Been on Carnival AND Royal Caribbean?

[going to see the world]

We've been looking up some itineraries for Royal Caribbean that sound pretty decent.

I was wondering if someone that has used both cruise lines could tell me what the major differences were.

Also, I'm really wondering about what you'd have to pay for on Royal Caribbean that you don't have to on Carnival, if anything. Lastly I was wondering how their "platinum" program works and if it's better than Carnival (what do they offer).

 

Thank you so much for the help! :)

[firefly333]

Loyalty, platinum on RCL is 5, then diamond at 10 and diamond plus at 25. At 25 you get into all the concierge lounges, for a evening of free drinks is the big one. At 10 you you $200 off a balcony or higher per cabin, (not pp), but its not combinable with everything. At 5 you start getting VIP boarding, they call you right after diamond.

 

Diamond plus get bogo on the pay restaurant the first night onboard. Thats a new one. You would have to see the site for the list. Those are the ones that are meaningful to me. The concierge lounge which is for diamond and up on Freedom class, and older classes now its only diamond plus, because it got too crowded. There is food in there for breakfast and they will get other special food, havent been in, just know about it. Their loyalty program is more extensive than Carnival's.

 

The one thing left that you pay for on RCL not on Carnival is the room service between like midnight and 3 am .. $4.95 I believe including a tip. They build the tip in during those wee hours to make sure of the tip. Other than that pretty siimilar.

[golfadj]

Generally RCCL is more expensive than Carnival and their newer ships are much larger and have some things that Carnival does not.

 

Our first 10 cruises were evenly split between the two cruise lines but the last 10 or so have been all Carnival.

 

We are kind of tired of going to the Caribbean so in order to go new places we are planning two week RCCL transatlantic for next fall.

[RWolver672]

From what we saw on our RCI cruise, the crowd was more laid back than what you see on Carnival. It seemed like everybody was in their own little world and wouldn't even so much as smile at another person let alone say "Hi". It could have been just that sailing.

 

There is no smoking in the cabins. If you want to smoke, you had to do it on the balcony and you had to have your door closed. (Just in case you smoke.)

 

There is a charge for Johnny Rockets. It wasn't that much and the food was good. It's just a cover charge and if I remember right, you had to buy your shakes. They kept bringing out fries left and right.

 

There were a lot less elevators on RCI than on Carnival. The stores were quite a bit more upscale than Carnival's. Very little health and beauty aids, more liquor than anything else.

 

For the midnight buffet, RCI brought out all the food onto the Lido Deck area. It's right outside the buffet. Made no sense to me. Walk ten more steps and you were right where everything was anyway. Most people took their food back into the buffet area to eat it anyway because there wasn't enough tables to accomodate everybody.

 

We tried it and came back to Carnival. It's more fun for us. You may enjoy RCI; tons of people do.

[Marysunshine]

I am platinum on RCCL. When I tried Carnival for the first time I was pleasantly surprised. The main differences for me were:

The RCCL ships are much more beautiful. Cabins are much smaller than Carnival. Food and entertainment were comparable.

On RCCL if you are a past cruiser, not elite, you still get coupon books for discounts on certain things. On Carnival you get nothing for being a past cruiser.

The lines are similar but frankly I find the prettier ships on rccl make me feel more luxurious. I am going on Carnival in March and I am sure I will have a good time, however I could have gone on rccl serenade of the seas for the same amount of money. My granddaughter made the choice based on certain excursions she wanted.

Either line will provide a nice vacation for you.

[Yurita]

I've done both.

RCCL has more beautiful ships, bigger pools, larger venues (promenade), the decor is nicer (in my opinion)

Carnival's food is better, I think.

But, which cruise are you considering? that could make a difference. I've been on the Mariner of the seas, Liberty of the seas, and they both blow away Carnival Valor, Carnival Freedom, which I've sailed as well.

[Cindy]

We cruise on both and enjoy both, so we tend to make our choice based on price.

I think the lines are more similar than different. To me, the food on Carnival is much, much better than the food on RCCL...both in the buffet and the MDR. I like RCCL's ships themselves better for layout, decor, and space.

