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Differences between Carnival and Princess?

Shelbyscout

By Shelbyscout,
in Princess Cruises

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Shelbyscout

Shelbyscout

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My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

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shredie

shredie

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Posted (edited)
My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

There was recently a thread on this exact subject.

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

Edited by shredie
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SactownSteve

SactownSteve

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My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

 

I did a Princess Panama Canal transit cruise a few years ago. I cruised with Carnival further back than that. In my experience comparisons are very personal, depend on which Carnival ship you are comparing with which Princess ship and also the length of the cruise. There will be differences between the two experiences, but then again there are differences between two ships of the same line. If you are easily turned off or irritated by things, you will be. If you go to have a good time and to enjoy yourselves, you will.

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rbt001

rbt001

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Posted
My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

 

One VERY DISTINCT difference is the published dress code which Carnival is rather elaborate. The Carnival dress code specifies a minimum attire, includes some SUGGESTIONS, and then specifically describes what is NOT acceptable. It's almost as if Carnival has written this for children in school; they are very clear, so as no child with an active imagination could ever say they were not told.

 

Whereas Princess doesn't take the child-like approach by emphatically stating "YOU MUST DO THIS." Instead, Princess has a more adult approach by simply stating the policy, noting that it's for the enjoyment of everyone.

 

Here are the two, first Carnival then Princess:

 

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

WHAT TO WEAR - EVENINGS

 

Most evenings we have a 'Cruise Casual' dress code but there are those 'Cruise Elegant' evenings one or two nights throughout the voyage where guests will have the opportunity to showcase their more elegant attire.

 

 

Lido Restaurant

For those who want casual attire for dinner, the Lido Restaurant is open nightly and has a more relaxed theme. Daytime Attire may be worn.

 

The Steakhouse

The dress requirements for the Steakhouse follows the dress code specified for the Main Dining Room(s); if the evening is specified as 'Cruise Casual', shorts are not permitted.

 

 

Main Dining Room(s)

Following is the dress code in the Main Dining Room(s) for both men and women and pertains to children as well:

 

Cruise Casual Dress Code

 

Men: sport slacks, khakis, Jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long) and collared polo shirts

Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, Jeans (no cut-offs) blouses and tops

Not permitted: Cut-off Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

 

 

Cruise Elegant Dress Code

 

Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo

 

Women: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown

 

Not permitted: Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, tee-shirts, sportswear, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

 

 

Cruise Elegant Evenings

The length of the cruise determines the number of 'Cruise Elegant' evenings in the Dining Room. The first 'Cruise Elegant' evening is scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd evening of the cruise and the second 'Cruise Elegant' evening is scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd evening prior to the end of the cruise, schedules permitting.

 

2-day to 5-day cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening

6-day or longer cruise: two Cruise Elegant evenings

 

PRINCESS CRUISE LINES

 

Princess makes it easy to know what to pack and what to wear when you’re dining onboard our spectacular ships. There are two designations for dress codes: Smart Casual and Formal.

 

Smart Casual

Guest attire should be in keeping with what they would wear to a nice restaurant at home.

 

Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies

Pants and open-neck shirts for men

Inappropriate dinner wear such as pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes) are not permitted in the dining rooms. Shoes must be worn.

 

Formal

When formal nights are held, please observe the dress code in the Traditional Dining and Anytime Dining venues for the enjoyment of all our guests.

 

Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for women

Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with a tie for men

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PrincessLuver

PrincessLuver

Posted
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I did a Princess Panama Canal transit cruise a few years ago. I cruised with Carnival further back than that. In my experience comparisons are very personal, depend on which Carnival ship you are comparing with which Princess ship and also the length of the cruise. There will be differences between the two experiences, but then again there are differences between two ships of the same line. If you are easily turned off or irritated by things, you will be. If you go to have a good time and to enjoy yourselves, you will.

 

I agree.....their similarities are greater then their differences....we have sailed both and find that Princess does some things rather well and that Carnival also does some things rather well....Princess could be more relaxing and Carnival more lively in general....:)

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JimmyVWine Great Review Rare

JimmyVWine

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I heard someone once say this, and I thought it had both a ring of truth and humor:

 

"Carnival is like traveling to Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean is like traveling to Orlando

Princess is like traveling to Boston, and

Crystal is like traveling to Aspen.

 

People have loads of fun in each of these places, but they are all very different."

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TracieABD "Live from...." Rare

TracieABD

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I heard someone once say this, and I thought it had both a ring of truth and humor:

 

"Carnival is like traveling to Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean is like traveling to Orlando

Princess is like traveling to Boston, and

Crystal is like traveling to Aspen.

 

People have loads of fun in each of these places, but they are all very different."

