My husband and I are in our 30s considering a carribean cruise from Galveston or New Orleans for our 10th aniversary in April 04. I think we've narrowed it down to Carnival Conquest and RCCL Rhapsody. Does anyone know what the entertainment is like (besides casino & poolside parties). Are there fun comedy acts or all cheesy broadway dance shows? Anyone have any comments?

While I like the way the ships are laid out for the RCCL better than the Carnival,the Carnival DEFINITELY had better entertainment!! I've been on both the Destiny and the Triumph and have been blown away by their shows!! I did not like the shows on RCCL so much that I rarely ever went.

Really, thats good information... Can you give me more specifics? What is there to do on RCCL other than casino, dining & pool? What types of shows on the carnival?
Thanks for your help!

I just have to answer this one. We've not been on the Conquest but we did sail on the 7 day Celebration out of NO before she went to Galveston for shorter trips (and was replaced by the Conquest) and then we did the Rhapsody out of Galveston about a year ago. The Rhapsody was the best cruise we've been on to date...that's out of 6. The food was great (better than the Grandeur which we sailed on a few months later) and the entertainment was the best we've seen. I would sail on the Rhapsody again in a heartbeat. Also, I like the ports better. I'd never been to Key West so we enjoyed that and the other two ports are among the best in the Caribbean whereas two of the Conquest stops are at the bottom of my list of the ports I've seen.
This is all IMHO but my husband and I enjoyed the Rhapsody so much that I had to let you know. We had an inside K (8079 I think) and we never heard a peep and I like that particular deck. Less cabins, less people and traffic and less noise.
Hope this helps..have fun!

Retraction!
I thought Progreso was one of the Conquest ports..it's not.

Our experience is that Carnival had better food but RC had much better shows. Good luck and bon voyage!

We thought the entertainment on RCL was light years better than any we have had on other lines..and we have been on Princess,Celebrity, Windsurf,NCL...

It is truely terrific and NO, the Broadway shows are NOT cheesy..they are super entertainers in awesome costumes and are highly entertaining....

Thanks to all that have replied. You've been helpful. I think we are leaning toward the RCCL Rhapsody out of Galveston. Any other comments or tips are welcome!
Jill

There is no doubt tht the one time we were on RCI..BOS the entertainment was soooo bad.. that was the biggest disappointment. Where,as the one time we were on the Carnival although I disliked the ship the entertainment was fabulous...As a cruiser a few weeks later said about the entertainment on the BOS "I've seen better entertainmet at my condo"....

Since posting, I've tried to remember the names of the entertainers on our Rhapsody cruise..I can't. But I do remember THEM, though granted, it may have all changed. Here goes, so you can have some idea.
The ventriloquist who used to be on Soap. He was great.
A couple of magicians whose act was just unbelieveable.
Then there was this singer who did take offs of some famous singers and told some stories and jokes, too. What a singer and over-all entertainer. In anouncing him, the CD mentioned several places in Vegas where he has appeared..he was probably in his early 50's and I couldn't believe that I'd never heard of him. Everyone, as we left, was saying 'what a show'!! And now I can't think of his name!!
Then of course, there were several shows with the troupe from RCCL..all very good.
I'd better stop before I'm accused of being on RCCL's payroll! I've already raved about the food and entertainment. But I forgot to mention that I think it was a beautiful ship and that the service in every area was A-1. That's it...no more!!

Good choice on going with the Royal Caribbean. Everybody's taste in entertainment is different, so I wouldn't choose the cruise based on that. Overall, I did find that I had more of a pleasant time on the Royal Caribbean. There are more lounge areas and bars and pools, which really helps if you want to get away from the crowds and just relax. You may really enjoy the shows...I was on the Adventure of the Seas so the entertainment on the other ships might be different. But I did enjoy RCCL so much that I am taking my honeymoon on the Mariner this April!!