I love cruising, whether a port-intensive sailing to Greece or a short getaway to the Bahamas, so within the past year, I tried cruises to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival ships.
Each line is known for something different. Carnival, for example, is known for its fun, lively atmosphere with plenty of activities geared toward partygoers and families. On the other hand, Celebrity provides a more refined and sophisticated experience, with an emphasis on fine dining and world-class service.
Between the three, my cruises on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity impressed me. However, my Bahamas cruise on Carnival was somewhat of a letdown, largely because the brand doesn't align with my personal preferences.
Here's how the 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises stacked up.
I started the year with a 4-night cruise on Carnival Conquest
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the leading mainstream cruise lines, boasting a fleet of over 25 ships. Having sailed on Caribbean cruises onboard Carnival Celebration and Vista, I took a 4-night cruise aboard Carnival Conquest.
My interior stateroom was $817.30 for two people, which is roughly $102 per person, per night. The 185-square-foot cabin was spacious; however, I didn't like the clingy shower curtain or how much noise we could hear from passersby. That said, we had a great location on Deck 7—we were only two decks above the Fun Shops and two below the lido deck.
While the price was reasonable for our cruise, tendering to Half Moon Cay was a bit of a hassle when compared to the dock at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Though the island is beautiful, the tendering process felt disorganized, leading to longer waits than expected. The same happened during my 5-night Bahamas cruise on Carnival Elation a few months later.
Another gripe I discovered on Half Moon Cay was that Carnival doesn't provide complimentary umbrellas. If you want to protect yourself from the harsh Bahamian sun, you must shell out an extra $35. Not only that but Carnival's drink packages don't work ashore. Overall, it seemed like Carnival really wanted to nickel and dime guests at Half Moon Cay.
Additionally, the 22-year-old Carnival Conquest faced a few power issues during my sailing, with Pizza Pirate and Carnival Deli's power going out on the second night. The only late-night snack available was cold sandwiches.
That said, I enjoyed most of my meals during my sailing, especially my dinner at The Point Steakhouse. However, if you don't want to splurge on specialty dining, the food quality in the Main Dining Room is still good. There are also staples like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina onboard.
The dining experience was disappointing on Carnival Elation, with the Main Dining Room's service and food quality a far cry from what I experienced on Conquest. It seemed as though everything I had minor quarrels with on Conquest worsened during my cruise on Elation, and it left me feeling that Carnival had a lot of room for improvement.
That said, Carnival is a great option for cruisers who enjoy high-energy activities. The pool deck, for example, is lively with music and games happening throughout the day. Plus, the nightlife is vibrant. However, for those like myself who want a quieter, more laid-back experience, the party-centric atmosphere can be overwhelming.
Read more: 13 things I loved and hated about Carnival Conquest
Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas offered non-stop entertainment
Oasis Class ships have been some of my favorites for a decade, having first sailed on Oasis of the Seas in 2014. Still, it wasn't until recently that I embarked on a 4-night cruise aboard one of these massive vessels. In the past, I've only sailed on 7- and 8-night cruises on Oasis Class ships, so I was worried that 4 nights on Allure of the Seas would feel rushed.
Having found a great last-minute deal, my dad and I paid just $834.36 for our cruise. Our guaranteed interior cabin was located at the front of the ship, which made it a hike from the venues in the aft like the Main Dining Room and AquaTheater. However, everything else about the stateroom was perfect for our short getaway. It was cozy and well-appointed, and we had plenty of storage space.
Unlike my two Bahamas cruises with Carnival Cruise Line, my 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas called at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island. Compared to Half Moon Cay, CocoCay offers a diverse experience.
Read more: Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay vs Carnival's Half Moon Cay: Which should you choose?
While Half Moon Cay's charm lies in its untouched beauty, CocoCay is more developed and offers the perfect activity for everyone, from Thrill Waterpark to the adults-only Hideaway Beach and upscale Coco Beach Club.
Aside from the ports of call, I enjoyed the entertainment on Allure of the Seas more. There's nothing like watching the high-diving AquaTheater shows or listening to live music in the pub! While there were more partygoers onboard compared to longer Royal Caribbean cruises, it wasn't as overwhelming as the environment on Carnival cruises.
Plus, the food was exceptional. My dad and I dined at two specialty restaurants, both of which were firsts for us! Meat lovers shouldn't skip Samba, the Brazillian steakhouse that dishes up premium cuts of meat ranging from filet mignon to beef ribs and lamb chops. The highlight, though, was the Chef's Table, a must-do for foodies.
Overall, I found my 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas to be the perfect balance for those looking for a lively party atmosphere, while still offering plenty of quiet spaces to unwind and relax.
For those who want to experience all the excitement of an Oasis Class ship—whether the Broadway-style shows, AquaTheater performances, or indulgent dining options—without committing to a lengthy vacation, a 4-night cruise is a perfect option. It's more affordable, too!
I was surprised by how much I loved my time on Celebrity Reflection
Like Allure of the Seas, my 5-night cruise on Celebrity Reflection visited Perfect Day at CocoCay. In fact, it was the first sailing aboard Reflection to Royal's private island. Having cruised on Celebrity Ascent to the Eastern Caribbean, I was curious whether I'd love an older Celebrity ship.
While Reflection is not as new or flashy as Celebrity Ascent, it has its own charm and distinct character that feels luxurious and comfortable. I found it a great compromise for those who want to visit CocoCay without sailing on a family-friendly Royal Caribbean ship, as Celebrity's upscale vessels tend to appeal more to an older crowd.
Still, I enjoyed everything from the high-energy game shows to the dining. However, it was more expensive compared to my Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises. Our inside cabin came out to be $1,997.74, including a Basic Drink Package and Wi-Fi.
Because the price was more inclusive than Carnival and Royal Caribbean, it felt like we were getting more value for our money in certain areas. I loved not having to constantly justify whether I wanted another drink, and the internet worked well for keeping in touch with friends and family back home.
The cabin was also incredibly spacious. My fiancée and I didn't struggle with unpacking and agreed that we could have easily packed for a multi-week trip and had plenty of space to store everything. The only disappointing thing about our stateroom was that it lacked power outlets.
We also enjoyed the dining experience, with our specialty meals at Tuscan Grill and The Porch standing out. That said, most of our dishes in the Main Dining Room were tasty, especially the Barolo braised short ribs, apple tart tatin, and spinach & ricotta ravioli.
Read more: What the Food Was Like on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection
Families with younger children may not like Celebrity's laid-back environment; however, I thought it was the ideal ship for couples or those seeking a more tranquil cruise experience. There were still plenty of activities for cruisers who wanted to get their adrenaline pumping, too, like silent discos and fun game shows.
Read more: 17 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Celebrity ship
All three cruise lines have their own unique appeal
Though each cruise had pros and cons, I thought the sailings on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Celebrity Reflection better aligned with my vacation expectations. Both offered lively experiences and opportunities to relax and enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail.
The Bahamas cruises on Carnival, by comparison, fell flat. The overall energy was focused far more on drinking, whereas the sailings with Royal and Celebrity were more well-rounded, offering great dining and entertainment.
Read more: I took a spring break cruise on Carnival's smallest ship. Here’s why I wouldn’t do it again
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.
