Royal vs. Carnival

First of all reviews really aren’t fair at all. They’re just a matter of opinion. And quite honestly most of our comparisons just aren’t very fair. How can you compare the Carnival Fantasy to the Carnival Breeze? How do you compare Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas with the Quantum of the Seas? How do you compare a 4 day cruise with a 10 day cruise? Let’s just face it – it’s impossible to do it fairly.

Yet, that is exactly what Cruise Critic is here for. That’s why we continue to read everything we can on our next ship to build our excitement. Some of us seek out the positive and others seem to seek the negative. And let’s face it EVERY line has both. One of the interesting parts of this is my negatives may be your positives. A friend of mine and I were talking about the differences between Carnival and Royal Caribbean and we each mentioned what we liked best and why we liked one over the other. And we actually agreed 100% on the differences. The only real difference is some meant more to him and some meant more to me.

A simple piece of advice for whichever line you choose - just go and have fun. Do your research but take everything with a grain of salt. A cruise is what you make it. Go with a great attitude and you will have a great time, I know I always have. Go and look for things to complain about and I’m guessing you will find plenty.

All of that being said we just finished a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. In full disclosure 15 of our previous 16 cruises were on Carnival ships ranging from the Miracle to the Breeze and the other was Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. Obviously my family likes Carnival. Obviously I liked Royal Caribbean enough to book another Royal cruise.

So instead of going into great details on many things I thought I would just share what I feel are some of the positives from one line to the other in bullet format. For the most part I tried to do more “overall” type comparisons or when possible more of a comparison for the Pride vs Grandeur to be as fair as possible. Yes they are just my opinions and yes each would very from ship to ship. For what it’s worth:

Royal Caribbean Pros

• Nicer décor for the ship
  
• Buffet area is “classier” and everything is close together
  
• They serve your drinks at buffet and get you refills
  
• Getting off the ship is easier than Carnival mostly because they aren’t stopping everyone to get pictures taken and they “scan” your card
  
• Freestyle soda machines (Great choices and lots of them)
  
• Better drink packages (One person in a room can purchase even if other does not and there is no drink limit or time limit)
  
• They have a formal Meet & Mingle for Cruise Critic members with ship personnel & prizes
  
• Daily announcement with excellent details from the Captain even on port days (and you could even understand him)
  
• Less push for sales by Cruise Director
  
• Longer cruises (Carnival has very few over 8 days)
  
• Rock wall
  
• Tutti salad bar in dining room on sea days
  
• Park Café (Nice choices and good selection with small lines)
  

The Same

• Wait Service (Both have been equally excellent every time for me)
  
• Housekeeping service (Also both are excellent)
  
• Quality of dining room food
  
• Quality of breakfast foods at the buffet
  
• Cleanliness
  
• Embarkation/Debarkation
  

Carnival Pro’s

• Bigger rooms
  
• Much bigger showers
  
• Bigger bathroom sinks
  
• More storage space
  
• Suitcases fit under the bed
  
• Entertainment (I do not go to Production shows so please exclude those)
  
• Activities (Many more activities and in my opinion better and more exciting)
  
• Comedy Club (One of my favorite things about Carnival)
  
• Piano Bar (MUCH more interactive and fun)
  
• Bigger casino (obviously dependant on ship)
  
• Double odds craps (Single odds on Royal is ridiculous)
  
• More choices on dining room dinner menu
  
• Better desserts
  
• Lower drink prices and packages
  
• Soap dispenser in showers
  
• Early saver (I Love it! Some hate it!)
  
• Many more TV Channels and include networks
  
• Shorter lines for buffet on private islands
  
• Many more choices for lunch (Guy’s, Mongolian Wok, Blue Iguana Cantina, Fish & Chips, etc.)
  
• Easier to find seating in the much bigger spread out buffet area
  
• Buffet area is always open
  
• 24 hour pizza and ice cream
  
• Better beds and bedding (I would even say much better)
  
• Water slides
  
• Miniature golf
  
• Much easier to find chairs in the Serenity area than the Solarium
  
• Dress shorts are allowed in dining room for dinner (my preference but others feel exact opposite I’m sure)
  
• Real anytime dining (Royal really pushes for you to make a reservations which defeats the purpose)
  

So is my goal to convert anyone to Carnival over Royal – absolutely not. Why would I want to do that and make the prices on Carnival go up? Will I go on another Royal Caribbean cruise – probably some day. Just go with a great attitude and take the knowledge you can gain on Cruise Critic and have a great cruise.

Happy Cruising!

Steve

Thanks for the comparisons, we're off on Carnival for the first time in just over 4 weeks after 11 years exclusively on RCI. Much appreciated.

I've sailed both and while we won't agree on everything I would have trouble disputing any of your thoughts. Not true for all markets but for me the BIG difference in Baltimore is itinerary. You mentioned the Pride having few 8day+ itineraries but what strikes me more is the variety of itineraries. Nearly all of the Prides cruises are one of 2 7-day itineraries; I think there are less than 10 cruises on their schedule that go beyond those 2 itineraries they've been doing forever. I think Royal is partly responsible for the few Pride deviations; I think when they abandoned Baltimore Grandeur picked up a few Sundays and forced a Carnival change.

