Can you compare these 2 cruise lines.

[big1515]

I like your analogy but Carnival is more like the Dollar tree and Royal is more like Macy's .I would never go back on Carnival they should change the name to Circus ,CHEAPER and you get what you pay for..!!

[astera]

A lot depends on where you are sailing from, the length of the cruise, and the time of year when it comes to clientel.

 

Very true. Timing and the location can be a major factor.

 

It still amazes me that some people actually turn their brains off on a cruise, cause trouble, and get VIP disembarkation at the next port with no refund and a new puzzle to figure out: how to get back home from new place X at one's own, additional expense.

[Clarea]

... It still amazes me that some people actually turn their brains off on a cruise, cause trouble, and get VIP disembarkation at the next port with no refund and a new puzzle to figure out: how to get back home from new place X at one's own, additional expense.

Same here, don't get it.:confused:

[crazycatlady82]

I have sailed RCI for the last few years and am looking to book the Carnival Vista. I am well past the all night party stage of my life. I want to eat Guy's Burgers and drink adult milkshakes all week.

 

 

You'll be just fine. While I haven't been on the vista yet (I'm not even sure she's actually sailed yet!), I've enjoyed all my Carnival cruises. While I've also experienced some hiccups, I've also experienced hiccups with Celebrity....nothing is perfect to everyone.

 

We've had great service on Carnival-5 years later and we still talk about our favorite waiter from Carnival Ecstasy (Kittyphong!), our favorite bartender from the Glory (Edwin), and the best sail away experience from the Valor when she was out of San Juan.

 

And regarding Walmart...I'm sure we've seen interesting things but I can't remember them! We don't let it bother is. We love to people watch. But-you'll also find many families and a good mix. We're in our mid 30s, professionals.

 

Just remember....if you look for the bad, you'll find it!

[TravelerThom]

A lot depends on where you are sailing from, the length of the cruise, and the time of year when it comes to clientel...

Exactly. A 3 night weekend cruise will be a party crowd no matter what line (although the extent of the allowed mayhem may vary between lines). 2 week repositioning cruises will lean towards an older crowd (who generally have more available time [either more vacation time or retired]), again no matter the line.

[matj2000]

All of these responses are very fun too read when you ask this question on the RC threads.

 

Most are "tall tales" of a cruise they took 10+ years ago, second hand from a friend, or they just start repeating the stories they read on this site.

 

Remember if you repeat the lie over and over. People will think it is true.

 

This is how you get people who are very critical of Carnival, but never actually sailed with them.

 

Each voyage on every ship will be different from week to week. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

 

People seemed to remember the negative things more the positives....

 

[NOSaints1]

Only thing is Target went bankrupt in Canada, does it really matter which line you go on! You still on vacation, still eat, still go to the same ports either way I don't care which line as long as I'm on vacation.

 

 

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[FSUNole]

:) we refer to rccl as the hunt for food cruise because we have found choices so limited at night.

 

lol

[FSUNole]

I like your analogy but Carnival is more like the Dollar tree and Royal is more like Macy's .I would never go back on Carnival they should change the name to Circus ,CHEAPER and you get what you pay for..!!

From my experience, if Carnival is Dollar Tree, RC is, at best Walmart. Like many have said, they both excel in their own way. I've not noticed a difference in MDR food but I find it interesting that those who have stated a preference, feel Carnival MDR food is superior.

[Cindy]

We've cruised multiple times on both lines. Our preference is for Royal Caribbean, but we would take another Carnival cruise if the circumstances were right.

 

We prefer Royal's ships, décor, and cabins. Since we usually cruise in a suite, we've found the RCI suites with perks to be a better value than Carnival's suites which don't come with perks. I thought the finishes in our suites on Carnival were nicer than those in the suites on HAL or Princess but not as nice as the suites on RCI.

 

Our biggest complaint on Carnival is crowding. They have much less public space per passenger, and that combined with a less than ideal design for traffic flow makes the Carnival ships I've been on seem very crowded.

 

On our first couple Carnival cruises we thought the food was excellent. The last cruise wasn't as good, but that had a lot to do with speed of service in the dining room and food not being served at the proper temperature. We're not buffet fans on any cruise line, but we did enjoy the "food court" places on Carnival such as the Fish & Chips, Rotisserie, Mongolian Wok, Pizza, etc. Our last Carnival cruise was in 2011, so we haven't experienced some of the newest venues such as Guy's Burgers or Blue Iguana. We also haven't experienced the new Carnival menus.

 

We've had great service with some misses on both lines. For entertainment we find more things to do that are to our liking on Royal Caribbean, both during the day and in the evenings. Carnival has put a lot of effort into their Comedy Clubs which really aren't our thing. There were many evenings when the entertainment was either comedy or an activity without professionals performing, such as a deck party or karaoke.

