Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the two biggest names in mainstream cruising, and both sail the Caribbean and Bahamas from ports all over the United States. They can look similar on paper. On board, they feel quite different. Here is how we help clients choose between them.
At a glance
| Royal Caribbean | Carnival | |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet | About 28 ships, including the largest cruise ships in the world | About 27 ships, from classic ships to the large Excel class |
| Atmosphere | Energetic and attraction-focused | Casual, social and playful, known for its “Fun Ships” |
| Signature ships | Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and the Oasis class | Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee |
| Kids’ clubs | Adventure Ocean | Camp Ocean |
| Private island | Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas | Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key in the Bahamas |
| Typical fares | Often higher, especially on the newest ships | Often among the best value in cruising |
The ships
Royal Caribbean builds ships that are destinations in themselves. The Icon class introduced the Category 6 waterpark, the AquaDome and the Crown’s Edge ropes course, and the Oasis class divides each ship into neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk. Many ships across the fleet have a FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing walls and, on some, ice-skating rinks.
Carnival’s newest ships are big too. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee carry BOLT, a roller coaster on the top deck, and themed zones throughout the ship. Across the fleet, Carnival focuses on easy, fun spaces: water parks, comedy clubs, live music and lively pool decks. Its older ships are smaller and simpler, which some guests prefer.
Food and drink
Both lines include a main dining room and a buffet in the fare, with specialty restaurants for an extra charge. Carnival’s included casual favorites are a big draw, such as Guy’s Burger Joint and the BlueIguana Cantina on many ships. Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of specialty dining, from Chops Grille steakhouse to Izumi for sushi and teppanyaki. Both sell drink packages, and the rules on who in your cabin must buy them differ by line, so ask us before you book.
Families and kids
Both lines are excellent for families. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean and its big-ship attractions keep teens and tweens busy, and Icon of the Seas has Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families. Carnival’s Camp Ocean, water slides and relaxed dress code make it an easy, budget-friendly choice for a first family cruise. See our family cruise guide for more.
Where they sail from
Both lines sail from Florida, Texas and the Gulf Coast, the Northeast and the West Coast. Carnival has a particularly wide spread of drive-to ports, including Galveston, New Orleans, Baltimore and Long Beach. Royal Caribbean’s largest ships sail from Florida ports such as Miami, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale. Browse all departure ports.
Which one is right for you?
- Choose Royal Caribbean if the ship itself is the main event, you want the newest attractions, or you have teens who need plenty to do.
- Choose Carnival if you want a casual, social vacation, the best possible value, or a short cruise from a port near home.
- Not sure? Compare a specific sailing on each line. Prices change daily, and the “better” line often comes down to the ship, dates and cabin.
Explore the full fleets on our Royal Caribbean and Carnival pages, or request a quote and an advisor will compare both for your dates.