Which 1 is best? Royal Caribbean VS. Carnival 4 honeymooners?

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Byron

One of the things you really need to consider is the ship itself. You've done your research, so you know which ship is sailing, now you need to know about the ship itself. I highly recommend you join cruisecritic.com and read reviews of each ship and then choose based on the amenities of each ship, the layout, the price as well as the quality of the ship. (The Carnival Victory is a 4* ship and the RCL Adventure is a 5* ship.) The RCL ship has a a rock climbing wall, ice rink, mini-golf, and more.

Carnival will be probably be cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Are you more interested in the ports or things to do on the ship? As for the food, I've cruised both lines and found the food to be quite comparable, although others have said they liked RCL better.

I did a quick check on pricing. If you're leaving 12/6 or 12/13, the Carnival price was $646 per person and the RCL price was $825-$870 per person. I got those prices from www.cruisequick.com, which is usually the lowest price anywhere since they don't have any overhead like other travel agencies. Just be aware, they don't have any phone customer service, which really should have no influence on booking. (The prices do not include tax and port fees. Gratuities are always added on once you are onboard, but you can figure out gratuities by going to www.vacationstogo.com and clicking on "Cruise Ships & Ratings" in the top menu.)

No matter who you book with, be sure to tell them you will be newlyweds and take a copy of your marriage certificate with you. It will usually get you a couple of freebies, a possible cabin upgrade and express check-in at the port.

Happy honeymoon!!

david

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want a party ship with lots of younger people that are drinking and what not go with Carnival. If you want a nicer ship with better customer service and better quality all around I would suggest Royal Caribbean. You may pay more for Royal Caribbean, but its like anything else.......You get what you pay for! I have been on both cruise lines and I like Royal Caribbean more.

We have never been on Carnival just Royal a few times, but have met many people in ports that were on Carnival. The crowds I'vee seen come roaring of Carnival are younger, livier and party constantly. On Royal it quiets down rather early(midnight, 1am) and my hubby and I are like WHAT! Also more families, and a lil older crowd(we are 35 and 37)and like the nightlife.
So we like Royal but would like the partying bunch. Haven't been on the newest ship w/ Royal yet so the crowd may be different. If you can afford the newer RC ships I would do it b/c they are totally amazing!
Also, Im not sure if Royal or Carnival has pre-paid gratuity. Tips are based on how you feel your service was. I do know RC has a page on their website that gives guidelines on what to tip, but ultimately you tip on how you felt you were treated.
Congrats!

phantom_of_valkyrie

Honestly my first question is why are you set on leaving out of San Juan? I've done several cruises and the one out of San Juan was the worst. For your first time, it is very difficult. Cruise critic members constantly bash that debarkation site. For example, I sail out of Tampa or Fort Lauderdale. There are signs everywhere and a porter comes up usually as soon as I've gotten out of my taxi or hotel shuttle and takes my bag. San Juan, no porter ever did. I found my way to the ship and loaded my bag on what appeared to be a airport screening conveyor belt. I later saw both porters on a smoke break. For many people who were new to cruising they were asking questions of everyone. At a Florida port, when the porter takes your luggage he tells you everything you need to know as far as where to go now.

Personally I'm a big fan of Carnival. I like them a lot. It's a younger party crowd. My last couple cruises I've been disappointed at how young though. My last one the club was closed every night for either a private party, teens, pre-teens, or Singles under 35 event. Carnival is a bit more like a cross between spring break and summer camp. Lots of "join in" activities from people playing drinking games I'd never seen by the pool, to Carnival led Red White and Blue games. Like I said, I enjoy the Carnival Ninjas grabbing me and saying let's go play Ring Toss for a free bottle of champagne--but not for my honeymoon.

Royal Caribbean is more romantic. It's more couples sailing. The spa is better. The activities are less group activities and more couples activities. I found that I was less Mexico gone wild for Spring Break and more Each person enjoy themselves on their own.

However you are 21 so which appeals more to you. I know Carnival has been my favorite cruise line for years. My cruises were from the age 21-26 but about age 26 is when I started to prefer Royal so my next cruise will probably be with them again.

No one includes tips in the price package. The cruise includes the price of the cabin, the entertainment and the food. Any alcohol you drink or shore excursions you want to go on in the port of call will be extra. I figure roughly $150 in tips per couple that are automatically put on your credit card when you sign in, about $100 per person for each shore excursion and for a week however much you think you might gamble and drink. For me and my husband that's only about $300.

I pick my ship based on the itinerary though. Where are both these ships going? What places interest you most? On cruise critic you can find out reviews of the ports. Many have at least 1 private island stop. However some ports aren't really anything to see. Freeport Bahamas, Costa Maya, and their own private island stops are boring and days I stay on the ship. I'd never want multiple ports like that. Grand Turks is still developing so not much there yet. Great for seclusion but bad if you have an itinerary full of that.

Also look at the age of the ship. Some people love going on newer and better ships however I prefer the smaller ships. I find they have better crew and better entertainment, especially on Carnival. Many of the Fantasy class are just finished with their renovations and haven't even been sailing a full year yet. So definitely look at wikipedia for the article on the ship. It will tell you when the ship was drydocked.

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