How do some of the industry's oldest and smallest cruise ships compare?

Growing up, I was convinced that newer meant better — that the newer the ship, the better the dining options, amenities, and overall vibe of the ship. 

However, as I began branching out and sailing on older vessels, I quickly discovered why so many veteran sailors adamantly avoid mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. For example, they lack the same intimate feel as older ships, and they often feel way more crowded. 

Size isn't the only thing that's changed about cruises over the past three decades. Today's vessels are almost like floating amusement parks, with roller coasters, water slides, ice skating rinks, unique bars, fun dining concepts, and other innovative features. 

In 2024, I sailed on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation. Both these ships launched in 1998 and are among the two lines' oldest and smallest vessels at sea. 

Vision of the Seas, for example, measures 78,340 gross tons, while Star of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, comes in at 248,663 gross tons. Comparatively, Carnival Elation measures 71,909 gross tons, and Carnival Jubilee, Carnival's biggest ship, is 183,521 gross tons, according to the cruise line. 

Although these vacations were far from glamorous, they offered a different perspective on cruising that's often overlooked today. 

Here's how my cruises on old Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships compared — and which one offered a better experience for the money. 

Cabin Comparison

On both five-night cruises aboard Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation, I stayed in the cheapest possible accommodations: windowless interior staterooms. 

There were pros and cons to both rooms. Carnival Elation's, for example, felt a little more modern, with added charging options, including bedside USB ports. This was due to the ship's multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2017, when all staterooms received new island-inspired interiors and upgrades. 

As such, my inside room on Carnival Elation didn’t feel nearly as dark or worn as I expected for a ship approaching 30 years old.

On the flip side, Vision of the Seas' bathroom was cleaner and better maintained, though both had shower curtains and were compact. 

The bathroom on Carnival Elation was the worst part of the stateroom. For starters, there was barely any storage, and the showerhead was disgusting, showing obvious signs of limescale build-up. 

It also broke a few days into the cruise, with the small piece attaching the showerhead to the bolted rod falling off. It took over a day before maintenance could fix it, and whenever we showered, water splashed everywhere.

I also thought that, while Vision of the Seas' room was smaller at 132 square feet (compared to Elation's 185 square feet), it had a more efficient and functional layout. 

There was a small couch that served as a great catch-all place for our tote bags, lanyards, and raincoats. There were also two nightstands, so my friend and I had equal space to store water bottles, books, and portable phone chargers. 

I also preferred this cabin's storage options, which included a cabinet with deep shelves above the television and built-in shelves in the bathroom. 

Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. I'd only book one again

In comparison, there was more empty space in my Carnival Elation cabin, with no loveseat and just one nightstand. This was strange since there were two USB ports built into the headboard on that side of the bed.  

The storage wasn't as ideal, either. For example, although there were shelves near the vanity, they were exposed, making the space feel more cluttered. There was also just one small rack for toiletries and cosmetics in the bathroom. 

In the end, while the décor and amenities of my Vision of the Seas inside cabin were a little more dated, it was the more comfortable choice due to its cozy layout, smart storage options, and updated bathroom.

Ship Amenities

Neither Vision of the Seas nor Carnival Elation is known for its record-breaking amenities. In fact, both vessels are pretty bare-bones compared to today's mega-ships. You won't find zip lines, ice skating rinks, rope courses, or roller coasters onboard. 

That said, Carnival Elation offered more exciting activities beyond the standard daily schedule and pool deck, including a small water park and mini-golf course. Comparatively, Vision of the Seas offers a rock climbing wall and a sports court. 

I also enjoyed Carnival's evening entertainment lineup more, with hilarious comedians at the Punchliner Comedy Club and talented musicians at Duke's Piano Bar. The live shows weren't all that bad, either, though they were a far cry from the Center Stage productions on newer ships like Mardi Gras or Carnival Celebration. 

That said, I much preferred Vision of the Seas' pool areas, especially the adult-only Solarium. The enclosed space was so relaxing, and it kept us shielded from the inclement weather that plagued most of our voyage. Plus, it was steps from the Vitality Spa, which had a complimentary sauna and steam room available to adults. 

The adult-only deck on Carnival Elation wasn't well-kept, with soot blanketing the lounge chairs and even staining my partner's clothing. 

Beyond that, both vessels also offer a casino, live music, game shows, and more. Generally speaking, I thought that Royal Caribbean's events were more low-key. However, the silent disco in the centrum was just as fun as Carnival's on the Lido Deck!

Read more: After taking 18 cruises, I sailed on Carnival Elation. Here are 4 things I loved (and 4 I didn’t) about Carnival's smallest ship

Food Review

Carnival has long blown Royal Caribbean out of the water when it comes to its fast-casual dining options — and that remained true aboard Carnival Elation. The Fantasy Class ship had everything from juicy cheeseburgers to made-to-order tacos and fresh pizza. 

The casual options on Vision of the Seas were more limited in comparison. However, I'd argue that Vision of the Seas is a better ship for foodies since it places a greater emphasis on its main dining experience and specialty restaurants. 

Onboard Vision, there are four specialty restaurants, including the cruise line's beloved steakhouse, Chops Grille. Carnival Elation doesn't even offer that, with its two specialty restaurants being the pricey Chef's Table experience and a casual sushi joint. 

While it's safe to say that most cruisers believe the overall quality of Royal Caribbean's food has declined in recent years, my experience on Vision of the Seas was a pleasant surprise. 

Izumi Sushi, in particular, was a home run, where I enjoyed everything from the edamame to the creamy firecracker shrimp roll and savory miso ramen.

That said, the Main Dining Room was consistent and reliable. I had more hits than misses, including the French Onion Soup, Warm Apple Cobbler, Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp, Rustic Chicken Korma, and Tiramisu.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Carnival Elation, where my partner and I left the dining room disappointed and underwhelmed on multiple occasions. 

One night, for example, my partner was served a bland chicken breast with hardly-seasoned vegetables. The same lackluster vegetables were served with my chicken parmigiana.

Not only was the dining room's food mediocre, but the service was slow. Our drink orders weren't taken one night until about thirty minutes after we sat down. 

Read more: I spent 5 days eating on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Here’s everything I ate, including some dishes I’d skip

Vision of the Seas vs. Carnival Elation: Which is best?

Picking a cruise ship can be a difficult choice. Not only do you have to think about the itinerary, but also whether the vessel has the onboard amenities that you're interested in. 

If, for example, you want a newer mega-ship, neither Vision of the Seas nor Carnival Elation is a good choice since these dated vessels lack when compared to the endless dining options, world-class shows, and high-tech amenities found on ships like Star of the Seas and Carnival Celebration. 

Still, an older ship can be a good home base for your next vacation, especially if you're worried about the price. 

For example, my five-night cruise on Vision of the Seas in an inside stateroom cost $1,396.76 for two travelers, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities. 

My five-night sailing on Carnival Elation over spring break cost nearly the same, coming in at $1,475.30 for two passengers in a standard inside room. 

Comparatively, I recently paid over $1,700 for a seven-night cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras ship from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean, and my weeklong cruise on Icon of the Seas last year cost well over $7,000, including our Central Park infinite veranda cabin, drink package, and shore excursions. 

So, yeah, older ships can provide tremendous value for travelers looking to stretch their budgets as far as possible. However, as this article shows, it's even more important that you devote time to researching the specific ship before putting down a deposit.

In the end, I'd pick Vision of the Seas over Carnival Elation any day because it offered a more balanced overall experience. 

Both ships show their age and lack the flashy features of modern mega-ships. That said, although the onboard entertainment and amenities weren't as impressive as Carnival Elation's, I much preferred the dining experience, adult-only sun deck, and overall vibe of the vessel. 

Read more: I tried Carnival's older cruise ships and never want to go back

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are two of the most popular cruise lines at sea. Within the past year, I've sailed on multiple ships from both companies, from port-intensive Alaskan getaways to seven-night Caribbean sailings. 

