Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are two of the biggest names in the cruise industry, yet they couldn't be more different.
Royal Caribbean is known for building the biggest, most innovative ships at sea, while Carnival focuses on delivering affordable vacations with a more laid-back atmosphere.
Throughout my cruising career, I've sailed on both cruise lines and have come to appreciate what each one does best. From the tiny Carnival Elation to Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, Carnival Celebration, and Icon of the Seas, I've experienced the best (and worst) of what both offer.
Royal Caribbean shines when you're looking for jaw-dropping amenities and cutting-edge entertainment. Carnival, on the other hand, offers better fast-casual dining options and a fun, easygoing vibe.
In short, Royal Caribbean and Carnival excel in different areas, and choosing between them ultimately depends on the kind of vacation experience you're seeking. That said, here are six reasons I would book a Carnival cruise over a Royal Caribbean one.
Read more: I took my first Carnival cruise on one of its newest ships
Carnival's comedy shows are unmatched
On Royal Caribbean cruises, the comedy acts often feel secondary to the large-scale productions in the theater, ice skating rink, and AquaTheater.
Carnival, however, prioritizes its comedy shows, offering a dedicated comedy club on each of its ships. As such, the Punchliner Comedy Club is home to the funniest comedians at sea.
There are clean, family-friendly sets, as well as R-rated shows that aren't meant for those who get easily offended. Plus, each sailing typically features a rotating line-up of famous comedians who have appeared on places like Comedy Central, BET, and more, so the laughter is never in short supply.
Pro tip: cruisers will line up for comedy shows early. If you want a good spot, arrive at least 45 minutes before the show starts. It's not uncommon for the Punchliner Comedy Club to fill up 20 minutes before showtime. And if you're in the first row or two, prepare to become part of the act!
The FUN Squad is more lively and personable
In my opinion, the activities team can make or break a cruise. As someone who loves attending game shows and participating in other events, I’ve found Carnival’s FUN Squad to be more engaging than on other cruise lines, namely Royal Caribbean.
Starting with the sailaway party, the FUN Squad team takes over the entire lido deck and gets everyone on their feet with fun music, dancing, and character pop-up appearances.
Carnival's Cruise Directors are just as memorable. They interact with guests throughout the day, host game shows, and make announcements that are entertaining and informative.
For example, when I sailed on Carnival Luminosa to Alaska, Cruise Director Paully kept everyone up-to-date with the wildlife sightings as we cruised through the famous Inside Passage. Moreover, when I ran into Paully ashore in Skagway, he took the time to chat and ask about how my day was going.
Although those moments seem small and insignificant, they're what make Carnival's crew stand out. From the moment you get on board, you are treated like family.
Read more: I did these 4 small things before my Carnival cruise, and they made a huge difference
Carnival has better fast-casual dining
While Royal Caribbean has placed a greater emphasis on quick dining options in recent years, they don't come close to the juicy cheeseburgers, fresh tacos, or crispy chicken tenders available on Carnival ships.
Everything from Guy's Burger Joint to BlueIguana Cantina and Big Chicken is a home run. In short, Carnival's celebrity partnerships have certainly paid off.
Shaquille O’Neal's Big Chicken dishes up tasty chicken tenders, sandwiches, and fries that are the closest thing you'll find to Chick-fil-A at sea.
Launched in 2011, Guy's Burger Joint is a fleetwide staple, available on nearly every Carnival cruise ship at sea. Created in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, known for his hit Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," it's home to the juiciest burgers and seasoned fries. There's also a toppings bar, so you can load up your burger exactly the way you like it.
Fieri expanded his partnership with the cruise line in 2018 with Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse. The BBQ joint features an impressive line-up of meats, smoked to perfection with Fieri's homemade rubs and spices, as well as tasty sides.
Other fast-casual restaurants on Carnival ships include BlueIguana Cantina, which is known for its tacos, burritos, and freshly-made salsa bar; Pizzeria Del Capitano/Pizza Pirate, the line's classic pizza spot; Street Eats, an Excel Class exclusive that features rotating options at three food stalls; and Carnival Deli.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line: Ultimate Food Guide
I prefer Carnival's flexible dining
Speaking of food, Carnival's flexible dining process is more streamlined and convenient than Royal Caribbean's. Those who wish to participate in Royal's "My Time Dining" program can either make reservations for their desired dinner time through the Cruise Planner or try their luck and show up to the dining room.
Carnival, however, makes it easy to eat when you want without hassle. Rather than waiting in a long line, guests simply check in for dinner through the mobile HUB app. Before checking in, you can even see the estimated wait time.
This means that if you happen to check the app and see that the wait time has increased to 30 minutes, you can go ahead and get in line while getting ready or sipping on a pre-dinner cocktail at the Alchemy Bar.
The check-in feature works for the cruise line's famous SeaDay Brunch, too.
Carnival has more departure ports
While you won't find Carnival's newest ships sailing from Virginia, Maryland, or Louisiana, the line offers more U.S. departure ports than Royal Caribbean. This accessibility is one of Carnival’s biggest advantages and makes cruising an option for more travelers.
For example, my partner and I took advantage of Carnival's Jacksonville sailings aboard Elation for spring break one year. Coming from Charlotte, it was a 6-hour drive and meant we didn't have to spend hundreds on airfare or deal with the chaotic airport.
Recently, someone I went to high school with took their first Carnival cruise aboard Carnival Sunshine out of Norfolk. The Virginia cruise port is just a few hours’ drive from North Carolina, which is more convenient than flying to Florida or another major port, such as Galveston.
Carnival will offer sailings from the following ports in 2026:
- Miami, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Port Canaveral, FL
- Mobile, AL
- Baltimore, MD
- Galveston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Norfolk, VA
The vibe is more low-key
Finally, Carnival's vibe is relaxed and unpretentious. The atmosphere encourages you to unwind without worrying about formal dress codes or busy schedules.
Most shows, for instance, last around thirty minutes. This means, unlike many Royal Caribbean ships, you don't need to commit to an hours-long Broadway-style production.
You also don't have to dress to impress. While many guests on Royal Caribbean wear sundresses, polos, and slacks to the dining room, I've witnessed Carnival cruisers in athleisure wear while enjoying multi-course meals.
On my first Carnival cruise, I even saw someone walking around in slippers. That might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it captures the cruise line's laid-back vibe, where the focus is on enjoying your vacation how you want to.
Read more: 11 things I wish I knew before my first Carnival cruise
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
