Royal Caribbean or Carnival?

[chikwithstix72]

Hi Everyone!

My family will be taking a Caribbean cruise later this year for my DS’ 21st birthday. There are 4 of us, me and hubby, and my sons, 25 and 21. In the past, we have sailed on Princess, twice, on relatively new ships, very big, with lots of amenities. We loved their freshwater pools and 24 hour dining.

 

However we are considering either Royal Caribbean or Carnival for our cruise this year. Carnival Pride out of Baltimore is an attractive option as we can drive to port, no flying, no airport hassles. But we are also looking at Adventure of the Seas or Freedom of the Seas as my husband kinda likes going out of southern ports. So I guess if all 3 ships were in the same port, had the same itinerary and money was not part of the consideration, which one would you choose and why?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice/recommendations!

[Jrabbit128]

It really depends on what you are more interested in. We have always been on the smaller ships and still had a blast. We would relax and just walk around, catch a show, catch up on sleep! If you need something to always do, you might want to go on the Royal Caribbean ships because they can go ice skating, swimming, etc.

Also, Royal and Carnival do not offer fresh water pools. They are both salt water.

[Socref124]

DW and I would like to sail Royal, however, everytime we are looking at cruises Royal is always $200 to $500 more expensive for the same basic itinerary. We could care less about rock climbing and the flow rider so I can't justify spending the extra money for the same basic product. From what I have read on this board is that Carnival, Royal, NCL and Princess are basically the same, escept, Carnival has larger cabins. My experience is with Carnival and NCL so I can't help you in this area. Read through these boards a little and you will probably find the information you are searching for. IMHO, Carnival gives you a good bang for your buck and a fun time to boot.

[tgr2387]

It's a pretty complicated question. Most people will swear against it, but the two cruise lines are VERY similar. I've been on both and had a great time on both. As far as the two Royal Caribbean ships go, Freedom of the Seas wins. I haven't been on the Adventure, but between doing tons of research, and talking with my travel agent, the Freedom of the Seas wins hands down. Richard Spacey is also by far the best cruise director I have ever had as well. Oh yea I didn't mention, I myself am 21 so I can give you that perspective. Not to knock on Carnival, because they are a great line, I would pick Freedom of the Seas, there is just more to do on this ship.

[LynneL]

In a general sense I would say Carnival over Royal Caribbean. In fairness, I have been on many Carnival cruises & only 2 RCI (Explo. of Seas in '06 with family & Serenade of Seas '08 without my family). My kids - now 24, 21 & 19 liked Carnival much better...Felt the staff was friendlier, better night life, liked the food better, enjoyed 24 hr. pizza option. On EOS, They did the rock climbing once (long lines since open limited hours) & didn't do ice skating (didn't really bring proper clothes for that plus just no desire).

 

Freedom is supposed to be a great ship & only you can judge if you will really utilize the amenities (flow rider, rock wall, etc.). If you think it will be thing you're not into or will try once & that's it, I would go with Carnival.

[cruise pup]

I prefer Carnival to Royal Caribbean. I recently sailed with both (Navigator of the Seas in November and Carnival Freedom in December). Although I had issues with both cruises I found that there was a lot more going wrong on Royal Caribbean Some examples would be such as the crew friendlier on Carnival. Carnival's standard staterooms are by far more comfortable. Royal Caribbean doesn't even supply shower gel in theirs. Royal Caribbean's coffee has to be the worst on the high seas. I do have to say, though, that Royal Caribbean's food selection was superior to Carnival's, especially the casual dining in the evening.

[chikwithstix72]

thanks for the input everyone. I know that it is not a simple question, too many variables. The debate in our house has a lot of variables. I am leaning towards Carnival since we wouldn't have the expense and hassle of flying. We always seem to spend a lot of time in the airport on the day we come home, what a pain. It would be so nice to get in the car and be home in an hour getting off of the ship!

 

But my husband is concerned that our experience won't compare with our previous cruises, which were on a bigger ship with so much more to offer. He feels that since this is our one and only vacation, we should try to get the something comparable to our previous experiences. When we went on Princess, we loved being on a new huge ship that seemed pretty luxurious to us, and had so many options in terms of entertainment, dining, and activities.

 

We are trying to sway each other and knowing us...I think we will...I will end up wanting more luxury, and he will end up wanting the travel convenience! Still back at square one! :p

[PINEVIEW01]

I would be with you not having to spend the day before and after in the airports. I was on the Prides sister ship, Legend, and I love it. The ship is set up in such a way as you can't believe there are so many people on it. I liked the shows on Carnival better and the food too.

