Within the past six months, I've sailed on two of Royal Caribbean and Carnival's oldest ships: Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation. Though both ships launched within two months of each other, they couldn't be more different. From the overall atmosphere to the quality of the dining and cabin experience, one clearly came out on top.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are two of the leading cruise lines in the industry, boasting over 25 ships each. From massive vessels filled from bow to stern with adrenaline-pumping activities to low-key ships reminiscent of a more traditional era of cruising, there's a ship for everyone within both fleets.
In March, I set sail on a 5-night cruise from Jacksonville, Florida, on Carnival Elation. It was my fourth Carnival cruise, having previously sailed on Carnival Celebration, Vista, and Conquest.
Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Carnival Elation
As such, I had a relatively good grasp of what made the brand appealing, from the delicious complimentary dining to high-energy deck parties and relaxed onboard vibe.
Most recently, I disembarked from a 5-night sailing on Vision of the Seas, cruising from Baltimore, Maryland, to Bermuda. Growing up, I primarily cruised with Royal Caribbean and have grown fond of the larger ships, namely those within the Oasis Class.
However, after finally cruising on a Vision Class ship, I understand the appeal of these older vessels, even if they are slightly outdated. The quality of the food in the Main Dining Room was unreal, and I loved the spacious, enclosed Solarium. Plus, embarkation and disembarkation were orderly and efficient.
On both cruises, I stayed in interior cabins, opting for the cheapest stateroom possible. These no-frill accommodations came equipped with standard cruise ship cabin amenities, including a vanity area, ensuite bathroom, closet, and television.
The price of the cruises was comparable, too. For my spring break cruise on Carnival Elation, my fiancée and I paid $1,475.30, while my friend and I paid slightly less for our Bermuda cruise, totaling $1,396.76 for our 5-night sailing.
Here's my comparison of the cheapest cabins on two of Royal Caribbean and Carnival's oldest ships.
Price
The difference between the fare of both cruises, including gratuities and port fees, was just $78.54, or $39.54 per person. To be honest, this shocked me, as my cruise on Carnival Elation was during spring break, which historically sees high prices, whereas my sailing to Bermuda was after the peak months of June, July, and August.
Not only that, but they sailed from smaller ports: Jacksonville and Baltimore. Carnival Elation is the only ship to offer cruises from Jacksonville–until Norwegian begins operations there in November 2025. Baltimore is slightly larger; however, Vision of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship that calls Maryland home.
The cruises were also the same duration and on ships of the same age, with Carnival Elation launching in March 1998 and Vision of the Seas in May 1998.
Read more: The best months to cruise to Bermuda
In total, the cost of the cruise on Carnival Elation broke down to $147.53 per person, per night. On the flip side, my friend and I paid $139.67 per night for our 5-night Bermuda sailing. Because of my status with Royal Caribbean, I knew I'd get more value from sailing on Vision of the Seas, as my Diamond status awards me four complimentary drinks daily.
When used on alcoholic beverages (specifically cocktails) this can save upwards of $64 per day. In comparison, my fiancée and I spent quite a bit on drinks onboard Carnival Elation, as we decided against purchasing the CHEERS! Drink Package.
Still, considering the price included unlimited food, entertainment, transportation to ports of call, and accommodations, a little over $700 per person for a cruise vacation isn't too shabby!
Cabin overview
Inside cabins are typically snug, and that was definitely the case onboard Vision of the Seas. My stateroom, Cabin 3543, measured just 132 square feet. However, it felt surprisingly spacious—perhaps because we had the beds separated.
In comparison, my cabin on Carnival Elation, R30, measured 185 square feet. Though larger, there was more empty space in the stateroom. Had it been designed a little differently, there would have been space for a small loveseat.
As both cabins were older, there were obvious signs of wear and tear, especially in the bathroom. From rust to chipped paint and stained furniture, even first-time cruisers wouldn't mistake these staterooms for brand-new. However, the excitement of every cruise lies outside of the cabin. What's the point of taking a cruise and traveling to new ports of call to spend most of your time in your stateroom?
Read more: I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Vision of the Seas
Both cabins had similar, basic amenities standard for cruise ship cabins; however, my stateroom on Vision of the Seas was noticeably missing a mini-fridge.
That said, though my inside cabin on Carnival Elation had one, it didn't work too well. Asking our cabin steward for a fresh bucket of ice would have been a more effective way to chill our wine.
Moving on, my stateroom on Carnival Elation was updated to feature more charging options, including USB plugs beside the bed! In total, the stateroom had one European outlet, two American outlets, and four USB ports.
Comparatively, my cabin on Vision of the Seas had just two American and two European outlets, all located near the vanity.
Thankfully, I brought European power adapters, meaning we could charge our phones and laptops simultaneously, so my friend and I charged our phones while lounging in bed.
However, while Carnival Elation may have had more outlets, it lacked two nightstands. Having a catch-all place for our books, water bottles, and hair ties helped keep the vanity clear of miscellaneous clutter on Vision of the Seas—aside from our makeup bags and other cosmetics.
They also provided some extra storage, which helped keep our t-shirts, shorts, and undergarments organized.
