Carnival vs Royal Caribbean?

[terryde]

Which do you all prefer and why? I appreciate your input - thinking of trying a RCI after years and years of Carnival cruises.

[terryde]

Which do you all prefer and why? I appreciate your input - thinking of trying a RCI after years and years of Carnival cruises.

[criuisingurl079]

Do IT!!!

 

 

As you can see from my signiture- I've tried both and you can see which I've stuck with!

No comparison~ You'll be amazed at the difference;)

 

Let me know if you have ?'s

[criuisingurl079]

Do IT!!!

 

 

As you can see from my signiture- I've tried both and you can see which I've stuck with!

No comparison~ You'll be amazed at the difference;)

 

Let me know if you have ?'s

[cruise.freak]

I love RCI and would always chose them over Carnival. However I am on a budget and Carnival fits in there.

[cruise.freak]

I love RCI and would always chose them over Carnival. However I am on a budget and Carnival fits in there.

[criuisingurl079]

In reply to the above post @ the $$$ of RCCL~

 

You can always find a good deal in RCCL.... We cruised in May with a Balcony room for 8 days for $600pp, the inside was $400.

 

Again this month we've found a deal- on a 9 day, $599 pp.

 

i think these are pretty even with Carnival. there's always a deal!

[criuisingurl079]

In reply to the above post @ the $$$ of RCCL~

 

You can always find a good deal in RCCL.... We cruised in May with a Balcony room for 8 days for $600pp, the inside was $400.

 

Again this month we've found a deal- on a 9 day, $599 pp.

 

i think these are pretty even with Carnival. there's always a deal!

[just4kixx]

I agree... there IS always a deal... IF... you can travel any time. But if you have to travel at more popular times, it seems to me that Carnival is abit more affordable. If $$$ weren't an option, I'd try every Royal Caribbean ship in the fleet :D ... for that matter, I'd try every ship in EVERY fleet!!! Unfortunately for me, $$$ matters.

 

We will be trying out Carnival again after 10 years because it was the better deal for the time we chose to cruise. To me, at least so far, the line doesn't make the cruise, we do!

 

No misunderstandings... Ive loved my experiences on Royal Caribbean, but I love cruising altogether, and I really look forward to our upcoming cruise... no matter which line!

 

A~:)

[just4kixx]

I agree... there IS always a deal... IF... you can travel any time. But if you have to travel at more popular times, it seems to me that Carnival is abit more affordable. If $$$ weren't an option, I'd try every Royal Caribbean ship in the fleet :D ... for that matter, I'd try every ship in EVERY fleet!!! Unfortunately for me, $$$ matters.

 

We will be trying out Carnival again after 10 years because it was the better deal for the time we chose to cruise. To me, at least so far, the line doesn't make the cruise, we do!

 

No misunderstandings... Ive loved my experiences on Royal Caribbean, but I love cruising altogether, and I really look forward to our upcoming cruise... no matter which line!

 

A~:)

[mkk]

Good attitude kixx..we've tried all the lines (except Carnival which is upcoming next month)..have never had a bad cruise...some the food is better than others..some the service is beter but we have great memories of all...

[mkk]

Good attitude kixx..we've tried all the lines (except Carnival which is upcoming next month)..have never had a bad cruise...some the food is better than others..some the service is beter but we have great memories of all...

[Retired LEO]

RCI wins hands down

[Retired LEO]

RCI wins hands down

[yogimax]

Interesting results considering this is the Carnival board. We have cruised CCL four times and RCCL five times. RCCL is just a cut above Carnival in quality. If you add in the ice rink on the voyager class ships, it just makes RCCL all the better. Carnival does have bigger cabins and slightly lower prices, though.

[yogimax]

Interesting results considering this is the Carnival board. We have cruised CCL four times and RCCL five times. RCCL is just a cut above Carnival in quality. If you add in the ice rink on the voyager class ships, it just makes RCCL all the better. Carnival does have bigger cabins and slightly lower prices, though.

[DFritz]

We've cruised one Carnival ( the second coming up very soon ) and 5 RCI. So far I prefer RCI for several small reasons: decor on RCI is not as gaudy as it was on Carnival, RCI was more classy wood, brass and glass without the neon lights and odd decorations that the Carnival ship offered. Food: I've never had a bad meal on RCI, on any of the ships, at any time. On Carnival the buffet was so bad (I'm not a picky eater ) that it made my stomach turn just looking at it. I did find a few nibbles to consume but it was difficult in the buffet. The dining room on Carnival was fine when it came to the food. Room Service: On Carnival it never came. On RCI it was prompt. Entertainment was very good on both lines. Service: On RCI it was exceptional in all areas. Carnival was adequate but not as friendly. Embarkation on RCI was more organized and expedient. Carnival was slower but not agonizingly so. Cleanliness on the ships: Carnival was clean and neat. RCI glistened. Room Size: always have inside staterooms. Carnival was larger. Art on the Ship: RCI wins hands down. We love art and it definitely was much, much better on every RCI ship. Bingo: overpriced on every ship on every line. Port and Shop talks: Don't waste your time.

Organized activities: all good on all of the ships. Childrens/teens activities: RCI was much better. In closing- I would sail either line. Prices have always been comparable on both lines as we almost always sail off season

anyways. It is all in the attitude and what makes the biggest differences. I think age, background, and guest service ratio's were about the same on every ship. Hope this helped.

