Completely OT...Carnival vs Royal Carribean

[barrbr]

First off I have never been on a cruise before. My family and I are thinking of going on a cruise in 2011. Everything being equal (cost, departure port, destination ports, and length) which cruise line do you think is better, Carnival or Royal Carribean?

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

I have only been on RC but we were impressed with the cruise and service. We thought everything was great from the food to entertainment. Wish I could speak of Carnival but have never been. We have always heard mixed reviews.

 

[misstheworld]

We've been on both and liked things about both. Of course, also disliked things about both. We've found that...

- Carnival isn't necessarily more "party" oriented than Royal. We've only cruised in the fall and on both ships the clubs were DEAD. Guess all the partying happens in the summer!
- Liked the food better on Royal.
- Liked the housekeeping better on Carnival.
- Liked the pool better on Royal (in all fairness, it was on Freedom of the Seas, much newer than our Carnival ship)
- Liked the huge TV at the pool at Carnival, Royal doesn't offer this

With all things being equal, go Royal.

 

[darrengs]

Everything being equal (cost, departure port, destination ports, and length) which cruise line do you think is better, Carnival or Royal Carribean?

I have cruised both and do not think you could go wrong with either one if all things were equal. However, chances are that there will be differences in price, ports, cost, etc. So I would suggest that pick the one that works best.

 

[mikelan6]

My vote is for Royal Caribbean. I think their service is a bit better, and depending on the itinerary, they stop at a private island (similar to Castaway Cay), whereas Carnival usually does not stop at a private island.

 

[barrbr]

I am looking at cruises out of New Orleans, la for Thanksgiving week 2011. One for Carnival and one for Royal C. Both go to the same countries although different ports (Carnival Montego Bay, Jamaica - Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman - Cozumel -- Royal C Falmouth, Jamaica - George Town, Grand Cayman - Cozumel). The price for both is virtually the same....I think there is only about a $40 difference total for 4 people between the two. So basically they are the same cruise just different cruise lines.

Just can't decide which to choose.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

I would recommend doing some reading on cruisecritic.com. Very helpful information. A DIS boards for cruising...

 

[Haley]

I've been on both and would say they are similar. But you really have to look at the specs of the ship (cruisecritic.com).

You can't compare a brand new ship from one line to an old, small ship from another kwim?

 

[barrbr]

I would recommend doing some reading on cruisecritic.com. Very helpful information. A DIS boards for cruising...

Thanks! I will definitely check out the site.

 

[Vijoge]

I assume you are considering the Nov 20 sailing of either Carnival's Conquest ot RCCL's Voyager of the Seas? My money would go to RCCL.

 

[simonkodousek]

I have a friend whose family cruises at least once a year. They've been on Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity and have come to the conclusion that Royal Caribbean offers the best cruising experience for the money. They really disliked Carnival because they felt as if it was a "cheap" version of Royal Caribbean, but that's just their opinion.

Personally, I would go with Royal Caribbean. I like their ships more than other cruise lines.

 

[barrbr]

I assume you are considering the Nov 20 sailing of either Carnival's Conquest ot RCCL's Voyager of the Seas? My money would go to RCCL.

Yes that is correct.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

easy answer, Royal Caribbean, especially for your first cruise!

 

[christygobar]

I've been on 4 Carnival cruises and 1 Royal Caribbean. My experiences were virtually the same in service, food and activities (granted, the RCCL ship I went on at the time was their smallest ship in the fleet - now retired. I assume if I was to have gone on a Voyager or Freedom class ship, it would be an entirely different story).

Carnival can tend to get a bad rap from many, but I feel it is pretty unwarranted. The ships are clean, the service is great and the food is fine (not 5 star, but hot and plentiful). I think the party atmosphere can vary from season to season. I have certainly been on some that are more party than others. But overall I have always enjoyed my trips on that cruise line. It is especially hard to beat the price

Either way, you will have a great time!

 

[miksilver]

I've been on 3 Carnival cruises and 3 RCCL cruises and hands down I can say that I enjoyed the RCCL cruises much better. Yes, the food might be a tad better on Carnival...mmmmm melting chocolate cake....but not that much that it makes me want to cruise them again.

When friends and co-workers ask me which cruise line is my favorite I do say Disney (been on 2 DCL cruises) but I also mention that a Disney cruise isn't for everyones taste or everyones budget but does have the best hands down service, classiest ships -- compared to RCCL and CCL -- and amenties (free soda). After I finish my Disney tangent, I tell them that given the choice I will always cruise Royal over Carnival.

Good luck on making your decision. It's a cruise -- you can't go wrong either way.

 

[barrbr]

Thanks for all of the responses. I was leaning towards RC and this has confirmed it for me. Also big thanks for the cruisecritics website. What a wealth of information. I spent hours on there last night and will probably do the same again tonight!