Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

[Excited about Cruising]

Carnival has always been known as a party ship. Has Carnival been trying to get oriented more towards familys. I know that there always will be "party people" on all ships. Also, how is the service on Carnival and are there any midnight buffets? Looking at taking a multi-family cruise and would like to be family oriented.

[CruiserRose]

there are party ppl on every ship. from our experience rccl is a little more of an upgrade, little nicer, little more detail oriented, little better buffets, little better food, little better accomidations, but once again you pay for what you get. as far as feeling out of place on carnival with a family, no way. save the money, sail carnival.

 

carnival offers all you will need at a decent price. i am a cheap SOB so carnival is our ticket. Ports are about the same. Ocean is the same, Diesel fuel burnt is the same.

 

we have done family vaca's with our teen on carnival, all was fine. nothing that i would fear taking a younger child on or even the teen again if she pleases.

 

good luck and remember - most the time you get what you pay for. carnival offers a good vacation at a good rate.

[shallow sea]

FWOW-Carnival is usually regarded as having better food.

 

Not to say it is a nicer line, but for me in my late 20's I prefer the crowd on CCL.

[cathyoo]

I find both cruise lines are much more alike than different. I'd price them both and go for the one with the itinerary and price that suits your family. Bathrooms are much better on Carnival but other than that it is all comparable.

[golfadj]

We have done about 6 on both cruise lines.

 

I think entertainment better on Carnival but more elegant on Royal.

 

Captains on Carnival generally do not speak much English but Royal Captains like to talk and add to the experience.

 

Next cruise will be on Carnival so we go back and forth.

 

Goladj

[kinggartk]

there are party ppl on every ship. from our experience rccl is a little more of an upgrade, little nicer, little more detail oriented, little better buffets, little better food, little better accomidations, but once again you pay for what you get. as far as feeling out of place on carnival with a family, no way. save the money, sail carnival.

 

carnival offers all you will need at a decent price. i am a cheap SOB so carnival is our ticket. Ports are about the same. Ocean is the same, Diesel fuel burnt is the same.

 

we have done family vaca's with our teen on carnival, all was fine. nothing that i would fear taking a younger child on or even the teen again if she pleases.

 

good luck and remember - most the time you get what you pay for. carnival offers a good vacation at a good rate.

 

 

On the contrary...if you beleive what you read on the Cruise Critic boards, Carnival has better food and more choices tha RCCL...Also, Carnival is known for having the Largest standard cabins in the Cruise industry.

 

Apparently some differences you might notice is that Carnival Decor tends to be a bit more Glitzy and Vegas style while RCCL might be a bit more Conservative and traditional. Overall, RCCL has bigger ships, but that might not necessarily be a positve. A lot of people seem to really love the Carnival Spirit Class ships and they only come in at about 88,000 tons.

 

If you are going on a 4 or 4 day Itinerary, then both RCCL or Carnival might have a lot of partiers where as the longer cruises might have fewer on either line.

 

Which ever way you choose, Cruising is a great experience.

[Tapi]

Carnival has always been known as a party ship. Has Carnival been trying to get oriented more towards familys. I know that there always will be "party people" on all ships. Also, how is the service on Carnival and are there any midnight buffets? Looking at taking a multi-family cruise and would like to be family oriented.

 

The party ship stigma is something that Carnival has been trying to get rid off for years. Look at the new commercials and you'll see that they are aimed at families and couples, not at the party crowd. You still find plenty of fun loving crowds onboard, but it's definitely not like the Carnival of 2 or 3 decades ago...

 

RCCL has a little bit of an "upgraded feeling". Decoration is more elegant (sober). But if you're traveling with a family, Carnival might be your ticket. One BIG highlight is that cabins are larger (I believe that the standard ocean view cabin on the Conquest class is like 220sq.ft. vs. Royal Caribbean at like 161sq.ft. on a Voyager class ship) So you'll get more room for your family and usually less expensive.

 

I have nothing but great things to say about the food aboard Carnival. The main dining room has been in the most part very good, with an ocassional excellent and memorable dish.

 

On RCCL, Portofino's was definitely a highlight but I don't have any memorable or excellent dishes to talk about in the main dining room.

