Differences between Carnival and Royal Caribbean?

[Cruising89143]

You are going to find that the two cruise lines are more alike than different. They both target the same demographics. As stated, RCI is more subtle in their decor and Carnival is more like the Vegas casinos. Depends on what one likes.

 

I have found them to be about the same level where entertainment is involved. They both have the silly pool games, major productions shows and comedians but Carnival does have the adult comedy shows that can be very funny.

 

Food is a toss up. Both about the same. RCI needs to learn how to make pizza if they are going to continue to offer this. Carnival seems to keep their casual dining options open longer than RCI. I like that RCI has a room service menu where one can get hot items.

 

I have found that RCI blows Carnival away in the level of service and also a much more friendly crew that seems to enjoy what they do.

 

I also like the past guest program that RCI has. Carnvial has nothing at all.

[caviargal]

Caviargal. Wondering how long ago you cruised Carnival. They now share the exact same demographics as Royal Caribbean. 30% under 30 and 30% 55 and older. Both very popular with families. Sadly, some of those that like to bash Carnival, haven't sailed them for 10 or 15 yrs and in some cases never cruised the line and only comment on heresay. Carnival does provide a very good product. Wish RCI had the Carnival galley staff.

 

It's been about 5 years. I am on the Glory for a business trip in 10 days. I am curious about all the supposed "changes" and am hopeful that it will be a positive experience. I can tell you that my dealings with customer service and CCLs group department during the plannning stages of this trip have been anything but positive and professional. I have never experienced poorer communication by a cruise line.

 

I will post a review upon my return.

 

I did not enjoy my cruise on the Fantasy 12 years or on Inspiration 5 years ago. I do not consider that bashing, just an expression of my opinion.

[hdawson]

Caviargal. Sadly, we read of land based customer service for all the lines to be lacking, including Celebrity and RCI. I've had some fun getaways on the old Fantasy and I think she has been largly remodeled two yrs ago.

I look forward to your impression of todays Carnival. To me, Celebrity is tops.

Don't forget to have the West Indies Pumpkin Soup. It's great.

[gigivic]

Carnival=K-Mart

 

Royal Caribbean=J.C Penneys

[cruisinisforme]

I liked both cruiselines but for different reasons, I think it depends on the kind of person you are. I especially say this to people who are critical of everything, then you will find something wrong with both cruise lines. But if you are like me, and just go to enjoy the vacation, it just doesnt matter. As I said in my previous post, I choose RCCL because of some of the things they offer that Carnival doesnt, but I loved each and every one of my carnival cruises, and had a great time on them and I have a great time on RCCL too, just love those voyager ship, and truly looking forward to the Supervoyager next year.

[Ms Belvedere]

As you can see from my signature, I am a big fan of RCI.

 

I think that there are SIGNIFICANT differences between the two lines. Carnival ships are gaudy, with in-your-face decor. The lobbies are dark and neon and you would never know you were at sea.

 

Service and food on my two Carnival sailings were mediocre at best. The waiters on CCL are not European trained and I think there is a big difference.

 

The passengers on Carnival are decidedly more casual than those on RCI, IME, and I quite dislike shorts and t-shirts in the dining room at dinner.

 

IMO, Carnival is the Walmart of cruise lines. Tacky and cheap, all the way around.

Yet, I see multiple posts on the Carnival Cruise Board from you, Caviargirl. Why would you hang with a crowd who is cruising on such a "Tacky and Cheap" cruise line? What are you doing posting over there if they/we are not up to your obvious high standards of cruising? :rolleyes:

[colette5479]

I've wanted to try a Carnival Cruise for a while (I love RCCL but would like a frame of reference), but my wife refuses. She fears it being a total "party" boat rife with drinking, loud music, and thong clad co-eds (none of these are necessarily negatives in my book---;) )

 

I never seen any of the above on my CCL cruises but I did see it on my RCI cruise:eek: I think that type of behavior can happen on ANY cruise line. In fact, I saw many elderly people on our CCL cruises. Since I go to bed early, they could have been the party animals:D

 

I found both lines to be very similar. The food was better on CCL but the dining room staff was slightly better with RCI. I loved the treatment you received in the Windjammer in the evening. You still felt as if you were eating in a nice restaurant. The cabins on CCL are much roomier and comfortable. I've found better deals through CCL but I am disappointed in their past guest program. RCI does have the advantage there. The children's programs were about the same.

