We haven't been on a cruise before and the only dates we can go are on carnival splendor or Pacific explorer with PO
Has anyone been on either of these. What's best. What has the most options for dining. Drink packages etc
I have googled but I can't split them
Actually leaving on a Carnival cruise today.
Have been on both their ships twice. The Splendour is their new ship . . . so it should be a whole next level compared to my experiences on the Legend and Spirit.
Nothing but praise across the board. Carnival don't have an alcoholic drinks package, but I've outgrown the need to have to drink 27 bourbons every single day for 12 days . . . just so I outsmart the drinks package formula and end up a few $$ ahead. The only normal drink supplied free is a lemon cordial and water. So we normally get the soft drink package . . . cans of genuine coke, sprite, zero, etc costs around 3 cans of drink per day. It's convenient to get a nice cold coke whenever you want it, more so than outsmarting the system to come out ahead after gorging on soft drinks.
Dining options on Carnival are fantastic. You can pig out in the smorgasboard with plenty of variety, and the main dining room is the go for dinner. 3 courses, normal sized servings, nice mid-level restaurant quality with cloth napkins and great service. All included $$ wise. Midnight pizza's, soft serve ice cream.
They also have a top deck restaurant . . . for $45 each extra cost you are getting a $100 a head level feed.
From speaking to friends . . . the pecking order seems to go P & O, Carnival, Royal Caribbean. And so do the prices.
Strangely, Carnival owns P&O and a heap of other cruiselines including Cunard ( QEII, Queen Mary !!!)
I think it comes down to how old you are, kids, nightlife, etc.
Maybe I'm over-loving Carnival a bit . . . but like I said, me and the Mrs are leaving today so I'm in "cruise mode" a bit.
Hope this helps. And of course the next bloke will tell you why P&O are just brilliant !!
