Carnival vs Royal Caribbean

[robertbruce]

We have 5 cruises, 49 days, all with Carnival. Last one was Carnival Breeze out of Galveston, with an extra 5 days, due to Harvey.The wife wants to try RC, just to compare. My problem? Research so far is very negative re RC, mostly on food, service, and extra costs. We know the pros & cons on Carnival. We would appreciate some honest comparisons from those who have done both. We're the easy going type, never demanding.

Thanks in advance for all replies.

[Hey Tina]

My last two cruises were on Carnival then Royal. I liked Royal a lot more. The food was phenomenal and I had no problems with the service. As far as extra costs I don't know what you mean. Research what you want to do to find out if there are extra costs, if you're okay with the cost, do it, if not, don't.

 

That being said I'd totally sail Carnival again, I'm not anti Carnival or anything.

[nhsails]

Royal Iver Carnival for us majority of time. Don't believe all in reviews, people more apt to complain than to extoll

[Keith1010]

RCI would be a nice step up from Carnival so I would give it a try.

 

Do your homework to pick a ship in the fleet that you might enjoy.

 

You will never know until you experience it for yourselves.

 

Keith

[leaveitallbehind]

We don't know anything about you or your likes or dislikes, but, having experience on both RCI and Celebrity, I agree that RCI would be a good option but that Celebrity would be a better one as another to consider.. Comparatively, IMO the food and service levels are better with Celebrity than RCI. I realize you weren't asking abut Celebrity but thought it would be an option worth considering as well.

[Jimnbigd]

The Liberty of the Seas from Galveston is a nice ship, including an ice rink with a free ice skating show. Carnival probably has better food overall -- at least better food choices, such as Guy's burgers and a Mongolian grill. But the lines for these can be long and slow -- I remember it took me over 20 minutes at the Mongolian grill on the Carnival Conquest.

 

Another thing: About half the Carnival ships we've been on had at least one public area that smell strongly of sewer the entire cruise. On the Conquest in 2011, it was the hallway just aft of the casino by the bathrooms. We've had this happen once on RCI, but it was fixed (someone had tried to flush washcloths in the toilet). On Carnival the sewer smell problem was never fixed -- on several of our cruises.

 

I think the entertainment on RCI is better. I already mentioned the ice show (on some ships). RCI usually has more musicians than Carnival, including a pool band, a dance band (usually country on Galveston cruises), a salsa band, a couple of solo musicians, and the 9-piece ship's orchestra. RCI has 4 main singers in their singing/dancing shows, while Carnival has only 2. Carnival does have the comedy club each night -- I wish RCI had this (I think it does on the oasis class).

 

Really, it is a matter of preference. I say give RCI a try and compare. I think you'll like it. Better than Carnival -- that's for you to decide.

As another poster said, you might want to try Celebrity also. And maybe try Princess and Holland America (owned by Carnival).

 

One more comment: Carnival = neon lights -- RCI = chandeliers

Edited September 16, 2017 by Jimnbigd

[SRF]

Try it, and make up your own mind.

 

Some will say RCI is better, some will say they are worse.

 

The same for YOU, YOU may find it better, YOU may find YOU don't like it as much. No one can tell you what YOU will find good or bad.

 

And realize that there are a number of classes of ships. Depending on YOU, you may be happy on RCI on a mega ship, but not on a Vision class, or vice versa.

 

I have no complaints with RCI, sailing on Vision class. I will try a mega ship at some point, just to see, but think I might not be happy. And I will probably do a Carnival also to see.

[kgm0612]

When we took our first cruise back in 1989, along with five others after that, it was with Carnival. We usually sailed on the newest ship in their fleet. Loved everything!

 

We then took a cruise with friends on Royal and loved it even more. Food and service was a step up from Carnival, in our opinion. I will say we've noticed a change in food quality and service over the last eight years, but Royal remains our cruise line of choice.

 

We've also sailed twice with Norwegian and found it's just not for us.

 

Karen

[happy cruzer]

You need to decide what is important to you.

 

Cabin size may go to Carnival.

Beautiful public areas and adult swimming pool to Royal.

Carnival's buffet has added Guy's, Blue Iguana, and BBQ.

Bigger shows on Royal.

 

So some searches (when it is fixed) both boards have comparison reviews between Carnival and Royal.

 

Unless there is show stopper reason not to try it, go for it then you can post a comparison :).

[andismom]

We have cruised on both. I think you should try Freedom of the Sea or Liberty of the Sea. The shows are better on RC but the casual food on Carnival is better. I think the dining room food is the same. Since you have been on the Breeze the two I suggested are the closest to compare. I think you will find you like both cruise lines!