Choosing between Carnival Cruise and Royal Caribbean can be overwhelming, especially when you are a first-time cruiser. Both lines are famous for their signature sailing. Carnival Cruises has a fun and laid-back atmosphere, while Royal Caribbean offers high-tech adventures.
But the real question is, “Which of these industry giants is right for you?” This blog provides an in-depth answer to this question. Additionally, this guide goes beyond the basics and discusses the difference between price structures, ship features, and even mobile apps.
The comparison of Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean highlights crucial aspects to help you make an informed decision.
30-Second Summary
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are big names in the industry. Both are loved by cruisers for offering different yet high-quality services. But which one is the best?
In this blog, we compare Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean. You will learn about the ship size, kids’ and adults’ onboard entertainment, accessibility options, and app features of both cruise lines. Read on to decide which of them you want to sail next with.
Carnival vs Royal Caribbean: Overview of the Cruise Lines
Let’s take a look at how both cruise lines operate to find out: Is Royal Caribbean or Carnival better?
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruises is a prominent line, perfect for cruisers looking for a lively environment and a comfortable journey. This cruise line was launched in 1972 and has a diverse fleet.
With a wide array of dining, excursions, and onboard services, this cruise line is ideal for an unforgettable voyage.
Royal Caribbean
Launched in 1969, Royal Caribbean is an innovative cruise line. It is known for its world-class vessels, onboard amenities, and distinct itineraries.
Cruising with Royal Caribbean means that you get access to their private islands, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay. This record-breaking line promises a memorable journey.
Ship Size and Passenger Flow
The major difference between Carnival and Royal Caribbean is the fleet size and passenger flow.
Caribbean Cruise
Caribbean Cruise Line has 29 vessels that include grand ships as well. The Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee are further divided into zones, making them large ships. The smaller ships can carry around 2000 to 3000 passengers, while the larger ships accommodate 5000 guests.
Royal Caribbean
When it comes to ship size, Royal Caribbean stands out. The Oasis and Icon classes are divided into neighborhoods. This cruise line has seven of the world’s largest ships afloat, including Icon of the Sea and Utopia of the Sea. The passenger capacity of smaller vessels is 2,400, while large ships can accommodate 7,600 guests.
Mega Ships VS Mid-Sized Ships: Pros and Cons
Both cruise lines have their plus points and cons. Let’s see a detailed comparison of Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean ship size.
Massive Ships (Royal Caribbean)
Ships such as Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have a maximum of 5,400 to 7,000 guests.
Pros
- Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Quantum class vessels include extensive onboard features.
- From Broadway musicals to comedy clubs, there are multiple options to keep yourself entertained.
- The neighborhood layout of the Oasis and Icon classes divides crowds, managing congestion and foot traffic in one area.
- The extensive selection of dining venues allows passengers to enjoy a variety of cuisines.
Cons
- Even with a functional design, peak times can cause congestion and long waits at elevators, pools, and buffets.
- The sheer size of these vessels makes smaller ports less accessible. It results in missing out on many charming destinations.
- It takes some time to walk from one end of the ship to the other, which can be tiring for some passengers, like elderly people.
Mid-Sized Ships (Carnival Cruise Line)
The ships, such as Carnival Legend and Carnival Sunrise, have a passenger capacity of 2,100 to 3,800 guests.
Pros
- The compact size of these ships makes it easy for passengers to move from one place to another.
- A smaller number of passengers allows staff to offer slightly more individualized services.
- The size of the ships makes it easy to dock at smaller and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Cruising with mid-sized ships has lower base fares and fewer premium upcharges, making it a budget-friendly choice.
Cons
- Carnival Cruises has simpler onboard amenities than mega-ships. You will not find innovative shows and services.
- Despite having solid casual and “from the menu” dining options, the variety is less.
- The entertainment scale is limited. Few shows and smaller theaters may lead to repeats during your journey.
Price Comparison: Which Cruise Line Offers More Value?
Both cruise lines cater to passengers with different budgets. This section features a price comparison of both lines so that you can choose which is better: Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
Carnival Cruise Line
Caribbean Cruise Line has a reputation for offering low-cost travel. The base fare includes multiple dining options (except for some specialty restaurants) and diverse entertainment. You can expect discounts and reduced deposit offers. At lower-tier cabins, solo travelers get better pricing.
