We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Ofinn]

Woohoo!

Ready for another challenge? I dare you to try MSC! Yes, that's right..but PLEASE..don't read the reviews...they scared the hell out of me..but I went anyway, and guess what??? LOVED IT!. It is very different than an American line, but not better or worse, just different. It had the itinerary I wanted and KIDS SAIL FREE! If you like Italian food, you will love it...just don't even bother with the reviews or ratings...I had an amazing time and am looking forward to sailing their fleet.

You can check out my sig on CC...I have a link to the trip report.

I get so confused when I start reading reviews. I look at pictures of ships and I think wow what a beautiful ship and then I start reading review and I'm like....huh? I'm not that fussy of a person I look back at every DCL cruise and think wow it was wonderful, but if I really sat down and dissected them it's not always perfect.

We've had mediocre food and service, a dirty toilet when we've entered the room for the first time, had our luggage misplaced twice on embarkation, had our luggage sent to the airport when we weren't going to the airport. Same bag each time. I got rid of that suitcase I think it was jinxed. There has been other little things. None of these things ruined my vacation or my perception of DCL. I choose to focus on everything that was good not bad. I go into every vacation expecting there to be mishaps. That is just part of the vacation. I even budget extra money in case something goes wrong.

I've currently been reading reviews of NCL on cruise critic. I know a lot of people on these boards have cruised NCL and loved it, but some of the reviews on CC are harsh. I'm trying to sift through them, but it's hard. I know a lot of people like RCCL on these boards, but I haven't found a ship, itinerary, and price that interest me. I'd love to do an Asia or Baltic cruise next year.

I'm going to go look for your trip report on CC.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

OK, who is ready for Carnival Horizon! Twiddling my thumbs awaiting more details and itineraries. We are ready to book and plan

 

[RedSox68]

I get so confused when I start reading reviews. I look at pictures of ships and I think wow what a beautiful ship and then I start reading review and I'm like....huh? I'm not that fussy of a person I look back at every DCL cruise and think wow it was wonderful, but if I really sat down and dissected them it's not always perfect.

We've had mediocre food and service, a dirty toilet when we've entered the room for the first time, had our luggage misplaced twice on embarkation, had our luggage sent to the airport when we weren't going to the airport. Same bag each time. I got rid of that suitcase I think it was jinxed. There has been other little things. None of these things ruined my vacation or my perception of DCL. I choose to focus on everything that was good not bad. I go into every vacation expecting there to be mishaps. That is just part of the vacation. I even budget extra money in case something goes wrong.

I've currently been reading reviews of NCL on cruise critic. I know a lot of people on these boards have cruised NCL and loved it, but some of the reviews on CC are harsh. I'm trying to sift through them, but it's hard. I know a lot of people like RCCL on these boards, but I haven't found a ship, itinerary, and price that interest me. I'd love to do an Asia or Baltic cruise next year.

I'm going to go look for your trip report on CC.

Sorry, but I'm one of those people that took the worst (to this day) cruise on Pride of America I've ever been on. Long and short of it -- filthy rooms (we had a verandah and interior) -- glasses in both staterooms with mouthwash and lipstick still on/in them and just covered with little caps! Attitude onboard was awful and food was mediocre. Nine years later and we decided to try NCL again on the Breakaway this fall because they spend the most time in Bermuda and sail out of NYC. We haven't even gotten on the dang ship yet and have already experienced misery -- botch reservation, botched pre-cruise dining and beverage packages booked, and now they won't allow water onboard and have the most ridiculous prices for their bottles. Tried to have a conversation with two different reps who both had horrid attitude and kept cutting me off and interrupting me when I tried to ask about things. Boy I just can't wait to go on that cruise! But I will say, after October I won't be going back to NCL. Too much drama.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Sorry, but I'm one of those people that took the worst (to this day) cruise on Pride of America I've ever been on. Long and short of it -- filthy rooms (we had a verandah and interior) -- glasses in both staterooms with mouthwash and lipstick still on/in them and just covered with little caps! Attitude onboard was awful and food was mediocre. Nine years later and we decided to try NCL again on the Breakaway this fall because they spend the most time in Bermuda and sail out of NYC. We haven't even gotten on the dang ship yet and have already experienced misery -- botch reservation, botched pre-cruise dining and beverage packages booked, and now they won't allow water onboard and have the most ridiculous prices for their bottles. Tried to have a conversation with two different reps who both had horrid attitude and kept cutting me off and interrupting me when I tried to ask about things. Boy I just can't wait to go on that cruise! But I will say, after October I won't be going back to NCL. Too much drama.

