Princess...whats the deal??

[chrisa222]

Princess..whats the deal?

OK here's what I don't get. Princess is owned by Carnival, right? Its more expensive..so one would assume that means its a more "upscale" or "upgraded" experience, right? I mean, its the same parent company and its more money.

 

But everything I'm reading is saying that Carnival has better food...bigger cabins..and just as good service. If thats the case, why does Princess exist for one, and charge more for two? Just because its decor is more "Understated"???

 

Please educate me....

 

I am posting this on Carnival and Princess boards, just to see what everyone says. Please chime in!

[mizLORInj]

IMO Princess is more upscale. Princess has more wood decor--less chrome and bright tile. Example: Princess has wood and glass balcony railings; Carnival's was metal rods. Food is comparable; shows I thought better on Carnival.

This is subject to everyone's own opinion of course.

GM owns Chevy, Pontiac, & Buick as the parent company. Yet each company under the "mother company" varies its product somewhat.

Enjoy!

[smoosh21]

Princess..whats the deal?

OK here's what I don't get. Princess is owned by Carnival, right? Its more expensive..so one would assume that means its a more "upscale" or "upgraded" experience, right? I mean, its the same parent company and its more money.

 

But everything I'm reading is saying that Carnival has better food...bigger cabins..and just as good service. If thats the case, why does Princess exist for one, and charge more for two? Just because its decor is more "Understated"???

 

Please educate me....

 

I am posting this on Carnival and Princess boards, just to see what everyone says. Please chime in!

 

I haven't traveled Princess yet, that comes next year, but I have traveled Carnival and HAL. HAL is much better than Carnival. The Suites were much nicer on HAL, the food was much better and the service was much better. I would not sail Carnival again, but I would definitely travel HAL again.

HAL is, of course, owned by Carnival. I thought it was much nicer. But, if you go to the HAL board you will see many long time HAL cruisers complain about the Carnivalization of HAL.

[janetz]

Princess..whats the deal?

OK here's what I don't get. Princess is owned by Carnival, right? Its more expensive..so one would assume that means its a more "upscale" or "upgraded" experience, right? I mean, its the same parent company and its more money.

 

But everything I'm reading is saying that Carnival has better food...bigger cabins..and just as good service. If thats the case, why does Princess exist for one, and charge more for two? Just because its decor is more "Understated"???

 

Please educate me....

 

I am posting this on Carnival and Princess boards, just to see what everyone says. Please chime in!

 

 

Where is "everything you are reading?"

In our experience, and this is "ours" Princess surpasses Carnival in all areas, except bedding.

We love anythime dining, which is not offered on Carnival. We love the adults only area which I think Carnival is doing away with. There are many more activities in the evening on Princess besides one show and the casino. The food is better. Service, about the same, very good. Princess decor is very pretty with lots of blues and tile, etc. Carnival is flashier, and over the top. We feel Princess is more upscale. :D Depending on where you post this question, you will see a big difference in the answers you get.

[bubbadog]

those are all false accusations lol

[Griff4AU]

I haave sailed on both within the last year, so I will offer what I hope is an unbiased opinion....

 

Do I think Carnival's food is better? No way. Very subjective.

 

The Princess ships are much more upscale in the decor. Carnival is a fun/bright/party decor. Princess is more polished. The difference is a lot more than just 'understated'.

 

Bigger cabins? Yep, for as little time as I spend in there.

 

Equivalent Service? I don't believe that for a minute. I was please with my Carnival cruise. But I find that the service I receive on Princess is far superior. Not nearly at a Seaborn or Crystal level, but very good.

 

The crowds are also different. I think a lot more people on this forum have been on Carnival (and will cruise on them again), than Carnival folks have been on Princess.

 

If you're looking just for a party, save the money and go Carnival - you'll have more 'play' money.

 

For us to help, you need to state who you are and what you are looking for.

[ssantow]

I get from your comments that you have yet to sail with Princess and are basing everything on what you have heard from others. Basing an opinion on a few people is not a good idea. Read as many reviews as you can from a varied people and you will have a better overall understanding of each lines product. Keep in mind that comments on these boards sometimes are placed in "the heat of the moment" and may not accurately reflect the whole situation. It is very easy to criticize and a bit more difficult to praise the good, so do not base your opinion on one or two peoples ideas.

[Hornet]

Princess..whats the deal?

OK here's what I don't get. Princess is owned by Carnival, right? Its more expensive..so one would assume that means its a more "upscale" or "upgraded" experience, right? I mean, its the same parent company and its more money.