 

I have to give your DH leaving out of a Southern port, the sooner the warmer the better. That is why I'm going out of FL instead of somewhere closer.

[Socref124]

thanks for the input everyone. I know that it is not a simple question, too many variables. The debate in our house has a lot of variables. I am leaning towards Carnival since we wouldn't have the expense and hassle of flying. We always seem to spend a lot of time in the airport on the day we come home, what a pain. It would be so nice to get in the car and be home in an hour getting off of the ship!

 

But my husband is concerned that our experience won't compare with our previous cruises, which were on a bigger ship with so much more to offer. He feels that since this is our one and only vacation, we should try to get the something comparable to our previous experiences. When we went on Princess, we loved being on a new huge ship that seemed pretty luxurious to us, and had so many options in terms of entertainment, dining, and activities.

 

We are trying to sway each other and knowing us...I think we will...I will end up wanting more luxury, and he will end up wanting the travel convenience! Still back at square one! :p

 

Bigger is not always better. DW and I love the Glory and Freedom for their size and newness, however, The Spirit class ships like the Pride, Miracle and Imagination, are super. They are easier to navigate around and everything seems to be so much closer to where you are. We are scheduled to do the Legend out of Tampa in May and can't wait. Lots of Carnival lovers prefer the Spirit Class to the larger ships in Carnivals fleet. Insrtead of huge and luxurious you will find the Pride to be more quaint and friendly. Remember also, it isn't the ship that will make your one and only vacation great, it's what the two of you do that will make it a great vacation. Go on this trip looking at the brighter side of things. If you go looking for the negatives you WILL find them. If you go looking for a great time you WILL find that as well.:) Look at some of the Pride reviews and judge for yourself. DW's aunt is a travel agent that was invited on Freedom of the Seas and she says it is a beautiful ship. In reality, you can't go wrong with whatever ship you choose. Hope you guys have a great time.:D

[Tapi]

I'll throw my 2 cents in..

 

Sailed both Royal Caribbean and Carnival several times and yes, they are more alike than different (minus the decoration!)

 

I completely understand about the airport hassles. We now live in Atlanta and when we sailed out of Mobile in 2007 (4 hours away by car), the entire experience was so hassle free that it truly made our cruise that much more enjoyable even though we were sailing aboard an older/smaller ship!

 

I will also say that largest is not always best (We actually enjoy the smaller ships!). When we've sailed on some of the largest ships (for example, Liberty during the high season), there were way too many passengers onboard which took away from the experience. Lines for the buffet and to get on and off the ship were looong.

 

Ask your family members what they are looking for. If they're more inclined to activities like Rock Climbing, the Flow Rider, and Ice Skating, then the larger Royal Caribbean ships have an edge. If they're more into the night life, endless activities, and a more fun atmosphere, Carnival might be the better choice.

 

Since you're used to the Princess product and you're thinking about something where you can see more of the southern ports, how about a Princess cruise out of San Juan?

[Maxiecat3]

It really depends on what you are more interested in. We have always been on the smaller ships and still had a blast. We would relax and just walk around, catch a show, catch up on sleep! If you need something to always do, you might want to go on the Royal Caribbean ships because they can go ice skating, swimming, etc.

Also, Royal and Carnival do not offer fresh water pools. They are both salt water.

 

Just a quick correction. The Freedom series on RCI does have fresh water pools. But back to the OP's question. I have never had the chance to sail Carnival but that doesn't mean I never will. Living in FL I have the opportunity to drive to most FL ports. If I was in driving distance to Balt. I probably would be on the Carnival ship as driving is a high priority and from what I have read, Carnival & RCI are more alike than different. If I was willing to fly, as it seems you are in the NE, I would choose the Adventure out of San Juan over the Freedom out of FL, even though I like the Freedom series better I would prefer the Southern Itenerary. I am sure any of these 3 ships you will not regret going on.

 

Gregg

[chikwithstix72]

 

Ask your family members what they are looking for. If they're more inclined to activities like Rock Climbing, the Flow Rider, and Ice Skating, then the larger Royal Caribbean ships have an edge. If they're more into the night life, endless activities, and a more fun atmosphere, Carnival might be the better choice.

 

Since you're used to the Princess product and you're thinking about something where you can see more of the southern ports, how about a Princess cruise out of San Juan?

