Carnival vs Royal Caribbean?

[TNCruzer56]

They are no longer looking for the same guest. One wants to attract guests with the wow factor and charge more for it. The other one wants to attract guests with a more budget minded experience and by charging less for it. And both approaches are successful in their own way.

Holly Sh__ In 10 years of following this dopey thread, I have never read a more lucid, thought-out and spot-on comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fitzget]

IMHO, they used to be more direct competitors back when Royal launched the Sovereign and Vision class, and Carnival launched the Fantasy class. But today, these cruise lines are on diverging paths. Their newest ships couldn't be any more different. The regions of the world they cover, their marketing, itineraries, quality and quantity of onboard entertainment, loyalty programs, kids programs and facilities, alternative dining venues, suites and suite perks, are all very different these days.

 

Yes, there are some markets where they overlap (most notably in the Caribbean and the Bahamas), but Royal's global reach is vastly different than Carnival's more domestic reach (and before someone mentions the other cruise lines under Carnival CORP, I'm limiting my observations to Carnival Cruise Lines versus Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines individually).

 

They are no longer looking for the same guest. One wants to attract guests with the wow factor and charge more for it. The other one wants to attract guests with a more budget minded experience and by charging less for it. And both approaches are successful in their own way.

 

 

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Very well could be, or probably is, true. I still like both lines and am not loyal to any cruse line. Heck, I'm not even loyal to cruises. I'm just loyal to vacations. Period. Lol.

 

 

 

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[Stateroom_Sailor]

I have been on Carnival before and going on Royal soon, but mainly I am just wondering what the noticeable differences are. So, Carnival vs Royal?

P.s. I am also posting this on the RCCL boards for a balmced opinion.

 

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You'll have a better time if you enjoy each one like you do with different destinations, theme parks, or restaurants. Some people have the tendency to throw one line or the other under the bus, because there will be genuine things you will miss about Carnival or will like better about RCL.

 

RCL advantage:

 

-Better entertainment and activities (significantly)

-Nicer ship design

-More healthy snacks at Midnight

-Easier to make lasting friends vs friendly acquaintances

-Better service (generally)

-More efficient embarkation.

-More cabin options (Promenade Room, Courtyard Balconies, Virtual Balconies)

 

RCL disadvantages:

 

-MDR food about 1 star drop in quality

-Not as good standup comedy

-Less nightlife

-No self-serve drink stations

-Cruises priced $100+ more

-Passengers take a bit longer to relax, most are friendly and there to have a good time, but there's also a small minority of frowned face people you don't see much of on Carnival.

-The Pizza is just awful!!!

[jimbo5544]

I didn't know that Johnny Rockets is free on Carnival!

 

And about the late night room service fee, I don't see it as a way to produce revenue, but as a way to deter waste from people ordering and then not even opening the door. Not that I've EVER done that before! :o

 

 

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I think you knew what he was talking about (Johnny Rockets - Guys burger bar). I do have to say that I felt the nickel and dimed a lot on my Oasis cruise - everywhere from Windjammers (OJ fresh squeezed) to items on the MDR menu and everywhere in between. I could give a full list, but the point is valid either way. The mention of a different client is an interesting one. I am not so sure it is true today, but I do seeing heading that way.

 

 

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[Pine Bluff]

You will be paying for extras on RCCL that would be free on Carnival. You will also see a much "older" crowd on RCCL.

 

Like what?

[Pine Bluff]

I think room service should be free no matter when your order it. I don't think having additional pay options is a bad thing. But charging for a specialty hamburger is ridiculous IMO.

 

They are not charging for a specialty hamburger. It's a service charge in a service restaurant. You may have not noticed, but Guys is not a service restaurant.

[wanderingjew]

I was comparing a 10 day in Feb on Legend of the Seas VS BC8 it was 30 more for 2 extra days and because i am getting 150 OBC on RCCL its even a better deal.

 

RCCL has 4 BRILLIANT lunches with their great Salad Bar VS 3 Brunches which John Heald calls BRILLIANT but to me are awful even tho i'm Diamond on CCL

[jimbo5544]

They are not charging for a specialty hamburger. It's a service charge in a service restaurant. You may have not noticed, but Guys is not a service restaurant.

They can call it whatever it is like, its a charge - for a hamburger. Do you need more examples?

[TPFKAH]

They can call it whatever it is like, its a charge - for a hamburger. Do you need more examples?

