Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are the two biggest names in mainstream cruising, carrying millions of passengers every year on ships that often compete for the same travelers.
For most of my life, I’ve been sailing with Royal Caribbean for over two decades. My first cruise was when I was a tiny toddler and continued throughout my childhood. I climbed the loyalty ranks and sailed everything from Royal Caribbean’s older, smaller ships to brand-new mega-ships that felt like floating cities. As such, I rarely looked elsewhere when planning a cruise vacation.
The last time I had sailed Carnival before adulthood was during a college spring break cruise. Like many cruisers, I had heard all of the stereotypes about Carnival over the years. The cruise line is often labeled the “Walmart of the Seas” or the “Spirit Airlines of cruising,” and I’ll admit those perceptions influenced my opinion.
That changed a few years ago when my sister and I booked a cheap four-night cruise aboard Carnival Ecstasy. We boarded with low expectations and an open mind, as the ship was sent to the scrapyard just a few months after sailing. We were so impressed by the experience that we continued booking Carnival cruises.
Since then, I’ve sailed aboard Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Sunshine, and Carnival Jubilee, giving me a much broader perspective on what Carnival does well across its fleet.
While Royal Caribbean continues to be my most-sailed cruise line, there are a few things Carnival consistently does better in my opinion.
1. The schedule makes it easier to do more onboard
One of the biggest differences I’ve consistently noticed is how Carnival structures its daily activities. Many events last only around 30 minutes, which allows passengers to fit more into their evenings.
On Carnival, I’ve found myself bouncing between trivia, karaoke, comedy shows, game shows, and live music all in the same night.
Royal Caribbean’s programming often involves longer productions, including Broadway-style performances that can take up a large portion of the evening. While I enjoy those shows, they sometimes limit how many other activities I can fit into my schedule.
Carnival’s approach creates a faster-paced atmosphere. It feels like there’s always something happening, and because activities are shorter, it’s easier to try things you normally wouldn’t.
Even on older ships with fewer attractions, I rarely found myself bored because there was always another event starting somewhere onboard.
2. The casual dining options are hard to beat
One thing I’ve noticed across Carnival’s fleet is how much emphasis the cruise line places on casual dining. Whether I was sailing aboard Carnival’s oldest ship or the cruise line’s newest Excel-class vessels, there always seemed to be multiple quick and convenient places to grab something good to eat.
Guy’s Burger Joint quickly became one of my favorite cruise ship lunch spots. In addition, BlueIguana Cantina serves fresh tacos and burritos throughout the day. Finally, venues like Big Chicken and Guy’s Pig & Anchor on the newer ships add even more variety.
What I appreciate most is how these venues are integrated into the ship. Many are located around the pool deck or in high-traffic areas, making it easy to grab a meal without heading to the buffet.
On some of Royal Caribbean’s older ships, quick-service options can be more limited. If you’re hungry between meals, you’ll often find yourself heading to the Windjammer. This is one of my biggest gripes about Royal Caribbean, as I’d like to see more casual dining options.
After sailing aboard many different Carnival ships, it’s clear that the cruise line has really embraced the idea of casual dining. I’ve always found the variety to be impressive, and the quality is consistently good.
3. Carnival’s activities feel more geared toward younger cruisers
One thing my sister and I noticed immediately was how much Carnival’s activities appealed to us. Don’t get me wrong: Royal Caribbean does an excellent job creating a family-friendly experience that appeals to all ages. But Carnival often feels more focused on younger adults, particularly millennials and Gen Z cruisers.
Throughout my Carnival cruises, I’ve found trivia centered around topics like Harry Potter, Friends, The Office, and pop culture themes that were more relevant to my age group.
The cruise line’s overall energy also feels younger. Whether it’s the sailaway parties, deck events, comedy shows, or trivia sessions, Carnival does a great job creating activities that feel fun and approachable. Even the music that you’ll hear onboard is more modern!
As someone who started cruising in childhood and is now in my thirties, I’ve noticed that Carnival’s activity lineup often aligns more closely with my interests than what I typically find on Royal Caribbean. Of course, that will likely change as I get older, but it’s fun to experience such a lively cruise line in my 20s.
4. SeaDay Brunch is one of the best meals at sea
Another Carnival tradition that completely won me over is SeaDay Brunch. Before my first cruise back with Carnival, I had seen people rave about it online. Now, after trying it myself, I understand why.
Available in the dining room on sea days, SeaDay Brunch combines breakfast and lunch into one dining experience. The menu features everything from fluffy pancakes and breakfast skillets to Carnival’s famous caramelized peach French toast.
The food is excellent, but I also appreciate the timing. Unlike many breakfast venues that close earlier in the day, SeaDay Brunch extends into the late morning and early afternoon. If you’ve stayed up late enjoying the nightlife onboard, there’s no need to set an alarm just to grab breakfast.
Every Carnival ship I’ve sailed has delivered a great SeaDay Brunch experience, and it’s become one of the first things I look forward to when booking a Carnival cruise. Although Royal Caribbean occasionally offers brunch in the main dining room, it’s not really comparable to Carnival’s SeaDay brunch concept.
5. The atmosphere is welcoming and casual
One of the bigger difference between Carnival and Royal Caribbean is the overall vibe. From my very first cruise back with Carnival, I noticed how casually everyone dressed.
People wore shorts to dinner and some showed up in coverups after the pool. In general, people seemed less concerned with dressing up for the evening than I’d experienced on Royal Caribbean.
At first, I felt a little overdressed; but, by the third night, I stopped worrying about it. Instead of planning dinner outfits and spending time getting ready each evening, I found myself throwing on a comfortable dress and heading out the door.
This casual atmosphere has been consistent across every Carnival ship I’ve sailed. While plenty of guests still enjoy dressing up for formal nights, there is far less pressure to do so. No one seems concerned about what anyone else is wearing.
In this way, I like how Carnival feels like a judgment-free zone. The atmosphere is relaxed, approachable, and focused on having fun rather than impressing anyone. This isn’t to say the atmosphere on Royal Caribbean isn’t casual and welcoming, but I’d say Carnival’s experience is even more laid-back.
My perspective on Carnival has changed for the better
Before returning to Carnival, I wasn’t sure the cruise line would be a good fit for me. Like many longtime Royal Caribbean cruisers, I had preconceived notions about what the Carnival experience would be like. What surprised me most was how quickly those assumptions disappeared once I stepped onboard.
Is Carnival different from Royal Caribbean? Absolutely. But different doesn’t mean worse.
In fact, there are several areas where I now find myself preferring Carnival’s approach. The casual dining is excellent, SeaDay Brunch has become a must-do tradition, and the laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to relax and have fun.
Most importantly, Carnival reminded me that stepping outside your comfort zone can be rewarding.
While Royal Caribbean remains my preferred cruise line, I have a different perspective about Carnival. After sailing multiple ships across the fleet over the last few years, I wouldn’t hesitate to book another Carnival cruise, although I do prefer sailing on their newer Excel class ships.
