CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

I have received an e-mail offering me an upgrade (it's the second time I receive one of them, I'm getting hooked!) for our October cruise on the Carnival Sensation.

They offered me to go from my inside room to an ocean view for a small price difference. I priced it out and going to an ocean view without the offer would have cost me 180$.

I got the upgrade for 54$. It's an aft view (which is my favorite view). Same deck.

 

[mousefanmichelle]

I am going on the Vista in May and after looking at all your pics mevelandry I am so excited!!!! I have read some really good things about this ship and some really lame things (amazing how 2 people can be on the same ship/trip and have completely different opinions). We have a balcony on the 7th deck booked and I am looking forward to the 8 day Southern itinerary. Thanks for all the pics and the food ones have made me hungry now for a burger ;-)

 

[mevelandry]

I am going on the Vista in May and after looking at all your pics mevelandry I am so excited!!!! I have read some really good things about this ship and some really lame things (amazing how 2 people can be on the same ship/trip and have completely different opinions). We have a balcony on the 7th deck booked and I am looking forward to the 8 day Southern itinerary. Thanks for all the pics and the food ones have made me hungry now for a burger ;-)

OMG! I'm totally jealous right now... I would go back on that ship in a heartbeat. I'm in love with the Vista.

A cruise is what you make of it. I love bad reviews because it keeps my expectations lower and from there it can be better than expected. Lol

That being said, I'm hoping you're going to fall in love with it as much as I did.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need...

We'll be happy to help!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I am going on the Vista in May and after looking at all your pics mevelandry I am so excited!!!! I have read some really good things about this ship and some really lame things (amazing how 2 people can be on the same ship/trip and have completely different opinions). We have a balcony on the 7th deck booked and I am looking forward to the 8 day Southern itinerary. Thanks for all the pics and the food ones have made me hungry now for a burger ;-)

That itinerary is awesome, especially Curaçao, but this view on Grand Turk was pretty awesome too!

 

[mrs. magoo]

I am in the beginning stages of pricing out cruises for next August. We have never cruised before and I am a bit overwhelmed by all the choices. We are a family of six but 3 of the kids are now considered adults (will be 21, 20, 18, and 16) on the trip. We are very tight with dates so my choices are limited, but my question is do they allow smoking on the boats besides in smoking areas. My 20 is very allergic to smoke when we flew in to Vegas from the time she got off the plane until we left the city she was a hot mess even with allergy meds. People smoked everywhere (stores, pools). It really turned me off from the whole city and she was so miserable. So what has been your experience with smoking on the ships - really any cruise line. They would love Disney but I think we are going to go with a Carnival. Thank you

 

[mevelandry]

I am in the beginning stages of pricing out cruises for next August. We have never cruised before and I am a bit overwhelmed by all the choices. We are a family of six but 3 of the kids are now considered adults (will be 21, 20, 18, and 16) on the trip. We are very tight with dates so my choices are limited, but my question is do they allow smoking on the boats besides in smoking areas. My 20 is very allergic to smoke when we flew in to Vegas from the time she got off the plane until we left the city she was a hot mess even with allergy meds. People smoked everywhere (stores, pools). It really turned me off from the whole city and she was so miserable. So what has been your experience with smoking on the ships - really any cruise line. They would love Disney but I think we are going to go with a Carnival. Thank you

Hi!

Welcome!

Smoking is restricted to certain areas and the casino.

My husband (who has asthma) and I only noticed a smell in the stairs leading to the casino. On the Vista, we spent some time in the casino and found that it wasn't that bad. Ibthink they added a system to remove the smoke or something. But of course, none of us is "allergic" to it so I can't promise you that it will be perfect.

Depending on the ship you'll be interested in, I am sure it's possible to avoid the smoking sections.

One thing I liked from the Vista is that the casino on deck 4 was separated by glass from deck 5. The ship also has a lot of exterior seating, so you can get fresh air easily.

 

[mrs. magoo]

Hi!

Welcome!