Generally speaking, these two lines are more different than alike, catering to diverse crowds and offering distinct onboard experiences. Although I prefer the vibe on Royal Caribbean's vessels, that doesn't necessarily make it the best choice for every traveler. 

Recently, I returned from a weeklong cruise aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras ship, visiting The Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. She's one of the cruise line's largest ships, measuring 180,800 gross tons with a passenger capacity of over 5,200 at double occupancy. 

Still, Mardi Gras is a far cry from Oasis Class vessels. Wonder of the Seas, for example, comes in at 235,600 gross tons and can accommodate 5,734 passengers at double occupancy. 

Size does not always translate to a better onboard experience, though, especially when it comes to cruise rooms. From layout to storage and overall comfort, I noticed some key differences between my cheap interior cabins on Mardi Gras and Wonder of the Seas that would make me reconsider future voyages on Excel Class ships. 

Here's how my recent inside cruise rooms aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras compare.

Royal Caribbean inside cabins are small but cleverly designed

Generally speaking, inside cabins are the smallest rooms aboard a cruise ship. Still, having stayed in nearly a dozen windowless cabins on Royal Caribbean ships, I've found that, despite their size, they're usually cleverly designed and functional.

This was certainly the case aboard Wonder of the Seas. Although the cabin wasn't large — measuring around 170 square feet — it was designed to maximize the available space. The efficient layout had just enough room for the essentials, including a comfortable bed, desk, chair, dresser, and two nightstands. 

Plus, having launched in 2022, the stateroom was well-appointed with a modern aesthetic and amenities, including an abundance of outlets and TV streaming capabilities directly from your phone or tablet. 

Three American outlets, two USB ports, and two European plugs were available at the vanity, while the bedside lamps were outfitted with additional USB ports and standard American outlets.

This was a convenient touch that made charging devices at night much easier, rather than having to leave them plugged in across the stateroom. 

My room aboard Wonder of the Seas had a lot of storage space

For such a small room, I was surprised by the amount of storage space we had — from the closets to the built-in shelves and dresser. 

The closet had enough hangers for our dresses and blouses, while the built-in cubbies were great for stashing packing cubes, shoes, and other miscellaneous items. 

Moreover, the dresser drawers helped keep our swimsuits and undergarments organized and out of sight. 

My only complaint about my Wonder of the Seas cruise room is that it lacked hanging space. Consequently, the cabin's singular chair quickly became a catch-all place for beach bags and lanyards to help keep the vanity clear of clutter. 

Read more: I paid $2,200 for an inside cabin on a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise. The tiny, windowless space was more comfortable than I expected

The bathroom was modern and spacious (for a cruise ship)

The modern bathroom was a highlight of the cabin, featuring bright tiles, solid storage space, and a spacious shower. 

The shelves provided more than enough room for essentials, and — combined with the added space from my hanging toiletries organizer — the bathroom felt organized despite its size. 

Additionally, the shower featured a curved door, rather than a clingy curtain, a small built-in rod to help prop up a leg while shaving, and had amazing water pressure. 

As expected, the bathroom wasn't stocked with many toiletries outside the basic bar of hand soap and the 2-in-1 shampoo-body wash hybrid.

Read more: I spent $4,700 for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas. Here's what everything cost, from $400 in airfare to $140 in excursions

On the other hand, my cabin aboard Mardi Gras felt cramped

I expected my room on Mardi Gras to feel small, but it felt even more cramped than anticipated, measuring under 160 square feet. What was even more shocking was that the cabin was designed to accommodate up to three guests with an additional pullman bed. 

With limited space, there wasn’t room for any extra seating beyond the bed and the small vanity stool. The vanity itself was also compact. 

Still, despite its size and shortcomings, the cabin was modern and clean. I especially loved the ambient lighting above the bed and the minimalistic artwork. Plus, the neutral light brown and blue hues made the space feel brighter and more spacious than it actually was.

There was also a good number of charging options available, including three standard American outlets and six USB ports — two of which were conveniently built into the headboard on each side of the bed.

Read more: I stayed in an $850-per-person inside cabin on the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship. Here's what it's like

There was not a lot of versatile storage space, either

Unfortunately, one area where the interior cabin on Mardi Gras felt short was the storage space. The vanity area, for instance, did not have any drawers for storage, just a few small shelves on the wall. 

Consequently, the two closets were the only real space for unpacking and settling in. Although they were relatively large, with plenty of hangers, built-in shelves, and two small wire drawers, the setup wasn’t the most organized.

For example, since there weren't any drawers, a lot of our clothing was thrown onto the shelves and toppled over. 

The bathroom was small but sleek

The bathroom was far more cramped than aboard Wonder of the Seas. However, it was functional and got rid of the annoying shower curtain found on older Carnival ships. 

Instead, the layout and bathroom design are more similar to Icon Class ships, with the shower positioned along the wall, rather than tucked into the corner. The door gives the bathroom a cleaner and more sanitary feel, too. 

However, the water pressure in the shower was disappointing and weaker than expected. This made rinsing out shampoo and conditioner take longer than usual. 

That said, I appreciated the deep, wide storage shelves. This gave us plenty of room to comfortably unpack our everyday toiletries and beauty products, meaning I didn't have to live out of my hanging toiletries organizer for seven nights!

Finally, like Royal Caribbean, Carnival minimally stocks its standard bathrooms with wall-mounted shampoo, body wash, and a small bar of hand soap. 

Read more: 7 things I liked better about Royal Caribbean cruises than Carnival

Overall, I think Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas had the better inside room

First, let's talk price. For my seven-night Wonder of the Seas cruise, the price of an interior cabin for two came out to be $2,292.10. Comparatively, my weeklong spring break cruise on Mardi Gras was significantly less, coming in at $1,702 for two passengers. 

The price difference is notable and reflected in the overall cabin experience on Wonder of the Seas, which felt more comfortable and thought-out. 

That's not to say my stateroom on Carnival Mardi Gras was horrible. It offered the essentials and just enough space to unwind amid a busy schedule, exploring different ports, playing mini-golf, riding the BOLT roller coaster, and lounging by the pool. 

However, the tighter layout and lack of versatile storage made it feel more cramped. It was also a connecting cabin. Sometimes, you can get lucky and have peaceful neighbors. We weren't lucky. 

We shared a stateroom wall with a couple who frequently fought during the cruise. On multiple occasions, we heard one of the passengers screaming at the top of her lungs — loud enough to wake us up at 4:00 a.m.

Our cabin on Wonder of the Seas was noisy, too, as we were located at the front of the ship near a crew-only area. This meant that we'd hear crew members prepping for their morning shifts as early as 7:45 a.m.

Still, I'd take the layout and comfort of the Wonder of the Seas cabin over Mardi Gras, even with the sudden early-morning wakeup calls. 

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas: Is a mega ship the best?

Years after Royal Caribbean overhauled its Main Dining Room menus to create a more streamlined dinner experience, Carnival Cruise Line seems to be following suit. 

The cruise line's new Express Dining option ensures that guests receive the same quality food and overall dining experience that Carnival is known for — in a fraction of the time, according to a recent press release. 

According to one Redditor, dinner aboard Carnival cruise ships can easily take an hour. "Hit up the lido [buffet], pizza or seafood shack if there’s a show or activity that you don’t want to miss," they advise. 

Someone else added, "I have noticed that when I was seated at a group table in the MDR, the wait staff tends to serve everyone at the same pace. So, if someone is a particularly slow eater, it may take longer to get through all the courses."

Supposedly, the multi-course Express Dining experience serves parties of six or fewer in under one hour. Currently, the program is available on 15 "fun ships," ranging from Carnival Jubilee to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Vista; however, it'll be available fleetwide by the end of May. 

