Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

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luv2fishpink

Guest
This is for those who have cruised both lines.

We have only cruised Carnival and are thinking about RC for our next cruise. We've heard that RC has a more uptight dress code for the dinners in the dining room then Carnival. Is this true? We're not talking about the formal days, just the regular days. I realize that we can go to other areas to eat casual, but please give me your insight as to the differences in the dining room dress codes.

Thanks.
 
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Gayle V

Guest
Hello luvtofishpink,

We've sailed both lines a number of times. It's not so much of a difference in dress "code" as a difference in how closely the people adhere to it. Still overall the difference is so minimal that you may not notice at all.

On both lines tee shirts and jeans are not considered proper casual night wear. But on Carnival there always seem to be some who believe the rules don't apply to them, and therefore show up in tees. And nothing is said about it.

I don't think the RCI people say anything either, but you just don't see it happen there much. The people just seem to follow the rules, as written. If you followed the dress code as spelled out on Carnival, you can go ahead and pack the same outfits for RCI. You will do just fine.
 
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runner15km

Guest
Its pretty equal between them but I must say that on RC Grandeur a few men wore their baseball hats during dinner the 1st evening.
 
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nimbex

Guest
Just sailed the mariner of the seas after 7 carnival cruises, so I think I have a fair comparison.

They are apples and oranges, but not in an upscale dress or more stuffy approach as you may have been led to believe. RCL large ships are for the active family, ALL over the ship, inside the promanade, the windjammer (buffet) to the open decks. The dinning room or general ship has no additional dress clothes rules. simply no bathing suits in the buffet, no shorts or jeans in the dinning room.

What IS different on the large ships, is that the buffet, the windjammer is INSIDE on deck 10, very unlike carnival, so you just can't leave your lounge chair in your bathing suit and grab a burger. you must cover up, and appropriately, a shirt and shorts over it. The windjammer is surprisingly a very high quality buffet, with excellent food and ambiance. now, did some break the rules... yep. But most were stopped by an attendant at the enterance who policed the hand sanitizer saying "shirt is reqired sir". Now any old T-shirt will do here, just cover it up.

this was not stuffy, just more elegant minus the stuffy compared to carnival. It was classy, but you ALWAYS felt comfortable, you could walk in shorts and t-shirts inside the ship by day, even at night and be fine... while others dressed to the nines for different events.

Gowns, cocktail dresses, church outfits, jeans and shorts, all in the english pub on the promanade, NO one, snickering at another, ever that I saw... and I wore all style of clothes throught the day. This was my favorite, of 9 cruises, the Mariner is a must do... I'm going to do it again!

carol
 
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AJ coast

Guest
[quote nimbex] The windjammer is surprisingly a very high quality buffet, with excellent food and ambiance. [/quote]

I agree with you on all your points except this one--I would have to beg to differ about the quality of food in the Windjammer, which I have found has deteriorated over the years. Compared to Celebrity's buffet offerings, The Windjammer is close to null.
 
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TulipMighty

Guest
shore excursions/AOS

Booked on AOS departing San Juan 6/3. Any shore excursion advice is welcome. Islands visiting are Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.
 
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Libby

Guest
We've been on both, and I believe Royal Caribbean, though it has moreformal dres codes, does not enforce them very strictly. Usually the first and last nights are very informal - have even seen shorts and t-shirts. However - on formal nights, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone with short, t-shirts or baseball hats on backwards. I've seen headwaiters suggest that people may want to go to the Windjammer, but have never seen a big issue over it. They don't want to offend any of their guests, and I suspect they hope the people in the dining room realize some people just don't care how they look, even though the cruise compass suggests the attire for the evening.
 
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photocrazymom

Guest
I have sailed RC and Carnival and so far I have to say carnival is much friendlier and cleaner and the food choice better then RC. We had the trip from hell with RC soverign of the seasX( it ruined our spring break this year.
Be wise when choosing a cruise.
We are going to try the Mariner next year, with a reimbursement from RC fo r our last cruise "gone wrong".=huh
 
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AJ coast

Guest
[quote photocrazymom]We had the trip from hell with RC soverign of the seasX( it ruined our spring break this year.
[/quote]

Unfortunately the Sovereign-class fleet does not live up to the rest of RCI's spectacular fleet. You will enjoy the Mariner!
 
B

Blonde and FUNKALICIOUS

Guest
YOLA! Hi, I've been on numerous cruises on both lines and i didn't see much of a difference. but, omg, i don't really look around when it comes to that. YOu know, they just need a "nice" shirt for casual nights, a jacket would be nice for the men, i don't think you REALLY need it. I always wear a cute skirt or dress when I go on royal caribbean, they don't really differ from the other lines.
have a funkalicious time!
p.s. i like royal caribbean...but of coarse, i'm 13!:)P)
 
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