As someone who is scheduled to go on my 3rd cruise in November, videos like this one are great. My hubby introduced me to cruising with RCCL for our Honeymoon and weve been Loyal to Royal ever since. NGL though... as the younger, more outgoing of the 2 of us, Carnival sounds fun.
My wife and I are about to take our first Royal Caribbean cruise. We have cruised with Carnival for years but this time Royal fit our schedule. Can’t wait to compare them.
Here's the truth - a cruise should be a unique experience and unlike anything on a land vacation. For this, Carnival takes the win hands down because their ships and experiences are closer to traditional cruising - not perfect, just closer. Anything you can do at a land resort or amusement park should not be on a cruise. Slide - check/ waterpark - no. Balconies that overlook the sea - check/ balconies that overlook a 'street' - no. Other big no's : ice rink, climbing wall, wave rider, etc. Furthermore, having been on both lines (plus about 20 others) the essential cruising experience is the same on both of them but for some reason, Royal is way more expensive. Personally, I won't go on a ship that has more than 3K passengers at 100% occupancy. Yes, the more areas you have does allow everyone to spread out. (In fact, I do a tonnage-to-passenger ratio calculation to compare ships for this.) But when everyone wants to do the same thing at the same time, it's a nightmare. Also, if you've been following the news, there are many ports all around the globe who are starting to limit or forbid these mega ships, not to mention that if you're in a port that has too many passengers ashore at the same time, your experience is greatly diminished. My perfect ship: around 90K tons with around 2,200 passengers, like any of the Carnival Spirit Class ships: Spirit, Pride, Miracle or Legend. That size gives you plenty of 'cruise-style' activities and amenities without having to fight big crowds. If you want a resort and/or amusement park, go to one and leave cruising to real cruisers.
Royal Caribbean is very very high even though it is a very nice Cruise Line there are usually twice as expensive as carnival carnival is very reasonable and definitely more kid friendly and their sell away parties are epic. I’ve been on both ships a number of times in fact I’m getting ready to go on a cruise for the Thanksgiving holiday the guys misspoke when they said the 15th drinks for the packages that’s 15 drinks per day, did you get that for the drink packages? Also, the drink packages are a fraction 25% compared to Royal Caribbean for me and my son. We can actually have a drink package for about $300 where the same unlimited free drink package as close to $1000 if not more Royal Caribbean not to mention that a Royal Caribbean Cruise will cost you double for seven day cruise that Carnival cost😊
good clarification on the drink package. yes, 15 alcoholic drinks per day. agree about cost. When we sail Royal the drink package is very expensive and honestly the bartenders don't serve as quickly as Carnival. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving on your cruise. We've cruised over thanksgiving a couple of times and they are some of our best memories.
First of all, amazing video quality! I laughed when Tony was cut off for the aft view. 😂 Although, I have not been on Royal -- I believe if I'm going alone I would probably prefer Royal, because I'm more laid back when solo traveling. When I go with someone, multiple people or first time cruisers, definitely Carnival. However, when I'm itching to book a cruise Carnival is ALWAYS the first website I visit. Overall, I would choose Carnival as my #1.
My family loves cruising ever since our kids were young. We do 1 Royal and 1 Carnival trip a year. Royal used to be better and worth the extra money. Over the past year or two Royal has gone down. Icon was just so darn crowded when we cruised with long lines everywhere and people pushing and shoving and the food was just ok. Not bad but not great. The free food on Carnival is defiantly better and Carnival has a better value and the ships did not feel a crowded.
I like both. I think Royal has nicer ships and better entertainment, but Carnival’s food is much better with the exception of the buffet. I also found the people on Carnival more outgoing and a touch more fun. My husband and I cruise back and forth between the 2.
Hi guys! Great video… but you didn’t mentioned anything about kids activities…. I’m traveling with my toddlers and would love to know what can they do while sailing. Not many videos on kids activities around.