[DFritz]

We've cruised one Carnival ( the second coming up very soon ) and 5 RCI. So far I prefer RCI for several small reasons: decor on RCI is not as gaudy as it was on Carnival, RCI was more classy wood, brass and glass without the neon lights and odd decorations that the Carnival ship offered. Food: I've never had a bad meal on RCI, on any of the ships, at any time. On Carnival the buffet was so bad (I'm not a picky eater ) that it made my stomach turn just looking at it. I did find a few nibbles to consume but it was difficult in the buffet. The dining room on Carnival was fine when it came to the food. Room Service: On Carnival it never came. On RCI it was prompt. Entertainment was very good on both lines. Service: On RCI it was exceptional in all areas. Carnival was adequate but not as friendly. Embarkation on RCI was more organized and expedient. Carnival was slower but not agonizingly so. Cleanliness on the ships: Carnival was clean and neat. RCI glistened. Room Size: always have inside staterooms. Carnival was larger. Art on the Ship: RCI wins hands down. We love art and it definitely was much, much better on every RCI ship. Bingo: overpriced on every ship on every line. Port and Shop talks: Don't waste your time.

Organized activities: all good on all of the ships. Childrens/teens activities: RCI was much better. In closing- I would sail either line. Prices have always been comparable on both lines as we almost always sail off season

anyways. It is all in the attitude and what makes the biggest differences. I think age, background, and guest service ratio's were about the same on every ship. Hope this helped.

[wisefamily4]

Do IT!!!

 

 

As you can see from my signiture- I've tried both and you can see which I've stuck with!

No comparison~ You'll be amazed at the difference;)

 

Let me know if you have ?'s

__________________

*Carnival Paradise 5/03

*Exployer of the Seas 9/03

*Navigator of the Seas 5/04

*Exployer of the Seas 9/04

*Voyager of the Seas 5/05

 

Kinda comparing apples to oranges aren't you? Carnival has just a few more ships than just the Paradise.

[wisefamily4]

Do IT!!!

 

 

As you can see from my signiture- I've tried both and you can see which I've stuck with!

No comparison~ You'll be amazed at the difference;)

 

Let me know if you have ?'s

__________________

*Carnival Paradise 5/03

*Exployer of the Seas 9/03

*Navigator of the Seas 5/04

*Exployer of the Seas 9/04

*Voyager of the Seas 5/05

 

Kinda comparing apples to oranges aren't you? Carnival has just a few more ships than just the Paradise.

[imosoreal]

I have no special preference though I have only sailed on RC once. Looking forward to my cruise next May on the NOS. The only way I would probably be absolutely thrilled by the decor is if I saw sparkling diamonds, gold finishes with meals served on exquisite china and sterling utensiles. The entertainment was good on both as was the service. I did win $2k on RC in the casino and close to that on my second Carnival cruise. The food was a little better on Carnival as was the night life. The promenade on RC was much better than Carnival's and a spot to people watch could easily be found but there was much more for me to do on Carnival especially since I'm not into rock climbing and ice skating and that sort of entertainment does not appeal to me. I do believe if you are looking for a reason not to sail on either you can always find someone who was unhappy but that was not the case with me on either line.

[imosoreal]

I have no special preference though I have only sailed on RC once. Looking forward to my cruise next May on the NOS. The only way I would probably be absolutely thrilled by the decor is if I saw sparkling diamonds, gold finishes with meals served on exquisite china and sterling utensiles. The entertainment was good on both as was the service. I did win $2k on RC in the casino and close to that on my second Carnival cruise. The food was a little better on Carnival as was the night life. The promenade on RC was much better than Carnival's and a spot to people watch could easily be found but there was much more for me to do on Carnival especially since I'm not into rock climbing and ice skating and that sort of entertainment does not appeal to me. I do believe if you are looking for a reason not to sail on either you can always find someone who was unhappy but that was not the case with me on either line.

[terryde]

OK, So if we were to get the best rates, booking now would be best for next May? I am a long time cruiser, but we used to get outrageous good deals and now we don't. I'm just looking at the best time to book - early, and then if the price goes down before you pay the final bit they will lower to that price?

[ebark23]

Carnival and Royal Carribean are pretty much the same, different weeks will at times produce different results on quality of food, service, etc. In ship decor Royal beets Carnival hands down, if carnival knew how to design nice looking hallways and rooms no one could even come close to touching them. Decor wise, Royal all the way. Food is pretty much the same, not a whole lot of differences but there is always something better you can find on either line.

 

I honestly believe if you are a "go with the flow" type person you will be fine on either line. They are both mass market lines appealing to the same people, but if you are looking for the ship as your deciding factor in choosing a cruise, go Royal every time. I love both lines and have sailed both countless times so that is my opinion.

[silentbob007]

I didn't find anything better on my one RCI cruise, but then again, that was a 3-dayer and I don't think those offer quite as nice of stuff as week-long cruises. I'm open to cruising various lines, but price is always an issue when I cruise, and Carnival has always been the cheapest (by at least $100/person) for my last few cruises.

 

Definitely try different lines though, if they fit your desired budget and itinerary.