CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[sethschroeder]

I think a lot of it has to do with client base and vaccination protocols. CCL, RCCL & NCL are sailing 95%-100% vaxed which may allow them to bring on a larger number of passengers for one sailing. I know CCL is enforcing indoor masking again, but not as much social distancing.

DCL has no vaccine requirement, so they choose to enforce stricter social distancing and reserving all activities, including pool time.

Not saying either one is right or wrong, it just might account for some of those differences.

I know others on this board feel differently and that if everyone is vaccinated then that's all it takes. I just personally have felt differently and that in terms of cruise ships social distancing, limited capacity, and testing is the important part while in the grand scheme of society vaccination is important.

Like I said though I was a little over zealous when I first posted as it likely wasn't as bad as I perceived it and if you wanted to avoid crowds you likely could.

 

[mevelandry]

I know others on this board feel differently and that if everyone is vaccinated then that's all it takes. I just personally have felt differently and that in terms of cruise ships social distancing, limited capacity, and testing is the important part while in the grand scheme of society vaccination is important.

Like I said though I was a little over zealous when I first posted as it likely wasn't as bad as I perceived it and if you wanted to avoid crowds you likely could.

I'd personally like them to have both. Lower capacity/better social distancing and the vaccines requirement.

I'd love an almost empty ship.

 

[sethschroeder]

I'd love an almost empty ship.

Unfortunately so few cruise lines seem to be doing this. This comes from Disney being "over priced" in the end because they can more easily turn a profit or at least not lose as much money.

I know RCL had their CEO say 30-50% capacity. Is there word on any other cruise lines that are below 50% for US sailings at all?

 

[mevelandry]

Ok, I’m definitely having a rough week.

Just found out that travel insurance in Canada… Not only do they currently refuse to cover us for trips to the USA… But they also refuse to cover cruises.

This means we have to cancel our October cruise as well (with MSC). Not even sure if I’m gonna get a credit with them because we are long past the paid in full date... Currently on the phone with them waiting to talk to an agent and see what my options are, if there is any.TBD.

 

[mevelandry]

Ok, I’m definitely having a rough week.

Just found out that travel insurance in Canada… Not only do they currently refuse to cover us for trips to the USA… But they also refuse to cover cruises.

This means we have to cancel our October cruise as well (with MSC). Not even sure if I’m gonna get a credit with them because we are long past the paid in full date... Currently on the phone with them waiting to talk to an agent and see what my options are, if there is any.TBD.

UPDATE: They let me change my dates/ship/port of departure without any problems. We chose to try the brand new MSC SEASHORE in October 2022. Hopefully, that one will happen!

 

[bcwife76]

Right before we left for the Dominican, I had a 7 night Mardi Gras cruise on hold for March 2023. I turned it over twice and was about to pay the deposit when DH said NO. Sigh. Eventhough it's a refundable deposit he doesn't want to put another dime down on any cruise until the vaccine stuff is sorted out (we are both AZ/Moderna mixed and so far, only our 13yr old is fully vaxxed, with Pfizer). We keep moving our DCL money forward (without contributing any more) and he's annoyed enough so......sigh.

 

[mevelandry]

Right before we left for the Dominican, I had a 7 night Mardi Gras cruise on hold for March 2023. I turned it over twice and was about to pay the deposit when DH said NO. Sigh. Eventhough it's a refundable deposit he doesn't want to put another dime down on any cruise until the vaccine stuff is sorted out (we are both AZ/Moderna mixed and so far, only our 13yr old is fully vaxxed, with Pfizer). We keep moving our DCL money forward (without contributing any more) and he's annoyed enough so......sigh.

Yeah, my husband and I recently came to the same conclusion. Right now, the only thing I'm doing is changing dates and moving moneys already paid (that cruise lines won't refund)...

I don't know about you but I can't even get excited about a cruise anymore because I'm so used to be disappointed after 18 months.

If travel restrictions get relaxed later this Fall, we may book a last minute cruise (lowest rates I've ever seen on Carnival) but until then, we'll keep our money.