Yeah, since we don’t have kids we really didn’t feel like we were great authorities on it haha. That being said, from what we’ve seen from other cruisers, Carnival has some amazing kids programs for all ages. Royal does too, but Carnival seems to be the more popular choice for kids activities and kids clubs
I really enjoy Royal Caribbean. As a matter of fact, I cruised on the Icon Of The Seas just last week; however with that being said, I must say that I am a diehard Carnival “Funnel Head”. And even though I do like exploring many different cruise lines, Carnival is always my go to for at least every other cruise, which is why over the next 12 months I have one Princess, one MSC, three Carnivals, and one more Royal Caribbean cruise booked. However I must also say that my favorite overall experience, I always have the very best time on Carnival each and every time! As a side note, I can’t wait to visit Celebration Key next year and I also can’t wait to book Carnival’s upcoming next class of super mega ships that’s scheduled to follow the Excel mega ships.
Carnival Cruiser here. We try to cruise twice a year. I can do that within our budget with Carnival. Would probably only get to sail Royal once a year. Not saying I would not sail Royal. Just knowing it might be the only cruise for that year.
The thing is, it's hard to compare royal to itself. We've been on the Quantum class, which is neither an old or a small ship, and it hardly had any of the features you showed.
Some information is inaccurate. Royal pizza is my opinion WAY better than Carnival. Also when I order a drink on Royal I get a ticket to sign and add a tip every time. Confused why you don’t??? Also my favorite cruise line is Royal… Carnival is great but Royal does it for me. Carnival is great for partying and Royal has the better entertainment and main dining food where Carnival was way more options and different no up charge food options. All my opinion. Also it depends on what ship you’re on as well. The cruise director makes a difference too
Def agree that the ship and cruise director make a difference. Weird about the receipts for drinks, when we were on Utopia and Icon we never got them… did you have the drink package? 🤔
@@RandomRecess No I didn’t have the drink package, maybe that’s why. I go on the Icon for the 1st time in a few weeks I’m sooooo excited. I don’t think I’ll do Utopia unless I move back to Florida it’s just not worth it to me to fly there just for 4 days!
Disney is a premium cruise line and the way Royal has been pricing their cruises recently, they definitely want to be more like Disney. Carnival and Royal have a lot in common when it comes to smaller ships. It will be interesting to see what Carnival does with their “Oasis” size ships in a few years. I wouldn’t count Carnival out yet.
What is your favorite cruise line?
I have cruised equally on Carnival, Royal and NCL. With over 15 cruises under my belt I prefer Carnival.
We really want to try NCL what’s your favorite ship?
I worked for carnival and would only ever sail on RCL. Love Royal and their private island.
Coco Cay is fab!
As someone who is scheduled to go on my 3rd cruise in November, videos like this one are great. My hubby introduced me to cruising with RCCL for our Honeymoon and weve been Loyal to Royal ever since. NGL though... as the younger, more outgoing of the 2 of us, Carnival sounds fun.
Thanks so much. We really wanted to keep the focus on Cruising and the fun each cruise line offer. Hope you have an amazing time on your cruise.
Great review
Thank you so much!
I am definitely a Royal girl although I have enjoyed NCL. It's all about what you want, no shade either way.
Exactly! Love that ♥️
Love the drinks and customer service on Royal but I like the layout of Carnival ships so much more
Yeah they both have areas where they excel.
My wife and I are about to take our first Royal Caribbean cruise. We have cruised with Carnival for years but this time Royal fit our schedule. Can’t wait to compare them.
Oooh hope you have an awesome time! What ship?
The major cruise lines are wonderful!! It just comes down to what experiences you desire…Carnival is for me!!!
Nice!!! We love the Fun Ship!!!
We are very lucky we have several cruise lines that are actually different. Too many companies copy eachother so they offer the same thing
Great video! We love both, but we wish we could combine some into one fabulous ship.
Carnival Caribbean? Or Royanival? 😂 that would be so cool!
Great video I really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing ❤️
Thanks so much for checking it out!
