We sailed in an interior cabin on Carnival and an ocean-view room on Royal Caribbean. Here's the one we'd pick next time.

Joey Hadden,Monica HumphriesOct 1, 2022, 16:04 IST

Joey Hadden and Monica Humphries went on Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruises and compared every detail of their rooms, from size to bathroom amenities.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

In July 2021, one reporter sailed on the Carnival Vista. This spring, another went on Royal Caribbean.
The reporters each sailed for seven nights in an interior and an ocean-view stateroom, respectively.

When it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are often mentioned in the same sentence. The two cruise lines are competitors and are among the world's most popular cruise lines. Insider reporters went on both.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Carnival Vista.Monica Humphries/Insider, Joey Hadden/Insider

When it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are often mentioned in the same sentence. The two cruise lines are competitors and are among the world's most popular cruise lines. Insider reporters went on both.

The reporters spent their week on their respective ships in different stateroom types. On the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, Joey slept in a mid-tier, ocean-view room. Monica, on the other hand, spent seven nights in an entry-level standard interior room.

Joey (L) and Monica (R) on their cruises.Joey Hadden/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The reporters spent their week on their respective ships in different stateroom types. On the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, Joey slept in a mid-tier, ocean-view room. Monica, on the other hand, spent seven nights in an entry-level standard interior room.

One of the easiest differences to spot was the price. Joey's Royal Caribbean cost about $700 more than the Carnival cruise.

Inside the Royal Caribbean (L) and Carnival (R) rooms.Joey Hadden/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The rooms were located in different parts of the ship, which impacted each reporter's ability to sleep.

Royal Caribbean (L) and Carnival (R) logos.Joey Hadden/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Both rooms had a mailbox next to their door, which was where they found informational flyers and their stateroom keys on the first day of their cruises.

The outside of the Royal Caribbean (L) and Carnival (R) rooms.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Monica's cheaper, lower-tier room was actually a few feet larger than Joey's cabin.

Inside Joey's ocean-view room (L) and Monica's interior room (R).Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Although Monica's room was larger, a window helped make Joey's room feel more spacious. She thought it was one of the Royal Caribbean room's largest luxuries.

Joey's room (L) and Monica's room (R).Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

When both reporters walked into their rooms, the TVs were playing safety videos.

Both TVs show safety videos.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

The Royal Caribbean room also had enough space for a couch.

Joey enjoys the couch in her room.Joey Hadden/Insider

Both reporters had king-sized beds, which were two twin-sized beds pushed together.

Joey's (L) and Monica's (R) beds were the same size.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Both rooms had a desk and vanity.

The vanity in Joey's (L) and Monica's (R) rooms.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Joey's room also had outlets conveniently placed on the vanity and night stands, while the outlets in Monica's room were behind the bed

Charging outlets in Joey's (L) and Monica's (R) rooms.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Joey and Monica both agreed they had plenty of storage in their rooms, although Joey had an extra closet, a dresser, and storage hooks.

Inside the closets on board Royal Caribbean (L) and Carnival (R) ships.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

The reporters also noticed the decor was different. Joey's room had art on the walls; Monica's had just the essentials.

Decor in Joey's room (L) and in Monica's room (R).Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside the bathroom, the reporters spotted more differences. For instance, Royal Caribbean provided Joey a bar of soap and a two-in-one hair and body wash. Carnival's toiletries included soap, shampoo, and body wash.

Shower amenities in Joey's room (L) and Monica's room (R).Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside the bathroom, the reporters spotted more differences. For instance, Royal Caribbean provided Joey a bar of soap and a two-in-one hair and body wash. Carnival's toiletries included soap, shampoo, and body wash.

Both reporters had a stateroom steward who came into their room twice a day to make their beds, bring fresh towels, and tidy up.

Both reporters received towels folded to look like animals.Joey Hadden/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Ultimately, Monica and Joey agreed both rooms were spacious enough for solo travelers. But if either of them boarded another cruise, they'd splurge for more space and a window.

Joey Hadden and Monica Humphries went on Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruises and compared every detail of their rooms, from size to bathroom amenities.Joey Hadden/Insider; Monica Humphries/Insider

Ultimately, Monica and Joey agreed both rooms were spacious enough for solo travelers. But if either of them boarded another cruise, they'd splurge for more space and a window.

I visited Queen Elizabeth's favorite places in London, and it helped me feel closer to the late monarch

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

We sailed in an interior cabin on Carnival and an ocean-view room on Royal Caribbean. Here's the one we'd pick next time.

When it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines are often mentioned in the same sentence. The two cruise lines are competitors and are among the world's most popular cruise lines. Insider reporters went on both.

The reporters spent their week on their respective ships in different stateroom types. On the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, Joey slept in a mid-tier, ocean-view room. Monica, on the other hand, spent seven nights in an entry-level standard interior room.

One of the easiest differences to spot was the price. Joey's Royal Caribbean cost about $700 more than the Carnival cruise.

The rooms were located in different parts of the ship, which impacted each reporter's ability to sleep.

Both rooms had a mailbox next to their door, which was where they found informational flyers and their stateroom keys on the first day of their cruises.

Monica's cheaper, lower-tier room was actually a few feet larger than Joey's cabin.

Although Monica's room was larger, a window helped make Joey's room feel more spacious. She thought it was one of the Royal Caribbean room's largest luxuries.

When both reporters walked into their rooms, the TVs were playing safety videos.

The Royal Caribbean room also had enough space for a couch.

Both reporters had king-sized beds, which were two twin-sized beds pushed together.

Both rooms had a desk and vanity.

Joey's room also had outlets conveniently placed on the vanity and night stands, while the outlets in Monica's room were behind the bed

Joey and Monica both agreed they had plenty of storage in their rooms, although Joey had an extra closet, a dresser, and storage hooks.

The reporters also noticed the decor was different. Joey's room had art on the walls; Monica's had just the essentials.

Inside the bathroom, the reporters spotted more differences. For instance, Royal Caribbean provided Joey a bar of soap and a two-in-one hair and body wash. Carnival's toiletries included soap, shampoo, and body wash.

Both reporters had a stateroom steward who came into their room twice a day to make their beds, bring fresh towels, and tidy up.

Ultimately, Monica and Joey agreed both rooms were spacious enough for solo travelers. But if either of them boarded another cruise, they'd splurge for more space and a window.