Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two brands that dominate the mainstream cruise market. For many people, these cruise lines are the top two choices when booking an affordable cruise vacation. This often makes the “Carnival vs Royal Caribbean” debate one of the most common comparisons in cruising.
I’ve sailed both lines extensively, including multiple sailings aboard older ships and the newest mega-ships. Over time, the differences between the two brands became pretty clear. While some categories for Carnival vs Royal Caribbean are close, others aren’t even a competition.
I grew up sailing almost exclusively with Royal Caribbean. My family booked a Royal Caribbean cruise for nearly every vacation, and over time, I worked my way through the fleet.
Today, I’ve cruised on every Royal Caribbean ship class and almost every vessel in the lineup. My 30+ Royal Caribbean sailings have included everything from port-intensive sailings across Asia and Europe to short weekend getaways on the oldest vessels. This familiarity has made Royal Caribbean feel like a second home to me.
But I didn’t stick to one brand while cruising, especially with more than 50 cruises under my belt.
I sailed with Carnival Cruise Line a few times during high school and college. Within the last few years, I’ve returned to Carnival to experience what the newest Excel class ships have to offer. Now, I’ve sailed on eight different ships across the fleet.
Over the years, I’ve cruised aboard the oldest ships in Carnival’s fleet, including Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sunshine. And more recently, I’ve cruised aboard all three of Carnival’s newest Excel Class ships.
Over the last 25 years, I’ve seen how both cruise lines have evolved. For me, it’s easy to see where Carnival and Royal Caribbean each excel, and where they fall behind.
This comparison isn’t based on one sailing or one ship. Instead, my perspective comes from years of cruising both brands in different eras, regions, and price ranges.
Here’s my unfiltered comparison of Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean and where I would rank each cruise line.
Food: Carnival has better casual options, but Royal’s specialty dining shines
Dining is one area where each cruise line excels in different ways. Carnival easily wins the quick-casual category with staples like Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, and BlueIguana Cantina.
These venues consistently deliver great quality without an extra charge, and nothing on Royal Caribbean quite matches them at the complimentary level. Carnival cruisers consider Guy’s Burger Joint to be a fan-favorite, as you can find the famed burger shacks on every single ship in its fleet.
However, Royal Caribbean has better specialty dining compared to Carnival. The cruise line has invested more in specialty restaurants, offering more variety and better execution overall for an upscale experience.
I’ve tried a few specialty restaurants aboard Carnival’s ships, including the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Teppanyaki. Both experiences were fine, but I was never wowed, unlike my consistent specialty dining experiences on Royal Caribbean.
If you’re planning to splurge on specialty meals, Royal Caribbean will provide a more elevated experience. Additionally, I prefer Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer buffet compared to Carnival’s Lido Marketplace buffet, which seems to lack variety.
When it comes to the main dining room, the two are surprisingly similar. I’ve found that service, quality, and consistency line up almost evenly between Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
However, Carnival still holds one very real advantage, and Royal Caribbean has nothing that competes. Carnival’s famous chocolate melting cake is available each evening, and this decadent dessert is must-try during your cruise!
Ships: Royal’s designs lead the industry, but Carnival’s Excel ships are strong rivals
When comparing fleets for Carnival vs Royal Caribbean Overall, I prefer Royal Caribbean’s ships. Their newest classes, including Oasis, Quantum, and especially Icon, are some of the most impressive vessels in the industry.
These new ships showcase a modern design with multiple neighborhoods, along with a clear focus on technology. In my experience, Royal Caribbean’s ships feel more refined, polished, and innovative.
However, Carnival’s newest Excel Class ships are a worthy competitor, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. These new megaships are similar to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships with multiple zones, a huge selection of restaurants, and adrenaline-pumping attractions like BOLT, their roller coaster at sea.
Although the cruise line lacked innovative ship design for years, Carnival clearly designed these ships to compete directly with Royal. If I planned to book another Carnival cruise, I would only consider an Excel class ship.
There are more noticeable differences between older ships when looking at Carnival vs Royal Caribbean. In my experience, Carnival seems to do a better job adding signature amenities and updated venues to its older vessels. However, the older Conquest and Spirit class ships often feel more worn and rusted.
Royal Caribbean’s older ships, on the other hand are better maintained, even if it feels like stepping back in time. The Radiance and Vision class ships are comfortable, but with fewer modern touches or signature amenities. I’d argue these ships are in desperate need of a refresh.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean both have older vessels that serve a purpose, but neither brand’s older fleet will impress anyone who prefers a more contemporary cruise experience.
Staterooms: Royal feels more modern, though cruisers like Carnival’s themed cabins
When comparing Carnival vs Royal Caribbean staterooms, both cruise lines are more alike than different, especially on newer ships. Royal Caribbean’s cabins generally feel more modern in terms of decor and layout, while Carnival keeps things simple and functional.
Carnival does offer themed stateroom categories, such as Family Harbor or the Havana cabins. For instance, the Family Harbor suites are designed for families and provide access to a family lounge with kid-friendly snacks. Likewise, Havana suites offer a Latin-flair cruising experience with a dedicated pool deck and easy access to the Havana Bar.
Royal Caribbean doesn’t have anything comparable to these suites, but Carnival cruisers love these themed cabins.
