Just off First Royal Caribbean Cruise

i'm split between Royal and Carnival. as many have said, there are aspects of each for everyone. Breeze worked out best for us when we took our kids. When we travel without them we tend to lean towards RC unless we are looking for specific port options . That being said, i've yet to find a better breakfast (free or otherwise) on a ship than Blue Iguana!

We just cruised on RC Liberty of the Seas last month. We booked it because we went with a large group of close to 900 people and that is the cruise line they booked.

We thought the ship was very nice. All of the staff we encountered were so friendly.

The pizza on RC was much better than Carnival and we never encountered a line or a wait like we always have on Carnival. We love Guys Burgers and missed having one of those. Overall I thought the food on RC was a little better.

We did not care for the Royal Promenade. We could not see the water at all when we were down there and we felt like we were in a mall. All of the late night deck parties were held on the Royal Promenade and we just didn't feel like we were at sea when we are down below partying without any view of the water. We much prefer Carnival's deck parties on the open deck by the pool.

We hang out by the pool quite a bit. On RC they never had music playing until about 1 or 2 each day. Any events that were held by the pool were never shown on the big screen so you really couldn't see what was going on since people are standing all around. On the big screen they had videos from a website called the Chive being shown all day, but there was no sound. I like that Carnival shows all the activity on the big screen so no matter where you are sitting by the pool you can look up and see what is going on. They also have music on the screen when there isn't a live band playing. We went out by the pool each day by about 10 and it was just quiet.....weird!

The rooms on RC were smaller but the balcony was bigger which was nice. There was only once closet to store all of our clothes and shoes in as opposed to 3 closets on Carnival. The bathroom seemed like the same size as Carnival but the shower seemed tiny. There is a shower door instead of a curtain which was nice. My husband and I are both pretty small people and the shower was a very tight fit.

The shows were good on RC but we thought Carnivals were better.

We had zero complaints and had a wonderful time but for the price we will still book Carnival.

I don't understand it but that lounge in the photos above is Dazzles and Dazzles had a live band going on in there nightly, at least on our Oasis 29, 2017 and April 15, 2018 cruise.

You are correct. Band stops at midnight. We are late diners, 8:30 or so and tend to be out late. When we came to Dazzles earlier, we found lots of kids. I’m not big on sharing bars with kids. Found that odd and killed the vibe. I don’t go to the kids club to drink! [emoji57]

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i'm split between Royal and Carnival. as many have said, there are aspects of each for everyone. Breeze worked out best for us when we took our kids. When we travel without them we tend to lean towards RC unless we are looking for specific port options . That being said, i've yet to find a better breakfast (free or otherwise) on a ship than Blue Iguana!

Is Harmony your first Oasis-class? If so, you may get hooked! Lots and lots of complimentary venues with good options. We really like Johnny Rockets for breakfast as well. Another CC'er I was sailing with on Carnival pointed out Blue Iguana (after I mentioned how disappointed I was with the terrible buffet, sorry), and yeah, I had a breakfast burrito every morning the rest of the sailing and it was damn good.

I sailed 5 Carnival ships before trying RCCL. The Royal ships really wowed us, but the food was underwhelming. We kept comparing it to the food we had on our Carnival cruises. So, we sailed 2 RCCL ships before deciding to try NCL. We sailed NCL and fell in love with their complimentary and specialty food choices, and Freestyle Cruising. With that all said, we have booked our next 2 cruises with Carnival and are excited to try them again. [emoji4]

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Nothing can compare to the Oasis class of ship in my opinion except for maybe the quatium class..... royal wins hands down......this coming from a diehard carnival cruiser. Booked the Allure for 2020.

Carnival needs to evolve especially in entertainment

There is a reason why Carnival is cheaper, it all boils down you get what you pay for.

There is a reason why Carnival is cheaper, it all boils down you get what you pay for.

Of course you get what you pay for, isn't that everyone's expectation? CCL isn't always the least expensive option, though. I've always recognized that in theory, even when we hadn't found any cruises near CCL in price at the times we could book. This time around I was able to find a sailing on Royal that was $500 less than with CCL. So it does pay to comparison shop every time.

Is Harmony your first Oasis-class? If so, you may get hooked! Lots and lots of complimentary venues with good options. We really like Johnny Rockets for breakfast as well. Another CC'er I was sailing with on Carnival pointed out Blue Iguana (after I mentioned how disappointed I was with the terrible buffet, sorry), and yeah, I had a breakfast burrito every morning the rest of the sailing and it was damn good.

Yep Harmony will be our first time on an Oasis class and we can't wait. I'm probably more excited than my wife because I'm the planner and have been checking out everything on Harmony since she first launched lol

Just to test your theory, I selected similar dates, 5 night itineraries, out of Tampa, one on Royal’s Brilliance of the Seas and one on the Carnival Paradise. These are the fares before taxes:

 

Oceanview stateroom:

- Carnival: $319

- Royal Caribbean: $448

 

Balcony stateroom:

- Carnival: N/A

- Royal Caribbean: $568

 

Junior Suite:

- Carnival: $537

- Royal Caribbean: $1094

 

Grand Suite:

- Carnival: $797

- Royal Caribbean: $1289

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you for taking the time to price compare. Now we are are comparing "apples to apples"! Carnival is always less expensive, hands down!

