This was done August 2025 and for completeness at this time have been on 14 DCL sailings and 2 RCL sailings

Elevators RCL wins

• RCL because of the automation you select your floor, and it tells you which elevator to get on

• For fun check out the piano player in them on certain nights

Buffets RCL wins

• RCL

  • I felt like the variety was a little more on RCL

• Seating was lacking on both cruise lines

• RCL also wins for having it open for dinner

Stateroom DCL wins

• Bathrooms

  • If split bathroom DCL wins

  • DCL wins for toiletries included

    • RCL only had shampoo and body wash in one

• Beds

  • RCL can be split into two

    • Great for two adults

  • DCL better bed

• Kids beds

  • DCL wins with bunk beds from the ceiling

  • RCL couch and trundle bed completely blocks the walkway to the verandah

Check In RCL wins

• RCL no app/website crashes

CC/LC versus Perfect Day CC DCL wins

• RCL freshwater pool, but seagulls are aggressive

• Food even match but variety goes to RCL

• RCL has enough cabanas for most

• RCL needs two ships in port

• RCL alcohol packages can be used on the island

• RCL has so many up-charges

• Beaches DCL

• Pools RCL

• Overall DCL because currently 1 ship max

Broadway Shows DCL wins

• DCL hands down

Variety Shows Tie

• RCL is better than some of the magicians, and ventriloquists on DCL

  • RCL aqua show and ice skating

  • DCL would win when Broadway performs putting something extra onboard

• DCL winner because don’t have to pre-book anything

Pizza Tie

• DCL Wish class versus RCL even

• RCL hours were open longer

Room service DCL Wins

• Menu is the same

  • There is an extra menu for RCL at a charge but did not order from it

• RCL left off a few items we ordered

• RCL wake-up phone call when on their way

  • Very shocking when it happens and makes up everyone in the room

Muster drill RCL Wins

• RCL wins hands down

  • I was able to watch videos before getting on the ship in the app and once on the ship our entire party just check in at the location

  • DCL everyone must stop and go to this and you can be outside in the hit sun

Placeholder DCL wins

• DCL is refundable and have 24 months from sail date

• RCL book now versus book later have different rules

  • Really not sure if the offer is better than the RCL emailed offers we get daily

Pools DCL wins

• DCL deeper pools but RCL had nicer lounge areas within the pool

• DCL wins hard to beat Funnel Vision

Bars and variety

• Drinks RCL

• Theming DCL

Slides RCL wins

• RCL with variety and number of slides

Onboard activities (indoors versus outdoor)

• DCL wins indoors

• RCL wins outdoors

Main dining staff even

Stateroom host DCL wins

• DCL had many more interactions and felt like part of the family

• RCL was nice but did not feel really clean in the room, especially under the bed

• I did really like the RCL stateroom host gave me a card with their personal number to call them huge plus

Splash pads RCL wins

• RCL wins on size and variety

• DCL has better theming

Kids Club Youth DCL wins

• DCL hands down

• RCL 5 kids left asking to never go back, felt boarded

Kids Club Teens DCL wins

• DCL had more organized options

App DCL wins

• Felt DCL was more organized and easier to find activities, and the heart reminder option is a big help

Onboard processing and terminal DCL wins

• Comparing homeports DCL has more theming

• RCL had some very long lines and taking ground transfer did not add any additional benefits

Quick service RCL wins

• Variety RCL wins

• Need more coke machines and disliked carrying the reusable cups, need to find a way to scan you room key and get soda then

• Also no communication about where to get soda reusable cup had a random guest tell me to go to the bar with our sail pass to get them

Embarkation DCL wins

• DCL name announcement and walking into the grand hall/atrium

• RCL walking into the Royal Promenade was fun and load

Debarkation Tie

• Both sad and even

Ground transfer DCL Win

Both very easy and organized

• DCL much easier to sign up but RCL I had to bend the truth about our flights to get to use RCL ground transfer on the morning of the cruise

• RCL just left you at the port and you had to make sure your bags are off the bus and tip the porters and then walk unaccompanied to the inside

  • Then the line for security check-in was quite long but the check in line after was much shorter probably 45 minutes then 10 minutes

  • Could pay extra for shorter lines

• More options through DCL (hotels and airports)

Pool deck food DCL wins

• DCL variety and really location wise

• RCL food was good but not really near the pools

Pool towels DCL wins

• DCL because RCL you have to check in and out and are charged $25 per lost towel

Merchandise Tie

• RCL all the shops have different hours

• Both have ship specific items

• RCL variety shops and many different items like kiosks in the mall