CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[Dug720]

I was expecting the place to be heavily guarded as it is in Dominican Republic.

I don't plan to get out of there since I love pools (I'm usually not grossed out by them) and heard DR is quite unsafe.

TBH, I'm not expecting to do anything more than I did in Jamaica which is: having a drink in a bar surrounded by cute mountains and a little vegetation. Let's just say I have higher expectations from Grand Turk and I chose this cruise for the ship & because it was not Nassau. LOL

Thanks for the information regarding the food. I'll make sure to bring cash... (Do they take cash?)

Yes, it's cash or credit card. You can't charge back to the ship.

 

[mevelandry]

Yes, it's cash or credit card. You can't charge back to the ship.

Do you remember what kind of restaurants you can find there? Any of them worth of mention?

 

[Dug720]

Do you remember what kind of restaurants you can find there? Any of them worth of mention?

I only remember one that was a restaurant and bar. Nothing to write home about, but it beat another night of steak or chicken on the ship (P&O - which was really the operating force of the food and beverage on fathom - is NOT gluten-free friendly). It was clean and the service was fine though.

 

[mevelandry]

I only remember one that was a restaurant and bar. Nothing to write home about, but it beat another night of steak or chicken on the ship (P&O - which was really the operating force of the food and beverage on fathom - is NOT gluten-free friendly). It was clean and the service was fine though.

Thanks. I've just started looking up for infos regarding Amber Cove and wasn't sure what to find there.

 

[mevelandry]

@PrincessTrisha Any interesting tips you could give me regarding the Sunshine?

I think I remember you saying that they had something similar to Pig & Anchor on the ship? Do you remember what it was called and where to find it?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

@PrincessTrisha Any interesting tips you could give me regarding the Sunshine?

I think I remember you saying that they had something similar to Pig & Anchor on the ship? Do you remember what it was called and where to find it?

First day they had the BBQ at the taste bar for embarkation lunch - it wasn't crowded and the food was good. They also had pitchers of ice tea, lemonade and water (plus tea and coffee).

The taste bar was used for breakfast everyday and lunch on sea days. They also have Cucina's and JiJi's at the back of the ship which is a great place if you like omelets in the morning or the fresh made pasta or wok for lunch. The Havana bar is also in the same place and it has little bites at both breakfast and lunch which are cool to check out.

The Serenity area on the Sunshine is probably the most popular one in the fleet - it's 3 decks and has a waterfall from the top that goes from the hot tub at the top to the pool down below.

They have the Java Café and Shake Spot on deck 5 and the milkshakes are amazing! They have a huge variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic types.

The comedy club is popular - if you can't see the stage, they have jumbo screens on the sides of the room so you can see and hear the comedian.

The ship has so many of the bells and whistles of the big new ships but it's not overly big - easy to get from one place to another quickly.

The ocean plaza on deck 5 (where there is the Red Frog Pub, Alchemy bar, Taste Bar and Java Café / Shake Spot) holds many of the daytime events. It's a great place to just be in the centre of the indoor activities.

 

[mevelandry]

First day they had the BBQ at the taste bar for embarkation lunch - it wasn't crowded and the food was good. They also had pitchers of ice tea, lemonade and water (plus tea and coffee).

The taste bar was used for breakfast everyday and lunch on sea days. They also have Cucina's and JiJi's at the back of the ship which is a great place if you like omelets in the morning or the fresh made pasta or wok for lunch. The Havana bar is also in the same place and it has little bites at both breakfast and lunch which are cool to check out.

The Serenity area on the Sunshine is probably the most popular one in the fleet - it's 3 decks and has a waterfall from the top that goes from the hot tub at the top to the pool down below.

They have the Java Café and Shake Spot on deck 5 and the milkshakes are amazing! They have a huge variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic types.

The comedy club is popular - if you can't see the stage, they have jumbo screens on the sides of the room so you can see and hear the comedian.

The ship has so many of the bells and whistles of the big new ships but it's not overly big - easy to get from one place to another quickly.

The ocean plaza on deck 5 (where there is the Red Frog Pub, Alchemy bar, Taste Bar and Java Café / Shake Spot) holds many of the daytime events. It's a great place to just be in the centre of the indoor activities.

Thank you so much for your answers!

Ok, So the BBQ you had was at the Taste Bar... Ok, will look for that. The ship will be on dry dock in October though. Hopefully they are going to add Pig & Anchor or the À la carte Guy Fieri restaurant like they have on the Horizon. (Yes, I'm willing to pay for that BBQ, that's how much I love it).

I already booked the Steakhouse and Jiji for dinner! I loved them so much on the Vista that I can't wait to repeat the experience. While I liked Cucina del Capitano, I have a soft spot for the free lunch (the lasagna was so good!) so I think I'll stick to lunch time.

I am obsessed with the Serenity pool. It's the main reason why the Sunshine has always been on my "bucket list".

My DH and I are very excited for this cruise... but we have two more to go before that one. LOL

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just made reservations for Bonsai Teppenaki for our Horizon cruise in 2019, I can hardly wait to try it. I’m trying to decide if I should make reservations for JiJi’s too. We love the free lunch there and everyone talks about how amazing the dinner is so I want to try it, but I’m really cheap when it comes to paying extra for food on a cruise.

I have decided to upgrade my wife’s and I cabin from Havana interior to Havana Cabana. We’ll be across the hall from our teens instead of next door. I only turn 50 once right???

