I have been on Voyager of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas, both of which we loved. Some friends who are new to cruising want us to join them on Carnival's Liberty. There seems to be a lot of experienced cruisers on this post. Will we be disappointed with Carnival?? Do you think the quality of the entertainment and the food are the same?? Cabins bigger or smaller??? Any info will help. As they say, "There are no bad cruises, some are just worst than others....."

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Will we be disappointed with Carnival??

No. Carnival and RCI are more alike than they are different.

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Do you think the quality of the entertainment and the food are the same??

Yes. To my tastes, Carnival is the winner in the buffet and pizza department but RCI has a little bit better in the main dining rooms. Overall, it is a draw.

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Cabins bigger or smaller???

Carnival's standard cabins are 185 square feet, which is larger than RCI's standard cabins.

We have sailed both and enjoy Carnival more. We like the larger cabins and I think Carnival has a better kids program. We enjoyed our RCI cruise but just have had more fun on Carnival.

Now I see these things differently my sister and I both felt like the balcony cabins were smaller especially the balcony itself. On the Freedom of the seas we had 3 big girls in our cabin and still had space on the CCL Liberty it was just my sister and I and there is NO WAY my other sister would have been able to be in that cabin.
Now as far as the pizza it is better than RCCL, I enjoyed RCCL dinning room food more and I enjoyed RCCl buffett food more.

Now will you be disappointed.....NO just go with this in mind ( which I should have ) these are two totally different ships so don't compare ( Like I did ) just enjoy the cruise and find all the good in it.

Again this is just my opinion.

We've sailed on Royal, NCL, Carnival, Costa, HAL, and Princess. They are all different. Like Spiritfilled said, don't compare, just go with the mind set that this will be a new experience. I actually like Carnival's food better, they have a great children's program, and the activities are fun. I don't think you'll be disappointed, if you go with the attitude that it is not going to be the same. Hope you have a wonderful cruise and can let us know how you enjoyed it, when you return!

As usual, this board is a big help. I always feel I get good info from the "insiders". My sister had been on Carnival Triumph during "spring break" and had a nightmare experience. It's such a great deal and then we'll stay in town for the Miami/Patriots game in November, can't wait!!!

Enjoy cruising is simply the best

Spring break is "iffy" on any cruise line. Have fun at the game as well!

How can anyone tell you if you'll be disappointed? Everyone has different opinions and you may like Carnival more than Royal Caribbean. As far as comparing Voyager and Freedom class ships to other ships? …it's like comparing a compact car to a SUV. Some people don't like the mega ships…even though they offer ice skating shows, and the popular Promenade deck. A cruise vacation is about having a great time more than about which ship you're on.

Let us know what you think after your cruise with your friends.

I like the wine selection on RCCL but I like the chocolate melting cake on Carnival. Most of my cruises are on RCCL but I am not opposed to taking one or two on Carnival every year. I like the big ships on RCCL but I enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the Holiday. I enjoy my loyalty status perks on RCCL but I also like the Platinum concierge and check-in on Carnival. I like the Newlywed game and talent show on Carnival but I equally enjoy The Quest on RCCL. You really can't go wrong either way.

No one can tell you if you will be disappointed. Dave said it best when he said they are very similar. Yes, RCI ships have some things the CCL ships don't, but the reverse is true also.

That is the beauty of competition. Different companies with products for different tastes.

I promise you you won't hate it - go with an open mind, and decide for your self if you like Carnival. Nothing says you can't return to RCI if you don't and who knows, you may find you like both and have that many more choices.

As usual everyone has been very helpful. I tend to get motion sick, that's why we stuck to the big RCCL ships at the advice of travel agents. Last cruise I did the patch and we were in an aft cabin (at the advice of this web site, I loved it, the view was unbeatable). It was a little rocky, but with the patch on I never felt sick, it's a miracle patch!!! FYI...I get car sick just reading a map!!! Try it if you have motion sickness, I had a little blurred vision, but that was it.
We plan on taking the Carnival trip now that some of my fears have been answered.....now we just have to pick a cabin, any ideas?

I would consider Mid-Ship Deck 6 (Upper) because it is convenient to the Promenade Deck, and is the lowest deck with balconies.

Dwayne

We are CCL fans but did go on RCI 2 times just to see for ourselves. We like balconys and the difference was $800 to see a ice show. CCL food and entertainment was better all around. We did NCL and Princess they are all very close. Reall didn't like NCL, we like to have the same table for dinner. Were glad we tried them but will now stay with CCL need to hit all the new ships and the military price we get from CCL is great.

I'm not picky about cabin selections, but love balcony rooms. Mid-ship is supposed to be more stable. I'd like to try an aft cabin sometime for the view. Let us know what you select

I've been on both RCCL (once) and Carnival (twice) and I would say overall we preferred Carnival. Overall I would say Carnival's buffet is far superior, RCCL had the slight edge in the main dining room and had better production shows, but we liked the layout, style and decor of Carnival better (even if it is quite...eye-popping at first Carnival's staterooms also were larger and had a better layout. But I doubt you'll be disappointed either way!

Thanks for all the great information everyone. We're going with a tour group, so I don't know exactly where my cabin is going to be. I did ask for midship and not down too low. Many people have said that Carnival has much better shows (which I love) so I'm really looking forward to it!! One more question......is the restaurant that is $30/person worth it......we would like to try it one night?

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is the restaurant that is $30/person worth it......we would like to try it one night?

Without question, yes.

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Originally posted by christinelee10:
Thanks for all the great information everyone. We're going with a tour group, so I don't know exactly where my cabin is going to be. I did ask for midship and not down too low. Many people have said that Carnival has much better shows (which I love) so I'm really looking forward to it!! One more question......is the restaurant that is $30/person worth it......we would like to try it one night?

My husband question to that is why pay $30 per person when you get food for free. Do anyone have an answer that I can tell him regarding this????? Sorry not to get off of the topic but it was swaying this way........

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My husband question to that is why pay $30 per person when you get food for free.

None of the food is "free". You are paying for it.

I used to be against the extra-fee restaurants because I saw it as nickel-and-diming. I've changed my mind on it because they truly offer something that is worth the price - at least to me. I am a foodie and decided I was being silly in ignoring a fine dining experience. The cruise lines haven't gotten carried away with the prices.

The specialty restaurants offer a 5-star dining experience. You aren't going to find that level of service and food for $30 anywhere else.