In the middle come Holland America and Costa.

So why bother to post a reply? That's not very helpful!

[ 09-09-2002: Message edited by: M.S.Grumple ]

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Originally posted by M.S.Grumple:
[QUOTE]So why bother to post a reply? That's not very helpful!

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Originally posted by Cruiseny:

It would be helpful if the person making the original post was under the impression that these two lines are in direct competition with each other.

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Originally posted by M.S.Grumple:
Cruiseny I think you are assuming you know more than the original poster.

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I may, or may not. However I don't think it's necessary to automatically assume that the person asking a question automatically knows as much as you do.

People don't ask questions for the rest of the world to sit around, thinking, "Maybe I should tell him..." but not doing it, in the event that the person asking the question should have their intelligence insulted.

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Originally posted by gaynorsinclair:
[QUOTE]I don't quite understand, they are in no way in direct competition with eachother, for s start Carnival owns Cunard!!!

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However I don't know that you know that.

Sorry about this... As you post more here, we'll get to know you.

The food is better on Cunard, but not a great deal so. There are more items on the breakfast buffet on Cunard than on Carnival, and there are a few items on Cunard (caviar in the Caronia class, for example) that are extra on Carnival.

However, the food on Carnival is quite good, and really not that different than on Cunard (although you won't get a true English breakfast on Carnival, or any other mainstream US line).

I firmly believe that the food on Carnival is much better than NCL, and I've heard from people who have recently travelled on Princess and RCI that Carnival's is better too. I'm making my first trip on RCI this week, so I'll be able to compare.

However, all in all, I seriously doubt that you will be disappointed with the food on Carnival.

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Originally posted by gaynorsinclair:
Has anyone been on both Cunard and Carnival Cruises? If you have, could you please tell me what the food on Carnival is like compared to Cunard... is there a big choice and are the buffet meals good? We are thinking of cruising with Carnival as they seem to be considerably cheaper than Cunard but we wondered what the food is like, if it's good then we shall almost certainly look further into cruising eith Carnival but if it's bad then we will look into cruising with other lines.
thanks

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I have not sailed on Cunard (although I will this December on QE2), but I can tell you the food on Carnival (at least the newer ships) is quite good. I sailed on the CARNIVAL PRIDE in January, and I felt the food was superior to recent cruises on Princess, NCL and Royal Caribbean. When I say superior, I mean in terms of quality, presentation, and variety. In fact, I was quite impressed to see just how far Carnival has come in this arena. A small caveat, I have heard the expenditure for food is somewhat higher on the new "Spirit" class ships, as these vessels are positioned slightly higher than the average Carnival ship.

Regarding the QE2, I would imagine the food and service largely depends on which dining room you are assigned to. I would suggest the Mauritania Restaurant would be the equivalent of any mass-marker cruise line (Carnival, Princess, NCL, RCI). The Caronia slightly better (Celebrity, HAL, or Crystal maybe?), and of course the Grills more in line with something like Silversea or Seabourn.

I don't know if this helps you out at all, but it's interesting to think about anyway. Bottom line, Carnival tends to receive a bad rap since people like to put down the largest and most popular of anything, but in reality they have come a long way even in just the past couple years, and are quite good. I would stick to one of the Spirit Class ships though, for the best Carnival experience.

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Originally posted by nathan:
... Carnival had just started a new program (as part of recent dining upgrades) whereby they do not pre-prepare any dinner entrees. ... Cunard, at least in Caronia class on QE2, does the same thing.

I don't believe that any other mainstream lines do this.

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Originally posted by empressport:
It's important to remember a cruise isn't just about the food. You will have completely different type of shipmates on Carnival vs. Cunard, and you're stuck with them for several days!

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This is so true -

We've never cruised Carnival but have done a Trans Atlantic on Cunard's QE2 and many cruises on HAL ships.

In my opinion QE2's Caronia menu is 'on the French side' , sauces with just about everything - I request 'sauce on the side, please' - just hate things smothered. For what it's worth, German style food is much more likely to be served on HAL ships.

Cunard's buffet on a T-A is quite diverse - curry and lamb dishes are usually featured - for the latter do not expect 'real mint sauce' - only the American taste for 'mint jelly' is catered to. My 'dark secret' - I carry Crosse & Blackwell Mint Sauce on every cruise! If you're a Brit on board, identify yourself and I'll share!!!

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Originally posted by empressport:
It's important to remember a cruise isn't just about the food.

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Since when?