If you have specific questions, just ask, and I'll try to help!:)

[Unknotted]

On Carnival you can take some wine on to the ship, on RCCI you are not allowed to take any alcohol at all. From what I've seen and heard, they have turned catching bootleg alcohol into an art form.

[Ruggled]

Admittedly I cruise far more Carnival than Royal Caribbean. I agree with others:

 

RCI has different (more) entertainment on their larger ships but is very comparable on their smaller ships.

 

Cabins are bigger on Carnival.

 

Decor is more subdued on RCI.

 

Food is better on Carnival (though some of the Indian dishes on RCI were pretty awesome). Carnival's grill with hamburgers, etc is free and conveniently located to the pool deck which is great.

 

Carnival has 24 hour ice cream and pizza. RCI does not have these around the clock and Carnival's pizza is better.

 

RCI seemed to "enforce the rules" more consistently than Carnival--stationed people outside the Lido to insure the "no bathing suits/proper cover up" rule, enforced the "no shorts" rule, which they still have, in the dining rooms except the first night. RCI let's you "upcharge" to steaks from their steakhouse in the MDR--Carnival is looking to start doing this as well.

 

Others have noted the difference in being allowed to bring wine on board. I thought RCI's "beer cooler" deal on our last cruise was pretty neat. Let you buy 8 beers with an RCI cooler for a certain amount and then refills were about $1 off each beer after that--you kept the cooler and many a gentleman used one as his "purse" for the cruise duration.

 

More similar than different...we choose based on itinerary and then price, which usually brings me back to Carnival more often than not.

[MrPete]

The RCCL ships are nice to look at, and explore. That eventually wears off, but I do like the pools and pool areas on them.

 

We find them a lot more $$.

 

But the thing we find that sets the two lines apart is the community feel that washes over the ship on Carnival. All the "fun stuff" just creates that environment. On RCCL, it's just a bunch of strangers sailing.

 

We also like the food, and the ample availability of it, better on CCL.

[txskier]

We like them both

Have been on 5 Carnival, 5 RCCL and 2 Princess.

....we like them both.

[Tapi]

Smaller RCI ships will be very comparable to Carnival ships in entertainment, attractions, food, service and cabins. However, if you're looking at some of the newest ships (like Oasis and Allure of the Seas on RCCL), the differences are HUGE between Carnival and RCCL. While Carnival still focuses on more traditional activities (even on their newest ships), RCCL has moved to more innovative entertainment (think rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, zip lines, surfing simulators, in line skating, open promenades even with a carousel, more dining venues with several restaurants for an extra fee). Keep in mind that you will be paying more for all these "innovations".

 

If you're sticking to traditional accomodations (standard inside, oceanview or balcony cabins), Carnival will offer more space for a lower price. However, if you're thinking about different types of accomodations, RCCL will have the upper hand. They offer "inside" cabins which actually have a window looking into the promenade. They're normally priced lower than oceanview cabins. At the other end of the spectrum, you have stunning suites, ranging from Junior Suites to Royal Loft Suites. You can actually fit 5 or 6 of Carnival's largest suites (the Grand Suites) into one Royal Loft Suite on RCCL.

 

Think about what's important to you. For us, we're very traditional in what entertains us and what type of accomodations we select. For that reason, we've cruised on Carnival several times during the last few years. You do get more bang for your buck on Carnival.

 

No matter which cruise line you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great time. We've enjoyed our time on both cruise lines!

 

From what we saw on our RCI cruise, the crowd was more laid back than what you see on Carnival. It seemed like everybody was in their own little world and wouldn't even so much as smile at another person let alone say "Hi". It could have been just that sailing.

But the thing we find that sets the two lines apart is the community feel that washes over the ship on Carnival. All the "fun stuff" just creates that environment. On RCCL, it's just a bunch of strangers sailing..

 

In our opinion, it's the ship size (not the cruise line) what determines how friendly the crowd is, somewhat like living in a large city vs. a small town.

 

We've found this on Carnival. We sailed on the much smaller Holiday a few years ago, and we kept running into the same passengers and crew members over and over. After a while, it seemed like we knew everybody and couldn't help but to smile, say hello and chit chat left and right. We sailed on the Carnival Liberty the following year and I don't think we saw the same people twice. It felt much more impersonal (still had a great time!).

