Is Royal Caribbean really that much better?

[2Shoes2Go]

Equally enjoy both mass market lines. We take more elegant wear when on Royal. Spend more time with crew and officers on Carnival. Different experiences, but every cruise is great. Always ready to go again! :)

[spiritkat090909]

I'm Diamond on Royal, Gold on Carnival.

 

You aren't missing THAT much. Price wise, Carnival is the better value almost always. The only time I'd say Royal is worth more is on the Oasis class...which is my favorite. I'd pay $300pp MORE on Oasis class outside balcony equivalent on Carnival. AND get the option for a guarantee. On Carnival...never get the guarantee.

 

I didn't like Holland or Princess...not upscale in my opinion.

 

Upscale...Crystal...meh...not worth the expense. Very similar to Celebrity but 3 times the price.

 

CELEBRITY...yes...loved it, slightly upscale, slightly better food, worth more for the non-smoking casino alone. It was like the old days of cruising with services. But, I still choose Carnival first because of the value, in particular...the Casino deals.

 

Past passenger program is best on Royal, but even including those benefits, Carnival still comes out less expensive routinely and the best value.

 

Bottom line: You aren't missing a lot...if you exempt Oasis class.

[FLSteve11]

We found similar "card flaunting behavior" when we sailed on MSC a few months ago. It seemed like their gold and black card cruisers (equivalent to Platinum or Diamond on Carnival) made sure that everyone knew who they were, some literally holding the cards up in the air when ordering or paying for something .

 

The funny thing is I would bet more than half those people got their Gold/Black cards by doing the loyalty matching program MSC has, rather then actually having sailed on a lot of MSC cruises *grin* (Certainly if it was on Divina)

[FLSteve11]

 

INTERESTING POST. We are sailing our first cruise on RCI...Freedom of the Seas. Mixed feelings. Hate being ignorant again. Familiar with HAL. Carnival. Princess. Hate not knowing where things are. Thrilled that we got a nice balcony at a super price. Just read the Compass Posting for April West. Caribbean Cruise on FOS. Did not look like a lot to do. Not much Trivia. But shows looked good.

LOVED reading all of your opinions.

 

AND the snooty folks are on HAL. All from NYC I think. Irritating to the Max. And then also the most interesting and memorable. On HAL. Also from NYC. they give HAL a vibe and energy that was not expected by us on ships famed for having the oldest passengers in the world. AND The food on HAL? No ship has ever even come close in my opinion.

NEVER had a bad cruise. Will always feel that Carnival is my "home" line.

 

It is interesting, because we like doing different lines and ships for the reason we like the variety of them. To us it's good to not know everything ahead of time. Getting to see and do new experiences, try out different things, get new menus in the dining room.

 

And I think any cruise coming out of NYC has a different "vibe" (both in good and bad ways) *grin*

[FLSteve11]

This is exactly why I prefer Carnival over Royal Caribbean. Carnival puts as much energy into the little activities as they do the bigger activities. They have trivia multiple times a day. They have bingo multiple times a day. When I look at the Fun Times for a particular time of day, there are so many options. I actually grew bored on RCI and Norwegian because they neglect the little activities or schedule them once a day when they almost always conflict with a show or being in port. Don't get me wrong, I love ziplining, rock climbing, the ropes courses, etc., but sometimes I just want to kick back with a beer and try to win a ship on a stick.

 

Carnival does have more trivia than RCCL I've found. Interesting, on our last cruise (Grandeur of the Seas) they had a lot of trivia on port days, but not as much on sea days. I guess it was for the older folks who can't/don't get off.

 

The problem with Carnival trivia, (though similar on other lines but not to the extent I found), is the questions don't change much. We saw some repeats between our cruises on Carnival just ourselves, and that's on different ships. Our CD on Splendor told us he has a Diamond lady who goes on, does every trivia, and wins over a dozen ships on a stick because she knows all the questions already. (And then goes on sells them on E-bay! I teased him saying that's probably how she pays for her cruises *sly grin*)

[sjn911]

Pepsi or Coke... Same as Carnival or RCCL.

