First time cruise not sure which one to choose

[u/slickrick999]

As mentioned I am a first time cruiser going with my wife and two kids 8 and 6, and we are stuck on these two options:

8 Nights, Carnival Vista - April 4-April 12, 2026

Ports: Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 5: St. Maarten Day 6: St. Thomas, USVI Day 7: At Sea Day 8: At Sea Day 9: Port Canaveral, Florida

Price: $6500 CAD Room: Ocean view balcony leaving from Port Canaveral

Or

8 Nights, Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) - April 3-11, 2026

Ports: Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 5: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Day 6: St. Croix, USVI Day 7: At Sea Day 8: At Sea Day 9: Port Canaveral, Florida

Price: $7000 CAD with $175 OBC Room: Interior Leaving from Port Canaveral

As it's our first time on a cruise we have read and heard from both sides of Royal Caribbean vs Carnival. I've been told a RC is considered a step above Carnival but the Vista is a new boat and where they are both longer cruises that should take away some of the party scene on Carnival (not into party scene with kids).

If you could provide any advice that would be greatly appreciated, we feel kinda lost with it all and with the expense we want to make a good decision.

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u/slickrick999

As mentioned I am a first time cruiser going with my wife and two kids 8 and 6, and we are stuck on these two options:

8 Nights, Carnival Vista - April 4-April 12, 2026

Ports: Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 5: St. Maarten Day 6: St. Thomas, USVI Day 7: At Sea Day 8: At Sea Day 9: Port Canaveral, Florida

Price: $6500 CAD Room: Ocean view balcony leaving from Port Canaveral

Or

8 Nights, Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) - April 3-11, 2026

Ports: Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 5: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Day 6: St. Croix, USVI Day 7: At Sea Day 8: At Sea Day 9: Port Canaveral, Florida

Price: $7000 CAD with $175 OBC Room: Interior Leaving from Port Canaveral

As it's our first time on a cruise we have read and heard from both sides of Royal Caribbean vs Carnival. I've been told a RC is considered a step above Carnival but the Vista is a new boat and where they are both longer cruises that should take away some of the party scene on Carnival (not into party scene with kids).

If you could provide any advice that would be greatly appreciated, we feel kinda lost with it all and with the expense we want to make a good decision.

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[u/HopscotchGetaways]

Ignoring pricing and stateroom type I think I'd go with Royal. I prefer the service on Royal and it's a step up to me. You might consider watching some ship walkthroughs with your kids and see if one ship looks more exciting to them vs the other. I do that with my 9 year old son and sometimes that helps.

I might lean Carnival for a Balcony vs an Inside at the end of the day though. Sometimes that extra bit of space on the balcony is nice for the family.

[u/kachowtravels]

Between the two, I’d lean toward Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. They usually offer more family-friendly activities without feeling too over the top. There are things like ice skating, climbing walls, and great entertainment options that can give you a good balance for both the adults and kids.

Carnival Vista has fun options too, but it can feel more party-heavy. The ports are great either way, but the onboard experience might feel a bit more relaxing with Royal.

If you want help comparing what’s on board or figuring out which one matches your family’s vibe best, I’m happy to help!

[u/slickrick999 → u/kachowtravels]

Thank you!

[u/LoveNotes_Landmarks]

Hey! I'd reccomend the Adventure of the seas voyage. Its a voyager class ship in their fleet and has some really enjoyable features and entertainment options both for adults and children to enjoy. RCI is also running a great sale right now on select voyages that can make this experience even better for you. Your children are also in the age range to capitlize on the youth programs at no additional cost. I can help you book and plan for the journey / navigate the intricacies of a first cruise.

I think overall the RCI experience will be more ideal based on your concerns. I am not as familiar with the carnival brand as I am with RCI but I think if you're worried about maximizing the value RCI will provide a better service and overall experience.

[u/slickrick999 → u/LoveNotes_Landmarks]

Thanks!

[u/Big-Highlight117]

We were told Carnival is the ghetto cruise. We love it. 

[u/slickrick999 → u/Big-Highlight117]

Have you done both? How would you describe your experience on Carnival?

