Thursday, April 11, 2024

Photos Show the Difference Between Carnival and Royal Caribbean Ships

royal caribbean vs carnival cruise

Norwegian Viva's size allows the ship to sail to unique destinations around the world. Shows include high dives, acrobatic stunts, and light shows with the ocean serving as a backdrop. Its offerings cater to both families and individuals who crave cutting-edge entertainment and a wide range of onboard experiences. The ticket price is just the beginning; the true value of a cruise comes alive through the myriad of experiences and amenities included. Whether it’s the allure of Broadway at sea, the pulse of live music, or the laughter shared in a comedy club, your time onboard is an adventure in entertainment.

Best Alaska Cruises for Families 2020

They are two of the biggest and most-traveled cruise lines worldwide and two of the best cruise lines for families. In general, Royal Caribbean's prices are reasonable, but the line tends to charge significantly more for sailings on its newest ships, particularly for passengers booked in suites. Another area where Royal Caribbean does exceptionally well is with its active pursuits.

Royal Caribbean for Families

royal caribbean vs carnival cruise

Popular areas onboard, such as theatre shows, the pool deck, and the buffet, struggled to accommodate the passenger flow. For a brand-new cruise ship, there’s not much to scoff at in terms of design. All four of these ships felt modern, stylish, and fresh, although each ship had its own unique ambiance onboard.

Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries stand out with their inclusion of exotic destinations, and the private island experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay offers an unmatched blend of excitement and relaxation. In general, it isn’t easy to compare costs as prices vary depending on the destination, ship, itinerary, and time of year. Both cruise lines are pretty equal in pricing, but Carnival tends to be a bit more affordable. Royal Caribbean impresses with its innovative design elements and luxurious suite options, catering to those looking for a high-tech or more upscale accommodation experience.

royal caribbean vs carnival cruise

The suites on Royal Caribbean ships are a highlight, offering spacious layouts, luxurious amenities, and additional perks like access to exclusive lounges and dining areas. Families can also find larger cabins that accommodate larger groups comfortably. The standout cabins are the Oasis-class Ultimate Family Suite and the Icon-class Ultimate Family Townhouse. Additionally, Royal Caribbean ships often feature high-tech shows, including spectacular ice-skating performances and aquatic theater shows in the unique AquaTheater. The entertainment extends beyond these large productions, with live music, comedy shows, and interactive experiences that keep guests entertained throughout their journey. Each new ship brings brand-new experiences for passengers and continues to build upon the innovation of its predecessors.

Overall, Celebrity Ascent offers a solid round-up of both complimentary and specialty dining, along with one of the best buffets at sea. The consensus among travel advisors consulted is that Carnival is the most budget-conscious option. In general, if your dream cruise includes the latest and greatest in ship design and technology, along with a plethora of activities for all ages, Royal Caribbean is the way to go. The more you cruise with Carnival, the more points you gather, leading to richer rewards like onboard credits and exclusive VIFP parties. This program is tailored to recognize and reward the festive spirit of Carnival’s guests, making each cruise more enjoyable than the last.

Onboard activities

If you’re someone who loves to cruise on the bigger mega ships that rival floating cities, you’ll want to choose Icon of the Seas or Carnival Jubilee. Both of these massive cruise ships have everything you could want on a cruise ship; however, be prepared to fight crowds during popular events. The massive cruise ship can hold 7,600 guests at maximum capacity and nearly 10,000 people in total when counting the crew members. She features eight different, distinct neighborhoods onboard with unique experiences for its many guests to enjoy. In terms of family travel, RCI's private island, CocoCay, is a favorite among kids of all ages.

Carnival Cruises

If you are a budgeter, then one of the frustrating things you might encounter is dynamic pricing on Royal Caribbean. With this type of pricing, there isn’t a set cost for something like a specialty restaurant or drink package. So you could sail one cruise and see one price, but a completely different price the next time you sail. However, that’s changed with the recent renovation of CocoCay by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line spent $250 million to completely transform the place from a sleepy tropical island to a full-blown destination. Today CocoCay features a full waterpark with one of the tallest slides in the world, a massive freshwater pool, restaurants, and tons more.

Comparing the cheapest cabin on Carnival Celebration vs Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Blog

Comparing the cheapest cabin on Carnival Celebration vs Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas.

Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Whether you're thinking of booking a cruise to relax or you're someone who's always on the go, you won't be disappointed with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Both offer plenty of hidden nooks for reading, sun decks for working on your tan and adults-only spaces if your goal is simply to escape the kids and soak in the pool or hot tub. And let's not forget that all ships in both fleets also have spas if a massage or manicure is more your speed. “Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are fantastic options for families—with tons to do onboard, and plenty of family-focused features,” says Silverstein. The real difference is in the cost and number of inclusions, so decide which onboard experiences are most important to you and your kids before making your final decision.

Newer ships in the Quantum-class offer the SeaPlex, an indoor entertainment center with activities such as roller skating and trapeze classes. Of course, Broadway-style shows are on tap, as are aerial shows, acrobatic stunts at the AquaTheater and DJ sets. Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, has fewer North American home ports, but it still offers a lot of the same itineraries to the Caribbean and Mexico, in addition to cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. There are European cruises available more regularly with Royal Caribbean than with Carnival, and there are even some cruises that travel around Asia and Australia.

While Carnival and Royal Caribbean have some similarities, there are also some key differences to be aware of. Prices on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are significantly higher, especially during peak traveling season. Although much of the dining and amenities are included, plenty of activities and specialty restaurants cost extra. Carnival also offers a range of cabin categories, from basic interior rooms to more upscale suites. While they might not have the high-tech features of Royal Caribbean’s cabins, they are well-regarded for their cleanliness, comfort, and value.

Also, both have private islands in the Bahamas with pools and water parks. One of the most exciting aspects of sailing on a brand-new ship is experiencing the never-before-seen entertainment. As cruise ships get bigger in size, cruise lines are expanding their entertainment offerings thanks to more space and larger crowds to accommodate. Royal Caribbean offers a diverse dining experience catering to various tastes and preferences. Their ships feature a variety of dining options, from casual buffets to formal dining rooms, and include a selection of specialty restaurants. As you could probably guess, Carnival Cruise Line offers loads of family-friendly, kid-geared activities.

Teens have their own onboard disco, part of interior kid zones spread over parts of two interior decks. Family attractions on the inside of the vessel include a 3D theater with moving seats and special effects (a cruise ship rarity). You'll also pay extra for the service charges that have become commonplace on ships. For most cabins on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney vessels, a family of four would pay $391.72, $406 and $378 per week, respectively, in such fees. The line also lacks a premium "concierge class" of cabins that come with dedicated concierge service and other extras. A sailing with Disney can cost two or three times as much per day as a sailing with Carnival, Norwegian or MSC.

Where the lines differ, however, is mainly with game shows, theater shows and top-deck offerings. Late-night group babysitting ensures kids are cared for in the comfort of their staterooms while parents enjoy an evening out. “Royal Caribbean also has a drop-off, extra-fee nursery and free parent-kid play space for under-3s on many ships,” says Silverstein. If you’re a major foodie or someone who loves to really let loose and party the night away on a cruise, you might find that Carnival is the best cruise line for you.

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