Is Royal Caribbean really that much better?

[CComyns]

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.

 

Carnival is fun. Royal Caribbean is luxury. I think it depends what ship but the kids may like Carnival more. But like I said it totally depends on the cruise ship itself.

[idil]

Ahhh .. I see ... We don't have kids, but I'm a real kid at heart, and I was hoping to do a Disney cruise one day ;)

 

At Carnival we had a lot of fun... and what I mentioned during the cruise that the kids seemed to be having more fun than the parents (they had rooms assigned for certain age groups up to 15 or 16 years old).

 

They also had some shows for the kids too (I attended some! - I know, don't call me crazy!). And, I became friends with some kids during the Bingo nights!... (Bingo was something else with "Kris with a K" (not sure if you read my review ... but he is awesome!)

 

I hope you and your family will have a blast ... I wish we started cruising earlier ;)

[CComyns]

Ahhh .. I see ... We don't have kids, but I'm a real kid at heart, and I was hoping to do a Disney cruise one day ;)

 

At Carnival we had a lot of fun... and what I mentioned during the cruise that the kids seemed to be having more fun than the parents (they had rooms assigned for certain age groups up to 15 or 16 years old).

 

They also had some shows for the kids too (I attended some! - I know, don't call me crazy!). And, I became friends with some kids during the Bingo nights!... (Bingo was something else with "Kris with a K" (not sure if you read my review ... but he is awesome!)

 

I hope you and your family will have a blast ... I wish we started cruising earlier ;)

 

You are preaching to the choir, my wife and I are season pass holders to Disneyland and we live 8 hours away. haha. Your not crazy. We are going to do a Disney cruise probably for our 10 year if not sooner. I think we have to do it at least once!

[LaFrimaire]

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.

 

Some of the new massive Royal ships seem almost like too much ship without enough ocean connection. The Carnival Vista seems huge, but not crazy huge, with lots of great sea views. One of the reasons I want to try beyond Carnival is very superficial, but think the decor of the ships before the Dream class is just insane. Not whimsical or quirky, but layer upon layer of dated kitsch. Wish they'd just overhaul some of them, and the newer spaces look so much better. That said, we have a lot of fun and enjoy the food and atmosphere. The Royal ships all look really nice, and more contemporary. It's interesting seeing the comparisons and definitely helps with researching our next cruises and what to expect.

[Sailor_Sally]

I like both but the pluses for Royal is they cruise Europe , better shows , better food , and much better loyalty program . Carnival keeps on removing loyalty perks .

[katiel53]

I have sailed on Carnival and Royal Caribbean many times. I think the ships of RCCL are much nicer and less Las Vegas style than Carnival. I don't think there is as much scamming on Royal from passengers as there are on Carnival. Royal allows one person in a cabin to purchase the equivalent of Cheers instead of both doing so. It doesn't seem as though the Royal passengers are always trying to figure a way to beat the system and share.

 

The entertainment on Royal is better, but I don't believe there are as many comedy shows as Carnival has. I didn't notice karaoke every night on Royal whereas, on Carnival, that is the entertainment some nights.

 

Room service is much better on Royal than Carnival. Carnival doesn't charge for late night service though and that is a plus. Pizza is better on Carnival.

 

There are far more food options for lunch on Carnival and I love the deli on Carnival which to me, has the best ever turkey on a roll sandwich. Dinners on Royal seem to be a bit more upscale than Carnival but that doesn't always translate to better tasting. I do like that Royal has strip steak every night as opposed to flat iron steak.

 

I love that Royal's casinos aren't as smoky as Carnival's. I don't ever remember seeing the equivalent of the drinks on us card on Royal, so that makes my losing money on Carnival a better deal..

 

I've seen more drunk people on Carnival who feel they have to get their 15 drinks worth, whereas, on Royal with unlimited drinks on their program, there are still those who are drunk using it, but not as many as I have seen on Carnival. Attitudes on Royal do appear to be different and not as much on the defensive as those on Carnival.

 

I love the casual dress on Carnival, but not so much on the elegant night with the "It's my vacation and I will wear what I want" attitude. Royal is getting to be more casual and I welcome that.

 

Having said the above, I do have a cruise booked on Allure of the Seas and one on Carnival Magic. I am looking forward to both of them for different reasons.

 

I like trying other lines as well and other than Holland America, where I felt I was the youngest onboard, I've loved them all. Take you pick and go with an open mind. Your cruise will be great.

[ACNCON]

 

Take you pick and go with an open mind. Your cruise will be great.

 

I agree with this 100%!

 

We've cruised with most of the cruise lines and they all have their plus/negatives. I don't think we've ever had a "bad" cruise!

[idil]

You are preaching to the choir, my wife and I are season pass holders to Disneyland and we live 8 hours away. haha. Your not crazy. We are going to do a Disney cruise probably for our 10 year if not sooner. I think we have to do it at least once!