Royal Caribbean
In contrast, the prices of Royal Caribbean are higher, particularly for its newest ships. If you are seeking adventure onboard, you will have to pay an additional fee. As the specialty restaurants increase, the base fare only covers half of the dining options. Entertainment is included, except for lunch and dinner theater shows.
Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Lines, which is better? If you are looking for economical travel with good-quality services, Carnival Cruises is ideal. For people who want to experience an expensive and enriching journey, Royal Caribbean is superb.
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
Onboard activities are designed to make your sea days enjoyable. Both cruise lines offer various options for onboard fun.
Carnival Cruise Line
A wide range of onboard activities awaits passengers. You can enjoy bingo, trivia, dance classes, cooking demonstrations, and martini tastings. Some vessels of Carnival have an IMAX theater and a 3D Thrill Theater. Additionally, comedy shows and live music entertain travelers.
Royal Caribbean
Indoor fun at Royal Caribbean includes bingo, trivia, scrapbooking sessions, jewelry making, dance classes, and napkin folding demonstrations. The Oasis, Voyager, Freedom, and Quantum class ships have promenades and ice skating rinks.
Dining Experience and Food Quality
Dining options for both cruise lines are fantastic but differ in many aspects. This section walks you through the Royal Caribbean vs Carnival food options and dining experience.
Carnival Cruise Line
At Carnival Cruise ships, the main dining rooms offer rotating menus with various themes, including Caribbean, Italian, American, and more. Though not typically gourmet, the food choices appeal to families, comfort food lovers, and casual diners. Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are famous food venues at Carnival Cruises.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean stands out for its specialty restaurants. However, the main dining rooms also have elegant seating and multi-course meals. The quality is consistent in both specialty restaurants and MDRs. The diversity and innovation in food choices make the dining experience refined and upscale. You can expect more international flavors in both free and specialty venues.
The Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean food experience depends on the needs and preferences of the travelers. For casual dining, Carnival Cruise is great. Royal Caribbean offers a more refined dining atmosphere.
Cabin Layout and Amenities
The cabins of both cruise lines have better amenities on the newest vessels. From basic interior to balcony, the cabins’ layouts of both cruises vary greatly.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruises offers the largest standard cabins in the industry. The interior decor is bright and refreshing. In select ships, specialty cabins have Family Harbor Cabins. These cabins have shared access to the family lounge. The new vessels have more cabins than the older ones.
The suite amenities include:
- Daily cleaning and a dedicated stateroom attendant
- Climate control
- Ample storage space
- Smart TV and hairdryer
- USB ports and Wi-fi
- Mini bar and fridge
- Basic toiletries
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is perfect for people looking for a huge cabin category selection. Innovative cabins include a “virtual balcony” that gives the impression of a ceiling-to-floor window. Tiered suites get different privileges, including free drinks and specialty dining.
Other suite amenities are:
- Generous storage
- Mini-fridge
- Daily cleaning and a dedicated attendant
- Climate control
- HD TV and a hairdryer
- Fast VOOM Wi-fi
- Smart tech features, such as mobile unlocking and eMuster
Carnival Hub vs Royal App: Cruise Line App Comparison
Both cruise lines have their apps for the convenience of users. Here is a comparison of Carnival Hub and Royal App.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Hub provides complete check-in and boarding. Passengers can download it to book spas, shore excursions, drink packages, and dining reservations. You can use this app over the ship’s Wi-fi, and it does not need any paid internet connection.
The features of this app are:
- Daily event schedules and reminders
- Deck plans and maps
- Dining menus
- Account balance
- Chat feature
Royal Caribbean
The Royal App has a complete check-in feature. You can upload your documents, choose an arrival time, and book shore excursions in advance. This app allows passengers to reserve hotels, flights, specialty dining, drink packages, and internet packages.
The features of this application are:
- Chat feature for free messaging
- Deck maps and info about venues
- Daily planner
- Digital stateroom key
- eMuster safety briefing
- Onboard expense tracking
Carnival Hub is ideal if you like a user-friendly app with a chat feature at a lower cost. Royal App is for passengers looking for tech-focused planning, digital keys, and expense tracking.