Here's the truth - a cruise should be a unique experience and unlike anything on a land vacation. For this, Carnival takes the win hands down because their ships and experiences are closer to traditional cruising - not perfect, just closer. Anything you can do at a land resort or amusement park should not be on a cruise. Slide - check/ waterpark - no. Balconies that overlook the sea - check/ balconies that overlook a 'street' - no. Other big no's : ice rink, climbing wall, wave rider, etc. Furthermore, having been on both lines (plus about 20 others) the essential cruising experience is the same on both of them but for some reason, Royal is way more expensive. Personally, I won't go on a ship that has more than 3K passengers at 100% occupancy. Yes, the more areas you have does allow everyone to spread out. (In fact, I do a tonnage-to-passenger ratio calculation to compare ships for this.) But when everyone wants to do the same thing at the same time, it's a nightmare. Also, if you've been following the news, there are many ports all around the globe who are starting to limit or forbid these mega ships, not to mention that if you're in a port that has too many passengers ashore at the same time, your experience is greatly diminished. My perfect ship: around 90K tons with around 2,200 passengers, like any of the Carnival Spirit Class ships: Spirit, Pride, Miracle or Legend. That size gives you plenty of 'cruise-style' activities and amenities without having to fight big crowds. If you want a resort and/or amusement park, go to one and leave cruising to real cruisers.
Great points all around! We absolutely agree, and our favorite cruises have been on the Vista class of ships on Carnival.
I prefer Royal bw these two! ✨
Royal is awesome!
thanks for the interview guys!
It was awesome meeting and chatting!
Royal Caribbean is very very high even though it is a very nice Cruise Line there are usually twice as expensive as carnival carnival is very reasonable and definitely more kid friendly and their sell away parties are epic. I’ve been on both ships a number of times in fact I’m getting ready to go on a cruise for the Thanksgiving holiday the guys misspoke when they said the 15th drinks for the packages that’s 15 drinks per day, did you get that for the drink packages? Also, the drink packages are a fraction 25% compared to Royal Caribbean for me and my son. We can actually have a drink package for about $300 where the same unlimited free drink package as close to $1000 if not more Royal Caribbean not to mention that a Royal Caribbean Cruise will cost you double for seven day cruise that Carnival cost😊
good clarification on the drink package. yes, 15 alcoholic drinks per day. agree about cost. When we sail Royal the drink package is very expensive and honestly the bartenders don't serve as quickly as Carnival. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving on your cruise. We've cruised over thanksgiving a couple of times and they are some of our best memories.
01:10 love that you show Chris missing the basket lol. 😂
Have to keep him humble lol
First of all, amazing video quality! I laughed when Tony was cut off for the aft view. 😂
Although, I have not been on Royal -- I believe if I'm going alone I would probably prefer Royal, because I'm more laid back when solo traveling. When I go with someone, multiple people or first time cruisers, definitely Carnival. However, when I'm itching to book a cruise Carnival is ALWAYS the first website I visit. Overall, I would choose Carnival as my #1.
Lolol that aft shot wasn’t supposed to be in there 😂😂😂 oops oh well mistakes happen. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the support!
My family loves cruising ever since our kids were young. We do 1 Royal and 1 Carnival trip a year. Royal used to be better and worth the extra money. Over the past year or two Royal has gone down. Icon was just so darn crowded when we cruised with long lines everywhere and people pushing and shoving and the food was just ok. Not bad but not great. The free food on Carnival is defiantly better and Carnival has a better value and the ships did not feel a crowded.
Love that you do both!
I like both. I think Royal has nicer ships and better entertainment, but Carnival’s food is much better with the exception of the buffet. I also found the people on Carnival more outgoing and a touch more fun. My husband and I cruise back and forth between the 2.
This is exactly how we feel too!
I am actually a RCL person myself.
Their ships are just too beautiful!
@@RandomRecess I couldn’t agree more. I sailed Carnival last year and honestly it could not compare.
I will be going on my first in June with my kids
Omg have the best time ever!!!
Loyal to Royal they have the best Loyalty rewards ❤
Especially the casino deals. They seem much better at least for us.
Awesome video, gentleman. I do prefer Royal Caribbean. Although they don’t have a Guy’s Burger, I love me some Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets was so yummy
Hi guys! Great video… but you didn’t mentioned anything about kids activities…. I’m traveling with my toddlers and would love to know what can they do while sailing. Not many videos on kids activities around.