 

 

LOL...perfect answer...I have yet to try so many but having a cruise all the time friend; we really always talk all the differences and love these talks here.....and to some they are great differences as some pop drinkers would say abt coke...or pepsi...mom was Diet Pepsi...rest of us Coke or Diet Coke...B-in....Law works for coke...lol. Other pop drinkers could do either...

 

I could survive no coke if ship was great...I try to give up the stuff every month...lol. I can go diet something..and on a ship so many differences and wonders with all the options..whew...my only real problem would be no ice..so like all beverages on ice. i love the people enjoying the pros and cons of all..with tons of experience who still love it all...

Edited July 16, 2016 by sjn911

[harry0]

I am diamond plus on Royal and enjoy my perks. How does Carnivals loyalty program compare

At a glance I would say Royals is much better.

I cancelled my Harmony cruise in Dec to go on the Magic with my family.

I know I will have a great time but the Aqua show on the Oasis class is amazing.

[idil]

I am diamond plus on Royal and enjoy my perks. How does Carnivals loyalty program compare

At a glance I would say Royals is much better.

I cancelled my Harmony cruise in Dec to go on the Magic with my family.

I know I will have a great time but the Aqua show on the Oasis class is amazing.

 

Does one have to apply for these "status" programs via forms etc or with the reservation history they know what your status would be?

 

We just had our cruise, and if it is anything like airline systems, perhaps I have to call them to get this going for future?

 

Any info? Thank you :):):):)

 

My signature should read: the rookie cruiser :D

[woodman]

idil your count has started, Carnival will keep track of all your sea days as long as they are on a Carnival ship.

My wife and I have been on RCL 2 times, Now.CL, princess, and Carnival. RCL was very enjoyable and I would like to try one of the mega ships. Maybe next year.

 

This has been a very interesting thread,so many topics covered. WE are Diamonds on Carnival and our cards stay in our pockets until they are needed.

Carnival in my humble opinion offers the best deals, best food and best service. The entertainment has become second rate over the last couple of years. Which is a shame.

The state rooms are some of the biggest in the industry and well appointed. The crew on Carnival has always been outgoing and friendly where as the other lines offer good service in a very formal manor.

I'm not a Diamond snob but I will admit getting on and off the ship first and beingable to go directly to your state room is a nice perk.

[Baatman]

13 cruises

First 11 with Carnival

Last 2 with Royal

 

6 of 1, half dozen of the other

 

We choose based on itinerary now.

 

Food, entertainment, etc. all the same with minor variations.

Atmosphere? Carnival is more FUN and energetic. I have found some GREAT people on Royal but I've also run into more people who are pretentious.

 

I agree with you - six of one, six of another. We have sailed both lines and have enjoyed them both. There are differences between the two, but it all evens out in the end and both lines provide an excellent voyage.

[idil]

idil your count has started, Carnival will keep track of all your sea days as long as they are on a Carnival ship.

My wife and I have been on RCL 2 times, Now.CL, princess, and Carnival. RCL was very enjoyable and I would like to try one of the mega ships. Maybe next year.

 

This has been a very interesting thread,so many topics covered. WE are Diamonds on Carnival and our cards stay in our pockets until they are needed.

Carnival in my humble opinion offers the best deals, best food and best service. The entertainment has become second rate over the last couple of years. Which is a shame.

The state rooms are some of the biggest in the industry and well appointed. The crew on Carnival has always been outgoing and friendly where as the other lines offer good service in a very formal manor.

I'm not a Diamond snob but I will admit getting on and off the ship first and beingable to go directly to your state room is a nice perk.

 

 

That's awesome ... thank you .. yup it'll be on Carnival, as long as they have the days matching with my vacation :)

 

We really had a great time, great itinerary, and out of this world, extremely good food! (the good food is very important!).

[Mikew0805]

Pepsi or Coke... Same as Carnival or RCCL.

 

No.. They both serve Coke. :D

 

NCL Serves pepsi... about the only thing I can say I like about NCL. :rolleyes:

Edited July 17, 2016 by Mikew0805

[mairinmaureen]

No.. They both serve Coke. :D

 

NCL Serves pepsi... about the only thing I can say I like about NCL. :rolleyes:

 

RCCL serves Freestyle Coke and it's terrible!

