Royal Caribbean vs Carnival

[sizzy6]

Looking to do a Caribbean cruise later this year, some great prices available for seven nights but Carnival are coming in cheaper in price, anyone sailed with Carnival and could give me honest opinions?

[cheekydeeky]

I’d be interested in this too. We’ve done four cruises (three Caribbean) but all with RCI. We are a bit reluctant to try other lines as we know that we enjoy the entertainment, food and general vibe on RCI. Hubby wants to do the west coast but it only seems to be Princess so looks e another RCI Caribbean. Would hate to spend that kind of money and wish we’d stuck with RCI .

[mick]

We've done two Carnival out of Florida to the Caribbean and two RCIs to the Med - one from Rome and one from Southampton.

We are by no means cruise experts but didn't find a massive difference between the two. Carnival maybe a tad more informal but saying that we never ate in the premium restaurants on any of the ships as we prefer buffet dining anyway.

We always have balcony cabins as well and can't say we noticed any difference between the size, comfort or steward's service.

One minor advantage to us is that (when we cruised anyway) RCI had coffee making facilities in the cabin which Carnival didn't.

Mick

[myvot]

Ive sailed with both and I prefer carnival. Think the atmosphere on the ship is better and there is more things going on outside on the decks at night.

[owens5558]

We have done quite a few cruises with different cruise companies and although I enjoyed all of them my favourite for atmosphere, food and entertainment would be Royal Caribbean.

Penny

[ginger]

Sailed with both. There is a reason Carnival are cheaper - you pay for quality. Royal Caribbean are far superior in cleanliness, food, entertainment and general all round feel.

[JSP]

Originally Posted by ginger

Sailed with both. There is a reason Carnival are cheaper - you pay for quality. Royal Caribbean are far superior in cleanliness, food, entertainment and general all round feel.

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It depends on which ships you sail on, I have been on some very tired royal Caribbean and some brand spanking new Carnival, and vis versa, never had a problem on either with cleanliness except having to ask for a torn stained sheet to be changed on Royal Caribbean - which was done straight away.

For me Carnival was less formal but as someone else said, more things going on on the outside decks, Royal I think was a ahead with the entertainment indoor, the theatre etc. Staff were amazing on both

[TinkerBabe]

The only thing which stops us from trying carnival is that we enjoy the all inclusive drinks package, and with carnival it is capped at a certain number of drinks a day. I think it is either 12 or 15. We are not excessive drinkers but when we holiday with friends that number can soon be reached, and I don’t like the thought that I could be charged on top for something extra. For some people that won’t be a factor and in that case I would be willing to try them, but my heart very much lies with royal caribbean.

[sizzy6]

Thanks everyone for your replies well we have changed our plans for this year and are off to California, still interested though as this will probably be next years holiday.

[duchy]

Aren't the drink packages only for one person though ?

Originally Posted by TinkerBabe

The only thing which stops us from trying carnival is that we enjoy the all inclusive drinks package, and with carnival it is capped at a certain number of drinks a day. I think it is either 12 or 15. We are not excessive drinkers but when we holiday with friends that number can soon be reached, and I don’t like the thought that I could be charged on top for something extra. For some people that won’t be a factor and in that case I would be willing to try them, but my heart very much lies with royal caribbean.

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