Carnival or Royal Caribbean?

[Alison]

Help me solve a dilemma! My parents and I booked two cruises - Both are Western Caribbean cruises leaving on May 25. One is with Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas and the other is Carnival Conquest. I have to decide which to put a deposit down on by tomorrow.

What are the differences between the cruises? On Royal Caribbean, we have a category B room and on Conquest, we have a category 11 (Both the 2nd highest category). Do you know what the differences in the quality of the rooms are and if we'd get anything extra in them?

What are the differences between the two cruise destinations? Which are preferable? How about cruise ship activities? Food? The gym? There's always the issue that Conquest will be only a few months old - does that tend to make it a better ship?

Which should I choose? Let me know today please!
alison

 

[dgregg]

Alison,

You are going to receive a thousand opinions regarding the difference between Carnival and Royal. You will have your Royal fans and your Carnival fans. Both cruise lines are mainstream and pretty much compare. If you told me you were going to sail on the Carnival Holiday I would say go to Royal but the new Carnival ships are neck and neck with Royal. I personally have sailed the Carnival Pride and the ship, service and entertainment were exceptional. My friend has been on the Voyager and says it is amazing as well. Toss a coin and which ever ship does not win, book for next year! Good luck and Happy sailing.

 

[dave jr]

Price being equal--which they are for these two ships, Carnival only has 3 ports for this sain\ling and RCCL has 4 including their private island which is a blast--that being said RCCL is a better deal.

 

[A.Jones]

I have never been on a Royal cruise. I have heard many wonderful things about them though. I am a Carnival girl. I'm not sure about the comment someone made about the Carnival Holiday as to why they would not recommend that ship........IT IS MY FAVORITE!!! I have sailed on the Holiday 3 times this year and would go once a month if I could! The staff / crew on that ship are amazing and I wouldn't trade their service for anything. I have sailed on the Conquest and if given a choice of the two, I would certainly pick the Holiday even though it is a much smaller / older ship. The staff on the Conquest are unfriendly and seem to be miserable with what they do whereas the Holiday staff are like your second family. There is certainly more to do on the Conquest as it is a newer/ MUCH larger ship, but I think that's one of the reasons it loses it's die hard cruise fan appeal.........it's just too big and impersonal for me. To each his own though. Have a great time no matter what ship you sail on!