Royal Caribbean or Carnival: Itinerary Diversity
One thing that every traveler looks forward to is the destinations a cruise line offers. Let’s see the diversity of ports offered by these two lines.
Carnival Cruise Line
The itinerary focuses on the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Western Caribbean. The popular ports include Cozumel, Nassau, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay (a private island). This line also offers seasonal Alaskan, Panama Canal, Pacific, and limited European voyages. The journey is for 3 to 7 nights, particularly from U.S. ports.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean also offers the Caribbean and Mexico ports, including Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The itineraries are diverse, focusing on Asia, Europe, Australia, and year-round Alaska tours. It offers transatlantic repositioning cruises with longer international voyages.
Carnival vs Royal Caribbean for Families
Both cruises cater to families with different clubs and dining options.
Carnival Cruise Line
Camp Ocean: This camp is divided into age groups. Young cruisers can enjoy crafting, marine-themed activities, and paid late-night babysitting.
Cabins and Dining: Family Harbor staterooms provide access to a lounge with breakfast and snacks. A menu for kids is available for dining.
Waterparks: This cruise line has onboard water parks with slides, arcades, and mini-golf.
Royal Caribbean
Adventure Ocean: This camp is split into different age groups. Little ones enjoy science, arts, and theater-based activities. Teenagers have their lounges and social spaces.
Cabins and Dining: Family suites are spacious. You can enjoy My Family Time Dining to enjoy a quick snack with your kids. There are specialty dining menus for children.
Waterparks: Royal Caribbean offers splash zones, bumper cars, and Flowrider Surf Simulators.
Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean: Adult Entertainment
Both cruise lines have different options to enjoy nightlife and adult entertainment.
Carnival Cruise Line
This cruise line offers a lively atmosphere for adults. The poolside deck parties, piano bars, karaoke, and casino are available for you to explore. Enjoy Latin music and dance at Punchliner Comedy Club and Havana Bar.
Royal Caribbean
The nightlife at Royal Caribbean is excellent if you want to experience diverse shows. The onboard entertainment includes Broadway productions, jazz clubs, silent discos, ice skating shows, and themed pubs.
Adults looking for a lively experience on an economical budget can opt for Carnival Cruise Line. For a refined nightlife experience, Royal Caribbean is an exceptional option.
Accessibility and Special Needs Services
In this section, we will walk you through how both of these cruises cater to passengers with special needs.
Carnival Cruise Line
Accessible Cabins: Carnival Cruises accommodates disabled passengers through ADA-compliant staterooms. These rooms have wider doors, roll-in showers, and wheelchair access.
Dietary Accomodations: This cruise line has gluten-free, vegetarian, and low-sodium meal options.
Mobility Support: You can opt for wheelchair rental, mobility device assistance, and oxygen delivery. Some shore excursions have accessibility support.
Royal Caribbean
Accessible Cabins: Royal Caribbean has staterooms that cater to special needs passengers. These rooms are equipped with wider doors, wheelchair access, and other features.
Dietary Accomodations: You can select gluten-free, vegetarian, and other diets on this cruise line.
Mobility Support: Royal Caribbean provides oxygen delivery, wheelchair rentals, and mobility device assistance. Passengers can also choose accessible versions of different shore excursions.
Conclusion
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean accommodate passengers with the best service. This blog compares Carnival Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean to help you choose the right one.
From ship size to accessibility options, learn about how these giant cruise companies cater to their guests.
Choose Carnival Cruise Line if you want to have a fun, casual, and affordable experience. Go for Royal Caribbean if you like modern ships and longer itineraries.
FAQs
Is Royal Caribbean more Expensive than Carnival Cruise Line?
Yes, Royal Caribbean is more expensive as it offers larger ships and upscale features. However, you can benefit from the seasonal deals offered by both cruise lines.
Which is more Family-Friendly: Royal Caribbean or Carnival?
Both cruise lines are excellent if you want to enjoy a family vacation. Carnival Cruise Line is budget-friendly, while Royal Caribbean has more sophisticated features.
Can you bring your Own Food and Drink onboard?
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean allow packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages onboard. Both cruise lines allow one unopened 750ml bottle of wine or champagne on the day of embarkation.