I took my first-ever cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean ship over 15 years ago, so the family-friendly cruise line has been a favorite of mine for a long time.
Some of my best memories are from spending spring break on Oasis of the Seas with my family and cruising on Freedom of the Seas with my now-fiancée.
Although I’m a loyal Royal cruiser, I also just love cruising and can appreciate the unique vibe of each line. After years of avoiding Carnival, I finally decided to set sail on its newest ship (at the time): Carnival Celebration. Since then, I've sailed on three other Carnival cruises to get a better grasp of what the line has to offer.
Here’s how it went and how I felt Carnival compared to Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean’s main dining is great, but I prefer Carnival’s fast-casual dining
When it comes to quick-service food, Carnival has Royal Caribbean beat. Even on the line's oldest ships, you'll find yummy and quick options like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. In comparison, Royal Caribbean's older ships lack the same variety and freshness.
For instance, I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas last year, and other than the buffet and light snacks at the coffee bar, the only other complimentary spot was Park Cafe, which served made-to-order salads, reheated sandwiches, and mediocre pizza.
While I enjoyed my cruise on Vision more than Carnival Elation, I thought that the latter had better quick-service dining. Though Royal Caribbean has begun adding fast-casual dining options to its fleet, they don't compare in terms of quality.
BlueIguana Cantina tastes a lot fresher than El Loco Fresh, and Guy's Burger Joint is a standout. The juicy burgers are always a home run, and they are included in your cruise fare! Multiple Royal Caribbean ships have Johnny Rockets, but it can cost upwards of $14.99 per person on ships with a set cover charge.
Carnival's newest ships even have two 'specialty' restaurants included. Guests sailing aboard Carnival Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras can dine at Cucina del Capitano and ChiBang for no extra charge (note that second visits cost $8 per person).
Cucina del Capitano serves up hearty Italian dishes, and ChiBang is a fun fusion restaurant that has Mexican and Asian-inspired cuisine. I thought the Kung Pao Chicken was delicious and appropriately spicy for a cruise ship!
That's not all, either. Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse is another included restaurant brought to the seas by Guy Fieri. The BBQ joint dishes up creamy macaroni and cheese, juicy smoked chicken, 18-hour brisket, and more. While it doesn't compare to the barbeque back home in North Carolina, it was impressive for a cruise ship!
I also became obsessed with Big Chicken. Being born and raised in the South, it's no surprise that I love fried chicken. Something just felt right about enjoying a crispy chicken sandwich and perfectly seasoned fries at sea.
Overall, I felt Carnival delivered on its promise of variety and quality. The entire fleet has plenty of options for quick and fresh tasty bites, regardless of whether you're sailing on Carnival Elation or Jubilee.
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
Carnival's comedy shows rival those in major comedy clubs in cities like New York and Los Angeles
Don't get me wrong, in every other sense, I prefer Royal Caribbean's entertainment line-up. However, Carnival's comedy shows can't be beaten.
They're widely popular, too. Oftentimes, passengers would begin lining up 45 minutes before doors opened to claim the best seats in the house. At first, I was worried that the shows would be over-hyped; however, I quickly learned that there's a reason there's such a buzz about them.
The adult-only shows were hysterical. The comedians certainly didn't hold back, so you can't take anything too personally! If you are traveling with children, don't worry—there are plenty of family-friendly shows that are also funny and appeal to wider audiences.
Carnival's lackluster loyalty benefits aren't as rewarding
As a Diamond Crown & Anchor Society member, I get some pretty great perks on each Royal Caribbean cruise, including four complimentary drink vouchers per day.
Though I'm eons away from reaching Pinnacle Club, I'm happy where I am in the loyalty program and think the benefits add value to each sailing. Plus, the status match with Celebrity opens the door to enjoying benefits on Royal Caribbean's upscale sister without starting from scratch.
On the other hand, I don't have any desire to reach any of the top-tier ranks within Carnival's VIFP Program. The highest status unlocks unlimited complimentary laundry, priority reservations in all specialty restaurants, and a one-time cabin upgrade; however, none of those perks really excite me.
Unlimited laundry sounds nice, but it's not something I would prioritize on a cruise. Similarly, priority reservations aren't as important when Carnival's dining is so accessible, especially when reservations are made in advance through the Cruise Manager.
Limited itineraries for destination-focused cruisers
I love a tropical getaway to the Caribbean as much as the next person; however, as I've gotten older, I've begun focusing on cruises with more unique itineraries.
Unfortunately, Carnival offers fewer worldly itineraries, making it difficult to justify continuing to cruise with Carnival when I could sail with Royal Caribbean and have a wider range of ships and destinations to choose from.
For example, in July 2026, Royal Caribbean will have five ships deployed in Europe, whereas Carnival will have just one: Carnival Legend. It's an older ship compared to Royal's European deployment with whom I could sail on ships like Odyssey and Harmony of the Seas that offer more modern amenities.
I've had fun on my Carnival cruises, but I'll continue to choose Royal Caribbean when possible
In my opinion, there are things to appreciate about Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Carnival, for example, has a better line-up of fast-casual dining, and its comedy shows are consistently worth the hype. The laid-back atmosphere is also nice if you're looking for a vacation without too much fuss.
However, Royal Caribbean feels like a better bang for your buck, especially as someone who enjoys Broadway-style shows and more diverse itineraries, even if it is on sister line Celebrity.
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.