"Our guests continue to tell us they value greater flexibility in how they spend their time on board, and Express Dining was designed with that in mind," said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. 

"Our pilot program generated positive feedback from our guests. With this in mind, we are excited to expand Express Dining to offer them the same high-quality dishes and attentive service our dining rooms are known for, while giving guests the ability to use more of their time to enjoy all the other onboard fun."

The release continues, adding that special dietary requests will be accommodated during the Express Dining service. Additionally, guests with Carnival's flexible Your Time Dining can opt in to the Express Dining option through Carnival's mobile HUB App. 

Read more: Carnival menus 2026: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

The push toward faster dining room meals at sea isn’t new

Royal Caribbean launched new fleetwide dining menus in January 2023. It was the first major overhaul the cruise line had made to its main dining experience in over five years. According to cruise line executives, the revamp was designed in part based on complaints that they needed to speed up the service. 

As cruise ships pack in more entertainment (think AquaTheater high diving shows, dueling piano battles, Broadway-style musicals, karaoke jam sessions, and more), it's important to balance dining with passengers’ other activities. 

Rather than spending two hours stuck in the dining room, Royal Caribbean created a solution to make the multi-course dinner experience feel less time-consuming without completely losing the key traits of traditional cruise dinners. 

Read more: I tried the new Royal Caribbean menus — here's how I'd rank everything I ate

"We've got so many things to do on board the ship, and we don't want to hold you hostage in your dining experience," explained Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage. 

"[T]he first thing [the menus] will help us do is improve the speed of the pace of the meal. Not hugely, but let's call it about 15 minutes is what we're seeing, which is a significant reduction, [and] gets us much closer to that 75-minute target."

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, added, "It's also fair to say that we get a lot of feedback from customers who do want to have a slightly faster [dinner] service."

Carnival's Express Dining has a similar goal. However, rather than assume every guest wants a shortened dinner experience, Carnival’s approach gives passengers the choice.

The Express Dining's menu features a slightly abbreviated selection of options to streamline service while still delivering the same multi-course experience cruise guests expect. During the pilot that began last summer, the menu was simplified to include just four appetizers, four entrées, and two desserts. The goal was to shorten dining times from around 90 to 45 minutes. 

Last year, Carnival also introduced a new buffet lunch option to make mealtime easier for families. The buffet's Family Express menus feature kid-approved favorites like chicken tenders, plain spaghetti pasta, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and sugar sprinkle cookies — alongside more sophisticated options that appeal to adults, including salmon croquettes, turkey escalopes, savory pork ribs, and chicken mirabella.

The standard buffet options didn't disappear. Rather, the Family Express service was added to offer a quick and streamlined lunch experience that fits into everyone's schedule, with salads, entrées, and desserts in one designated place. This layout makes it easy to grab exactly what you want without wasting time browsing the available options at each station. 

Read more: Carnival introduces new lunch option to make dining easier for families

Is the cruise ship dining room worth it?

Generally speaking, the Main Dining Room remains a highlight of today's cruise experience. Although it is far less formal than in decades past, the multi-course menu and attentive service allow guests to enjoy a more upscale meal than at the buffet. 

As cruise lines have recognized that travelers value flexibility on vacation, they’ve adapted their dining rooms to meet the needs of today’s passengers. 

For example, rather than being forced to eat at the same time each night, passengers can opt into Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining program, which allows them to make reservations for their preferred dining time or simply show up when it's most convenient. 

The best part about the cruise dining room is that it’s included in the cost of the cruise. You never have to worry about receiving a large bill for the multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts that your party savored.

And if you are in a hurry to make one of the ship's shows, simply let your dining room team know. They will do their best to get you served and out the door as quickly as possible. 

Read more: 6 Unwritten rules to know before eating at the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean ships

I was surprised when Royal Caribbean informed me that my 5-night Freedom of the Seas cruise would be re-routed to Carnival's private port.

Amber Cove is Carnival's "exclusive port" in the Dominican Republic, located close to Taino Bay.

I've had itinerary changes in the past, but I've never heard of a Royal Caribbean ship visiting a rival port. Not only was it unusual, but I had never been to any Carnival private area.

While surreal, my visit to Amber Cove was a fun experience where I was surprised five times.

It's not run at all by Carnival

Upon arrival at Amber Cove, it became clear a private port run by Carnival is not like a Royal Caribbean private island.

While Carnival owns the port, it leases out everything and it's all run by third party vendors.

I expected to see far more Carnival branding, but was surprised to not find much.

Since the shops, restaurants, and bars are all operated by independent vendors, it felt less like "Carnival land" and more like a port of call that just happens to be owned by Carnival.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, there was no army of crew members descending from the cruise ship to staff the island.  

Also, anything you paid for required cash or credit card.  I was concerned I might be at a disadvantage because I didn't have a cruise card from a Carnival ship.  But when I went to the swim-up bar in the pool to get a drink, I was able to use my phone's tap to pay option.

One of the biggest takeaways that while Amber Cove is owned by Carnival, it didn't feel like an extension of the cruise line.

Cabanas were cheap

After the announcement was made we'd go to Amber Cove, I reached out to my friends at Eat Sleep Cruise for a recommendation of what to do there. They recommended I rent a cabana.

Unfortunately, there were no advanced reservations available to be made on the ship. So I had to wait and see what was left to rent once I arrived.

Amber Cove has a few different cabanas you can rent, somewhat similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee. Over the water, hill top, and pool cabanas were some of the options.

When I asked about renting a cabana, I was told I could get one of the over the water cabanas for just $500.

I was astounded by how low a price this was, considering cabanas at Royal Caribbean's private destinations can easily cost two to three times that.

The water slide they had for an extra cost was also quite inexpensive, at just $6 per person for unlimited rides.

While I can't comment how close the quality of the cabanas are to Royal Caribbean's (I didn't think I needed a cabana for just myself cruising solo), the pricing difference was rather notable.

There's no beach

I knew Amber Cove had a pool, but I couldn't believe there wasn't a beach.

Amber Cove has plenty of shore excursions you can take to take you to a nearby beach. Unlike CocoCay or Labadee, you're not relegated to just the port.

I think the rationale may simply be there are so many beautiful beaches in and around Puerto Plata, Carnival felt let folks take a quick trip if that's what they desire.

Instead, Amber Cove has a resort-style pool with swim-up bar, waterslides, a lazy river and plenty of lounge chairs.

It's clear Taino Bay copied Amber Cove

After realizing Amber Cove isn't that similar at all to CocoCay, I saw more similarities to Taino Bay.

Our cruise visited Taino Bay the day before, which is the port in Puerto Plata Royal Caribbean cruise ships usually visit.

Amber Cove opened in 2015, but Taino Bay opened in 2021. 

• Both have a complimentary pool and lazy river
• Both have lots of independent restaurants and bars
• Both have souvenir shops run by third parties
• Both offer shore excursions to the outside area

In my opinion, the folks that designed and built Taino Bay took a lot of inspiration from Amber Cove.  I'm not saying they straight out copied it, but the similarities are there.

While Taino Bay's lazy river feels more like a lazy river than Amber Cove's version, Amber Cove doesn't feel like a giant maze and is far easier to navigate.

It's a lot less like any Royal Caribbean private island than I expected

The biggest surprise to me is how much Amber Cove isn't like CocoCay.

Up until my visit there, I only had the context of Royal Caribbean's private operations. So I anticipated something more akin to a day there.

Instead, Amber Cove felt more like Costa Maya or Taino Bay than Labadee. If you've been to Falmouth in Jamaica, that might also be a better comparison.

I can see the advantages for Carnival to run it this way.  They get to make money from the lessees that do all the work and operate everything and don't have to commit manpower to make it happen.

That being said, I didn't get much of a Carnival vibe from the port.  When I'm at CocoCay, it feels like an extension of my Royal Caribbean ship.  I can't say I felt the same about Amber Cove.

