princess vs carnival

[jdemps]

What are the major differences between carnival and princess? Princess is almost triple what Carnival charges for 7 day cruises.

 

Is there more included on Princess?

 

Are the rooms better? We always book a suite so are the suites worth double at the minumum?

 

Is the ship enviroment more fun? We like the entertainment on the younger side so comedy clubs/cirque du soleil versus broadway show type muscials.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Colo Cruiser]

What are the major differences between carnival and princess? Princess is almost triple what Carnival charges for 7 day cruises.

 

Is there more included on Princess?

 

Are the rooms better? We always book a suite so are the suites worth double at the minumum?

 

Is the ship enviroment more fun? We like the entertainment on the younger side so comedy clubs/cirque du soleil versus broadway show type muscials.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

A quick search found this thread....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2331426&highlight=carnival+vs+Princess

[jonesbk]

We've sailed 6 or 7 times with Carnival and we just got back from our first Princess cruise earlier this month (8 day on the Caribbean Princess). A coworker convinced us to give Princess a try as we were tired of the "same ole same ole" on Carnival.

 

We too usually sailed in suites on Carnival, but went with a Mini Suite due to no suite availability (they were long sold out when we booked) and we were not disappointed (although I think the full suites have some GREAT perks, expanded room service, possibly dining room menu in room, not sure).

 

The differences in the cabins seem minor, although the Mini suites and up have full bathtubs and all cabins have an actual refrigerator, not the iced over minibar fridge that we were used to on Carnival. Having been used to the Grand Suites and Vista Suites on the Fantasy class and Spirit class, the Mini suite was more than adequate with a lot less wasted space (giant floor spaces, etc). The decor is much more subdued than on Carnival, very pleasing, not jump out at you.....

 

The food, well, in my opinion, the food on Princess just seemed better all around - minus the pizza, we did prefer the pizza on Carnival. The buffets are MUCH better managed on Princess and seemed to have a better variety than what we ever found on Carnival. Not to mention table service for your drinks, whether from the bar or just coffee, juice, etc. I think, other than when we sat at the actual bar, I never approached a bar to get a drink, there were always bar waiters around, not pestering you mind you, but it was extremely quick to get a drink.

 

The passengers, well, we were expecting a more mature (if not older) crowd, and we were not disappointed, at all as the crowd was older and much more mature than what we were used to. We are in our mid to late 30s and we had a great time. I can only count ONE instance of someone, anyone, acting "crazy", and that was a parent and child running down the hallway one evening - apparently they were late for an appointment somewhere, but they were running while apologizing for doing so.

 

I did notice there were a few daily overhead announcements, but nothing like what we had come to expect on Carnival, "Bingo time" "Casino is open" etc etc - oh, and no "Woo Hoo" from the cruise director, if you know which CD on Carnival I mean.

 

The Piazza (the Atrium) is more than a bar at the bottom of the glass elevators, it is truly a place to hangout, grab a bite to eat, a glass of wine, etc, and even enjoy a show (acrobatics, piano, strings, etc).

 

Oh, we NEVER felt crowded, well, except during Bingo, which coincidentally was held at the same time as Happy Hour in the largest lounge. But, we got there early, snagged a table and still had a great time. And there seemed to ALWAYS be something to do, and I don't mean hairy chest and cannonball competitions at the pool, of which I don't think there were any..... or if so, we didn't notice.

 

All in all, we thought that even though the price was more, it was well worth it, even though the Mini suites go for around what a grand suite does (or did) on Carnival. If we have to pay a premium for a more relaxed vacation, with much better service, so be it. We enjoyed Princess so much, we booked the 28 day RT through Hawaii and Tahiti for 2018....

[RoadTripFanatic]

I think it honestly depends on the ship. I've had some Carnival ships where the service and food is better and vice versa. It just depends on the day. I can't say that one has better service than the other. My parents on the other hand have cruised RC, Princess, Holland and Celebrity. They swear by Princess. It's their all time favorite.

[dmdiver]

I thought Regal Princess was a beautiful ship, while my hubby thought it was bland. The piazza was a nice public area, although the music was always a bit loud if you wanted to carry on a conversation with your friends.

