Royal Caribbean has larger ships, more amenities, and more cruises available. Disney Cruise Line, meanwhile, has a much smaller fleet that carries fewer passengers.

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is widely considered the "innovator" of the cruise world, positioning itself between "budget" lines like Carnival and "premium" lines like Celebrity. Compared to Carnival, Royal Caribbean is generally viewed as having a slightly more upscale "big-ship" atmosphere with a heavy focus on record-breaking hardware, such as the Icon and Oasis class ships which feature ice rinks, surf simulators, and robot bartenders. When compared to Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean offers a much broader range of high-adrenaline activities and a more active nightlife for adults, typically at a significantly lower price point, though it lacks the specific character immersion and "all-inclusive" feel of Disney's entertainment. Against Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Royal Caribbean is often cited for having more spectacular "original" productions (like the AquaTheater shows), whereas NCL is famous for its "Freestyle" dining and Broadway-branded musicals. Essentially, Royal Caribbean is the go-to line for multi-generational families and active couples who want the "wow factor" of the world's largest, most technologically advanced floating resorts.