We sailed on Carnival and Cunard cruises out of the US and UK, and found one was all about luxury while the other focused on fun

Monica Humphries,Mikhaila FrielJan 29, 2022, 18:46 IST

Mikhaila Friel in front of Cunard's Queen Elizabeth ship. Monica Humphries in front of the Carnival Vista.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

Carnival Cruises and Cunard are both owned by The Carnival Corporation.
While Cunard is considered a luxury cruise line, Carnival is known for its "fun ships."

Last year, two Insider reporters embarked on voyages on Carnival's UK and US-based cruise lines.

The Queen Elizabeth (left), Carnival Vista (right)James D. Morgan/Getty Images/RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images

While both cruise lines are owned by The Carnival Corporation, they are vastly different.

Mikhaila on the Queen Elizabeth, left, and Monica in front of the Carnival Vista, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Mikhaila was welcomed onto the Queen Elizabeth with calming music whereas the Carnival Vista greeted passengers with upbeat music streaming throughout the lobby.

The cruise entrances.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Skitch

Cunard's stateroom featured royal-inspired decor while Carnival's stateroom emphasized comfort and space-saving features.

Arrows point to the decor in both the Cunard and Carnival staterooms.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

Mikhaila's cabin also came with free perks, such as complimentary tea and chocolates on her pillow, while Monica was greeted with animal-shaped towels each day.

Mikhaila had a tea-and-coffee station while Monica had an animal-shaped towel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Details — like the name-brand shampoo and conditioner — were an elegant touch in Mikhaila's stateroom. Monica's bathroom was stocked with nameless shampoo and body soap.

Cunard had branded soap while Carnival's was an unknown brand.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

Details — like the name-brand shampoo and conditioner — were an elegant touch in Mikhaila's stateroom. Monica's bathroom was stocked with nameless shampoo and body soap.

Both Mikhaila and Monica had robes waiting for them in their closets.

Cunard's room had slippers waiting for its guests.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

On Cunard, Mikhaila spent her nights watching ballroom dancing and theater shows, while Monica attended laid-back comedy performances and rock-and-roll-themed dances.

The activity-packed schedules on each ship ranged from ballroom-dancing classes to trivia.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

Beyond entertainment, the activities on the ship seemed to target different vacationing styles.

The Queen Elizabeth ballroom, left, and the Carnival Vista's waterslide, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The Carnival Vista had two main pools for guests, which embraced a tropical theme. The Queen Elizabeth pool wasn't themed.

The Cunard pool, left, and Carnival's, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The Queen Elizabeth had a croquet court. On the Carnival Vista, there wasn't croquet, but there was mini golf that was popular with teens.

The croquet court, left, and the mini golf court, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The largest ballroom on the Queen Elizabeth featured stained-glass windows, sparkling chandeliers, and a hardwood dance floor. There wasn't a ballroom on the Carnival Vista, though there was a large auditorium.

Mikhaila in the Queen's Room, left, and the Carnival Vista auditorium, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The largest ballroom on the Queen Elizabeth featured stained-glass windows, sparkling chandeliers, and a hardwood dance floor. There wasn't a ballroom on the Carnival Vista, though there was a large auditorium.

On the Queen Elizabeth, nearly every guest participated in formal night. On the Carnival Vista, formal nights were optional.

Mikhaila and Monica's respective formal night outfits.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Both reporters agreed that the standard of food was excellent on both ships.

Two desserts from each reporter's dining experience on their respective cruises.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

While the food was good on both cruises, the details inside the dining room on the Queen Elizabeth stood out strongly.

The Cunard dining restaurant, left, and Carnival's, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Both ships had buffets that offered a similar experience to passengers.

The Cunard and Carnival lido buffets.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

While Mikhaila enjoyed her afternoon tea and pastries on the Queen Elizabeth, Monica opted for soft-serve ice cream on the Carnival ship.

Mikhaila, left, and Monica, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Both reporters saw violinists playing in the lobby on each ship.

