Carnival for first timers?

Is food included in the price?

Would Carnival be better than RC?

Any advice for 20-something guys?

Welcome to cruise critic.

Yes, food is included. They will have some "specialty restaurants" that come with an extra cost, but no need to go to them unless you want to. Plenty of free food.

Some prefer Carnival & some prefer RC. Both are good and you will enjoy either.

You'll be assigned to a seating in the main dining room, or to a flexible dining (you can check the Carnival boards to ask more about that). You can also go to the buffet,specialty restaurants (as noted above, that has a charge), or may have other alternatives. I would suggest checking the Carnival website to get lots of info about your ship.

Breakfast and lunch will be open seating: you show up and a waiter will escort you to a table, or you go to the buffet.

Food from the Main Dining Room, Buffet, and room service is all included in the fare you paid for the cabin regardless if it's Carnival or Royal. As for the quality and selection I would have to say Royal is maybe 1/2 a star rating better than Carnival, this only pertains to the MDR. I found the hours of operation for the buffet and room service on Royal to be less flexible (and shorter) than Carnival.

Demographicwise both Carnival and Royal try to cater to the same very broad groups of people. So on either line you will find a wide selection of ages, everything from families traveling with children less than 1yo to older people taking their cruise of a lifetime. Both lines try to offer daily entertainment at various venues to match all of those different generational tastes and mores.

If you are stuck between choosing the 2 lines, I did find that on the newer Carnivals ships (2002 & on) that the standard balcony cabin was the equivalent sq footage of the Junior Suite on Royal. Beyond that I would base my choice between what the ship has to offer in the way of public spaces, what the port itineraries are, and which line has the better price if there are 2that are otherwise nearly equal in the other respects.

1.Yes food is included 2. Carnaival is a good choice for first time.3.No high-fives (just kidding) The shorter the cruise the more young people so if you guys want to party a lot you might take that into account.

You will love carnival....it is lots of fun....we have been on 4 times and gad a great time on each one.

My advice for 20 something guys -- save the cruise for when you are in love & bringing your SO with you on a romantic vacation.

Drinks are not cheap. Even though Carnival has a reputation as the "party" ships, it's not that much of a party. There is plenty of food. There will be very few single women, if any. You will have more fun at a land based all inclusive resort.

Is food included in the price?

 

Would Carnival be better than RC?

 

Any advice for 20-something guys?

Carnival or Royal Caribbean would be great choices for 20 something guys. Just make sure you look into the age policy of both cruiselines prior to booking. Carnival has a stricter age policy than Royal Caribbean so if any of your group is under 25, Carnival probably won't work for you.

Nice post thanks for sharing.

Carnival or Royal Caribbean would be great choices for 20 something guys. Just make sure you look into the age policy of both cruiselines prior to booking. Carnival has a stricter age policy than Royal Caribbean so if any of your group is under 25, Carnival probably won't work for you.

Not quite true for Carnival. The 25 year old rule only applies of someone is under 21. As long as all the guys are at least 21 they should be fine. If someone is under 20 or younger (doesn't sound like it though since the OP said they are 20 "something") then a 25 year old has to booked in the cabin with them.

Welcome to Cruise Critic..if you are doing research before signing on for your first cruise, you are doing the right thing. Two groups of "twenty-something guys" can have entirely different views of what consitutes a good time.

First and foremost, choose a cruise line that suits the personalites of you and your traveling companions. One person's paradise is another person's hell. (Some want to wear nothing but shorts and t-shirts on vacation while others would be disappointed not to have the grand ocean liner formal evenings.)

When you've narrowed it down to Carnival, RCI, or whomever, visit the specific forums for those lines. You will find people in your age group who have sailed and can give specific advice on itineraries, cabin selection, and life on board.

Thanks for the great advice guys.

-Just a little about us-

We usually go to Disney World once a year, but this year we thought we would do a 5-6 day cruise and just a few days at DW, We aren't really big drinkers/party/hook-up/ect.. kind of people. My life is stressful and I prefer a relaxing vacation with fun things to do above hangovers and such.

Though, I wouldn't mind knowing more about an all inclusive resort too actually, if anyone knows of any near Orlando/Port Canaveral.

You will love carnival....it is lots of fun....we have been on 4 times and gad a great time on each one.

Sorry to disagree, but if I had chosen Carnival for my first cruise I probably never would have cruised again. I think RC is a better choice.

As far as an all-inclusive resort, I believe they are out of the country. I don't know of any in the US. I went to one in Jamaica last year and had a great time.

CC has its reputation

IMHO RCL is better.. but all depends on what you hope to do and experience.

Carnival does have the hairy man contest that I have not experienced on any other line yet...

Is food included in the price?

 

Would Carnival be better than RC?

 

Any advice for 20-something guys?

I've heard about "white-out" party's before, where would I find those?

i've heard about "white-out" party's before, where would i find those?

NCL "White Hot Party"

For some the "fun ships" of Carnival are the best thing since sliced bread. For me, I wouldn't sail on Carnival if my life depended on it. Way too mass market for me.

Royal Caribbean is a better mass market choice, but their sister company, Celebrity is perhaps the best choice.

However, if you are a single 20-something, Carnival is perhaps the way to go.

Otherwise, read the reviews here to get an idea.

I've heard about "white-out" party's before, where would I find those?

They are on NCL.

For some the "fun ships" of Carnival are the best thing since sliced bread. For me, I wouldn't sail on Carnival if my life depended on it. Way too mass market for me.

 

Royal Caribbean is a better mass market choice, but their sister company, Celebrity is perhaps the best choice.

 

However, if you are a single 20-something, Carnival is perhaps the way to go.

