Royal Caribbean and Carnival are two of the most popular cruise lines in operation with, collectively, over 50 ships at sea. Though I've been sailing with Royal Caribbean since I was 10, I recently began my journey with Carnival to explore why the "FUN" ship brand attracts millions of passengers annually.
Both lines offer unique experiences and cater to different styles of cruising. Royal Caribbean, for example, is known for its innovative and jam-packed ships.
You'll find everything from skydiving simulators to massive waterparks, ice skating rinks, Broadway-style shows, bumper cars, and more onboard Royal's vessels.
Compartively, Carnival Cruise Line is more laid-back and fun-focused with the best comedy shows at sea, late-night deck parties, and fast-casual bites that make daytime dining almost more enjoyable than lengthy meals in the Main Dining Room.
That said, while each has its pros and cons, Royal Caribbean has consistently provided a better experience, regardless of the ship's age.
For instance, when I sailed on Carnival Elation, I was disappointed by the ship's condition, especially compared to Vision of the Seas. Moreover, the dining fell flat and didn't meet expectations.
Does that mean you should avoid Carnival Cruise Line? Absolutely not! Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
I'm still a fan of the "FUN" ship brand and am excited for my Alaska cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa in a few months. However, for a more polished experience, I'd likely choose Royal over Carnival.
Jaw-dropping ships
Royal Caribbean's mega-ships turn heads, literally. They're so large it is almost unbelievable that they float.
While Carnival was technically the first cruise line to launch a ship measuring over 100,000 gross registered tons (GRT), Royal Caribbean took the concept of mega-ships to a whole new level, starting with the Voyager Class in 1999.
Voyager of the Seas was the first-ever cruise ship to feature the Royal Promenade, FlowRider surf simulator, and an ice skating rink. Though these features are common on new builds, they were revolutionary then.
Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise ships. They were surprisingly different
Royal Caribbean continued to push boundaries with its game-changing Oasis Class. These ships broke new ground in numerous ways. They were the first cruise ships to measure over 200,000 GRT; the first with a zip line; the first with interior-facing balconies; the first to feature high-diving AquaTheater shows; and more.
The beloved Oasis Class has expanded from Oasis of the Seas in 2009 to include 6 more ships in 2024: Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia of the Seas. Royal Caribbean is also planning on taking delivery of another Oasis Class ship in 2028.
However, the cruise giant recently redefined the definition of a mega-ship with the launch of Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.
Icon of the Seas measures a whopping 248,663 GRT and is 1,196 feet long. From thrilling experiences like the record-breaking waterpark and the Crown's Edge walkway and zip line, this ship offers endless excitement.
Not only that but the entertainment is top-tier. The AquaTheater was relocated to the AquaDome, so the high-diving spectacles can now be enjoyed indoors and benefit from technology not available at the open-air venue.
There's also Royal Caribbean's first-ever dueling piano bar, Broadway-caliber production shows, and classics like live music at the pub.
The mega-ships are great for foodies, too. Icon of the Seas, for instance, has the cruise line's first themed dining experience that pairs multiple courses with cocktails and live music. Icon also features a brand-new food hall!
In short, even if you aren't sailing on the newest ship in the fleet, Royal Caribbean has action-packed ships that showcase the company's commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction.
Read more: 5 things I loved (and 4 I hated) about my vacation on the world's biggest cruise ship
Higher-quality entertainment
The entertainment is one of the selling points for Royal Caribbean.
As someone who has attended Broadway shows since they were five years old, I'm not easily impressed with basic cruise ship entertainment. However, I've been consistently impressed with Royal's Broadway-style, ice skating, and AquaTheater shows.
Compartively, Carnival's entertainment is far more basic. The theater performances are more casual, and though the cast is always talented, the production value is a step down from Royal Caribbean. For example, when I saw "The Most Magnificent Circus" aboard Carnival Celebration, I thought the show started slow and had basic acrobatic tricks.
That said, Carnival has the upper hand when it comes to comedy shows. They remind me of the comedy clubs I frequently visited living in New York City, whereas the Royal Caribbean comedians typically lack the sharp, more cutting-edge humor.
