Differences between RCCL and Carnival

[Newbie41]

Hi,

I have always cruised on Carnival and have been very happy with it, but am considering cruising on RCCL because of the itinerary. The RCCL ship I am considering is the Adventure of the Seas.

Here are my main questions, but if you have any other info to add please do so.

How old is adventure of the seas?

Yes, I'm a balcony snob, so are the balcony's as large on the adventure as they are on the Carnival ships?

Is the food quality as good?

Are there late night dining choices?

Is a soda card available for purchase?

Our adult children (early 20's) are coming with us and this will be their first cruise. I know they would have a good time on a Carnival ship, so I'm wondering if the RCCL attracts mostly an older crowd or are there plenty of younger people like there are on the Carnival ships?

Are there any perks for first time cruisers on RCCL?

[Clarea]

Hi,

I have always cruised on Carnival and have been very happy with it, but am considering cruising on RCCL because of the itinerary. The RCCL ship I am considering is the Adventure of the Seas.

Here are my main questions, but if you have any other info to add please do so.

How old is adventure of the seas?

Yes, I'm a balcony snob, so are the balcony's as large on the adventure as they are on the Carnival ships?

Is the food quality as good?

Are there late night dining choices?

Is a soda card available for purchase?

Our adult children (early 20's) are coming with us and this will be their first cruise. I know they would have a good time on a Carnival ship, so I'm wondering if the RCCL attracts mostly an older crowd or are there plenty of younger people like there are on the Carnival ships?

Are there any perks for first time cruisers on RCCL?

I can answer some questions. Adventure was completed in 2001. There is a soda card available for $6.50 (+ 15% gratuity) per day. Late night there is a venue on the Promenade called Cafe Promenade. It has small sandwiches, cookies, pizza, desserts, and fruit.

[Marysunshine]

I am emerald on rccl but have only done two carnival cruises. Believe it or not, I really think Carnival has better food and more entertainment geared to younger people. I am 71, but a lively 71 and if I think rccl doesn't have that much fun on board, think about younger people. On Carnival I really enjoyed the music group that played in the casino and did name that tune there as well. I felt there was much more live music and Carnival but the rccl ships are nicer. My whole family went on the Adventure in 2008. It's a great ship with many daytime activities: ice skating, basketball court, all kinds of stuff. I think you'll enjoy either one.

[PattyG12]

The soda cup comes with the purchase of the soda card on RCI ... on carnival you have to purchase the cup separately.

 

The "kids" will have a good time. We've taken our 3 on that class. 24, 26 and 30 ... they love it

 

I found the balcony on Royal bigger than a standard Carnival balcony

[kymmc3]

Hi,

I have always cruised on Carnival and have been very happy with it, but am considering cruising on RCCL because of the itinerary. The RCCL ship I am considering is the Adventure of the Seas.

Here are my main questions, but if you have any other info to add please do so.

How old is adventure of the seas?

Yes, I'm a balcony snob, so are the balcony's as large on the adventure as they are on the Carnival ships?

Is the food quality as good?

Are there late night dining choices?

Is a soda card available for purchase?

Our adult children (early 20's) are coming with us and this will be their first cruise. I know they would have a good time on a Carnival ship, so I'm wondering if the RCCL attracts mostly an older crowd or are there plenty of younger people like there are on the Carnival ships?

Are there any perks for first time cruisers on RCCL?

 

I too can only a couple questions. I've sailed both RCCL and Carnival. 2 Carnival actually in the past 12 months, one of the being on the Dream. Adventure was my first cruise in 2003 and we LOVED it. We ended up only switching to carnival because of the cost when traveling with family, however, I am sailing again with RCCL next week. There will be plenty to do on the adventure for all involved. I have to agree with the poster who said Carnival has more "live" music. I do like that Royal has the Piano (Schooner) bar. I found that lacking on Carnival and it's one of my favorite places. They have the place on carnival yes, however it's never used as such and no one is EVER in there.

 

I can't speak for Balcony size, but as far as the rest of the staterooms, Carnivals are MUCH larger then RCCL. That is one thing I am dreading most about next week, is just the closer quarters, but it's ok, we only sleep there.

 

As far as food, I am not picky. I'll eat anything that is free. I however wasn't too excited about Carnivals "new" menu that was rolled out last year, so I am hoping that RCCL tops that.

 

Yes to the soda card and it comes with the cup, which is a huge plus. We've learned when sailing carnival, to bring a cup from home if we want to have one full all the time. I do like that on RCL it's included.

 

As far as the "Children' in their 20's. I was 25 when I first sailed it, and Adventure is the ship that got us addicted. We actually went on navigator the following year because we loved that class so much. We had a promenade stateroom, had TONS Of space and enjoyed the extra window seat. Enjoyed the rock wall, ice skating, the shows, the club, everything was wonderful. I never felt "too young" or like I was sailing with my parents (as far as age went) there was a good flow and We couldn't have been happier.

 

After sailing on both RCCL first, then going to carnival, we were happy with both. We didn't feel like the age of those sailing were any different per line, it's the company you choose to keep. I have to say, i like RCL ships MUCH more. They are just a bit classier, then the neon color's etc of carnival. The dream was more updated, but I still like the style of Royal's decorating much more.

[debache]

You do not need to use the cups they give you, all you have to do is show your card to the waiter or bartender and they will give you a glass of soda.

[Cruising89143]

Actually it depends on the stateroom booked. Yes RCI's interior cabins are a good bit smaller but the other cabins are not that much smaller and some are even larger. RCI has much nicer balconies than Carnival. Also if you're looking at suites, Carnival does not even come close. There are late night dining choices available.

 

All the rest of the stuff such as food and entertainment is purely based on opinion. I last cruised with Carnival in 2004. We tried the Navigator OTS and haven't been back to Carnival since. Some people see very little difference between the two lines. I am not one of those people. I suggest that you try other cruise lines for yourself to see if they fit your cruising needs. Good luck. I have photos of the Adventure in my link below. She is a great ship and I would not hesitate to cruise on this ship again.

[smeck]

Having sailed both Carnival and RCCL I can safely say there more similiar than different.