Difference between Royal Caribbean and Carnival

[JOHN 57]

Hello, I have sailed on the Carnival Conquest twice, and was not disappointed, but I am wondering. What is the difference between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Thank you, John

[firefly333]

Most things are pretty similar. If you are considering Voyager out of Galveston, I thought the ship was beautiful and loved the promenade and cafe there for nightly snacks. I wasnt so keen on RCL's older ships and wouldnt recommend one of them, but loved Voyager class.

 

More things the same than different. Voyager is a step up from Conquest in regard to being a beautiful ship.

[halos]

Royal Caribbean has much prettier ships.

Service is about equal.

Carnival's food is better.

[gtalum]

From distilling various trip reports on here, I have the picture that on ROyal you pay more for a prettier ship, but otherwise things will be more or less the same.

[OrdieJ]

I think Royal has way better service.

[swampfox28]

Whoa.

 

I was under the impression that RCCL was a step up from Carnival (and NCL.)

 

Not that I'm bashing; I've only sailed NCL and Carnival and liked them both (though there were things I liked more about NCL).

 

I just thought that it was NCL & Carnival at the bottom, then RCCL, then other higher-end cruises (like Disney), then the REALLY higher-end things like Cunard (sp.)

 

As much as I'd love to take the family on a Disney cruise, I've been pleased for the vacations we've gotten in ratio to the money spent in the past on NCL and wondered if the "step up" to RCCL would really be worth it. Perhaps not...

 

 

-Sarah

[tiyana4]

Whoa.

 

I was under the impression that RCCL was a step up from Carnival (and NCL.)

 

Not that I'm bashing; I've only sailed NCL and Carnival and liked them both (though there were things I liked more about NCL).

 

I just thought that it was NCL & Carnival at the bottom, then RCCL, then other higher-end cruises (like Disney), then the REALLY higher-end things like Cunard (sp.)

 

As much as I'd love to take the family on a Disney cruise, I've been pleased for the vacations we've gotten in ratio to the money spent in the past on NCL and wondered if the "step up" to RCCL would really be worth it. Perhaps not...

 

-Sarah

 

It seems that quite a few people are under this impression. RCCL does have prettier ships, but you will typically pay more. Service is fairly equal, but as halos mentioned - we find the food is better on Carnival. A true step up would be Celebrity or Azamara.

[janetz]

Whoa.

 

I was under the impression that RCCL was a step up from Carnival (and NCL.)

 

Not that I'm bashing; I've only sailed NCL and Carnival and liked them both (though there were things I liked more about NCL).

 

I just thought that it was NCL & Carnival at the bottom, then RCCL, then other higher-end cruises (like Disney), then the REALLY higher-end things like Cunard (sp.)

 

As much as I'd love to take the family on a Disney cruise, I've been pleased for the vacations we've gotten in ratio to the money spent in the past on NCL and wondered if the "step up" to RCCL would really be worth it. Perhaps not...

 

 

-Sarah

 

 

You might want to voice your thoughts on a board that is not dedicated to one cruiseline and see the different opinions you get.

[Drew B]

A true step up would be Celebrity or Azamara.

 

I've sailed Celebrity several times, and I considered it to be very comparable to Carnival. There were certainly differences between the two lines, and while some of those differences made Celebrity "better", others swung in Carnival's favor.

[janetz]

I've sailed Celebrity several times, and I considered it to be very comparable to Carnival. There were certainly differences between the two lines, and while some of those differences made Celebrity "better", others swung in Carnival's favor.

 

Your comparing Celebrity to Carnival? What do you think is comparable between the two? I would love to hear your answer. Certainly the food and service is in Celebrryt's favor. :)

[ERTHDOG]

personally, i think you should try rccl and make this decision for yourself:)

 

i have been on an old rccl ship and thought it was soso(as a ship)but outstanding on the service. also have been on voyager class and loved the ship, service was still great,food seemed boring after a few rccl cruises:rolleyes:

 

as much as i like rccl, i am very much looking forward to our carnival cruise in april, for a change of venue. you know what they say about variety;)

 

btw, as of now , my splendor cruise is VERY close in price to my mariner cruise...so depends,the price may be closer than you expect:cool:

 

dave

[coachw]

I have sailed both and personally liked RC better but as everyone stated it was much more expensive. The food was similar and RC's service was better to me. I was on Sensation before it was refurbed so maybe that makes a difference too. But I have not reserved another RC cruise because the price isn't worht the couple little differences to me.

