CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[lklgoodman]

Sorry I can't provide firsthand information - we were originally booked NCL for Alaska last year before it was cancelled and we booked another line. I was excited to try it, but hopefully we will in the future! However, my mom did sail on the Bliss for her Alaskan cruise and loved it. I believe the ship was really built for Alaska so it's a great choice. Apparently, the Observation Deck is absolutely amazing, the ship itself is quite beautiful, lots of food and drink options, etc.

In terms of drink packages, like @hdrolfe said, NCL tends to run their promotion of having them "included" meaning you just pay gratuities, but they aren't required and you can remove them from your booking. I don't think your DD will have any issue going to any restaurant, specialty dining will probably just require a reservation. Drinks should really be the same as on DCL, except for soda, so I wouldn't be too concerned about that!

If we do Alaska again, it will definitely be on NCL. Sounds like you're doing your research and will have a wonderful time. Alaska is just like nothing we've ever experienced before so enjoy every minute!

Thanks for the info. So sorry you couldn't go on the one you had booked. Which line did you book on? I'm hoping we won't have to worry about covid by 2023. This cruise sails from Seattle, so hopefully that will help if there's still problems traveling between US and Canada. We will be going on the Encore, not the Bliss. They both go to Alaska. From what I can tell they are pretty much the same ship or very similar. The Encore has Kinky Boots as one of the main shows while the Bliss has Jersey Boys. We'd rather see Kinky boots, so that's why I'm going to book it, lol. Right now I'm looking at booking the first week of June, doing the family club balcony. I would LOVE to get a Haven cabin, cause that looks amazing. We did Alaskan cruise 2014 on Disney. My dd was only 6 yrs old then so we were really limited on our excursions. She'll be 15 yrs old when we do this one, so I'm looking forward to not being restricted with our choices.

 

[belle032]

Thanks for the info. So sorry you couldn't go on the one you had booked. Which line did you book on? I'm hoping we won't have to worry about covid by 2023. This cruise sails from Seattle, so hopefully that will help if there's still problems traveling between US and Canada. We will be going on the Encore, not the Bliss. They both go to Alaska. From what I can tell they are pretty much the same ship or very similar. The Encore has Kinky Boots as one of the main shows while the Bliss has Jersey Boys. We'd rather see Kinky boots, so that's why I'm going to book it, lol. Right now I'm looking at booking the first week of June, doing the family club balcony. I would LOVE to get a Haven cabin, cause that looks amazing. We did Alaskan cruise 2014 on Disney. My dd was only 6 yrs old then so we were really limited on our excursions. She'll be 15 yrs old when we do this one, so I'm looking forward to not being restricted with our choices.

We were actually originally booked on the Encore out of Seattle as well, but it was cancelled. And yes, I think the Encore & Bliss are sister ships so really similar! We ended up booking almost the same itinerary on Carnival after we received a really amazing promotion that I just couldn't say no to. I believe after we booked Carnival, NCL opened up again, but we couldn't really switch back at that point. But the money savings allowed us an extra day in Seattle, a better balcony cabin and more on excursions, so I'm not mad about that!

I think you're correct about your DD and excursions - she should be able to do everything!

 

[belle032]

Officially checked in for our 2/26 cruise! These next 2 weeks are almost the most stressful though - praying to the cruising gods to please keep us healthy so we can see that negative test result!

 

[mevelandry]

Good morning!

My husband and I started looking for our annual anniversary trip (for 2023)and we wanted to do something different. Since we already have a lot of trips planned for 2022-2023, Europe will not be possible so I started looking and we are very interested in a cruise with a stop in Cabo! (Mexican Riviera)...

We contacted our PVP and we are waiting to hear back...

So the two stops would be Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada on Carnival Miracle.

Any tips and advices about cruising from Long Beach, Carnival Miracle, Cabo and Ensenada would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[belle032]

We were just on the Miracle for Alaska! It's a smaller and older ship (maybe Conquest class size-ish?), but I remember thinking it would be great for a warmer weather cruise because of the number and location of the pools. I believe the Serenity deck was all the way aft, but did have it's own pool and hot tub. Then there were 2 more on Lido - Mid & forward. The Mid pool had the glass dome over it. Not sure if it was retractable because it was out the entire time.

The interior was the typical older Carnival style, but the layout was easy to navigate. It had the upgrades-Alchemy, Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, Red Frog Pub, etc.

I will say I was NOT a fan of the casino area. If you look at a ship map, it takes up the entire part of a main floor so you have to go through it to get to the theater, coffee bar, sports bar, etc. And with the smoking, I didn't like having to walk through all the time (you could avoid if you went up/down, crossed, then went back). But again, I think that was typical in the older ships.

