Carnival vs Princess

[Eskylady]

Hello,

 

I have been lucky enough to cruise twice in the last two months. I was on Carnival Celebration seven days and then Enchanted Princess for ten. For the longest time I was a Princess girl, and then I had the opportunity to try Carnival. Since these ships are new, I thought they would be good ones for comparison. For those of you willing to read on, please don’t get upset by anything I write. These are simply my observations, YMMV. Finally, I love both lines. 

 

So, on port days, until sailaway Carnival tends to have mostly trivia, Princess has different things going on all day long no matter if a port day or not. If you really enjoy comedy, both have some great entertainment, but Carnival has many more comedy shows. I liked the production shows on both lines, but only see a few.

 

I found staterooms on both ships lovely, although I like the storage options on Carnival a bit better. (My husband and I had different closets where on Princess we had to share, (not that I’m concerned we don’t know whose clothes are whose😉). Beds are comfy on both. Carnival bathrooms have magnification mirrors while Princess does not.

 

Overhead announcements are fairly rare on Princess and in-room announcements practically non-existent unless there is a safety issue, port notice, or drills for the crew. I was pleasantly surprised that the art auctions are no longer a constant theme.

 

TV and Movie options on Princess are outstanding and free where as Carnivals seem to be more limited and there is a charge for some. Movies Under the Stars on Princess is a bit more cushy, cushions on the loungers and cozy red and black blankets are available. I found both experiences fun.

Activity-wise, both lines have plenty to do.
 

Princess has a 24 hour food option in the International cafe and Pizza at Slice until around 11 I believe. Carnival does not have a 24 hour food option, but pizza is available until the wee hours of the morning as is soft serve ice cream. Both lines have 24 hour room service with some/many items having a charge. I found the buffet on Princess to be better and never went hungry, (although it seemed occasionally difficult to find things that seemed to go together). The specialty restaurants are good on both lines. I found the Steakhouses comparable, but was really surprised that Princess was so much cheaper. The included food options on Carnival are more varied and (please bear in mind this is only my opinion), Princess burgers at Salty Dog can’t compete with Guy’s.

 

No roller coaster or water slides on Princess, however per staff, hot tubs are open 24 hours. Again, that may not be everyone’s experience. Beautiful?All ships I have been on have been beautiful in some way. The new Carnival ships are streamlined, modern and stunning , the older ones have a uniqueness that I love as well. Princess ships have an elegance that is not stuffy or confining, but welcoming and beautiful. The staff is incredible on both lines and I couldn’t ask for more smiling, helpful, excellence (with few exceptions). Stateroom care once daily on Carnival with a towel animal. Princess has one daily cleaning and provides turndown service, ( no chocolates on the pillow, but honestly, I just kept them for souvenirs anyway). Drinks are good (to me) everywhere, although I do love Alchemy on Carnival. Personally I have fun on both, I do find the casinos to be a bit nicer on Carnival (mostly due to size and variety of games). Carnival is a bit more relaxed fun, and Princess is relaxing. Both lines offer so much and I find the sea is equally beautiful no matter what ship I’m on.  Yes, I know things have changed a lot since I first started cruising years ago, but it’s still wonderful. Lol. I notice I’m not the same I WAS either.

 

I hate carrying around my cellphone on Carnival and keeping track of my cruise card. But the app is pretty great. I loved the Princess Medallion (it’s small and I wear it in a piece of jewelry)but found the app wonky at times.

 

All in all, both lines will give you a great experience. I have upcoming cruises on both and am so very happy about that.

 
Sorry this is so long. If you stayed to the end, thank you. I know everyone’s perspective is different. This is mine and mine alone. Happy cruising to you all no matter how, when, where, or what line. Savor it all.  
 

All Best,

Kelly

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by Eskylady

[lennythenose]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am going on my first Princess cruise in April so this was interesting to me. We also still have several Carnival cruises booked and I am looking forward to all of them. 

[Are.we.there.yet?]

Great observations!

 

Each line offers something different so it's nice to switch it up sometimes.  We like cruising Princess with our friends and when we want a more relaxed trip.  Carnival works best when we bring our adult kids.  Carnival's casinos are a lot more fun.  The International Cafe is a game changer.  We stay up late and might want a cookie or something small.  We have cruises booked on both.  🙂

[icft]

Thank you for the comparison. I like the "Overhead announcements are fairly rare on Princess and in-room announcements practically non-existent..." part. Carnival makes it very hard to sleep past 9am with their announcements. Waking up earlier than I do at home because of Carnival's enforced nursing home hours is a price I pay sailing Carnival that I wish I could avoid. But I'll take the early reveille for a larger casino.