 

We have never had a suite, but I can compare standard balcony cabins. Our balcony seemed to be about the same size as CCL, with 2 chairs and a small table. It had a sliding glass door, which I like better than the doors that swing open. The balcony divider seemed to be a bit different - when open, it was still back against the window, but there was not that big support on the rail side to be in the way. Hard to describe, but if you have ever had your balcony divider open, you'll probable know what I mean. Princess does not give a sofa unless you have at least a mini-suite. The closet/dressing area is great - not right inside the door walkway like on Carnival. The shower had a foot ledge - handy for leg shaving. There was plenty of storage space, just like CCL. The bed was super comfortable - loved it & the pillows. There are no towel animals - period. There are chocolates at turndown.

 

Entertainment was good, but we missed one show because there was no seating left. The theater is not a large double-decker like CCL. I know they do a men's sexy legs contest and ice carving demo as well as bingo. We didn't do any of those.

 

Messaging other members of your party is free of charge using your phone or ipad & ship wifi. Unfortunately, there is no audible or vibration notification if someone messages you.

 

I thought the food was good, but really missed Guy's Burgers and the Blue Iguana Cantina. I had mixed feelings about drink service in the buffet. On one hand, it was great not to have to deal with going to get coffee while juggling your food plate or having to leave it on a table getting cold while going to get coffee. On the other hand, if the waitstaff takes a while to get to you and get back with your drink, you either eat with no drink or your food gets cold while you wait. I had no bad meals on the ship & the buffet was good with a wide variety of food. We had dinner there several evenings.

 

Drink service by the aft pool was terrible. There were waiters, but they would walk right in front of the 4 of us & we would have to flag them down. If you don't like to be bothered by the bar waiters, that's the place to be. I personally didn't like it.

 

If you purchase the big drink package, Princess does not require both adults in the cabin to get it. Our friend got it, but his wife did not. CCL makes everyone in the cabin 21 or over have it even if only one really will use it to full advantage. Plus, CCL limits the number of drinks per day, where Princess is unlimited. For us, drink pricing was much the same as CCL.

 

Our room steward was fantastic & friendly. One waiter in the buffet was very friendly & took good care of us. The rest of the staff was pretty aloof. We did manage to get a smile out of the dining room cocktail waitress one night. We didn't eat in the dining room every night, but only saw the parade of the Baked Alaska, which involved napkin twirling. Although I don't necessarily dislike the dancing/singing waiters on CCL, it was kind of nice to have uninterrupted food service on Princess.

 

Lots of fellow cruisers were older than us, but there were still a lot of younger people. Not a whole lot of children, but it was early November, so a lot still in school. We did encounter one fellow who was pretty sauced & knocked over my hubby's beer in the cigar lounge, but most people were well behaved. We did have one older woman who proceeded to shove a chair in front of us while we were watching the juggling show in the piazza from the deck above. There was no "excuse me, may I sit here" or anything - just so freaking rude. I don't know who she thought she was, but I really would have like to have passed gas in her face for that.

 

Anyway, I don't think it is worth what they charge. I'd just as soon stick with RCCL or CCL or try some other lines. But that is my personal preference. It really just boils down to what you want out of a cruise.

[joeyancho]

Princess is not for you

[Skai]

Princess is almost triple what Carnival charges for 7 day cruises.

 

I don't find this statement to be accurate.

[jeromep]

People that have cruised Carnival extensively and then decided to branch out and try Princess, or RCCL, or Norwegian will find significant differences. I hope this doesn't come as a surprise. These differences may turn you off, but you will only know if Princess is a cruising option if you make the jump and book a cruise. There is no reason that you can't cruise both Carnival and Princess in the future based upon what kind of vacation you want... or need.

 

Here is what you will find with Princess.

 

A more classic cruising experience. There are hints of British sailing and cultural heritage, like afternoon tea, pub lunch on sea days, many officers with extensive British merchant marine experience, etc. This is in spite of the fact that Princess is not originally a British sailing company, and only became associated with British sailing when they were acquired by P&O, many years ago.

 

An older demographic, but certainly not the oldest demographic in cruising. I'm in my late 30s and my wife is in her mid 30s and we always feel comfortable on a Princess cruise. Just because there is a scooter or two charging in the elevator lobby late at night doesn't disqualify us from having a good time. I hope that when I'm in a scooter I'll still be having a good time. A general rule of thumb, on Princess, the shorter the cruise, the younger the demographic, the longer the older. And of course, the other adage, if its cold they're old (referring to Alaska, East coast and Canada cruises, and European North Atlantic cruises).

