RCL or Carnival to save $678

[AnneBen20]

We are booked on RCL for Alaska. We can get a similar stateroom on Carnival and save $678. We have been on Carnival before and we were happy. It will be our first time on RCL. Comparing the itineraries (same ports) the schedule is better on RCL, longer times in ports. Can anyone tell me if RCL offers a better experience? Another consideration is that our reservation through Costco allows for no penalty cancellation sixty days out while Carnival will charge a penalty for cancellation and future credit only. Thank you for input.

 

[ldo]

unless you already have plane tickets and are locked into set dates b/c of airfare, I would never book something that is nonrefundable prior to normal canx dates. Otherwise, I would read the reviews on cruisecritic of both ships and also of any other ships that sailed on those lines in Alaska to get an idea of pros/cons.

 

[ilovetexas]

When? Which ships? Are you taking kids? What ages? I like the Carnival product and while I would prefer Celebrity in Alaska, I would sail with Carnival this season just because John Heald is the cruise director on the Miracle. Normally CDs don't make or break a trip for me but I would LOVE to cruise with him.

Give us some more details if you can, please. Thanks!

 

[AnneBen20]

Looking at May 2015 RCL Jewel of the Seas vs CCL Legend. We have kids, 12 and 7 years old at that time. Our youngest child is disabled and when we traveled Carnival a few years ago the staff took amazing care of him to the point where we can honestly say we never changed a diaper on that cruise. Our kids loved everything about being on that cruise and it was the el cheapo Mexican Rivera 4 night cruise out of Long Beach. We found out we loved cruising and have been planning and penny pinching to go again.
RCL is OV balcony vs. Legend Deck seven obstructed balcony. I am reading that a balcony is not needed in Alaska. Price difference is similar if we just book OV. Thanks

 

[ilovetexas]

Looking at May 2015 RCL Jewel of the Seas vs CCL Legend. We have kids, 12 and 7 years old at that time. Our youngest child is disabled and when we traveled Carnival a few years ago the staff took amazing care of him to the point where we can honestly say we never changed a diaper on that cruise. Our kids loved everything about being on that cruise and it was the el cheapo Mexican Rivera 4 night cruise out of Long Beach. We found out we loved cruising and have been planning and penny pinching to go again.
RCL is OV balcony vs. Legend Deck seven obstructed balcony. I am reading that a balcony is not needed in Alaska. Price difference is similar if we just book OV. Thanks

I haven't been on Jewel OTS but the CCL Legend is one of my favorite ships, right behind the Celebrity Silhouette. Legend has one of the highest space to passenger ratios in the industry. Unless we were in line to get off the ship for a shore excursion, we didn't realize there was a crowd of people onboard! Service was excellent. Balcony room was large, larger than Jewel is going to have. Food was very good.

All that said, even though I haven't been on Jewel OTS, it is part of RCCL's Brilliance Class and those ships are supposed to have more glass (for exterior views) than most other ships. That could be really special in AK.

That's a tough choice. Both ships get similar ratings on Cruise Critic. I don't think you can go wrong with either. If you're looking at the May 26 and May 29 sailings, I personally think the Legend has the better itinerary. We went to Hubbard Glacier so I haven't been to Tracy Arm or Glacier Bay but my understanding is that everyone prefers Glacier Bay (Legend). Also, I REALLY enjoyed Ketchikan and the Jewel doesn't go there.

Maybe you could let that be the deciding factor since I think you'd be happy on either ship. Do some research on Ketchikan and the difference in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. Here's a link to the Alaska board at Cruise Critic:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Have fun researching. I'm sure you'll love whichever you choose!

 

[AnneBen20]

Thank you for the wonderful responses. After much debate and considering cabin locations, I choose neither and instead went with Norwegian Jewel because of the Nickelodeon experience for the kids and freestyle dining options. The price was midway between Carnival and RCL.

 

[ilovetexas]

Thank you for the wonderful responses. After much debate and considering cabin locations, I choose neither and instead went with Norwegian Jewel because of the Nickelodeon experience for the kids and freestyle dining options. The price was midway between Carnival and RCL.

Well, good for you! I'm cruising on Breakaway to Bermuda in September and it's going to be my first NCL cruise. Booking with Costco, we got all the Nickelodeon specials, too, but since our kids are not going to be with us I'm not sure what I'll do with them. I think we're going to get the Unlimited Dining Package and once I convince DH it's okay not to bring a tuxedo, we're going to be just fine! Personally, I'm looking forward to Freestyle Dining!

Enjoy Alaska! It's really quite beautiful.