However, Royal Caribbean wins without competition for top-tier suites. The cruise line’s Royal Suite Class have a large selection of spacious, luxurious accommodations on the newest vessels (Icon, Oasis and Quantum).
Royal Caribbean’s biggest cabins have enormous square footage and elevated perks, along with exclusive, personalized service. These upscale offering can’t be matched by anything Carnival offers. If you’re looking for the best suite experience in mainstream cruising, Royal Caribbean is the better option.
Onboard thrills and activities: Royal sets the standard, while Carnival offers strong value
Royal Caribbean has built a strong reputation rooted in technology and innovation with unparalleled onboard activities. From surf simulators to ice skating rinks, zip lines and massive waterparks, Royal Caribbean consistently pushes the boundaries.
Not to mention, Icon class takes this even further with the largest waterpark at sea, the AquaDome, and the Surfside neighborhood designed entirely for young families.
Comparatively, Carnival’s newer Excel Class ships hold their own with roller coasters, expansive outdoor decks, waterslides, and ropes obstacle courses. They provide plenty of fun, especially for families, but Royal Caribbean still has the edge when it comes to scale and innovation.
Daily activities across both brands feel familiar with trivia, karaoke, themed parties, and family programming. Carnival leans more heavily into interactive game shows and comedic entertainment, while Royal Caribbean offers more classic activities and larger-scale productions.
Entertainment: Royal’s productions can’t compete, and Carnival relies on interactive shows
If entertainment is important to you, Royal Caribbean is the clear winner. Royal Caribbean’s entertainment is the strongest in mainstream cruising, with full Broadway shows, spectacular ice-skating shows, high-tech theater productions, and incredible high-diving performances.
The scale and quality simply aren’t matched anywhere else, and it’s shocking to see what Royal Caribbean is able to do on a cruise ship.
Comparatively, Carnival is more focused on fun, casual, and interactive entertainment. Their Playlist Productions shows are smaller but still enjoyable. Additionally, Carnival relies heavily on guest participation for game shows like Family Feud Live and Deal or No Deal.
Carnival’s comedy clubs also remain an entertainment staple with daily comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club.
On Excel Class ships, Carnival has pushed harder into higher-tech entertainment, with aerialists and acrobatics elevating the lineup noticeably, but it’s still not to Royal’s level.
Onboard atmosphere: Carnival brings the party vibe, while Royal feels balanced
When comparing Carnival vs Royal Caribbean, the onboard atmosphere is one of the biggest differentiators for me.
Carnival is consistently more energetic and party-focused. Even outside of peak seasons, you’ll find the high-energy atmosphere that Carnival is known for.
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean still offers a lively cruise experience, especially during spring break, holidays, and short weekend getaways. However, the overall experience feels slightly more refined and balanced.
Neither cruise line would be considered quiet or boring. However, Carnival leans into its fun-centric reputation more boldly, while Royal incorporates family-friendly energy with relaxation.
Guest demographics: Both attract families for affordable fares
When comparing Carnival vs Royal Caribbean, you’ll quickly find that both cruise lines attract families, couples, groups, and multigenerational travelers. Because of their mainstream brand appeal, Carnival and Royal Caribbean are designed for mass appeal with affordable fares.
Carnival tends to attract more drive-to-port travelers, especially in the Southeast and Gulf Coast markets. Moreover, Carnival’s prices are often lower and more affordable, which draws more families and younger cruisers. The Family Harbor cabins are particularly appealing for parents traveling with small kids.
Similarly, Royal Caribbean attracts many of the same demographics. However, the cruise line’s biggest and newest ships draw travelers who are willing to pay a premium for top-notch onboard thrills.
On longer itineraries, Royal Caribbean tends to skew toward more adults, while summer and holiday cruises bring in younger families.
Itineraries: While Royal offers international variety, Carnival focuses on North America
When it comes to itinerary variety, Royal Caribbean easily wins this category. The cruise line has a large global footprint, with ships deployed across Europe, Asia, Australia, Alaska, and the Caribbean.
If you want the most itinerary options, especially for international cruising around the globe, Royal Caribbean is the best choice.
On the other hand, Carnival focuses primarily on North America, with the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico as its bread-and-butter destinations.
Carnival offers limited Europe, Australia, and Alaska sailings, but international itineraries aren’t where the brand places its emphasis. You can occasionally find more destination-focused sailings on Carnival, but they’re far and few between.
My candid opinion: Royal Caribbean is the better option for me
Carnival and Royal Caribbean both offer fun, affordable cruise vacations, but they cater to slightly different styles of cruising.
Carnival excels at quick-casual dining, simple entertainment, and delivering a party-forward experience at a great price. Their Excel Class ships are impressive and offer tremendous value for families.
In comparison, Royal Caribbean delivers the industry’s best ships, strongest entertainment, and widest international reach. Its specialty dining, modern cabins, and top-tier suites also give it a clear edge in overall cruise experience.
Although the better choice largely depends on what you want from your vacation, I would prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival. If you value innovation, production shows, and ship design, Royal Caribbean is my top choice. However, if you want casual fun, lower pricing, and a lively atmosphere, Carnival still offers a great cruise experience.