 

Carnival has service charges in all their service restaurants as well; JJ, Cucina* and of course the steakhouse. However, those places also charge for the food.

 

And if you want a serve yourself burger on RCCL, they are available in the WJ.

Edited April 28, 2014 by TPFKAH

[Havingfun2010]

We gave up on RC years ago. Why? The food used to be GREAT, but they really had sub-par food the last time we went. Yes - RCs ships are beautiful inside, but I prefer the friendliness of the Carnival staff. As long as the ship is clean is all I care about. (Both lines are very clean.) RC's staff tend to be more standoffish. I just have a more relaxed time on Carnival. More laid back, better menus and entrees and MUCH better casinos on Carnival! I can hardly get a play back on Royal Caribbean's slots. I can play for hours on $50 on Carnival!

 

Have fun no matter which line you choose.

 

Taters

 

7 years ago, and you did not like the food? Staff more standoffish? One of the reasons you have a more "relaxed" time on Carnival, is because Carnival changed their image to a more budget vacation, with food choices as "free hamburgers at Guys" and "comfort food" which changed the MDR to a common "Denny's" atmosphere. Everyone likes things differently, and if that is what you want, than great, but you are far from the overall truth.

 

 

You will be paying for extras on RCCL that would be free on Carnival. You will also see a much "older" crowd on RCCL.

 

Not sure what extra's. Two items mentioned were Johnny Rockets and late night room service. The charge for late night room service was to cut out on waste. Going back to the comfort food concept Carnival established, it makes sense to have a hamburger joint available. After all, hamburgers are much cheaper to make than most other foods, so if you passengers want to fill up on it, than it's better for the budget concept.

 

Some other comments I read were that RCCL charges for activities like rock climbing. RCCL has never, and I doubt will every charge for activities on board a ship. This statement goes true for Carnival. Do they charge for the rope course?

 

The comment about the "older" crowd is too funny. Both cruise lines are geared to the family vacation. RCCL does a much better job at this, with better activities for teenagers. However, since RCCL does charge more money, there is a tendency for people with more discretionary spending to pick RCCL.

[cruisinfanatic]

Could not agree more. We did Allure OS after 15 CCL cruzes. The food was close to un-edible but the entertainment blew CCL out of the water. Live music everywhere, production #`s~Spectacular! We paid for Jonnie Rockets and it was not even close to Guys. The buffet burgs would choke a hungry mule.

 

So decide what YOU want!

Come on, be real. As picky as I am, I always find something that's good

[missholly24]

24 hr icecream on Carnival. Limited times on RCI. (My last cruise it was 11-7pm) Robes in all rooms on Carnival. Only suites RCI. 24hr pizza Carnival. Closes late night on RCI. I love both. Really mostly small differences IMO. Oh yes and Johnny Rockets on RCI was yucky, and I am not picky. (cost around 5 bucks) and Guys is awesome and free.

 

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Edited April 28, 2014 by missholly24

[jimbo5544]

Carnival has service charges in all their service restaurants as well; JJ, Cucina* and of course the steakhouse. However, those places also charge for the food.

 

And if you want a serve yourself burger on RCCL, they are available in the WJ.

 

Many more chances for charges on RCCL, we can discuss if needed but there is no comparison. The charges you mention for Carnival are for dinner only not lunch - the same true for JR? There also is no comparison between a burger in Windjammer and Guys and JR for that matter. From my perspective a charge is a charge, I don't care how they "categorize" it. 3$ for a pint size bag of popcorn for outside movies on Oasis is robbery...pure and simple. 3$ for "freshly squeezed" in windjammer OJ the same.

[TPFKAH]

Many more chances for charges on RCCL, we can discuss if needed but there is no comparison. The charges you mention for Carnival are for dinner only not lunch - the same true for JR? There also is no comparison between a burger in Windjammer and Guys and JR for that matter. From my perspective a charge is a charge, I don't care how they "categorize" it. 3$ for a pint size bag of popcorn for outside movies on Oasis is robbery...pure and simple. 3$ for "freshly squeezed" in windjammer OJ the same.

 

Being there's nothing that Carnival has currently that can compare to the Oasis, there obviously can't be comparisons.

 

 

The only charge on RCCL ships I have cruised is ice cream, the supper club, and the two service fees that are known on Carnival as tips, which posters here boast they throw around freely. And the only hard ice cream I ever had on Carnival was on the Spirit class on sea days at 3PM. Used to be free. Then they eliminated it during the era of elimination.