My point exactly! Carnival is always less expensive, hands down!

Based on my recent experience "always" is a fluid term:D.

April 2019

Pride balcony- $2270

Anthem balcony- $1776

Based on my recent experience "always" is a fluid term:D.

 

April 2019

Pride balcony- $2270

Anthem balcony- $1776

Point taken! I use that word "Always" a little too freely. How about "most of the time". LOL

Point taken! I use that word "Always" a little too freely. How about "most of the time". LOL

<chuckle>, yes, "most of the time" would be more accurate. This was the first time Royal came out less than CCL for us.

Unlike many of the people who posted here, when I sail with my kids, we only sail Royal. My kids are diehard Flowboarders so if there is no Flowrider, they might as well stay home (and have said as much). So when we cruise as a family, it's on a ship with a Flowrider.

Now, for me alone, or me and mom, I'd be perfectly fine on another line. Have done Carnival and did a travel agent overnight on Vista when she came to NYC. It's a lovely ship, absolutely loved Guy's, Blue Iguana. Really wish Royal had some of the different included dining options that you find on the larger Carnival ships. I definitely have enjoyed the deli on our Carnival sailings, and would love to do Cucina for a lunch option. Now, on a sea day, I'm in love with the Tutti Salad Bar on Royal, but a port day, other than Windjammer, nothing much available, so Carnival definitely has that going for it. And of course, nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to Warm Chocolate Melting Cake!

I agree that we're all lucky that there are different lines offering different experiences so everyone can be happy. Unlike many, I am not wowed by Oasis/Allure. I had hoped that we'd love it, but it was just Freedom on steroids. The extra additions were just not things that our family loved so we went back to Freedom class. And I've had Beef on Weck in Buffalo so I don't agree with those that love it at Park Café. But again, it's great that there are so many options for everyone.

I wish I could get rid of my kids at some point and get back on a Carnival ship, but there is nothing out of NYC and it's easier for my mom these days to sail from nearby. So we've done Anthem twice since we were sailing during winter; otherwise I can usually get her on a plane to sail out of Florida.

...The Breeze is a beautify ship, since Joe Farcus didn't get this hands on it! ...

The Breeze is our favorite. FYI Joe Farcus did get his hands on Breeze. Both the Theatre and Casino were entirely his design.

Nothing can compare to the Oasis class of ship in my opinion except for maybe the quatium class..... royal wins hands down......this coming from a diehard carnival cruiser. Booked the Allure for 2020.

Carnival needs to evolve especially in entertainment

Who says Carnival needs to evolve in entertainment? I don't think you can deny that Royal wins there, but what is compelling entertainment for the average cruiser? What about average Carnival cruiser? Would it add to costs? Could investments be better made in other areas?

For me, I could care less about Broadway shows. Some other shows may catch my attention. Obviously, Carnival does good business with what they already offer. I think it is an interesting discussion though.

Who says Carnival needs to evolve in entertainment? I don't think you can deny that Royal wins there, but what is compelling entertainment for the average cruiser? What about average Carnival cruiser? Would it add to costs? Could investments be better made in other areas?

 

For me, I could care less about Broadway shows. Some other shows may catch my attention. Obviously, Carnival does good business with what they already offer. I think it is an interesting discussion though.

Saying Carnival needs better entertainment is like saying RCI needs better burgers. Some things are just more important to some than they are to others.

Great discussion and thanks to all for keeping it polite. I'm about to sail my 21st Carnival cruise so you could say I'm a fan. But my two RCL cruises, both transatlantic trips, were fantastic - loved the ship, the people, the programs and staff, great trips both. Carnival does some things better than Royal, Royal does some things better than Carnival. And there's probably at least one cruise line somewhere that pretty much does almost everything better than both of them.

I cruise to be on the ocean, away from everything that's back on land - and for the service, for having someone do basically everything for me while I unpack once and let them wait on me hand and foot. White glove service? Butlers? Hardly - but the waiters and stewards are hard-working and friendly and at least on Carnival, once they've met me, they call me by name for the rest of the cruise.

I'll be back on Royal, almost booked Harmony OTS for this trip but was a little put off by the idea of sailing with 6000 or so of my closest friends....a bit overwhelming for me, I think. So I went with Carnival Horizon, a Havana Cabana, and "new ship smell." But other lines are in my future for sure.

Happy sailing, everyone! :ship: :tropical-drink::cool:

Thank you for taking the time to price compare. Now we are are comparing "apples to apples"! Carnival is always less expensive, hands down!

