Big difference between Carnival and Royal Carribean?

[bethtogo]

We have only sailed on Carnival~ wondering if we should try Royal Carribean once. It would be Mariner of the Seas - same itinerary as we are looking at with Liberty or Legend. Would appreciate any feedback/opinions...

[tattoos]

I know it's personal preference but I think the food on Carnival is much better than on Royal Caribbean.

[JohnHall1965]

We sailed our first cruise on Carnivals Liberty, we sailed our second cruise on the Mariner of the seas , we had great experiences on both . I would have to say that the only glaring difference was the food , it was night and day better on the Mariner, other smaller differences, I noticed fewer kids on the Mariner, and I feel the service was just a tick better on the Mariner, I thought the Liberty had better night life . That being said they both were quality cruises , I will include a link for my review of the Mariner from this past January.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=78087

[SuiteTraveler]

I think you should definitely try RCCL, particularily Voyager or Oasis class. My husband and I have cruised most of the major lines and it is fun to try different ones. I think that the food on RCCL is a little better than on Carnival. Their specialty restaurants are fantastic. There is usually a chef's dinner you can get in on - you have to call RCCL to ask, but it's usually limited to 14 people per night and very special. Mariner has all kinds of really neat facilities such as ice skating, rock climbing, in-line skating, mini-golf, golf simulator. Mariner is a Voyager class ship and this class of ship was RCCL's first attempt at creating a ship that IS the destination. They mostly succeeded and expanded on that success with the Oasis class of ships. There is literally so much to do on these ships that you cannot do it all in a week. The bathrooms are particularily nice with round showers with glass doors. Even the balcony staterooms seem much larger than other ship's balcony staterooms. The 3-story dining room on this class of ship is very grand. There is lots of entertainment and fun onboard these ships, as well as tranquil spaces to relax and rejuvenate. I think you will really enjoy this particular ship.

• Ice-skating rink
  
• Rock-climbing wall
  
• In-line skating
  
• Royal Promenade (open 24 hours)
  
• Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant
  
• Portofino Italian Restaurant
  
• Chops Grille
  
• Café Promenade
  
• Ben & Jerry's® ice cream
  
• Vintages wine bar
  
• Boleros Latin-theme lounge
  
• Themed bars and lounges
  
• Casino RoyaleSM
  
• Golf simulators
  
• 9-hole miniature golf course
  
• Adventure Ocean® youth facilities, including teen-only areas, Fuel and Living Room
  
• Day Spa and Fitness Center
  
• Full-size basketball court
  

[H82seaUgo]

one line focuses on the people. the other focuses on the ships.

[Calico Jack Sparrow]

We took our first cruise last October on Serenade of the seas. It was a fine ship and a quality cruise experience. Our complaint regarding the food on that trip was the lack of Variety on the main dining room menu. The dishes were too "fancy". The DW prefers more simply prepared dishes without all the sauce and mushrooms, etc.

We ate all of our meals in the Windjammer.

We just booked Carnival Liberty for December. So, we are interested in what people have to say about the differences.:rolleyes:

 

Arrghh.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

one line focuses on the people. the other focuses on the ships.

 

Which is which because the post above yours sure makes it seem like RCCL is geared towards people very well. Is Carnival geared more towards the ships than the people? From what I read and heard from a friend who sailed the Dream, the ship was designed to just hold more people, not expand things or places for them to do anything.

 

Maybe you could break it down a little for those of us who do not have as much cruising experience? Your answer while appreciated, is pretty vague.

[zqvol]

We have only sailed on Carnival~ wondering if we should try Royal Carribean once. It would be Mariner of the Seas - same itinerary as we are looking at with Liberty or Legend. Would appreciate any feedback/opinions...

 

 

Two main differences. The decor on RCCL is more elegant, and the food on RCCL is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than anything on Carnival.

[H82seaUgo]

Which is which because the post above yours sure makes it seem like RCCL is geared towards people very well. Is Carnival geared more towards the ships than the people? From what I read and heard from a friend who sailed the Dream, the ship was designed to just hold more people, not expand things or places for them to do anything.

 

Maybe you could break it down a little for those of us who do not have as much cruising experience? Your answer while appreciated, is pretty vague.

 

nope. you got it backwards. rccl just has a bunch of people sailing together.

 

carnival has a community feels that washes over the ship. it also has the better food, and a slide.

 

rccl has better pool areas.

[debster11]

We have only sailed on Carnival~ wondering if we should try Royal Carribean once. It would be Mariner of the Seas - same itinerary as we are looking at with Liberty or Legend. Would appreciate any feedback/opinions...

