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
Disney Cruise Line
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
vs
🏆 Royal Caribbean wins
7
:
4
🚢
Disney Cruise Line
★★★★⭑ 4.70
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, USA | Celebration, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 28 ships Winner | 6 ships |
| Passengers Per Year | 6,500,000+ | 650,000+ |
| Starting Price | $449 Winner | $999 |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.40 | ★★★★⭑ 4.70 Winner |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Open seating + traditional dining | Rotational dining — different themed restaurant each night |
| Specialty Restaurants | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) | 2 adults-only (Palo, Remy on some ships) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights | Smart casual; one optional formal night on longer cruises |
| Entertainment | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator | Broadway-quality musicals (Beauty & the Beast, Frozen), character meet-and-greets, deck parties, fireworks at sea |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $19.99/day | From $19/day |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal | Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Australia/NZ |
| Countries Visited | 80+ | 30+ |
| Home Ports | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney | Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Galveston, Vancouver, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Southampton, Auckland |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) | 15 nights (Transatlantic) |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $449 Winner | $999 |
| Balcony Cabin From | $899 Winner | $1,799 |
| Suite From | $2,499 Winner | $4,999 |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after | Full refund 75+ days for standard cruises |
| Loyalty Program | Crown & Anchor Society | Castaway Club |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers | Families with young children, Disney fans |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | ||
| Luxury Level | Winner | |
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 35-55 | 35-50 (with kids) |
| Accessible Cabins | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas | Designated outdoor areas only |
🏆 Our Verdict
7 – 4Royal Caribbean takes the win, scoring 7 against 4 across 41 compared features. Especially strong for: Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers.
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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