Royal Caribbean and Carnival are North America's two most popular cruise lines, carrying millions of passengers each year. While both offer excellent value, they cater to different vacation styles.

This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know to choose the right line for your next cruise.

Fleet & Ship Size

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean operates 28 ships, including the world's largest cruise ships. Their fleet ranges from smaller Vision-class vessels (around 2,000 passengers) to the massive Icon-class ships carrying over 7,000 guests.

Flagship ships:

Icon of the Seas — 250,800 GT, world's largest
Wonder of the Seas — 236,857 GT
Utopia of the Seas — 236,860 GT

Royal Caribbean excels at building mega-ships with innovative features no other cruise line can match.

Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line operates 27 ships, with their newest Excel-class vessels carrying around 5,200 passengers at double occupancy.

Flagship ships:

Carnival Jubilee — 183,900 GT
Carnival Celebration — 183,900 GT
Mardi Gras — 180,800 GT

Carnival's ships are slightly smaller but still offer extensive amenities and entertainment.

Winner: Royal Caribbean for sheer size and innovation. But bigger isn't always better—Carnival's ships still feel exciting without being overwhelming.

Activities & Entertainment

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is known for jaw-dropping, first-of-their-kind attractions:

FlowRider surf simulators on most ships
Skydiving simulator (RipCord) on select ships
Ice skating rinks (yes, on a cruise ship)
Rock climbing walls on every ship
Bumper cars and roller coasters on Icon-class
Broadway shows including Cats, Mamma Mia, Grease, and Hairspray

The newest Icon-class ships feature Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six slides, plus the AquaDome—an indoor entertainment venue under a massive glass dome.

Carnival

Carnival takes a more laid-back, fun-focused approach:

BOLT roller coaster on Excel-class ships
Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse (partnership with Guy Fieri)
Playlist Productions shows
Punchliner Comedy Club — best comedy at sea
SkyRide suspended bikes
Dr. Seuss experience for kids

Carnival invented the "Fun Ship" concept and still delivers a party atmosphere with late-night deck parties and a more casual vibe.

Winner: Royal Caribbean for cutting-edge attractions. Carnival for casual fun and comedy.

Dining

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers extensive dining options, but many of the best restaurants carry extra fees:

Included dining:

Main Dining Room (3-course dinners)
Windjammer Buffet
Café Promenade (pizza, sandwiches)
Park Café (salads, sandwiches in Central Park)

Specialty restaurants ($25-75 per person):

Chops Grille (steakhouse)
150 Central Park (fine dining)
Izumi (Japanese)
Giovanni's (Italian)
Wonderland (imaginative cuisine)

Carnival

Carnival includes more diverse dining in the cruise fare:

Included dining:

Main Dining Room
Lido Marketplace Buffet
Guy's Burger Joint (excellent free burgers)
BlueIguana Cantina (tacos and burritos)
Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour pizza)

Specialty restaurants ($15-50 per person):

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
JiJi Asian Kitchen
Cucina del Capitano (Italian)

Carnival's included casual dining options—particularly Guy's Burgers and BlueIguana—consistently receive rave reviews.

Winner: Carnival for included dining quality and variety. Royal Caribbean for fine dining experiences (at extra cost).

Pricing & Value

Upfront Cruise Fares

Carnival typically offers lower base fares. For comparable itineraries:

Cruise Length	Carnival	Royal Caribbean
3-night	$200-400/person	$300-500/person
7-night	$500-900/person	$700-1,200/person
7-night (new ship)	$800-1,200/person	$1,000-2,000/person

Onboard Costs

Both lines charge extra for specialty dining, drinks, WiFi, and shore excursions. Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants tend to cost more ($45-75 vs $25-50 at Carnival).

Best Value

Carnival provides better value for budget-conscious cruisers, especially for 3- and 4-night getaways. Royal Caribbean justifies higher prices with more innovative ships and attractions.

Winner: Carnival for budget cruises. Royal Caribbean for those willing to pay more for mega-ship experiences.

Cabins & Accommodations

Standard Cabins

Carnival wins for interior cabin size—they're the largest in the industry. If you're booking an inside cabin (no window), Carnival gives you more space for your money.

Royal Caribbean counters with "virtual balcony" cabins—interior rooms with floor-to-ceiling screens showing real-time ocean views.

Suites & Premium Options

Royal Caribbean's suite program offers more variety and exclusive perks:

Suite Neighborhood on Oasis-class with private pool and restaurant
Ultimate Family Suite with a slide between floors
Star Class concierge service

Carnival's Excel-class ships introduced Carnival Excel Suites with their own exclusive sun deck and lounge.

Winner: Carnival for standard cabins. Royal Caribbean for suite experiences.

Private Islands

Both lines operate Caribbean private destinations:

Royal Caribbean: Perfect Day at CocoCay

Thrill Waterpark with tallest waterslide in North America
Oasis Lagoon (largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas)
Coco Beach Club with overwater cabanas
Up Beach adults-only area

Carnival: Celebration Key

65-acre island with 5 distinct zones
Can accommodate two ships simultaneously
More affordable than CocoCay's premium experiences

Winner: Royal Caribbean currently, but Celebration Key could change this.

Best For...

First-Time Cruisers

Royal Caribbean — More hand-holding, better app experience, and the "wow factor" of mega-ships makes a memorable first cruise.

Families with Young Kids

Royal Caribbean — Surfside neighborhood on Icon-class, better kids' clubs, more waterslides.

Disney Cruise Line is also worth considering if budget allows.

Families with Teens

Tie — Both offer extensive teen programming. Royal Caribbean has more thrill rides; Carnival has better casual vibes.

Couples

Royal Caribbean — Adults-only Solarium, Broadway shows, more romantic dining options.

Budget Travelers

Carnival — Lower fares, better included food, larger cabins for the price.

Party Atmosphere

Carnival — Late-night deck parties, comedy clubs, and the legendary "Lido Deck" vibe.

The Bottom Line

Category	Winner
Ship innovation	Royal Caribbean
Onboard activities	Royal Caribbean
Included dining	Carnival
Specialty dining	Royal Caribbean
Value	Carnival
Standard cabins	Carnival
Suites	Royal Caribbean
Private island	Royal Caribbean
First-timers	Royal Caribbean
Budget cruisers	Carnival

Choose Royal Caribbean if: You want cutting-edge ships with innovative attractions, don't mind paying more for the experience, and prefer a polished mega-ship environment.

Choose Carnival if: You want great value, excellent casual dining, a fun party atmosphere, and don't need the newest mega-ships to have an amazing time.

Compare Ships Side-by-Side

Use our comparison tool to see how specific ships from each line stack up:

Compare Icon of the Seas vs Carnival Jubilee →

Browse all Royal Caribbean ships →

Browse all Carnival ships →