Carnival vs Princess

[usafchick1980]

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise together. Both of us have been on 2 before. Mine have both been with Carnival, and his have both been with Princess. So I was wondering what people who have been on both think.

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

Any help would be great. This time we are going with a group of 14. But I think when we go on our first cruise alone I will let him take me on Princess.

 

Thanks in advance.

[chipmaster]

All things being equal, ports, schedule and such, I'd be willing to pay 10-15% / person more to sail princess. The things I like about Princess, less in your face "fun" everythign from the color of the carpets, decorations to the dancing waiters and hairyman contest that I get on Canrival. Things like food, cabin, service, entertainement I put at very very close. Just the overall feel on princess feels more upscale and thus willing to pay more.

 

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise together. Both of us have been on 2 before. Mine have both been with Carnival, and his have both been with Princess. So I was wondering what people who have been on both think.

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

Any help would be great. This time we are going with a group of 14. But I think when we go on our first cruise alone I will let him take me on Princess.

 

Thanks in advance.

[TravlGrl]

I prefer Princess. Carnival has disappointed us twice, and rather than share the details, I'll just leave it at that. Carnival wins for food, but Princess wins for service, ambiance, and overall delivery of a good product.

[uppitycats]

All things being equal, ports, schedule and such, I'd be willing to pay 10-15% / person more to sail princess. The things I like about Princess, less in your face "fun" everythign from the color of the carpets, decorations to the dancing waiters and hairyman contest that I get on Canrival. Things like food, cabin, service, entertainement I put at very very close. Just the overall feel on princess feels more upscale and thus willing to pay more.

 

This assessment would be very close to mine.

 

Only in my case, unless Carnival has an itinerary that is unique -- no other cruise goes anywhere near there -- I'll not ever sail on Carnival again.

[hubofhockey]

If you are looking to save money, care more about ports than the ship, don't mind sailing with lots of kids on board, then stick with Carnival. Princess ships are nicer. Princess demographics skew more to people in their 40's and 50s (yes, middle aged).

 

As for particulars, I think Princess buffet is much better than Carnival's. However, at dinner time, the MDRs in Carnival are as good or better than Princess'. The pools on Princess are much nicer and not nearly as crowded.

 

If you are looking for something in the middle as a compromise with even more to do and more entertainment choices, Royal Caribbean is a great, albeit preicey, alternative.

[CRLAUMAN]

I have been on Ruby Princess and Carnival Victory, and as others have replied, there are pros and cons to both.

 

I prefered Carnival stateroom as it was much larger than Princess.

I like that on Carnival, if you want a soda refill from the prepaid cup you can buy, you can help yourself and various spots throughout the ship. On Princess, you had to go to a bartender and wait for him to fill your cup. And they didn't alway seem happy about it as they were not making money off of that. And I drink alot of diet coke.

 

On Princess side, there were not the loud annoying announcements about activies in your stateroom.

 

Carnivals prices are better and I had as much fun on both ships.

[DonnaK]

I prefer Princess. Carnival has disappointed us twice, and rather than share the details, I'll just leave it at that. Carnival wins for food, but Princess wins for service, ambiance, and overall delivery of a good product.

 

 

This describes our experience too. Our Carnival cruise simply does not compare to our RCI and Princess cruises, so much so that we will never sail Carnival again no matter how much less expensive it is. Specifically, Canrival was weaker in the quality of service provided, the awkward layout and garish design of the ship, and the general atmosphere onboard.

[ATL2LAS]

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise together. Both of us have been on 2 before. Mine have both been with Carnival, and his have both been with Princess. So I was wondering what people who have been on both think.

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

Any help would be great. This time we are going with a group of 14. But I think when we go on our first cruise alone I will let him take me on Princess.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

It will really depend on what you are looking to get out of the cruise, the time of year you are going, and the makeup of your group. Both Princess and Carnival offer an experience that is geared to different cruisers. I enjoy both lines for exactly what they are. Carnival for non-stop fun, Princess for its elegant and romantic atmosphere. You might want to ask the group what is the most important thing they are looking for on the cruise. Then book from there.

[DanJ]

We enjoy both, and I was one that said "Never again" for Carnival after our first with them. I think the ship makes all the difference. I'm not interested in trying the Victory or it's sister ships Destiny and Triumph again, but I loved the Pride (it's sister ships are Spirit, Miracle and Legend). Contrary to a post above, I think the layout on these ships is great, especially compared to the larger classes of Carnival ships. And the decor is a lot nicer than the earlier Fantasy class (based on pictures, as I have no desire to sail that class either). They still use a lot of colour, but it's not as "out there" now as it was when they were designing ships 20 years ago. Princess has the same decor for most of their ships. "Understated elegance" to some, "boring" to others. I'm fine with it, although I'd like to see some differences ship to ship.

 

As for Princess, I have no problem telling anyone of any age to sail them. Despite the perception that Princess targets an older clientelle, I think I read the stats somewhere that the average ages on Princess and Carnival are about the same. I was 30 when we first went on Princess and there were definitely a lot of people younger than us, and likewise on Carnival, I was 32 for my first 2 cruises on them, and we were in the younger half of the population on there. Time of year and itinerary are going to cause the age range to swing wildly from cruise to cruise on any line.