Well, this cruise is for my son's 21st birthday, and we are trying to schedule it so that he turns 21 on the ship, we thought that would be so fun! So he and his big bro (25) will definitely be into the night life, rock climbing-maybe, ice skating-not so much. We would love to do Princess again, but unless I am missing something, the Caribbean cruises in June (birthday) are 9 to 10 days, longer than what we can do.

 

I do appreciate these responses though, it is all good food for thought.

[yamman]

Carnival has better food and is alot cheaper than Royal. Unless you want to do rock climbing, Carnival is the better choice.

[babyfacebabe86]

I would so pick freedom of the seas if money were not an object. I like the flow rider, rock climbing, and ice skating. I'm trying to figure out what there will be to do during the day on the carnival cruise other then lay out. I'm 22, and i say freedom!!!!!

[dreaminofsun]

I would so pick freedom of the seas if money were not an object. I like the flow rider, rock climbing, and ice skating. I'm trying to figure out what there will be to do during the day on the carnival cruise other then lay out. I'm 22, and i say freedom!!!!!

 

I just got off the Carnival Glory and there was tons of things to do day and night!

Cheers,

[A&Jfamily]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but having been on Princess, you get past guest rates on Carnival?

 

I went on one RCCL, and swore I would not go back - it was an older ship, the room was a closet, the food was so-so, and the staff just OK. I am much more impressed with Carnival b/c I think you get better food, rooms and service for less money.

[Alegeeter]

I was under the understanding that if your age on a sailing is the age you are when you board. Thus, if your son turns 21 during the cruise, he will be considered 20 throughout. Thus, he won't be able to drink. I don't know if that is in issue with you (or your son) but just in case I thought I'd mention it.

 

With that said, I am a 20 year old who has been on 2 sister ships of the Pride as well as the large Navigator of the Seas. I preferred the Pride-like ships over the Navigator in most ways. Again, it never seems like there is 2500 people on the ship, and there is always something to do. There is a sports court, golf, poolside activites, casino, karaoke, trivia, shows, dancing, comedy, etc. In my experience on 2 RCCL and 3 Carnival cruises, I've realized all ships offer similar activities on board. The big difference is quality (I think Carnival's shows are better). The only activities RCCL will have that the Pride will not are the rockwall, flowrider, and ice skating (which have limited hours anyway). Once again, the daytime activities hosted by staff are very similar.

 

While RCCL may win in that respect, Carnival wins in food 100% IMO. And in this case, not having to fly will save a lot of money that could go towards really fun excursions or a pre/post cruise trip.

[Luv2Cruise525]

I've been on 3 RCCL (one larger ship and two on the smaller side) and recently took my first Carnival (on a smaller ship). We wanted to experience something new and noticed many subtle differences between the two lines. We are extremely observant! We came to the conclusion that Carnival had better food overall but we enjoyed everything else on RCCL more. We would definitely sail Carnival again but if we had the choice, we would pay a little more for RCCL. It depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. We really like to do all the different actitives which is one of the reasons we enjoy RCCL more. Our Carnival cruise was more relaxing which was a nice change of pace. Either way, you'll have a great time on either line!!! :)

[tedjazz]

Royal Caribbean hands down...better overall product... quality and service are superior to what is offered by Carnival. IMHO.

[firefly333]

Pride is a older Carnival ship, so wouldnt have many bells and whistles, but many like the smaller older Carnival ships. Hard to compare Pride to a ship like Freedom with the wave machine and the promenade and all the other bells and whistles of a much newer class of ship to me.

 

I would do Pride for the price but make sure I also did Freedom to experience it too when I found a good price or a special running. go enjoy the Pride and drive.

[veryhotred]

I have sailed on 4 cruises, two on RC and two on Carnival. I prefer RC over Carnival but have no complaints about Carnival at all. I have sailed on RC's Sovereign of the Seas and the Enchantment of the Seas and Carnival's Fascination and Destiny and soon the Ecstasy. Carnival is cheaper (price wise, I am not demeaning Carnival) and you can get a good deal for traveling with your family IMO. I have gotten good deals on RC too though. Like I said, nothing wrong with Carnival but RC just has a little more to offer and is just a tad nicer overall.

[sxychica28]

Ive been on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I have only been on Carnival once and Royal Caribbean 5 times. Just got back from a cruise on the freedom and i think the guests as well as some of the workers were very rude. I still had fun, but not as much as i have had in the past. Freedom of the Seas has fresh water pools, it was a very relaxing cruise, but not as much fun.