 

But everything I'm reading is saying that Carnival has better food...bigger cabins..and just as good service. If thats the case, why does Princess exist for one, and charge more for two? Just because its decor is more "Understated"???

 

Please educate me....

 

I am posting this on Carnival and Princess boards, just to see what everyone says. Please chime in!

 

Hmmmm.......this is news to me that everyone is saying Carnival has better food and cabins. Is this being said on the Carnival board? I've never been on Carnival so I can't compare, but I have heard that they attract a younger crowd in general. I know many love the Carnival line and their prices.

[blindrid]

Where is "everything you are reading?"

In our experience, and this is "ours" Princess surpasses Carnival in all areas, except bedding.

We love anythime dining, which is not offered on Carnival. We love the adults only area which I think Carnival is doing away with. There are many more activities in the evening on Princess besides one show and the casino. The food is better. Service, about the same, very good. Princess decor is very pretty with lots of blues and tile, etc. Carnival is flashier, and over the top. We feel Princess is more upscale. :D Depending on where you post this question, you will see a big difference in the answers you get.

 

We just came back from CB on Princess, travelling with two friends. I asked them to rate this Princess experience and they rated this particular cruise lower than their experiences on HAL and Carnival. I also rated this one lower than NCL and Carnival. Obviously, everything is subjective but I think my expectations of Princess were a bit higher and were not met. The experience was fine, it just wasn't what we expected. The service was OK, no better, no worse.

[Toto2Kansas]

Personally, to us there is absolutely no comparison between Princess and Carnival. Princess Cruises 21 times, Carnival Cruises 5 times. Apples and Oranges, both fruits but with a totally different taste. ;)

[brwneyedgirl72]

I agree that it is subjective. Personally,I think that the food on Carnival is terrible and the decor is tacky. However, that being said, I think that Carnival's beds are much more confortable (the most comfortable I have had on a cruise ship thus far) and Carnival is just plain fun - whereas Princess is more subdued. It is just a matter of taste - I have enjoyed both but in the end would choose Princess hands down!

[blindrid]

Personally, to us there is absolutely no comparison between Princess and Carnival. Princess Cruises 21 times, Carnival Cruises 5 times. Apples and Oranges, both fruits but with a totally different taste. ;)

 

Good post ..... I pretty much rate on the "fun factor" and have had more fun on NCL and Carnival than Princess. As mentioned, very subjective and different does not mean bad regardless - any cruise is a good cruise.

[can786]

If you continually compare everything and go with extreme expectations you are only setting yourself up for disappointment. The key is to go with an open mind and expect to enjoy yourself and you will have a good time. I think it is an accurate statement to say that each cruise line has a few things that they do VERY well and the rest is just done well. The things that are done VERY well are not the same from line to line, so it is really not fair to compare every little nitpicky point. I generally stick with Princess because I like their itineraries, I feel they give me a good value for my money and because of the perks of sailing as a Platinum or Elite past passenger (I am platinum and usually sail with my mother who is Elite). I also like that Princess offers a variety of ship sizes and that the decor on the ships is elegant and understated rather than garish.

[CanTex]

Both Carnival and Princess are unquestionably mass market lines, but still very different in the markets they are targeting.

 

Carnival is the entry level, good value, family oriented "fun" cruise line. And while Carnival has ventured abroad (i.e. Europe) over the last 3 or 4 years, it is primarily targeting itineraries out of a large number of U.S. homeports (thereby attracting a large proportion of drive-in cruisers). Carnival also has a substantial repeat cruiser base who love its great value for a very decent product, but in time even the most dedicated start to look to the more varied offerings of other lines (including Princess).

 

Princess positions itself as a "step-up" opportunity for the experienced cruiser. You won't find the short Caribbean itineraries offered by Princess, and outside the winter season in North America, most of Princess' ships are sailing itineraries all around the world (include several "around the world" offerings). People are more likely flying to their departure port -- often outside of North America -- and those people are willing to pay more in turn. I would venture to say as well that Princess' Caribbean cruise demographics are far different than the market they attract for their other areas.

 

Some people will claim that Princess has become "Carnivalized" since CCL's acquisition of it. I think the "cheapening" changes that people see are more the product of continued intense cost pressures (fuel costs, US dollar devaluation) and the very competitive travel market conditions rather than pressure being exerted by CCL. The changes are also a product of the mega-ship moves that Princess made starting with the introduction of the Grand class of ships. When you have to fill your mega ships with 3,000+ people, naturally your market segment has to expand too, and to some extent they have to then attract a lower income clientele.