 

I definitely found that there were more activities going on with Princess during the day, and less bingo and karaoke than Carnival. I like the 24 hour buffet on Princess, so if I want a snack at 2am to ponder my peformance in the casino, it doesn't have to be pizza or room service, like on Carnival.

 

Cabins are bigger on Carnival. But if your group is all going to be 2 to a room, then Princess is fine. If you have people looking at 3 or 4 to a room in the group, then they might want to look at mini-suites on Princess, although the pricing goes up pretty good for them.

[hubofhockey]

Despite the perception that Princess targets an older clientelle, I think I read the stats somewhere that the average ages on Princess and Carnival are about the same.

 

The average ages are not the same. If you read it somewhere, please provide the website. Carnival kids clubs are always packed and the line is geared to young families and younger people.

[DanJ]

The average ages are not the same. If you read it somewhere, please provide the website. Carnival kids clubs are always packed and the line is geared to young families and younger people.

 

Without doing more exhaustive research to compare, a travel site which the board filter here won't allow through offers up this info. Not sure if the cruiselines actually release this type of info, so I can't say how accurate this is.

 

Carnival

 

Broad spectrum for all walks of life, from 3-93. The cruises lend themselves to families with or without kids, honeymooners, married couples, singles, and seniors. Average Age: 43. On a typical cruise, 40 percent are ages 35-55; 30 percent under 35 (including 130,000 kids annually); 30 percent over 55. Seventy percent are first-time cruisers.

 

Princess

 

Essentially passengers are 45 years and older with an annual incomes of $40,000 and over. They tend to be experienced travelers who cruise frequently and are looking for Princess's mainstream type vacation, but they can range widely from a California school teacher on vacation or a Midwestern computer-system analyst on their first cruise to an affluent retired couple on their twentieth cruise. One one-week cruises in the Caribbean, the average age drops to about 35, but on longer cruises and those in Princess's "exotic" destinations group, the average age rises to 55 years or higher.

 

Royal Caribbean

 

Average age is early 40s, but slightly lower in three- and four-night cruises and slightly higher on ten-night or longer trips. In summer, the median age also drops due to the large number of families traveling with children. Less than 25 percent are 60 or older and they are likely to be on cruises of longer than nine nights. About half of the passengers have taken at least one cruise and a quarter have sailed with RCCL

 

Celebrity

 

Moderately affluent, late 30s to 60s in high season; ages lower in off season. Typical passenger is 48 years old, married and has a household income of $50,000+. He/she tends to be an educated, experienced traveler, who understands quality, owns a house in a relatively affluent suburb, has college-age children. Fifty percent have taken a cruise before, and of this group, 20-30 percent are repeaters with Celebrity.

[grandmato4]

We've cruised on both and I'm sure will cruise again on both in the future. We prefer Princess as it just fits us better more often. We much prefer the food on Princess in the MDR and the buffet area. We like the ability to go to the Horizon Court at 10 p.m. and enjoy desert then since we were too full to enjoy it in the MDR after dinner. We prefer Princess's itineraries. Carnival works for us when we wish a 7 night or shorter cruise when cost is a major consideration and we aren't overly concerned with our itinerary and just want to relax and get away for a few days. Carnival's balcony cabins are larger than Princess's.

 

We do find a difference in the overall feel of a cruise on the two different lines. More upscale on Princess and more laidback on Carnival. Also on Princess we've not felt much of a difference no matter which ship we are sailing on but on Carnival we do find the ship does make a much larger difference for the overall feeling of the cruise. Ironcally our 5 night cruise on Carnival had the oldest most sedate demographics of any cruise we've taken on either cruiseline but we also felt that was simply an unusual cruise. Passengers of all ages on all of our cruises. With the one noted exception so far, Princess has always had many more of the 60+ crowd without a lot of children and Carnival many more younger families with children but that doesn't mean we found the children to be any problem. Every cruise is different as no two will ever be exctly the same. The age of the passengers doesn't really matter but what does matter is the personalities and frame of mind and manners of all those sailing with you.

 

Since we know there are differences and know what they will likely be we simply look forward to the things we know we like best on the cruiseline we are sailing and try not to focus on missing the things we prefer on the line we aren't sailing. it works for us!;)

[Jolimont]

I won't cruise Princess again until I am much older, but my husband will probably refuse to go with me because he really hated it.

 

The Princess Diamond was much classier than any of the Carnival ships I've cruised, truly a beautiful ship. But it was dead. There were more folks dragging around gas tanks than children. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but if it's not your demographics, it makes for a sad cruise.

 

The Diamond was brand new at the time but had some technical problems due to hitting the pier on the cruise just before ours. So Princess parked us in the Seattle conference center and told us to stay put or they may leave without us. So we sat. There were 6 stalls in the lady's room and pretty soon no soap or paper towels. Why should you care?

