Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

We're planning a cruise for jan/feb 2020 for my aunts 80th birthday. It would be myself, my husband and our 3 kids: ages 11, 8 and 5 at the time. My aunt and brother are also coming with us.

We're between the RC 8 night Eastern itinerary on the Adventure of the Seas to: Haiti, Puerto Rico, St Thomas & St Maarten.

OR Carnival Eastern trip to Amber Cove (Dominican), St Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. This is on the Carnival Breeze ship.

Any opinions? Feedback? Who's food is better? Boat is better?

I know it's easy to get a price adjustment for RC, but is it just as easy to get one with Carnival? Does Carnival have big sales?

Last question ladies. Thank you.

Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

I prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Do these leave from Florida? IF so I would choose something on one of newer RC ships, Allure Oasis Harmony Symphony etc.

Not sure about age of Adventure of Seas or what they offer on that one.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Message edited 2/24/2019 2:07:25 PM.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

I would do royal Caribbean cruise, I prefer it to Carnival as well. How about the RC that leaves out of Puerto Rico? Do they still have that intinerary? You get better access to all the islands.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Wanted to suggest checking out the boards on cruise critic. I like to read through reviews of ships with pictures to get an idea about different ships.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

100% RC over Carnival.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

RC. Especially with the older aunt. Carnival is usually a younger, party crowd.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

RC, Adventure of the seas hands down.

Don't worry about the age of ship, she just went under an extensive refurb in 2018.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

I personally prefer Carnival over RC but being you’re taking your aunt who is 80 I would go the RC route. With that said my dad will be 80 this year and had more fun on Carnival over his RC cruises lol. I just find an older crowd on the RC cruises I’ve sailed on and I’ve been on Oasis, Harmony and Adventure of the Seas(more relaxed). Carnival ships I’ve sailed on has been Glory twice, Magic, and in May Breeze definitely more of a party atmosphere.

Re: Help us pick a cruise! RC or carnival

Honestly, I think either cruise line is fine.
I found that the experience depends on how long the cruise is and where it goes. The shorter the cruise, the more “party” it is. For example, the one night out of city cruise is the most drunken party.

I liked Carnival and have been several times. I was very impressed by the specialty restaurants. My grandmother liked the old school buffets and parties. I wish they cruised more out of NYC. There are lots of activities and I think you can choose whether to do the party ones or the chiller ones.

NCL is my favorite. I stick with them as I really like their service and food through the years (from making fresh baby food to making me a cooler so I could take fresh milk to the beach for my kids). I’ve even used them in Europe.

Disney CL service was the worst and food was worst but their shows and activities were great for kids. They are also much more $$$.

I’ve never done RC, but friends loved it.

As for ship age: the older ships tend to be smaller overall, but have bigger rooms. Refurbishing is real. If you want buffet, the older ships are fine. The newer ones do have more restaurant dining options. I find the restaurants on the ships are actually really impressive.