Wanted a cruise out of Miama, as I am a scuba diver and taking girl friend who just got certified. Florida Keys has easy diving and Fort Lauderdale has shore diving ($10 for tanks and that is it). So, wanted to cruise and then stay in Southern Florida.

Two years ago, did Carnival to the Bahamas, and Royal Caribbean is so much better. Carnival is about the $47 per day for a 6 day as the RCCL for the 4 day is $60 a day, but I would book RCCL over Carnival. Food in the restaurant for dinner was about the same, the difference is the food in the other portions of the ship. Royal Caribbean has the Windjammer, which is open when I wanted to eat. Carnival, for lunch is 11 am to 2 pm and if you miss it, you are stuck at the bar with either pizza or panninis. I don't remember if Carnival has food all afternoon at the pool but Royal Caribbean had good food, with a good variety outside the restaurants.

Additionally, I don't think that Carnival had any early morning (midnight to 7 am) coffee, pastry, etc. but Royal Caribbean has coffee, pastry, etc at 3:00 a.m. Additionally, RCCL has movies at the pool every night and that is a great way to spend the evening. Read more