In the end, I had a great time on my visit. 

It was a beautiful day and the pool was a lot of fun. Plus, I got to enjoy Nathan's hot dog and french fries for lunch!

I'm not daydreaming of returning, but at least now I know what to expect if I ever did.

Carnival made a change so big to its loyalty program that Royal Caribbean fans are sure to notice.

Carnival Rewards is the new program that begins June 1, 2026, and represents a fundamental shift in how the cruise line recognizes and rewards its most dedicated guests. 

Unlike the VIFP Club, this new system introduces a more dynamic, spending-based model similar to airline frequent flyer programs. 

It's not only a departure from the traditional cruise loyalty model but also has implications for how guests will earn, redeem, and maintain elite status aboard Carnival ships.

Note that the Carnival Rewards program will not extend to any of Carnival Corporation’s sister lines, such as Princess, Holland America, or Costa Cruises. The change is only for Carnival Cruise Line.

Dollars spent instead of nights

Up until now, Carnival's VIFP Club was was similar to Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society: the more nights you sailed, the more points you accrued, and the higher your loyalty tier climbed. 

However, beginning in mid-2026, the focus will shift to money spent over nights sailed to determine status.

Under the new program, guests will earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including base cruise fare, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and onboard beverages. 

Additionally, for every remaining casino point at the end of the sailing, guests will receive 1 Carnival Rewards point.

The new program rewards how much someone spends, in addition to simply sailing with the line. Cruisers that buy up onboard experiences (entertainment, dining, gambling) will likely find this system more beneficial.

Carnival credit card earns points too

Another big change within the program is the Carnival World Mastercard can earn you points in the loyalty program.

Points earned through credit card spending will now feed directly into the Carnival Rewards ecosystem, replacing the existing FunPoints system. Current cardholders will see their balances converted into the new currency automatically when the program goes live.

This integration allows guests to build reward value outside of cruising, adding another way for points to be accumulated. 

How redeeming Carnival points will work

One of the defining features of Carnival Rewards is its flexibility in redemption. Guests can use their points to cover a wide range of cruise-related expenses, including:

• Booking cruise fares
• Reserving shore excursions
• Purchasing packages in advance of embarkation
• Making onboard purchases during the voyage

Unlike many airline programs that impose redemption thresholds or blackout dates, Carnival Rewards will allow guests to redeem any amount of points, with no minimum required. This design is intended to lower the barrier to entry for new participants while also providing frequent cruisers a valuable, spendable reward currency.

Loyalty tiers

One of the biggest surprises of the announcement is status is no longer lifetime.

Going forward, there will be a rolling two-year qualification window. Loyalty status will now be determined using Status Qualifying Stars, which are earned at the same rate as reward points: 3 stars per dollar spent on eligible purchases and 1 star per casino point left at the end of a cruise.

Carnival Rewards will feature four loyalty tiers:

• Red: Entry level upon signup

• Gold: 10,000 stars

• Platinum: 50,000 stars

• Diamond: 100,000 stars

Once a tier is reached, it remains active for the remainder of that two-year period plus an additional two years. However, status is no longer permanent, and members must requalify within each two-year period to maintain their tier. 

More similar to airline loyalty programs

One conclusion a lot of cruisers came to after reading through Carnival Rewards is it mirrors the airline industry's loyalty approach more closely than any cruise line program.

Airline loyalty programs embrace a higher degree of competitiveness and recurring participation.

Changes to Platinum and Diamond benefits

Several benefits currently tied to Platinum and Diamond VIFP tiers will be discontinued beginning June 1, 2026. These include:

• The VIFP Club party on cruises of five nights or longer (to be replaced by two complimentary drinks)
• The $5 arcade credit for guests under 18
• The welcome treat for cruises five nights or longer (available by request only)
• The VIFP logo gift, previously offered on every sailing

Additionally, Diamond-level members will no longer receive the following one-time rewards after qualifying:

• Complimentary specialty dining meal for two
• One-time free cabin upgrade or free sailing for third, fourth, or fifth guests
• VIFP Club-branded luggage tag set

Would Royal Caribbean ever do the same?

Immediately after the news was posted, Royal Caribbean fans began thinking if this change would come their way.

"Do you think this is something Royal and the other lines will try to adopt?" wrote oOoOsarahOoOo on the Royal Caribbean subreddit.

xAdray replied, "I very much hope Royal realizes that by having the best loyalty program in the industry, they would have the most to lose by making drastic changes to C&A."

Pilotboy1985 talked about the need to requalify every two years, "Imagine it Royal did that. All the people who have been Pinnicale for decades, proudly wearing their pins, would all be bumped down to gold."

a1__steak_sauce added, "I really like Royal but if they messed with diamond drinks I’d not only be looking at other cruise lines, I’d be considering more land based vacations."

It's strange to say, but after 22 Royal Caribbean cruises, I absolutely loved my first Carnival cruise.

Even though I'm a loyal Royal Caribbean cruiser, I occasionally like to try new-to-me cruise lines. It keeps cruising from feeling monotonous, and I like to compare and contrast what each line offers.

When I tried MSC Cruises, I loved the low price, but wished there were more complimentary restaurants. Later, when sailing with Princess Cruises, I thought the atmosphere was somewhat dull for my age demographic.

Prior to this month, I had never booked a Carnival cruise, and I was somewhat wary of the line. Online, some cruisers referred to Carnival Cruise Line as the “Walmart of the Seas,” with adjectives like trashy and wild to describe the fleet’s ships.

Curiosity finally got the best of me, though, and after coming across a cheap, last-minute cruise fare on Carnival Firenze, I booked it to see what Carnival Cruise Line was really all about.

I paid just $850 for 2 adults on a 4-night cruise from Long Beach, California. The ship, originally launched for Carnival’s Italian brand Costa Cruises in 2021, was transferred to Carnival in 2024.

Because I was sailing on a new ship, I had higher expectations than I would on one of the fleet’s oldest vessels. Yet I still had hesitations about my Carnival cruise. Would it live up to the stereotypes? Would I spend the whole cruise wishing I had sailed with Royal Caribbean instead?

After 4 nights onboard, here’s what I loved about Carnival Cruise Line and missed about Royal Caribbean.

First, I loved Carnival’s flexible dining—I never had to plan when to eat dinner like on Royal Caribbean

Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a staple of any cruise vacation, whether sailing on Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean.

Most cruise lines allow guests to choose between a traditional and flexible dining option. With traditional dining, guests eat at the same table each evening with the same wait staff. Flexible dining gives guests more flexibility to change their dining times each night.

I’ve always avoided flexible dining, otherwise known as My Time Dining, on Royal Caribbean cruises. If you don’t remember to make reservations ahead of time, you’ll have to wait in a line for a table each evening. After seeing long lines time and time again, I've sworn off flexible dining on the cruise line.

On Carnival Firenze, however, I tried the flexible dining option and loved it! There was no need to make reservations in advance. When I was ready to eat dinner, I simply checked in on the Carnival app. I received an estimated wait time, and once a table was ready I would head to the dining room to be seated.

I never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a table, and the digital process meant there was no need to wait in a physical line.

Carnival’s ropes course was more fun than Royal Caribbean’s, and it was free

Last year while onboard Icon of the Seas, I tried the Crown’s Edge, Royal Caribbean’s rendition of a ropes course and zip line thrill ride. I paid $90 for the 1-minute experience (the price has since been lowered), and I didn’t think it was worth the cost.

Sure, zip lining off the side of the ship was fun, but it wasn’t as exhilarating as I imagined. I found the complimentary zip line on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships to be just as fun.

Many of Carnival’s ships feature a ropes course, where passengers walk on ropes and planks around the top of the ship. Unlike the Crown’s Edge, Carnival's ropes course is free.