Yeah, since we don’t have kids we really didn’t feel like we were great authorities on it haha. That being said, from what we’ve seen from other cruisers, Carnival has some amazing kids programs for all ages. Royal does too, but Carnival seems to be the more popular choice for kids activities and kids clubs
I really enjoy Royal Caribbean. As a matter of fact, I cruised on the Icon Of The Seas just last week; however with that being said, I must say that I am a diehard Carnival “Funnel Head”.
And even though I do like exploring many different cruise lines, Carnival is always my go to for at least every other cruise, which is why over the next 12 months I have one Princess, one MSC, three Carnivals, and one more Royal Caribbean cruise booked.
However I must also say that my favorite overall experience, I always have the very best time on Carnival each and every time!
As a side note, I can’t wait to visit Celebration Key next year and I also can’t wait to book Carnival’s upcoming next class of super mega ships that’s scheduled to follow the Excel mega ships.
Carnival knows how to bring the energy and fun, and we are totally funnel heads too and not ashamed!
Carnival Cruiser here. We try to cruise twice a year. I can do that within our budget with Carnival. Would probably only get to sail Royal once a year.
Not saying I would not sail Royal. Just knowing it might be the only cruise for that year.
Carnival is so affordable and we love that!
Loyal to Royal as cliché as that sounds.
Love those new Royal ships! ♥️
If you have been to Las Vegas you know that Royal is the Strip and Carnival is Fremont lol
I mean… but Fremont can be so much fun! Lol
Carnival=Altima of The Seas 🌊 🚗
We love a good Altima.
Royal Caribbean doesn't offer self-service laundry. So we tend to cruise with them only on short cruises.
Oh interesting, didn’t know that!
Carnival is getting away from self service, but they still offer fair prices for send out laundry ($15 for a large bag)
The thing is, it's hard to compare royal to itself. We've been on the Quantum class, which is neither an old or a small ship, and it hardly had any of the features you showed.
Very good point
Why weren't the casinos on each cruise line mentioned at all and their loyalty programs?
Part two 🤷
Some information is inaccurate. Royal pizza is my opinion WAY better than Carnival. Also when I order a drink on Royal I get a ticket to sign and add a tip every time. Confused why you don’t??? Also my favorite cruise line is Royal… Carnival is great but Royal does it for me. Carnival is great for partying and Royal has the better entertainment and main dining food where Carnival was way more options and different no up charge food options. All my opinion. Also it depends on what ship you’re on as well. The cruise director makes a difference too
Def agree that the ship and cruise director make a difference. Weird about the receipts for drinks, when we were on Utopia and Icon we never got them… did you have the drink package? 🤔
@@RandomRecess No I didn’t have the drink package, maybe that’s why. I go on the Icon for the 1st time in a few weeks I’m sooooo excited. I don’t think I’ll do Utopia unless I move back to Florida it’s just not worth it to me to fly there just for 4 days!
@@ShaeShae73 yeah that’s why we did a back to back on Utopia, four days isn’t enough! And omg have the BEST time on icon!!!
@@RandomRecess. That’s a good idea. I can do a back to back!! Thanks for that idea!!!
Parent here. Which cruise has fewer kids?
They both have a bunch of families, it’s honestly hard to say. Depending on the sailing and time of year, they will both be full of em.
MSC
Haven’t tried them but maybe one day we will and then do a video on that. Lol
@ think carnival but better guests.
@@JC-tf2jb interesting
What if I said Disney??? 🐭 🛳️
Disney is in a class all its own ♥️
Royal hands down like i forgot deodorant
😂
Definitely Royal. Carnival doesn’t stand a chance. Royals competition is Disney not carnival.
Disney is a premium cruise line and the way Royal has been pricing their cruises recently, they definitely want to be more like Disney. Carnival and Royal have a lot in common when it comes to smaller ships. It will be interesting to see what Carnival does with their “Oasis” size ships in a few years. I wouldn’t count Carnival out yet.
Does not look relaxing for sure!
It depends. Each cruise line offers something unique.
Royalcaribbean carnival is a ghetto cruise line 😂
We love both, and don’t think Carnival is “ghetto” at all. That term is pretty racist too btw
I agree! Just came back from Carnival last week and it’s Ghetto! 😂 I’m going on another Carnival next year. Maybe Royal.
Royal Carribean is more boring carnival is much more fun in partying and entertainment.