Still, because of the variety and higher-quality productions, I feel I'm getting my money's worth on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Cruise Planner discounts
To be fair, if I'm looking for a cheap cruise, neither Royal Caribbean nor Carnival crosses my mind first. Brands like MSC Cruises and Margaritaville tend to have more competitive pricing for guests looking for affordable getaways.
Though Royal Caribbean fares are often more expensive, especially if you're looking to sail on one of the line's newest ships, the Cruise Planner deals help passengers save money on add-ons like drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and more.
Carnival's pre-cruise discounts aren't anything worthwhile. The most you can save on the CHEERS! drink package is 10%, whereas Royal Caribbean cruisers can benefit from 25% to 40% discounts depending on the ongoing deal.
For example, the lowest price for the CHEERS! package on my upcoming 7-night cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa is $82.54 per person, per day. This comes out to around $1,155.58 for two people.
On the other hand, my partner and I reserved Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package for $990.92 for our weeklong cruise on Icon of the Seas during Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale.
The deals extend to other add-ons, too. It's easy to save hundreds of dollars on excursions if you plan ahead and catch the right promotions.
Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package?
Better loyalty benefits
I'll be blunt: I'm not a fan of Carnival's VIFP program. Why? The benefits that cruisers spend thousands of dollars to achieve are underwhelming at best.
Sure, priority boarding and unlimited complimentary laundry is nice, and I won't turn down free casino FunPlay money. However, compared to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, the value of the loyalty benefits is significantly lower.
As a Diamond member of the C&A Society, I get four complimentary drink vouchers. Not only that but I have access to the exclusive Crown Lounge and one free day of Wi-Fi. Upon reaching Diamond Plus, the benefits become even more beneficial, with a BOGO specialty dining deal, five daily drink vouchers, one free laundry bag, and more.
And though I doubt I'll ever reach Pinnacle Club, Royal Caribbean rewards its most loyal customers with a free cruise upon reaching the highest tier of its loyalty program. The best Carnival gives is a one-time cabin upgrade.
Read more: I Have Sailed on 5 Cruise Lines—These Cruise Loyalty Programs Have the Best Savings and Perks
Private destination experience
I'd pick Perfect Day at CocoCay over Half Moon Cay any day. Though Carnival is developing a brand-new private destination called Celebration Key, I think CocoCay will still reign supreme.
First, Carnival announced that its drink packages won't work ashore, so if you spend $80+ per day on a CHEERS! package, you will be expected to shell out additional money for beverages ashore.
Moreover, Carnival plans on adding a second pier, meaning four ships can visit Celebration Key daily. Compartively, CocoCay can only accommodate two cruises per day.
And while mega-ships like Utopia and Icon of the Seas bring over 11,000 passengers to the island, two Excel Class ships and two Conquest Class ships would mean over 17,000 guests can be ashore at once.
That said, both destinations have similar offerings, including family-friendly pools, adult-only beach clubs, and more, so you can't go wrong if you're looking for an island escape.
Itinerary variety
Though Royal Caribbean and Carnival have similar fleet sizes, Royal Caribbean offers more worldly itineraries. Carnival "FUN" ships are primarily known for sailing to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, though that doesn't mean you can't find seasonal cruises to Alaska, Europe, and the South Pacific.
Overall, however, Royal Caribbean has more variety when it comes to global destinations. For example, in July 2026, Royal Caribbean will have five ships deployed in Europe compared to Carnival's one.
This means that if you're looking to cruise to Europe with Carnival, your options are quite limited. If you only have one or two weeks that work for your schedule, you are at the mercy of whatever itinerary Carnival Legend is embarking on.
However, Royal Caribbean's five ships mean that you have more variety. If you want to cruise to the Greek Isles, look for cruises aboard Odyssey of the Seas or Brilliance of the Seas.
Fancy a cooler destination. Liberty of the Seas is sailing to Norway from Southampton, England. Mega-ship Harmony of the Seas will also offer cruises around the Mediterranean for those looking to combine iconic European landmarks with the ultimate onboard experience.
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.
