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Understandably, if you want to try the biggest ships with the best features, you’ll need to pay more. There’s little between the cruise lines for kids’ facilities – both are excellent. If your kids love Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the Cat in the Hat, then perhaps Carnival has the edge, otherwise the experiences are broadly similar across both cruise lines. The Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs on Royal Caribbean are packed with educational, fun activities. Guests are split into age-appropriate groups, so the teens are stuck with younger children, and they each have their own spaces suited to their age range. Kids will love trying experiments in the Adventure Science Lab, getting creative in the Imagination Studio, or watching a movie in the kids-only Adventure Theater.
Family cruising
Which cruise line is best? Fans say why they prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival - Royal Caribbean Blog
Which cruise line is best? Fans say why they prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival.
Posted: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents. Carnival also features Playlist Production shows where the singers and dancer’s showcase familiar tunes with dazzling choreography. If that’s not your cup of tea, you might enjoy live gameshows of Deal or No Deal or Family Feud, which can only be found on Carnival’s cruise ships. With the upcoming release of Icon of the Seas, the first of a new astonishing class of ships, this approach still stands. Royal Caribbean continues to be a pioneer in the cruising industry and sets the bar for other cruise lines, like Carnival, to follow.
Nightlife and Evening Entertainment is Varied and Hopping on Both Lines
Some cruises from the UK are available, but the ship will move around Europe for the summer, so your options are a little more limited if you’re looking to sail from the UK. Royal Caribbean’s is marginally bigger, with 27 ships currently sailing for the cruise line and another three under construction. Carnival is just one behind with 26 ships, and one more that’s currently sailing for Costa Cruises and will join Carnival in 2024. Firstly, Royal Caribbean tends to offer more luxurious and upscale cabins on its newer ships, with a greater emphasis on premium amenities and features.
Staterooms and Suites
The cruise line also offers a dedicated teens-only lounge called Circle C. Royal Caribbean is known for its Broadway-style shows and innovative attractions like ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, and surfing simulators. Carnival also partners with Dr. Seuss, meaning passengers can enjoy themed green eggs and ham character breakfasts, parties, and storytime sessions. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line offer a variety of destinations, from the Bahamas and the Caribbean to Europe, Alaska, Australia, and beyond. If you’re looking for a more extravagant experience, Royal Caribbean may be the way to go, but if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, Carnival might be a better fit. For cruisers who are 18-21, Royal Caribbean does have some meet-ups that you’ll find in the Cruise Compass.
After 10 cruises, here's what I love and hated about sailing with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises - Cruise Blog
After 10 cruises, here's what I love and hated about sailing with Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
Posted: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
VIFP Club’s scale is smaller, since it doesn't provide reciprocal perks on other sibling brands. This is an immediate drawback when comparing the two, but it still makes sense to join the program if you sail often with Carnival. A great way to earn points is with The Carnival World Mastercard, but with few non-cruise perks, it’s not the best option to use when making other purchases. Carnival’s loyalty program — cleverly dubbed the Very Important Fun Person Club, or the VIFP Club — operates in a similar manner. The more points you earn and the more often you cruise, the more perks you get. Special onboard events, discounts and benefits are available for members of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, the Crown & Anchor Society.
Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Travelers are very different in terms of what they expect in a cruise experience. Then, again, rest and relaxation could be what floats your boat, so to speak. Choosing the best cruise line between Royal Caribbean and Carnival ultimately depends on what you value most in a vacation. Royal Caribbean leads with its innovative ships and adrenaline-pumping activities, making it ideal for those seeking a high-tech, adventure-filled journey. Starting as a Blue member and progressing up to Diamond status, the program injects each cruise with extra joy through perks that range from complimentary beverages to priority boarding.
Royal Caribbean's onboard activities
Carnival offers plenty of fun things to do as well, but it’s typically more of the classic things to do on a cruise ship, like mini-golf, movies, pools, and jogging tracks (which Royal Caribbean also has). Assuming both cruise lines can fit your date, destination and amenity preferences, Royal Caribbean comes out ahead. This is particularly true if your budget can accommodate the higher cost for interior cabins and/or you aren’t traveling with kids. It's hard to go hungry on a Royal Caribbean ship because of its numerous dining options and specialty dining choices. One area where it falls short is name recognition, with fewer celebrity chefs lending their brand to its onboard eateries.
Carnival Cruise Line Pool Decks
Like most preferences, the decision of which cruise line is better is subjective. Many people are steadfast fans of one ship over another — and won’t hear anything otherwise. These islands had largely been the same, offering some restaurants and shops, but the big draw being white-sand beaches with beautiful water.
As noted above, you'll find a higher ratio of crew-to-passengers on Royal Caribbean and Disney ships, and all those extra crew members do make a difference in the experience. The difference is particularly notable when it comes to entertainment offerings, with both Royal Caribbean and Disney fielding much more elaborate shows with bigger casts and name-brand stories. Disney's ships are chock full of Disney-themed entertainment that wins kudos for its high production values. Each of the ships in our comparison is among the most alluring in their respective fleets for families. You'll find watery play zones, family pools and other kiddie lures on the top decks of all three vessels, and plenty of supervised kid zones in their interiors.
For those traveling without kids, Royal Caribbean’s adult-only areas are superior for relaxing during your cruise. Each ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet offers a serene space for adults called The Solarium - it’s my favorite place to relax. Comparatively, Carnival’s showcase plenty of pools, hot tubs and waterslides. The biggest ships, Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, feature The Ultimate Playground where guests can find the cruise line’s onboard thrills. Here, you can take your turn on the ropes course or dare to try the thrilling waterslides for free.
The Punchliner Comedy Club promises a night of belly laughs, while live music and dance shows keep you moving to the beat. The adventure continues with rock climbing walls, the FlowRider surfing simulator, ice skating, and even zip lines, ensuring that every moment is filled with excitement. Not to be overlooked, the Ultimate Abyss slide and the North Star observation pod offer breathtaking thrills and views, respectively.
This was my favorite new dining option onboard Icon of the Seas, but I also appreciated the availability of other included venues in areas like Surfside and the Royal Promenade. Norwegian Viva is similar in terms of design, as the ship has a cozy ambiance with a very modern design. She was also built with a big emphasis on outdoor spaces with many bars and lounges having both indoor and outdoor seating.
Carnival is the clear winner after sailing on both cruise lines, with an unbeatable nighttime party at sea. From sophisticated wine bars and cozy pubs to lively dance clubs and unique venues like the Bionic Bar with robotic bartenders, there is something to suit every mood. The drinks’ quality and the bartenders’ expertise contribute to an exceptional bar experience, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy exploring different types of beverages in various settings.
Royal Caribbean’s larger ships boast impressive venues like the AquaTheater, Two70 Theatre, and ice rinks, where nighttime shows are a visual spectacle. The nightlife is extensive and diverse, with a more upscale and polished feel, catering to a wide range of preferences. Carnival’s ability to create a consistently lively and entertaining nightlife scene makes it the top choice for passengers who prioritize a vibrant and festive evening experience during their cruise.
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