Considering a Caribbean cruise and wondering which is better, Royal or Carnival? We’re here to help with our comparison of Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival cruise line. We’ll tell you all about how these two popular choices stack up against each other so you can make an informed decision.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Quick Picks
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival cruise line overall: Depends on the type of experience you want to have and your budget
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival food: Both have top-quality food but Royal Caribbean has fewer included dining options
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival price: Carnival is less expensive
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival for families: Both offer plenty of activities and amenities for families, but Carnival wins due to its lower cost. However, if you have the budget, the family cabins on newer Royal Caribbean ships are incredible.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival for adults: Royal Caribbean offers a more sophisticated experience than Carnival, so it depends on the type of cruise you want to have.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Cruise Line Overview
There are both similarities and differences between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Both have tons of activity and entertainment options, from contests to casinos to evening shows of all types.
On a Royal Caribbean cruise, however, you will tend to find some more unique activities and amazing offerings (like the world’s tallest waterslide, bumper cars, and ice skating). Carnival ships generally have more standard amenities, but that is changing somewhat with the newer Carnival ships. Fun new offerings include the first rollercoaster at sea.
In the U.S., both cruise lines depart from major U.S. cruise ports like Miami and Port Canaveral as well as smaller cities like Galveston, New Orleans, and Tampa. Royal Caribbean has ports on every coast, including areas in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Pacific Northwest, and West. Carnival has fewer U.S. departure points than Royal Caribbean but also offers ports on all coasts. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have multiple itineraries in the western and eastern Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean visits more than 300 destinations and offers more cruises in other parts of the world in addition to the popular Caribbean and Mexico itineraries, such as Asia, Europe, North America, Alaska, South America, North Africa/Arabian Gulf, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Royal Caribbean also offers transatlantic and transpacific crossings as well as an ultimate world cruise.
Carnival focuses more on the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico, although they do have some cruises in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia, Bermuda, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and the Panama Canal. Carnival also offers some transatlantic and transpacific cruises.
Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer private islands, but currently Royal Caribbean’s is much more impressive (CocoCay has a huge pool, restaurants, and a giant waterslide). However, Carnival will be opening a new private island in the Bahamas in 2025 that should compete well.
While both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have both smaller and mega-ships, Royal Caribbean’s are larger. In fact, Royal Caribbean has five of the world’s biggest cruise ships including the newly launched Icon of the Seas, which took the place of the Wonder of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Passengers
You’ll find a mix of ages on both cruise lines, but there are some differences. Most Carnival cruises are more affordable, have a laidback feel, and originate in the U.S., so you’ll find mostly American younger adults and families.
Royal Caribbean cruises draw more people from other countries in addition to Americans, and their higher price point translates to a more upscale atmosphere. However, the variety of exciting activities onboard means that plenty of younger adults and families enjoy these cruises as well.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival for Families
While Carnival has long been a favorite for families due to their focus on being the “fun ships” (and we consider them one of the best cruise lines for families), Royal Caribbean keeps adding amazing amenities that make their ships extremely popular. The newest ships in particular have a lot that appeal to families.
For example, the new Icon of the Seas has the world’s largest waterpark at sea, 7 pools, and the “Stay All Day” Surfside neighborhood for families. Accommodations are also over the top, with special family suites like the 3-level Ultimate Family Townhouse with an indoor slide, a cinema room, and a private patio just off of the Surfside area.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival for Adults
Carnival ships are quite popular with families, especially those with younger children. Adults who would enjoy Carnival cruises tend to be those who like a party atmosphere, such as singles or friend groups. However, Carnival ships do offer adults-only areas, so it is possible to have a more romantic or “grown-up” experience onboard a Carnival cruise.
Although Royal Caribbean has plenty of family-friendly activities and amenities—especially the newer ships—it is a cruise line that appeals to a lot of adults. The higher price point also translates to a more upscale experience. You will typically find older passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including many couples who are celebrating special events like honeymoons and anniversaries.
If you’re trying to decide on Carnival or Royal Caribbean for young adults, it may depend on what sort of cruise experience you want. If you’re interested in hanging out by the pool, enjoying tropical cocktails in the sun, and a casual good time, Carnival ships are better for you. If you want a more sophisticated feel, check out a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Activities
There are both similarities and differences in Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival activities on board the ship. As with any cruise line, the types of activities and facilities available vary depending on the specific ship you choose. But in general, both have tons of options, from movies to live game shows to contests to casinos to evening shows of all types, including comics, theater productions, live music, and more.