Smoking is restricted to certain areas and the casino.

My husband (who has asthma) and I only noticed a smell in the stairs leading to the casino. On the Vista, we spent some time in the casino and found that it wasn't that bad. Ibthink they added a system to remove the smoke or something. But of course, none of us is "allergic" to it so I can't promise you that it will be perfect.

Depending on the ship you'll be interested in, I am sure it's possible to avoid the smoking sections.

One thing I liked from the Vista is that the casino on deck 4 was separated by glass from deck 5. The ship also has a lot of exterior seating, so you can get fresh air easily.

Thank you for your reply. I don't think she would be spending much time in the casino. Vegas just turned us off so much I could not believe that people were smoking in the pool for heaven's sake. I also was so surprised when I was asked about smoking and non smoking sections at restaurants. We live in NY and that has not been an option for over 2 decades now. The boat that seems to fit my dates is the Liberty not sure if anyone has any experiences with it. I can't beat the price though for rooms with Verandas it is 2, 815 for the 3 days vs. 6,092 for the same dates on the Disney Cruise Line.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think she would be spending much time in the casino. Vegas just turned us off so much I could not believe that people were smoking in the pool for heaven's sake. I also was so surprised when I was asked about smoking and non smoking sections at restaurants. We live in NY and that has not been an option for over 2 decades now. The boat that seems to fit my dates is the Liberty not sure if anyone has any experiences with it. I can't beat the price though for rooms with Verandas it is 2, 815 for the 3 days vs. 6,092 for the same dates on the Disney Cruise Line.

From the Carnival website:

Carnival Liberty
Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) are permitted in the following areas:

• Czar’s Palace Casino: Smoking is permitted while playing at designated slot machines and table games.
• Promenade Casino Bar: Smoking is permitted in designated area.
• Hot & Cool Nightclub: Smoking is permitted but not on the dance floor.
• Outdoors: Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 3 (starboard side) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship and aft).

Note: Cigar and tobacco pipes are only permitted in the above designated outdoor smoking areas on Deck 10.

So it is pretty limited and very much in line with smoking on other ships.

 

[mevelandry]

Thank you for your reply. I don't think she would be spending much time in the casino. Vegas just turned us off so much I could not believe that people were smoking in the pool for heaven's sake. I also was so surprised when I was asked about smoking and non smoking sections at restaurants. We live in NY and that has not been an option for over 2 decades now. The boat that seems to fit my dates is the Liberty not sure if anyone has any experiences with it. I can't beat the price though for rooms with Verandas it is 2, 815 for the 3 days vs. 6,092 for the same dates on the Disney Cruise Line.

I have not tried the Liberty (yet) but have seen videos and I have a crush on that ship.

Carnival prices are hard to beat, that's for sure.

When you say your dates are limited, do you mean you have to stick to 3 days?

Because I find that some longer cruises (4 days +) are not that much more expensive and have the reputation to be a bit more quiet than the 3 nights which may appeal more to certain people.

 

[mousefanmichelle]

OMG! I'm totally jealous right now... I would go back on that ship in a heartbeat. I'm in love with the Vista.

A cruise is what you make of it. I love bad reviews because it keeps my expectations lower and from there it can be better than expected. Lol

That being said, I'm hoping you're going to fall in love with it as much as I did.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need...

We'll be happy to help!

Will do thanks!!! I can't wait - we are under 60 days now and I day dream about it a lot since it's cold and wintery here in MI.

 

[mousefanmichelle]

That itinerary is awesome, especially Curaçao, but this view on Grand Turk was pretty awesome too!
View attachment 307541

That view is amazing! Glad to hear it's a great itinerary!! All places we have never been so I look forward to just exploring and seeing beautiful waters and the sites!

 

[mevelandry]

Will do thanks!!! I can't wait - we are under 60 days now and I day dream about it a lot since it's cold and wintery here in MI.

I hear you. I'm from Canada.

 

[mrs. magoo]

I have not tried the Liberty (yet) but have seen videos and I have a crush on that ship.