 

[mevelandry]

I just made reservations for Bonsai Teppenaki for our Horizon cruise in 2019, I can hardly wait to try it. I’m trying to decide if I should make reservations for JiJi’s too. We love the free lunch there and everyone talks about how amazing the dinner is so I want to try it, but I’m really cheap when it comes to paying extra for food on a cruise.

I have decided to upgrade my wife’s and I cabin from Havana interior to Havana Cabana. We’ll be across the hall from our teens instead of next door. I only turn 50 once right???

If the Teppanyaki is as good as what I had with Bonsai Sushi on the Vista, I'm sure you'll have a great experience.

Jiji Asian Kitchen is absolutely wonderful. To us, it was like an "asian Remy"... Outstanding! For 15$/pp it's an excellent value. I already booked it for my Sunshine cruise. I recommend it.

Congrats on your Havana Cabana!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I just made reservations for Bonsai Teppenaki for our Horizon cruise in 2019, I can hardly wait to try it. I’m trying to decide if I should make reservations for JiJi’s too. We love the free lunch there and everyone talks about how amazing the dinner is so I want to try it, but I’m really cheap when it comes to paying extra for food on a cruise.

I have decided to upgrade my wife’s and I cabin from Havana interior to Havana Cabana. We’ll be across the hall from our teens instead of next door. I only turn 50 once right???

I second the JiJi's recommendation - go for it - it's a small extra fee you won't regret. It is our favourite specialty restaurant at sea on any cruise line.

And yes - you only turn 50 once so enjoy it (and I'm sure you will in a Havana Cabana!)

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I just made reservations for Bonsai Teppenaki for our Horizon cruise in 2019, I can hardly wait to try it. I’m trying to decide if I should make reservations for JiJi’s too. We love the free lunch there and everyone talks about how amazing the dinner is so I want to try it, but I’m really cheap when it comes to paying extra for food on a cruise.

I have decided to upgrade my wife’s and I cabin from Havana interior to Havana Cabana. We’ll be across the hall from our teens instead of next door. I only turn 50 once right???

Oh, man I want to try a Havana room! I hate to pay extra for food too but we are also trying JiJi this time because I have $50 OBC and that will almost cover it for the 4 of us. I have heard really good things about it.

 

[mevelandry]

Here's my hommage of the day to Jiji Asian Kitchen... Or as I like to call it "Carnival's Asian Remy".



Rose Crème Brulée...
Chicken Kong Pao

Appetizers while we were waiting for our food...
Nice table dressing...

The Duck...

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

In case anyone is interested, John Heald just announced, Carnival is releasing itineraries and booking for Panorama, (Vista 3), tomorrow. It will be homeported out of Long Beach. We are definitely booking something tomorrow! I’m so excited to be able to drive to a port that has a great ship, and we’ll probably add on a couple days at Disneyland!!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

In case anyone is interested, John Heald just announced, Carnival is releasing itineraries and booking for Panorama, (Vista 3), tomorrow. It will be homeported out of Long Beach. We are definitely booking something tomorrow! I’m so excited to be able to drive to a port that has a great ship, and we’ll probably add on a couple days at Disneyland!!

I'll take a look but our plans for summer 2020 were supposed to be my niece's sweet 16 at WDW. Maybe we can move that to her graduation trip.

I have not been following the build at all. Are there changes to some of the Vista things that are so wrong like the theatre set up? Just wondering if it is worth it to even look at if the ship is just a replica of Vista.

 

[mevelandry]

In case anyone is interested, John Heald just announced, Carnival is releasing itineraries and booking for Panorama, (Vista 3), tomorrow. It will be homeported out of Long Beach. We are definitely booking something tomorrow! I’m so excited to be able to drive to a port that has a great ship, and we’ll probably add on a couple days at Disneyland!!

In your opinion, what kind of itineraries can we expect from Long Beach?

 

[mevelandry]

I'll take a look but our plans for summer 2020 were supposed to be my niece's sweet 16 at WDW. Maybe we can move that to her graduation trip.

I have not been following the build at all. Are there changes to some of the Vista things that are so wrong like the theatre set up? Just wondering if it is worth it to even look at if the ship is just a replica of Vista.

The Horizon seems very different from the Vista but with some similarities. I'm expecting the Panorama to have some similarities but with its own personality as well.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

In your opinion, what kind of itineraries can we expect from Long Beach?

Rumor is 7 night Mexico every week, but there is also some speculation of alternating 6 and 8 night Mexico cruises. Also, has been talk of 14 night round trip to Hawaii periodically throughout the year.

 

[mevelandry]

Rumor is 7 night Mexico every week, but there is also some speculation of alternating 6 and 8 night Mexico cruises. Also, has been talk of 14 night round trip to Hawaii periodically throughout the year.

Ahhhhh Hawaii... Someday.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Ahhhhh Hawaii... Someday.

I would love that cruise so much. I saw a couple years ago, Princess had one advertised for about $1000/person for a 14 day round trip. It was at a time I couldn’t go though so I couldn’t take advantage of the price. I saw it advertised in August for an October cruise. I’d love that itinerary, Sea days are my favorite.

 

[wanderlust7]

In case anyone is interested, John Heald just announced, Carnival is releasing itineraries and booking for Panorama, (Vista 3), tomorrow. It will be homeported out of Long Beach. We are definitely booking something tomorrow! I’m so excited to be able to drive to a port that has a great ship, and we’ll probably add on a couple days at Disneyland!!

Thanks for the heads up! Not a whole lot of choices for ships with more bells and whistles sailing from California. Will definitely be taking a look tomorrow.