[sxychica28]

Well, this cruise is for my son's 21st birthday, and we are trying to schedule it so that he turns 21 on the ship, we thought that would be so fun! So he and his big bro (25) will definitely be into the night life, rock climbing-maybe, ice skating-not so much. We would love to do Princess again, but unless I am missing something, the Caribbean cruises in June (birthday) are 9 to 10 days, longer than what we can do.

 

I do appreciate these responses though, it is all good food for thought.

 

If hes planning on drinking on the ship you might want to leave after he turns 21, because i was as i know at leaast with royal caribbean the age ur when you leave is the age ur the whole time. So if u leave before hes 21 the will not allow him to drink even if he has a birthday on the ship

[cloudydrms]

Most of my experience cruising has been on Carnival, but I did do one Royal Caribbean cruise, and I'm glad I did. Honestly, I'd say that there are good things about one line and not so good about the same line. LOL. While I haven't had Carnival's newest menu, I would say that hands down Carnival had a much much better dinner. Not only did they have a better dinner in the dining room, but I was very surprised to feel like all of my waiters on Carnival cruises had more time with me than my one RCCL waiter. Not that I didn't like my RCCL waiter...I did, but he seemed as rushed and seemed to have more tables which is exactly the opposite of what I'd heard about waiters on RCCL vs. Carnival.

 

I definitely enjoyed RCCL's shows and the entertainment in their bars better than Carnival. I guess it would just depend on what you're looking for. Carnival strives to have more "big" shows that are more Las Vegas like. RCCL had some magicians and comedians which personally I liked. I also really liked the bar spaces on the RCCL ship better than any of the other bar/spaces on any Carnival ship I'd ever been on.

 

I can tell you that my Mom was very disappointed in the casino on RCCL. She's always been very happy with her wins on every Carnival cruise. (That's for those of you that this matters to.)

 

I also found the layout of the rooms and numbers on the RCCL ship to be very confusing. It was darn near a nightmare to find another room that you didn't know your way to. (Frankly, that wouldn't affect too many people, but it was totally noticeable if you were used to the numbering of Carnival and switched to RCCL. It was really weird.)

 

As for breakfast and lunch on the cruises, they were about the same. I will say that I was totally disappointed on the RCCL cruise I was on (Mariner of the Seas) that there was no real place to eat outdoors at either breakfast or lunch. I can say that in all of my cruises on Carnival, some of my favorite times have been early morning breakfast on the Lido deck. There was nothing like that on the Mariner. There may have been 4 tables outside. All of the rest were inside and it was just weird...and disappointing. This would have to be my number one complaint of Mariner of the Seas.

 

Well, that's it. I'm sure I didn't cover it all AND all and all I wouldn't trade a day on land with either cruise and I wouldn't hesitate to cruise on either line again.

 

Cindy

\

 

Hi Everyone!

 

My family will be taking a Caribbean cruise later this year for my DS’ 21st birthday. There are 4 of us, me and hubby, and my sons, 25 and 21. In the past, we have sailed on Princess, twice, on relatively new ships, very big, with lots of amenities. We loved their freshwater pools and 24 hour dining.

 

However we are considering either Royal Caribbean or Carnival for our cruise this year. Carnival Pride out of Baltimore is an attractive option as we can drive to port, no flying, no airport hassles. But we are also looking at Adventure of the Seas or Freedom of the Seas as my husband kinda likes going out of southern ports. So I guess if all 3 ships were in the same port, had the same itinerary and money was not part of the consideration, which one would you choose and why?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice/recommendations!

[cccer]

We have been on three Carnival cruises and one RCL cruise in our opinion

 

Carnival

The best bedding ever, you can die in it (in a good way)

Soft drink package much better - Carnival has cans, RCL diluted fountain

Casino is much more open, has Vegas feeling, not friends basement

Pizza much better

I'd rather watch a movie on the deck than climb a rock wall

 

RCL

Cabin stewart a lot better. On Carnival she emptied out a glass of cigarette ashes every day, but never brought an ashtray.

Johney Rocket's is worth the fee - especially for the grilled cheese.

Disembarkment and embarkment seemed a lot smoother, but this is only on RCL cruise versus three Carnival.

 

That being said, we will be going on Carnival in March. Mostly for the cost. I can't justify going with RCL for spending over $1,000 for the three of us.

Either way, they are both great cruise experiences.