 

I also found the personnel aboard Carnival to be happier and more pleasant, but this is subjective.

 

RCCL has the rock climbing wall and Carnival has the twister waterslide. However, Carnival's Children's program is consistently ranked higher than Royal Caribbean's. (and you won't find Fun Ship Freddy on RCCL!)

 

Fellow cruisers? They seem to be the same. I've found pleasant and courteous cruisers aboard both, and obnoxious and misbehaved cruisers on both as well.

 

I have enjoyed both cruise lines, but Carnival seems to deliver a more consistent product and at a lower price. The differences wouldn't make me turn down a cruise aboard either. I consider both of them to offer a very similar cruise experience...

[ShineOn]

We've had a couple wait staff that worked on both lines and they say they are treated much better on Carnival. That's probably why they are a little friendly on Carnival.

[stargate fan]

there are party ppl on every ship. from our experience rccl is a little more of an upgrade, little nicer, little more detail oriented, little better buffets, little better food, little better accomidations, but once again you pay for what you get. as far as feeling out of place on carnival with a family, no way. save the money, sail carnival.

 

carnival offers all you will need at a decent price. i am a cheap SOB so carnival is our ticket. Ports are about the same. Ocean is the same, Diesel fuel burnt is the same.

 

we have done family vaca's with our teen on carnival, all was fine. nothing that i would fear taking a younger child on or even the teen again if she pleases.

 

good luck and remember - most the time you get what you pay for. carnival offers a good vacation at a good rate.

 

I also beg to differ. Carnival always used to advertise as The Fun Ship. They now advertise for families, not saying that families don't have fun. :D We have sailed on Carnival twice and Royal Caribbean twice so I can give my objective opinion.

• The cabins on Carnival are bigger, but they are set up pretty much the same. Carnival has swing-open balcony doors while RC has sliding glass doors. (Balcony fan here.)
  
• Both have comdians, shows, and other nightly entertainment.
  
• We have found the food to be pretty similar.
  
• CCL seems to have more cruise director announcements all day than RC.
  
• Both lines offer the same Newlywed/Not So Newlywed games, trivia contests, dance clubs. etc.
  
• The larger RC ships have ice skating shows, rock climbing walls, roller blades, while CCL has water slides at the pools.
  
• I personally find the pool deck on RC much prettier than on CCL.
  
• The price can be a determining factor. I don't know why RC tends to be pricier. Why is Shaw's supermarket more expensice than Stop and Shop supermarket???

My opinion is to decide which itinerary you want and the cost.

[ShineOn]

We've had a couple wait staff that worked on both lines and they say they are treated much better on Carnival. That's probably why they are a little friendly on Carnival.

[Max Circus]

I've been on both (first Carnival cruise 11/24/07). From my limited Carnival experience, I think they have much better food and food choices - although that probably depends on the size of the ship. Freedom had an excellent deli where you could get panini-style corned beef and turkey (fresh sliced) sandwiches. Pizza was also very good - although pizza quality is always "in the "eyes of the beholder". I honestly don't recall a midnight buffet on Freedom. I know they had two deck parties where they had a buffet setup. RCCL always had at least a "gala" one and sometimes a special chocolate buffet. Carnival also had some really great Indian food during the day by the pool. Also excellent cheeseburgers. I feel strange saying that the cheeseburgers were a highlight - but they were good!!.

 

I found Carnival entertainment better. Overall, compared to my last RCCL cruise, Carnival staff was much friendlier. And as was said prior, this will always vary ship to ship.

 

Cabin's on Carnival far better than RCCL. Much bigger - tons of closet space. I was in a single 1A and had two big closets and space under the bed for my suitcase. No complaints.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Max Circus]

I've been on both (first Carnival cruise 11/24/07). From my limited Carnival experience, I think they have much better food and food choices - although that probably depends on the size of the ship. Freedom had an excellent deli where you could get panini-style corned beef and turkey (fresh sliced) sandwiches. Pizza was also very good - although pizza quality is always "in the "eyes of the beholder". I honestly don't recall a midnight buffet on Freedom. I know they had two deck parties where they had a buffet setup. RCCL always had at least a "gala" one and sometimes a special chocolate buffet. Carnival also had some really great Indian food during the day by the pool. Also excellent cheeseburgers. I feel strange saying that the cheeseburgers were a highlight - but they were good!!.

