Cruising has never been more competitive. From robot bartenders and zip lines to entire rollercoasters cramped into as small of a space as possible, cruise ships are getting more outrageous every year. The Prinzessin Victoria Luise was created in 1900 and is considered the first cruise ship to ever set sail. Back in the day, it was considered one of the largest ships with so much to include. There were 120 cabins, a gym, a library, a social hall, and one singular dining room. Only 200 guests were able to attend, which is 7,400 less than the new Icon of The Seas, not even including the 2,350 extra crew aboard. This vacation in the sea was awarded the distinction of being the largest ship in the world in 2024 at a whopping 1,198 feet long. It is 20 decks tall and carries 250,800 gross tonnage. That’s roughly five times bigger than the Titanic. There are seven swimming pools, an ice rink, multiple shows, 40 dining venues, six record-breaking waterslides, a rock climbing wall, 55-foot waterfall, and a bowling alley.
Nowadays, cruises are constantly battling to see which ship is going to be rewarded the largest of all ships. This year, Royal Caribbean has been taking the lead, constantly going up against their own ships so that other companies cannot claim the title of largest cruise ship. This means that other companies have been creating attractions just to have the title of “First” or “Biggest.” For example, Carnival’s Mardi Gras, which opened to the public in 2023, has the first ever cruise ship to include a roller coaster. It is located on deck 19 and was one of the most talked about events in cruise history. This is because Carnival not only appealed to the public eye by opening something that people have never seen before but also offered a fun attraction to get the attention of roller coaster and cruise enjoyers.
Cruise ships are also now offering and expanding with their elite members. If a family chooses to upgrade levels and pay extra on these ships, it can start at getting special things such as member-only discounts, private events, and exclusive parties. The more a passenger pays, the more special offers can be acquired like the spa, and specific areas dedicated solely to them. Royal Caribbean, for example, has staterooms that come with two stories, two bathrooms, lots of space, and an entire slide! They have catered a lot towards those who want the special treatment and made sure they have the best experience possible at sea.
The biggest competition between cruises is Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival. When families choose to book a cruise, they are most likely going to choose between these two companies. Although there are other contestants like Norwegian and MSC, the most popular cruise lines are going to be these two. This excludes Disney Cruises, although it is voted the best family cruise. However, when looking for an affordable vacation, this may not be the best option, as an average price for two people is around $1,000.
The battle between Royal Caribbean and Carnival has been going on for quite some time now. When looking at Royal Caribbean, one can find more attractions, bigger ships, family-friendly options, a wide variety of restaurants, and more offerings. When looking at what Carnival offers, most say that it is a lot more fun with more parties, bars, a better teen club, a more wild and activity-filled itinerary, and some argueably better destinations. It is also known for being the cheaper option, as Royal Caribbean is known for being pricey. Some argue it is worth the price, while others believe they don’t want to spend $1,500 for a seven-day vacation. Both of these cruises have two different types of vibes, and depending on the person, each cruise offer something unique.
Cruise ships have gotten crazy when it comes to trying to be different. Almost all cruises have now spent millions of dollars by creating their own private islands that people stop at while enjoying their Caribbean cruise. Although these sorts of vacations can be fun, the battle to see which will be the best in the game has gone absolutely crazy. While this is all happening, Disney remains neutral because, no matter what they do, the quality of Disney cruises will always be better than other cruise lines. Are these cruises worth the money? What really is the best cruise? Although all of these answers are opinion-based, each cruise will be a different, fun, unique, and relaxing experience for most.