[gooselover]

While DH and I haven't been on THAT many cruises, we have sailed Carnival twice (Conquest and Glory) and just recently sailed RCCL's Liberty of the Seas. I wrote on RCCL's board the different I felt. There are pro's and con's on both lines such as:

 

1. Rooms on Carnival are bigger

2. Food on Carnival is much better in our opinion. While on Carnival Glory, we went to the supper club and let us tell you, they went all out with the food, presentation and the service. We did not find this or "taste" this on Liberty.

3. Yes, RCL's ship was much bigger and had more things to see and do - like the Promenade Mall, flowrider and rock climbing wall - not to mention H2O zone, but DH and I didn't do these things (we are mid-50's).

4. Decor on RCL's ship is more "elegant" compared to Carnival, but we didn't find Carnival's decor in bad taste at all. Yes it is a tad "louder" but who cares?

5. Pricing - Carnival is definitely much lower.

 

We did like RCL and will go again, but we felt Carnival was a much better value. Just our opinion.

[momonthego17]

We have cruised on both RCI and Carnival. Both lines offer a wonderful time at sea but here are a few differences that are important to us:

 

As stated previously, Carnival allows you to bring on a bottle of wine or champagne per legal age adult in your carry on bag. RCI doesn't allow any alcohol to be brought on board.

 

You can order bottles of liquor (vodka, rum etc) from Carnival's Bon Voyage dept before your cruise and it will be set up in your cabin the first day. You are allowed to bring a six pack each (that's what we did) of mixers (juice, soda) and we had drinks available in our cabin. If you don't drink up your bottle of booze during the cruise, you can take it home (which we did). RCI doesn't have a place to order bottles of alcohol to be opened in your cabin during the cruise.

 

The entertainment on Carnival was hit and miss. Granted, we were on Sensation which is a smaller ship, so that may have made a difference. RCI had better productions on their big stage and we enjoyed all the festivities around the pool area. Our RCI CD was great!

 

Our cabin on Carnival was a standard balcony. Felt roomy and the balcony was great. The cost for that category of cabin would have been at least a third more on RCI. Our bathroom on RCI was teeny compared to the bathroom on Carnival. Very difficult to shower in.

 

The gym on Carnival was great! Room to workout, plenty of free weights that were contemporary in design and clean. RCI's felt a little beat up and the free weights were an old design that is hard to handle (women like to lift as well;)) and the space was tight.

 

We thought the food on RCI was better. Not outstandingly so, but overall. The MDR service was very personal on RCI, Carnival's was fine but we didn't really get to know the MDR staff like we did on RCI. My sister cruised with us on the Carnival cruise and her dietary needs were met completely. She was very impressed.

 

I am looking forward to our cruise next Thanksgiving on Carnival's Miracle and I know I will get more bang for my cruising buck than I would on RCI. Down the road we may go back to RCI but getting a balcony for less $$$ is more important:D.

[wildcatcruzer]

The big RCCL ships common areas are not bigger than their smaller ships, so more people in the same size area (not good). I found on CCL that they had more activities that appealed to me. The ice cream station on RCCL was always closed or had huge lines. All things considered I would cruis RCCLL again, but maybe not on their mega ships. My first choice is Carnival.

[babebutters]

I would agree with most of the above posts. We think the food on Carnival is much better than on Royal, though as a previous poster mentioned, the Indian dishes are great on Royal. As a side note, Carnival apparently has an Indian menu available in the MDR every night, but you have to ask for it.

 

Cabin size is much better on Carnival. We sail on Liberty and Valor in an outside cabin, not a balcony, with two kids (9 and 12) and have lots of room. I wouldn't consider doing that on Royal in anything smaller than a Jr. Suite.

 

Royal has a more upscale decor; I think that the Buffet on the Inspiration and its sister ships is the tackiest thing I have ever seen, but my kids and DH think it's cool.

 

I think the steakhouses are comparable, and we go at least twice each cruise.

 

Finally, the cost of a Carnival cruise cannot be beat.

 

We do want to take the kids on a Royal cruise, on one of the bigger boats, but the prices just haven't come down enough. An inside cabin on the Royal Freedom and Genesis class ships are often more than an outside, or even a balcony, on the Liberty/Valor class of Carnival, so it's a no brainer to us to choose Carnival.