On a Royal Caribbean cruise, however, you will find some unique offerings like rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice skating, Flowrider surf simulators, and bumper cars. They also have things like the world’s tallest waterslide. You will also find shortened versions of Broadway shows, outdoor Aqua Theaters with high-divers and acrobats, salsa dance clubs, and multimedia shows.
In addition to a variety of entertainment options like live music and shows, Carnival ships generally have more standard amenities like swimming pools, waterslides, video arcades, mini-golf courses, and movie theaters. However, some of the newer Carnival ships feature unique amenities as well. These include Skybikes (suspended “pedal-powered go-mobiles” that you bike around a course, high in the air), IMAX theaters, outdoor ropes courses, the first rollercoaster at sea, and the first Sky Zone trampoline park at sea.
Carnival also offers Serenity Adult-Only Retreat areas and Cloud 9 Spas, as well as libraries, art exhibits and seminars, and sports like volleyball and basketball. Entertainment includes audience participation shows, trivia contests, comedy clubs, live shows with dancing and singing, and tons of live music.
Both cruise lines offer a wide variety of shore excursions to choose from, and both have good children’s programs with plenty of activities for all ages.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Cabins
While both cruise lines offer a wide variety of accommodations, Royal Caribbean offers a bigger selection than Carnival does. However, the standard cabins on Carnival ships are among the biggest of any cruise line.
Luxurious suites on Royal Caribbean ships include 2-story loft suites, 2-story Ultimate Family Suites with slides and game rooms, and suites that come with private concierges. The décor in Royal Caribbean cabins is more luxurious, and over-the-top than in Carnival cabins.
On Carnival, you will find a variety of cabin types but not as many as on Royal Caribbean. The look is laidback with bright colors. Carnival ships offer large Family Harbor suites as well as suites that come with access to private retreat spaces with lounge chairs and whirlpools.
The newer Carnival ships have more luxurious offerings. Staterooms are thoughtfully designed and feature all sorts of new amenities. For example, the Excel Presidential Suite on the Mardi Gras has a separate living room, dining area, and wet bar, plus a huge balcony with seating and an outdoor hot tub.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Food
The food on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival is said to be excellent, and you can get a variety of cuisines, from Asian to Mexican to Italian to Indian to steak and seafood to casual American fare, on both lines. Both cruise lines have partnerships with celebrity chefs for some of their restaurants, including Guy Fieri and Emeril Lagasse on Carnival and Jamie Oliver on Royal Caribbean.
Both offer a mix of places to eat that are included in your price, as well as a la carte restaurants that you have to pay extra for. However, there are fewer free choices on Royal Caribbean—it’s mostly a buffet and main dining rooms.
On Carnival ships, there are more free than paid restaurant choices, and you have a wide variety of outlets to choose from. Royal Caribbean tends to have more specialty restaurants than Carnival, and they are usually elegant and a bit expensive.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Drink Package
Neither Carnival or Royal Caribbean are all-inclusive cruise lines, so you will want to consider purchasing a drink package in advance. (Drink packages are a prepaid amount that buys you a certain number of beverages per day, so you’re not paying a premium price onboard, and know in advance how much you’ll be spending.)
There are drink packages for both nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean has 4 drink packages: water, classic soda, refreshments, and deluxe. Carnival has 3 drink packages: bottomless bubbles for soda, a wine package, and an alcoholic beverage package.
While the specific cost can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, and travel dates, Carnival’s drink packages tend to be less expensive.
Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Price
A Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival cost comparison shows that while both cruise lines offer affordable options, Royal Caribbean tends to be a little more expensive than Carnival Cruise Lines.
Not only can you find inexpensive fares for Carnival cruises, but On-board expenses like drink prices and internet fees are a bit lower than those on Royal Caribbean.
Is Carnival the cheapest cruise line? In many cases, yes, cruises on Carnival are more affordable than on other cruise ships. However, this depends on the itinerary; other cruise lines can be cheaper on certain routes.
Now that you’ve read our comparison of Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival, are you ready to book a cruise? If so you may want to check out our Caribbean cruise packing list. And if you’d like help planning your cruise, feel free to reach out to one of our expert travel advisors!