I’ve sailed Carnival a LOT. So when I spent nine nights aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas on back-to-back cruises out of Galveston, I compared everything. Obviously. 😂 This is my experience, not a verdict on every ship in either fleet.
The Quick Scorecard
Royal Caribbean: Galveston embarkation and disembarkation, buffet and desserts, adult Solarium, Day 1 drink package, casino host. Carnival: sea-day brunch, self-service drinks and ice cream, easier casino-offer shopping, back-to-back extras, towel animals.
1. Galveston Embarkation: Royal Made It Easy
Royal Caribbean’s Terminal 10 impressed me. Embarkation was smooth, and disembarkation was even better. I liked being able to wait outside on deck rather than standing in a crowded hallway. My luggage also seemed to arrive earlier than usual, though that can vary. Lighthouse Parking’s shuttle pickup was clearly marked, and there were convenient restrooms. My pick: Royal.
2. Food: Windjammer Surprised Me
I wasn’t expecting to prefer Royal’s buffet, but Mariner’s Windjammer won me over with its salad choices and desserts. Carnival Jubilee’s Fresh Creations is still one of my favorites, so Carnival isn’t getting thrown under the bus. My first dinner on Mariner, though, was underwhelming.
I missed Carnival’s sea-day brunch. Windjammer got crowded around 10:15 one morning, and sometimes I just want a leisurely sit-down breakfast. I also missed Carnival’s self-service ice, drinks, and soft-serve. Sometimes I want ice without turning it into a group project. 😂 Royal wins buffet and desserts; Carnival wins brunch and self-service.
3. Drink Packages: A Galveston Difference
Here’s something Carnival regulars need to know: Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package works on embarkation day, including Galveston departures. Texas alcohol regulations can limit alcoholic selections while the ship is in Texas waters, but the package is active when you board.
Carnival’s CHEERS! package starts at 6 a.m. on Day 2 on Galveston sailings. Drinks you buy on embarkation day are charged separately, but Carnival doesn’t charge the package rate for that first day. Compare total package prices before deciding what’s the better value. Royal wins for Day 1 convenience.
4. Adult Spaces: I Loved Royal’s Solarium
Mariner’s adults-only Solarium was fantastic. Its sheltered design made it comfortable when the wind or rain showed up, and those oversized whirlpools? Yes, please. I like Carnival’s Serenity areas, but they’re often more exposed. I also loved the Peek-a-Boo Bridge where you can look toward the navigation bridge. Naturally, I had to investigate. My pick: Royal.
5. The Casino: Great Host, Confusing Offers
Carnival makes it easy for me to browse a cruise first and see which casino offers apply. Royal’s Club Royale site felt backward: start with an offer, then sort through eligible sailings. The app helped somewhat, but sometimes I still ended up with a phone number instead of the details I wanted. Third-party tools such as CompRoyale help, but I shouldn’t need an extra tool to shop.
Royal’s casino host on Mariner was wonderful. I also learned not to judge an Instant Cruise Rewards certificate by the $250 discount printed on the front. When I scanned the QR code, I found eligible complimentary-cruise-fare offers, including a seven-night Symphony of the Seas Balcony Guarantee for one guest with onboard credit. Taxes, fees, and applicable extras still mattered. Scan the code before judging the offer!
Mariner’s casino felt relatively small to me, though that varies by ship. Carnival wins offer browsing; Royal wins my casino host experience.
6. Back-to-Back Cruising and the Little Things
Royal made the transition between my two sailings easy with an In Transit card. Carnival has made my back-to-backs feel more special with little extras such as a drink, photo, or treats. Royal collected my first SeaPass card and I forgot to retrieve it as a souvenir. On the other hand, I loved Royal’s wearable WOW band.
Then there was the extra blanket. ‘Sir. This is not soft. This is not cozy. This feels like something you’d use to protect furniture while moving.’ 😂
And where were my towel animals? I got roughly four in nine nights, and they kept disappearing! Carnival has spoiled me. I like building a towel-animal zoo, especially with monkeys. Apparently my Mariner steward didn’t know I was collecting them. Carnival wins the little surprises.
Would I Sail Royal Caribbean Again?
Absolutely. I loved the Solarium, enjoyed Windjammer, appreciated Terminal 10, and had a great casino host. But I missed Carnival’s sea-day brunch, self-service conveniences, towel animals, and easier casino-offer shopping. There isn’t one best cruise line for everybody. The trick is knowing what matters to you before you switch.
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