Carnival vs Royal Caribbean International.

[mr_mrs_fidget]

We've had a good time on Both Carnival and RCI.

 

Found the MDR food on Carnival was better than RCI, however we found the RCI Ship & Service more impressive.

 

We also found the guests on the RCI ships more friendly.

 

Our preffered choice is RCI

[Coolcruise02]

The behavior of the fellow guests on Carnival leave a lot to be desired. I only sail Carnival because they sail from my home town.

 

I find this statement offensive! I sail ALL lines and can honestly say I have NOT seen a difference between RCCL and Carnival cruisers.

 

OP-Go and try for yourself! You can not chose a ship/line based on what you "hear". Each board has their own cheerleaders. Go ask this question on the Carnival board and see what they say. :)

 

We have found some of the best food and service on Carnival ships!

[cruisegal96]

We have cruised both RCL & CCL & much prefer RCI. I have noticed that CCL has better itinaries lately, but I always leave the CCL cruises with small disappointments. On the 3 CCL cruises we've taken, they have always listed deck parties, or other events & each cruise they haven't stuck to their own schedule. We show up for some events & they decided not to have them. We've never had that problem on Royal. RCL is just a step up & it shows in their ships, service & food. Our favorite cruises are always on Royal Caribbean!!!:)

[Cruisegirl6]

I not understand how some people here say the food is better on Carnival than RCI...I guess that would depend upon what you like to eat for instance, I not eat fast food type foods, you will pretty much only find chicken fingers, pizza, sandwiches, french fries, hot dogs, etc. not mentioning the small and not cool salad bar with soggy tomatoes each day during the buffet lunch on Carnival....on RC you have your meat carvings, different types of assorted salads, hot dishes of many varieties, 4 choices soups, nice assorted salad bar that was actually cool, along with your other "fast food type" foods. Now, if your a person who eats fast food type foods then I can understand why one would prefer Carnival but the breakfast buffets were lacking on carnival with soggy eggs, greasy bacon, etc. and on RC you got better quality....the outdoor pool party actually has all types of food on RC where Carnival it was mexican food....

 

It depends upon your eating habits what your used to eating...for me until Carnival makes some changes into serving healthier option foods especially during the buffet, I stay with RC!

[Jumbiecruiser]

I find this statement offensive! I sail ALL lines and can honestly say I have NOT seen a difference between RCCL and Carnival cruisers.

 

OP-Go and try for yourself! You can not chose a ship/line based on what you "hear". Each board has their own cheerleaders. Go ask this question on the Carnival board and see what they say. :)

 

We have found some of the best food and service on Carnival ships!

 

The only ones that would be offended are the ones that are guilty. Like it or not it's the persons opinion. You don't have to agree but they have a right to state it.

 

Yeah go ask on the Carnival board. Everyone knows that they don't have cheerleaders.:rolleyes:

[time4u2go]

I not understand how some people here say the food is better on Carnival than RCI...I guess that would depend upon what you like to eat for instance, I not eat fast food type foods, you will pretty much only find chicken fingers, pizza, sandwiches, french fries, hot dogs, etc. not mentioning the small and not cool salad bar with soggy tomatoes each day during the buffet lunch on Carnival....on RC you have your meat carvings, different types of assorted salads, hot dishes of many varieties, 4 choices soups, nice assorted salad bar that was actually cool, along with your other "fast food type" foods. Now, if your a person who eats fast food type foods then I can understand why one would prefer Carnival but the breakfast buffets were lacking on carnival with soggy eggs, greasy bacon, etc. and on RC you got better quality....the outdoor pool party actually has all types of food on RC where Carnival it was mexican food....

 

It depends upon your eating habits what your used to eating...for me until Carnival makes some changes into serving healthier option foods especially during the buffet, I stay with RC!

Interesting...that was not our experience at all on on Carnival. We found just as much variety in the buffet as on RCI. But even aside from that, we found the MDR food to be notably better for dinner on Carnival.

 

Obviously this is all just our opinions, many of which are going to be different!

[montekat]

I agree with others that they are more alike than different. For us the biggest differences were the food (advantage Carnival) and the ship (advantage RCI). Service and everything else was great on both.