 

[hdrolfe]

I'm anxious about my March break cruises on RCL because of the mixed vaccine stuff, I'm not even sure when I can move them to since I have so many others already booked. I also have an MSC booked late Jan but just need to call and cancel that one, even if I lose the deposit it was $49 CAD so not a big deal. After March is August 2022 on Carnival. Those are the only ones I have concerns about. I assume by 2023 everything will be good.

For the March break, since they are out of Port Canaveral, and I have flights already booked (it's expensive to fly that time of year, I booked early), I may shift to Disney/Universal I guess. I mean I can move the flights but I just want to go on a trip. Some place warm in winter. I really do want to cruise again though, although I am also hopeful things will be back to more "normal" before we go anywhere.

 

[belle032]

We have nothing booked past our cruise next month. Normally, I'd be jumping on the lower January-March rates to the Caribbean! Or some other trip would be in the works to get us out of here in the winter. Luckily, we have Alaska to focus on right now, but it feels really strange to not have anything past that to look forward too. Traveling is really important to DH and I (and I have a very hard time in the winters) so hopefully we can get *something* on the books in the near future.

If all else fails, I'll take myself to WDW for a few days.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I feel for everyone. I am in the same boat (want to be ON a boat!). Although I am in the middle of selling my house and relocating for work so all my vacation time for the rest of the year will be moving and then coming back to visit family for the holidays. We have our British Isles next July and I can't even work up any excitement. Will be be able to travel internationally? Will all mask and other restrictions be lifted so we feel like we are on vacation?

 

[belle032]

Officially completed Online Check in this morning! And bonus: I must be hitting Platinum this cruise because I was able to check in 2 days early!

The only real negative is I'm having a heck of a time finding a place to get a rapid covid test. Espectially because we are flying out a few days early to attend a wedding in another state and we can't get tested before we go as it's outside the 3 day window. Plenty of places for a "normal" test that take 1-3 days for results, but I can't handle that stress of possibly not getting results before embarkation day. A lot of people on our FB group are buying the accepted home covid test and I think we're going to have to go the same route. It's money I wasn't planning on spending, but I think it's our best bet.

It's still a funny feeling, like I'm very excited we're getting ready to go, but I'm almost hesitant to be TOO excited because I feel like it could be taken away at any time. I can guarantee you waiting for those covid test results will be the most stressful period of time I've had in a longggggggg while. I know everything is out of our hands now so really just crossing fingers at this point!

 

[mevelandry]

I should have been on the Sunrise as we are speaking... Unfortunately, life (covid) has chosen otherwise.

While it's not going to be the same as going on a cruise, in a few days we're going to Niagara Falls.

My in-laws have never been there before so it will be fun to do the short cruise in the falls with them, etc.

To me, NF comes in 3rd place right after Universal and WDW so I'm pretty excited and I could not get there soon enough.

 

[belle032]

I should have been on the Sunrise as we are speaking... Unfortunately, life (covid) has chosen otherwise.

While it's not going to be the same as going on a cruise, in a few days we're going to Niagara Falls.

My in-laws have never been there before so it will be fun to do the short cruise in the falls with them, etc.

To me, NF comes in 3rd place right after Universal and WDW so I'm pretty excited and I could not get there soon enough.

I'm sorry you had to cancel, but happy you get to take a small getaway! I was hoping to get to NF when my mom came to visit, but since Canada was still closed to us (and the NY side is pretty yuck), we didn't make the drive. I hope you have a great time!

 

[belle032]

Just got an email from DCL announcing 25% off rates on Verandah Category with restrictions for upcoming 3-4 night sailings. Must pay in full upon booking. Took a look just to get an idea of cost.

Cheapest one is 3 Nights on the Dream (Halloween on the High Seas)-Guaranteed Verandah (can't choose stateroom)-2 Adults: $1524.22.

DH & I paid $1889.32 for our 8 Day Alaska sailing in an extended balcony, with gratuities and $100 OBC included. I know we got an amazing casino rate (thanks DH!) and we're on a smaller ship, but we're literally paying only $350 more for our cruise!

I really would like to try DCL again and I know if we had kids we might feel differently, but this is pretty much why we just can't justify the cost right now.

 

[mevelandry]

I'm sorry you had to cancel, but happy you get to take a small getaway! I was hoping to get to NF when my mom came to visit, but since Canada was still closed to us (and the NY side is pretty yuck), we didn't make the drive. I hope you have a great time!

