Princess versus Carnival my thoughts

[Acosmo]

... I don't feel Princess has any different demographic than Carnival. Except maybe on a 3 or 4 day. I've never done one on Princess, so cant compare.

I'd be interested to read your personal comparison of Carnival and Princess after you sail the Royal in November.

 

We've found an older crowd on Princess, but not all on walkers/scooters. ;) It's a much more mellow feel in activities, music, energy level. We like that the other pax aren't constantly pushing past us like they're in a New York subway.

 

We're usually on the younger side of the majority of other passengers but always find friends to hang out with in port, shows, for drinks. Other passengers are usually friendly, sort of like our neighbors. The only exception was last year on Royal when she first sailed from the US, grouchiest/most unhappy we've encountered on any cruise. It was as if they were sailing the Royal to find things to complain about. :rolleyes:

[shepp]

Comparing lines is really only valuable with exact experiences on exact ships with exact tastes in entertainment, food, service, perks etc.

 

That being said, I don't feel Princess has any different demographic than Carnival. Except maybe on a 3 or 4 day. I've never done one on Princess, so cant compare.

 

Well, I've read that more children sail on Carnival than all the other lines combined. Seems questionable, but if so, that's a biiiig difference. I've rarely been on a Princess cruise with more than maybe a hundred kids onboard, which is fine with me, probably less fine for parents. But then, I don't sail dates and itineraries that are likely to attract large numbers of families. So like you said, apples and oranges, perhaps. The 7-day Mexico out of LA had a very different passenger demographic than the 30-day around South America, SFO to Buenos Aires.

Edited May 17, 2015 by shepp

[Thrak]

I always find these comparisons somewhat interesting. I will never know for myself as I don't think we will ever sail on Carnival. I can't say definitively that we won't do so but, at this point, I don't see it happening.

[windsor26]

I don't mind it either. We are always looking for alternatives. I am amused by the Carnival/Princess comparisons because the two lines are supposed to be different. They are sister brands of the Carnival Corporation, with Princess being a more upscale grown up and slightly more upscale version of Carnival.

 

The Princess/Celebrity comparisons have always been more interesting to me as pricing is similar and so is the target demographic. We have not yet tried Celebrity and are intrigued by the Solstice class. From what I have read and heard, that class is where Celebrity stepped up and I have seen Princess response first hand. We were on a cruise on the Royal Princess. It was perhaps one of my favorite cruises ever, but it wasn't because of the ship. If this was Princess' response to the Solstice class, then that's a reason to look for alternatives. Next up for us is Azamara, but we are just waiting on Celebrity for the right itinerary. I'd like to try Aqua class on a Solstice class ship. I am sure we will be back on Princess, but we're also checking out alternatives.

 

 

The deomographic also changes depending on the number of days on a cruise. Most longer cruises enable mature or retired people to partake more than those of the younger section who are still at work and of course thism also means less children on those cruises.

 

However I really do not think that physical age is a barrier to enjoyment of meeting people Trivia teams for eme in the past have included a couple in their late 80s and 90s and they were al;ways rushing off after the game to go to the dancing class.

 

I did not want to start a war and therefore did not mention it previously but I found the dress code on Carnival was completely ignored. Evening dinner saw men in flip flops/thongs, swimming shorts, board short and cut off frayed jeans (I could ignore most of that as once they sat down these things could not be seen but I did object to those wearing caps - backwards as well). Nothing was ever said. Carnival do have a list of no noes on their daily programme but no one takes any notice.

 

I understand that lots of people do not want to wear jackets and ties but you can still be polite and wear slacks and a clean top:):)

[PrincessLuver]

 

I did not want to start a war and therefore did not mention it previously but I found the dress code on Carnival was completely ignored. Evening dinner saw men in flip flops/thongs, swimming shorts, board short and cut off frayed jeans (I could ignore most of that as once they sat down these things could not be seen but I did object to those wearing caps - backwards as well). Nothing was ever said. Carnival do have a list of no noes on their daily programme but no one takes any notice.