[skylock]

Comparing the different cruise lines is a bit like comparing McDonalds to Burger King. They both serve hamburgers, but they both go about it a little different. But at the end of the day, both are pretty much the same.

 

There are going to be some that like how Burger King serves their burgers more than they like the way McDonalds serves theirs.

 

Nobody can tell you if you will like McDonalds burger more that Burger King's because we all have our own prefrences on different things.

 

For me, I like NCL, but that was mostly for the free style dining. I am considering sticking with Carnival now that anytime dining is available. Still not as good as NCL, but better than it was, and it is cheaper.

[crzndeb]

I am pretty equal in number on RCI and Carnival cruises. I have been on the Voyager and like that class the best. I have been on the Radiance of the Seas twice, and that is also a nice class of ships.

 

RCI decor is more understated...wood and glass. Yes, some may call them prettier. Depends on your taste. They are beautiful, but I also love the pizazz and color on Carnival ships too.

 

Since you have been on Carnival twice and the Voyager is sailing out of Galveston, I would definitely try the Voyager and then you can decide for yourself. The Promenade is my fave on that ship.

[Nunu]

Comparing the different cruise lines is a bit like comparing McDonalds to Burger King. They both serve hamburgers, but they both go about it a little different. But at the end of the day, both are pretty much the same.

 

There are going to be some that like how Burger King serves their burgers more than they like the way McDonalds serves theirs.

 

Nobody can tell you if you will like McDonalds burger more that Burger King's because we all have our own prefrences on different things.

 

For me, I like NCL, but that was mostly for the free style dining. I am considering sticking with Carnival now that anytime dining is available. Still not as good as NCL, but better than it was, and it is cheaper.

I'm waiting for an In N Out Burger type of ship.

[Boatingmom]

I know others disagree, but Disney was not the end all. Disney was my famlies first cruise with the kids.We then went on Rccl and liked that better. Disney's dining and night life leave a bit to be desired and the kids club is a mess. Rccl was better for adults and my kids liked it fine. It was a bit yuppie though. After that we did Princess with the outlaws. & their kids club won, I think a cruise iswhat you make it. We're trying carnival now. Guess for nowwe've gone full circle. We'll do cunard and the fancy ones later in life w/o kids.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I'm about to try my first RCI cruise. I love Carnival but many of our friends are RCI fans and they booked a cruise on the Mariner in May and we're gonna try it ourselves.

 

Surprisingly, what I've been reading on both RCI forum and CCL forum is most people are saying Carnival has better food and their service is about equal although that depends on each sailing. As you know just like in a restaurant at home, you can have great servers and some that you hope you never get again. You can't judge an entire cruiseline based on your room steward or dining staff. Some are awesome and some are not and that isn't just on CCL or RCL.

 

I've read that RCI nickle & dimes you to death as you have to pay for a good steak and burgers at Johnny Rockets etc. Carnival includes most everything except coffee specialty shop. RCI has pretty ships that give you the wow factor and I'm looking forward to that. And I've never seen a rock climbing wall or ice skating rink on a Carnival ship - at least not the ones I've been on. If prices are comparable, I'm game for either one but so far, CCL usually beats competition on price alone.

[beetle9]

Having been on 14 ccl cruises before trying rccl and ncl each once i do think rccl and ncl service is better, food is real close even if the serving of the food is not the same. rccl ship did seem a little prettier. but they are not that differant. And as far as price if you watch what you want there are soom good deals on all the lines and rccl gave me a credit on my credit card twice after final pay because price dropped.:) Just remember any cruise is better than cold and work.:)

[Dasah]

I cruised on the Carnival Conquest when it first came out. My next cruise was a few years later on the Disney Magic, the year after that it was the RCCL Liberty of the Seas and this Spring Break we are going on the Carnival Dream. It seems like we have come full circle. Of all three cruise lines the food quality and selection was the best on Carnival, followed by RCCL and then Disney. We also found that the quality of service in the food & beverage deparment was the best on Carnival. RCCL was only slightly better than Disney. As far as guest service in most all other areas, all 3 rated about the same with us. In the entertainment department, all three were about the same with the daytime entertainment, however in the evening, we liked Disney the best, then Carnival and then last RCCL. The kids programs on Disney and RCCL were both excellent.

