The biggest difference

[GottaCruz]

I don't know about that, Robert. I'd be a nervous wreck with Teenage daughter who is fearless and I , myself, don't like heights.

[KeithnRita]

One big difference we noticed is the staterooms are larger on Carnival, with more storage. This is based on outside cabins on three Carnival ships versus just 1 RCI ship. We've always heard that RCI has more common space per passenger than Carnival. That seemed accurate based upon our Rhapsody cruise a few years ago. We felt more crowded on the Carnival ships. We would rate the food better on Carnival, but remember, that's is just our opinion.

[SCIROCCO]

Personal Opinions appreciated and helpful its been two years since weve been on carnival! :wink: We are going on the Conquest next October hopefully! :wink: Annie says hi! :grin:

[KeithnRita]

Hi ya back, Annie!

[TheSkipper]

Well, let's see. We have done 9 Carnival cruises and 12 RCI sailings, so we do have a a basis for comparison.

Carnival does have the edge in stateroom comfort and space IMHO. RCI has more dramatic common areas. Carnival crew is a little more outgoing and involved with the passengers. Food edge in recent years swings to Carnival.

Fellow passengers tend to be younger on RCI and the overall cruise is a little more laid back.

I guess the best example of how we feel is that our next cruise is on the Glory in March and we will probably book a European cruise on the Legend of the Seas today. So, we enjoy both.

[TheSkipper]

Oops, just read my post above.

Correction: Fellow cruisers tend to be younger on Carnival!!

Sorry about that, my head and fingers were going in different directions.

[JohnG]

The Carnival cabins average 185 sq ft for inside and oceanview, and 185 plus the balcony on balcony cabins.

On RCCL the inside cabins are as little as 110 sq ft on Sovereign class, to 165 sq ft on Vision and Radiance. The Voyager class are 160 sq ft inside, and even the Freedom of the Seas is only 150 sq ft (and not enough drawers for even just carryons to unpack. The space around the new bedding is so tight you can barely get around the bed when made into a queen.

The RCCL oceanview cabins on Sovereign class are 108 to 139 sq ft. On Vision class they are 154 sq ft, and on Radiance class 170 sq ft. On Voyager class they are 160 to 211 sq ft, and on the Freedom of the Seas they are about the same.

[GottaCruz]

Thanks for the info, John. We saw and felt the diffence in size immediately but now seeing the numbers, wow, there really is a huge difference in size. My shortness came in very handy, for a change, on the Majesty. I actually slept with my suitcase at the foot of our bed, on my side of the bed, of course. :rolleyes:

[DaCruzNut]

Carnival ships have the largest cabins of all of the standard lines. Royal Caribbean has the smallest cabins in order to have more space for common areas. This goes for all ships, on both lines, with the exception of the Nordic Empress.

Carnival has more of a "party" atmosphere, and caters more to families with children.

In my opinion, the food on Carnival has vastly improved and now exceeeds Royal Caribbean in quality and taste.

I have been on Royal Caribbean about 5 times and Carnival about 12....