 

I'm cruising CCL this winter because of the convience of being close to home and I took advantage of a past guest upgrade. But I will also give RCI a try again in the future. It's one of those deals where you really need to try both lines before you make a decision. And if you do listen to other's opinions about both lines, please make sure they have been on both lines and don't have opinions baised on what they have "heard".:)

[dms_cruisers04]

It's been about 5 years. I am on the Glory for a business trip in 10 days. I am curious about all the supposed "changes" and am hopeful that it will be a positive experience. I can tell you that my dealings with customer service and CCLs group department during the plannning stages of this trip have been anything but positive and professional. I have never experienced poorer communication by a cruise line.

 

I will post a review upon my return.

 

I did not enjoy my cruise on the Fantasy 12 years or on Inspiration 5 years ago. I do not consider that bashing, just an expression of my opinion.

Sorry to hear your cruise was so bad. Yes, I understand it's still 10 days out, but from your post, you've already made up your mind. And that's too bad.

 

Carnival=K-Mart

 

Royal Caribbean=J.C Penneys

Posts like this always make me laugh. How would one know unless they too are familiar with both places? :D

[colette5479]

It sounds as if the infamous DN may have an alter ego:eek:

[cruzzza]

I have cruised on Carnival when a first-time couple my age (early 30's) asked me if there were always so many senior citizens on CCL cruises. They were disappointed that there were so many "old" people on board. It was a very quiet, low-key cruise. Then again, I have seen the occasional drunk, thong, and yes, I've also seen old men in Speedos. :rolleyes: I have been on 2 of the newest, nicest ships and also 2 of the oldest, there is a big difference in atmosphere.

[mandm33]

I am on the Glory for a business trip in 10 days. .

 

 

Ummm......wow, you get to cruise for a business trip???!!!!!

 

And, is your company hiring? :)

[cruise182]

Well, if you want to show her what Royal Caribbean looks like, go to the link in my signature and visit the video page. There's a video file of our Mariner cruise which (I think...) should get anyone in the mood to go with Royal Caribbean. :)

Great video!! what program did you use to edit? Thanks!!

[Frequentfloater]

My wife and I have sailed both and agree that the overall experience is very comparable. The food, crew, and activities were a fair match to us. One was a little better here, the other there, but both were really enjoyable.

 

We do prefer Royal Caribbean for the following reasons:

 

1. Ship Design - We love RC designs and decor much better. Nothing compares to a Voyager class ship, in terms of amenities and things to do. (I know a Radiance class has much of it...but, that is also RC).

 

2. Entertainment - Even though Carnival's show entertainment was fine, it was not in the same league as RC's. This is both from a talent and production point of view.

 

We enjoyed Carnival, but are in no hurry to return. As a matter of fact, our future cruiseline choices will be in this order: RC (another Voyager class, a Radiance, and of course new Freedom classes), Princess, Disney, possibly even NCL, and then another Carnival.

 

I will say that Carnival's pizza was better though.

[Fredrik]

But I risk it when I say...

 

Never, ever Carnival again.

 

(Yes, we are crossing the atlantic with QM2 but somehow I hope we have a different experience than on the Glory...)

 

Live, love, cruise...

 

 

Fredrik

[swimmer_steph]

I adore this post b/c we just returned from our v. first cruise on Carnival and in hindsight we don't think that's going to be the cruiseline for us. Now granted, we don't live in mansion, drive exotic foreign cars, drink 30 year old scotch and name our kids Brighton and Muffy. But we're also not living in a trailer w/3 rusted out cars in the front yard, we don't drink Boone's Farm :D and we have no children BUT there has to be something inbetween the two polar opposites. :confused:

 

I felt I was always being sold something on Carnival. Is Royal Caribbean like this as well? I just want to be treated like I'm on vacation in a nice place instead of being hounded to spend even more money while on board.

 

Can anyone suggest a better cruiseline fit for us? We're thirtysomething, no kids, we don't mind spending a bit more for better service and we want to have options while on board.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Steph

[hdawson]

Steph. All mainstream cruiselines have personal choice options that are of course extra charge. Photos, shops, specialty restaurants on some ships, spa treatments, drinks, specialty coffees, bingo, etc. etc. Personally, I like having those choices. I have not found Carnival any worse or better in this regard.