 

And I don't think I have ever even had freshly squeezed orange juice on land or at sea. Most people drink the stuff from concentrate, or the carton.

 

JR was never opened for lunch on my sailings. But 80/20 ground beef is the same wherever it's served. It's the spices and toppings that make it different. And when you come right down to it, it's nothing more than a hamburger. Served to you restaurant style on RCCL.

Edited April 28, 2014 by TPFKAH

[pspercy]

Robes in all rooms on Carnival. Only suites RCI.

 

Folks above a certain level in the Crown & Anchor loyalty program get robes as well, regardless of cabin category - must be at least Platinum level (30 nts).

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

[Pine Bluff]

Must be some clandestine Carnival employees working the boards today.

 

OP, the biggest difference is the ship and crowd control on Royal. Both are in the stratosphere. The layout and looks through the Royal ships are noticable right away. The layout of deck 11, from the pool areas to the bistro are just spacious an non crammed.

 

Then there's the service. You will find people just killing you with kindness and efficiency.

 

Then there's the entertainment. It makes Carnivals look like high school stuff. In fact, Carnival now uses their passengers for many shows; the stuff that used to be afternoon entertainment is now the main act at night.

 

Food is subjective. That all depends on hat you like and what you order. But the dining rooms on Royal blow Carnival out of the water.

 

The rest you may find on par, with each line excelling at their respective something, but that line has been widening ever since the scalbacks of the prices and the offerings of Carnival. Those looking solely at price are finding it. But you can certainly splurge on Carnival should you choose through accommodations. The only problem is, all you get is a bigger room and nothing more.

 

Enjoy!

[kwazi07]

Must be some clandestine Carnival employees working the boards today.

 

OP, the biggest difference is the ship and crowd control on Royal. Both are in the stratosphere. The layout and looks through the Royal ships are noticable right away. The layout of deck 11, from the pool areas to the bistro are just spacious an non crammed.

 

Then there's the service. You will find people just killing you with kindness and efficiency.

 

Then there's the entertainment. It makes Carnivals look like high school stuff. In fact, Carnival now uses their passengers for many shows; the stuff that used to be afternoon entertainment is now the main act at night.

 

Food is subjective. That all depends on hat you like and what you order. But the dining rooms on Royal blow Carnival out of the water.

 

The rest you may find on par, with each line excelling at their respective something, but that line has been widening ever since the scalbacks of the prices and the offerings of Carnival. Those looking solely at price are finding it. But you can certainly splurge on Carnival should you choose through accommodations. The only problem is, all you get is a bigger room and nothing more.

 

Enjoy!

 

The only way that Carnival offers a better value is on its 7 nights on Breeze/Sunshine. Royal's 7 nights are quite expensive. Plus, Breeze/Sunshine are very modern, almost like Royal. However, where Royal blows Carnival out of the water is in the 3/4 night Bahamas from Port Canaveral. Carnival has the absolutely hideous Sensation while Royal has the Enchantment, which seems superior. I even think Majesty is better than Ecstacy.

 

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[jimbo5544]

Being there's nothing that Carnival has currently that can compare to the Oasis, there obviously can't be comparisons.

 

 

The only charge on RCCL ships I have cruised is ice cream, the supper club, and the two service fees that are known on Carnival as tips, which posters here boast they throw around freely. And the only hard ice cream I ever had on Carnival was on the Spirit class on sea days at 3PM. Used to be free. Then they eliminated it during the era of elimination.

 

And I don't think I have ever even had freshly squeezed orange juice on land or at sea. Most people drink the stuff from concentrate, or the carton.

 

JR was never opened for lunch on my sailings. But 80/20 ground beef is the same wherever it's served. It's the spices and toppings that make it different. And when you come right down to it, it's nothing more than a hamburger. Served to you restaurant style on RCCL.

I don't know what ships you have sailed on, so I can't comment on that.

 

You really seem to be hung up on names. I will make one more attempt and move on:

RCCL charges for fresh squeezed juice in the Windjammer (you can pick up a glass of juice, but there is an option.

RCCL charges for popcorn (at least on Oasis and Allure)

RCCL charges for Johhny Rockets

RCCL charges for late room service

RCCL charges for add on items (better steak and lobster options true enough) in the MDR

RCCL charges for portofinos, chops, Central Park restaurant (can't remember the name)

 

Carnival charges for their upscale restuarants for dinner, not lunch

Carnival room service is free

CArnival Guys Burger Bar is free

Carnival orange juice is free

Carnival Mexican restuarant food is free

Carnival popcorn is free

 

That is what I was referring to in nickel and diming.