Carnival is certainly not always less expensive. As of next week I will have taken 3 cruises out of Port Canaveral over the course of a year. I had been wanting to make one of them Carnival, but Royal and NCL were always cheaper and that's what always wins me over. Would Carnival have provided the better cruise? That of course is debatable, when it comes down to dollars and cents, Carnival was not cheaper (for me). And not just the fare, but the add-ons as well. RC unlimited drink package (no 15 drink limit) was $45/day, Carnival was $52/day and NCL was FREE.

At the end of the day, it's all about supply and demand. There is not one cruise line that is consistently, across the board cheaper. They all have pluses and minuses and they ALL fluctuate based on demand.

Carnival is certainly not always less expensive. As of next week I will have taken 3 cruises out of Port Canaveral over the course of a year. I had been wanting to make one of them Carnival, but Royal and NCL were always cheaper and that's what always wins me over. Would Carnival have provided the better cruise? That of course is debatable, when it comes down to dollars and cents, Carnival was not cheaper (for me). And not just the fare, but the add-ons as well. RC unlimited drink package (no 15 drink limit) was $45/day, Carnival was $52/day and NCL was FREE.

 

At the end of the day, it's all about supply and demand. There is not one cruise line that is consistently, across the board cheaper. They all have pluses and minuses and they ALL fluctuate based on demand.

I agree things are different when you add in extras. We have been sailing NCL lately due to the FREE drink package and specialty dining. It does come out less expensive than Carnival when factoring in the extras. In my earlier comment, I was really only comparing Carnival and Royal's prices, as that is the subject of this thread. 99% of time, if you check the price for the same week, same port you will find Carnival's base price is cheaper. Some people don't want the extras so Carnival is the best deal for them. Things get more complicated when you start adding extras. Also, Royal doesn't require both adults in a cabin to purchase the drink package, which could save a couple $300-$400. So yes, depending on what you want out of a cruise, Carnival may not always be cheaper (Just most of the time while comparing apples to apples). You can get hundreds off any cruise that sails during hurricane season, or pay hundreds of dollars more for a cruise booked during summer months. With that said, we leave in 12 days on the Horizon and I do know that with that being a new ship, and we have to pay for the drink package, it is more than our NCL Breakaway cruise we took this past spring.

I agree things are different when you add in extras. We have been sailing NCL lately due to the FREE drink package and specialty dining. It does come out less expensive than Carnival when factoring in the extras. In my earlier comment, I was really only comparing Carnival and Royal's prices, as that is the subject of this thread. 99% of time, if you check the price for the same week, same port you will find Carnival's base price is cheaper. Some people don't want the extras so Carnival is the best deal for them. Things get more complicated when you start adding extras. Also, Royal doesn't require both adults in a cabin to purchase the drink package, which could save a couple $300-$400. So yes, depending on what you want out of a cruise, Carnival may not always be cheaper (Just most of the time while comparing apples to apples). You can get hundreds off any cruise that sails during hurricane season, or pay hundreds of dollars more for a cruise booked during summer months. With that said, we leave in 12 days on the Horizon and I do know that with that being a new ship, and we have to pay for the drink package, it is more than our NCL Breakaway cruise we took this past spring.

It's my understanding that RCI now requires both adults in the cabin to get the drink package.

It's my understanding that RCI now requires both adults in the cabin to get the drink package.

If only one adult wants the unlimited drink package, the second adult can get away with purchasing only the refreshment package, which I believe is good for soda, juice, bottled water, etc. On one of my sailings the unlimited package is $45pp/day and refreshment package is $18pp/day.

We have cruised mainly Carnival but did one RC. At first I liked RC a lot more, then as the day went on, Carnival won out. There were not many bars, so the wait for drinks was a lot longer on RC. I couldn't even get a drink menu at the pool bars. I did like the more laid back atmosphere at the pool on RC. And actually spent time lounging at the pool which I have never done on Carnival.

The casino on Carnival was a lot better, but yes, more smoky. We never watch shows really missed the comedy club on RC. I liked the late night snacks on RC, but missed guys and blue iguana. Our waiter on the RC was rude, but loved the sushi place and the waiter there. I did not enjoy the push for specialty dining constantly on RC.

And, our RC was the cheapest cruise we have taken. BUT I wouldn't hesitate to take another RC if the price was cheaper again, but I wouldn't pay more for it.

If only one adult wants the unlimited drink package, the second adult can get away with purchasing only the refreshment package, which I believe is good for soda, juice, bottled water, etc. On one of my sailings the unlimited package is $45pp/day and refreshment package is $18pp/day.

Good to know, thanks.

If only one adult wants the unlimited drink package, the second adult can get away with purchasing only the refreshment package, which I believe is good for soda, juice, bottled water, etc. On one of my sailings the unlimited package is $45pp/day and refreshment package is $18pp/day.

Do you have to call for this? When I booked drink packages for our upcoming cruise, we had to book both adults for the same package on the Cruise Planner.