 

Since you said the Carnival cruise was 8 nights and the RCI was 7, that would be my deciding factor!

We agree with this! On our first RCCL cruise we were actually disappointed because we had been told how much better RCCL was than CCL. The decor was nicer, but the two lines are much more alike than different. We only sail RCCL when we get a really good deal and itinerary. We have met just as nice people on CCL as RCCL.

[Cruisegirl6]

Time4u2go

When was your last carnival cruise taken? I been on both cruise lines and see the changes throughout the years (been on 46 cruises and I am 47) and taken three cruises last year in 2010 and I just comparing Carnival and RC on what was offered last year which is not even a year ago yet. If you not have taken a carnival cruise last year then I can understand because three years ago Carnival was alot better it was only in the past year or so they drastically changed more than other cruise lines did.

[tech40]

I haven't sailed on either but I'm wondering if you don't like what the buffets are offering do either ships have their sit down restaurants open for breakfast and lunch ?

 

We did most of our meals in the dining rooms on the Magic because it was less crowded.

[GCurry]

We find that as we evolve as cruise customers, our practices change and yeah as noted above, we don't need the rock climbing, ice skating through the Caribe or wave riders or malls for that matter.

 

Our taste for foods has also changed as we are main dining room and specialty restaurant people these days, as on a recent seven day RCL cruise we went to the Windjammer three times, and two of those were forced. The more relaxed pace and meeting new people contributes to the MDR as a better choice for breakfast and lunch. We do enjoy room service as well.

 

We find that we really like Princess and even HAL for length of cruise and itineraries but the best specialty restaurant we've yet encountered was on the Carnival Spirit, go figure.

 

That being said, however, the Jr Suite on the stern of the Voyager was wonderful.

[time4u2go]

Time4u2go

When was your last carnival cruise taken? I been on both cruise lines and see the changes throughout the years (been on 46 cruises and I am 47) and taken three cruises last year in 2010 and I just comparing Carnival and RC on what was offered last year which is not even a year ago yet. If you not have taken a carnival cruise last year then I can understand because three years ago Carnival was alot better it was only in the past year or so they drastically changed more than other cruise lines did.

 

Apparently I'm not the only one that prefers Carnival's food to RCI's, as evidenced by many of the posts on this thread. As far as the variety at the buffet, check out these Cruise Critic reviews:

 

Carnival Glory: There's also a grill station with hamburgers, etc. and an Asian station (offerings change daily). Fish and chips lovers should not miss the seafood station, open for lunch only. Red Sail also has a 24-hour pizza station, which offers calzones, and a deli.

 

Carnival Triumph: Besides the typical cold salads and hot carving station fare, there are two more places to check out: The New York Deli and the Hong Kong Noodle Co.

 

Carnival Destiny: Asian and Mexican stations (selections change each day) and a hamburger grill were quick alternatives to the regular buffet. A 24-hour pizzeria and Caesar salad bar were hits with the late-night crowd.

 

These were just random samplings of reviews of Carnival ships. So apparently it's not just "chicken fingers, pizza, sandwiches, french fries, hot dogs, etc." as you described. And it's not just me that is stating that.:)

[Cruisegirl6]

Society is so into eating fast food. I not eat that stuff, its bad for you, not quality meat, all fat, sodium, bad oils etc. Its what people like and what they used to, so its natural for cruise lines to adapt what they serve to meet what the people want. So a review depends upon that persons eating habits what they prefer and like. I rather have a fresh piece of fish, or a chicken breast, or nice meat carvings such as roast beef, turkey to name a couple along with nice fresh vegetables and a rice/potato dish. I just got off carnival ship six months ago and I not find much to choose from when it came to lunch but it was all this fast food stuff. There was no carving not one day... Carnival caters to a younger crowd so perhaps that is what people perfer and why Carnival has chosen to serve more fast food type foods than any other cruise line.

 

Cruise lines perfer people to want and eat these types of food it cost less money. And thats the honest truth. You try comparing a roast carving next to a batch of burgers....now there is a big difference to me in that.

