Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

[Cruising Anne]

I am planning a cruise for a group in 2006 and would like to know any differences between these 2 cruise lines. I have been on Royal caribbean twice and Carnival once. Any info would be helpful.

thanks

[serene56]

What cruise did you like better??

 

I sailed on Carnival a lot more then Royal. Sailed on the Voyager as I wanted to try that class of ship. I had a great time on every one of my cruises. I prefer Carnival for their night life. I didnt like dancing and that was my choices on the VOyager at night. It was great--dont get me wrong but I like to have other choices.

[Cruising Anne]

I really think I liked Carnival better. Seemed like it was a better atmosphere. Don't know how to explain it. I know Royal Caribbean has the rock climbing wall and some of the guys in our group would like that. I like how Carnival will upgrade you to a better cabin when it is close to time to sail. Does RC do that?

[DreadPirateRobert]

Annie, Neither company got where they are by doing a bad job. I've sailed both and enjoyed both. I'd have to give the food an edge on Carnival. Standard cabins are bigger too. For me it would boil down to itinerary, price and timing.

Good luck with your decision.

[Cruising Anne]

You're right about the coming down to price and itinerary. I am leaning towards Carnival. Seemed like I had more fun. I know that was because of the people I was with. The group I am going with, we can have fun anywhere.

Thanks for the replies.

[serene56]

Ahh price was a big factor. We did the Voyager only coz it was cheaper then Carnival at the time. In 2006 I am looking to try Princess.

 

You wont find any pricing for 2006 yet. But at least now you can research your ships and port of calls to find what interests you.

[tracey980]

It is interesting to me that in the past RCCL used to have the better reputation and now it seems that Carnival is getting a better reputation. I realize that it is still a matter of opinion.

[mike2000]

We have cruised on both, first let me say the worse cruise I was on was still

great. 6 years ago rccl gave you better service, it seemed that way. but now

carvinal is just as good if not better.also carvinal gives youbetter prices as a repeat cruiser then rccl. Mike

[DEL67]

We've sailed on both multiple times and do not have a preference so we choose based on price and itinerary. Some differences we have found:

 

- Shows. Both do Las Vegas type revues, the difference is in the

remaining shows Carnival almost always seems to have a juggler,

magician and comedian. RCCL has offered singing groups, pianists, etc.

 

- Actvities: Carnival - Knobby Knees or Harry Chest contests, Survivor,

Marriage Game, Trivia, pool games etc. RCCL usually has the last 3,

but also has ping pong, minature golf, shuffle board, basketball

throws, etc. They also offer prizes for those passengers who have

collected Ship Dollars from attending "athletic" activities.

 

- RCCL offers climbing walls on all ships and ice rinks on the Voyager

class ships.

 

- Diningroom Service: Very good on both. RCCL's tends to be a

bit more formal.

 

- Food: I know it is a matter of preference, but we prefer Carnival's

food, especially the steak. Also Carnival still has buffets every

night while offers snacks in the Casinos and lounges most nights.

 

- Customer Relations: For us, Carnival wins hands down here. My

husband is disabled and we have had accessibility issues even on

new ships. When I have sent letters after cruises describing the

issues and/or offering suggestions, Carnival always responds with a

thank you, we will look into it. They also send us a discount on a

future cruise even when I start the letter by saying that I do not

want anything other than having the issue corrected in the future.

RCCL responds very defensively and often tries to make the issue a

result of lack of knowledge on my part (which it is not) or my fault

entirely even when they did not do carry through on comittments.

[Philly Steve]

I get the impression there are more children aboard Carnival cruises. That might make a big difference for some folks.

[Jason26]

I have sailed RCCL twice and Celebrity once. We have also booked the Carnival Conquest in November. This will be the first cruise for our daughter who is 2. I must say that our choice depends on what type of vacation we take and who will be going. We selected Carnival this time because they are one of the few cruise lines that have kids programs starting at age 2. They also seem to have a lot of activities for both adults and kids. That was very important for us on this trip. We enjoyed RCCL and I am sure that Carnival will be just as enjoyable.

