Carnival vs Princess

[serene56]

What I paid for a balcony (8K) on the Legend last April, 1800.00, western run, they wanted 2100.00 this year, when I talked to the same PVP as last year. On Princess, I think a better itinerary, an 8A balcony, for 1999.00. We drive down, so the travel costs are comparable. I read the balconies on Priness are smaller but there is only the 2 of us. I am really only out there for sailaways. So I thought we'd give it a shot. Good news on the ice cream since our balcony will be on the Lido deck. We have been to the 2 Saints several times but GT was on my bucket list.

 

 

We paid 1477 for three people for 6232 on the Pride. Paid 1458 for 2 on the Legend for Janaury (two weeks-woo hoo)

2300 for C753 on Ruby Princess. (again, woo hoo)

[cdamion]

karatemom I agree with everything you said. We are a little older but the scenario still holds.I hope Princess beds are acceptable or I will have a tough cruise. Carnival's are okay but nothing fabulous when they are put together. I bring my TENS unit just in case. I will go into it with a very objective eye and just want to get away with my bride. It's been 35 years but she's still my bride.:)

 

Princess beds were a little firmer. It is my understanding you can request eggcrate to soften them if you want. I really didn't notice a huge difference between Princess and Carnival beds.

[golfb4cruzing]

serene: I may have to shop where you shop. LOL. I probably could do better, even some OBC, if the wife would know more than 2 months in advance if her vacation is granted. Drives me crazy. c'est la vie....

[dclark]

Princess has souffles every night for dessert. Heaven. I'll probably get flamed...but chocolate melting cake has NOTHING on Grand Marnier souffle!

.

 

Not any more- I was on the nine day Ruby two weeks ago and they offered souffles only twice.

Also, it was the first princess cruise I've been on that didn't have crab legs, bananas foster (ok, they did have it once in the buffet, but it wasn't the same as what they used have in the mdr) and cherries jubilee:(

[Howdy777]

We are heading out at the end of March for the Eastern Caribbean run. 4 stops in 7 days, so the ship is less important than say a TA. The absence of soft serve ice cream is a downer. Wish I had known that beforehand, could have been a tiebreaker. lol. I know Carnival and Spring Break but with Serenity it really wasn't an issue on the Legend last year. That was a great ship and we enjoyed Tulum. But this itinerary has Princess Cay and GT with St. Thomas and St. Maarten. The best run I think. Hopefully it's a smooth Spring Break with them. Or we'll be back for more Western runs, if the price is right.

 

Sidenote: I ordered snorkle gear for the wife from Leisure Pro and it is excellent quality.

 

I appreciate everyone's educated opinions.

 

We were on the Crown Princess last February. There were four of us (two couples) all in our mid to late 50s. The ship itself was very nice and had a great decor. We did not think the food was that great (especially in the dining room - I tried two different entrees one night and sent both back and I have never done that before.) and the buffet was nothing much either. Now grant it we are not what you would consider party people by no means, but we don't go to bed at 10pm either. I can honestly say that the ship turned into a ghost town when it came to good (any) entertainment after 10pm. Unless you went to the casino, there was vertually nothing to do (or maybe go out on deck and watch a movie).

 

We have sailed Carnival several times and have never had that problem. There was always a nice lounge with a good band or musicians that we could sit and listen to. We are sailing in another month on the Liberty with the new 2.0 upgrades and are really looking forward to it.

 

I'm sorry if I have been a downer, but you did ask for opinions. I trully hope your cruise is a wonderful one and that you have a great time.

 

BTW, we thought Princess Cay was fantastic. Wish that was one of our stops on Carnival. Great snorkeling by the walkout pier.

[Socref124]

Just a quick question to folks that have done both. After 5 Carnivals, Princess had a perfect itinerary and better price, so I booked. Reading their boards, I am wondering if the cruises are as boring and stuffy as they are on the boards. I don't need them to make our cruise but a little atmosphere would help. I'd hate to be the only mule in the pasture.