 

Because there was a wicked outbreak of norovirus on our Diamond cruise, and I'm pretty sure that parking 3000 passengers in a conference center hall for 8 hours had something to do with it. Great grandpa (who was travelling with us) ended up on IV hydration because he puked so much. Cost him a bundle, but he got better by the end of the cruise. He didn't get to see much.

 

So overall, even the older members of our party did not enjoy that cruise very much. Nope, not for us.

[UlvaZell]

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise together. Both of us have been on 2 before. Mine have both been with Carnival, and his have both been with Princess. So I was wondering what people who have been on both think.

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

Any help would be great. This time we are going with a group of 14. But I think when we go on our first cruise alone I will let him take me on Princess.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Been on both, love both...

[mizLORInj]

I would go by itinerary, then if it was a ship I'd already sailed (why duplicate if I don't have to). Whether Princess or Carnival wouldn't matter to me.

I have noticed on all 4 Princess cruises the age demographics were higher than any of the 7 Carnival cruises I've taken, BUT that could be because 2 Princess cruises were 10 nights, which seem to attract a more senior crowd. (and then me--not a senior! LOL)

I like both lines and will continue to sail both. I LOVE the waterslides on Carnival, and Movies Under the Stars on both lines too. Princess pizza is the best at sea. Cabins similar. Yes, Princess decor is more elegant and Carnival's is more colorful. But that doesn't matter to me.

Whichever you choose I hope you have a great time! I would! :D

[usafchick1980]

Thank you everyone for your responses. We were just on another Carnival Cruise..I just love to cruise..this was my boyfriend's 3rd cruise..1st with Carnival..he said that he would like me to go on Princess..so I said ok..he gets emails all the time about good deals..so that will help..I personally would like to go less expensive..so we will see..friends want us to go with them next year..so I think we will probably end up on Princess..I am not disappointed about that..but I am not on top of the world about it..LOL..if we can get a great deal I will be on top of the world about it though..so we will see.

 

Thank you for all of the comments..they really were helpful..and I enjoyed reading everyone's opinions..and just laughed at the one negative person who had nothing constructive but to down someone else's comments.

 

Thanks.

[jpg1747]

I first tried Carnival because of the low 1A single supplement prices. Carnival is just fine - you get your money's worth. But when the price is the same, I will always pick Princess.

[bygolly29]

I agree that Carnival has lost it's reptuation of being a fun ship. Just got back on Sunday, the service was the worst of my 4 carnival crusies, my husbands worst out of 8. The entertianment selections were limited as they let the piano man off the same night they end Karoke at 11:30 because of the deck party which there was no backup plan when it started pouring rain. Older kids running all around ship with no security or supervision.

[usafchick1980]

I have never had any issues with Carnival but I have only cruised 3 times..maybe that is because I am just happy to be on vacation..LOL

 

I was just asking because I have nothing to compare it to though. However now that we went on a cruise together and he has now cruised both he said that he prefers Princess..so we are planning a princess cruise next year so we will see.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

 

I've sailed on CCL 3 times since 1993, the last one 2009 on the Triumph. I've sailed 5 times on Princess, the last one March 2010 on the Golden.

 

I would NEVER sail Carnival again - too gaudy, too loud, too many drunks...I thougt the food was mediocre.

 

My preference is Celebrity, RCCL/Princess, NCL but never Carnival.

[UlvaZell]

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise together. Both of us have been on 2 before. Mine have both been with Carnival, and his have both been with Princess. So I was wondering what people who have been on both think.

 

Which did you prefer? Would you NOT cruise on one of them again? If yes which one and why?

 

Any help would be great. This time we are going with a group of 14. But I think when we go on our first cruise alone I will let him take me on Princess.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I have sailed on both and like both...

[Smithster]

First do not let other people pick your cruise but with that said, I have sailed on both lines and also others. I sailed on Carnival way back when they were a trash line and the food was garbage. Well they have come a long way baby with the food and decor. But if you are going for a 4 or 5 day cruise I would go with Princess as the short cruise are overrun with kids and booze. But if it 7 or more days give Carnival a chance. I am really disapointed in the food with Princess. I can not believe the quality of their food. Holland America has the best food hands down, but between Carnival and Princess, Carnival has Princess beat. Now for entertainment. I swear the entertainment on ALL lines have been going down hill for some time with the exception of Disney. Also Carnival cabins tend to be a little larger. My hubby and I are now looking at other lines since we have been on Princess twice and I have not been happy with the food (everything else has been excellent). My hubby will eat cardboard with katchup so he is fine. Now if you think I am some spring chicken I am in my mid 60's. and we try to steer clear of holidays that tend to have lots of kids. Carnival also does have a great kids program as we put our grandson in it when we took him and he loved it. You probably will fine a somewhat older crowd aboard the Princess. Good luck, and no matter which you choose I am sure you will have fun

[Bookish Angel]

It is a more sedate, much quieter experience, generally with more well-traveled folks with whom I have more in common.

 

I sailed Carnival once, via the Triumph to Bermuda and it was okay but noisy and lacking in educational experiences which I prefer over games, contests, shows, etc. While I will not say I would never try Carnival again, I don't think the odds are high that I will.