Royal Caribbean vs Carnival

[Jimnbigd]

Hello all,

Newbie here..... Is RCI pulling out of New Orleans.. I was looking for "fall 2013" cruises and cant find any. Carnival has a few. Its gonna be BW and our 2 kids (3 and 10).... yes, First cruise...

As long as this thread has been revived...The Serenade of the Seas sails from New Orleans from late November to Early April.

[tpwalker1980]

I've been on 2 cruises so far.

May 2008

Carnival Sensation (Went with GF and a Friend) - Inside Room

November 2011 Royal Caribbean Freedom (Honeymoon) - Window View

Besides the noticeble age difference of the ships and the size difference. This is what I noticed.

Freedom of the seas

1. Had more 'stuff' to do on deck. Rock Wall, Surf Pool, ect.

2. Had better quality entertainment inside the ship. Comedy show, Ice Show, ect.

3. Other cruisers were friendly but kept to themselves.

4. Nighttime activities seems to die down MUCH quicker on the Freedom.

5. Other cruisers, on average seemed older.

6. Hot tubs open all night

Carnival Sensation

1. Younger crowd

2. Night life of the boat seemed to last much longer.

3. Other cruisers just seemed more active on this boat. Hung out with multiple groups on several different occasions.

4. Comedy shows and on deck ammentities were not as good as freedom.

5. Hot tubs shut down late night

6. Staff was friendly and talkative.

Now.. this being said. I have a cruise coming up in 10 days.

We choose Carnival this time (Carnival Sunshine)

Why?

1. We are taking my 11 son and 7 daughter with us.

2. I feel like, off my limited experience that the activities for their age will be better on Carnival than Royal Caribbean (yes NIC or Disney cruise would be better but at close to 2 times the cost. This wasn't an option for us).

3. My whole family are night owls. And I prefer a ship with people still awake and having fun at 3am.

4. Total cost of just the cruise, with a Balcony room was just over $3000 Royal caribbean would have been approx 4500 for the same timeframe/sized ship.

5. Staff too was friendly and talkative.

Nothing really set either apart in our decision here..

Would I cruise Royal Caribean again? Definately.

I probably will the cruise after this one.

[Tatka]

Royal had wonderful kids clubs and programs, plus even at high season kids clubs are much less overcrowded. We have sailed with both companies with our son several times.

 

Also, Royals ships have better deck plans, and most of them have better sports decks, so crowd spreads better.

[tron14]

RCC is a little more expensive thatn Carnival since it travels to other ports in Europe although they pretty much have the same features. From my point of view after trying both cruises is that Carnival is designed to be more fun. RCC meanwhile is designed to be appear more luxurious. Whichever you choose I'm sure you'll enjoy. Safe travels.

[brepri_h]

I've not sailed RCL yet but Carnival cannot be compared to Motel 6; that is just ridiculous.

 

I don't ever intend to try another cruise line because I'd really like to get to diamond with carnival. They've not let me down yet so no need to jump cruise lines.