 

Princess is not as lively as Carnival, but it's nor boring either. The night club doesn't go on all night, but there is plenty to do. They show movies on the MUTS during the day an evening. We loved our time on the Caribbean Princess and are looking forward to another Princess cruise.:D

[beshears]

I have done more Carnival cruises than Princes, but I like them both. I have also done NCL, Holland American and RCCL. I am in my 60's, and I think I prefer (no, I'm not a party animal or drink) Carnival better, but as someone said, the itinerary helps me make my decisions. Also, as someone mentioned, I have had the inner/window/ and balcony, and I know Carnival rooms are a tad larger than other ships.

[katiepe]

Age of cruisers – Carnival is a younger crowd. I would say most are under 60. Princess is an older crowd. I would say over 60. It’s the non-retirees vs. the retirees. Some people like to cruise with people of similar ages, others don’t mind either way.

 

 

I beg to differ. The Princess cruises we have been on had a wide range of ages. It may depend on what itinerary or length but certainly the Princess passengers are NOT all over 60 by any means.

The specialty restaurants on the different ships we have been on all had marvelous food.

The only food we didnt care for was the lobster one night-overcooked- and once sea bass that wasnt cooked enough.

[classychick]

I am starting to feel better about the decision. I just get chilly over the Princess board. We are in mid 50s but try to be active as possible. Jigsaw puzzles are not my style. I don't attend the hairy chest contest anyways.:p

 

 

Seriously? I wouldn't cruise Carnival if I knew the passengers acted like alot on the Carnival board. :p

Princess is a great cruiseline. Not boring. Great food. Bigger balconies. Great intineraries. Golf shirts? You most certainly can wear them. Jeans are allowed on casual nites....depending on the itinerary and length of cruise will determine the age demographic.......on all lines.

[kelkel2]

Just a quick question to folks that have done both. After 5 Carnivals, Princess had a perfect itinerary and better price, so I booked. Reading their boards, I am wondering if the cruises are as boring and stuffy as they are on the boards. I don't need them to make our cruise but a little atmosphere would help. I'd hate to be the only mule in the pasture.

 

I've done both. First carnival and then princess. We liked both but prefer carnival. There were times that we wished there was better entertainment but we still found things to do most of the time. We really enjoyed the game shows in the evening because they were really funny. There were still a decent number of young people and kids and we never felt in the minority (I'm 24 and my husband is 30). There were times though, during sea days that we wished there were more events going on that suited our tastes. One day there was a "model train enthusiast group meeting" couldn't make that up...Other days there would be "listen to the music in the piazza" listed on the princess patter (fun times) But if you are someone who can sit by the pool or in the casino and entertain yourself that way you should be totally fine.

Plus, if the itinerary is something you want to do, don't hold back, do it!! I would cruise them agin for the right itinerary.

[jc4me]

I've been on 2 Princess cruises and love them. Don't find them boring at all! I only wish they left from ports closer to home. Leaving from Ft Lauderdale pretty much dictates that we fly and that extra expense is enough to keep us sailing with Carnival so we can drive to the port. Go and enjoy!!

[bacm]

We've done several cruise lines and I think you must try them all so that you can decide for yourself. These boards have always been so important to me and have helped me choose all of my cruises. However, unless you experience it for yourself, you can't really know if it's for you or not. We are in our fifties now, but cruised Princess even in our late forties and loved it. I like all of the lines we've tried and each of them have had their own special way of doing things. Which line I book usually depends on the mood I'm in, the price and the itinerary. Good luck with what ever you choose and have a great time.

[miched]

We have sailed 10 times on Princess and 15 on Carnival.

 

There are a lot of factors that affect a cruise. The itinerary, where it is sailing from, time of year and cost.

 

The cheap Carnival W Carib will have a lot of young and many groups. It will be loud party time.

 

Some of the cruises out of the east side of Fl will be full of the Condo Commandos. It can be the cruise from hell for the employees and other passengers.

 

Princess has mostly a British staff with their style of humor and style of talking that may seem stuffy but I find very entertaining. I always enjoy their choice of words such as bonnet instead hood on a car and etc.

 

Can't really say that I prefer one crusie line over the other. For me it comes down to what I feel is the best value at the time.

 

 

Diversity.

 

 

 

.

