We sailed in an interior cabin on Carnival and an ocean-view room on Royal Caribbean. We'd only book one again.

Monica Humphries,Joey HaddenSep 10, 2024, 04:14 IST

Joey (L) and Monica (L) in their rooms.Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Two Business Insider reporters took cruises — one with Carnival and the other with Royal Caribbean.
The reporters each sailed for seven nights in an interior and an ocean-view stateroom.

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

In April 2022, Joey Hadden took her first cruise on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world that can hold about 7,000 guests. During Joey's seven-night voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

In July 2021, Monica Humphries joined 2,700 vaccinated passengers on the Carnival Vista, the first Carnival ship to depart the US since the pandemic began. Due to COVID-19, it purposefully sailed at partial capacity but can hold 3,934 passengers. The seven-night trip embarked from Galveston, Texas, and made stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The reporters spent their week on their respective ships in different stateroom types. On the Royal Caribbean's 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.

The rooms and ships are inherently different. Take a look at how their accommodations varied in price, amenities, and size, and why we thought the Royal Caribbean room was ultimately worth the upgrade.

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

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

Both rooms had a mailbox next to their door 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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

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

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

Joey enjoys the couch in her room.Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Both rooms had a desk and vanity.

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

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

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

Joey and Monica 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Inside the bathroom, Royal Caribbean provided Joey with 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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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/Business Insider, Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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