Visual Comparison: Distinctions Between Carnival and Royal Caribbean Ships Captured in Photos

Both cruises observed dress codes and formal nights, but the reporters noted that adherence to these codes was lax on both ships.

Joey Hadden/Insider, Monica Humphries/Insider

The Wonder of the Seas implemented dress codes in its main dining room, which varied from casual to smart casual to formal on different nights. However, Joey noticed that the dress code wasn’t strictly enforced during her cruise. On formal nights, she observed several individuals wearing t-shirts and shorts while dining.

For the first formal night, Joey wore a gold dress paired with loafers. On the second formal night, she opted for a more relaxed look, wearing a short-sleeve button-down, light pants, and the same shoes.

In Carnival Vista’s main dining room, passengers were expected to adhere to a “cruise casual” dress code, as stated on Carnival’s website. This dress code prohibited jean shorts, flip flops, and bathing suits. However, Monica did not witness anyone enforcing the dress code during her trip.

Similarly, Monica’s cruise also had two formal nights. For the first formal night, she chose a casual black jumper and strappy sandals, striking a balance between overdressed and underdressed. Throughout the night, she noticed a few passengers wearing gowns, but the majority opted for shorts and casual dresses. The second formal night coincided with the Fourth of July, and it seemed that most passengers were more focused on wearing red, white, and blue rather than formal attire.