Hilda Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are two of the biggest names in the cruise industry. Many cruisers compare the two cruise lines, as the rival competitors offer family-friendly, affordable cruises. While some prefer Carnival’s fun-focused experience, others prefer the more upscale experience of Royal Caribbean.
After years of cruising with Carnival, a seasoned traveler recently sailed with Royal Caribbean for the first time onboard Harmony of the Seas. The Oasis Class ship is one of the biggest ships in the world. The cruiser’s first-hand account on Reddit offers a detailed comparison between the two cruise lines, showcasing Royal Caribbean’s strengths while candidly pointing out areas where Carnival still has an edge.
Although the cruiser enjoyed many aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience, they still missed some of the staples of Carnival Cruise Line. Here’s a closer look at their experience.
What Royal Caribbean does best
Complimentary drinks
One of the unexpected highlights of Royal Caribbean for this cruiser was the quality of the coffee. “I enjoy a good black coffee, and Carnival’s always tasted like mud,” they admitted. On Harmony of the Seas, the coffee earned high marks for its smooth flavor.
Tea drinkers weren’t left out either, as Royal Caribbean offers an extensive selection of teas at every coffee station. By contrast, they noted that Carnival’s tea options are limited to Lipton, which felt like an afterthought.
Drink package
For non-drinkers, the Refreshment Package was a welcome option on Royal Caribbean. “It gives you basically everything but Starbucks items and alcohol,” they explained, appreciating the flexibility compared to Carnival’s more rigid drink package, which primarily focuses on alcohol or soda.
While Royal Caribbean’s alcohol package was pricey for this cruise—over $100 per day per guest—they appreciated the flexibility of dynamic pricing based on demand.
Central Park
A defining feature of Oasis Class ships, Central Park quickly became one of the cruiser’s favorite spots on the ship. “What a nice place to spend time. Usually quiet, the garden is beautiful,” they shared. Whether it was enjoying the serene ambiance or simply strolling through the lush greenery, Central Park provided an experience that Carnival ships couldn’t replicate.
The Solarium
The adults-only Solarium also impressed the cruiser. Compared to Carnival’s Serenity, which they described as smaller and often prematurely closed, Royal Caribbean’s Solarium felt more accommodating. “Bigger, better layout, more seating, and the hot tubs were open late,” they remarked, highlighting how the Solarium felt like a true retreat from the crowds.
Unparalleled entertainment
Entertainment was another area where Royal Caribbean outshone its competitor. The evening shows, particularly The Fine Line water performance in the AquaTheater, were described as “far superior to anything I’ve seen on Carnival.” They praised the high production value, variety, and unique offerings, underscoring Royal Caribbean’s reputation for delivering world-class onboard entertainment.
Where Royal Caribbean falls short
Specialty dining
When it came to dining, Royal Caribbean edged out Carnival slightly in terms of overall quality. The Main Dining Room experience was described as more formal, with proper place settings and linens every night. “It feels a little more upscale, and there’s no singing or dancing by the waitstaff, which might be a pro or con depending on your preferences,” they noted.
However, specialty dining left them with mixed feelings. While the food was good, the prices felt steep. “We splurged on the Mexican place for lunch—it was good, but $35 a head felt like a lot,” they admitted. That said, the variety of casual dining options, from the 24-hour café to the build-your-own taco station, offered something for everyone.
Carnival, however, retained an edge in specific favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. “No burger on Royal comes close to Guy’s,” they said emphatically. And as for Carnival’s breakfast burritos? “There’s nothing better in the morning than a fully loaded BlueIguana breakfast burrito.”
Ship layout
The sheer size of Harmony of the Seas brought both advantages and challenges. With over 6,500 passengers, there were plenty of activities, pools, hot tubs, and quiet spots to enjoy. However, certain areas, like the Royal Promenade, felt chaotic. “They’ve got parties, presentations, shopping, the piano bar, and pictures all happening in one spot,” they noted. While they appreciated the variety, navigating the crowds to grab a late-night snack or a quick coffee could be frustrating.
Reservations
The cruiser was unimpressed with Royal Caribbean’s reservation systems for dining and shows. “You have to plan everything ahead of time or be ready to stand in line,” they said. The app-based system required booking specific time slots well in advance, and popular shows filled up quickly.
For dining, the My Time Dining option felt restrictive. “It’s not really MyTime at all,” they remarked, contrasting it with Carnival’s more flexible approach that lets guests check in via the app and receive a notification when their table is ready.
Lack of activity options
On sea days, especially in the afternoons, Royal Caribbean felt lacking in activities. “If you don’t gamble, drink, shop, or do yoga, you’re pretty much stuck sitting around reading,” they shared. While trivia and live music were available, the options felt sparse compared to Carnival’s livelier daytime schedules.
Final thoughts
The overall verdict? Royal Caribbean offered a superior experience in many ways, but it wasn’t without its challenges. “Was it miles better than Carnival? No, but I think the experience was better at a similar price point,” they concluded.
From standout features like Central Park and entertainment to frustrations with reservation systems, the cruiser’s perspective highlights how the two lines cater to slightly different audiences. Ultimately, they emphasized the importance of value for money in today’s travel market. As they put it, “Travel is so expensive, and I think it’s important to get the most for your money.”