 

The ultimate difference between Carnival, Disney, and RCCL is the price. For the price of an interior room on Disney we could get an Oceanview on RCCL, and a Balcony room on Carnival. After trying out the these cruise lines, the choice for this years Spring Break trip was fairly simple. We went with the Carnival Dream. We had considered the RCCL Oasis for the same trip, however we felt with all things considered, Carnival was the better choice. Having been in the resort business myself for many many years, in many different capacities, I tend to be bit critical of guest service, food quality and attention to detail. These are just my observations. I was also fortunate to be able to go on each of these cruises when the ships were fairly new.

 

Good luck in your decision making.

[dclark]

CCL has better food, plain and simple. Whether someone prefers it is up to them. For example, CCL serves up large shrimp that would never see a RCL ship- bigger shrimp cost more $ than small shrimp. Better quality seafood, better cuts of meat, etc. RCL has cut corners big time, and they just didn't stop with getting rid of pillow chocolates either.

A year and a half ago, we did a CCL cruise, followed two days later with a RCL cruise. The differences really stood out.

We also have yet to see examples of RCL offering superior service. On CCL, we always have gotten our luggage before life boat drill, our room is always cleaned before lunch.

On our last RCL cruise, our room steward looked overworked like the rest and the room was never done before lunch. Our previous RCL cruise had similar service and we didn't even get turned down service the last night and those soggy towels from Nassua just sat there and stunk. Yeah, RCL ships are prettier, but the CCL Liberty was pretty darn nice looking and I think Princess ships are nice looking than RCL ships. Give them a try,see what you think.

[urbanhawk]

I'm waiting for an In N Out Burger type of ship.

That would be the "ship" that was on Gilligan's Island:eek:!!!!!!

[cccer]

My wife and son and I have went on 4 Carnival cruises and then tried a RCL cruise. This year we went back to Carnival. It's not like we did not like RCL, but when we went with them the prices were comparable and this year they were not.

We went through the pros and cons between the two lines and both are about equal to us.

 

Food to me seems the same, although I do like the Mongolian grill on Carnival. Carnival bedding is better. I liked RCL balconies better. I liked Johnny Rockets on RCL, although you have to pay for it, it is worth it. Carnival casino was better, RCL felt like you were in a coffin. Just a few things IMO.

[mystone99]

I'm waiting for an In N Out Burger type of ship.

 

Me too. It's the only thing I miss about Southern California

[ILov2cruise]

Your comparing Celebrity to Carnival? What do you think is comparable between the two? I would love to hear your answer. Certainly the food and service is in Celebrryt's favor. :)

 

Celebrity Century was more relaxing, Carnival was a faster pace. Alot less kids on Celebrity, Food was a drop better than Carnival, service was about the same. On Celebrity we asked the first night if we could have shrimp cocktail every night and never had to ask again it was there waiting every night.

 

I hated RCCL if it was my first cruise I wouldnt have ever cruised again, food was not great, ov cabins were much smaller, service was not great.

 

Don't know if this is true but I don't think RCCL use their stabilizers much as the ride was very rough, on Carnival we hit a storm and it was a smooth ride, (someone told me it saves fuel when not in use).

 

My Carnival cruise was my 9th cruise but first on Carnival, I loved it and can't understand what all the complaints are about. We had a great time, food was great and our balcony cabin was a great size. Three in our cabin (2 adults and a 13 year old) we had plenty of room. On RCCL we were always climbing over each other or falling over each other.

[DarthGrady]

Royal Caribbean has much prettier ships.

Service is about equal.

Carnival's food is better.

 

My feelings as well. :)