Royal Caribbean and Carnival are among the world’s largest and most popular cruise lines.
But what are the differences between these companies? Both are American, both cater to a predominantly American clientele, and both are known for their large ships.
However, after careful analysis, I was able to find 10 fairly important differences that you definitely want to know.
So let’s get started and analyze them together!
1. The on-board atmosphere
In my opinion, the on-board atmosphere between Carnival and Royal Caribbean is very different.
Carnival is often dubbed as the “Fun Cruise Line”. The atmosphere is lively, informal, and oriented toward fun-loving travelers.
On board, you will usually find families, young adults, and groups of people looking for poolside parties, karaoke sessions, and deck games.
The vibe is also more casual and festive, with different themed nights, such as the popular “80s Rock-N-Glow”.
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean offers a more polished and sophisticated experience.
It’s typically liked by a broader range of passengers, including families, couples, and older adults.
One thing that I love about Royal is the meticulous attention to detail. On their ships, you can find some of the world’s most innovative attractions, but we will find out more about them in the section about the ships.
2. The itineraries
In terms of itineraries, Carnival offers more short cruises mainly to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico.
The most popular itineraries are those that last between 3 and 7 days. As a result, this company is perfect for those seeking a short, less demanding vacation.
Even in the itineraries, there is a good balance of fun and relaxation, with stops at popular destinations that include Cozumel, Nassau, and Grand Cayman.
In contrast, Royal Caribbean has longer, more varied, and sometimes even more unique itineraries.
In addition to the great Caribbean classics, it also offers a good variety of cruises in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
This wide variety is perfect for frequent cruisers, who have already done the most popular itineraries and are looking for something new and more exotic.
3. The ships
Now let’s analyze the part that will interest most of you: the ships!
The difference here is quite clear. Royal Caribbean is worldwide renowned for its fleet of mega-ships, including the Oasis and Quantum class ones, which are among the largest in the world.
These ships have numerous amenities and activities, from zip lines and surf simulators to Broadway-style shows.
In addition, the big size of these ships allows for more innovative spaces like Central Park, a lush garden area with live plants, and the Boardwalk, which hosts a carousel and aqua theater.
Here on the blog, you will also find a ranking of Royal Caribbean ships, I recommend you take a look at it.
Carnival, on the other hand, seems to want to focus not on ship size but rather on the quality of entertainment on board.
I particularly like the newer Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
I think they are just the right size (neither too small nor too large) and all three have one of my favorite attractions which is BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.
4. The price
If you were wondering, yes there is also a price difference.
From what I have noticed Carnival is slightly cheaper than Royal Caribbean.
I also noticed that Carnival tends to offer more discounts and promotions while Royal Caribbean’s price changes more based on the time of year and how far in advance you book your cruise.
Let’s make it clear, the difference is not much. Often just a few hundred dollars, but it’s still an interesting thing to note.
5. The entertainment
On Carnival ships, you will find a variety of live performances, including comedy clubs with well-known comedians, musical shows, and deck parties.
One of my favorite ones is the “Lip Sync Battle” where guests can participate in a live lip-syncing competition.
Royal Caribbean prefers Broadway-style productions with many musicals, ice-skating shows, and acrobatic performances at the AquaTheater.
Although the quality of the productions is very high, I personally find Royal Caribbean’s entertainment a bit impersonal.
I had already told you about this in the article where we tried to figure out which cruise line is better between Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
6. The food
The difference in style between the two companies is also noticeable in the food.
As we have already mentioned, Carnival aims for a more casual style. For example, you will find Guy’s Burger Joint which serves hamburgers, and BlueIguana Cantina which serves tacos and burritos.
Both are extraordinarily good despite being very informal.
Instead, as you can imagine, Royal Caribbean has more formal alternatives like Wonderland, which provide a unique and high-quality dining experience.
Although I prefer the informal things, I like that Royal Caribbean serves some fine food in the Main Dining Room.
On my last Royal cruise, I had some very good lobster tails and an excellent filet mignon.
7. Kids & Families
Let me tell you right away that both cruise lines offer specific programs for toddlers and families with children.
Carnival’s approach is more laid-back and playful, with a focus on interactive and themed entertainment.
Most of the passengers think it’s particularly suited for younger children and families looking for budget-friendly options.
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean offers more innovative attractions and comprehensive programs for various age groups. So it’s a slightly more upscale and varied family cruising experience.
I’m just disappointed that in 2019 Royal Caribbean lost the agreement with Dreamworks, because it gave a nice theming to all the activities. In addition, they are not offering in-stateroom babysitting anymore.
8. The departure ports
In terms of departure ports, the main difference is that Royal Caribbeans focus more on major ports and have fewer sailings from smaller cities compared to Carnival.
This can mean a bit more travel for some passengers but often results in more varied itineraries.
However, I personally like that Carnival also sails from smaller ports like Mobile and New Orleans. They’re a good alternative for those who cannot make long trips by car or plane.
9. The cabins
Cabins between the two companies are also very different.
Carnival has a more classic style, the cabins have everything you need without too many frills.
Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, has more design-conscious, more luxurious cabins with some notable innovations.
For example, on some RC ships the inside cabins have virtual balconies, a clever innovation introduced a few years ago.
I haven’t tried it yet but am very curious about it. If you have traveled in a cabin with a virtual balcony let me know how it was in the comments!
Both cruise lines have some cabins that should be avoided. Check the cabins to avoid on Carnival and the cabins to avoid on Royal Caribbean.
10. The loyalty program
Both companies have loyalty programs that are designed to offer benefits to frequent travelers.
Carnival’s one is called Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) and Royal Caribbean’s is called Crown & Anchor Society.
While both programs provide significant rewards, Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society tends to offer more comprehensive benefits, especially at the higher tiers.
These include access to exclusive lounges and complimentary specialty dining.
Carnival’s VIFP Club, on the other hand, focuses more on practical perks like priority boarding and complimentary laundry services.
