The Cruise Ship and Cruise Line Discussion Thread!

[nay]

This is a bit of a crazy story...but as always... only on Carnival!!!

 

I'm sure it was for her personal safety.

[cfc]

I thought this was just one of Carnival's usual shore excursions.

[Meteornotes]

I'm sure the food she got in jail was better than anything served on the ship.

 

dt

[jray21]

^Haha! I bet it was! I really did eat bread and water more than anything else on the Klassy Kruise!

[BeemerBoy]

A teenage girl from North Central Florida claims she was subjected to a strip search and thrown off a cruise ship in the Bahamas

I wanna say this is clearly another "oh, Carnival" moment, but then again it does say North Central Florida, which could easily mean the Gainesville area. Yeah, this one's a wash.

[Hilltopper39]

^Disagree, if the suspect were a temporary or permanent Gainesville resident they would have most certainly already consumed the illegal substance or had a better plan in place for hiding it in an emergency situation. The perpetrator is clearly from either Apopka or Lake City.

[E1ticket5]

I can't help but feel like at least some of this is true, seeing the type of clientele that Carnival gets.

[AllenA07]

Well with all the talk of RCCL vs. Carnival I thought I would drop into this thread and give my review, now that I have done a comparable cruise on both lines. The first thing that I will say is that in my opinion the biggest difference between clientele has not been based on the line but rather on the length of the cruise. As far as the wildest (and most trashy) crowd I've seen on a ship to this point, that would be on a 3 day cruise on Monarch of the Seas. However that cruise aside the two I'm comparing are a 7 day cruise on Carnival Conquest and a 7 day cruise on Mariner of the seas.

 

Starting off with the ships this one isn't even close. In comparison to Mariner, Conquest was old and run down. That is saying a lot frankly because Conquest is only a year older then Mariner! Mariner was simply so much more of a high class ship. While Conquest was no where near as bad looking as what Robb was on for the "Klassy Kruise" it just wasn't even close to the same ballpark as the Mariner. My wife and I loved the Royal Promenade on the Mariner. I'll admit that before going I thought that the Royal Promenade was a terrible idea and couldn't see why they would build something like it. After actually seeing it though I love how it really pulls the entire inside of the ship together. Overall I found all of the public spaces on Mariner to be impressive, and well decorated and furnished. Overall I can't say just how thrilled I was with that ship.

 

As far as the stateroom that remains hard for me to compare. Our room on Mariner was bigger then our room on Conquest (both Balcony staterooms). However we had a higher level balcony on Mariner which explains why it was bigger. I think in general Conquest actually has the larger rooms. Both the rooms on both ships however were fine.

 

As far as the food, again it really wasn't terribly close. Mariner had a better selection and just did a better job at those things they made. I ordered a lobster tail one night and it came out and looked like a Lobster tail. When I ordered the same thing on Conquest it came out on a skewer instead. I liked the idea of getting the full tail where I could personally see that it was fresh lobster. Overall though the food was just in a different ballpark.

 

Staff was great on both ships in my opinion. The only exception I'll bring up is that our waiter on Conquest was terrible. We had the first setting for dinner on Conquest and often would be getting our main course as the second setting people began filing in. That was never an issue on Mariner, I was very impressed with the wait staff.

 

I was also blown away by the quality of the shows on Mariner. Honestly the ones on Conquest felt a bit more thrown together and I figured that is how they all feel (you're on a ship, not on Broadway). The shows on Mariner were all really top notch and were quality productions. If any of you ever go on one of the RCCL ships with an Ice Rink don't miss the Ice Show! I'm not really one for ice skating, but the show is amazing.

 

So overall how do they compare? My wife and I talked about it and the only thing that we could come up with that was done better on Carnival was that they did a better job letting us know who the cruise director staff was, and even there it is a pretty close. Now I won't come on here and tell you all that I had a terrible time on Carnival, because I didn't. I actually had a great time on Conquest. In fact if you've never taken a cruise before and are a little lower on the funds, I would still go as far as recommending Carnival. In my view it's not that Carnival does things that bad, it's that Royal Caribbean does things better. As far as if I would ever cruise on Carnival again, I guess it depends. I would maybe consider it if there was such an outstanding deal I couldn't say no, or if it went somewhere interesting enough. However generally speaking I just don't see myself putting down any real money on doing another Carnival cruise, RCCL just did things better overall. We ended enjoying the trip enough that we took advantage of their "future booking" option, where you pay the deposit for a cruise that you select at a later time. We are shooting for a 2014 trip on either Oasis or Allure!

Edited April 16, 2012 by AllenA07

[cfc]

^Very interesting comparison--thanks for sharing it.