I agree, too much drama..though I like to go on CC NCL forum because those posters are very funny. But their new CEO is making so many changes and pissing a lot of people off. Their ships do look beautiful but right now NCL isn't on my radar and neither is RCCL. Maybe one day. Right now, my interests lie with Carnival, Disney and MSC. I'm debating how to vacation for a milestone birthday in 2019. Part of me wants to splurge on the Disney Fantasy, another part of me wants to do MSC Yacht club which is an all inclusive cruise in an "elite" section....sort of like the Haven or Concierge on NCL and Disney. Then again a new Carnival ship in a large suite will be cheaper than both and I'm sure I'll have a good time too...but I have a couple of years to think about it.

 

[Love2Cruz]

OK, who is ready for Carnival Horizon! Twiddling my thumbs awaiting more details and itineraries. We are ready to book and plan

ME!! It will be a late 2018 cruise if they come back to the states.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I get so confused when I start reading reviews. I look at pictures of ships and I think wow what a beautiful ship and then I start reading review and I'm like....huh? I'm not that fussy of a person I look back at every DCL cruise and think wow it was wonderful, but if I really sat down and dissected them it's not always perfect.

We've had mediocre food and service, a dirty toilet when we've entered the room for the first time, had our luggage misplaced twice on embarkation, had our luggage sent to the airport when we weren't going to the airport. Same bag each time. I got rid of that suitcase I think it was jinxed. There has been other little things. None of these things ruined my vacation or my perception of DCL. I choose to focus on everything that was good not bad. I go into every vacation expecting there to be mishaps. That is just part of the vacation. I even budget extra money in case something goes wrong.

I've currently been reading reviews of NCL on cruise critic. I know a lot of people on these boards have cruised NCL and loved it, but some of the reviews on CC are harsh. I'm trying to sift through them, but it's hard. I know a lot of people like RCCL on these boards, but I haven't found a ship, itinerary, and price that interest me. I'd love to do an Asia or Baltic cruise next year.

I'm going to go look for your trip report on CC.

Yeah, I tend to stay away from the Negative Nellies in real life too...and I actually don't even read reviews anymore unless they come with actual trip reports with photos so I can at least see some of it for myself. But even still, I take them with a grain of salt.
MY SN on CC is Love2Cruz2015 btw and my review is under the MSC subforum.

 

[mevelandry]

Sorry, but I'm one of those people that took the worst (to this day) cruise on Pride of America I've ever been on. Long and short of it -- filthy rooms (we had a verandah and interior) -- glasses in both staterooms with mouthwash and lipstick still on/in them and just covered with little caps! Attitude onboard was awful and food was mediocre. Nine years later and we decided to try NCL again on the Breakaway this fall because they spend the most time in Bermuda and sail out of NYC. We haven't even gotten on the dang ship yet and have already experienced misery -- botch reservation, botched pre-cruise dining and beverage packages booked, and now they won't allow water onboard and have the most ridiculous prices for their bottles. Tried to have a conversation with two different reps who both had horrid attitude and kept cutting me off and interrupting me when I tried to ask about things. Boy I just can't wait to go on that cruise! But I will say, after October I won't be going back to NCL. Too much drama.

I don't have much experience with NCL (did not sail with them yet) but I booked with them once and then cancelled to rebook my first cruise with DCL last year. I had no problem whatsoever with them and I have three friends who sailed with them and loved it.

Hopefully your cruise will be nice and problem free.