 

If I was going to go on Carnival again it would be to try the Breeze or the Vista. I'd be interested in seeing how the experience is different on the newest ships.

[JustHereForTheDrinks]

I've been on enough Royal cruises to make Platinum and I've been on Carnival once. I will say if you care about brand loyalty, go with Royal. Even before we made Platinum, we got good perks - bogo beer/wine, souvenir shop discount, events offering free booze, etc. My friends that I traveled with on Carnival were whatever the first level is on Carnival (equivalent of RCI Gold) and the only thing they got was a free frozen cocktail that could only be redeemed in the MDR at lunch. Are you kidding me? I was spoiled by RCI perks at that point and was appalled.

 

Overall, I personally give the edge to RCI in nearly everything. I like the MDR food better on RCI, and I think RCI in general gets the edge for activities, especially on the newer ships. I have liked the vibe of RCI better as well; that's hard to quantify but I feel more at home on RCI.

 

My recommendation for a first time cruiser who is curious about both lines would be to pick dates, port, and price that work for you, whether that's RCI or Carnival. Then try the other line on your second cruise. You'll have a decent vacation either way. I'm very much in the RCI camp, but I had fun on Carnival too.

[mizLORInj]

As you can see, it's probably best to go yourself and form your own opinion based on your own experience.

 

We have not had a bad cruise yet--on any line. They are different here and there but so what, I'm not cooking and I'm being entertained if I choose to be.

 

I agree with those who say if you look for the bad you will find it on any cruise line. We choose to focus on the fun and being on vacation. :cool:

Edited February 14, 2016 by mizlorinj

[megr1125]

Actually, I sleep 1000x better on Carnival than on Royal and while 95% of people say they do not watch TV on a cruise, I do and CCL has network programming...

 

Food is very subjective...I like some items on each line. Love CCLs alchemy bar and IMO their drink prices are better...

 

Royal's loyalty program is better and their ships are less, shall we say, bright (though I have not sailed the newer CCL ones post Farkus...)

 

As for the guests, I have not run into too many rowdies on either line, might be based on the time I can cruise though...

 

Honestly I am pretty happy with either line, though some ships on both are starting to make me yawn....

[American Bear]

I am very curious to know what the differences are between Royal Caribbean & Carnival. People have told me that they are VERY different in every single way. I have even been told that the clientele of the 2 lines is vastly different. I would like your thoughts, thank you.

 

This can be a very incendiary topic on these forums!

Our opinion only,,,as we have cruised both quite a bit,,,

Shows are better on RCL.

Food quality about the same.

Food choices we like better on Carnival.

Port of calls we like the Carnival choices more.

Ships, our favorite is the RCL Radiance Class, the Carnival 2.0 Conquest class next, the rest follow not that far behind.

Price is usually less on Carnival.

RCL has the best loyalty club, and casino club.

Carnival has the best options for booze if you drink. (you can order pre-cruise bottles in your cabin at reduced rates, RCL D/D+ offerings make it a little bit closer if you have them)

Cruisers are about the same, Carnival maybe a little younger/rowdier, RCL a little older/snooty.

Each have their strong points, both offer a lot for the money in a vacation, are really not that much different, whatever your choice, enjoy!:D

[ken_nyc]

We have had a great time on both lines but I prefer Royal Caribbean's ships to Carnival's. Most of Carnival's ships you have to remember what decks to bypass to go from one end to the other because of the dinning room and galley being in the middle of the ship except for the Spirit class ships. As others have said food is subjective and I have enjoyed the food on both but as far as service goes I also feel they were about the same. I have seen raw rowdiness on both ships, mostly not. Shows are definitely much better on Royal Caribbean.

[Hotel CA]

[quote name='amiller2850']We normally use RCCL but have also sailed celebrity, HAL, and carnival. Comparing carnival to RCCL was like comparing Walmart to Kohls. Service on carnival was awful. No edible food on our ship. Cleanliness was deplorable. Same food plates on the deck and bathroom mess found next day... The ship then had norovirus outbreak next 2 cruises and was barred from docking in Canadian port because virus came on shore. Shows were horrible on carnival. Marilyn Manson music in bondage costumes... Couldn't bring kids at all... Kids club employees on carnival had no patience for kids or parents. We stood around the wall one day after dropping kids off and heard them speaking to the kids really rudely. We will never sail carnival again and will stay with RCCL. the employees on RCCL have always been wonderful, more attention to detail and cleanliness, better shows, etc. overall a better product IMO. Prices are similar also so you aren't overpaying or a better product.


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LOL

"Other than THAT Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?"