 

Perhaps we'll bump into each other on a Disney cruise :):D:)

 

ps - glad I'm not alone :cool::D

[SkyMaster]

In a word,,,,No.

 

"SKY"

[meatloafsfan]

I think for all lines there are good points and not so good points.

 

For instance on Royal -

 

Good Points:

Love the adult pool solarium - steps into the pool, covered hot tubs, comfy lounge chairs in the shade (and in the sun for those that like that sort of thing).

Freestyle coke machines - I don't end up drinking alcohol because I'd rather try out a new flavour of soda or fizzy water.

Promenade Café - great place for people watching and a snack. I really like that they have continental breakfast offerings without having to go up to the buffet.

Hamburger available through room service (and it's good).

 

Not so good points:

Hard beds, thin pillows and lackluster bedding.

Mediocre MDR food

Terrible buffet - if they didn't have sandwich fixings, I wouldn't eat lunch on the first day.

Kind of boring for us - we don't use the flowrider, ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, etc and they seem very light on non-physical activities during the day.

 

For Carnival

 

Good points:

Love their beds, bedding and pillows. They are the best on any line we've cruised.

Good MDR food

With the 2.0 upgrades the best lunch options at sea (Guy's, Blue Iguana, Deli, Pizza Pirate)

Lots of regularly scheduled activities on the ship on both sea and port days.

 

Not so good points:

 

No pools with steps

Lack of shaded loungers in serenity or pool area

Bad soda package (quickly poured can over a glass of ice).

[tofinochris]

We did a RCL Hawaii cruise (Vancouver->Hawaii) two years ago. Don't know why people would say that RCL is miles above Carnival. The activities were worse, the main entertainment shows were all complete busts, the ship was weirdly laid out so you were constantly funnelled through tights areas with hundreds of other people, and the food was just normal cruise food. The cabins were definitely a little nicer but aside from that it's not like you're going from a two star to a five star hotel.

 

Don't get me wrong, the cruise was awesome, we met *so* many fantastic people that we still talk to, and there just happened to be some Elvis tribute folks on the ship doing private shows and they did a couple in public areas which were great. It's all what you make of your time on the ships.

 

edit: someone else mentioned the solarium on RCL. YES. This was SO great. The outside pool was always a complete zoo, but the solarium pool area was reasonably quiet and a great place to chill and swim. Going to miss this on our upcoming Dream cruise.

Edited July 25, 2016 by tofinochris

[RCmommy]

We are going back to Carnival after sailing RCI this past December. No big defining aha moment other then we all left feeling underwhelmed. I agree with many of the posts from the one above mine.

 

In my personal opinion, there was nothing about RCI that I found to be luxury.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited July 25, 2016 by RCmommy

[meatloafsfan]

edit: someone else mentioned the solarium on RCL. YES. This was SO great. The outside pool was always a complete zoo, but the solarium pool area was reasonably quiet and a great place to chill and swim. Going to miss this on our upcoming Dream cruise.

 

The Dream however has many hot tubs around on deck 5 in the ocean plaza. Many of these are rarely used so you can generally find an empty one. On the Dream class ships I find the multitude of available hot tubs a good compromise over no pool in Serenity.

[Mikew0805]

Carnival is fun. Royal Caribbean is luxury. I think it depends what ship but the kids may like Carnival more. But like I said it totally depends on the cruise ship itself.

 

I think this is extremely mis-leading. RCI is definitely NOT luxury.

[JimAOk1945]

I agree that RC is not luxury. But in some ways it is luxurious when compared to Carnival, specifically it's full suite perks. Just my opinion.

[DebJ14]

RC is a lot more expensive for both cruise and drink prices and even speciality restaurants.

 

Actually, it is not more expensive for the cruise or for specialty restaurants. We always book a Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean and have one booked for January 2017. The same week, same itinerary out of Galveston, RCCL was 1339.00 for a Grand Suite and Carnival was $2279.00 (per person). And the GS on RCCL comes with Concierge Service, the Suite lounge with complimentary cocktails and appetizers every evening, free tours behind the scenes (Bridge, ice rink), priority tendering etc. We end up with practically no bar bill on RCCL.

 

We have a balcony booked on Carnival for late April. Balcony prices on RCCL were $849 for the category we were interested in. Carnival wanted $909. We actually chose the higher priced Carnival cruise because we wanted the Bahamas itinerary out of Galveston.

 

RCCL prices on drinks don't seem much more to me than Carnival prices. As for specialty restaurants, the Carnival Steakhouse is $35.00 and so is Chops. RCCL does have Sabor for only $25.00.

 

RCCL has more beverage packages to choose from and if you want premium spirits are a better deal.

 

The best perk of all on RCCL is if you are Diamond you can go to the Diamond Lounge for nightly cocktails, or go to any of the bars for your 3 free drinks every night during the cocktail hour (usually from about 4:30 to 8:00pm). So conceivably in a suite we can drink our fill in the suite lounge, pop into the Diamond lounge for a few drinks and then hit the bar for the last 3. Loyalty does have its rewards on RCCL. Plus, if you are Platinum they take $125 of the cost of a balcony or better. If you are Diamond they take off $225 and they take off even more for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle.

