MarcoP

My family ( and 2 others ) are planing on going on our first cruise and we are haiving trouble deciding what cruise to go on. Carnical or Royal Caribean? The ages of the multiple kids that are going range from 10-16. What line is the best to choose? What has higher quality of service,food,entertainment, and activities.

ZefH2049

Actually both lines are very similar. You have chosen two very good cruise lines for families. Both have very good children's programs. All of the Carnival ships have a water slide. None of the Royal Caribbean ships have a water slide. The two newest Carnival Ships (Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom) both have a very large outdoor TV screen for watching movies or sports during the day or night.Typical water slide on Carnival ...http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Carnival%20Glory/Sundeckstretch.jpgThe outdoor movie screen ...http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Carnival%20Ships/Libertyscreen.jpgAll the Royal Caribbean ships have rock climbing walls (none of the Carnival ships do). Also, the largest of the Royal Caribbean ships (the Voyager and Freedom class) also have ice skating and miniature golf. In addition, the Voyager class ships have an inline skating track, while the Freedom class ships have the Flowrider (a surfing simulator) and a miniature water park known as the H2O Zone.The H2O Zone ...http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Freedom%20OTS/MWP-1.jpghttp://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Freedom%20OTS/MWP-2.jpgFlowrider ...http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Freedom%20OTS/IMG_1804.jpgIce skating ...http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/ZefH/Freedom%20OTS/IMG_2432.jpgBased on my experience, Carnival's food is slightly better than Royal Caribbean's. The service, entertainment and activities on both is about the same.

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding8541

I have been on both lines and prefer Carnival. I found their food, services and accommodations superior to RCL. I have taken my 3 kids (10-17) and 2 Carnival cruises and have utilized the Camp Carnival service and have been ecstatic with them. The kids can join in as many activities or as few as they want. You will find as many answers saying RCL is the best, its all personal preference although Carnivals' staterooms are larger.

JulieT6294

We have taken our kids on both lines and they prefer Carnival.The 24x7 pizza is my teen daughters favorite feature.Carnival has more ice cream stations than RC.Carnival also designates certain clubs as pre- and teen areas until about 10:30 pm. The kids like having their own place to hang out.I was unhappy with the service on the RC. We purchase the soda fountain package and it seemed that anytime we approached a bar to get a soda, they served us last even if other patrons arrived after us because we were getting soda. That is not the case on Carnival. They are happy to serve the sodas.It could have been the particular ship because it is old and about to be taken out of the US market, but the RC ship, the Rhaposody of the Seas had plumbing problems and most of the public restrooms were stopped up during our entire journey. We have taken large family groups with many aged children and they all really enjoy Carnival.Tips for cruising with teens...get a set of the 2-way radios to keep in touch while on board. The teens get freedom and the parents have piece of mind....no missed check-ins or running around the ship looking for each other.

MomSezNo8437

Go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards" at the top of the page. Then go to "First Time Cruisers" for lots of tips for newbies. Go to the RC and Carnival boards to get an idea of what each is like. When you've decided on your cruise, go to the "Ports of Call" boards for info about places you'll visit, and go to the "Roll Call" board for your particular sailing.Carnival is a good line for first-timers and is pretty good overall. Never been on RC, so I can't comment.Have a great time, whatever you decide on!

IreneW

Royal Caribean. I Would give the food 10/10Entertainment is good too.and the rc ships have more to do and the kids love going onboard!!

beatjugglez3852

this site might have an answer:http://allcruiselines.info

KhymmNYC

I will say Royal Carribean. I just took my first Carnival cruise and my last. I just think Royal Carribean has better overall service.

AudreyD

Royal Carribean, hands down! Carnival is kind of low-rent, the passengers, staff, and accomodations. We took a Carnival cruise last year out of Puerto Rico. They hadnt fully booked the trip so they offered a huge discount to local Puerto Ricans. I dont want to seem rascist but the P.R. passengers were extremely loud, boisterous, and rude! At table in the formal dining room, the Ricans seated at a nearby table would actually make animal noises at the top of their lungs! Their kids were climbing the rails of the deck and their parents werent even monitoring them!! My previous experience on a Carnival ship was not much better, the staff is American and act as though they cant be bothered serving you. Oh, and the food! Carnival has just basic good food. You know, burgers and pizza for lunch. Royal Carribean has a more varied and delicious selection of cruise fare! Lobster, grilled scallops, steaks, yum!Royal Carribean is a superior line. Or, you might look into Princess! Most of the cruise lines offer extensive activities for kids, tweens and teens!

JustT

Royal Caribbean is by far the better choice, especially given the fact that you have kids. I would recommend one of the freedom class ships. go to royalcaribbean.com & take a look, you will like what you see.To put this in perspective, Carnival cuts corners and Royal Caribbean does not.Royal Caribbean all the way!!!