In my recent 18 days on the Grandeur I saw a better selection of ports than the Pride will see in the next 6 months. To me that's huge.

Roy

We love carnival breeze. Let's not forget the awesome cove balcony cabins. So many more food choices. I am sure going to miss that on my oasis cruise in June. The comedy club on carnival is great too like u said. Every night. Not just once in a week. Don't forget about the towel animals every night too.

I've sailed both and while we won't agree on everything I would have trouble disputing any of your thoughts. Not true for all markets but for me the BIG difference in Baltimore is itinerary. You mentioned the Pride having few 8day+ itineraries but what strikes me more is the variety of itineraries. Nearly all of the Prides cruises are one of 2 7-day itineraries; I think there are less than 10 cruises on their schedule that go beyond those 2 itineraries they've been doing forever. I think Royal is partly responsible for the few Pride deviations; I think when they abandoned Baltimore Grandeur picked up a few Sundays and forced a Carnival change.

 

In my recent 18 days on the Grandeur I saw a better selection of ports than the Pride will see in the next 6 months. To me that's huge.

 

Roy

Roy, it was great meeting you last week and I also agree 100% with your itinerary comments. The Pride itineraries are not as good in my opinion either. But what really drew me to Grandeur is the 10 days. I REALLY prefer longer cruises. I probably would consider a 10 day cruise to nowhere on Carnival.

We love carnival breeze. Let's not forget the awesome cove balcony cabins. So many more food choices. I am sure going to miss that on my oasis cruise in June. The comedy club on carnival is great too like u said. Every night. Not just once in a week. Don't forget about the towel animals every night too.

I haven't tried the cove balconies yet but hope to do so. I totally agree about the Comedy Club. We actually had two different comedians on the Grandeur last week and my wife and I didn't find either very funny. Plus the "club" atmosphere really does make a difference.

We did have towel animals either every night or almost every night on Royal so it was no difference that I saw from Carnival. No chocolates on Royal but I really don't care about that.

Steve

We've always liked trying different cruise lines and as you say they all have there pros and cons. Carnival wasn't really for us, whereas we really like Royal, but it's great that people have different views, makes life more interesting I guess.

If you want a casino however try the Oasis :D - I won a poker cruise and went with 400 other players and the atmosphere that week was really great. Not on the lines of Vegas, but it was great :cool:

I'm just a cruise slut - give me a cheap balcony price and a good itinerary and I'm there....

I've been on NCL, Carnival, Royal, Princess...and I could find something good and bad to say about most of them.....With Royal it's mostly I can't afford them. :D

I'm interested in knowing more about the differences. My first cruise was with Royal in 2003, but since then I've been on Carnival 4 times with a 5th booked. I also have a cruise with Royal booked for next year, so I really would like to learn more about the differences between them. I agree with your Carnival pros, which makes me a little nervous about next year on Royal, but I'm sure I'll still have fun.

Just cruise Carnival in January for first time .. My review is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46061853

I agree with most of your points. Although I was not impressed with Park Cafe and would gladly take the Deli and 24 hr pizza instead. Our piano bar entertainer on Liberty was terrible.

Also, agree about cruise lengths but we solved that problem by doing an 8 day and 7 day back to back.

you forgot to add that Carnival has self service laundry rooms.

I have been on neither of those ships. However, visually the list seems quite slanted toward Carnival. I am not surprised honestly. Carnival has been spending a great deal of money investing in their ships these past few years. It is kind of sad watching Carnival and NCL slowly pass up RCCL who changes little year to year accept an increase to the price. Those cruise critic rankings earlier this year really opened my eyes on how quickly RCCL has fallen. Not a single ship made their lists for the first time that I can remember. Does Carnival still have no steel drum band by the pool or did they bring it back? My last Carnival cruise had a goofy white DJ spinning 80s rap hits by the pool deck all week. That drove me a bit nuts at the time.

Appreciate your comparison - a couple of things on your "lists" -

Never sailed a RC ship where suitcases wouldn't fit under the bed, and have sailed many different ships.

Always had soap/shampoo dispenser in shower.

Schooner bar has always had a piano player.

Have played mini golf on several ships.

I think many of your Carnival pros (such as those above) could be on the "same" list.

Thanks for the review - seems like things are pretty equal - buffet lines, food, etc. is so subjective and can vary from cruise to cruise - even day to day.

 

• They serve your drinks at buffet and get you refills
  
• Getting off the ship is easier than Carnival mostly because they aren’t stopping everyone to get pictures taken and they “scan” your card
  
• Better drink packages (One person in a room can purchase even if other does not and there is no drink limit or time limit)
  
• Less push for sales by Cruise Director
  
• Park Café (Nice choices and good selection with small lines)
  

If this is compared to Carnival, you probably just shocked some chronic Royal complainers. :D

Appreciate your comparison - a couple of things on your "lists" -

 

Never sailed a RC ship where suitcases wouldn't fit under the bed, and have sailed many different ships.