 

Fewer "in your face" on board activities. Keep in mind that there are only so many ways you can entertain 3000 people on a sea day, and Princess tends to stick with the tried and true, trivia, bingo, performance art in the Piazza, live music on the Lido and in the bars/Piazza, etc. If your room is big enough, hanging out there with room service and a good book is a perfectly acceptable way to pass a day.

 

Less "booze cruise" atmosphere, in fact no "booze cruise" atmosphere. You'll still find sloshed people, but there is a good chance you'll find them in that condition after 5pm, over 50 years old, and fully clothed (not in a bikini or trunks). No guarantees, though.

 

No roving bands of teenagers meandering about the ship and potentially making trouble very late at night or early in the morning. I have yet to experience that on Princess, but the stories about it on Carnival are legendary, if not possibly urban legends.

 

Comparing notes with friends that sail Carnival, it sure seems like Princess puts up a better plate of food in most locations; buffet, MDR, lido deck, room service, and it seems that Princess has more dining options, especially if you have a balcony room or suite. The speciality restaurants on board are reasonably priced for what you get. Princess makes most items on board from scratch, including breads, cakes and pastries, hard ice cream, ground meat, etc. That matters when it comes to the final product.

 

More subdued interior design. Cabins are decorated in muted colors, lots of light "wood" tones, pastel blues, mauve, and taupe. Public spaces are highly decorated, but again, subdued colors are used and lots of brass, wood, glass and stone. There is nothing that is garish about a Princess ship. There is lots of garish colors and design at Carnival; its part of their trademark.

 

The pools on Princess are super nice and are chlorinated freshwater, not saltwater. They are well maintained, too. Just like any cruise in warm, sunny places, getting and securing a lounger can be challenging, and you'll find your share of all day lounger hogs, but later at night, pool areas tend to be less crowded and a bit more enjoyable.

 

Service on board Princess is generally attentive and professional. I find that the cabin stewards range from being accommodating to truly friendly and the dining room staff to be especially accommodating. Bar staff are nice, but seem too busy to create relationships... unless you are at a particular bar every day at a particular time, and you might be able to create a relationship. You won't find bath towel animals, and that's ok. I get the impression that cabin stewards are just a little too busy to be doing towel sculpture.

 

Anyway, that is my 2 cents, but you won't know if you like Princess until you try it.

[JimAOk1945]

One of the perks we especially appreciated was the free laundry for the duration of our cruises. Yes, I think the suites are better than the Grand Suites on the Carnival ships that we have been on.

 

You might be interested in seeing the pictures of our suite that my wife took for her website at the link below.

 

Island Princess Suite

 

Here is the suite information found on the Princess website at the following link

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/staterooms/suites/suites-services-and-amenities/

 

Suite Services & Amenities

 

VIP PRIORITY

•Priority Embarkation & Disembarkation at the beginning and end of your cruise

•Priority Disembarkation at tender ports

•Priority Onboard Shore Excursion Reservations

•Priority Specialty Dining Reservations

 

EXCLUSIVE

•Exclusive Club Class Dining in the Main Dining Room for dinner each night, plus breakfast and lunch on sea days†

•Elite Lounge with complimentary hors d’oeuvres on select ships^

•Exclusive Disembarkation Lounge

 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

•The Princess Luxury Bed†

•Pillow Menu

•Luxurious Jacquard-woven Cotton Linens†

•Upgraded Terry Shawl Bathrobes & Slippers

•Upgraded Bathroom Amenities including bath salts and soothing gel eye mask

•Upgraded Shower & Showerhead

•Upgraded Room Service Menu with full breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings

•Balcony with Upgraded Patio Furniture (two comfortable loungers, a table and two chairs)

•Upgraded Turn Down Service

 

COMPLIMENTARY

•Private Portrait Sitting with Onboard Photographer

•Same-day Laundry and Professional Cleaning Services

•Shoe Polishing Services

•Specialty Dining Mimosa Breakfast (Daily)**

•Specialty Dining Dinner on embarkation evening

•Lotus Spa® Thermal Suite Access on select ships††

•Mini-Bar set-up on embarkation day

•Premium Evening Canapés upon request

•Chef’s “Welcome Goodies” on embarkation day

•In-Suite Afternoon Tea Service

•Fresh Orchids

•Exotic Fruit Bowl on embarkation day, refreshed upon request

•Ice Service twice daily

•Umbrellas

•Premium Stationery and Pens

 

