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
Royal Caribbean
VS
Cruise Line B
Carnival Cruise Line
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
vs
🏆 Carnival Cruise Line wins
5
:
6
🚢
Carnival Cruise Line
★★★★☆ 4.00
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, USA | Doral, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 28 ships Winner | 27 ships |
| Passengers Per Year | 6,500,000+ | 5,500,000+ |
| Starting Price | $449 | $229 Winner |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.40 Winner | ★★★★☆ 4.00 |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Open seating + traditional dining | Open seating + traditional (Your Time Dining) |
| Specialty Restaurants | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) | 4-8 per ship (Steakhouse, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Cucina del Capitano) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights | Casual; one Cruise Elegant night per voyage |
| Entertainment | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator | Comedy club, Playlist Productions shows, WaterWorks, IMAX (on Mardi Gras-class) |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $19.99/day | From $12.75/day |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Europe (limited) |
| Countries Visited | 80+ | 40+ |
| Home Ports | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney | Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, New Orleans, Charleston, Mobile, Jacksonville, Tampa, Long Beach, Seattle, San Francisco, Norfolk, New York |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 2 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) | 14 nights typical |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $449 | $229 Winner |
| Balcony Cabin From | $899 | $579 Winner |
| Suite From | $2,499 | $1,499 Winner |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after | Full refund 76+ days for short cruises |
| Loyalty Program | Crown & Anchor Society | VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers | Budget cruisers, party atmosphere, first-timers |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | ||
| Luxury Level | Winner | |
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 35-55 | 30-50 |
| Accessible Cabins | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas | Designated outdoor areas + casino |
🏆 Our Verdict
5 – 6Carnival 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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