Carnival prices are hard to beat, that's for sure.

When you say your dates are limited, do you mean you have to stick to 3 days?

Because I find that some longer cruises (4 days +) are not that much more expensive and have the reputation to be a bit more quiet than the 3 nights which may appeal more to certain people.

I am very limited due to sports schedules and those returning to college. My 16 year old plays football and can only miss a limited number of days and the two girls will be headed to college and I am not sure about the 21 year old since he will graduate in June of 2019. It is difficult to plan with all these things but from what I can gather it is better to book early. I need a sailing date during the first week and a 3 day cruise would be mostly over a weekend so it will mean limited missed days for sports. Thank you for all the information. Like I said it is a bit overwhelming.

 

[mevelandry]

I am very limited due to sports schedules and those returning to college. My 16 year old plays football and can only miss a limited number of days and the two girls will be headed to college and I am not sure about the 21 year old since he will graduate in June of 2019. It is difficult to plan with all these things but from what I can gather it is better to book early. I need a sailing date during the first week and a 3 day cruise would be mostly over a weekend so it will mean limited missed days for sports. Thank you for all the information. Like I said it is a bit overwhelming.

FYI, you are still early for Carnival bookings (a see a lot of people booking less than 2 months in advance)...

If I may suggest. If you chose to book under "Early Saver":

-Pros: It's less expensive to begin with AND if the price of your room category gets lower as you approach the date of your sailing, you can get an upgrade OR get On Board Credit (as a kind of refund) by filing a price protection form (and they usually answer within two hours).

-Cons: If you have to cancel, they keep the money as a credit and they ask a 50$ fee per person to rebook... However, I have found out that if you leave your guests name under "TBA", you will only pay the fee for 1 person which is why I only add my husband name at the last minute).

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We've switched up our 2019 plans (of course as DS would say with an eye roll). We canceled the RCCL cruise and have booked a Princess cruise to British Isles (still in the Carnival family!). It has a much better itinerary. It also costs more but I am crossing fingers for price drops. We have an OV booked but can move down to an inside if we need to save more too. Here's hoping it's our last switch.

 

[mevelandry]

We've switched up our 2019 plans (of course as DS would say with an eye roll). We canceled the RCCL cruise and have booked a Princess cruise to British Isles (still in the Carnival family!). It has a much better itinerary. It also costs more but I am crossing fingers for price drops. We have an OV booked but can move down to an inside if we need to save more too. Here's hoping it's our last switch.

British Isles...

What are the ports?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

British Isles...

What are the ports?

Southampton (arrive/depart) - St Peter Port, Guernsey - Edinburgh - Invergordon/Inverness - Greenock/Glasgow - Belfast - Dublin (overnight) - Cobh (Cork) - Le Havre (I can smell the croissant and baguettes)

 

[mevelandry]

Southampton (arrive/depart) - St Peter Port, Guernsey - Edinburgh - Invergordon/Inverness - Greenock/Glasgow - Belfast - Dublin (overnight) - Cobh (Cork) - Le Havre (I can smell the croissant and baguettes)

Amazing itinerary! Dublin and Cork have been on my bucket list forever...

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Amazing itinerary! Dublin and Cork have been on my bucket list forever...

It was our first choice when we began planning but it's also $$$$$$ (although still several thousand less than DCL). So we moved on. But, we just couldn't let it go either as the other itinerary didn't go to Edinburgh or start/end in UK. The whole premise of this trip was that the kids wanted to see London and the other trip would not have got us there. I'm hoping my planning, scrimping and saving will make it work.

 

[mevelandry]

It was our first choice when we began planning but it's also $$$$$$ (although still several thousand less than DCL). So we moved on. But, we just couldn't let it go either as the other itinerary didn't go to Edinburgh or start/end in UK. The whole premise of this trip was that the kids wanted to see London and the other trip would not have got us there. I'm hoping my planning, scrimping and saving will make it work.

I hope you can make it work and/or that the price will get lower.