I gave it a try aboard my cruise, and it was far more thrilling and challenging than I thought it would be. I love a good thrill, but I had to muster up some serious courage to get through the entire course.

Compared to the 1-minute experience on the Crown’s Edge, it took me around 10 minutes to get through the ropes course, and I loved how it was included in my cruise fare.

The energy of Carnival’s programming was out-of-this-world

I never knew I could laugh so hard on a cruise ship.

During my 4 nights onboard Carnival Firenze, I tried to attend a variety of activities around the ship—the daily schedule was packed with things to do. I was curious to see how the programming differed from Royal Caribbean’s.

Some activities were similar. Both cruise lines offer programming like a sailaway party, trivia, game shows, and karaoke, but Carnival’s had a more lively atmosphere.

Related: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

When watching Deal or No Deal, I couldn’t believe how loud and passionate the audience acted as they cheered on the contestants. The next day during karaoke, the crowd roared for each and every passenger taking the stage.

I caught a comedy show in the Punchliner Comedy Club, too, and while the content was wildly inappropriate, it was, by far, the funniest comedy show I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship.

Carnival Cruise Line may have a reputation for a rowdy atmosphere, but there was certainly never a dull moment onboard.

For casual dining, Carnival had more enticing options than Royal Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line is known for offering an impressive selection of casual, complimentary restaurants, and I was excited to try them during my short vacation.

Whether the famed Guy’s Burger Joint or Mexican-inspired Blue Iguana Cantina, I heard great things about Carnival’s included (albeit slightly unhealthy) dining options.

Tomodoro, the ship’s Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant, served up tacos and burritos for breakfast and lunch. I found the selection of ingredients and salsas diverse, with options like shrimp and fish, which aren’t available at Royal Caribbean’s El Loco Fresh.

Later, I tried a veggie burger and fries from Guy’s Burger Joint, which came topped with marinara sauce and fried cheese. Yes, fried cheese. My arteries wished I went for the nearby salad bar instead, but it was totally worth it.

I didn’t love the individual pizzas at Carnival’s Pizzeria del Capitano, but they were comparable to Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s.

I also thought Carnival’s buffet, the Lido Marketplace, was somewhat lackluster in its options, especially compared to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe.

Nonetheless, I was generally impressed by Carnival’s complimentary options. I found Guy’s Burger Joint, for instance, more enticing than hot dogs at Royal Caribbean’s Boardwalk Dog House. Plus, I found there to be a wide selection of vegetarian and pescetarian options.

I missed my Crown & Anchor Society benefits on Royal Caribbean, especially the free drinks

As far as I’m concerned, Royal Caribbean has one of, if not the best, loyalty programs in the cruise industry.

As a Diamond Plus member on Royal Caribbean, I receive numerous elusive benefits, including access to the exclusive Crown Lounge, a free bag of laundry, 2 free days of wifi, and discounts on specialty dining, among other perks.

My favorite loyalty benefit of all are the 5 free drinks I receive each day of my cruise. I love using this perk to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a cocktail on the pool deck.

I wanted to try fun cocktails on my Carnival Firenze cruise, but the prices were off-putting. Even though drinks were advertised at around $13, they were nearly $17 with added tax and gratuity.

Personally, I didn’t want to spend $17 for basic cocktails during my cruise, and I missed having access to my Diamond drinks on Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s boarding process was significantly more organized than Carnival’s

I’m always amazed how cruise lines manage to swiftly board thousands of passengers onto their ships. These days, it’s not uncommon to arrive at Royal Caribbean’s cruise terminals and be onboard in less than 15 minutes.

Related: 15 Royal Caribbean boarding tips for a fast embarkation

Unfortunately, the same promptness could not be said about the embarkation process on Carnival Firenze. After arriving at the Long Beach terminal on time, I was met with absolutely insane lines. Organization was lacking, and it appeared most passengers (and even some employees) were overwhelmed and confused.

It took nearly 45 minutes of waiting in line outside just to enter the cruise terminal. Luckily, once inside, the rest of the embarkation process took under 15 minutes.

Waiting an hour to board isn’t necessarily the end of the world, but I was disappointed with Carnival’s lackluster embarkation process. It made me miss the more efficient service I’m accustomed to when boarding Royal Caribbean’s ships.

Most importantly, I missed Royal Caribbean’s unlimited bread basket

After a long, busy embarkation day, I was excited to sit down for my first dinner in Carnival Firenze’s dining room. Hungry and tired, I expected to be promptly served a bread basket filled with a variety of freshly-baked breads.

Royal Caribbean’s bread baskets are one of my favorite aspects of eating in the Main Dining Room. Simply put, I’m a carboholic, and nothing can stop me from indulging in breads of all kinds on a cruise, from cheese-crusted rolls to crispy baguettes.

Related: 21 Tips For The Best Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Experience

You can imagine my disappointment, therefore, when I realized that Carnival Cruise Line does not offer a bread basket. Instead, waiters walk around placing a sole, sad piece of bread on each passenger’s plate with a tiny slab of butter.

Although the bread varied from day to day, only one type of bread was offered each dinner—usually a variation of a French roll. One evening, though, Carnival offered raisin bread, which I found quite peculiar for dinner.

Of course, passengers can ask the waiters for more bread (I definitely did!), but the measly bread offerings couldn’t compare with Royal Caribbean’s more varied bread baskets.

Finally, I missed Royal Caribbean’s innovative cabin designs

Because Carnival Firenze is a new ship, I expected my cabin to feel thoughtfully-designed, but this wasn’t the case.

Once onboard, I was disappointed to see little storage in the room. Aside from 2 extremely narrow closets, there were few places to put my belongings. The desk had no storage, the bathroom had just a few small shelves, and the limited storage in the nightstands was hard to reach.

In comparison, Royal Caribbean’s newest ships offer significantly more storage space. When I stayed in a room on Odyssey of the Seas, it had 2 closets, a dresser, above-the-bed storage, and shelves in the nightstands. Both ships launched the same year.

With just two guests in the cabin, it was challenging to unpack on Carnival Firenze. I opted to live out of my suitcase for my 4-night cruise, but I felt like I was always tripping over my belongings.

The lack of storage space really made me appreciate how Royal Caribbean designs cabins on their newest cruise ships.

One cruiser was surprised how much they enjoyed Carnival after cruising with Royal Caribbean for years.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most popular mainstream cruise lines in the world. Royal Caribbean is known for building some of the biggest and most advanced cruise ships in the world. On the other hand, Carnival Cruise Line has just started constructing mega cruise ships in the last five years. 

Carnival's focus on fun can be misconstrued as a party-centric experience. For this reason, many cruisers tend to be either loyal to Royal Caribbean or diehard fans of Carnival Cruise Line. As two of the top competitors in the industry, the cruise lines have more in common than you might think. 

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line offer affordable cruise fares onboard their family-friendly vessels. Some argue that Carnival’s newest and most innovative ships in their Excel class rival Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships. With many dining choices and plenty of onboard thrills, the two classes are quite similar.

One cruiser recently shared their first-time experience on Carnival Cruise Line after being loyal to Royal Caribbean for years. The user, @Itwo_Inokam, detailed their first impressive Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee on Reddit in the r/Cruise subreddit.

Carnival Jubilee is the newest and biggest ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The Excel class vessel was launched in 2023 and holds 6,500 passengers at capacity. Prior to sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser stated they sailed twice on Allure of the Seas.

In the post, the first-time cruiser shared, "I am SO SO glad we booked! We had been loyal to Royal previously and have Emerald status. We will still do Royal, and eventually want to try Icon [of the Seas], but I feel like my first cruise on Carnival has beat my last two on Royal.”

Here’s why the first-timer’s family cruise with Carnival Cruise Line exceeded expectations after cruising with Royal Caribbean.