Thank you!

 

[mevelandry]

Just got an email from DCL announcing 25% off rates on Verandah Category with restrictions for upcoming 3-4 night sailings. Must pay in full upon booking. Took a look just to get an idea of cost.

Cheapest one is 3 Nights on the Dream (Halloween on the High Seas)-Guaranteed Verandah (can't choose stateroom)-2 Adults: $1524.22.

DH & I paid $1889.32 for our 8 Day Alaska sailing in an extended balcony, with gratuities and $100 OBC included. I know we got an amazing casino rate (thanks DH!) and we're on a smaller ship, but we're literally paying only $350 more for our cruise!

I really would like to try DCL again and I know if we had kids we might feel differently, but this is pretty much why we just can't justify the cost right now.

It’s a good price… for DCL (the type of prices we used to pay in 2015).

 

[belle032]

It’s a good price… for DCL (the type of prices we used to pay in 2015).

Agreed. I don't see any type of sale prices often. We can't justify that cost, but I hope some families can take advantage!

 

[mevelandry]

Came back from Niagara Falls earlier this week. Had a lovely trip... But I wanna go on a cruise more than ever, now.

Still trying to find a solution for the insurance coverage and mandatory testing.

Does anyone know if Carnival's insurance covers for COVID? I'd be ready to pay the extra charge.

UPDATE: They don't cover Quebecers. Boooooohhhhh

Any news about testing on site/on board?

 

[belle032]

Came back from Niagara Falls earlier this week. Had a lovely trip... But I wanna go on a cruise more than ever, now.

Still trying to find a solution for the insurance coverage and mandatory testing.

Does anyone know if Carnival's insurance covers for COVID? I'd be ready to pay the extra charge.

UPDATE: They don't cover Quebecers. Boooooohhhhh

Any news about testing on site/on board?

We fly out tomorrow for the 1st part of our trip (going to a wedding first) and fly to Seattle on Sunday. We actually sail on Tuesday, 9/14, so we have to test anytime between Sunday-Tuesday. I have *heard* that Carnival has set up rapid testing facilities at the Seattle terminal at the cost of $150 pp. And I think you can go the day before to test. It's not ideal, but it's cheaper than what the Seattle airport is charging and at least it's an option as a last resort. Rapid tests are becoming increasingly hard to come by.

DH & I bought the home testing kits (telehealth monitored) that both CCL & RCCL accept. It seems like many people in our FB group have done the same. We're going to test tonight just to know how it works and if we happen to test positive, we'll be absolutely devastated, but at least we know before we go. If we're in the clear, we'll test first thing Sunday before our flight. Knowing me and my anxiety level about this, I'll probably be wide awake testing at 12:01AM on Sunday. I just got an email this morning and it says they will accept a "lab health record, digital certificate or healthcare record" for test results. Our results are delivered to an app, but I believe they can be emailed and printed, so I plan to have both.

Hopefully, I can provide more accurate updates in a few weeks!

 

[hdrolfe]

@mevelandry glad you had a good time in Niagara Falls, we enjoyed a few days in Toronto in early August and agree it just made me want to cruise more. I have mixed vaccines so that's still an issue for us. Kiddo gets his second shot Saturday and he'll be ready to travel But I have to figure out how to do it, get another shot or something (Ontario isn't offering them for travel). Any way! We have B2B (sort of) in March and hope everything is sorted by then. Including not needing a test to return to Canada if vaccinated, perhaps a test at the airport? But who knows what will happen. I have my fingers crossed, and don't have to pay in full until December so hopefully by then things will be in better shape. Or at least enough to make a decision, I have Disney booked as a backup in case we can't cruise. I mean it will be a nice vacation any way, but a cruise is what I want to do!

Those home testing kits look interesting but aren't available in Canada yet. And the testing to return home is still the issue, on site/on board don't appear to be available or an option that would work for Canada. Some airports have them but even those can't be guaranteed in time. The Walgreens tests and such, can be booked but may not be back in time. It's all a lot of hoops for sure. I hope the rules change by then. At least we don't have to quarantine on return.