We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Love2Cruz]

Conch fritters from Red Frog Rum Bar


Prime Rib from Main Dining Room



Lobster Roll from Sushi place-got this "to go" so I could enjoy on my balcony


Breakfast in Dining Room

 

[Love2Cruz]

Lobster

 

[TXDCLfan]

I was wondering how long that would take, and not at all surprised by who posted it.

 

[Ofinn]

I know right. The same poster who has been trying to convince me that DCL prices are in line or lower than other lines.

 

[mevelandry]

???

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm starting to get more and more excited for our Vista cruise in 41 days.

What I'm discovering is Carnival seems to put an emphasis on physical activities, whereas DCL puts an emphasis on group activities let by the entertainment staff. I really love the stuff we don on DCL so will take some getting used to but the stuff I keep seeing on the Vista is really cool.

In addition to the pools, rope course, water slides, Sky bike course and sport court area, there is also an indoor area with ping pong, mini bowling, sports games and a new invention that combines soccer with pool. You stand on the floor level pool table and kick the "cue" ball to sink other balls in the pockets.

Also just found out there is a "healthy" food place in their Serenity area, (adult pool area), where you can get custom made salads with tons of toppings without having to leave the area. There is also a bar there so you don't have to leave.

I know there are many things that won't be Disney but I'm willing to give them a chance. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[kaseyC]

I know right. The same poster who has been trying to convince me that DCL prices are in line or lower than other lines.

And this poster is curiously absent from any posts about changes or price increases on DCL that are making guests unhappy.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

I'll just throw in here that Carnival's beverage policy is more restrictive. Including the fact that, while you can bring juices/sodas onboard, they cannot be in bottles. Only canned or boxed beverages are allowed. With a maximum of 12 cans/boxes (12 oz) per person.

And only one bottle of wine (750 ml) or champagne. On embarkation day only.

From the Carnival website:

• All liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages outside of the exceptions referenced above are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2633/kw/beverage/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ2MTE3MTM1My9zaWQvMklzRFJ2T20=

And yet I can get a bottle of Skyy for $75; a 12-pack of half liter bottles of water for $3.99, and 4-packs of 16-oz Heinekens for $25, all delivered to my room when I board.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

I am a professional in the Martime industry

AKK

So is the guy who cleans the grease traps in the galley

 

[mevelandry]

And this poster is curiously absent from any posts about changes or price increases on DCL that are making guests unhappy.

Which poster are you talking about?

 

[mevelandry]

I'm starting to get more and more excited for our Vista cruise in 41 days.

What I'm discovering is Carnival seems to put an emphasis on physical activities, whereas DCL puts an emphasis on group activities let by the entertainment staff. I really love the stuff we don on DCL so will take some getting used to but the stuff I keep seeing on the Vista is really cool.

In addition to the pools, rope course, water slides, Sky bike course and sport court area, there is also an indoor area with ping pong, mini bowling, sports games and a new invention that combines soccer with pool. You stand on the floor level pool table and kick the "cue" ball to sink other balls in the pockets.

Also just found out there is a "healthy" food place in their Serenity area, (adult pool area), where you can get custom made salads with tons of toppings without having to leave the area. There is also a bar there so you don't have to leave.

I know there are many things that won't be Disney but I'm willing to give them a chance. I'll let you know how it goes!

That cruiseship sounds amazing.

 

[RedSox68]

I think Lido on Carnival has a better breakfast...for example, made to order omelettes/real eggs however you want them.. along with all the other usuals....I didn't see that on Disney..but Disney did have Mickey waffles...so hmmm...maybe a wash.

Cabanas had a nicer lunch buffet...but Carnival has LOTS more choices such as Guy's Burgers, Iguanas, NY DELI, Indian food, Asian food, Fried Seafood-Second floor of Buffet, it's a bit hidden, so you have to look for it-great fried calamari, oysters and a seafood stew. Their buffet is standard fare..but I go to their other lunch options...Also, on the newer ships, the italian restaurant is free for Lunch....not sure if Victory has it. On Sea Days, they have a nice brunch in the Dining Room...But Disney has STone Crabs....sigh...they are both so good, it's hard to pick..lol

Dinner is where Carnival beats Disney in my opinion. Also, at the Dining room, they have Steak house offerings for an upcharge...so for example, I cruise with my daughter lately, just her and I, so I can't really go to the Steakhouse, but I can order their food at the Main Dining room. Also on 6 days or longer, Carnival still does Lobster tail at their dining room, included..and you can repeat as much as you'd like...very very good...as well as Prime Rib and their escargot is way better than Disney's imo. And don't forget the Chocolate Warming cake for dessert.