Happy to answer any other questions if you think of any!

 

[mevelandry]

We were just on the Miracle for Alaska! It's a smaller and older ship (maybe Conquest class size-ish?), but I remember thinking it would be great for a warmer weather cruise because of the number and location of the pools. I believe the Serenity deck was all the way aft, but did have it's own pool and hot tub. Then there were 2 more on Lido - Mid & forward. The Mid pool had the glass dome over it. Not sure if it was retractable because it was out the entire time.

The interior was the typical older Carnival style, but the layout was easy to navigate. It had the upgrades-Alchemy, Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, Red Frog Pub, etc.

I will say I was NOT a fan of the casino area. If you look at a ship map, it takes up the entire part of a main floor so you have to go through it to get to the theater, coffee bar, sports bar, etc. And with the smoking, I didn't like having to walk through all the time (you could avoid if you went up/down, crossed, then went back). But again, I think that was typical in the older ships.

Happy to answer any other questions if you think of any!

Thank you! I have just watched a video and you are right, the ship looks very nice for warm weather! Like you said, it seems to have everything we like as well (Guy’s Burger, Red Frog, etc.) so I’m already sold on the ship.

 

[belle032]

So Carnival is testing the Verifly app and our sailing is one of the groups that it can be used for. I think it's just being used for Mardi Gras sailings right now, but I assume it would eventually go fleetwide if it works for them.

Basically it's an app that you upload all your vax & testing documentation to before embarkation. It has: vaccine attestation, upload proof of vax, submit negative COVID test results, and complete health assessment. So everything you do in person on embarkation day.

Everyone under your booking number can be on the same app (so I can have the app for DH & I), which I like. So far it seems very useful, but I don't think I'm at the point where I wouldn't bring hard copies to check in...just in case!

 

[lklgoodman]

So Carnival is testing the Verifly app and our sailing is one of the groups that it can be used for. I think it's just being used for Mardi Gras sailings right now, but I assume it would eventually go fleetwide if it works for them.

Basically it's an app that you upload all your vax & testing documentation to before embarkation. It has: vaccine attestation, upload proof of vax, submit negative COVID test results, and complete health assessment. So everything you do in person on embarkation day.

Everyone under your booking number can be on the same app (so I can have the app for DH & I), which I like. So far it seems very useful, but I don't think I'm at the point where I wouldn't bring hard copies to check in...just in case!

Thanks for sharing. We have our info on our My Chart acct but each person has to have their own acct so rather inconvenient having to log on and off to get to each person's info. The app sounds a lot better.

 

[tidefan]

Carnival is dropping masks except in specific venues on March 1st

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/carnival-cruise-line-ease-mask-mandate-guests-march-1-2022-02-19/

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Carnival is dropping masks except in specific venues on March 1st

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/carnival-cruise-line-ease-mask-mandate-guests-march-1-2022-02-19/

Looks like they are also allowing rampant unvaccinated kids. Not cool.

 

[dreynolds1982]

I hope Disney follows suit soon. In my opinion (key word) it's time to start easing back on things. We're seeing it in major cities, at the theme parks, etc. Glad to see some cruise lines beginning to follow.

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival is dropping masks except in specific venues on March 1st

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/carnival-cruise-line-ease-mask-mandate-guests-march-1-2022-02-19/

They say it will still be required in certain venues. So vague…

Overall, bad decision, IMO. I’m fairly certain they will live to regret that decision.

 

[belle032]

Bummed. San Juan got changed to Nassau for our sailing next week. Not 100% sure why, I've heard a few different things, but it is what it is. I'm not exactly sure what we'll do there yet-we've never actually been to Atlantis so maybe we'll finally make the trip over just to say we've been.

Still ready for vacation!

 

[mevelandry]

Bummed. San Juan got changed to Nassau for our sailing next week. Not 100% sure why, I've heard a few different things, but it is what it is. I'm not exactly sure what we'll do there yet-we've never actually been to Atlantis so maybe we'll finally make the trip over just to say we've been.

Still ready for vacation!

While we haven’t done the Atlantis aquapark, we visited the resort and it’s lovely.

More recently, Margaritaville opened a new resort close to the port, apparently, there are day passes for it. We put that on our list in case we return to Nassau… if we decide not to do Blue Lagoon again.

 

[dreynolds1982]

They say it will still be required in certain venues. So vague…

Overall, bad decision, IMO. I’m fairly certain they will live to regret that decision.