 

Jason

[gsb]

CCL has larger cabins, better pricing, better entertainment--midnight comedians, piano rooms, 3 types of dancing available--, better choice of lido dining, especially on their newer ships, (sushi bars and fish and chips restaurants).

I just get a more "fun" feeling with CCL.

Nothing wrong with RCCL--I'm glad they're there for the competion.

[JonV]

Carnival had better food and more options for food from the Vision Class Ship (Rhapsody of the Seas) that I was on. There were times at 4PM when I got hungry and only room service or terrible hot dogs and hamburgers were available on Royal. Carnival still had their lido grill open and the food on Carnival was much better.

 

I have to admit that Rhapsody of the Seas is an absolutely stunning ship. Lots of glass and a bit more subdued than Carnival. When we were disembarking Rhapsody of the Seas they were playing Andrea Boccelli's Con Te Partiro ("Time to Say GoodBye"). When I disembarked Carnival, they played "Who Let The Dogs Out".

 

The standard cabins on Royal are a bit smaller but they have cloth padding rails around the room. Carnival has metal. So if you hit the wall alot in the middle of the night with your hand like I do, you will hit soft cloth on Royal and metal on Carnival.

 

 

I have to give Carnival the prize for entertainment though. Carnival wins with me but I would still travel on Royal though.

[TWELVEOHONE]

I have been on numerouse RCCL and Carnival ships among many other cruise lines. Actually 27 cruises total with two more coming up this year.

 

This will depend on your expectations. Carnival is much more active for the young (under 40) group. RCCL is more for the over 30 group but still active. Carnival attracks a wilder group of loud heavy drinkers.

 

Entertainment is good on both lines. On RCCL's Voyager class of ships they have what they call RCCL Comics that go around the ship entertaining passenger. They were really very good. They also sometimes have a little humorous entertainment while waiting for the show to start.

 

Carnival has nothing compared to RCCL's Voyager class of ships. The ice scating rink and ice show are excellent. Rock climbing wall, roller blading track, miniture golf, and the best of all the inside Promonade. This is like walking down a European street with side walk cafe's bars, etc.

 

I personally beleive that RCCL has much better service than Carnival, especially in the dining room. Ask for extra dawn butter for Lobster and you get a sarcastic answer that it was cooked in butter.

 

RCCL food has been going downhill for a while but I believe it has reveresed and starting to get better. Carnival know for lousy food is also getting better but still has a way to go. Had terrible scrambled eggs on Carnival one morning asked one of the officers if it was powdered eggs, I was close they come in a can. They reminded me of my military days getting powdered eggs.

[Coolcruise02]

I have cruised both lines and both are great in different ways. For me, I have no interest in rock climbing, rollerblading or ice skating on a cruise. But, I did like other activities like ballroom dance lessons and earning "ship shape dollars" that you can cash in for prizes on RCCL. The best food and food selection goes to Carnival!!

[momofmeg]

I don't understand why you are asking this question since you said you have been on both lines. You did not mention any specific ships so I wonder how you expect to get your answer. Since you have been on both lines I can only see we can give you insight if it is a ship we have sailed that you want to know more about. Be more specific and possibly you may get some information from someone who has in the past sailed a certain ship.

 

I do know this much-both lines have budget mini cruises and both lines have more expensive cruises also. RCCL's Voyager ships are the most expensive and you can see why since the Voyager class ships are considerably bigger then even the Carnival conquest class ships. Carnival does not have a line of ships to compete with the Voyager class ships.

 

I have found in my experience the mini cruises is when you run into the obnoxious drunks and hard partying college students on BOTH lines. The more expensive cruises you don't see this. So read some ship reviews and decide if you want the ice skating shows and etc. of the voyager class ships or would you be just as happy with a spirit or conquest class ship or maybe you would like the brillance class ships of RCCL. Really only you can decide. I am not against the mini cruises either-you can still have a good time without being a hard partier-just realize you will run into that on the mini cruises.

[judyf]

Both lines were great. I would sail anyone again. Just get me on a ship now!