 

We have sailed on both. We like both lines but prefer Carnival. The price and food in my opinion are better on Carnival. Our last cruise was on the Majesty of the Seas and while we had a great time the food in the MD just didn't do it for us. I think Carnival has a better selection. But everyone has different opinions and expectations. You should venture out and see what else is out there. If you don't like it, then you don't have to go back.

[PA Dutchman]

This is my opinion, We have been on both, more carnival then RCi, my old saying is we paid $400 for a ice show on RCi, this was on a BtoB with Adventure of the Sea and Destiny, we had a balcony on each ship. RCI was $200 ea more for the same cabin. RCi has more nickle and dime things OB then Carnival. After reading about the Majic carnival is starting that also with the red frog bar. We did not care for the food on RCi, thats a individual thing, different people like different things and the way its made. You must do it to find out. Shows were about the same, everything else was about the same. we just can't bring ourselves to do one of the mega ships, price and amount of people. Really look at price now with the way the world is and carnival you can always find a good price (same cat) over RCi if you can go anytime. Not everybody will have the same opinions. JMO

[tarheelmjfan]

For those who prefer the food on one vs. the other, I'd be curious to know why you feel that way. You all seem to be split down the middle on that one.

[JohnHall1965]

Oh I did forget to add one point to my post, I really enjoyed the outdoor theater at night on the Carnival liberty , missed that on the Mariner .

[misguidedangel]

You do what you feel you want to do with your vaction money.

 

When deciding a cruise one has to take a look at the ship and the itinerary. Take a look at both ships and see what each has to offer. Make your decision based on what you want to do and if that ships suits your personality and desired activity level.

 

It is your money and you make the decisions. That is why some choose to cruise Carnival only, and others will check out different cruise lines or stick with one or two lines they like.

[stargate fan]

one line focuses on the people. the other focuses on the ships.

 

WOW! That's a great way to put it.

[toby #1]

As you can see by my sig. I have only cruised Carnival. I would also like to know more about RCCl, such as are the cabins comparable? Are the beds as comfortable? Is the staff as nice?

 

One day we might just try RCCl but in the meantime I'd like the opinion of people that have sailed both, you know the good, bad and ugly.

 

I have asked this before but didn't get much of a response.

[st.marks]

I think you should definitely try RCCL, particularily Voyager or Oasis class. My husband and I have cruised most of the major lines and it is fun to try different ones. I think that the food on RCCL is a little better than on Carnival. Their specialty restaurants are fantastic. There is usually a chef's dinner you can get in on - you have to call RCCL to ask, but it's usually limited to 14 people per night and very special. Mariner has all kinds of really neat facilities such as ice skating, rock climbing, in-line skating, mini-golf, golf simulator. Mariner is a Voyager class ship and this class of ship was RCCL's first attempt at creating a ship that IS the destination. They mostly succeeded and expanded on that success with the Oasis class of ships. There is literally so much to do on these ships that you cannot do it all in a week. The bathrooms are particularily nice with round showers with glass doors. Even the balcony staterooms seem much larger than other ship's balcony staterooms. The 3-story dining room on this class of ship is very grand. There is lots of entertainment and fun onboard these ships, as well as tranquil spaces to relax and rejuvenate. I think you will really enjoy this particular ship.

• Ice-skating rink
  
• Rock-climbing wall
  
• In-line skating
  
• Royal Promenade (open 24 hours)
  
• Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant
  
• Portofino Italian Restaurant
  
• Chops Grille
  
• Café Promenade
  
• Ben & Jerry's® ice cream
  
• Vintages wine bar
  
• Boleros Latin-theme lounge
  
• Themed bars and lounges
  
• Casino RoyaleSM
  
• Golf simulators
  
• 9-hole miniature golf course
  
• Adventure Ocean® youth facilities, including teen-only areas, Fuel and Living Room
  
• Day Spa and Fitness Center
  
• Full-size basketball court
  

Do the extras, like rock climbing, skating,{in line and ice} have a fee for thouse activities, or are they free?

[MissDiva1]

The biggest difference I found was the balconies are bigger (balcony cabin the same size as Carnivals) and the pool area is bigger and nicer on RCCL with 2 big pools side by side with nice bar areas elevated above the pool area. (Voyager class)

As far as food....it is very subjected but RCCL had a MUCH bigger variety.

Oh and big difference in decor........RCCL prettier and Carnival wackier......

You can't go wrong with either.

[webnut]

Do the extras, like rock climbing, skating,{in line and ice} have a fee for thouse activities, or are they free?

 

 

All of those activities are included, mini golf too if it's on your particular ship. You'll just have to sign a waiver (not for golf); they will punch your card and from then on you can enjoy the activities at any time they are open.

