything new to the experience. Some changes in decor and an upgraded water slide, but that’s about it. I honestly don’t think we’ll do another Disney cruise, unless I eventually sell my restaurant and can take a Christmas cruise finally! I love Disney at Christmas time and desperately want to be on a ship on Christmas Eve and Day.
I keep watching more of John Heald’s videos and am getting more and more excited about Mardi Gras! Wow, she’s gorgeous!

I feel like I’ve gotten to know everyone on this thread really well, would you guys be interested in a Disboards Alum Carnival cruise together? We’re booked for 6/17/23, 8 night Southern Caribbean on Carnival Celebration if anyone wants to join us!

 

[belle032]

Have you guys seen some of John Heald’s new videos (« walkies ») about the Mardi Gras? The ships looks spectacular!

I watched a bit last night - honestly the ship looks beautiful. He's roaming around doing videos of some of the different cabin categories this morning, but haven't had a change to watch yet! Very excited for this class of ship, but we haven't even sailed on the Vista or Horizon yet. I'm thinking next year we might have to double up on cruises...you know, to make up for 2020.

 

[mevelandry]

I agree, that’s why we ended up canceling our Wish cruise and adding a second week on Mardi Gras. I was pretty disappointed in Wish, I felt like DCL didn’t really bring anything new to the experience. Some changes in decor and an upgraded water slide, but that’s about it. I honestly don’t think we’ll do another Disney cruise, unless I eventually sell my restaurant and can take a Christmas cruise finally! I love Disney at Christmas time and desperately want to be on a ship on Christmas Eve and Day.
I keep watching more of John Heald’s videos and am getting more and more excited about Mardi Gras! Wow, she’s gorgeous!

I feel like I’ve gotten to know everyone on this thread really well, would you guys be interested in a Disboards Alum Carnival cruise together? We’re booked for 6/17/23, 8 night Southern Caribbean on Carnival Celebration if anyone wants to join us!

End of June is usually one of the busiest time for us at the office... Otherwise, I would have loved it! Especially with a Southern Caribbean (We have never done that itinerary... It's on my bucket list!)

 

[mevelandry]

I watched a bit last night - honestly the ship looks beautiful. He's roaming around doing videos of some of the different cabin categories this morning, but haven't had a change to watch yet! Very excited for this class of ship, but we haven't even sailed on the Vista or Horizon yet. I'm thinking next year we might have to double up on cruises...you know, to make up for 2020.

If you look at my signature you already know that I think doubling up on cruises to make up for 2020 is an excellent strategy.

I am the biggest fan of the Vista Class but I have a feeling that once we have tried the XL class, we'll have a hard time going back to anything else that Vista & XL.

 

[belle032]

I feel like I’ve gotten to know everyone on this thread really well, would you guys be interested in a Disboards Alum Carnival cruise together? We’re booked for 6/17/23, 8 night Southern Caribbean on Carnival Celebration if anyone wants to join us!

A meetup cruise would be so fun! I wish we could book that far out, but we can only usually go out a year or so, max. But if anyone is up for a January/February sailing, let me know. DH & I are always dying to get out of here in the winter.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

A meetup cruise would be so fun! I wish we could book that far out, but we can only usually go out a year or so, max. But if anyone is up for a January/February sailing, let me know. DH & I are always dying to get out of here in the winter.

I wish we could go during those months, that’s the busiest time of the year for my restaurant and the time of year that we don’t want to leave Arizona

 

[mevelandry]

I wish we could go during those months, that’s the busiest time of the year for my restaurant and the time of year that we don’t want to leave Arizona

Crazy how different it can be in different parts of the world… Here in Montreal, because Jan-Feb the coldest of our winter (and right after Christmas so people spend less) it is considered low season and many restaurants close their doors for a month and reopen for Valentine’s Day.

 

[belle032]

Crazy how different it can be in different parts of the world… Here in Montreal, because Jan-Feb the coldest of our winter (and right after Christmas so people spend less) it is considered low season and many restaurants close their doors for a month and reopen for Valentine’s Day.

Agree! We're in upstate NY and ready to get the heck outta here in January, February, and even early March. Or we're open to September/October, especially if we're going to WDW - cooler temps & kids are in school. Low season works well for us. Might be in trouble if we ever decide to have children

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Crazy how different it can be in different parts of the world… Here in Montreal, because Jan-Feb the coldest of our winter (and right after Christmas so people spend less) it is considered low season and many restaurants close their doors for a month and reopen for Valentine’s Day.

Our business level quadruples during that time compared to our slower months. All the “snowbirds” from cold areas of the US and Canada, (we really missed you all this year), “flock” to us, to enjoy our sunshine and warm temps.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

John Heald announced that Cucina Italian would be included, no up charge, for both lunch and dinner on Mardi Gras. Also, a bunch of the specialty restaurants will be serving an included breakfast. They’re really trying to get people spread out all over the ship instead of everyone eating at the Lido buffet.