Better cruise line for Baja California Cruise, Carnival or Royal Carribean?

Question

Better cruise line for Baja California Cruise, Carnival or Royal Carribean?

Answer 1

If you are just talking Baja California, then you are talking about the Monarch of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) and the Carnival Paradise from Los Angeles and the Carnival Elation from San Diego.  

The Monarch and Paradise both do three and four night cruises that go as far south as Ensenada.  I have taken this cruise twice, once on Carnival in January 2001 (it was the Carnival Holiday at that time) and once on the Monarch in December 2007.  

Both cruises were enjoyable.  However, the Monarch is older (built in 1991) and has smaller cabins then the two Royal Caribbean ships.  All the ships are about the same size, however the Monarch carries more people, so there is less room per passenger on the Monarch as compared to the two Carnival ships.  

As I mentioned, I was just on the Monarch, and the service on the Monarch was the best I have had in the eight cruises I have taken.  The Monarch will be moved to Port Canaveral in Florida in October 2008 and will not be replaced.

The Elation does four and five night cruises to Cabo.  The five night cruises include a stop in Ensenada.  Every once in a while the Elation does a six night cruise that also includes La Paz.  

If you are talking about the Mexican Riviera cruise, which includes Cabo (which is at the tip of Baja California) then you are comparing the Carnival Pride with the Vision of the Sea.

The Carnival Pride is a little bigger and a little newer.  The Pride was built in 2002 and the Vision in 1998.  The Pride also carries less people, so the Pride has more room per person.  The cabins on the Vision are bigger than the cabins on the Monarch, but still not as big as the cabins on the Pride.  Also, the Pride holds less people, so each passenger on the Pride has more room than each passenger on the Vision.  

Here is a picture of the Carnival Pride in the Cabo harbor ...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/Z...

Here is a picture of the Vision of the Seas leaving its home port of San Pedro ...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/Z...

All the Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall, none of the Carnival ships do.  All Carnival ships have a water slide.  None of the Royal Caribbean ships have a water slide that an adult would use.  Soon the Paradise and the Elation will be getting new pool areas that will include a mini water park.

The Carnival Pride will leave Los Angeles in early 2009 and be replaced by the Carnival Splendor.  The Splendor is currently under construction and should start taking paying passengers in 2008.  

The Vision of the Seas will also leave Los Angeles in early 2009 and be replaced by the Mariner of the Seas.  The Mariner of the Seas was built in 2003.  It is a huge Voyage class ship.  In addition to the Rock Climbing wall, it also has an indoor promenade, an ice skating rink, a miniature golf course and a inline skating track.

I did the Mexican Rivera cruise on the Carnival Pride in May 2004.  It is my favorite cruise of the eight I have taken.  I am booked on the Mariner of the Seas for June 2009.

Answer 2

I'm hoping carnival because I leave on the Pride in 70 days or so. I have cruised on both lines and have found I prefer Carnival so I'm partial

Answer 3

I have been on Carnival twice with my third planned in February.  My husband and I have been very pleased with them overall. All three of our trips will have been with them to the mexican Riviera.  No complaints only compliments from us.

Answer 4

We have been on the Baja cruise on both the Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas and the Carnival Paradise.

There is a difference in itinarary between the two lines for the 4 night cruises.  Royal Caribbean has a day in San Diego while Carnival has a day at Sea.

The people on the two cruises were different too.  The Royal Caribbean cruisers tended to be more relaxed and exploring while the Carnival cruisers tended to be younger and party goers.

The food between the two trips was generally the same however we preferred the selection on the Royal Caribbean.

We would cruise either of the trips again, however we have heard that Royal Caribbean will be discontinuing the Baja cruises in early 2009, after that point the only Baja choice will be Carnival unless you want to do the 7 night Mexican Rivera cruises which will still be offered by several lines during different times of the year.

Answer 5

I have been on many Royal Caribbean and NCL cruises, including one to the Mexican Rivera.  Never been on Carnival but I do prefer Royal Caribbean best of all of the 4 cruise lines (Princess and Celebrity included) that I have been on.

The differences between these lines will be minor and depend for the most part on each responders personal preferences.  Many people love Carnival while others prefer Royal Caribbean. So, just go with whomever gives you the best price for the best cabin on the best date.