While Disney's venues are nicer, the food is better on Carnival.

I will post some of my pics....

I agree about the food. Loved Carnival's other free options like Guy's Burgers and tacos. The oceanview room we had on the Glory was the largest I've ever been in. Your reviews, btw, are awesome and nonbiased -- just a good point of view. Thanks.

 

[RedSox68]

Really Love2Cruz -- Really?!?!? Did you HAVE to post those food pictures -- so clear and beautiful and mouthwatering. UGH -- and all I'm having today is a PB&J for lunch.

 

[mevelandry]

I agree about the food. Loved Carnival's other free options like Guy's Burgers and tacos. The oceanview room we had on the Glory was the largest I've ever been in. Your reviews, btw, are awesome and nonbiased -- just a good point of view. Thanks.

I have to say that it is the kind of reviews that I appreciate. I do not expect Carnival (nor DCL) to be flawless... And when you know where flaws have been noticed, you can prepare yourself better.

Ex: Since we are not 100% that the entertainment (shows, games, etc.) will be our type, DH and I decided to bring pocket versions of some of our favorite board games.

 

[mevelandry]

Question: We have ordered beers and a bottle of wine for the room but I was wondering: Are we allowed to drink it outside of the room (ex: Serenity) or is it forbidden?

Also, I know that with DCL we could bring it to the dining room but they were asking corking fees. What about Carnival?

 

[RedSox68]

Question: We have ordered beers and a bottle of wine for the room but I was wondering: Are we allowed to drink it outside of the room (ex: Serenity) or is it forbidden?

Also, I know that with DCL we could bring it to the dining room but they were asking corking fees. What about Carnival?

We brought our own wine and wine kit with corkscrew. We drank the wine mostly in our room as we didn't visit the MDR on Carnival.

 

[mevelandry]

We brought our own wine and wine kit with corkscrew. We drank the wine mostly in our room as we didn't visit the MDR on Carnival.

But if you had wanted to drink it somewhere else, was it allowed? (We have OV but no balcony... Not quite the same kind of experience. LOL)

 

[RedSox68]

But if you had wanted to drink it somewhere else, was it allowed? (We have OV but no balcony... Not quite the same kind of experience. LOL)

Actually, we only had an oceanview on that one, too. But their rooms are so much more spacious (at least on the Glory) that we enjoyed hanging out in there and the window was very large.

I tried doing a search on the topic and came up with the standard beverage policy, but it doesn't say anything about taking your wine around the ship or to dining: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2633/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy. I laugh at the corkage fee -- we just uncorked our wine on DCL in our stateroom, put the cork back in and took the bottle to dining and asked for glasses! That was many years ago so not sure if you can still do that. It has to be better than the group we saw who kept bringing several bottles of wine to dinner every night along with a huge stack of red plastic cups to drink out of LOL. They made quite a show every night.

 

[mevelandry]

Actually, we only had an oceanview on that one, too. But their rooms are so much more spacious (at least on the Glory) that we enjoyed hanging out in there and the window was very large.

I tried doing a search on the topic and came up with the standard beverage policy, but it doesn't say anything about taking your wine around the ship or to dining: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2633/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy. I laugh at the corkage fee -- we just uncorked our wine on DCL in our stateroom, put the cork back in and took the bottle to dining and asked for glasses! That was many years ago so not sure if you can still do that. It has to be better than the group we saw who kept bringing several bottles of wine to dinner every night along with a huge stack of red plastic cups to drink out of LOL. They made quite a show every night.

Wow, the corkage fee they asked us in DCL was 29$. Carnival charges 15$. Not so bad!

 

[DnA2010]

Interesting debate here. We did two RCL cruises (Oasis and Freedom) before booking a VGT sailing on Fantasy last year, mainly due to all I have learned and read on Dis. We LOVED our vacation on the Fantasy, we really did, but honestly we equally LOVED our trips on RCL...even with the VGT rate, that week was closing in on twice as much as our Royal vacations- did we have an amazing vacation- YES! Do we see twice the value- simply- no. We loved many things- shows, FE, Disney touches but weren't wow'ed by dining room service, pools, food itself.
We have a vacation budget, just like I'm sure everyone else on here- we have decided that while we won't say we will never cruise Disney again, that we are going to check out other cruise lines and save the Disney part for parks. We are the type that would rather have 2 weeks of vacation rather than 1, or 3 rather than 2 etc. Def checking out NCL and even...Carnival!