After three previous Royal Caribbean cruises we've now been on Carnival as well after last week's Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Spirit. We've always used and been happy with Royal Caribbean except we have a 2 year old. Since Carnival (to their credit we thought) accepts 2 year olds unlike all the other cruise lines, we thought we'd give it a try. Little did we know and had we known, we'd have waited another year.
Simply put, if you have children participating in the kids programs, I can't in any way, in any stronger terms tell you to avoid Carnival's program for the reasons listed below. It's poor at best and please believe me when I say I wasn't the only parent feeling that way, it was pretty much universal.
And as bad as it is, Royal Caribbean's is that good. They are polar opposites with one poor and the other very very good. Royal Caribbean must have put a lot of thought into facilities, staff and activities. Carnival looks like this was a complete after thought and they shoved the program in a coat closet at the front of the ship.