DH and I are currently shopping for Bermuda cruises (possibly for fall 2017 if we have the funds LOL)... I'm taking a good look at the Breakaway. I've seen it on port in NYC. What a beauty!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

OK, who is ready for Carnival Horizon! Twiddling my thumbs awaiting more details and itineraries. We are ready to book and plan

We're ready! Our son graduates in May 2018 so he gets to pick the cruise but he loved the Vista and we're doing a B2B on her next year. He is leaning toward Horizon in 2018, we're really hoping for a Baltic or British Isles itinerary.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We're ready! Our son graduates in May 2018 so he gets to pick the cruise but he loved the Vista and we're doing a B2B on her next year. He is leaning toward Horizon in 2018, we're really hoping for a Baltic or British Isles itinerary.

Another vote for British Isles! That is my youngest DS's dream trip. Would also love another sea day or 2 so I can actually enjoy the ship

 

[kaseyC]

Woohoo!

Ready for another challenge? I dare you to try MSC! Yes, that's right..but PLEASE..don't read the reviews...they scared the hell out of me..but I went anyway, and guess what??? LOVED IT!. It is very different than an American line, but not better or worse, just different. It had the itinerary I wanted and KIDS SAIL FREE! If you like Italian food, you will love it...just don't even bother with the reviews or ratings...I had an amazing time and am looking forward to sailing their fleet.

You can check out my sig on CC...I have a link to the trip report.

We have the Seaside booked for spring break 2018. Looking forward to trying out MSC.

 

[Ofinn]

I never ever book far in advance, but I've been looking at cruises out of Asia for next Fall. I started looking farther South and found that RCCL's new ship Ovation of the Seas is going to cruising out of Sydney starting Dec 2017. 10 day cruise to New Zealand balcony room 6k. I don't even think I could sail on the Fantasy for that price anymore. Another great thing is that it's Summer break in Australia so kids will be on the ship. This is important to my kids. It's great when you homeschool and you can sail off season on DCL, but when you start looking at more exotic destinations during the off season on other cruise lines you know it's going to be an older demographic.
Seriously thinking about booking this.
Anyway I thought I would share in case anyone has a burning desire to visit Australia winter of 2017/2018.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I never ever book far in advance, but I've been looking at cruises out of Asia for next Fall. I started looking farther South and found that RCCL's new ship Ovation of the Seas is going to cruising out of Sydney starting Dec 2017. 10 day cruise to New Zealand balcony room 6k. I don't even think I could sail on the Fantasy for that price anymore. Another great thing is that it's Summer break in Australia so kids will be on the ship. This is important to my kids. It's great when you homeschool and you can sail off season on DCL, but when you start looking at more exotic destinations during the off season on other cruise lines you know it's going to be an older demographic.
Seriously thinking about booking this.
Anyway I thought I would share in case anyone has a burning desire to visit Australia winter of 2017/2018.

I also want to do Asia, but China and Japan...RCCL and Celebrity have nice itineraries...I keep hoping Carnival and MSC go out there by 2019. MSC has a ship out there but only open to China residents, not available for booking from the US. Grrrrr!

 

[Love2Cruz]

We have the Seaside booked for spring break 2018. Looking forward to trying out MSC.

I'm looking at Seaside to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary with my family for summer 2018. Not open for booking yet. It looks beautiful!

 

[Ofinn]

I also want to do Asia, but China and Japan...RCCL and Celebrity have nice itineraries...I keep hoping Carnival and MSC go out there by 2019. MSC has a ship out there but only open to China residents, not available for booking from the US. Grrrrr!

Id like a cruise that leaves out of Hong Kong. They have a perfect cruie year next year out of Hong Kong to Vietnam and South Korea except its Thanksgiving week not the best time for us.. You got to be careful with Visa costs going over there. Hong kong,Singapore, Japan and South Korea dont require visas. China does and they're pretty expensive.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Id like a cruise that leaves out of Hong Kong. They have a perfect cruie year next year out of Hong Kong to Vietnam and South Korea except its Thanksgiving week not the best time for us.. You got to be careful with Visa costs going over there. Hong kong,Singapore, Japan and South Korea dont require visas. China does and they're pretty expensive.

I thought I read you were covered if you did a ship excursion...and that the ship's visa covered the passengers...but I could be getting it mixed up with St. Petersburg...

 

[Ofinn]

I thought I read you were covered if you did a ship excursion...and that the ship's visa covered the passengers...but I could be getting it mixed up with St. Petersburg...