I get personal feelings vary wildly about masks so not going to get into all that but I doubt they will regret the decision. Most everywhere is heading that direction, including Disney World. Where I live we haven't had any sort of mask mandate for months and places that had very strict mask mandates had just as bad if not worse numbers during the omicron surge. Even the CDC has acknowledged that the regular cloth mask doesn't do much, esp vs omicron. I don't think it'll be long before Dcl drops their mask requirement as well.

If there's still a requirement I will absolutely wear a mask no questions asked, and have always happily followed guidelines wherever I've been, but I personally think the time for strict requirements and guidelines may be beginning to pass.

 

[belle032]

I get personal feelings vary wildly about masks so not going to get into all that but I doubt they will regret the decision. Most everywhere is heading that direction, including Disney World. Where I live we haven't had any sort of mask mandate for months and places that had very strict mask mandates had just as bad if not worse numbers during the omicron surge. Even the CDC has acknowledged that the regular cloth mask doesn't do much, esp vs omicron. I don't think it'll be long before Dcl drops their mask requirement as well.

If there's still a requirement I will absolutely wear a mask no questions asked, and have always happily followed guidelines wherever I've been, but I personally think the time for strict requirements and guidelines may be beginning to pass.

Our sailing will be tricky as we leave 2/26, but we'll be onboard through 3/5. So we're all curious, do masks just become optional halfway through the cruise? Guess we'll find out!

In our case, I'm fine if the mask requirements drop. We're still sailing under the 95% vaxxed rule and like you stated, other places such as WDW have already dropped the requirement. I'm in NY, one of the most stringent states regarding masks, and our mandates have all expired. I wear mine grocery shopping and crowded places, but it's probably only maybe 50% of people wearing masks in any given place anymore.

CCL has opted into the CDC program and I feel cruise lines have really done all they can do to keep passengers safe. Potential guests can decide whether or not they are comfortable with the protocols going forward.

 

[hdrolfe]

I believe a few cruiselines have opted into the CDC program, RCL is also moving to optional masks for vaccinated. I am not sure if they are including kids under 5 in their vaccination calculations, but even so 95% vaccination should give some sense of security to not catching covid on board. Add in the precruise test, I think it will be as safe, or more so, than other vacations. I mean Disney and Universal are also lifting mask mandates, and don't have the vaccine requirements.

 

[mevelandry]

I get personal feelings vary wildly about masks so not going to get into all that but I doubt they will regret the decision. Most everywhere is heading that direction, including Disney World. Where I live we haven't had any sort of mask mandate for months and places that had very strict mask mandates had just as bad if not worse numbers during the omicron surge. Even the CDC has acknowledged that the regular cloth mask doesn't do much, esp vs omicron. I don't think it'll be long before Dcl drops their mask requirement as well.

If there's still a requirement I will absolutely wear a mask no questions asked, and have always happily followed guidelines wherever I've been, but I personally think the time for strict requirements and guidelines may be beginning to pass.

Where I live, our observation was completely the opposite. Very few cases when masks were worn, explosion of cases when removed.

My fear is that cruise ships will end up being under observations or simply turned away at ports because of outbreaks.

Plus, as Canadians, having to tests in order to get back home complicates things a lot. I’m not as worried for my health (other than hating being sick on vacation to begin with) as much as getting stuck in the USA because of a cruise ship outbreak.

 

[belle032]

Love last minute plan changes to add to the stress of cruising!

We were supposed to fly out tomorrow night, but due to the impending winter storm expected to hit Friday, we are now flying out tonight. Major scrambling to rebook flight, take day off work, make arrangements for the dog, add another night to the hotel... I know it's one of those things that if we didn't change the flight, we would be in trouble and if we did change the flight, nothing would happen. But for peace of mind - we made the choice to get down there.

Positive note - negative COVID tests this morning and officially good to go! And we get an extra day in Orlando so I might see a Disney Springs day happening....

Send us positive traveling thoughts!

 

[lklgoodman]

Love last minute plan changes to add to the stress of cruising!

We were supposed to fly out tomorrow night, but due to the impending winter storm expected to hit Friday, we are now flying out tonight. Major scrambling to rebook flight, take day off work, make arrangements for the dog, add another night to the hotel... I know it's one of those things that if we didn't change the flight, we would be in trouble and if we did change the flight, nothing would happen. But for peace of mind - we made the choice to get down there.

Positive note - negative COVID tests this morning and officially good to go! And we get an extra day in Orlando so I might see a Disney Springs day happening....

Send us positive traveling thoughts!

Safe travels. I'm in Ohio, just waiting on the snow and ice coming our way. Glad you were able to get an earlier flight, definitely a smart move.