 

Best,

Kathryn

[firefly333]

The stores were quite a bit more upscale than Carnival's. Very little health and beauty aids, more liquor than anything else.

 

Did you know all the duty free shops on the majority of cruiselines are all run by the same company?? Mostly the same merchandise is in stores on both lines. You can buy a ring on Carnival and return it on a RCL cruise.

 

I think how much space in the stores, is more by class of ship than cruiseline. Varys even with Carnival.

[firefly333]

While DH and I haven't been on THAT many cruises, we have sailed Carnival twice (Conquest and Glory) and just recently sailed RCCL's Liberty of the Seas. I wrote on RCCL's board the different I felt. There are pro's and con's on both lines such as:

 

1. Rooms on Carnival are bigger

 

The lower category cabins are bigger on Carnival .. when you get into the balconys, on even Liberty OTS you said you were on, total s.f. on the smallest balcony is larger on RCL .. people keep repeating this until they think it applies to all cabins.

 

The smallest balcony (not cabin, the balcony part) on RCL is larger than a regular category 8 balcony on Carnival.

 

I agree with others .. the pools and hot tubs are huge on RCL compared to the postage stamp pools on Carnival which are more wading pools.

[oeshpdog2]

I just finished a review for the Conquest in which I discuss some of the differences from my experiences on RCCL, NCL, Princess, Disney and now Carnival. Carnival Conquest Review

[firefly333]

The big RCCL ships common areas are not bigger than their smaller ships, so more people in the same size area (not good). I found on CCL that they had more activities that appealed to me. The ice cream station on RCCL was always closed or had huge lines. All things considered I would cruis RCCLL again, but maybe not on their mega ships. My first choice is Carnival.

 

Since RCL has a lot more s.f. per pax on their ships compared to Carnival .. if this is important .. yikes for Carnival. RCL wins this one big time.

[Lovelylady226]

I have been on both many time and I do have agree with everything everyone said above. The perks of Carnival: can bring wine on board, bathrobes are provided in the room, captains cocktail hour with free drinks, casinos/bars open later, food tastes better (but less variety), PRICE The perks of RCI: coupon book for previous passengers, better night time shows, classier appearance, more amenities on newer ships.

 

In the end, it comes down to price for me. I have taken many RCI trips to the Bahamas because they are cheaper. However, when it comes to other ports Carnival wins almost every time.

[Julienatul]

They are really more similar than different. RCCL dinners are more formal, more people wearing formal wear, no singing and dancing each night. RCCL has a bbq out on deck one day with steaks on the grill. Food is similar, shows are similar. Carnival is a bit more laid back and RCCL is a bit more formal but really not by much.

[wildcatcruzer]

Not true, as far as sq. feet go. You can go on the RCCboards and this is a big complaint. Way too many people. Tendering is a nightmare. My sister said if u love feeling packed in at every event and waitingin line these mega ships are for you.

[rsinj]

If money were not a consideration, we'd cruise RCL all the time. We enjoyed our RCL cruise most out of all the ones we've taken. However, for the comparable cabin on a different line we can get a longer cruise for quite a bit less money. In the end, all the other stuff on RCL doesn't make up for that difference. I'd put RCL in the same category with Disney - again, if money were not a consideration, we'd cruise lots more with them - great cruise and excellent service. However, I don't think the premium price they charge makes that much difference in my enjoyment of the cruise itself.

 

If for the particular cruise itineraries you're considering, you are able to get the similar cabin/price on RCL as Carnival, I would personally go with RCL.

 

Howard

[Cindy]

Not true, as far as sq. feet go. You can go on the RCCboards and this is a big complaint. Way too many people. Tendering is a nightmare. My sister said if u love feeling packed in at every event and waitingin line these mega ships are for you.

 

I absolutely disagree...I thought the RCCL ships I've been on (Rhapsody, Explorer, Voyager, & Mariner) had more space in the public areas and much better traffic flow than either the Splendor or the Conquest. The only ship I've ever had a problem tendering from was the Conquest, and it was a nightmare...there was NO organization, and I thought it was dangerous the way it was handled.