One of the most pleasant surprises from cruising with Carnival was the inclusion of so many restaurants onboard

Many cruisers praise Carnival Cruise Line for having a multitude of casual dining options included in their cruise fare. The majority of restaurants on Carnival’s Excel class ships are complimentary, with only a few select specialty options for splurging.

The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “The food was incredible! We ate at Chibang, Cucina del Capitano, and did all of the Street Eats, Guy’s [Burger Joint], Big Chicken, and BlueIguana Cantina.”

The cruiser found some of the complimentary dining options on Carnival were comparable to specialty dining on Royal Caribbean. The first-timer said, “We just can't believe how many choices there were that weren't an up-charge, and all delicious. Some definitely would be considered specialty dining on Royal Caribbean.”

With this, the cruiser found Carnival to be better value for the money. They commented, “Because Carnival includes so much at no up-charge, we came out with a significantly lower bill. Experiences with our kids at dining options that would have been a per-person charge on Royal, weren’t on Carnival.”

Further, the cruiser said they attempted to try all of the food during their cruise, but nearly ran out of time because there were so many options.

“We tried so hard to try everything, and it was just too much. And we were amazed at how good it all was. The type of quality was what you'd expect from specialty dining or an up-charge. Also, even items that were an up-charge like Emeril’s [Bistro] were so cheap for the quality! Same with the seafood station on the lido deck,” concluded the cruiser.

Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Carnival: Which is a better choice?

On prior cruises with Royal Caribbean, the cruiser stated that their main dining room and buffet experiences were somewhat disappointing. The long-time Royal Caribbean cruiser said they have personally noticed a decline in the dining experience, including the Windjammer buffet and main dining room.

The cruiser explained, “It’s so sad - [Royal Caribbean] wasn’t always like it is now. One of my favorite parts of cruising is eating and trying new foods. [Now], you’re pushed into getting the specialty dining because the Windjammer is a miss more than a hit. On our last two [cruises], the dining room was unbelievably slow only to receive warm to cold food.”

Carnival’s Camp Ocean was particularly impressive and accommodating for the first-time cruiser and his kids

Along with Carnival Jubilee’s expansive dining options, the family was especially wowed by the youth programming onboard. With a focus on family fun, Carnival Cruise Line has a well-established childcare program across its fleet, including a state-of-the-art facility on Carnival Jubilee.

In their experience, the cruiser stated, “My kids are 9 and 10, and they were actually mad when we picked them up from [Camp Ocean]. There is a room with over a dozen [Playstation consoles] and they also have structure, and do crafts and other activities with the kids.”

Additionally, the cruiser noted how the interactive staff also enhanced their experience. “My kids were the ones that pointed out how happy [the staff] seemed and they shared the staff played with and amongst the kids, and it made [Camp Ocean] even more fun.”

The family also preferred Carnival’s structure for its youth programming, as the experience aligned better with the family’s needs

Although Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both provide childcare options onboard their ships, each cruise line takes a slightly different approach. For this family, Carnival’s approach to youth programming was preferred.

“The hours on Carnival’s kids’ club aren’t broken up where you need to find additional activities for kids. You can leave them in there, if they want to stay, as soon as it opens,” the parent explained.

In contrast, the cruiser stated Royal Caribbean had more strict hours for drop-off times on their cruises. ”On Royal Caribbean, you need to get them out for all meals. It closes at 12 and then reopens at 2, I think, and closes again at 5 - and opens back after dinner,” stated the cruiser.

Because they limit screen time and tablet use, the cruiser said filling these gaps during the day on Royal Caribbean can be taxing. To keep their kids entertained on Royal Caribbean, the poster said they often found activities, classes, or events that required an extra cost. This often resulted in the cruiser’s kids not wanting to return to Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean.

Clarifying this perspective, the cruiser stated, “I am not saying that people shouldn't want to spend time with their kids, I'm just sharing that for us, we'd have to find or pay for activities for the kids and they often didn’t want to go back once we picked them up for lunch.”

Because the kids enjoyed their time at Camp Ocean, the cruiser was able to relax more and save money during their Carnival cruise.

The poster shared, “Even though Carnival has classes you can pay for, we didn't need to because they have so many free things for kids, and [Camp Ocean] on Jubilee made the kids want to stay in it so we didn't need to find or pay for as many options for them."

In the end, Carnival’s flexible hours and attentive staff helped facilitate a welcoming and fun environment for the family’s children. Compared to prior experiences with Royal Caribbean, the first-timer preferred Carnival’s childcare for the value.

Along with childcare, the first-time cruiser also loved all of the free activities available for everyone

During their cruise on Carnival Jubilee, the family was also blown away by all of the activities and entertainment available. The cruise line is known for having a lively and energetic atmosphere with nonstop fun from the moment you get onboard. Part of this includes a variety of events while sailing, especially on larger vessels with more guests to entertain.

“The amount of free activities for everyone, but especially the kids, will definitely keep us coming back. The adult entertainment and amount of varied activities was incredible,” shared the cruiser.

During their time on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser said they enjoyed watching gameshows as a family, including Love & Marriage, Family Feud, and Deal or No Deal. The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “We couldn't keep up with all of the choices and options for shows each evening.”

Read more: Is Carnival Jubilee worth the hype? My honest review

After sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the family has already booked another Carnival cruise

Even though the family was hesitant to venture from Royal Caribbean, the first-time Carnival cruiser was happy with their experience. From the snazzy ship design to the impressive dining experience and Camp Ocean, the family plans to return to Carnival Cruise Line.

As for Carnival’s bad reputation, this first-time cruiser said Carnival doesn’t deserve the bad rap. “I'm sorry to admit that I used to contribute to it and had never even sailed the line. I just believed what others would say…and justify avoiding them even though we hadn't been pleased with Royal on the last two cruises.”

In the end, the family had an overwhelmingly positive experience on Carnival Jubilee. The cruiser stated, “For the affordability and quality, I feel like we more than got our money's worth! If you're on the fence about Carnival, I'd encourage you to try it on a newer ship sailing 7+ days.”

In fact, the poster shared in the comment section that their family has already booked a future sailing with Carnival.

In the comments, many cruisers agreed with the first-time Carnival cruiser

After detailing their first Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee, the Reddit post resonated with other cruisers. First, one of the most common opinions in the comment section involved the food. Many cruisers preferred Carnival’s complimentary dining compared to Royal Caribbean’s dining options.

“The Windjammer had constant lines to get in. The pizza and burgers were bad - cafe style patties put out on a tray with half stale buns. Nothing like Guy’s [Burger Joint] on Carnival,” shared one Carnival cruiser.

Another responder said, “My wife and I took our honeymoon cruise on Jubilee’s sister ship, Celebration, in 2023 and we had the time of our lives. Service was amazing, so many incredible food options that we didn’t even get to try them all (Big Chicken was our go-to).”

One commenter noted how they felt Carnival’s complimentary food surpassed even some of Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining. The cruiser explained, “Really irritating [Johnny Rockets] was not included, yet I could get Guy’s [Burger Joint] and BlueIguana Cantina, which were pretty darn good (better than the paid-for stuff at Royal), for free."

In particular, Carnival fans agreed that Excel class ships rivaled Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships. One cruiser stated, “The Excel Class ships are really nice. Much closer to the Royal experience, but with far better food. We love doing them but just wish they had better entertainment.”

Another overarching theme in the comment section involved Carnival Cruise Line getting a bad reputation compared to Royal Caribbean. Each cruise line offers a different experience, which can align with some travelers better than others. For some, Royal Caribbean is a better option while others prefer Carnival's experience. 

One responder said, “Glad you enjoyed it. Carnival undeservedly gets a bad rap and it's created by those who have never cruised with them.”

Similarly, another cruiser shared, “So tired of seeing the same lame ‘Walmart of the Seas’ comment. Yes, the average customer base is not the same as Celebrity or Princess, but that’s the point! There’s something for everyone with cruising.”

