Carnival vs Princess

[ncbeachteacher]

We are Carnival cruisers for sure, but we went to Alaska on Princess. Here are a few of my observations.

 

Yes, Princess has the best Alaska reputation. We did a land/sea package and the Princess lodges and land tour experience was awesome. And, although we did enjoy our cruise, it was NOT the highlight of the trip. If I was just going to go on a cruise to Alaska, I would go on Carnival.

 

We did find that an Alaskan cruise brings a different crowd of folks. Yes, there were fewer children but they were not absent either. We noticed the casino tended to close up by 10. Folks went to bed earlier. Shows were good, but early. Food was good. Never felt one was better than Carnival.

 

We splurged and got a suite. Big mistake. Although the cabin and bath were very nice, the balcony was not covered. It RAINED sideways most of our cruise! We spent a lot of our time pressed up to the sliding glass door to our balcony looking out. Lesson learned. If you go with Princess, make sure you get a regular balcony cabin that has a cover.

 

Carnival Legend is our favorite ship. Its a great mid-size ship and is easy to get around. I would love to cruise Alaska on her!

 

Have a great trip! Alaska is really a great place!

[LuckyStar]

Never been to Alaska but we have heard it is better to see Alaska on a smaller ship that can get closer to wildlife and glaciers.

 

Love the bells and whistles for Caribbean but not sure how necessary it would be in Alaska.

 

You bring up a great point. It almost depends on the crowd as well. For Caribbean, I like a party atmosphere, Alaska not so much. We took Norwegian and had a terrific time. Lots of wildlife mid July and no problem seeing it.

 

Jenny

[molme]

We sailed on the Crown Princess this past May and had beautiful weather. Highs were in the high 60's-low 70's. Night time temps were in 40's and 50's. We wore our fleece jackets when we went into the Yukon and were very comfortable. We saw plenty of wildlife and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The mountains were still snow covered and just amazing. No bugs at that time of the year either like you would get later in the season. We had a balcony cabin on Caribe deck, so we had a big balcony that was half covered. It is not a cruise that you can set on the balcony and eat breakfast, but you can still enjoy the balcony in the afternoon.

[sprint180]

I've been to Alaska on both NCL (which my kids say is just like carnival, and I think so too) and Princess. Also cruised Carnival.

I am 45 years old. I went on Princess in 2013 with husband and NCL in 2014 with 3 of my kids. If I was going with my husband I would definitely do Princess again. Much more relaxing. At buffet they bring you your drinks after you sit down and clear your table. I guess a little calmer scene then our trip on Carnival. On carnival you found your table and got your drinks and on the trip we were on it was a bit chaotic.

I actually preferred Carnival entertainment to Princess. We were definitely some of the younger people on the Sapphire Princess.

If I was going with my kids I would probably do Carnival. More for them to do,, a younger crowd. I liked Carnival perfectly well. Lots of action and a fair amount of kids. You can't go wrong either way. You will love love love it.

[thinfool]

My choice, if I had to do a round trip, would be out of Vancouver. 7 days of scenery and interesting ports. First and last days are in the Inside Passage with wonderful surroundings and marine life.

 

Round trip out of Seattle is one day (each way) on the open ocean out of sight of land and possible heavy seas.

 

I know that HAL offers the Vancouver round trip...unsure if there are any others.

 

Oops..wait....Disney and Celebrity also do round trips out of Vancouver!

Edited August 9, 2015 by thinfool

[love my grandkids]

You bring up a great point. It almost depends on the crowd as well. For Caribbean, I like a party atmosphere, Alaska not so much. We took Norwegian and had a terrific time. Lots of wildlife mid July and no problem seeing it.

 

Jenny

 

Several people have said that Princess is the one to do Alaska on and definitely a smaller ship. Hope to go next summer.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

We also cruised the last cruise of the season and had a great time. It rained while at Glacier Bay but we had gear for that and were out on deck during the whole day with a pitstop for hot chocolate.

 

Bill

 

We had a great time too, doing the last northbound cruise. The shops are not only open, but many of them are having clearance sales before they close down for the winter.

 

Next time we plan to go at the beginning of the season, see more snow on the mountains. Princess and Holland have KILLER DEALS in May that include a 3 day land tour!

[Bimmie Girl]

Sorry, I wasn't sure which forum to put this in.

 

Looking at Alaska cruises for next summer. Just for kicks I decided to price on on Princess and another on Carnival, choosing the "closest to same" possible dates. The price is almost $1000 difference between the 2 lines! What am I missing? I want a comfortable room with a balcony and some great scenery, which I am probably going to get on either cruise. Any insight as to why it is such a major difference? Is it just the brand name factor?

 

we have booked Princess for our Alaskan cruise because they have won awards and are known for being the #1 cruise line for Alaska. We are also doing the Land Portion prior to the cruise and they that is why we booked them. If you are ONLY doing the cruise and not the land portion then save yourself $1000 and book with Carnival. Reading the Alaskan boards, there is no bad cruise line. You do not sail for the entertainment, clubbing etc..... it is about the Alaskan adventure.

[tensixmom]

Thank you all so much for the input. You've all given me lots to think about. I am not taking my kids on this trip, and I will definitely get a balcony!