[Cruising89143]

RCI is not as bad as Carnival in the on board selling thing. RCI does not have bingo prior to the shows like Carnival. Nor do they try to get you to buy the scratch off cards prior to the shows. RCI does not set up eight to ten photo stations in and around the atrium and promenade deck. So yes IMHO RCI is better in this respect.

[Nliedel]

Will you be hounded to spend extra? No, not on either line *if* you expect that not all things are included then nothing should be a shock. If anyone hassles you on either line then tell them "no thank you" politly and they should get the messege. I have never felt harrassed to purchase anything on any cruise ship.

[Cruising89143]

Will you be hounded to spend extra? No, not on either line *if* you expect that not all things are included then nothing should be a shock. If anyone hassles you on either line then tell them "no thank you" politly and they should get the messege. I have never felt harrassed to purchase anything on any cruise ship.

 

No you will not be hounded but what I find annoying on Carnival is all the announcements for inch of gold, bingo, art auctions, etc. Also there is no need for all the photo stations set up around the ship. It is ridiculous. Makes for over crowded spaces. While you have a choice as to spend on these things, I would rather not have them thrown at me while on my cruise.

[wrp96]

You'll still find announcements for bingo, art auctions, etc. on RCCI.

 

However, I've never felt like I'm being pushed to buy something.

[hdawson]

I think only Celebrity has a policy of not using the PA system to hawk bingo, pool games and the like. It is sooooo nice and relaxing.

[superjerryw]

RCI is not as bad as Carnival in the on board selling thing. RCI does not have bingo prior to the shows like Carnival. RCI does not set up eight to ten photo stations in and around the atrium and promenade deck. So yes IMHO RCI is better in this respect.

 

We must have sailed on totally different RCI ships. All of the RCI ships that I have been on do have bingo prior to the show the last few nights of the crusie when the jackpot has grown very large. If early seating dinner is at 6:00 and late seating dinner is at 8:30, they will have bingo in the theatre at 7:30. This allows the early seating passengers to play bingo after dinner and the late seating passengers to play bingo before they eat. After bingo the early seating passengers just remain in the theatre to see the show. As far as photo stations, RCI does indeed set up several such stations in the atrium area. I was on the Jewel most recently and there were at least 6 such stations set up. Two or three on both the second and third level of the atrium and another station at the base of the atrium stairs.

[Cruising89143]

We must have sailed on totally different RCI ships. All of the RCI ships that I have been on do have bingo prior to the show the last few nights of the crusie when the jackpot has grown very large. If early seating dinner is at 6:00 and late seating dinner is at 8:30, they will have bingo in the theatre at 7:30. This allows the early seating passengers to play bingo after dinner and the late seating passengers to play bingo before they eat. After bingo the early seating passengers just remain in the theatre to see the show. As far as photo stations, RCI does indeed set up several such stations in the atrium area. I was on the Jewel most recently and there were at least 6 such stations set up. Two or three on both the second and third level of the atrium and another station at the base of the atrium stairs.

 

Have not seen it on any of my RCI cruises thus far. As far as the photo stations, Carnival sets up so many on the promenade deck that one cannot move without feeling that they are on an obstacle course. Again have not seen that on my four RCI cruises. Maybe some ships are different.

[Vale]

Just returned from Carnival Miracle and had a wonderful cruise. This was our 20th.

All cruises are wonderful and they are what you make of them. However I did notice that on the Miracle the dining room was empty almost every night and it wasn't that everyone was eating in the Specialty Restaurant since we took the elevator up each night and there was hardly anyone there. It seems the shorts clad, baseball hat, beer drinking passengers were all eating in the buffet each night. It seems there are more kids sailing with parents on Carnival, most we've ever seen, although they were pretty well behaved. Sailed on the Enchantment several years ago and just loved everything about the ship! Looking forward to sailing the Radiance class or one of the bigger ones.

[Mlkkc]

I love Carnival but tolerate snooty people and RCL cruisers have a tendency to be a little more snooty.Yet I still cruise both lines for the ship and destinations.