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas has become the standard all other cruise lines compare their beach days to, and it's clear Carnival is taking notice.

Ever since Royal Caribbean overhauled CocoCay, it seemed to leap all the other private islands by going well beyond a beach and BBQ lunch offering.

Carnival announced on Tuesday its plans to upgrade Half Moon Cay, which is shared with Holland America Line.

Just like Royal Caribbean, Carnival is renaming its island.  The new name will be "RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay." You would not be alone in noticing "RelaxAway" rhymes with "Perfect Day".

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement, "Calling this piece of paradise RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay reinforces our commitment to preserve the attributes that make the destination so appealing as we expand access and welcome more guests to the destination’s crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and lush landscapes."

"Many of our 2026 and beyond itineraries will feature both RelaxAway and Celebration Key, providing guests with complimentary experiences enjoying both idyllic and ultimate beach days."

The new enhancements will begin to be completed by summer 2026 and continue through the end of the year.

What's coming to RelaxAway

Because Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line share visits to the island, the upgrades will be a joint operation.

When the work is done, the island will have an expanded beachfront experience, lunch venues, a variety of bars and, "other features that will reinforce the destination’s natural beauty and tropical appeal."

Another page out of Royal Caribbean's playbook is to add a pier to the island.  This will allow cruise ships to dock instead of tendering to the island.

The newly-constructed pier will be located on the north side, and can accommodate ships as large as Carnival’s Excel class ships. This will be the first time those size ships can visit the island.

When guests walk down the pier, they'll get to the welcome plaza on the island’s south and north sides.

The south side will "receive a refreshing Bahamian touch-up", a new beach club, an updated lunch venue and renovated facilities.

On the newly developed north side, there will be two lunch venues and a variety of island-themed bars. 

There will also be a new tram service to make it easier for guests to get around the island. 

In addition, lounging areas will be expanded, cabanas added and a new shore excursion pier on the north side will connect guests with recreational activities. 

Carnival says all of these upgrades are designed with nature in mind, "including architecture that complements the island’s stunning authenticity."

Expect further details to be revealed in the coming months. 

Private islands are big business

Cruise line private islands are not a new concept, but offering more than just a swath of beach is different.

All the major cruise lines have at least one private destination, and many lines are up to two. Royal Caribbean has CocoCay and Labadee, with a third coming to Mexico.

Private islands make good business sense. They capture more of their customers spending, the capacity and amenities are directly controlled by the cruise line to ensure it matches up with their standards, and it delivers high guest satisfaction rates.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said their private island is at the very top of guest approval rankings, "CocoCay is the number one destination that Royal Caribbean goes to in the world out of 100 global destinations, because it’s a curated experience designed and built to deliver a high-level experience to the customer. At the end of the day that’s all that matters."

With overtourism concerns and votes to limit cruise ships abound, private islands are seen as a safe bet to ensure ships have a good fallback if itineraries need to be altered.

Plus, it's generated extra revenue for the cruise lines.  At a time when all cruise lines are paying back hefty loans incurred during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020-2021, increasing revenue anywhere possible is a smart move.

Carnival isn't just working on Half Moon Cay. They've already announced a $600 million project  to build its private destination at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which is set to open in 2025.

Consider this a warning to any cruiser not to share your cruise documents online.

A Carnival cruise line passenger shared on social media that her $15,000 cruise was unexpectedly canceled just two days before the sail date. While this happened to a Carnival cruiser, it could have just as easily happened to someone going on Royal Caribbean.

While emergencies happen, hearing that the online system canceled the reservation is a much rarer way to lose your vacation.

Tiffany Banks, a naturopathic doctor and mother of four from Lexington, Kentucky, posts to TikTok under the username @thathippiedoc.

On May 12th, she took to the social media site to share her story and call out Carnival Cruises.

While this didn't happen to a Royal Caribbean cruiser, it turns out that Banks made a crucial mistake that anyone could have made.

This one slip-up led to the cancellation of a cruise the family had been looking forward to for over a year.

As first reported by Cruise Radio, Banks shared online that she had booked the largest stateroom, the Presidential Excel Suite, on Carnival Celebration. 

The cabin cost a total of $12,000, and the family invested over $15,000 into their cruise vacation, including excursions and WiFi.

Although they'd had the cabin booked for over a year, she discovered that the reservation was gone when she received an email that her shore excursions had been canceled.

Since she had just booked their Internet package that morning—and was planning to fly to Miami the next day—Banks had no intention of canceling the cruise.

She immediately called Carnival to resolve the issue.

After spending two and a half hours on the phone, she learned that the online reservation had been canceled.

A lead at Carnival offered her compensation in the form of two interior rooms on the same cruise.

Banks was livid that she would not be receiving any refund: "I just can't even fathom how they think that's right."

She declined to accept the two interior rooms, as they are the cheapest onboard. 

This is in stark contrast to the original suite the family booked, which is the most expensive stateroom on the Carnival Celebration.

Banks' original TikTok, posted on May 12th, has over 160,000 views and hundreds of comments.

Most of the commenters support Banks in criticizing the cruise line and their lack of a refund.

User TC commented: "If the room was just canceled, it should still be available. Are they double-booking those rooms?"

User Jerica also believes there's something corrupt about the booking.

"It was canceled and immediately booked by someone else? Definitely fishy!!!"

Carnival told Banks that the room was booked within 3 hours after the initial cancellation.

"I find it interesting that they would send you a notification about the excursion cancellation but nothing about the trip cancellation. They know they are in the wrong," commented SimplyAmber. 

Banks also replied to comments suggesting she hire a lawyer to sue the cruise line.

"We are looking for an attorney," she wrote.

Cruise fares are usually not refunded as late as two days before the cruise.

After a guest makes their final payment, cancellation penalties apply.

Per Carnival's cancellation policy, cruises canceled 15 days or less before the sailing have a 100% cancellation penalty.

No refund applies 15 days before the cruise.

Passengers agree to the cancellation policy when they book the cruise, so be sure that you know what your cruise line's rules are before making that final payment.

At first, Banks assumed the cruise was canceled due to a glitch in Carnival's computer system. 

However, she shared in a TikTok posted on May 14th that the cruise line informed her she'd been a victim of a form of identity theft.

Banks's husband had shared the booking number on Facebook, and someone created a profile on the Carnival website.

After adding the booking number and name, this anonymous user was able to cancel the cruise.

Despite Carnival telling Banks that she had been a victim of identity theft, they still did not offer a refund for the cruise.

Instead, she stated that Carnival offered her $10,404 in future cruise credit, as long as she posted on social media that the company positively resolved the situation.

She declined, saying that she has no interest in booking another sailing with Carnival.

Banks continues to fault Carnival for this cancellation, saying that not sharing the booking number "is not something that every single traveler knows."

She even stated that Carnival encourages guests to post a cruise countdown tracker.

Commenters surmised that, instead of posting the sharable cruise countdown, Banks screenshotted the email itself and shared it to Facebook without removing the confirmation number.

The comments on the rest of Banks' TikToks became more critical after she revealed that her husband had posted the booking number. 

"I don't think Carnival owes anything," annamarie4568 wrote.

"You can't post your booking info. This could happen on any cruise line, that is how you add your cruise."

"It's unfortunate, but you have to accept some of the blame here," commented Ruthie, "It would be like posting your credit card number and someone using it. I'd definitely pursue this legally though to at least force Carnival to update their processes to protect their customers."

"This is like posting your Credit card number or SSN," Southern_Lady_Talk added. "I would feel more empathy for her if she took more responsibility for how this happened."

However, some commenters continued to side with Banks, saying that Carnival should still refund the amount of the cruise.

"It doesn’t matter if the booking number was posted. She called as soon as she got the cancellation email and said it wasn’t her and they refused to do anything for her," user Paige wrote.