[netdvn]

My family's been looking into a cruise this year but so far money's been pretty tight. They're considering a Carnival cruise at the moment (although I'd rather try another company having sailed with Carnival twice before already). Doing research, Carnival seems like the best option price-wise, but I remember reading about some Universal/RCCL packages where you can cruise with RCCL and then spend a few days at Universal. Anyone have any experience with those packages? How do they compare to non-theme park packages price-wise? The website doesn't list the prices for any of the itineraries.

[-Edge of Beast-]

That's not obvious.

 

 

Only on Carnival

[TheStig]

So did she get a letter too?

[disneyfan1313]

AllenA07 - Thanks for your very good comparison. I do have to disagree a bit with the 3day vs 7 day - the clientelle on an RCCL 3 day is a little more "party" than a 7 day...but it is a definite difference between that an the Carnival 3 day crowd.

 

 

My family's been looking into a cruise this year but so far money's been pretty tight. They're considering a Carnival cruise at the moment (although I'd rather try another company having sailed with Carnival twice before already). Doing research, Carnival seems like the best option price-wise, but I remember reading about some Universal/RCCL packages where you can cruise with RCCL and then spend a few days at Universal. Anyone have any experience with those packages? How do they compare to non-theme park packages price-wise? The website doesn't list the prices for any of the itineraries.

 

Can't comment about the RCCL/Universal package, but I do have to ask what RCCL cruises and time frame you are looking at? When I have compared the two the price difference is usually 30-50$pp on a 3-4 day cruise and $100pp on a 7 day cruise. Is it a peak time that you are looking at?

[AllenA07]

AllenA07 - Thanks for your very good comparison. I do have to disagree a bit with the 3day vs 7 day - the clientelle on an RCCL 3 day is a little more "party" than a 7 day...but it is a definite difference between that an the Carnival 3 day crowd.

 

Right and to be fair I've never done a short cruise with Carnival. I strongly suspect though that a 3 day Carnival cruise is going to bring out a much more wild crowd then a 3 day RCCL cruise.

[netdvn]

My family's been looking into a cruise this year but so far money's been pretty tight. They're considering a Carnival cruise at the moment (although I'd rather try another company having sailed with Carnival twice before already). Doing research, Carnival seems like the best option price-wise, but I remember reading about some Universal/RCCL packages where you can cruise with RCCL and then spend a few days at Universal. Anyone have any experience with those packages? How do they compare to non-theme park packages price-wise? The website doesn't list the prices for any of the itineraries.

 

Can't comment about the RCCL/Universal package, but I do have to ask what RCCL cruises and time frame you are looking at? When I have compared the two the price difference is usually 30-50$pp on a 3-4 day cruise and $100pp on a 7 day cruise. Is it a peak time that you are looking at?

 

My mom decided to snap and do a Carny Cruise (Freedom), but it can't hurt to plan ahead for next year. I was looking into a few 7 day cruises since the 3-4 day cruises are headed to ports I've already done aboard Carnival. The Half Moon Cay/Coco Key cruises looked interesting, but one island wouldn''t be a deal breaker when it comes to cruises (especially the ones that sail out to other islands in the Caribbean). I was considering doing a December cruise (Mom doesn't seem to understand that the tropics are gonna be warm though). That way work at BGW doesn't get in the way, school's already over for everyone, and the cruise happens a few weeks before the Christmas rush so the prices are still pretty low (on par with the May cruises), plus I can spend a few extra days in Orlando to do parks before the Christmas rush.

[jedimaster1227]

Here's another one of those "only on Carnival could this happen" stories... Looks like the Carnival Glory (Gory?) will be hosting a horror cruise themed around the SAW franchise. Basically a SAW convention at sea... On a Carnival ship.

 

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/166881-saw-at-sea-can-you-survive-the-saw-boat-cruise

 

The horror of the SAW movies is taking to the waves during the "Official SAW Movie Cruise," to be held August 11-16, 2012, aboard the cruise ship Carnival Glory. SAW cruisers will travel round-trip from New York to Canada's Maritime Provinces. Fans of the SAW movies will find plenty to love on the Official SAW Cruise.

 

Every SAW Cruiser can meet, party and dine with stars of the SAW movies. Fans can take photos with many of their favorite actors including SAW franchise legend Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman"). In addition, Jigsaw's "Puppet," used and seen in the SAW movies, will be aboard and available for free photo opportunities.

 

Dan Yeager, who stars as "Leatherface" in the new movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, will also be on the cruise – and everyone on the SAW cruise will get a free Dan Yeager autographed photo. This is Dan Yeager's first official fan appearance, and he will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans during the entire cruise.

 

The five-night round-trip cruise leaves New York City on August 11 and includes stops at Saint John, N.B., and Halifax, N.S., plus two days at sea.

