Choosing the right ship About This Page:

[pntsmom99]

Hi everyone,

I'm in a quandry. We have sailed on Carnival Cruise Line before and had a great time, now I'm looking for next year (Dec) and I cannot decide on Royal Caribbean or Carnival. The sailing is for my (40 ish, DH-46, DD-10, and DM 82) I'm looking at a Southern Caribbean..7 day cruise. I love the fact that CCL does St. Lucia, but I really like the looks of the RC Ships. Has anyone one cruised on Royal Caribbean? What are your thoughts?

[minushka72]

Haven't sailed either, only Disney so far, but I would choose RC over Carnival. Their ships seem so much more luxurious. It is probably more money than Carnival though.

[HeatherD]

I much prefer RCI to Carnival. We did the exact same cruise on both (weekend from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico). In my view, Carnival attracted more of the younger, rowdier crowd - the ones who want to drink a lot, be loud, hook up and go to "Papas and Beers". RCI seemed more the type of people who cruise to relax and enjoy the cruise itself.

Others disagree (we just discussed it over on the DCL thread) but I think that RCI's food is better. They don't have quite as much available at all times, but I think the food tasted better.

So, if I wasn't hung up on Disney (both the gambling-less ship and Castaway Cay), I would pick RCI. Ultimately, though, if I had my heart set on a certain itinerary or date, the cruiseline may not be a deal breaker, savvy?

[emtpej]

There are cruise ships that aren't Disney?

Just kidding!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by emtpej

There are cruise ships that aren't Disney?

Just kidding!

[Dave Marx]

All other things being equal (itinerary, etc.), I prefer Royal Caribbean. I like the ships much better than Carnival's. In my eyes, food on the two can be a toss-up. Atmosphere on Royal Caribbean is more elegant and more adult.

[Disneybine]

Originally Posted by emtpej

There are cruise ships that aren't Disney?

Just kidding!

My thoughts exactely!

We've never cruised with any other cruise line than Disney and - after having been on a Disney cruise - I'm pretty sure we never will. Sorry I can't offer any advice.

[NanaTink]

Originally Posted by emtpej

There are cruise ships that aren't Disney?

Just kidding!

Originally Posted by Disneybine

My thoughts exactely!

We've never cruised with any other cruise line than Disney and - after having been on a Disney cruise - I'm pretty sure we never will. Sorry I can't offer any advice.

I think I'm in that same quandry....DCL has spoiled me! The other ships look like floating boxes to me!

However, my DBiL, who thinks we are nuts, likes RC as does DMiL, if that helps

[Chelledun17]

I've only done Carnival and Princess (like both a lot) but just wanted to pop in and say whatever line you pick, you will loooove the Southern Caribbean itinerary. The islands are beautiful and much less tourist-filled than those further north! I'm not sure what itineraries you are looking at but we love anything that goes to St. Kitts, Bonaire, or Aruba.

Have fun!

[jams67]

I did RCCL a few weeks ago and loved it! In all fairness it was my first cruise and only 3 nights but frankly, it was perfect. The food was fine but they had a Johnny Rockets on board. LOVED IT!!!!! The entertaintment was great. On the last night they had the kids who went to the kids club do a skit and it was really cute. Most of the staff was great. Had a couple of not as great as they could have been but thrown them a big smile and huge "Thank you" and they lightened up. I would do them again in a heartbeat.

[hockeyguysmom]

We did 2 cruises with RC prior to doing Carnival & Carnival was a real let down. It's kinda like going from a deluxe resort to a budget resort. The service on RC was so wonderful.

One morning after breakfast with a friend we both decided to take a tray of food to our DHs in the rooms. There was a staff member at the end of the buffet line that would carry your tray to your table for you. When we explained that he didn't need to carry the trays because we were taking them to our rooms he carried both trays and went down the elevator with us.

[JoanW]

We are going on RCL in July, after doing 2 DCL. My Dsis has done a few Carnival. The week long was great, but the short 3 nighter was a booze cruise with lots of college age kids.

We are chosing RCL because it's a 9 nighter, out of Baltimore, and we live within 30 minutes of the port.

If I had my choice, I'd do a DCL 7 nighter, but this was so much cheaper for us all, and we get two extra nights and no air fare needed.

[cre8fmom]

We are about to take our 5th Royal Caribbean cruise in December and are big fans! Feel free to pm me with any questions you have. I have been on 3 different classes of their ships, so once I know which class of ship you are considering, I can be a bigger help to you.

[katydid]

I have cruised both. I think I prefer RCL for their public spaces, food and ambiance. That being said, some of the RCL cabins are very small for the price you pay. Check out the square footage of the cabin you are considering and compare that with what you have experienced on Carnival. How do they compare, and how important is cabin size or price to you and your family? Making an informed decision will assure you pick a great cruise.

[DouglasE]

It's a "you get what you pay for" situation. In my opinion Royal Carribean is a step up, but then it also is more expensive than Carnival. An analgous situation is the question: which is better a disney value or moderate resort?