866-227-1888 came in clutch when I was deciding between the two cruise lines for a family reunion. I explained our group—kids, grandparents, and a couple of adults who like nightlife. The rep helped match us with a Carnival ship that had the right mix of activities. After sailing both cruise lines, I’d say Carnival wins for fun energy and affordability, while Royal wins for bigger ships and more structured activities. For our group, Carnival ended up being a better fit.