Carnival vs Royal Caribbean for young adults (22-24 years old)?

Question

My friends and I are looking for a great post-graduation cruise. The group would probably consist of 6-15 people (we haven't asked everyone yet). We want a cruise that would have a lot to do, is short (3-5 nights long), and also has great clubs that play our type of music (hip hop and pop, no oldies). We live in NJ, BUT are willing to travel to Florida.
From what I read on the internet, Carnival is more like a "party" cruise; whereas Royal Caribbean is more fancy, some person even wrote that on one cruise he went on, nobody danced in the night club. Most likely we will leave in May, when prices are in the middle (more expensive during the school year, but less expensive than in the summer).
Any suggestions? The two cruise ships I'm looking at right now are Carnival Fantasy and Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas

Answer 1

I've been on both, and there's really not that much difference. A bigger difference is the time of year you go. That is, a lot of young people go on the spring break cruises. But May is good, too. It's before most of the k-12 schools are out, so there won't be so many little kids.

The entertainment varies a bit from ship to ship. You can go on Cruisecritic,com and read reviews of specific ships and cruises.

Answer 2

If you want prices, go on a site like vacationstogo and check the 90 day ticker (assuming you want to leave within 90 days).



Short Carnival cruises out of FL are very party oriented, which sounds like that you want. You could pay more for air than the cruise itself.

Answer 3

between those two, Carnival, hands down. Empress is the exact OPPOSITE of what you want.