Heather added her perspective as a frequent cruiser: "The fact that it is that easy to cancel someone’s booking makes me very hesitant to book another cruise."

Since the flights were already booked, Banks and her family still flew down to Miami.

They went to the port to see if they could find a resolution in person but discovered that they weren't on the ship manifest.

Despite having the initial booking confirmation, boarding passes, and payment summary, the cruise was canceled for good.

"We had to leave," Banks said in a follow-up video that she captioned with the hashtags '#carnivalsucks' and '#dreamcrushers.'

To try and salvage their remaining vacation time, the family reserved an Airbnb and spent a few days in Florida. 

They visited Discovery Cove to swim with dolphins and rented a cabana.

Banks said the experience was fantastic and "better than Carnival."

As for the experience with Carnival, Banks said that "this has been [an] emotional roller coaster. At this point, there is no resolution."

While some commenters suggested she try a different cruise line, Banks replied that the experience had been so disappointing, the family would not be going on another cruise.

Having been a devout Royal Caribbean fan for the majority of my cruising career, I always steered clear of Carnival— until recently. 

Carnival has a reputation for being the party cruise line. From activity-seeking couples to families and even solo cruisers, they aim to offer something for everyone onboard their "Fun Ships." 

Despite being in my mid-20s, the vibrant atmosphere often found onboard Carnival ships never appealed to me. Additionally, I find Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor loyalty program to be more rewarding than Carnival's VIFP program. 

While I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed my cruises onboard Carnival Celebration and Carnival Vista, there are some aspects of the cruising experience that Royal Caribbean does better.

Royal Caribbean's embarkation process

Neither Royal Caribbean nor Carnival gives guests their cruise cards during the physical check-in process. To board the ship, both lines require that you have a boarding pass ready to be scanned.

Personalized cruise cards, called SeaPass cards on Royal Caribbean and Sail & Sign cards on Carnival, can be found outside of your stateroom.  

While Royal Caribbean allows you to save a copy of your boarding pass to your mobile device, Carnival requires you to print it ahead of time. During the embarkation process, the port agent who verifies all of your documentation stamps the pass. 

Even though this is minor, I prefer the convenience of not having to worry about keeping up with a physical pass. 

Overall, though, the boarding process was just as quick as Royal Caribbean's. I was through security and on the ship within twenty minutes of stepping foot in the terminal when boarding Carnival Celebration in Miami and Carnival Vista in Port Canaveral. 

This also included the time it took for the K9 narcotics dog to sniff everyone's carry-on bags. 

E-muster drill

When cruising with Royal Caribbean, I appreciate that I'm able to complete the majority of my muster drill prior to getting on the ship. Usually, I'll watch the required videos at breakfast or while en route to the terminal, so the only thing I have to do on the ship is visit my physical muster station. 

Carnival, however, doesn't let guests complete any of the safety drill ahead of time. In addition to visiting your muster station, you have to listen to a brief presentation about how to properly use life jackets. 

After the emergency signal is broadcasted prior to sail away, the rest of the safety information is broadcasted over the PA system. 

Again, while minor, there are opportunities for Carnival to simplify their muster drill by utilizing the HUB app. 

Speaking of the HUB app, Royal Caribbean's mobile app is more useful in the days and months leading up to the cruise

My next Royal Caribbean cruise isn't until May 2024 onboard Quantum of the Seas; however, despite the cruise being over five months away, the app is already a useful tool. 

Through Royal Caribbean's app, I'm able to browse all the dining options, get an idea of what onboard activities will be offered, and even check out the ship's deck plans all before stepping foot on the ship.

Carnival's HUB app is useless until connected to the ship's Wi-Fi. When you open the app on your phone, you'll see a countdown to your sailing, but if you try and click on one of the links to book a package, you are redirected to your web browser. 

Thoughtfully designed staterooms

My 158-square-foot interior room on Carnival Celebration was clean and modern. I loved the blue accents and light wood, as the brighter colors made the small cabin feel more spacious.

However, compared to my inside stateroom on Symphony of the Seas, I was disappointed with the layout.While my cabin on Carnival Celebration was larger than my room on Symphony of the Seas, I felt like the space in my room on Symphony was better utilized.

First, there was a nicely sized sofa. I appreciated having a separate sitting area in case I didn't want to sit on my bed or at the vanity after returning from an excursion. 

Additionally, I had two closets and a small dresser with drawers, which helped me keep all of my belongings more organized, and the placement of the closets on both sides of the sofa maximized the amount of available floor space.

When I sailed on Carnival Vista, I splurged on a Junior Suite. While I appreciated the large stateroom and ensuite bathroom, it was located next to a public observation deck on Deck 9. There was a window that overlooked the public deck, and my cousin and I were startled whenever we saw someone walk by!

Plus, since the stateroom was situated above the Bridge, the view from the balcony was slightly obstructed. 

For $1,800 per person, I disliked the lack of privacy and was disappointed by the few perks that accompanied booking a suite. These included complimentary bottled water, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and upgraded bathroom amenities.

While I haven't stayed in a Royal Caribbean suite, I know they have a much more expansive suite program. 

Related: Comparing the cheapest cabin on Carnival Celebration vs Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas

Windjammer Marketplace

When my cousin and I headed to the Lido Marketplace for what we assumed would be a quick breakfast before heading off for our excursion in Amber Cove, we were shocked by how long the lines were. 

While lines are to be expected on cruise ships, I've never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes at the Windjammer Marketplace on Royal Caribbean ships. 

The root of the issue is that there were only two grab-and-go stations open, and both had the same offerings.

The first morning I visited the Lido Marketplace, they had hashbrowns, pancakes, and eggs benedict with salmon, with the options being swapped for breakfast potatoes, French toast, and eggs benedict with ham the following day. The same standard offerings of yogurt, pastries, fruit, cereal, and eggs were always available. Plus, you were able to order an omelet. 

I found myself missing the Windjammer Marketplace, where I could get anything from avocado toast to freshly carved meats, grits, and more. 

Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room service is much quicker than Carnival's

Overall, I was impressed by the quality of the food served in the Main Dining Room on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Vista. While there were some dishes that did not quite hit the mark, this is to be expected on any cruise ship. 

After taking so many Royal Caribbean cruises, I actually appreciated having different dishes to choose from. There were some interesting options, too, such as frog legs, duck rolls, and Hawaiian shrimp poke. 

Royal Caribbean launched their new menus almost a year ago to increase the speed of their dinner service, and I've come to appreciate the quicker dinners. 

The longer meal times onboard Carnival Celebration and Carnival Vista were a bit of a drag. Even the wait times for sea day brunch were a little outrageous.

After placing our orders, my cousin and I waited about thirty minutes for our breakfast, and our wait staff didn't stop by to take our drink orders for the first fifteen minutes we were seated. While it was nice to have the opportunity to chat with other passengers around us, I would have rather had prompt service. 

Entertainment

As someone who grew up going to Broadway shows, I have always loved sailing on Royal Caribbean ships with Broadway-style musicals. While Carnival's entertainment wasn't bad, Royal Caribbean's theater productions are unmatched.

The entertainment onboard Carnival Celebration was much better than Carnival Vista, which is a theme that's common for Royal Caribbean, too. Cruise lines tend to reserve the best entertainment for their newer ships.

However, even the shows on ships like Navigator of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas were of higher quality than those produced in Carnival Vista's Limelight Lounge. 

While there's no denying that the Playlist Productions cast was talented, there was always something missing. "America Rocks!", for instance, could have used more choreographed dancing. 

I found myself missing the ice skating and AquaTheater shows found on Royal Caribbean's newest ships. Nothing compares to the entertainment offered on Oasis (and soon Icon) Class ships!

The one aspect of entertainment I think Carnival excels at is their comedy shows. I loved how there were multiple comedians on both my 5- and 7-night cruises who did 18+ shows.