 

We all entitled to our opinions, you and I just have different tastes in foods thats all, nothing wrong with that. :)

[time4u2go]

Society is so into eating fast food. I not eat that stuff, its bad for you, not quality meat, all fat, sodium, bad oils etc. Its what people like and what they used to, so its natural for cruise lines to adapt what they serve to meet what the people want. So a review depends upon that persons eating habits what they prefer and like. I rather have a fresh piece of fish, or a chicken breast, or nice meat carvings such as roast beef, turkey to name a couple along with nice fresh vegetables and a rice/potato dish. I just got off carnival ship six months ago and I not find much to choose from when it came to lunch but it was all this fast food stuff. There was no carving not one day... Carnival caters to a younger crowd so perhaps that is what people perfer and why Carnival has chosen to serve more fast food type foods than any other cruise line.

 

Cruise lines perfer people to want and eat these types of food it cost less money. And thats the honest truth. You try comparing a roast carving next to a batch of burgers....now there is a big difference to me in that.

 

We all entitled to our opinions, you and I just have different tastes in foods thats all, nothing wrong with that. :)

You seem to still believe that Carnival only has fast food type of selections, which simply isn't true. I just don't want people reading this thread to think that is the case, because it is not. Check out some reviews of Carnival ships and you'll soon realize that this simply isn't the case.

 

I too prefer fresh foods and carving stations. That's why I like the buffets on Carnival and on RCI - because they both provide those!:D

[chachi]

My first cruise was Carnival, my second was RCI. I am now platinum on Carnival but still have only been on the one RCI cruise. Everything is subjective, but for me the food on Carnival is much better. I like most of my dishes on Carnival, but did not like any of my dinners in the main dining room on RCI. They weren't bad, but they were not good. I could eat it, but found it lacking flavor. The buffets I thought were comparable. I like the entertainment better on Carnival. I do not use or need a flowrider, rock wall, or ice rink. I don't know if this is important to you.

The Carnival stewards seem like they were magical. You never saw them, but always felt their presence. RCI was not as good. We would come back from dinner and they would still be in the room. They did a fine job, but were not out of sight.

I would cruise RCI again if the price was right, but will not if Carnival is offering a better price or even equal price.

[chachi]

Society is so into eating fast food. I not eat that stuff, its bad for you, not quality meat, all fat, sodium, bad oils etc. Its what people like and what they used to, so its natural for cruise lines to adapt what they serve to meet what the people want. So a review depends upon that persons eating habits what they prefer and like. I rather have a fresh piece of fish, or a chicken breast, or nice meat carvings such as roast beef, turkey to name a couple along with nice fresh vegetables and a rice/potato dish. I just got off carnival ship six months ago and I not find much to choose from when it came to lunch but it was all this fast food stuff. There was no carving not one day... Carnival caters to a younger crowd so perhaps that is what people perfer and why Carnival has chosen to serve more fast food type foods than any other cruise line.

 

Cruise lines perfer people to want and eat these types of food it cost less money. And thats the honest truth. You try comparing a roast carving next to a batch of burgers....now there is a big difference to me in that.

 

We all entitled to our opinions, you and I just have different tastes in foods thats all, nothing wrong with that. :)

 

Carnival always has a carving station at the buffet. I have had prime rib, turkey, roast beef, and ham.

[Cruisegirl6]

That was all that was offered to me on my past carnival cruise now it was only a five night cruise so perhaps they do give more on a longer cruise, I generally take seven night cruises but we took few cruises so the one carnival that was for 5 nights was fine.

It was fast food type foods...no carving I was told when I asked why they said they stopped serving the carving stations...this is odd....

[chachi]

I not understand how some people here say the food is better on Carnival than RCI...I guess that would depend upon what you like to eat for instance, I not eat fast food type foods, you will pretty much only find chicken fingers, pizza, sandwiches, french fries, hot dogs, etc. not mentioning the small and not cool salad bar with soggy tomatoes each day during the buffet lunch on Carnival....on RC you have your meat carvings, different types of assorted salads, hot dishes of many varieties, 4 choices soups, nice assorted salad bar that was actually cool, along with your other "fast food type" foods. Now, if your a person who eats fast food type foods then I can understand why one would prefer Carnival but the breakfast buffets were lacking on carnival with soggy eggs, greasy bacon, etc. and on RC you got better quality....the outdoor pool party actually has all types of food on RC where Carnival it was mexican food....