^ Not included on Sun Princess, Sea Princess or Dawn Princess

** Served In-Suite on Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess

† On ships where Club Class Mini-Suite benefits have rolled out

†† Not available on Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Pacific Princess, Dawn Princess, Sun Princess or Sea Princess

Edited November 28, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[golfb4cruzing]

We've sailed both and have never paid triple for our Princess trips. Depends on what you are looking for on a cruise. To me both lines are very different. 100% Princess.

[JimAOk1945]

Prices also vary depending on the time of year. Major holidays, Spring Break, and summer months all have higher rates.

Edited November 28, 2016 by JimAOk1945

[easyboy]

Anyway, that is my 2 cents, but you won't know if you like Princess until you try it.

Agree. Assessment is based on one's liking.

[Cuervosar]

If the majority of your shopping sends you to Walmart, and then to McDonalds afterwards, go Carnival.

 

If you can match a wine to a meal, appreciate a quiet sunset, and would enjoy meeting and conversing with people who can properly use There, Their and They're. Go Princess.

 

Job sorted.

[stevenr597]

One can debate whether the two lines are similar, and I am sure that both of these cruise lines will have their share of passengers which will think that one is better than the other.

 

An interesting way to sum up the differences would be by these two statements.

 

1) Princess has Table clothes in the main dining room, Carnival does not

2) Carnival makes up your stateroom once/day, Princess does it twice.

 

If this makes no difference to you, book Carnival, if it does, book Princess.

 

Hope that helps.

[OCruisers]

Many things a subjective -- food, service, entertainment, etc.

While we like all of these better on Princess, you may not.

It is very nice to be able to go to your cabin immediately when you board on Princess without having FTTF like on Carnival. :)

[ar1950]

What are the major differences between carnival and princess? Princess is almost triple what Carnival charges for 7 day cruises.

.........................

 

We have never found this to be a true cost comparison. If it were we would have a bunch more Carnival cruises and many less Princess cruises.

Edited November 29, 2016 by ar1950

[bellbtm]

I have sailed on both, plus many others. As a family, we prefer Carnival hands down. We like casual fun so Carnival suits us best. But in the end, put me on any cruise and I will be a happy camper. I just love to cruise!!!!

 

 

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[Orlando Vic]

Isn't Carnival known as the Walmart of the seas?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ontheweb]

One can debate whether the two lines are similar, and I am sure that both of these cruise lines will have their share of passengers which will think that one is better than the other.

 

An interesting way to sum up the differences would be by these two statements.

 

1) Princess has Table clothes in the main dining room, Carnival does not

2) Carnival makes up your stateroom once/day, Princess does it twice.

 

If this makes no difference to you, book Carnival, if it does, book Princess.

 

Hope that helps.

 

We were on the Carnival Fascination this past summer out of San Juan. There were tablecloths, and our stateroom was made up twice a day.

 

That said, Princess remains my favorite. But part of that was the particular itineraries we have sailed on Princess (Baltic, Alaska, and British Isles).

Edited November 29, 2016 by ontheweb
punctuation

[dmdiver]

If the majority of your shopping sends you to Walmart, and then to McDonalds afterwards, go Carnival.

 

If you can match a wine to a meal, appreciate a quiet sunset, and would enjoy meeting and conversing with people who can properly use There, Their and They're. Go Princess.

 

Job sorted.

 

I do shop at Walmart - not stupid enough to actually believe that I should pay more for the same item just because the store name is different. More money in my pocket means more cruising!

 

I don't eat at McDonald's unless I'm at the airport waiting for a flight. However, where one chooses to grab some quick fast food has absolutely nothing to do with cruising choices.

 

I am not drinking wine with my meal to appear sophisticated or wealthy. I drink what I like, whether it is wine, cocktail or beer.

 

I appreciate a quiet sunset & there is no problem finding that on any cruise line.

 

Don't even get me started on grammar. One of my daily challenges is reading these boards & fb posts.

