CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[Caraleigh]

Something that hasn't been mentioned that really bothered my boyfriend and me on our Carnival cruise last year was the pressure to buy things. We were looking into a DCL Honeymoon and wanted to know if that same pressure was present on DCL. The push to buy alcohol at our dining table, photos while trying to get to dinner, jewelry, and all the other stuff they sold on board and even at port.

I understand shopping is super fun for a lot of people, but for an introvert like myself, I was really put off by the whole thing.

Also, does anyone have any insight into the smoking areas on DCL? Granted, I haven't done much research into that aspect of DCL, but it was also something I noticed when I had to walk through the casino on my CC to get to dinner. Cigarette smoke causes an almost immediate headache, so I wasn't always feeling the best in the evenings.

Thanks!

 

[mevelandry]

Something that hasn't been mentioned that really bothered my boyfriend and me on our Carnival cruise last year was the pressure to buy things. We were looking into a DCL Honeymoon and wanted to know if that same pressure was present on DCL. The push to buy alcohol at our dining table, photos while trying to get to dinner, jewelry, and all the other stuff they sold on board and even at port.

I understand shopping is super fun for a lot of people, but for an introvert like myself, I was really put off by the whole thing.

Also, does anyone have any insight into the smoking areas on DCL? Granted, I haven't done much research into that aspect of DCL, but it was also something I noticed when I had to walk through the casino on my CC to get to dinner. Cigarette smoke causes an almost immediate headache, so I wasn't always feeling the best in the evenings.

Thanks!

Photos while trying to get dinner, trying to sell wine and packages of wine, sparkling water instead of flat water, treatments at the spa, waiter trying to sell us drinks were very present on our last DCL cruise. And I did not even mention about the "excellent service - comment card". It was just as bad as what I encountered on CCL.

There are smoking sections on DCL but they are outside.

 

[mevelandry]

The first time we cruised on the Fantasy January of 2013 half the ship or more was Canadian. Guest services told me that was normal for Jan/Feb. I doubt that's the case anymore.

I don't know. We hate winter. I know people are still trying to avoid it by going on vacation from December to April.

 

[Dug720]

Something that hasn't been mentioned that really bothered my boyfriend and me on our Carnival cruise last year was the pressure to buy things. We were looking into a DCL Honeymoon and wanted to know if that same pressure was present on DCL. The push to buy alcohol at our dining table, photos while trying to get to dinner, jewelry, and all the other stuff they sold on board and even at port.

I understand shopping is super fun for a lot of people, but for an introvert like myself, I was really put off by the whole thing.

Also, does anyone have any insight into the smoking areas on DCL? Granted, I haven't done much research into that aspect of DCL, but it was also something I noticed when I had to walk through the casino on my CC to get to dinner. Cigarette smoke causes an almost immediate headache, so I wasn't always feeling the best in the evenings.

Thanks!

I have not cruised Carnival (zero desire thanks to their advertising), but I have cruised RCCL, and they do heavy sales with a gauntlet to get on the ship and/or into the buffet.

While I have been asked if I want to purchase a wine package ONCE per cruise on DCL and there are ladies from the spa out, the major difference I have found with DCL is that once you say no if asked they leave you alone. And they are not jumping in your face with things like they were on RCCL. Literally last summer I had to ask three crew members on RCCL to please move so I could enter the buffet because they were completely blocking my way waving their whatever they were selling in my face.

The only time they have tried to sell a picture package was when we were deciding which ones to get and had i think 8 pictures. But he left us alone to decide and did not hover like a vulture.

As said, all DCL smoking areas are outside. The only one that irks me is at least on the Dream class, the Deck 12 area is placed so that if you try to get to 13 via the stairs outside you have to walk through it. Other than that, they are pretty easily avoided.

 

[RedSox68]

I don't think 5000 is a lot for a family vacation. I think it's a lot for an inside room on a Caribbean cruise. I also think vacations have to be a priority which I would assume is the case for people posting on a vacation board. I would also assume most people taking Disney cruises are middle to upper class with secure jobs. I know people that make a ton of money that would never be comfortable with it. They are always saving for a rainy day. Interesting one of the questions on the DCL survey was "Do you live like there's no tomorrow". I think to enjoy traveling you have to have a little of that mentality. When you think about theres probably always something more necessary you could be spending the money on then travel.

I go by what it comes out to per night. For me, I am not comfortable spending more than $400 or so per night (even if food is included) because our budget won't allow it. If I spend that, then we are only taking one vacation every two years! Someone posted b2b bookings for Bermuda for their family and it was over $10,000. That only amounts to an 11-night vacation. That's over $800/night! When you think about it, $5,000 for just one week for cruise only without air or transportation or a pre-cruise hotel is a lot

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Something that hasn't been mentioned that really bothered my boyfriend and me on our Carnival cruise last year was the pressure to buy things. We were looking into a DCL Honeymoon and wanted to know if that same pressure was present on DCL. The push to buy alcohol at our dining table, photos while trying to get to dinner, jewelry, and all the other stuff they sold on board and even at port.

I understand shopping is super fun for a lot of people, but for an introvert like myself, I was really put off by the whole thing.