 

So why does Princess typically command more fare for an equivalent itinerary? Part of it is they are still successful at pitching themselves as differentiated product for the more experienced, more affluent cruiser. Much of this is based on perception -- which at times is vulnerable with continued focus on larger ships. If the market positioning lines between Carnival and Princess were to blur together, their would be no perceived differentiation of the product being offered. It is rather ironic that for the higher price of the cruise, a Carnival cruiser going on Princess for the first time will think they're being "nickel and dimed" more (e.g. few free beverages -- no lemonade, etc. -- and limited ice cream offerings).

 

(I have also posted this reply in the equivalent thread in the Carnival forum)

[janetz]

I won't even look at this thread on the Carnival board. They have way to many RA RA'S....:D

[Colo Cruiser]

But everything I'm reading is saying that Carnival has better food...bigger cabins..and just as good service. If thats the case, why does Princess exist for one, and charge more for two? Just because its decor is more "Understated"???

 

 

Where have you read this?

I have never heard that before. :confused:

[CanTex]

I won't even look at this thread on the Carnival board. They have way to many RA RA'S....:D

The same could be said here! :)

 

Nothing wrong with being a champion of your favorite! I happen to like both -- and several other others too!

[Cruiser from MS]

I have as of yet not cruised Princess but will next March. I am looking so for the chance to compare for myself. I have cruised three times on Carnival and have enjoyed all of them. My last cruise left a lot to be desired concerning service and food. As for my balcony we had wood and glass, which has been the case on all three cruises. My husband and I are in our late 50's so we cruise in January to avoid the younger crowd. On my second and third cruise there were so many electric wheelchairs and oxygen tanks it made me feel young again... I can hardly wait to see what Princess has to offer as my husband and I love to sit in the lobby and listen to the classical music. On our last cruise the lobby was so crowded and loud you could not hear the music. Our first two cruises were not like that at all. I have heard that the balcony cabins are smaller on Princess than Carnival so I will miss that but I think Princess will make up for that in many other ways. I will let you know what I think the differences are.

[A Sixth?]

Things I like about Princess (Grand Class):

Fresh water pools

Movies under the stars

adults only sanctuary

Comfortable beds

Terrific sea food

No singing waiters

Anytime dining

Many smoke free bars and area

Terrific future cruise deposit/credit program

 

Things I liked about Carnival (Destiny Class)

The slide

Mid night buffet

Free ice cream

Liked the "mall / main" deck a bit better

Pizza is great

Slightly bigger cabin

Free upgrades a common occurrence (very rare on Princess)

 

About the same on each:

Entertainment

Food quality in the dining room

Service in general

[janetz]

The same could be said here! :)

 

Nothing wrong with being a champion of your favorite! I happen to like both -- and several other others too!

 

 

Me too! :D Sometimes, I find that the Carnival board gets really nasty with any negatives posted.

 

 

 

Happy Cruising...:)

[spongerob]

Princess is a bit hard to pin down. The comparison isn't as obvious as say, RCI vs Celebrity.

 

Princess tries to cater to a broad audience. Some cruises probably wouldn't be much different than offerings from other lines. Other cruises are longer, on smaller ships, and certainly would be more exotic. I think any comparison has to depend on the itinerary and ship.

 

I have not tried Carnival, but have recommended the line to co-workers. They have come back with positive comments.

[walkerer]

We were loyal Carnival cruisers (7 cruises in 2 years) but eventually were extremely disappointed with their product. It is very predictable! We sailed Princess for our honeymoon and will never go back to Carnival. The food is superior as well as the service. They typically sail to more exotic ports of call and their ships are nicer.....in my opinion because of who is on them on a regular basis.

 

Good luck with your decision.

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

As a non US person,

 

I would say you are trying to tell that Las Vegus is the same as New York, right both in the US so must be the same.

 

yours Shogun

[medcruiseplanner]

I really think that the vacation experience, cruising or otherwise, can vary immensely from week to week for the same product. I think that largely what colors your opinion of a cruise or any other vacation experience is the staff that you interact with and your own ability and willingness to make a good vacation great.

 

Personally, I choose based mostly on itinerary. Same thing when I choose a resort. I know where I want to be and what I want to do/see and I choose my means of doing so after the fact. I've cruised on RCI and Celebrity and am now looking for a trip to Alaska and am considering Princess, HAL and RCI. I'm loyal to no one - just looking for a great itinerary.

[JWJs]

I have been really pleased with both Princess and Celebrity. It would have to be a totally rock bottom balcony cabin or suite cruise fare for me to even consider trying Carnival.