Read more: The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience
Storage
Speaking of storage, both cabins had their strengths and weaknesses. On Carnival Elation, for instance, I found there was more space to store clothing, between the multitude of shelves and an adequate number of hangers.
However, the bathroom had just one tiny shelf, so my fiancée and I had to keep most of our toiletries and cosmetics in the closet area.
Conversely, while my stateroom on Vision of the Seas lacked shelving in the closet, the bathroom had three cubbies, a small drawer, and one cabinet.
Read more: 15 Packing Tips for First-Time Cruisers
On Carnival Elation, my large suitcase fit underneath the bed, freeing up the closet and helping it look more organized. That wasn't the case on Vision of the Seas, though. Instead, I had to cram it into the closet, which took up a lot of the available floor space.
Both staterooms had storage near the vanity, too. However, I appreciated that the extra space was hidden on Vision of the Seas. Rather than having to look at makeup bags, sunscreen bottles, and other items, everything stayed concealed in cabinets behind the mirrors.
Plus, there was simply more vanity storage available on Vision, meaning that most of the shelves went unused. If traveling with more than two people in one cabin or on a longer cruise, I'm sure the extra space would have come in handy.
Overall, there was more than enough storage on both cruises. My biggest complaint was the lack of space in the bathroom on Carnival Elation; however, with plenty of shelves by the cabin's door, we weren't struggling to keep everything organized and within reach.
Read more: Cruise cabin hacks to improve your stateroom's functionality
Bathroom
Cruise ship bathrooms aren't known for being luxurious. They're compact but functionally serve their purpose. You'll find a small shower, toilet, and sink—all designed to maximize efficiency. The decor is usually minimalistic, too.
While all was true on Carnival Elation and Vision of the Seas, the ensuite bathroom on Vision was more akin to what you'll find on newer ships, minus the clingy shower curtain. Overall, the layout was similar, and the backsplash reminded me of the blue tile on older Oasis Class ships, though not identical.
My largest gripe with the bathroom was the shower curtain. Other than that, I found the bathroom well-maintained, except for a few noticeable areas of rust. I greatly appreciated how clean the showerhead was, too.
On the other hand, the bathroom on Carnival Elation was perhaps my least favorite part of the stateroom.
Unlike on Vision of the Seas, the shower wasn't tucked into the corner. This helped keep the water from splashing everywhere, as the showerhead didn't spray in the direction of the flimsy shower curtain.
Other than that one design aspect, there wasn't much to appreciate about the bathroom, from the lack of storage to our showerhead, which was disgusting and showed obvious signs of limescale build-up. Not only that, but it broke a few days into our cruise.
The small piece attaching the showerhead to the bolted rod fell off, and it took over a day before maintenance could fix it. Whenever we showered, water splashed everywhere since we had to hold the showerhead at an awkward angle. It wasn't ideal and, while it didn't ruin our trip, it certainly is not a fond memory.
Location
Ironically, R30 on Carnival Elation and 3543 on Vision of the Seas are both located forward on Deck 4.
Initially, when I found out I'd be in a stateroom near the forward elevator on Vision, I was thrilled! The Solarium is my go-to spot on sea days, so I was excited to have a short elevator ride up to Deck 9.
However, one thing I didn't realize—which is embarrassing to admit as a cruise writer—is that I had no idea the Solarium is actually in the aft of the vessel on Vision Class ships, whereas the Windjammer is located forward.
Read more: Best rooms on a cruise ship: Deck, location, & category
Being on Deck 4, however, meant we could easily use the stairs to get to popular venues like Cafe Latte-tudes, the Main Dining Room, Masquerade Theatre, and Casino on Decks 4, 5, and 6.
R30 on Carnival Elation was a bit further from some of our frequently visited spots onboard, with the Main Dining Room, Piano Bar, Fun Shops, and Mikado Main Show Lounge all being located on Deck 8. Still, measuring just over 71,000 gross registered tons (GRT), it wasn't hard to navigate.
In both cases, it was nice being located near an elevator bank and stairwell. However, whenever you're further forward, it's important to come prepared with motion sickness medication. The seas were rockier than usual en route from Baltimore to Bermuda on Vision of the Seas, and my friend and I were both thankful I remembered to grab my motion sickness patches before leaving for the airport.
Final thoughts
Interior cabins aren't for everyone. Between their compact size and lack of natural light, some travelers may find them a bit claustrophobic.
If, however, you prioritize stretching your vacation budget as far as possible, inside staterooms offer a cozy and comfortable experience while allowing you to enjoy all the onboard amenities, from delicious dining to production shows, trivia sessions, and more. Plus, they come with the same standard amenities as ocean-view and balcony cabins, including an ensuite bathroom, vanity area, and television.
Between the two interior staterooms on Carnival Elation and Vision of the Seas, I'd argue Vision of the Seas offered a more enjoyable experience. Though smaller, the overall design maximized functionality, with a small seating area, dual nightstands, and plenty of bathroom storage.
Ultimately, both inside staterooms are a great value for budget-conscious travelers, but if you're looking for more comfort, Vision of the Seas takes the lead.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
