Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean: Which Is Better?

Above, yours truly on the cruise to Havana, Cuba in 2019. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

TheTravel has posted an article comparing Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. They ask, "Which is better?"

Personally, I have cruised once with Royal Caribbean and never on Carnival. I enjoyed the Royal Caribbean cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba in April 2019. I have no complaints.

The article begins with:

With so many cruise lines to choose from, finding the right one can feel overwhelming—especially for first-time cruisers. Two of the most popular options, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, often come up in the conversation. Carnival recently surpassed Royal Caribbean in total number of ships, but more doesn’t always mean better. So, which cruise line truly delivers the better experience?

Both cater to a wide range of travelers, from families with young kids to couples and retirees, and each offers a packed schedule of activities across dozens of ships. In 2025, both lines are also making bold moves with their private island offerings—Carnival is launching Celebration Key in the Bahamas, while Royal Caribbean expects to bring 3.5 million guests to its popular Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In this article, we’ll compare Royal Caribbean and Carnival side-by-side, exploring their differences, similarities, and what makes each a favorite among millions of cruisers every year.

To read the full article, go here.