 

I feel Princess is more sedate than Carnival. That is my own personal observation. I would expect there to be differences between the various cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp. Otherwise, what would be the point in owning multiple lines? Certain aspects of each line will appeal to different people for varying reasons. People look for different things in a vacation. There is absolutely no reason to make snide remarks about people who choose one line over another. If you want to be helpful, just state the differences that you have observed.

[dmdiver]

One can debate whether the two lines are similar, and I am sure that both of these cruise lines will have their share of passengers which will think that one is better than the other.

 

An interesting way to sum up the differences would be by these two statements.

 

1) Princess has Table clothes in the main dining room, Carnival does not

2) Carnival makes up your stateroom once/day, Princess does it twice.

 

If this makes no difference to you, book Carnival, if it does, book Princess.

 

Hope that helps.

 

On Carnival we've had tablecloths on formal nights, but none on the others. It's funny, but the tablecloths always seem to catch on my clothes when I'm getting seated. In spite of that, I do like the tablecloths - just looks prettier and dampens the noise a bit. Not a deal breaker, though, if they're not there.

 

We've always had twice daily stateroom service & have never been asked to choose morning vs. evening.

[Cruzinbabe06]

I do shop at Walmart - not stupid enough to actually believe that I should pay more for the same item just because the store name is different. More money in my pocket means more cruising!

 

I don't eat at McDonald's unless I'm at the airport waiting for a flight. However, where one chooses to grab some quick fast food has absolutely nothing to do with cruising choices.

 

I am not drinking wine with my meal to appear sophisticated or wealthy. I drink what I like, whether it is wine, cocktail or beer.

 

I appreciate a quiet sunset & there is no problem finding that on any cruise line.

 

Don't even get me started on grammar. One of my daily challenges is reading these boards & fb posts.

 

I feel Princess is more sedate than Carnival. That is my own personal observation. I would expect there to be differences between the various cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp. Otherwise, what would be the point in owning multiple lines? Certain aspects of each line will appeal to different people for varying reasons. People look for different things in a vacation. There is absolutely no reason to make snide remarks about people who choose one line over another. If you want to be helpful, just state the differences that you have observed.

 

 

Thank you for saying this!

 

The superior attitudes on these boards are unreal.

[satxdiver]

Isn't Carnival known as the Walmart of the seas?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Looking at a picture of CCL pax and walmart customers, they look all too much alike! ROFL

 

We were on the Magic on the first week of December a few years ago. The CD said they had 260 children aboard. Don't these kids go to school anymore? That is one plus for Princess in that they are not overrun with rugrats or drunken 20 somethings.

Edited November 29, 2016 by satxdiver

[MrMan]

I do shop at Walmart - not stupid enough to actually believe that I should pay more for the same item just because the store name is different. More money in my pocket means more cruising!

 

 

 

I don't eat at McDonald's unless I'm at the airport waiting for a flight. However, where one chooses to grab some quick fast food has absolutely nothing to do with cruising choices.

 

 

 

I am not drinking wine with my meal to appear sophisticated or wealthy. I drink what I like, whether it is wine, cocktail or beer.

 

 

 

I appreciate a quiet sunset & there is no problem finding that on any cruise line.

 

 

 

Don't even get me started on grammar. One of my daily challenges is reading these boards & fb posts.

 

 

 

I feel Princess is more sedate than Carnival. That is my own personal observation. I would expect there to be differences between the various cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp. Otherwise, what would be the point in owning multiple lines? Certain aspects of each line will appeal to different people for varying reasons. People look for different things in a vacation. There is absolutely no reason to make snide remarks about people who choose one line over another. If you want to be helpful, just state the differences that you have observed.

 

 

Well stated

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[elliair]

Isn't Carnival known as the Walmart of the seas?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Yep, and don't ever post that on the Carnival CC forum or you'll get plenty of people ticked off at you, trashing you. We're platinum on Carnival and we will not cruise Carnival again. We're done with Carnival. Our Legend experience to Alaska was horrendous. The cruise director is a liar, we were late to every port, the ship smelled of garbage on our deck, children running around unsupervised, and the food wasn't that great. You get what you pay for - cheaper is not always better.

 

This is why Carnival is coined WalMarrt of the Seas:

 

peopleofwalmart.com

Edited November 29, 2016 by elliair