Carnival cruise vs Royal Caribbean: which line should you book?

Carnival vs Royal Caribbean scorecard

Strengths

Carnival: the price. Carnival is usually the cheapest of the big U.S. lines, and it sails from more U.S. ports than anyone else, so many people can drive to the ship. The free casual food is a real strength: burgers, tacos and pizza all day, at no extra charge. The three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, carry about 5,300 guests and have the BOLT coaster, the first roller coaster at sea.

Royal Caribbean: the ships. Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas are the largest cruise ships in the world, and the six Oasis-class ships are close behind. Water parks, surf simulators, climbing walls, ice shows and aqua shows are all included in the fare. Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island, makes its Bahamas trips a strong family pick.

Weaknesses

Carnival: crowded ships on popular sailings, more upselling and a fleet that ranges from 2023 back to 1996. Dinner is simple. If you want a calm pool deck on a sea day, you won’t find it on a full Carnival ship.

Royal Caribbean: you pay more for the same length of trip, and the extras add up fast: drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, gratuities and paid attractions such as the Crown’s Edge ropes course on Icon-class ships or Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay. The biggest ships carry more than 5,500 guests at double occupancy.

Who should pick which

• Families with teens and tweens: Royal Caribbean. Its biggest ships have the most for older kids to do on their own.
• Families on a tight budget: Carnival, especially a Vista- or Excel-class ship with slides and a WaterWorks park.
• First-time cruisers: Royal Caribbean on a three- or four-night Bahamas trip if you want the big-ship experience; Carnival if you want to try cruising for the least money.
• Groups of friends: Carnival for a relaxed, party-friendly trip; Royal Caribbean if the group wants activities and shows more than bars.
• Couples: neither line is built for a quiet couple’s trip. On Royal Caribbean, pick a mid-size Radiance-class ship; otherwise look at our best cruises for adults.
• Alaska: Royal Caribbean, for more ships and routes. Carnival is the cheaper Seattle round trip.

Price and what’s included

Carnival is usually the cheaper line for the same length of trip and region, and Royal Caribbean usually costs more. Both lines include the main dining room, a buffet, shows, pools and kids’ clubs, and both charge extra for drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants and the daily gratuity.

The difference is what you do between meals. On Royal Caribbean, the big-ticket attractions (slides, surf simulators, climbing walls, ice shows) are mostly free. On Carnival, the free food is more generous, but the BOLT coaster is charged per ride. The SkyRide on the Vista-class ships is free. Royal Caribbean runs sales almost all the time, so a “discount” on it is normal, not special. Our last-minute cruise deals page tracks both lines.

Ships

Carnival has 29 ships, from about 2,100 to 5,300 guests. The newest are the Excel class; Carnival Festivale (2027) and Carnival Tropicale (2028) complete that class, and the bigger Ace class starts with Carnival Destiny in 2029. Its Vista-class ships are the value sweet spot.

Royal Caribbean has 30 ships in seven classes, from about 2,000 to 5,700 guests. The ship matters more than the line: a 1990s Vision-class ship and Icon of the Seas are completely different holidays. For the full experience, book an Icon-class ship such as Star of the Seas, or an Oasis-class ship such as Wonder of the Seas on a short Bahamas trip.

Food

Carnival’s included casual food is better than Royal Caribbean’s. Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and the pizza counter are free. Royal Caribbean’s main dining room and Windjammer buffet are dependable, and it has more specialty restaurants, but on both lines the best meals cost extra. If eating well on board matters, see our guide to eating healthy on a cruise.

Itineraries and home ports

Both lines are strongest in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Carnival sails from more U.S. ports, with year-round options from Baltimore and New Orleans, Mexico trips from Long Beach and summer Alaska from Seattle. Many Carnival Bahamas trips now call at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, and Western Caribbean trips often visit Mahogany Bay on Roatan.

Royal Caribbean sails Bahamas trips from Cape Liberty near New York and Baltimore, as well as from Florida, and nearly all its Bahamas routes stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. It also runs Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver, a Mediterranean season every summer and sailings in Asia. For Europe, Royal Caribbean is the clear pick: Carnival rarely sails there. See our Caribbean cruise guide for the regions.

Families

Royal Caribbean is the better family line, and it tops our best family cruises for tweens and teens. The Icon-class ships have a dedicated neighborhood for families with young children and a separate adults-only area. Carnival is our best-value family line: slides, kids’ clubs split by age and low fares. With young children and a bigger budget, Disney beats both; see Disney vs Royal Caribbean. If your family dislikes set dinner times, see Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean.

Adults

Neither line is adult-focused. Carnival has a fun-first, party-friendly feel with no dress-up pressure, which suits groups of friends. Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships have The Hideaway, an adults-only area, and its Quantum- and Radiance-class ships feel less hectic. Couples who want calm should look at Celebrity, Royal Caribbean’s sister line; see Celebrity vs Royal Caribbean.

Carnival vs Royal Caribbean FAQ

Is Carnival or Royal Caribbean better?

Royal Caribbean, for most people: bigger ships, more activities and more destinations. Carnival is better if price is the deciding factor or if it sails from your nearest port. See where both land in our cruise line rankings, and our Carnival review for the full grades.

Is Carnival or Royal Caribbean better for families?

Royal Caribbean, especially for tweens and teens, because its Icon- and Oasis-class ships have water parks, surf simulators and teen clubs. Carnival is the better value for families who mainly want slides, kids’ clubs and a low fare.

Is Carnival cheaper than Royal Caribbean?

Usually, yes, for the same length of trip. Check what’s included before you compare: both lines charge extra for drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and gratuities, so compare the total, not the headline fare.

Which has bigger ships, Carnival or Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean. Its Icon-class ships are the largest cruise ships in the world, at about 5,600 guests at double occupancy. Carnival’s biggest, the Excel class, carry about 5,300.

Is Carnival or Royal Caribbean better for a short cruise?

Carnival for the lowest fare and the most departure ports. Royal Caribbean if you want a big ship and a CocoCay day on a three- or four-night Bahamas trip. Compare both in our 3-5 night cruise picks.