 

FYI I am Diamond on both RCCL and Carnival. I used to think Carnival had better food. But with the introduction of the American Table menu and removal of the table cloths Carnival is more like Applebees.

Edited July 30, 2016 by DebJ14

[CComyns]

I think this is extremely mis-leading. RCI is definitely NOT luxury.

 

Actually it is. You have been in their small ships and really have no room to talk. And compared to carnival which when was the last time you went in carnival?

[jimbo5544]

Actually, it is not more expensive for the cruise or for specialty restaurants. We always book a Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean and have one booked for January 2017. The same week, same itinerary out of Galveston, RCCL was 1339.00 for a Grand Suite and Carnival was $2279.00 (per person). And the GS on RCCL comes with Concierge Service, the Suite lounge with complimentary cocktails and appetizers every evening, free tours behind the scenes (Bridge, ice rink), priority tendering etc. We end up with practically no bar bill on RCCL.

 

We have a balcony booked on Carnival for late April. Balcony prices on RCCL were $849 for the category we were interested in. Carnival wanted $909. We actually chose the higher priced Carnival cruise because we wanted the Bahamas itinerary out of Galveston.

 

RCCL prices on drinks don't seem much more to me than Carnival prices. As for specialty restaurants, the Carnival Steakhouse is $35.00 and so is Chops. RCCL does have Sabor for only $25.00.

 

RCCL has more beverage packages to choose from and if you want premium spirits are a better deal.

 

The best perk of all on RCCL is if you are Diamond you can go to the Diamond Lounge for nightly cocktails, or go to any of the bars for your 3 free drinks every night during the cocktail hour (usually from about 4:30 to 8:00pm). So conceivably in a suite we can drink our fill in the suite lounge, pop into the Diamond lounge for a few drinks and then hit the bar for the last 3. Loyalty does have its rewards on RCCL. Plus, if you are Platinum they take $125 of the cost of a balcony or better. If you are Diamond they take off $225 and they take off even more for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle.

 

FYI I am Diamond on both RCCL and Carnival. I used to think Carnival had better food. But with the introduction of the American Table menu and removal of the table cloths Carnival is more like Applebees.

 

Huh, I did not know that table cloths added flavor....go figure. Compare drink prices again,let's say Vista to Harmony and come back and tell me what you find. What RCCL ship were you booking out of Galveston?

[jimbo5544]

Actually it is. You have been in their small ships and really have no room to talk. And compared to carnival which when was the last time you went in carnival?

 

 

Which ship on Royal is under the "luxury" category?

[CComyns]

Which ship on Royal is under the "luxury" category?

 

Maybe I am in the minority here but comparing Royal Caribbean to Carnival or Norwegian, I would say RCCL takes the cake. Maybe I'm using the wrong word. If it came down to $500 up or down for a similar cruise I would pick RCCL hands down.

[AdoraBelle]

Actually it is. You have been in their small ships and really have no room to talk. And compared to carnival which when was the last time you went in carnival?

 

 

Royal Caribbean is not a luxury cruise line. It's a mass-market cruise line.

 

Crystal is an example of a luxury cruise line.

[CComyns]

Royal Caribbean is not a luxury cruise line. It's a mass-market cruise line.

 

Crystal is an example of a luxury cruise line.

 

O.k. yeah I guess my Luxury statement was miss-leading. What I meant was comparing for example Carnival and Royal Caribbean RCCL is a lot more Luxury and better overall. Of course this in opinion. and also sometimes the food has been better on Carnival.

[jimbo5544]

Maybe I am in the minority here but comparing Royal Caribbean to Carnival or Norwegian, I would say RCCL takes the cake. Maybe I'm using the wrong word. If it came down to $500 up or down for a similar cruise I would pick RCCL hands down.

 

 

Well you have your opinion on which is better and I have mine. That said, by any stretch they are the same level of cruise...hence the price comparison between the two. Not to go off on a tangent, but I feel just opposite of your claim (which is fine).

[CComyns]

Well you have your opinion on which is better and I have mine. That said, by any stretch they are the same level of cruise...hence the price comparison between the two. Not to go off on a tangent, but I feel just opposite of your claim (which is fine).

 

That's so funny, I have a friend that has been on two or more cruises a year forever, or for as long as I remember and I think they said they were coming up on 300 points. Something like that. And they swear by Carnival. I just seem to like the ships better on Royal Caribbean. Too many kids on Carnival. And I'm not even that old. haha

[jimbo5544]

That's so funny, I have a friend that has been on two or more cruises a year forever, or for as long as I remember and I think they said they were coming up on 300 points. Something like that. And they swear by Carnival. I just seem to like the ships better on Royal Caribbean. Too many kids on Carnival. And I'm not even that old. haha

 

 

I have no issues with different thoughts on the different lines,it is what makes it interesting.