Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

sandybeaches115 Posted: Apr 24, 2010 09:48 PM

Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Hey girls! which cruise line do u recommend? thanks!

HurricaneGirl Posted: Apr 24, 2010 10:03 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Been on Royal Caribbean 6 times!! Great food and good crowd (depending on the ship) with lots of young people. Check out www.cruisemates.com if you have a particular ship you're interested in.

CantWaitMrsH Posted: Apr 24, 2010 10:10 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

We're going away on Carnival on Thursday ... Tends to be a younger crowd and definitely a more 'partying' crowd. We are actually cruising it for its simply cheaper at the end of the day. RC is definitely more of an 'upgrade' all around. All depends what is important to you :o)

xosweetiexo Posted: Apr 24, 2010 10:53 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Carribean HANDS DOWN!!!! We went on our honeymoon and loved it!!!!

jmgoncal Posted: Apr 24, 2010 11:41 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I've been on both a number of times and I still think Carnival is better...
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on this one.

LauraluvsSean Posted: Apr 25, 2010 12:09 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I have heard the Carnival cruises are more 'party' like (lots of teenagers/single 20 somethings) and the rooms/restaurants/facilities are not as clean.

Royal on the other hand attracts a more diverse crowd. I enjoyed the RC cruise I took last year. I was undecided between two but all my co workers said RC is better and cleaner (and better food) than Carnival.

TraceySLP1 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 12:41 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

i've only been on carnival, and have been 3 times...LOVE it!

can't say which is better, only that i've had NO complaints about carnival after 3 cruises!

ElovesJ117 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 01:12 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I have been on Carnival I believe 7 times. Unfortunately, I have never been on Royal Caribbean so I can't give you an opinion on both. But as far as Carnival I have always had a really nice time. I started going on cruises with my family when I was younger. The last cruise I went on was last July with just my FH (at the time bf). I feel that the food is good but I have read reviews where people say that it is absolutely disgusting and hated it. I also don't really agree that it is a dirtier cruise line. I have seen the housecleaning staff vacuuming the hallways at 3am and the last night of the cruise they are washing down everything including the walls so everything is shiny and clean for the new cruisers the next day. I agree though that if you go on a older ship that everything might not be as sparkly and shiny but that just happens with age not being dirty. Overall, I think Carnival is a really good deal for your money.

I have used a website called....cruisecritic.com. They have forums and you might get some info that you are looking for on there.

leesah85 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 08:23 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Posted by CantWaitMrsH

We're going away on Carnival on Thursday ... Tends to be a younger crowd and definitely a more 'partying' crowd. We are actually cruising it for its simply cheaper at the end of the day. RC is definitely more of an 'upgrade' all around. All depends what is important to you :o)

ITA. i've been on two Carnival cruises and this is definitely true. Still a lot of fun, just a younger crowd. I've never done RC, but FH booked on honeymoon on it so let's hope they're as good as everyone says they are!

KM714 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 08:54 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

RCC is great!

nanpink Posted: Apr 25, 2010 09:39 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I have done both - Carnival 6 times (going on one for HM) and RC once. Hands down I like Carnival much better.
I just thought Carnival offered more in activities and the food.

canmigs Posted: Apr 25, 2010 10:08 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean!!! The ships are incredible, very clean, and lots to do!! I highly recommend it!

JTG4EVER Posted: Apr 25, 2010 10:09 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I've been on both cruise lines. Royal Caribbean is just like an upgrade. Better food, better rooms, better ships, and a lot of times better destinations. Carnival is cheaper....Royal Caribbean is more family oriented. Carnival is more for singles or dating couples, it a little more fun in the nightlife. I would recommend Royal Caribbean for a honeymoon.

NYMETBRIDE Posted: Apr 25, 2010 10:19 AM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I've done both and several other cruise lines, and I love Carnival. I feel you get the most for your money. Of course, I'm dying to go on Royal's new ship, The Oasis, because of all the crazy features they are offering but unless you're going for the newest and the best, you're just spending more money for similar things. Yes, royal has some extras like the surf pool, & ice skating rink, but every time I get prices for both I just cant convince myself to spend an extra thousand dollars for those two things. Yes, Royal has more restaurants, but usually, you have to pay for them. On Carnival, there is one extra pay restaurant, and I feel comfortable paying to eat there one night, but I don't want to pay for all the food that's included in a cruise only to have to pay to each at a different restaurant each night and feel like I'm missing something great if I don't...
All in al, yeah royal can be a little more elaborate, but the rooms on Carnival are the biggest out of any of the main cruise lines, the food is great and the value is the best. If you tell me I can pay 3,000 for me and my fiance to go on a cruise or 5,000 to go on a cruise, I would rather save 2,000 and spend it on drinks and excursions....
sorry that was so long!!!!
Hope that helps!

SUbride10_08_11 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 05:59 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Posted by NYMETBRIDE

I've done both and several other cruise lines, and I love Carnival. I feel you get the most for your money. Of course, I'm dying to go on Royal's new ship, The Oasis, because of all the crazy features they are offering but unless you're going for the newest and the best, you're just spending more money for similar things. Yes, royal has some extras like the surf pool, & ice skating rink, but every time I get prices for both I just cant convince myself to spend an extra thousand dollars for those two things. Yes, Royal has more restaurants, but usually, you have to pay for them. On Carnival, there is one extra pay restaurant, and I feel comfortable paying to eat there one night, but I don't want to pay for all the food that's included in a cruise only to have to pay to each at a different restaurant each night and feel like I'm missing something great if I don't...
All in al, yeah royal can be a little more elaborate, but the rooms on Carnival are the biggest out of any of the main cruise lines, the food is great and the value is the best. If you tell me I can pay 3,000 for me and my fiance to go on a cruise or 5,000 to go on a cruise, I would rather save 2,000 and spend it on drinks and excursions....
sorry that was so long!!!!
Hope that helps!

ITA- LOVE LOVE LOVE Carnival. We are having a hard time with our HM b/c the cruise itinerary we love is a RCC one but we are sooo partial to Carnival we can't quite make the commitment yet! We're afraid it won't compare!!! Food is amazing, rooms are clean and decent size (def. worth the balcony upgrade though) and the clubs/bars are tons of fun! But also dying to try out the new Oasis (RCC) or the Epic (NCL)- both new megaships!

LoveyDovey Posted: Apr 25, 2010 06:04 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean hands down!!!!

food, entertainment and quality are so much better

you will not be disappointed with them

princesskittie08 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 06:11 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I have never been on RC but I have been on Carnival and Disney. I absoulety loved Carnival we are actually booked our honeymoon with them. We are not 'fancy' people so all we need is good food and fun. The crowd was very mixed it was far from a bunch a 20 somethings and teens. For the price we paid for our trip it seemed like a steal and I dont think you could get a btter value.

lizzzie35 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 08:59 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I've been on 5 Carnival cruises and going on my 6th in a few months. We went on Carnival for our honeymoon too. Hands down best trip ever! Carnival used to have a party type reputation but the last couple of cruises I've been on have been pretty tame but still soo much fun! There are so many activities and you can't beat the price. i can't say anything about RCCL because I've never been on one of their ships. We've looked b/c DH wants to try them but the cost to me isn't worth it when I know I will have a great time on Carnival. Check out cruisecritic.com. I am addicted to that site! But just so you know... RCCL fans will criticize Carnival and vice versa.

ellie424 Posted: Apr 25, 2010 09:38 PM

Re: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean

I love Royal Caribbean! FH and I have been on two RC cruises so far. I have never been on Carnival, so I don't have first hand experience with that cruiseline, but RC was amazing!!!