 

SAW cruisers can choose from three cruise packages, depending on the type of cabin (room) they select. Based on the package purchased, cruisers can receive access to the following events: private meals and cocktail parties with SAW actors, autograph signings with SAW actors, parties with the SAW stars, including an open bar; individual photos with SAW stars, question-and-answer sessions with SAW stars; pool and dance parties with SAW stars; a SAW tattoo contest judged by SAW stars; a SAW trivia contest, mini-golf and volleyball tournaments with SAW stars; and screenings of SAW movies.

 

All SAW cruisers receive a $50 shipboard credit per cabin applicable towards onboard purchases. All meals are included in the price of the SAW cruise, and food is available 24 hours a day. Cruisers will also have access at no extra charge to the shipboard amenities, including 22 lounges and bars, four pools (one with a 214-foot waterslide), nightclubs, a casino, spa, salon, gym, jogging track, miniature golf, duty-free shops, and restaurants, including a sushi bar, buffets, pizzeria, deli and steakhouse. Most of the ship's extra spacious cabins (rooms) feature ocean views, and the majority of those boast private balconies.

 

This is the first Official SAW Cruise. The seven SAW Films from Twisted Pictures and Lionsgate are the most successful horror franchise in movie history.

 

For more information or to register for the Official SAW Cruise, visit http://www.SAWatSEA.com or call Boca Raton Travel & Cruises at: 800.326.1414. For all other SAW-related questions, contact Raybin Management, LLC, at: 203.661.4444, or email info@raybin.com.

 

For more information on the cruise visit the following link: http://www.bocaratontravelgroups.com/images/SawatSea.pdf

[BeemerBoy]

Horror cruise?

 

I thought they already announced the Guy Fieri /George Lopez thing?

[Meteornotes]

Any Carnival cruise is a horror cruise. Though aspiring make up artists could certainly pick up tips on making things look gross and frightening by visiting the buffet...

 

dt

[BeemerBoy]

From RCCL's blog:

 

LINK

 

Hi Adam, seeing that Royal Caribbean International is such an innovative company, have you ever considered putting a small craft beer brewery on your ships? Not only is it extremely popular and growing leaps and bounds in a sluggish economy, so many other activities can be offered surrounding the concept. Such as craft beer historical lectures, tastings and evaluations, other craft beer education topics, food pairings, etc. Just a thought! - Jonathan A.

 

We have certainly explored many initiatives, and we have considered craft brewing however we don’t have any plans to put a craft beer brewery on our ships in the near future. I will point out that our beverage team is keenly aware of the craft beer resurgence, and recently added about 14 craft beers to our English Pub concept, bringing our total beer selection in this venue to the mid 30’s.

Damn, a craft beer brewery on board would have been kickarse! Oh well, at least they're aware and working to expand the offerings.

[larrygator]

Would an on-board small craft brewery be feasible from a footprint standpoint? I have no idea the minimum about of space need to house the brewing operation and I assume they would need to offer multiple styles (Lager, Pale Ale, Stout, etc..). Where's Derek when you need him?

 

But it's great that RCCL is up on the current trends.

Edited April 17, 2012 by larrygator

[Meteornotes]

Yeah, I think space would be a major consideration to putting a craft brewery on a ship. But it's cool they at least have considered the idea. And I like the increased beer selection at the Pub. RCCL rules!

 

dt

[disneyfan1313]

^ If you consider that the space where the brew tanks are could also be used as a "tour" of the brewery perhaps it isn't so bad. I think it would be a great fit for some of the larger ships!

[Meteornotes]

^This is true. I'm all for this idea!

 

dt

[MrMorgan]

My family's been looking into a cruise this year but so far money's been pretty tight. They're considering a Carnival cruise at the moment (although I'd rather try another company having sailed with Carnival twice before already). Doing research, Carnival seems like the best option price-wise, but I remember reading about some Universal/RCCL packages where you can cruise with RCCL and then spend a few days at Universal. Anyone have any experience with those packages? How do they compare to non-theme park packages price-wise? The website doesn't list the prices for any of the itineraries.

 

 

Our very first cruise, (4 nights on the Monarch of the Seas), was booked through this package. We opted to stay at the Sheraton Four Points, which is one of the "partner hotels, and all in all it was an amazing deal. Our 4 nights on the ship and 3 nights at Universal during Halloween season ended up being considerably LESS than what a week at Disney would have cost, and it was basically a peak season.

[Jew]

^ If you consider that the space where the brew tanks are could also be used as a "tour" of the brewery perhaps it isn't so bad. I think it would be a great fit for some of the larger ships!

 

They could very easily follow the model of Karl Straus on Citywalk out here at USH: brew a small amount of beer on site and have the rest already in kegs. No one will even know the difference.