Also, does anyone have any insight into the smoking areas on DCL? Granted, I haven't done much research into that aspect of DCL, but it was also something I noticed when I had to walk through the casino on my CC to get to dinner. Cigarette smoke causes an almost immediate headache, so I wasn't always feeling the best in the evenings.

Thanks!

Here is the thing about the sales on Carnival, RCCL, etc. They have tables set up in high traffic areas. The staff will try to engage you as you walk by but with a smile, a no, thank you and your feet moving forward they will move on. That simple. I have never once felt any pressure to buy, spend money or otherwise part with my cold hard cash.

 

[mevelandry]

Ok, here are the official numbers I got, for the most basic interior cabin, for 2 adults, 5 nights cruise to the Bermuda departing from NYC:

RCCL: $2,058.00 CND = 1510.45$ USD which, in USD is 151$/per night, per person.

DCL: $ 3454.06 CND = 2535,08$ USD which, in USD is 253$/per night, per person.


It's a $1025 USD difference. (1386.09$ less in CND $)... I do not regret booking with RCCL.

 

[mevelandry]

I have not cruised Carnival (zero desire thanks to their advertising) (...)

What advertising? This?

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/uploads/image/College Humor Carnival Cruise(1).jpg

 

[RedSox68]

Here is the thing about the sales on Carnival, RCCL, etc. They have tables set up in high traffic areas. The staff will try to engage you as you walk by but with a smile, a no, thank you and your feet moving forward they will move on. That simple. I have never once felt any pressure to buy, spend money or otherwise part with my cold hard cash.

I never have either -- on any of the other cruise lines we have done (including Carnival and NCL), they have tables set up for drink packages, water purchases, etc., but have never been aggressive or pushy about us buying. We just say no thank and that ends it. They've never approached us around the ship ever for selling anything either.

 

[mevelandry]

I never have either -- on any of the other cruise lines we have done (including Carnival and NCL), they have tables set up for drink packages, water purchases, etc., but have never been aggressive or pushy about us buying. We just say no thank and that ends it. They've never approached us around the ship ever for selling anything either.

Exactly, it's no worst than people at home passing flyers or newspapers at the entrance of the subway station. It's not Nassau.

 

[Dug720]

What advertising? This?

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/uploads/image/College Humor Carnival Cruise(1).jpg

Their whole "fun ships" thing. Not my style at all.

 

[RedSox68]

Exactly, it's no worst than people at home passing flyers or newspapers at the entrance of the subway station. It's not Nassau.

UGH, don't get me started on the Straw Market -- where vendors kept grabbing my 12-year-old daughter to look at their wares!

 

[RedSox68]

Their whole "fun ships" thing. Not my style at all.

I truly think it depends on the itinerary. We took Carnival Glory out of NYC to St. John over Labor Day Weekend a couple of years ago and we had nice varied group of passengers that included families, family reunions and such. We never experienced any drunkenness, rude or loud behavior or anything like what you read about on Carnival and RCCL. In fact, we are booked again this year on the Sunshine for a New England/Canada cruise and am not worried at all about having any issues. I think the northern intineraries are more sedate than the Caribbean or Mexican ones.

 

[mevelandry]

Their whole "fun ships" thing. Not my style at all.

I like what I saw. Very colorful. I can't wait to try everything they have to offer.

 

[mevelandry]

I truly think it depends on the itinerary. We took Carnival Glory out of NYC to St. John over Labor Day Weekend a couple of years ago and we had nice varied group of passengers that included families, family reunions and such. We never experienced any drunkenness, rude or loud behavior or anything like what you read about on Carnival and RCCL. In fact, we are booked again this year on the Sunshine for a New England/Canada cruise and am not worried at all about having any issues. I think the northern intineraries are more sedate than the Caribbean or Mexican ones.

The Sunshine looks nice! I was supposed to sail on it to go to the Bermuda in 2016. I was sad to cancel. Was supposed to stay in a Cloud 9 room.

But I'll have my Cloud 9 on the Vista & the Bermuda on the Anthem next year.

 

[Dug720]

Way too Vegas for my tastes. Of course I am the weird one who has no interest in Vegas, so I know I am in the minority. If the style works for you, great! I will stick with a more classic style.

Regarding the whole "fun ship" thing, that WAS their ad thing for the longest. You cannot just snap fingers and expect people to forget your old advertising.

 

[RedSox68]

Way too Vegas for my tastes. Of course I am the weird one who has no interest in Vegas, so I know I am in the minority. If the style works for you, great! I will stick with a more classic style.

Regarding the whole "fun ship" thing, that WAS their ad thing for the longest. You cannot just snap fingers and expect people to forget your old advertising.

True about the advertising. I think they are trying harder now to appeal to the family genre. I will say this about the ship we were on, we had THE most beautiful oceanview room I've ever had -- the decor and colors were so gorgeous and comforting and the room was huge by any standard.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Their whole "fun ships" thing. Not my style at all.

Yes, we all know, you hate Carnival and you don't like to have fun. Geez, move on.

 

[cruiser21]

Yes, we all know, you hate Carnival and you don't like to have fun. Geez, move on.

I was wondering why she keeps posting here. Just to remind us she'll never cruise Carnival?

 

[mevelandry]

Please, guys... Let's not fight here.