 

Then Holland must be like traveling to Sun City...:rolleyes:

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golfb4cruzing

golfb4cruzing

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My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

 

You will find that Princess is not so FRENZIED. Minimal announcements and just a relaxed, upscale experience. Wine tasting is a fun group thing. The shows are entertaining. The casino is smoke free on the Elegant Nights. The clubs may slow down a bit earlier but then there are no drunks yelling for Stella at 3am in the hallway. The pools are fresh water and the hot tubs are hot. We come back feeling like we were on vacation and don't need a vacation from vacation. Enjoy your trip.

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satxdiver

satxdiver

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Then Holland must be like traveling to Sun City...:rolleyes:

 

Having sailed on one HAL cruise, I would agree. The HAL dinner schedule is:

3:30 first dinner seating

5:30 late dinner seating

7:30 midnight buffet

:D

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satxdiver

satxdiver

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The Star is sailing out of LA on two cruises next January: a 4 day getaway and two 15 day Hawaiian cruises. The 4 day is Thursday through Monday so it may have a younger group and several kids while the longer Hawaiian cruises will be an older group and few kids. However CCL seems to always have a large contingent of kids aboard (100's).

 

If the OP wants to relax on this cruise, they are on the right ship. As for fun that all depends on what they consider fun. The silly pool games, constant announcements, continual trivia games, drunken pax (4 day cruise) and kids running loose (4 day) will not be available. The Star will be much calmer and laid back. Food which is in the eye of the beholder will be better IMO. My resent CCL experience has been on the magic class ships which are their latest design and probably a lot better than previous designs. The Star is one of he original grand class ships with the skywalker lounge suspended over the stern.

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Shelbyscout

Shelbyscout

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Thank you so much everyone!! We are on the 4-day Thu. cruise so there will probably some kids aboard, but that hasn't bothered us on Carnival. We are looking for a relaxing trip leaving the hubbies and kids at home, so it sounds like Princess may be a good fit for us.

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rlyans

rlyans

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We were just on the Carnival Miracle after several Princess cruises. Just my personal observations.

 

Thank you Yehootu, your observations were very interesting. Enjoyed reading them very much. We are going on our first princess cruise in 4 weeks. We're have been on 10 carnival cruises... acouple nowegian cruises and acouple Royal Caribbean cruises and loved them all. Any cruise is a great cruise!!!!! We are easygoing and love any and all new experiences.

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Laurab23

Laurab23

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One thing you're going to really enjoy on Princess is being able to go directly to your cabin when you first board the ship without having to buy FTTF like on Carnival. :)

 

Really? You don't have to wait for your cabin to be ready?

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elliair

elliair

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Posted (edited)
My two girlfriends and I have taken two Carnival cruises to Mexico but this year we couldn't pass up a deal on the Star Princess in January. I'm wondering what we can expect from Princess? Perhaps better food than Carnival? We just want to relax and have a good time (kids and hubbies left at home). Would love to hear comparisons. Thanks!

 

We've cruised both lines and we prefer Princess over Carnival. Princess has more class than Carnival. Even though food is subjective, we think Princess has the better tasting food. Princess has:

 

1. The Crab Shack. Lots of snow crabs served along with hush puppies, deep fried shrimp, peel and eat shrimp. The price may have gone up but we paid $20. Too much to eat! Carnival does not have this feature.

 

2. Happy Hour. Princess has 2 Happy Hours a day. One starts at 3:00 pm. You buy one drink at the regular price and get the same drink for $1. You can buy beers and take it back to your cabin to enjoy later. Carnival does not have Happy Hours.

 

3. Less children on board. Though you'll see a few children on board, but for the most part you hardly ever see them. We like this part of cruising with Princess especially with they kiddies are in school. On Carnival, there's tons of children who run amuck. Parents don't control them, and they play on the elevators. No thanks you, I'll stick with Princess.

 

4. Carnival has FTTF for $$$. It gets you priority boarding after platinum and diamond. Princess does not offer this. I'm happy about that as it slows down the embarkation and debarkation process. Platinum and Elite have that perk.

 

5. Internet minutes. Platinum and elite get free internet minutes. Carnival does not offer it to their platinum/diamond people. That's a big plus for Princess IMHO.

 

6. Princess has MUTS (Movies Under the Stars). They serve fresh popcorn and the crew walks around with warm cookies to offer. I've never seen this on Carnival. I do believe they have a big screen movie but we never went due to all the kids running around.

 

7. International Cafe. You can get fresh brewed coffee here, pastries in the morning, lattes, etc. You can purchase a coffee card for this feature. For lunch and snacks, they offer salads, sandwiches, hot soup and there's no charge for this. Carnival does not have an IC on board on any ship.

 

8. OBC (on board credit). DH gets $250 OBC for being in the military. This is a nice feature. Also, Princess has sales and offers such as free gratuities, free drink package, OBC, and a few other freebies. Carnival doesn't offer these money saving perks.

 

These are just a few differences I see between the two lines. If you want WalMart of the Seas type of cruising then Carnival is your cruise line. If you want elegance, class, quietness, relaxation, good food, then Princess may be for you.

 

JMHO

Edited by elliair
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