[golfb4cruzing]

Well after reading all the responses, it is totally subjective to the individual taking the cruise. Like all the others. Since we picked this one for the itinerary, any and all opportunities on board will be a plus. The pics I have seen of the Ruby are excellent. Food is a personal thing so I will reserve judgement. Having owned my own restaurant and our son is a Chef, hopefully the MDR will not disappoint. Personally I'd rather stay casual but will go with the flow. We aren't big casino players but hopefully there is late entertainment. Looking at the Patters, there should be enough for a night owl. Actually I'm just ready to go now. Why wait.

[KEG306]

We've sailed Carnival 3 times and Princess twice. We just disembarked from the Splendor on January 15th and you'll find my review including comparisons, on this board.

 

Happy Sailing

[kellieann5]

Not any more- I was on the nine day Ruby two weeks ago and they offered souffles only twice.

Also, it was the first princess cruise I've been on that didn't have crab legs, bananas foster (ok, they did have it once in the buffet, but it wasn't the same as what they used have in the mdr) and cherries jubilee:(

 

This makes me so, so sad. I should learn to cook.

[Gazelle2]

DW and I are about to leave on another Carnival cruise. This one will be our 11th and 9th Carnival trips respectively. We just got back from our first Princess cruise. It was the 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Emerald Princess.

 

Most of our Carnival cruises have been seven or eight days in length which may have skewed the demographic differences slightly since thie Princess cruise was a couple of days longer. Still, the differences in the passenger makeup was vastly different between the two lines. The first thing I noticed was that the Princess population was probably at least 15 years older and 25 pounds lighter than what we were used to seeing on Carnival.

 

The ship decor is much more subdued and elegant than that of most of the Carnival ships we have cruised. Carnival is usually splashy and,, in the case of the Miracle MDR, downright garish.

 

The atmosphere on Princess is considerably more formal and sophisticated than we were used to on Carnival. On both of the formal nights on our Princess cruise I estimated that around 20% of the men wore tuxedos and nearly all the rest had either dark suits or nice slacks with a shirt and tie and a sport coat. On our last Carnival cruise I was the only man in the MDR wearing a tuxedo and there were probably as many men wearing polo shirts as were wearing coats and ties.

 

Having said all that, I think I prefer the Fun Ships of Carnival. This year we are going to cruise on both Carnival and Princess and expect to enjoy both very much.

 

Gazelle2 and Trojan59

[serene56]

I think you would find the demographics to be older on longer cruises.

 

Most families today do not want to take the kids out of school for longer extended times and will find the 7 day cruises to be good for them.

 

(wish I could do a 10 day cruise--

[gelo7]

Changing cruise lines "aka Jumping Ship" is often a challenging issue. Go with an open mind, just as I did when "trying" Carnival after several Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess cruises. They all are slightly different.

 

Carnival has bigger cabins when comparing Balcony to Balcony (the only class I have occuppied). Service has been good on all lines; it will differ depending on your outlook. Always be very friendly and non-demanding. We always ask about family of our servers, etc. Princess buffet may cause some congestion due to its layout; just be patient, don't go at 8AM or 12 noon etc. and you should be fine. I find entertainment to be fine on all lines and attend what interests me. Alcholic beverage costs are rising as are Photo prices. Watch your expenses here. I book private tours primarily for convenience, economy and congestion (I don't have to wait for 40 people to get on the bus.). Join your Roll Call to see what others are doing and maybe you can join them.

 

I don't participate in Pool side activites but enjoy watching the antics of others. You can do as little or as much as you wish. Aft Pool is for adults, but you will find a child or two occasionally with a parent. Sometimes it will be monitored but sometimes not.

 

Enjoy your cruise. If you have any special question, I will try to give my opinion. Oh, they have Anytime Dining down to a science. We would go about 7PM and never have a wait. Also, able to book a specific table and waiter for 3 nights at a time.

Excellent advice....

[2Atlantamen]

We are just the opposite of you. We have done Princess many times but never Carnival. I must say, Princess is our favorite cruise line out there and we have done alot of them. You will have as good of time as you make it and there are all kinds of passengers on board just as with any other line. ENJOY!!!

