Carnival Sensation (Went with GF and a Friend) - Inside Room
November 2011 Royal Caribbean Freedom (Honeymoon) - Window View
Besides the noticeble age difference of the ships and the size difference. This is what I noticed.
Freedom of the seas
1. Had more 'stuff' to do on deck. Rock Wall, Surf Pool, ect.
2. Had better quality entertainment inside the ship. Comedy show, Ice Show, ect.
3. Other cruisers were friendly but kept to themselves.
4. Nighttime activities seems to die down MUCH quicker on the Freedom.
5. Other cruisers, on average seemed older.
6. Hot tubs open all night
Carnival Sensation
1. Younger crowd
2. Night life of the boat seemed to last much longer.
3. Other cruisers just seemed more active on this boat. Hung out with multiple groups on several different occasions.
4. Comedy shows and on deck ammentities were not as good as freedom.
5. Hot tubs shut down late night
6. Staff was friendly and talkative.
Now.. this being said. I have a cruise coming up in 10 days.
We choose Carnival this time (Carnival Sunshine)
Why?
1. We are taking my 11 son and 7 daughter with us.
2. I feel like, off my limited experience that the activities for their age will be better on Carnival than Royal Caribbean (yes NIC or Disney cruise would be better but at close to 2 times the cost. This wasn't an option for us).
3. My whole family are night owls. And I prefer a ship with people still awake and having fun at 3am.
4. Total cost of just the cruise, with a Balcony room was just over $3000 Royal caribbean would have been approx 4500 for the same timeframe/sized ship.
5. Staff too was friendly and talkative.
Nothing really set either apart in our decision here..
Royal Caribbean vs Carnival
in First Time Cruisers
Posted
I've been on 2 cruises so far.
May 2008
Carnival Sensation (Went with GF and a Friend) - Inside Room
November 2011 Royal Caribbean Freedom (Honeymoon) - Window View
Besides the noticeble age difference of the ships and the size difference. This is what I noticed.
Freedom of the seas
1. Had more 'stuff' to do on deck. Rock Wall, Surf Pool, ect.
2. Had better quality entertainment inside the ship. Comedy show, Ice Show, ect.
3. Other cruisers were friendly but kept to themselves.
4. Nighttime activities seems to die down MUCH quicker on the Freedom.
5. Other cruisers, on average seemed older.
6. Hot tubs open all night
Carnival Sensation
1. Younger crowd
2. Night life of the boat seemed to last much longer.
3. Other cruisers just seemed more active on this boat. Hung out with multiple groups on several different occasions.
4. Comedy shows and on deck ammentities were not as good as freedom.
5. Hot tubs shut down late night
6. Staff was friendly and talkative.
Now.. this being said. I have a cruise coming up in 10 days.
We choose Carnival this time (Carnival Sunshine)
Why?
1. We are taking my 11 son and 7 daughter with us.
2. I feel like, off my limited experience that the activities for their age will be better on Carnival than Royal Caribbean (yes NIC or Disney cruise would be better but at close to 2 times the cost. This wasn't an option for us).
3. My whole family are night owls. And I prefer a ship with people still awake and having fun at 3am.
4. Total cost of just the cruise, with a Balcony room was just over $3000 Royal caribbean would have been approx 4500 for the same timeframe/sized ship.
5. Staff too was friendly and talkative.
Nothing really set either apart in our decision here..
Would I cruise Royal Caribean again? Definately.
I probably will the cruise after this one.