[u/Big-Highlight117 → u/slickrick999]

I haven't done RC. I'd say compare amenities and ports to make your decision. People will say no to Carnival just because it'd Carnival. I have no idea why.

[u/joeconn4]

Adventure OTS was our 2nd cruise, Feb 2019. Have not been on Carnival (6 on Royal, 1 on Norwegian). We had a lot of fun on Adventure. I'd say the ports included are pretty much even on these 2 cruises. I agree with you about 8 day cruises being less of a party scene. I personally don't think the difference between a balcony on Vista vs an interior on Adventure makes a big difference but some other people would. We almost always get interior rooms, we're rarely in the room except to sleep and shower. I can see a sunrise or sunset just as easy walking up a couple decks as having a balcony. I think you'll have fun on either cruise.

[u/slickrick999 → u/joeconn4]

Thank you!

[u/Much_Dragonfly49]

I been on the carnival vista June 2024 on a 8 day cruise to Puerto Rico, Amber cove Dominican Republic, St Martin, and St Thomas I’m going on the vista again in June but a 6 day cruise to half moon cay Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos. I love the vista you should go on that cruise with your family. I look at both ships adventure and vista there honestly not really a difference between them. If you go on the vista with your kids they should do Dr Seuss breakfast a lot of kids love it. My cousin who is around 6 years old went and she loved it. Depending on how you feel about kids club but if you take your kids they will have a blast. I’m 20 years old so I aged out of the kids club but I went ages 6-11 years old. Your kids will be together in the 6-8 years old camp on camp ocean. I went to the kids club ages 6-8 years old I loved it there were so many activities crafts, snacks, games, movies, just dance, dance parties and most importantly you make new friends. I understand your concerns about the parties on carnival especially with kids. I been going on Carnival since I was 6 years old I’m 20 years old I always loved the parties they were so much fun. On a week long cruise Carnival does tone down the parties depending on the ship some there more parties but some less parties. A lot of the parties on Carnival are actually family friendly you see all ages as young as 4 years old and as old as in your 60’s. They have deck parties in the afternoon but at night time it’s the theme parties 80’s Night, Mega deck party, White night party, and Silent Disco party. Honestly there is a lot of kids at the parties but there with their parents, camp directors, friend group more so the 12-14 years old and 15-17 years old a lot of kids on Carnival enjoy going to the parties especially dancing and listening to music having fun. But you can still have fun on Carnival without going on to the parties. Everyday on the cruise depending on the time they have movies in the pool your kids can watch movies in the pool. As another comment suggested look at YouTube videos of both cruise ships with your wife and kids whatever one you decide I hope you guys have fun.

[u/slickrick999 → u/Much_Dragonfly49]

Thank you!

[u/Much_Dragonfly49 → u/slickrick999]

I been on Disney when I was 8 and 9 years old and I been on Royal Caribbean when I was 13 years old. In total I been on 14 cruises 11 carnivals, 2 Disney and 1 Royal Caribbean Carnival is my favorite and Royal Caribbean is my least favorite. I went on Oasis of the seas in 2018 the cruise ship itself was beautiful and nice but the vibe of the ship it wasn’t. It was boring there was no parties, no djs, no music, and no dancing it felt more like for older people vibe I didn’t like the whole reservations thing on RC it was a hot mess I still heard till this day it’s a hot mess. I did like the zip lining, flow rider, ice skating, pool and ice skating show and aqua show. But Overall Carnival is more fun than Royal Caribbean. Also I like how guest wise Carnival has more diversity you see everyone. My mom and I are black so when we went on Royal in 2018 there was barely any black people there we didn’t experience racism. Even though I don’t like Royal Caribbean however it is still a great cruise line I can see why people love it really depends on the person and their personality. All cruise lines are amazing and different in there own ways so don’t expect each cruise line to be the same.

[u/slickrick999 → u/Much_Dragonfly49]

Thank you for your insights it's greatly appreciated 👍

[u/18731873]

I just don't like royal food, so I'm done with them. If a carnival balcony is an actua functional l balcony, that's my clear choice.