 

Otherwise, read the reviews here to get an idea.

Too mass market?

I guess the bottom line is that everyone has their preferences ... And, what may be great for some, might not work so well for others. If you were my son, I guess my advice to you would be to find the cruise that would best fit your budget, and choose ports that interest you. The ship is secondary - The cruise lines you are considering (Carnival and Royal) are both good cruise lines for your age group ... The cool thing about cruising is that you can participate in LOTS of activities or nothing at all ... So it's what YOU make it :D Either way, you'll end up having a good time ... At least you're not at work, right ? ;)

Good luck with your planning ... That's half the fun !!

As far as the Mass Market question, not sure ... I always thought that the only cruises that were NOT Mass Market were the smaller luxury (very expensive) cruise lines (Crystal, Seaborn etc) ... I could be wrong though ...

One other thing I thought of, you mentioned the possibility of an All Inclusive Resort .... We went to Atlantis for the day on our last cruise this past January ... OH MY GOSH !! That is such an amazing resort ... It's close to Florida, too ! The only downside is that it's very pricey ... Something to think about, anyway.

I have been on 16 prior cruises and am booked for #17, 18, &19 and I have learned that there is NO ideal Cruise line for all people. It seems to be a matter of personal preference. Some like the large grand ships with ice-skating rinks, rock climbing walls, and the downtown city street atmosphere of the promenade found on the largest RCCL ships. Also popular is the RCCL 130-180% single suppliment for solo cruisers However the older RCCL ships have very small cabins and there is not much variety of entertainment on the smaller ships. Some like the choice and variety of dining venues and the excellent quality of the production shows of Norwegian Cruise Line but the staff has been known to be rude. Princess Cruise line has nice shows, decor, and entertainment but can be pricey.

My personal favorite is Carnival Cruise line. The inner cabins are larger than other cruise lines. 165-185sq feet as opposed to 110-165sq feet. Better in room amenities such as free use of robes. Staff have usually been very friendly and helpful. Over the years CCL has added numerous signs that tell you where things are. For instance when walking down a hall you may see above a door "such and such lounge" which tells you your heading in the right direction for the show lounge. They also issue little cards with a map of the ship on them that are small enough to carry in your pocket. Carnival still has Lobster night in the main dinning room without additional charges where most of the others only offer lobster in their resturants with required "gratuities" as high as $30 per person. If I want to pay $30 for the Lobster, I can stay in Oklahoma! I love the Comedy club, the Karaoke, and the production shows and the way they schedule these so that it is possible to do it all. I have literally gone to dinner, then to a show, then to Karaoke, then to the late "adult" Comedy club show then to the Disco ALL IN ONE NIGHT!!! Overall Carnival really does have "FUN SHIPS" with lots of entertainment. Overall Carnival offers superior value for the money.

I have been on 16 prior cruises and am booked for #17, 18, &19 and I have learned that there is NO ideal Cruise line for all people. It seems to be a matter of personal preference. Some like the large grand ships with ice-skating rinks, rock climbing walls, and the downtown city street atmosphere of the promenade found on the largest RCCL ships. Also popular is the RCCL 130-180% single suppliment for solo cruisers However the older RCCL ships have very small cabins and there is not much variety of entertainment on the smaller ships. Some like the choice and variety of dining venues and the excellent quality of the production shows of Norwegian Cruise Line but the staff has been known to be rude. Princess Cruise line has nice shows, decor, and entertainment but can be pricey.

 

My personal favorite is Carnival Cruise line. The inner cabins are larger than other cruise lines. 165-185sq feet as opposed to 110-165sq feet. Better in room amenities such as free use of robes. Staff have usually been very friendly and helpful. Over the years CCL has added numerous signs that tell you where things are. For instance when walking down a hall you may see above a door "such and such lounge" which tells you your heading in the right direction for the show lounge. They also issue little cards with a map of the ship on them that are small enough to carry in your pocket. Carnival still has Lobster night in the main dinning room without additional charges where most of the others only offer lobster in their resturants with required "gratuities" as high as $30 per person. If I want to pay $30 for the Lobster, I can stay in Oklahoma! I love the Comedy club, the Karaoke, and the production shows and the way they schedule these so that it is possible to do it all. I have literally gone to dinner, then to a show, then to Karaoke, then to the late "adult" Comedy club show then to the Disco ALL IN ONE NIGHT!!! Overall Carnival really does have "FUN SHIPS" with lots of entertainment. Overall Carnival offers superior value for the money.

The important thing is to find the cruise that is right for you. It can mean sailing on just one line or varying each cruise. It is up to you.

It certainly is personal preference. I cruise Carnival because it's so cheap. I get to see the same ports and have just as much fun and amenities but pay like 1/2 the price. My husband is in the military and we are on a tight budget so cruising Carnival means we can cruise more often. It's loads cheaper than a land vacation! This coming trip, with our room, insurance, transportation to and from the port (train), gratuities, and all extras, I doubt we spend more than $1500 total. And it would have been cheaper if I had booked, but he was trying to surprise me and isn't the one who usually does the research.

We're married, and don't actually go to any of the clubs (except the comedy club!), we don't dance or go to the casino, rarely drink, but we still LOVE the fun ships. Our first was for our 2 year anniversary/welcoming him home from Iraq and I was 22, he was 25. 2nd was 23 and 25, third was just me with his mom and sister and I was 25. This year to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary (last December) we're going on another at 26 and 28. Even though we don't use a lot of the "fun" activities, we still absolutely love it and would do it more often if our budget allowed. It's almost cheaper than going home to visit our family even though our room and most food is provided for us!