[Eskylady]

lennythenose Thanks for reading. Have a great time on the Ruby Princess! I have been on her several times. She is lovely.

[princess76021]

Thank you for this!!

Hugs

[Eskylady]

Are.we.there.yet?Thanks so much. It sounds like we are in agreement. icft “enforced nursing home hours”, cracked me up. Gotta admit, it does take a little bit of “relax” out of relaxation…especially if you can’t hear the announcement clearly and crack open the door only to find it was nothing you wanted/needed to know anyway. 🙄

 

To the rest of you who acknowledged my post, thank you. There are of course other differences. I don’t know if the pools on Princess are still fresh water not salt. The glass doors on the newest Carnival ships are nice, the bathrooms (at least in a regular stateroom) are still small, but curtain or door, fully functional. The hairdryers? There are no winners. Probably could go on for pages. 😁 The best part is the similarities…they are both great.

[pcvtmom]

Thanks for a lovely (non-complaining) summary of Princess and Carnival. We are Diamond with Carnival, but would love to sail Princess in the future, for comparison. I love your statement, "I find the sea is equally beautiful no matter what ship I'm on". Isn't it the truth! 😊

[retiring soon]

Hi all!

 

Kelly ~ I was just on a 14 day Caribbean Princess cruise followed by a 5 day Carnival Sunrise & liked your comparison.Thank you for that.

 

I hadn't been on Princess since Oct 2008 & was pleased with their product except for the lack of towel animals & the lighting that came on when you stepped out of bed or near the bathroom at night. I really liked the International Cafe with their small bites.The medallion was neat & the free popcorn at the MUTS yummy. There were also so many free movies on the tv.

 

I loved all the comedy,cabin & food choices on Carnival & wished I had a few more days to sample more restaurants. Their production shows were great & we had 3 in 5 days! Princess had more individual type entertainment like singers, magicians which I don't like as much.

Both had the dreaded shower curtains!

 

I would cruise either of those lines again plus NCL, my main line, & Royal.

 

Stay safe.

 

~ Jo ~ 😊

[Oakman58]

I'm not a fan of Princess.  One thing I really don't like is a standard balcony cabin only has room for one chair for sitting.  When we ordered room service breakfast I had to drag a balcony chair into the cabin.  On some of their ships, even a deluxe or premium balcony only has room for one chair.

 

I was recently on the Diamond Princess on a 16 day Hawaiian cruise and the music in the lounges and on the pool deck was easy listening lounge music or the ballroom dance variety.  We never heard any disco, motown, Beatles or true rock and roll.  Princess is not for us.

[CRUZBUDS]

I never thought I would say this.  We started cruising in the 80's and we were always decades behind the music on board.

 

We just returned from a Holland America 18 day Hawaii cruise.  The Koningsdam class of ship features the Music Walk.  The band in the BB King Blues Club was terrific, but "our music" was performed by a great band in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. The band was fantastic, they truly rocked.  When was the last time you heard a 15 minute version of "I Shot The Sheriff" with a solo on the guitar, keyboard, drums and bass?  They were a real band, rather than an group put together by the cruise line. It was amazing. 

 

They played Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, The Who, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Kiss, Queen, Elton John, Deep Purple, Cream and many others  --- we were blown away,    They also did a country set and an early rock set.    .    

[ontheweb]

9 hours ago, CRUZBUDS said:

I never thought I would say this.  We started cruising in the 80's and we were always decades behind the music on board.

 

We just returned from a Holland America 18 day Hawaii cruise.  The Koningsdam class of ship features the Music Walk.  The band in the BB King Blues Club was terrific, but "our music" was performed by a great band in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. The band was fantastic, they truly rocked.  When was the last time you heard a 15 minute version of "I Shot The Sheriff" with a solo on the guitar, keyboard, drums and bass?  They were a real band, rather than an group put together by the cruise line. It was amazing. 

 

They played Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, The Who, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Kiss, Queen, Elton John, Deep Purple, Cream and many others  --- we were blown away,    They also did a country set and an early rock set.    .    

That sounds wonderful!

[Eskylady]

I just remembered one thing that may have significance to a few folks. Carnival has Pepsi, Princess has Coke. 😊

[CRUZBUDS]

That is a deal breaker for some!  