[jimbo5544]

Must be some clandestine Carnival employees working the boards today.

 

 

You are pretty funny, and I so look forward to your posts.;) I have seen some clandestine posts, but surely not Carnival employees. Why would they need to do that here. Now if you had said RCI employees ( or supporters who don't even sail Carnival) doing it here, it would make much more sense.

[keishashadow]

OP - If you enjoy a beautiful beach experience, find a CCL sailing that goes to HMC, jump on it & try to book a cabana. Don't worry about any other details.:D

 

You will see shows worth going too on RC vs. Carnival. If you enjoy entertainment, there are more options then in Carnival.

 

the biggest difference we noticed, enjoyed ice show more than had expected and it was fun to just watch the people on the wave rider...impressed with a one legged man who had a good decade on us and was really good!

 

Much is so dependent on which Carnival ship vs. which RCCL ship.

 

indeed, you have to compare appropriate classes to be fair & have actually sailed both lines...I have only 1 RCCL on IoS vs several on CCL, jmho:

 

MDR: CCL has very good food choices in the MDR and energetic servers. RCCL is slightly better as to food quality but not as many viable menu selections to our liking. The servers are more polished and unobtrusive vs being 'on show' all the time, likely gives them more time to perform their real job.

 

Cabins: comparable balcony cabins on CCL appear to have more space & better storage. No, I didn't bring up the cabin dimensions lol, it could be the design that makes CCL cabins look larger.

 

Crew: CCL staff seem to often look harried as if they are running 'behind' in their duties, from the dining staff to the cabin stewards. Enjoyed the CD on our 1 RCCL sailing, he was fun without going over-the top. We've experienced a CD on CCL that was memorable but not exactly in what I'd term a good way. Only time we would see him other than onstage was hovering over a drink at whatever bar we happened to be passing...became a running joke ala 'where's waldo'. Appears the CDs tend to adjust their shtick toward whatever majority demographic they have onboard specific sailings based upon TRs I've read that can account for the varied experience.

[sunkey1]

RC's staff tend to be more standoffish.

 

I must say that I totally agree with this one, none of the employees we encountered on our last (or previous) RC cruises really stood out to us whereas we have many CCL employees that we regularly touch base with through social media. As far as teenagers go, my two (16 and 18 at the time they last cruised RC) have no desire to go on RC again. They missed Carnival's pizza, ice cream, friendly staff and my (then 16 year old) daughter does not want a repeat of having RC staff hovering around her at 1 am waiting to send her back to the cabin like a truant child. Just MY thoughts!

[CrusieToy]

We gave up on RC years ago. Why? The food used to be GREAT, but they really had sub-par food the last time we went. Yes - RCs ships are beautiful inside, but I prefer the friendliness of the Carnival staff. As long as the ship is clean is all I care about. (Both lines are very clean.) RC's staff tend to be more standoffish. I just have a more relaxed time on Carnival. More laid back, better menus and entrees and MUCH better casinos on Carnival! I can hardly get a play back on Royal Caribbean's slots. I can play for hours on $50 on Carnival!

 

Have fun no matter which line you choose.

 

Taters

 

I have had the same Casino experience on RC and Carnival.

Edited April 28, 2014 by CrusieToy

[kwazi07]

Should I switch to the Carnival Legend for seven nights vs Enchantment of the Seas for 4? It is 400 more expensive in comparable rooms. However it is a GTY. I DO NOT want to be put in an obstructed balcony, how likely is this?

 

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[Taters]

total garbage, but once your mind is made up, no changing it. Shouldn't be judging something you haven't been a part of for 7 years

 

I am sorry that you think my opinion is garbage. I am ok with my opinion. Are you this hard on everyone?

 

A little kindness goes a long way.

[Tapi]

Should I switch to the Carnival Legend for seven nights vs Enchantment of the Seas for 4? It is 400 more expensive in comparable rooms. However it is a GTY. I DO NOT want to be put in an obstructed balcony, how likely is this?

 

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7 days vs 4??? Of course 7!!

 

However, do know that the Legend does have many 7A obstructed view balconies so you could end up with one. I would bite the bullet and put up with the possibility of an obstructed balcony though