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

Well ive been on both and have enjoyed both to the extreme!! I cruise with a friend and were 28 & 27 been cruising for 3 years

 

at 230lbs im considered the "fat" chick on the Lido deck on either line but to be honest im happy with who i am and tend to ignore any comments being made....im always happy!!! HAHAHA

 

I love the white hot parties on the lido deck on princess, hoping carnival will have one this time around....food to me tastes the same on either line but carnival does have more of a selection and who ever made the chicken fingers comment you nailed it .... its surprising things like that, i mean chicken wings (every bar staple) are not offered on cruise lines WEIRD :o

 

Ive always had an extended balcony on princess on caribe deck (half open half covered) and going to a reg balcony on carnival kinda messes me up i find them quite small....the carnival baclony rooms are bigger as mentioned...

 

Drink princes are similar, smuggling booze is harder on carnival than princess (in my experience)

 

The club on carnival has better dance music and a MUCH bigger dance floor and a better layed out club....I like that!!!

 

but at the end of the day its your vacation - you make it what you want. If you wanna be boring and stuffy then be so, if you wanna have fun and meet people then do so ......

 

but in my opinion....how could you not have a great time! your on a boat!!! haha unless you know u end up in quarinteen....eeeps knock on wood it dont happen

[kelkel2]

This makes me so, so sad. I should learn to cook.

 

We were on the Crown this past April and had the option for soufflé every night too. Maybe it varies from ship to ship?

[avd79]

We've done and continue to do both Princess and Carnival and although enjoy both we prefer Princess. For us it depends on itinerary and price. We just completed a 10 day Panama Canal cruise over the holidays with Princess and are booked on a 12 day Meditteranean this summer with Carnival. We usually travel with our 2 boys (ages 10 and 12) and they also prefer Princess primarily for the food, but we'll have to wait and see what their response is to the new Carnival Breeze is. There are so many new amenities and dining venues on board that they may prefer the Breeze to other Princess ships!! Each line has it's own style and there are things we prefer on each.

 

With respect to Princess not have chicken fingers in the MDR, that is incorrect. Princess has a separate Children's menu that has chicken fingers, burgers, etc. that is available every night. I am certain if someone wanted chicken fingers (or any other kid friendly option) all you would have to do is ask your server and they would be more than pleased to provide you with this option.

 

We also like Princess better because it provides more dancing options in the evening. Not only is there a disco, but there is alway dancing to a live band available (ballroom and latin) usually in the Wheelhouse bar and the main ship band playing somewhere else (Caribbean music, etc.).

[MagSeven1413]

We sailed Carnival 4 times before trying Princess, and right now we have done 6 Carnival and 4 Princess. We're in our 50s and felt comfortable with both cruise lines. If you're doing a Caribbean itinerary I don't think you'll find that much of an age difference - a slight one but not big enough to matter. Remember, Carnival is attractive to the younger couples and families that might not be able to afford a Princess cruise. I think that if you do some other itinerary like Europe or Alaska, the age difference might be noticeable.

 

The only Princess cruise that I felt somewhat out of place (not that I let it ruin my trip) was our Hawaii/Tahiti cruise on the old Royal Princess. There were a lot of stuffy folk on that cruise - and not just older retirees. Some pax had done the 10 day from Vancouver to Hawaii, stayed on for our 12 day, were continuing on the 10 day Tahiti round trip, and were planning to spend another week in Bora Bora. I just don't have that type of money available. LOL It is one of those specialty cruises that people take once they have experienced the Caribbean because it was expensive - especially the air from Pgh to Hawaii and then from Tahiti to Pgh.

 

I can't find fault with either, although I must say that our ballroom dancing preferences fit better with Princess. Like avd said, the Wheelhouse provided nice ballroom and latin music to satisfy our ballroom needs yet the disco had some great music too. That being said, we've enjoyed dancing in the Carnival clubs too.

 

The only thing that will probably keep us from sailing Princess again is their restrictive smoking policy which will prevent my DW from enjoying a cigarette on our balcony. (Please keep the flaming to a minimum and I don't want to hear anyone's sermon on how smokers ruin cruises for non-smokers).

 

Other than that, I think you'll enjoy either.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Joe

[Jolimont]

Lots of passengers over 70 on Princess. We saw more oxygen tanks than children the one time we were on the Princess Diamond. Admittedly, we only tried it once and it was Alaska early in the season, but dang that ship was full of great grand parents! 90% of passengers in bed by 9pm. Hubby said never again, at least not until we get to be that age.