The violinists.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The Queen Elizabeth also had a grand piano in its lobby. On the Carnival Vista, the majority of the lobby was dedicated to a bar.

The Queen Elizabeth piano, left, and the Carnival Vista lobby, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

On the Queen Elizabeth, guests staying in penthouse suites had their own butler. On the Carnival Vista, there were a handful of suites with a range of amenities.

A private bar for Cunard's penthouse guests, left, and the Carnival Vista, right.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Art and history could be spotted throughout the entire Queen Elizabeth ship. There was one section where art was displayed on the Carnival Vista, but it was mainly there for purchasing purposes.

Paintings inside the Queen Elizabeth and the Carnival Vista.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

Art and history could be spotted throughout the entire Queen Elizabeth ship. There was one section where art was displayed on the Carnival Vista, but it was mainly there for purchasing purposes.

By the end of their respective voyages, Mikhaila left feeling like royalty and Monica disembarked from the ship with a smile, sunburn, and fun memories.

Mikhaila Friel in front of Cunard's Queen Elizabeth ship. Monica Humphries in front of the Carnival Vista.Mikhaila Friel/Insider/Monica Humphries/Insider

I visited Idris Elba's wine bar in London and learned there's nothing wrong with wining and dining solo

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

We sailed on Carnival and Cunard cruises out of the US and UK, and found one was all about luxury while the other focused on fun

Last year, two Insider reporters embarked on voyages on Carnival's UK and US-based cruise lines.

While both cruise lines are owned by The Carnival Corporation, they are vastly different.

Mikhaila was welcomed onto the Queen Elizabeth with calming music whereas the Carnival Vista greeted passengers with upbeat music streaming throughout the lobby.

Cunard's stateroom featured royal-inspired decor while Carnival's stateroom emphasized comfort and space-saving features.

Mikhaila's cabin also came with free perks, such as complimentary tea and chocolates on her pillow, while Monica was greeted with animal-shaped towels each day.

Details — like the name-brand shampoo and conditioner — were an elegant touch in Mikhaila's stateroom. Monica's bathroom was stocked with nameless shampoo and body soap.

Both Mikhaila and Monica had robes waiting for them in their closets.

On Cunard, Mikhaila spent her nights watching ballroom dancing and theater shows, while Monica attended laid-back comedy performances and rock-and-roll-themed dances.

Beyond entertainment, the activities on the ship seemed to target different vacationing styles.

The Carnival Vista had two main pools for guests, which embraced a tropical theme. The Queen Elizabeth pool wasn't themed.

The Queen Elizabeth had a croquet court. On the Carnival Vista, there wasn't croquet, but there was mini golf that was popular with teens.

The largest ballroom on the Queen Elizabeth featured stained-glass windows, sparkling chandeliers, and a hardwood dance floor. There wasn't a ballroom on the Carnival Vista, though there was a large auditorium.

On the Queen Elizabeth, nearly every guest participated in formal night. On the Carnival Vista, formal nights were optional.

Both reporters agreed that the standard of food was excellent on both ships.

While the food was good on both cruises, the details inside the dining room on the Queen Elizabeth stood out strongly.

Both ships had buffets that offered a similar experience to passengers.

While Mikhaila enjoyed her afternoon tea and pastries on the Queen Elizabeth, Monica opted for soft-serve ice cream on the Carnival ship.

Both reporters saw violinists playing in the lobby on each ship.

The Queen Elizabeth also had a grand piano in its lobby. On the Carnival Vista, the majority of the lobby was dedicated to a bar.

On the Queen Elizabeth, guests staying in penthouse suites had their own butler. On the Carnival Vista, there were a handful of suites with a range of amenities.

Art and history could be spotted throughout the entire Queen Elizabeth ship. There was one section where art was displayed on the Carnival Vista, but it was mainly there for purchasing purposes.

By the end of their respective voyages, Mikhaila left feeling like royalty and Monica disembarked from the ship with a smile, sunburn, and fun memories.