Adventure of the Seas or Carnival Breeze?

Hi all! I’m looking at spring break 2019 cruises and have narrowed it down to these choices. I don’t see comparison threads between these 2 ships when I search.

Carnival Breeze is a 7-night itinerary stopping at Amber Cove, St Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk. Adventure is an 8-night itinerary stopping at Labadee, San Juan, St Maarten and St. Kitts. Both itineraries are appealing.

Breeze leaves from Port Canaveral which is much closer and more convenient to our house than Fort Lauderdale where Adventure sails from. 2.5 hour drive vs. 5 hour drive, so that has me seriously considering the Breeze. And while most would like an 8-night itinerary over a 7-night itinerary, I think getting home Saturday as opposed to Sunday will give us all a chance to regroup before returning to work and School Monday.

I have done tons of Royal Caribbean research for our upcoming Oasis cruises so I feel comfortable I know what to expect from RCI. Carnival would be brand new to me.

We will have 2 small kids with us.

Both ships look nice and seem to have similar sizes & activities.

I’ll post on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean board to capture opinions from both.

Any thoughts from experienced cruisers? Thank you!

I would choose the Breeze...

While I am a Carnival stockholder, I would probably take Adventure. More days and kids would like the ice shows.

But St Kitts isn't great for kids. The 5 hour drive with small kids could be a real pain. So in your case Breeze might well be a better choice. And having a day at home before going back to work is nice.

Check into the age/height limits for the slides and kids clubs and whether kids need to be potty trained for various water activities. New water feature on Adventure might allow swim diapers but pools and slides don't.

While I am a Carnival stockholder, I would probably take Adventure. More days and kids would like the ice shows.

 

But St Kitts isn't great for kids. The 5 hour drive with small kids could be a real pain. So in your case Breeze might well be a better choice. And having a day at home before going back to work is nice.

 

Check into the age/height limits for the slides and kids clubs and whether kids need to be potty trained for various water activities. New water feature on Adventure might allow swim diapers but pools and slides don't.

What makes San Juan, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk so much better for young kids? They might really enjoy the Sugar Train on St. Kitts.

Tough Call, but we just sailed Adventure and enjoyed to latest improvements just completed. I am not a fan of the Carnival ships, but they do offer more casual food options which I miss on Royal.

There are tons of RC vs Carnival comparison threads out there. This is one that may provide some insight on Carnival.

Pros for Carnival

1. Beverages

a) Self serve Ice/Water/Lemonade stations at the pool – Royal none

b.Less expensive alcoholic beverages and wine packages

c. lower gratuity on beverages. Royal 18%

d. Sufficient bar servers, less waiting in line to be served.

e. Self serve Ice/Water/Lemonade stationsat the pool – Royal none

2. Amenities

a.Bathrobes provided even for 1st time cruisers.

b. Larger bathroom and shower

c. Shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, shaving mirror. Nothing on Royal

e. Notepad and pen provided. No more orRoyal

f. Towel animals provided every evening. Less often on Royal

3. Food Availability

a.Soft serve ice cream available 24 hours with 4 stations. Royal limited hours with 2 stations

b. Pizza available 24 hours, several options available and cooked to order. Royal: Hours limited & pizza subpar

c. Coffee, Tea and juices available 24 hours.

d. Freshly cooked burgers available for 6 hours daily. Royal: No burger or stir fry stations

e.Snacks available until 1 am.

f. Deli open until 11pm.

4. Food buffet (subjective view) - Carnival has Multiple Entry locations –Royal only has one to control flow

a.Burgers / Hot Dogs / Pizza far superior, freshly prepared.

b. Fresh Eggs / Omelettes readily available from several stations. Stay away from scrambled eggs on Royal

c. Desserts larger variety and much better. Royal desserts have very little flavor

d. Greater range of options catering for a wide range of tastes.

e. Multiple free beverage stations with wide range of options.

f. Coffee far better quality. China mugs forbeverages not plastic & stained as in Windjammer

5. Laundry - a. Ironing rooms available. b. Washing machines and dryers available. NONE on Royal

6. Main restaurant Sea Day Brunch available from 8:30 – 1pm on every seaday.

7. Entertainment

a.Several pool parties which are well attended with staff encouraginginvolvement.

b. Wide choice of movies on outdoor screen, normally at least 2 daily with freepopcorn provided.

Cons against Carnival

1. Ship Design - No comparison –Royal is much nicer

a.Ship décor not subtle and quite loud.

b. Passenger flow - not as easy to get from location to location.

c. Pool areas appear more crowded on sea days.

d. Adults only area has little shade and no pool and often closed due to windas a result of its location on deck 12.

e. No ‘digital way finders’ to help navigate the ship.

2. Guest Services

a.Few guest service agents, with a priority line for some guests.

b. No updates by captain on weather conditions despite being rocky and windyfor 3 days.

3. Venues around the ship

a.Casino extremely smoked filled which drifts onto ‘promenade’.

b. Promenade cluttered with promo/sales and photographers nightly.

c. Limited offerings in the shops.

4. Dining

a.Dinner interrupted by staff performing which not only delays dinner service butis humiliating for the staff IMHO.

b. Only one speciality restaurant.

5. Entertainment / Recreation

a.Live entertainment extremely loud in the lobby, promenade and pool areas (andsingers not very good too).

b. Live entertainment / production shows not as good as Royal Caribbean.

c. Not as many ‘sporting’ activities available (rock climbing, ice skating, zipline etc.).

6. Beverage options

a.Only 1 alcoholic beverage package offered with a 15 drink limit per day and hasto be purchased by all adults in a stateroom.

b. Only 5 bottle wine package available on 8 day sailings.

7. Cleanliness

a.Few obvious hand sanitizers located throughout the ship with no staffencouraging guests to use them.

8. Entertainment – Royal has more options

If both were 7 nights, I'd say flip a coin. But I recommend Adventure just for that 8th night.