Compare Cruise Lines Side by Side
Pick any two cruise lines below — see their ratings, fleet size, pricing tier, target audience, strengths, and a final verdict for which is the better fit for your trip.
Cruise Line A
Carnival Cruise Line
VS
Cruise Line B
Royal Caribbean
🚢
Carnival Cruise Line
★★★★☆ 4.00
vs
🏆 Carnival Cruise Line wins
6
:
5
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1972 | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Doral, Florida, USA | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 27 ships | 28 ships Winner |
| Passengers Per Year | 5,500,000+ | 6,500,000+ |
| Starting Price | $229 Winner | $449 |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.00 | ★★★★☆ 4.40 Winner |
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Open seating + traditional (Your Time Dining) | Open seating + traditional dining |
| Specialty Restaurants | 4-8 per ship (Steakhouse, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Cucina del Capitano) | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Casual; one Cruise Elegant night per voyage | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights |
| Entertainment | Comedy club, Playlist Productions shows, WaterWorks, IMAX (on Mardi Gras-class) | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $12.75/day | From $19.99/day |
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Europe (limited) | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal |
| Countries Visited | 40+ | 80+ |
| Home Ports | Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, New Orleans, Charleston, Mobile, Jacksonville, Tampa, Long Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, Norfolk, New York | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney |
| Shortest Cruise | 2 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 14 nights typical | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $229 Winner | $449 |
| Balcony Cabin From | $579 Winner | $899 |
| Suite From | $1,499 Winner | $2,499 |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 76+ days for short cruises | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after |
| Loyalty Program | VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club | Crown & Anchor Society |
| Feature | Carnival Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Budget cruisers, party atmosphere, first-timers | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | ||
| Luxury Level | Winner | |
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 30-50 | 35-55 |
| Accessible Cabins | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas + casino | Designated outdoor areas |
🏆 Our Verdict
6 – 5Carnival Cruise Line takes the win, scoring 6 against 5 across 41 compared features. Especially strong for: Budget cruisers, party atmosphere, first-timers.
What we compare across
- Price ranges — Lead-in fares and what they actually include
- Ships — Size, age, capacity, recent refurbishments
- Target audience — Who each line is genuinely built for
- Destinations — Where each line sails strongest
- Dining — Main dining, specialty venues, buffet quality, included vs. paid
- Entertainment — Production shows, lounges, onboard activities
- Inclusions — What’s in the fare, what’s extra
- Suites & cabins — Premium category quality and value
- Family-friendliness — Kids’ clubs, family programming, multi-gen options
- Solo travelers — Solo cabins, single supplement policy, social events
- Loyalty program — Worth chasing or not
- Verdict — Which line wins, for which type of cruiser
How the comparison works
We score each line across the same 12 categories using the same yardstick. Built from passenger sentiment data, ship-by-ship reviews, our own sailings, and verifiable industry information. Updated quarterly. Spot something out of date? Email editorial@allcruisestravel.com.
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