Royal Caribbean Vs Carnival Cruises - Which New Ship is Right For You?

We recently sailed in the two newest family cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee. Which one is right for your next cruise? In our latest cruise review video, we have a cruise ship showdown comparing these two new mega-ships, from dining to entertainment, staterooms, and more.

Icon of the Seas vs Carnival Jubilee
1:14 Pool Deck
3:20 Casual Dining
6:13 Sports Deck
8:13 Signature Attraction
9:31 Signature Entertainment
11:28 Onboard Activities
13:02 Nightlife
15:27 Main Dining Room
18:44 Specialty Dining
21:28 Bars and Lounges
23:45 Fun Factor
25:08 Adults Only Space
27:18 Staterooms
29:15 Crowd Control

CARNIVAL JUBILEE VS ICON OF THE SEAS
For this cruise ship review, we compare Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee. We compare the ships in 14 categories that we typically use for our cruise ship reviews. To ensure we were comparing similar experiences, we did a seven-night Caribbean sailing on both ships. We stayed in the same stateroom categories and attended as many events as possible. We sampled the various dining venues and visited all the bars to experience the drinks and the nightlife.

Sometimes, we thought Icon of the Seas was the better ship. For instance, Icon of the Seas has a much better pool deck than Carnival Jubilee. While both ships have multiple pools, the pools on Icon of the Seas have better theming and a unique layout compared to Carnival Jubilee.

On the other hand, Carnival Jubilee had much better casual dining than Icon of the Seas. It is true Royal Caribbean did enhance this aspect of this ship when compared to older @RoyalCaribbean ships. For instance, the cruise line added venues like the Pearl Cafe and the Aqua Dome Market which we loved. But @Carnival still has the best casual dining of the contemporary cruise lines. With restaurants like Shaq's Big Chicken, Guys Burger Joint, and Blue Iguana Cantina, among others, Carnival Jubilee offered a variety of delicious quick-serve food.

When it came to onboard activities, Carnival Jubilee offered more daytime activities. The energetic cruise director, Kendall Fyre, was more energetic and fun than the cruise director of Royal Caribbean. However, no one can match the entertainment on Royal Caribbean. This was true when we pitted Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee. From the Broadway production of the Wizard of Oz to Aqua Dome shows and skating shows, the Carnival Playlist Productions did not measure up to the caliber of entertainment.

However, when it came to nightlife, Carnival Jubilee had some things we liked most, like the various comedians. On the other hand, we liked some of the musical acts more on Icon of the Seas. So, there, we would say the cruise ships were comparable.

The same could be said about other aspects of the cruises, like the staterooms. Our Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas balcony stateroom and Carnival Jubilee balcony stateroom were similar. Likewise, we used the flexible main dining option on both ships. We enjoyed the variety of complimentary sit-down venues on Carnival Jubilee. While we thought the food was about equal across the ships, the ambiance and service in the main dining room were better on the Icon of the Seas.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ICON OF THE SEAS VS CARNIVAL JUBILEE ON THE BLOG

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[AceGoodheart]

The cheapest one is right for me. Icon is 💰. I'll be on Jubilee very soon.

[Eggy]

A week long cruise with a Balcony ocean view cabin on jubilee/celebration average is 2k. Same cabin on Icon is 6k on average. I’d rather go on three cruises a year for the same price :) not sure Icon delivers 3x the experience but just an opinion I’m sure.

[laughremixsquad]

Thank you! We really appreciate this in-depth review and comparison of these ships. It’s very appreciated.

[jongriffin]

Icon cost us (family of 5) $18K, including the costs for using the slides at royal carribeans coco cat at the Bahamas. Was it worth it? NO! We felt robbed. The balcony rooms were small and we were up sold constantly. Never again.

[chriscarley]

Interesting to see the comments about the pricing of Icon. The way I see it, the price is set by the demand and people are far more eager to get onboard Icon than the competition. Additionally, we all know the competition would charge similarly if they were allowed to by the demand for their product. Royal Caribbean couldn't price the sailings like they are if people didn't think it was worth it. They seem to have produced a remarkable product and it shows in more ways than one. All that considered, it's hard to be upset about it for any reason beyond envy.

[PokoTheDinosaur]

Do a comparison with the Utopia of the seas when it comes out! I’m going on it in July!

[melvinjacobs]

I don't think you're comparing apples to apples. The right comparison would be jubilee and Wonder of the Seas.

[kene]

Thank you for the great video. I would like to try Icon but I don't think I would not want a room facing the Park.

[EscapeRoutineTV]

To go on the Icon of the Seas would be a DREAM! Great review...saving my coins NOW!

I love Carnival too though ❤

[speaktruth]

I'm currently on the jubilee rn. Paid 5k for a very spacious suite and big balcony with lounge chairs and table. This same room would be like 15k on Royal

[GetThePoints]

Great comparison! But why was price not considered, or value for the money? I prefer RCCL and want to do a family vacation on their newest ship, but Icon has priced me out.

[rojo]

Great video. Thanks for comparing. With all considered, I think I like jubilee much better. Food, splash pad, children activities, bars, rooms with oceanviews and most importantly price is definitely better for us with Carnival. I feel like I would feel like im on a cruise with jubilee more too.

[conny]

Just got off Jubilee yesterday. While I loved being on an almost brand new ship, I didn't "love" the layout of decks 6, 7 and 8. The decor was beautiful of course, but I'm used to one store that sells Carnival gear, ship gear, toiletries and other necessities. On Jubilee, I was constantly looking for items in the wrong places (who came up with the idea of putting your deodorants and such behind the register in the liquor store??). The architects also seem to not like straight lines so you were constantly 'zigzagging' to get from forward to aft. The outdoor areas were great, there were always loungers available regardless of area, and the fact that there were a lot of pools meant it was never crowded either. I agree with you about Cucina and ChiBang. The lack of flavor in both places was disappointing. Guy's of course is always great, so are the chicken tacos at Blue Iguana Cantina. If you enjoy BBQ, then Pig and Anchor isn't a bad place to eat, especially on sea days, their collard greens are pretty tasty. Overall it's a great ship however but I prefer the smaller Dream class ships, even with their lack of pools and decor that reminds me of the inside of a disco ball (I'm looking at you, Carnival Dream). 😂

[jamespugh]

Great comparison. Icon is very expensive from rates I seen. Better go with one of her sister ships of same size lower price ? Or celebrity new ships ?

[MJinFlorida]

Apples to apples, how did the price compare?

[tonythehitman]

I'm a carnival person and NCL person. But I know icon will win this comparison

[loveyashua]

They are not really in the same category, apples and oranges. There are other important neighborhoods on the icon not mentioned. The overlook which I breathtaking,
Surf side and the boardwalk.

[TheRokaphella]

the elevators on the jubilee are absolutely atrocious. food overall was the same. Big Chicken was the best food on the entire ship

[georgedixon]

It always surprises me how we all want very different service experiences, personally I do not want lots of fake conversation or fake over-the-top "friendliness" - I find that so disingenuous, but I realize others feel differently. I want quiet and efficient. Not "I'm super excited to help you" nonsense. No one is THAT excited to help

[OmahaTonyG]

The truth is that Jubilee doesn’t compare to 10+ year old Oasis class ships, much less the Icon.

I would compare it to Oddessy or Anthem of the Seas. Even then it would lose because of the horrible food/entertainment.