 

I found Carnival entertainment better. Overall, compared to my last RCCL cruise, Carnival staff was much friendlier. And as was said prior, this will always vary ship to ship.

 

Cabin's on Carnival far better than RCCL. Much bigger - tons of closet space. I was in a single 1A and had two big closets and space under the bed for my suitcase. No complaints.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Max Circus]

I've been on both (first Carnival cruise 11/24/07). From my limited Carnival experience, I think they have much better food and food choices - although that probably depends on the size of the ship. Freedom had an excellent deli where you could get panini-style corned beef and turkey (fresh sliced) sandwiches. Pizza was also very good - although pizza quality is always "in the "eyes of the beholder". I honestly don't recall a midnight buffet on Freedom. I know they had two deck parties where they had a buffet setup. RCCL always had at least a "gala" one and sometimes a special chocolate buffet. Carnival also had some really great Indian food during the day by the pool. Also excellent cheeseburgers. I feel strange saying that the cheeseburgers were a highlight - but they were good!!.

 

I found Carnival entertainment better. Overall, compared to my last RCCL cruise, Carnival staff was much friendlier. And as was said prior, this will always vary ship to ship.

 

Cabin's on Carnival far better than RCCL. Much bigger - tons of closet space. I was in a single 1A and had two big closets and space under the bed for my suitcase. No complaints.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Max Circus]

I've been on both (first Carnival cruise 11/24/07). From my limited Carnival experience, I think they have much better food and food choices - although that probably depends on the size of the ship. Freedom had an excellent deli where you could get panini-style corned beef and turkey (fresh sliced) sandwiches. Pizza was also very good - although pizza quality is always "in the "eyes of the beholder". I honestly don't recall a midnight buffet on Freedom. I know they had two deck parties where they had a buffet setup. RCCL always had at least a "gala" one and sometimes a special chocolate buffet. Carnival also had some really great Indian food during the day by the pool. Also excellent cheeseburgers. I feel strange saying that the cheeseburgers were a highlight - but they were good!!.

 

I found Carnival entertainment better. Overall, compared to my last RCCL cruise, Carnival staff was much friendlier. And as was said prior, this will always vary ship to ship.

 

Cabin's on Carnival far better than RCCL. Much bigger - tons of closet space. I was in a single 1A and had two big closets and space under the bed for my suitcase. No complaints.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Cotton]

I believe you'll find more similarities than differences between the two lines. I have been on both, and enjoyed both. The service and entertainment are about the same. I much prefer Carnival:

 

• The food is much better on Carnival, and I'm a retired chef from N.O. I'm speaking of dining room, as I don't do buffets; I like fresher food and personal service. Also - comp espresso and cappuccino in the dining room w/meals - had to pay dearly on RCCL.
  
• Larger cabins on Carnival; largest in the industry.
  
• Past guest program, IMO, is better, once you hit Platinum status.

[2112]

In my opinion, the service and entertainment are very similar on both lines. I have been on 3 Carnival ships and I think their reputation as a huge party is overstated. Here are the big differences between the two:

 

RCCL is better than Carnival because:

• The ships are nicer, classier, with more to do
  
• The pools and hot tubs stay open later (Carnival's close around dinner time)
  
• Better room service menu, and hot food is allowed in your cabin
  
• RCCL offers in cabin babysitting and Carnival doesn't

Carnival is better than RCCL because:

• More bang for the buck
  
• Food is a little better
  
• Cabins are slightly bigger
  
• There is self service laundry instead of having to pay a fortune to have RCCL do your laundry
  
• Camp Carnival accepts 2 years old in their program where RCCL only accepts 3 and older - and kids don't have to be potty trained for Carnival and they do for RCCL

If money was no object and I didn't have children, I would take RCCL over Carnival if everything else was equal. But certainly, there is nothing wrong with Carnival and I think most people who look down on Carnival have never taken a Carnival cruise.