[Sitzmark]

RCCL serves Freestyle Coke and it's terrible!

 

It was fine when we were there, same as all the local places with freestyle machines.

[BenjiRodney]

Carnival is what I prefer, 13 down and 4 more booked. 3 completed on Royal and only 1 booked on them.

 

I like the service and everything that Carnival offers. I have yet to get the wow feeling on Royal. Going to try an Oasis class in 2018 and see if it is any better.

[CComyns]

I have gone back and forth and I seem to enjoy myself better on Royal Caribbean. The service is better and it seems less crowded. Especially when it comes to pools and hot tubs. Don't get me wrong I love them both and I typically look for the best deal in the location I want to go but if it comes down to $200-$300 I will go Royal every time.

[mairinmaureen]

same as all the local places with freestyle machines.

 

That's the problem. The freestyle machines use a different method for combining the CO2 and the syrup and it doesn't taste like regular Coke. Don't even get me started on the taste of a freestyle Cherry Coke. You might as well be drinking generic cola.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

No.. They both serve Coke. :D

 

NCL Serves pepsi... about the only thing I can say I like about NCL. :rolleyes:

 

O:)kay, Ford or Chevy.

[JimAOk1945]

We have cruised on both. There are similarities and differences, but we prefer Royal Caribbean mostly for the perks we receive as full suite passengers.

 

Cruising is a wonderful way to travel regardless of which cruise line you choose. Smooth sailing to everyone!

[mizLORInj]

While I have read others' opinions, I ultimately decided to try the various cruise lines for myself.

 

haven't had what I'd call a bad cruise yet.

 

So I suggest trying something different for yourself for a first-hand experience from which you can form your own opinion. :cool:

 

Happy cruising!

[LaFrimaire]

My very first cruise was on Royal before the mega ship era. Was fun but tried small ship sail cruises after that. Booked my 3rd Carnival cruise because had do much fun . Curious to try Royal again but timing and pricing not right. Can't wait to go in Vista next summer

[JimAOk1945]

My very first cruise was on Royal before the mega ship era. Was fun but tried small ship sail cruises after that. Booked my 3rd Carnival cruise because had do much fun . Curious to try Royal again but timing and pricing not right. Can't wait to go in Vista next summer

 

If you prefer smaller ships, you might consider Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas. It is beautiful with wonderful decor and lots of glass throughout. We were aboard her for a southbound Alaska cruise from Seward to Vancouver a few years ago. I was very impressed with it.

[texasgirl73]

I've cruised 5 times now-twice on Disney, twice on Royal, and once with Celebrity. I have two upcoming cruises booked with Carnival including the Breeze next Sunday. I can't compare Carnival to Royal yet but I will say that my whole family prefers Royal over Disney and Celebrity.

[idil]

I've cruised 5 times now-twice on Disney, twice on Royal, and once with Celebrity. I have two upcoming cruises booked with Carnival including the Breeze next Sunday. I can't compare Carnival to Royal yet but I will say that my whole family prefers Royal over Disney and Celebrity.

 

May I ask why Disney and Celebrity are not preferred? I thought they were the best of the best ... :rolleyes:

 

We've just had our very first cruise on Carnival (Fascination) and we loved it,

 

Now, I am reading everything, researching everything to understand the differences :) And, my spouse & I are almost thinking to book the same cruise line, same itinerary one more time in December :D I know, it's crazy! :D

 

It's almost like we're unhappy since we got back and we won't be happy until we go for another cruise ... can you already say "addiction"? :p I don't know ;)

[texasgirl73]

Disney has gorgeous ships but my kids preferred the food and atmosphere on the Royal ships more and the activities were more suited for kids their age (11-16.). I was surprised, I thought they'd prefer Disney but hey I don't mind saving the money. Celebrity was nice but not exciting enough for kids, a little more old school. I'm hoping Carnival will impress them. I actually prefer Disney myself, I found it to be more upscale and I love how they are able to theme things without being cheesy, but it's far more expensive and if the kids are happier at a lower price point it's a win win for me.

Edited July 23, 2016 by texasgirl73