Royal Caribbean Liberty Of The Seas or Carnival Vista

[6chickens]

We have finalized our cruise decisions to either the Carnival Vista or the Royal Caribbean Liberty Of The Sea. They have the exact same dates and ports, and roughly the same cost. So those aspects do not factor into the decision between which ship. However, I keep going back and forth between which ship to choose. Please help!!!!

 

Some of my thoughts:

Vista has more included eating options (we will not pay more to eat at any of the others), it seems Liberty just has MD, buffet and pizza. 

 

Vista: poor theater seating, seems a lot of reviews don’t like the Vista ship design

 

Can anyone give me any advice or suggestions on these two ships, please?!?

 

It will be my husband and myself (not into the clubs, bars, casino) and our two kids (will be 13 & 16) who will not be interested in the kids clubs. 

 

Decided to pick a cruise out of Galveston due to flights costs being higher to Florida. 

[Tapi]

I like the thought of sailing on a much newer ship, so my vote would be for the Vista. But this is one time when I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either ship. What type of accommodations are you interested in? With itineraries being identical, this would help me determine what ship to choose. 

[6chickens]

Interior or ocean view, although the window does not matter to us, but they seem larger. We won’t spend much time in our room. When we have gone to Disney we have been happy staying at the Value resorts, we don’t need much. 

 

Any experience with with the family harbor rooms on the Vista? Is that worth the extra cost? 

[Robo1098]

I haven't sailed on Liberty but I have on Freedom. I have sailed on Vista. I will say that on Vista I enjoyed the food choices for lunch. Dining room quality and service is similar to Royal Caribbean. The entertainment on Royal Caribbean is significantly better. Vista does not have a Promenade or a large Centrum. It has a center area but it is normally crowded and not a lot of seating. The other thing about Vista is it has a layout that does not flow well at all. After an eight day cruise most people including myself were still trying to find our way around. It takes thought to make your way from one area to another.

With all that being said I still did enjoy my Vista cruise. There is plenty to do and see. It is a very nice ship in many ways. I think because of the age of your kids I would sway to Vista.

[Kellie in Texas]

Concerning the "free" food, Liberty also has Cafe Promenade which has yummy sandwiches and some of the best desserts we had on the entire ship.  Cookies, little cups of mousse and puddings, free delicious coffee (don't be fooled by the Starbucks at the end of the room).  And the pizza at Sorrento's is outstanding. 

 

We never pay for any of the up-charge dining either; I'd have to cruise many, many times before I'd pay extra for a steak or Italian food, which I can get any time right here in Austin.

[blackshirt]

10 minutes ago, Kellie in Texas said:

We never pay for any of the up-charge dining either; I'd have to cruise many, many times before I'd pay extra for a steak or Italian food, which I can get any time right here in Austin.

We never pay for specialty dining either but on our last Liberty cruise, we got a specialty dining from our TA and Giovanni’s table was so good, I’d even consider paying for it.

[Tapi]

54 minutes ago, 6chickens said:

Interior or ocean view, although the window does not matter to us, but they seem larger. We won’t spend much time in our room. When we have gone to Disney we have been happy staying at the Value resorts, we don’t need much. 

 

Any experience with with the family harbor rooms on the Vista? Is that worth the extra cost? 

Oceanview stateroom on Vista are nice. They are considerably larger than the insides and they are larger than both inside and oceanview stateroom on the Liberty. Family oceanview staterooms on Vista also have a split bathroom, with toilet and sink in one bathroom, and shower/tub and sink in the other. That can come in handy when trying to get ready all at once. 

 

About the Family harbor staterooms, their main draw is having a family lounge down the hallway where you can hangout and meet other families. Also, it’s a good place to enjoy breakfast and avoid other busy venues available to the rest of the general population on the ship. 

[whitshel]

Don't forget to add the transportation costs from either Houston airport to the port.  That can easily add $50 to $100pp for rt transportation.  Fll airport is almost at the port, so transportation costs are way less.  Give and take   

Edited November 8, 2018 by whitshel

[Desert Cruizers]

I can't speak for Carnival but have sailed on the Liberty twice. The Royal Promenade has the cafe and certain nights they will have a fun performance in the Royal Promenade.with singing and dancing. I found the entertainment very good. Deck 5 where the Royal Promenade is will be your central place for moving through the ship. You can't go through on Deck 4 because of Studio B or the Ice Rink. I have enjoyed the Freedom Class on Royal Caribbean. 

[asalligo]

If ports and price are similar and I have the kids, I would definitely choose the Vista.

 

Cabin size: Ocean view cabins on Liberty are 159 Square feet or a 175 square feet if you upgrade to the larger ocean view.

Carnival Vista ocean view cabins are 185  square feet. That 26 extra square feet is a nice perk with kids. 

 

Food: Guy's Burgers, Pig and Anchor, Blue Iguana. All free options along with the MDR and the buffet. 

 

Everything will cost a little more on Liberty, Internet, drinks, specialty restaurants. All a little more. For instance, if your kids wants the soda package. 8.50 a day on the Liberty. 4.95 a day on the Vista. 

 

 

[George C]

Have cruised liberty in 2016 and 2017 , really nice ship, great ice skating show, broadway play, great entertainment. Have had friends that did both all preferred rccl,  lots of thing for children, flowrider etc 

[lovescats5]

I would sail Liberty without a doubt.  My big problem with Carnival is the number of kids always running around being rude.  Not saying it does not happen on Royal we ran into it much more on Carnival. 

[janhtx]

My only Carnival cruise was last December out of Galveston.  I cruise Royal every year out of Galveston.  Twice in 2018 (well twice after cruise at the end of this month).  I will probably not go on another Carnival cruise.  It was not terrible by any stretch. Just not my scene.  More of a party atmosphere.  Lots of unsupervised children for first week of December.  I was struck by the volume of the music in the buffet and that it seemed to always be 80’s rock.  Even at breakfast. Overall I thought the food was a little better on Carnival.  Guy’s Burgers was really good.  I liked the Sea Day Brunch.