[bcs819]

Agree with the above poster - you will have partiers based on the length of the cruise, not the line. All of our cruises, the only obnoxious fall-down drunks we experienced were on Princess!

 

Having sailed both Carnival and RCI, we prefer Carnival. Food and service was better. Found activities to be equal and lots of families on both. Enjoyed Carnival entertainment better but just barely - we miss the Quest!

 

Even the simplest requests on RCI had to go thru the Purser's desk to get any reaction :(

 

We would do RCI again if the right deal came along, but just didn't find the extra $$$ we paid was worth it.

[Excited about Cruising]

Thanks for all the replies! From what I heard, I wouldn't mind trying Carnival. Now all I need is a GREAT deal!!!! I heard they have an annual sale in Feb. Let's hope for some outstanding deals.

[tnsail]

I believe if you posted this on the RCCL board you would get and different kind of answer..... I haven't cruised RCCL so I'm not really qualified to answer your question but on the few cruises that I have taken on Carnival I haven't seen the rowdy party till you puke crowds that everyone is talking about.... (With $6 beers, it would be a party till I was broke... :) )

 

Both lines have there rabid supporters as does Princess, X, and all the others... The iteniary and time would be my greatest decision breaker (along with $'s)....

 

We cruise to have a vacation and a good time, wouldn't matter if it was a row boat...;)

 

Joey

[LRene]

For us.....

 

If this 50 year old couple don't experience the party-till-you-drop crowd either. If we were going to take our 2 granddaughters on a cruise (and we do that occasionally)...it would definately be on Carnival (they would INSIST!)

 

There were a few things I liked about RCCL but if I had to describe my cruise with them it would be (a) boring and (b) snooty. If we even mentioned Carnival, we were flat-out told how inferior we were. Frankly, I don't wish to expose the girls to that kind of attitude because they are only 3 and 6. Next time I cruise with RCCL, I'll carry a copy of my balance sheet and stock portfolio. :eek:

 

I liked the drinks, the entertainment, the CD and the ship decor on the RCCL ship we sailed. But the kids LOVE Camp Carnival. They have always done a great job with our kids and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[msolberg]

We've been on 10+ Carnival cruises and one RCL. We were on an older ship on RCL, I would compare it to the Fantasy class. They are more similar than different.

 

Things that were equivalent:

Ship size, layout, decor (for the class we sailed anyway)

Food

Service (in general)

Itineraries/port times

Onboard prices

 

Better on Carnival:

Cabin size, mattered a little more than I thought it would

Casino

Passengers are more fun

More night life

 

Better on RCL

You can have dinner delivered to your room during dinner periods

One particular organized activity, a scavenger hunt.

 

We choose to sail Carnival mostly because the crowd on RCL was much more sedate. We aren't a "party til you puke" crowd, but found the ship very dead after dinner.

[Knights on the Beach]

I also beg to differ. Carnival always used to advertise as The Fun Ship. They now advertise for families, not saying that families don't have fun. :D

Carnival still advertises itself as "The Fun Ship" -- at least on the dozen or so e-mails I get from them each month -- but they have been "family friendly" for YEARS. :)

[Kurbanfan]

I believe if you posted this on the RCCL board you would get and different kind of answer.....

We cruise to have a vacation and a good time, wouldn't matter if it was a row boat...;)

 

Joey

 

Ya think:rolleyes:

I agree with you it doesn't matter what kind of boat I'm on lol!

[MrPete]

Carnival has always been known as a party ship.

 

Right off the bat, this is an incorrect statement. They are they FUN ships, not the PARTY ships. And in the 20 years I've been cruising Carnival, I've yet to see it advertised that way, or even seen a PARTY type atmosphere on board.

 

But when you cruise FUN style, and then cruise another line, that FUN factor is sorely missing. They inject it into everything they do.

 

As far as comparing the two lines, they are more similar than different. S0me do things better than the other, and vice versa, but neither one is "better" than the other.

 

I arranged a family cruise for 21 of us a couple years back, and everyone can't wait to do it again!

 

Oh, and the food is better on Carnival.

 

And you will find a LOT of people on board that have sailed both.