 

My family prefers Royal Caribbean, but I think that is because it's what we are used to sailing. The Carnival Pride was nice, but the decor of naked people all over the ship was quite an experience with two little boys! Their expressions were priceless! Overall, I think the two lines are more alike than they are different....

 

Dorothy

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Really can't go wrong with either but if cost is about the same I go with RCL. Way more variety in food choices in the buffet area, MDR about the same on either line. Way more outdoor activities as mentioned in previous posts on RCL. The ships on RCL are classier IMO and no so vegas tacky looking. Entertainment is better on RCL as well.

[live,laugh,love]

Hi fellow cruiser,

I'm on the do the opposite of you going on CC for the first time.

I cruise on the mariner last year for my first cruise. we enjoy the MR so much we are going again this year.we traveled with two other couples the ship is truly beautiful and i couldn't give u any negative feed back service was great ,room, food, atmosphere, excursions were a blast our favorite was the canopy adventure in Mazatlan...could have done with out the jeep safari in PV...we paid to be full of dirt and not much to see or do it was BORING!!...seven day were not enough on the mariner....for any of us! please give me ur feed back if u do choose to go on the mariner of the seas.

enjoy!!

[H82seaUgo]

For those who prefer the food on one vs. the other, I'd be curious to know why you feel that way. You all seem to be split down the middle on that one.

 

first off, the availablility of it seems to be round the clock on carnival. any time of the day, something seems to be open. on rccl, off hours you can only get finger sandwiches and pizza at a cafe.

 

on rccl, they charge for real hamburgers and ice cream. they do have the soft yogurt for free.

there is a real grill with all the fixin's on carnival, as well as free ice cream and yogurt, even having the hard stuff with all toppings on sea days.

 

and the preparation and quality of the foods in the mdr is many steps above rccl.

 

and even comparing the specialty restaurants, carnival serves aged usda prime beef. rccl does not.

 

it seems like you pay less to cruise carnival, yet get more. and the elevators are the pits!

[Upandadam]

Not too long ago we spent one week on the Splendor and the next week on the Mariner.

 

The Mariner certainly had a "wow" factor to it which the Splendor didn't have.

 

Here are some of the other major differences from our experience.

 

Carnival is a more well oiled machine, with the crew being better trained and more attentive. We found that to be true from the room steward to the waiter in the MDR, etc...

 

The Mariner was lacking in elevators. Much longer waits than ANY Carnival ship we've been on.

 

The buffet on the Mariner was far better but the main dining room was probably below the quality on Carnival. But the dining room itself is extremely elegant. Especially when compared to Carnival's which tend to be a bit goofy in our opinion. One more comment on the buffet on the Mariner. What a view!

 

The lido deck on Carnival is better in the sense that there are tables where you can bring food to while the Mariner doesn't have any tables near the pool and we were even stopped from taking food from the buffet on a couple of occasions. That aside, the Mariner has a better pool area in our opinion.

 

The Mariner is more like being in a mall and the design separates you from the ocean more than any Carnival ship.

 

The main show lounge on the Mariner is individual seats with little leg room and very cramped while all Carnival ships we've been on have seating more llike a sofa with small tables in front. Definite Nod to Carnival.

 

The night life on the Mariner was a dissapointment to us when compared to Carnival. Nothing to do late at night.

 

The passenger mix in our experience was a touch different on these two ships also. A little bit more sophisticated and subdued on the Mariner, but any two cruises can have those differences regardless of the line.

 

In our experience, we enjoyed our time on the Splendor more than on the Mariner, but we'd still sail the Mariner again in a heartbeat and are even booked on her big sister the Allure this year.

[wildcatcruzer]

Enjoyed both cruise lines. Carnival has an edge for us due to more variety in things to do like trivia,talks, demonstrations, things like that.

 

RCCL had comedian for only one night, CCL many nights

CCL ice cream open 24/7, RCCL limited hours

CCL bigger cabins

RCCL better lunch buffet

CCL better MDR

CCL better kids club

 

Of course this is all in my opinion, Love the decor on Carnival, I think it looks fun.

[firefly333]

Mariner the balconys cabins, inside are about 5 s.f. smaller, but the balcony part is larger, making them about the same size overall.

 

Mariner more WOW factor as mentioned above. The dining room is 3 tiers with the biggest chandlier Iv ever seen. The tables hang over the edge on the two upper levels so they can see downstairs better.

 

Service better on RCL overall.

 

Carnival usually cheaper and has a year round ship out of Galveston, so because its a bargain and more available without flying, I do Carnival as much or more than RCL, but Im a RCL fan.