[icft]

12 hours ago, Eskylady said:

I just remembered one thing that may have significance to a few folks. Carnival has Pepsi, Princess has Coke. 😊

That is a strong pull for me.

 

I feel so perverted every time I order a Bourbon and Pepsi. Can't stoop much lower.

[csm5986142]

Thanks for a great comparison - very interesting!  I would love to try Princess, but we are so close to being Diamond on Carnival, it's tough to start over again.  Carnival Corporation, if you are listening, if you'd provide some loyalty program reciprocity among your lines, I'd book a Princess cruise right now! 

I totally agree on the in-room announcements on Carnival.  After our cruise last month, I made a note to bring earplugs next time.  Not that I sleep in that much in the morning, but we usually have a rough travel day getting to our port, and I try to rest in afternoon of embarkation, but Carnival makes it nearly impossible.  It was as if they were yelling their announcements into PA system every 15 minutes.

[Oceansaway17]

On 2/26/2023 at 8:38 PM, Oakman58 said:

I'm not a fan of Princess.  One thing I really don't like is a standard balcony cabin only has room for one chair for sitting.  When we ordered room service breakfast I had to drag a balcony chair into the cabin.  On some of their ships, even a deluxe or premium balcony only has room for one chair.

 

I was recently on the Diamond Princess on a 16 day Hawaiian cruise and the music in the lounges and on the pool deck was easy listening lounge music or the ballroom dance variety.  We never heard any disco, motown, Beatles or true rock and roll.  Princess is not for us.

aw you just sold me on Princess based on music.  I get tired of the Latin, Rock and Beatles.

I like tasteful calm music so that people can read or yes even talk without having to be loud.

 

[Oakman58]

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

aw you just sold me on Princess based on music.  I get tired of the Latin, Rock and Beatles.

I like tasteful calm music so that people can read or yes even talk without having to be loud.

 

 

Apparently a lot of seniors feel the way you do.  I'm just not that sedentary yet.  I want to have fun, dance to disco, and laugh a lot.

[TxTeach79]

Love both lines so much. Thanks for this! Can't go wrong!

[jsglow]

49 minutes ago, Oakman58 said:

 

Apparently a lot of seniors feel the way you do.  I'm just not that sedentary yet.  I want to have fun, dance to disco, and laugh a lot.

There's different strokes for different folks.  That's perfectly fine.  We too appreciate the Carnival entertainment more.

[Mrsnorris151]

After coming off the Enchanted Princess and being spoiled with the medallion technology....I'm feeling like I'm going to miss the drinks coming to me!  The ordering food directly to the room for free.   I'm going to miss the international cafe for the late night snack.   And miss finding my friends on the app!   I'm doing two cruises this summer on the Carnival Miracle and it looks so outdated compared to the enchanted lol.  But I remembered how fun Carnival was many years ago.  I'm sure I'll have a great time!  I just hope the beds are as comfortable as I remember them.  

 

 

 

 

 

[13cheermom]

So we are more long-term Carnival patrons, however were told go Princess for Alaskan cruises.  So we booked Princess for Alaska in 2020, however we all know how that ended up.  But we also had our ship changed prior to cancellation, which has never happened with Carnival.  Then fast forward to re-scheduling for a Panama Canal cruise with Princess for March 2022, and again had ship changed before sailing.  We now have a Canal/New England cruise booked on Princess for this October 2023, and just hoping nothing gets changed on this sailing.  We enjoyed Princess cruise ships, and feel they have a little more upscale decor over Carnival and will sail again.  However we just got off the Carnival Mardi Gras and must say we loved the ship as well as everything it offered.  I would love to sail on one of Princess larger and newer ships and hope they don't change the ship on me, lol.

[jerrie limbie]

We recently sailed on the Sky Princess from Port Everglades and was our second Princess cruise. We have been on many Carnival cruises and are platinum. My hubby and I are seniors living in FL. Music on Princess is from the 1960's and Carnival from the 1980's and up. There are more food options at Princess MDR and lido buffet but they lacked the delicious factor we have found on Carnival. Both lines do a good job. We prefer Carnival for the variety and food. We would sail Princess again but would be more excited on a Carnival sailing.

[mbglib]

On the Carnival Dream in February, all of the room service items (except for the continental breakfast) had a charge.  For me, this was one of the worst changes Carnival has made.