 

RC!

 

Have you ever been on Carnival? They have assorted salads, hot dishes of many varieties, hot soups, nice assorted salad bar, and a carving station. They also have the pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs, and burgers. Something for everyone.

[chachi]

That was all that was offered to me on my past carnival cruise now it was only a five night cruise so perhaps they do give more on a longer cruise, I generally take seven night cruises but we took few cruises so the one carnival that was for 5 nights was fine.

It was fast food type foods...no carving I was told when I asked why they said they stopped serving the carving stations...this is odd....

 

I went on three Carnival cruises last year. A 3 day, a 4 day, and a 7 day. They all had the same offerings (including a carving station). Did you make it into the buffet or just go to the grill where the fast food is offered? Most also have a deli and mongolian bbq type station.

[Bay Area Pirate]

I sailed Carnivals Conquest and Royals Liberty of the Seas. Food was similar on both but in terms of service and entertainment choices there is no comparison to Royal. They far exceeded my expectations which were set by Carnival. Staff members called me by my name 3 days later having only seen me once before briefly in the cigar lounge. HOW???? It did not matter if I left my room at 7am or 11am. When I got back the room was spotless. HOW??? We had trouble deciding which activity we wanted to do because they always seem to have at least 2 that appealed to us every hour of every day. Royal is flat out a more memorable cruise than Carnival.

 

http://hdrexposure.smugmug.com/Photography/Cruise-Related-HDR/15922690_rhvH5

[Cruisegirl6]

Chachi look at the bottom of my post I have some of the cruises I have taken of course I been on many carnival ships...2010 was Fascination (along with 2 RC cruises), been on the Glory, Victory, Imagination, Paradise, Sensation, Ectasy and so fourth.

 

Up until the past year I have had the carving at lunch time along with choices of hot dishes and a good salad bar last year, no carvings not once and the salad bar got smaller less choices and not as good. They didn't even offer soups during the lunch buffet! In the Fascination the grill and buffet is in the same area just different places and the sandwich area was off to the side in the same area.

[Cruzaholic41]

Um, wasn't the question just about whether the Op should choose Carnival Freedom or Serenade of the Seas? :rolleyes:

 

To the Op, if you are still reading this, my recommendation is Carnival Freedom. I will almost always recommend RCI over CCL and Serenade is by far the more beautiful ship and yes, I also think the service is better. But I would choose CCL Freedom for 2 reasons. One, I think the itinerary is better. Not many cruises go to Tortola and that is my favorite Caribbean island. Two, and this one certainly could be hit or miss, I have just about sworn off cruises out of PR due to the behavior of other passengers. They tend to have a large number of PR locals on board and it can be overwhelming.

 

CCL Freedom is the inferior ship, in my opinion. It is more crowded and the decor is typical CCL hideous. But I think the itinerary and chance of having more tolerable fellow passengers wins out.

[Cruisegirl6]

OP i recommend RC, it may be higher in cost but you get what you pay for. Putting food aside as you have read my past posts entertainment as well as the serive overall and plusher bedding exceeds with RC.

 

To some people ports are of importance, to me I am only in that port for few hours, it is the ship that determines which cruise I would take or not.

 

RC all the way to me there is no choice in the matter, unless you have a budget to keep. :)

[tomnmary]

There are positives and negatives on both lines, which most have been covered in one way or another. One thing I had not read prior to my trip on Carnival Valor 2/27 was the smoking. My husband and I love finding "our bar" on each trip...meeting other people, meeting the staff.

 

Our experience on Royal has been smoking is allowed in the casino and several outdoor areas, leaving many smoke-free options. Our experience on Carnival is that smoking is allowed in most places. The lobby bar was an area that was non-smoking, but this was a more crowded area, so the bartenders were busy and didn't really have time to visit.

 

So if smoking is an issue for you, either way, actually, this may be good information for you to have.

[Cruisegirl6]

tomnmary your right I never even thought of that either!

[Jolimont]

I've cruised both Carnival and RCI and had a great time on both. I find the lines are more similar than different. To me price and itinerary matter, not whether it's Carnival or RCI.