That's the case with St Petersburg. China you definitely need a Visa as well as Vietnam. Vietnam they will take care of it for you on the ship. China you need one to enter. China is 140.00 if you can get to a Chinese consulate. If you do it online it's well over 200.00. Some cities in China you can visit for 72 hours without a visa Shanghai being one of them, but I think you have to fly in and out. It was very confusing trying to research all the different rules. I know if you visit more than one city in China you need a multi-transit visa. Like I said it's confusing, and I found different answers from different websites. I did not research on cruise critic though. We could probably find the answer there.

 

[RedSox68]

That's the case with St Petersburg. China you definitely need a Visa as well as Vietnam. Vietnam they will take care of it for you on the ship. China you need one to enter. China is 140.00 if you can get to a Chinese consulate. If you do it online it's well over 200.00. Some cities in China you can visit for 72 hours without a visa Shanghai being one of them, but I think you have to fly in and out. It was very confusing trying to research all the different rules. I know if you visit more than one city in China you need a multi-transit visa. Like I said it's confusing, and I found different answers from different websites. I did not research on cruise critic though. We could probably find the answer there.

I never knew this. I would have expected that if you booked a cruise that included ports in China, this type of stuff would be taken care of/included for you!

 

[Love2Cruz]

That's the case with St Petersburg. China you definitely need a Visa as well as Vietnam. Vietnam they will take care of it for you on the ship. China you need one to enter. China is 140.00 if you can get to a Chinese consulate. If you do it online it's well over 200.00. Some cities in China you can visit for 72 hours without a visa Shanghai being one of them, but I think you have to fly in and out. It was very confusing trying to research all the different rules. I know if you visit more than one city in China you need a multi-transit visa. Like I said it's confusing, and I found different answers from different websites. I did not research on cruise critic though. We could probably find the answer there.

It's one of the itineraries that I'm considering for 2019....I'd have to get one that I like a newer ship..like Quantum or as I said a newer Carnival or MSC. I'd like one that visits HK, Shanghai and Tianjin-for the wall. And 1 or 2 stops in Japan would be ideal. I'm not necessarily looking for a southern asian itinerary so not looking at Vietnam or Thailand.
If I find one I really like that's not sky high expensive then I'll get the necessary visas..probably online as I don't think we have a China embassy in Florida...but I will iron out all the details when/if the time comes. I agree with you on CC, they would have all the up to date info...

 

[Ofinn]

It's one of the itineraries that I'm considering for 2019....I'd have to get one that I like a newer ship..like Quantum or as I said a newer Carnival or MSC. I'd like one that visits HK, Shanghai and Tianjin-for the wall. And 1 or 2 stops in Japan would be ideal. I'm not necessarily looking for a southern asian itinerary so not looking at Vietnam or Thailand.
If I find one I really like that's not sky high expensive then I'll get the necessary visas..probably online as I don't think we have a China embassy in Florida...but I will iron out all the details when/if the time comes. I agree with you on CC, they would have all the up to date info...

I did due some research on cruise critic it seems there have been some changes made for cruise passengers this year. I believe if your in China less than 24 hours you don't need a visa, but if your cruise makes two stops in China you will? At least that's how I interpreted it. A cruise out of Hong Kong with one stop in China would be ideal for us. I don't I want to spend an extra 800+ dollars on visas. It will probably be a couple years before we do this cruise, hopefully with all the cruise ships coming to China they will get their act together and make it easier for cruise passengers to visit their country.
Australia also requires a Visa, but it's free and easy to get online.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I did due some research on cruise critic it seems there have been some changes made for cruise passengers this year. I believe if your in China less than 24 hours you don't need a visa, but if your cruise makes two stops in China you will? At least that's how I interpreted it. A cruise out of Hong Kong with one stop in China would be ideal for us. I don't I want to spend an extra 800+ dollars on visas. It will probably be a couple years before we do this cruise, hopefully with all the cruise ships coming to China they will get their act together and make it easier for cruise passengers to visit their country.
Australia also requires a Visa, but it's free and easy to get online.

So if it leaves let's say Hong Kong and goes to let's say Shanghai and you do an day excursion, a visa is not necessary? I would fly in at least one day before and probably stay in HK or wherever it departs from, so that would mean I would have to get one, correct?