 

Always had soap/shampoo dispenser in shower.

 

Schooner bar has always had a piano player.

 

Have played mini golf on several ships.

 

I think many of your Carnival pros (such as those above) could be on the "same" list.

 

Thanks for the review - seems like things are pretty equal - buffet lines, food, etc. is so subjective and can vary from cruise to cruise - even day to day.

Also on same list: waterslides and miniature golf on most RCCL ships. Also 24 hour pizza on most ships (at least Voyager class and above). (Ice cream 24 hours sounds nice but not good for my waistline)

Perhaps a better comparison would be for same size ships? Not sure.

I'm interested in knowing more about the differences. My first cruise was with Royal in 2003, but since then I've been on Carnival 4 times with a 5th booked. I also have a cruise with Royal booked for next year, so I really would like to learn more about the differences between them. I agree with your Carnival pros, which makes me a little nervous about next year on Royal, but I'm sure I'll still have fun.

No need to be nervous, I'm sure you will have a great time - we did. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have.

I agree with most of your points. Although I was not impressed with Park Cafe and would gladly take the Deli and 24 hr pizza instead.

I agree with that. What I did like about Park Café was there was never any lines, nice variety and it was pretty good.

you forgot to add that Carnival has self service laundry rooms.

Luckily we are Platinum on Carnival so Laundry is free for us. Up to a limit we haven't met yet anyway.

Also on same list: waterslides and miniature golf on most RCCL ships. Also 24 hour pizza on most ships (at least Voyager class and above). (Ice cream 24 hours sounds nice but not good for my waistline)

 

 

 

Perhaps a better comparison would be for same size ships? Not sure.

RCI has only small water slides in the kids areas for kids only.

Pizza on RCI is terrible .. Carnival good .. and Princess excellent.

Also on same list: waterslides and miniature golf on most RCCL ships. Also 24 hour pizza on most ships (at least Voyager class and above). (Ice cream 24 hours sounds nice but not good for my waistline)

 

Perhaps a better comparison would be for same size ships? Not sure.

No water slides - unless you are counting Flo-Rider, plus some ships have a very small kiddie water slide - but overall thanks for agreeing with my previous post!

Appreciate your comparison - a couple of things on your "lists" -

 

Never sailed a RC ship where suitcases wouldn't fit under the bed, and have sailed many different ships.

 

Always had soap/shampoo dispenser in shower.

 

Schooner bar has always had a piano player.

 

Have played mini golf on several ships.

 

I think many of your Carnival pros (such as those above) could be on the "same" list.

 

Thanks for the review - seems like things are pretty equal - buffet lines, food, etc. is so subjective and can vary from cruise to cruise - even day to day.

Apparently you haven't sailed on Grandeur or you have very thin suitcases. This was the first time mine wouldn't fit under the beds either. If you like to look at the positives for this is that this was a much "older" cruise than I have experienced before and it would be a much shorter fall out of the bed for any elderly patients.

Shampoo dispenser - yes. Soap dispenser - no.

Schooner Bar had a Piano Player every night. He played piano very well and his singing was OK (IMO). But every Piano Bar I have ever been in before was more upbeat and usually more interactive. The audience was never a "part" of the show on any evening.

And you are totally right about things varying from day to day and even cruise to cruise.

Steve

If this is compared to Carnival, you probably just shocked some chronic Royal complainers. :D

Don't worry, chronic complainers are on both sides!

Just off Majesty this past Friday and she was our very first cruise about 5 years ago. We really like the ship and the staff. Crepes are awesome in Compass Deli.

We have been on 3 Royal cruises and 4 Carnival.

Both have their pros and cons, just thinking our next one will be back to Carnival.

Just one more difference.

If you own shares in Carnvial and/ or RCI.

With Carnvial you can get your shipboard credit along with other shipboard credit.

With RCI you only get one promo, for example if you are platinum or higher and get a discount on a balcony you can't also get shareholder shipboard credit.

Apparently you haven't sailed on Grandeur or you have very thin suitcases. This was the first time mine wouldn't fit under the beds either. If you like to look at the positives for this is that this was a much "older" cruise than I have experienced before and it would be a much shorter fall out of the bed for any elderly patients.

 

Shampoo dispenser - yes. Soap dispenser - no.

 

Schooner Bar had a Piano Player every night. He played piano very well and his singing was OK (IMO). But every Piano Bar I have ever been in before was more upbeat and usually more interactive. The audience was never a "part" of the show on any evening.

 

And you are totally right about things varying from day to day and even cruise to cruise.

 

Steve

I just open up the suitcase and slide it open - never had a problem.

Always consider the dispenser to be all-purpose soap/shampoo. Actually take my own anyway!

Have found piano bar can vary from cruise to cruise - even sometimes hour to hour!