 

I understand that lots of people do not want to wear jackets and ties but you can still be polite and wear slacks and a clean top:):)

 

We have sailed both cruise lines numerous times and have never witnessed what you say is the Carnival norm.....swimming suits in the MDR....really....need a picture to believe that....:cool:

[shepp]

I always find these comparisons somewhat interesting. I will never know for myself as I don't think we will ever sail on Carnival. I can't say definitively that we won't do so but, at this point, I don't see it happening.

 

Never say never. I ran across an 11-dayer from NOLA to San Juan in January aboard the nice-looking Carnival Dream and now am booked in an upgraded spa-section inside cabin with unlimited Thalasso pool and luxury steam room privileges for a mere 60 bucks a day at senior rates. Truly an offer I couldn't refuse, and now I get to finally try the melting chocolate cake.

 

I'll have to pay for laundry, though. :(

Edited May 17, 2015 by shepp

[xeroxme]

We have sailed both cruise lines numerous times and have never witnessed what you say is the Carnival norm.....swimming suits in the MDR....really....need a picture to believe that....:cool:

 

 

People on princess clearly follow dress code better.... However, I have not seen bathing suits in MDR either. I have seen flip flops and shorts at breakfast in MDR but never at Dinner. Princess cruisers definitely win on dress code though.

[windsor26]

We have sailed both cruise lines numerous times and have never witnessed what you say is the Carnival norm.....swimming suits in the MDR....really....need a picture to believe that....:cool:

 

I believe I said Swimming SHORTs with a tee shirt

[PrincessLuver]

I believe I said Swimming SHORTs with a tee shirt

 

On a number of our Princess cruises I will wear a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops to the MDR for breakfast and lunch......never been a problem and have seen others do it....does it really matter if Princess is OK with it? :)

[Cruise a holic]

On a number of our Princess cruises I will wear a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops to the MDR for breakfast and lunch......never been a problem and have seen others do it....does it really matter if Princess is OK with it? :)

 

The only dress code at lunch/breakfast is no swim suits- However if you are wearing a cover up no problem. I believe it is dinner the poster was talking about. I believe you must wear long pants for men and ladies typically, slacks, skirts and or dresses. Not sure about "required" shoes- but I have worn sandals in the evening- my DH never- only closed or slip in shoes.

[Grego]

Interesting review and comparison. I liked it because, for a subjective topic, it was quite objective. Even though we sail on Princess almost exclusively, I would certainly try one of the other CCL lines because of itinerary or timing.

[Nezmo]

I'm really curious how the Crown Grill will compare to the equivalent on CCL. For all CCL's faults (don't get me wrong, for their price point I think they're just fine and I enjoy cruising them), I think their steakhouses are excellent. I'm quite excited to try the Crown Grill and Sabatini's.

 

I've read opinions of the Crown Grill all the way from worst steak ever to best meal ever. It's food and subjective so I'll just wait and see.

[SadieN]

West Coast cruiser here. Sailed on many 2,3,4,6,7,and 15 day cruises on Carnival. Sailed 3,4,7,9, and 10 day cruises on Princess. All out of Los Angeles.

There are things that Princess does better and there are things that Carnival does better. We've found a larger cross-section of pax on Carnival. Even on Spring Break cruises we've always been able to find quiet areas, we are not pool people. The longer cruises had similar pax demographics. Our two wildest cruises were a Carnival 4day M-F Spring Break cruise and a 3 day F-M Princess cruise last November. The Princess cruise was wilder than the 3day.

 

Our perfect (YMMV) line would have Princess' International Cafe, buffet set up, most of it's food including cheeses on the buffet, the large showroom, Carlos Oscar and Alfred and Seymour, closet hangars

And

Tear-off section on the FunTimes so no need to take the whole thing with you, availability of the FunTimes around the ship. Carnival's MDR and Steakhouse food, no reservations taken for ATD, no assigned diners in the ATD MDR, MDR cheese plate, carved lamb, made to order Deli sandwiches, 24hr soft serve, hot chocolate machines in the buffet, morning show actually filmed in the morning, cabin sizes, larger shower complete with a removable shower head, any bathroom vanity other than the Fantasy Class ones, closets, mattresses, linens, pillows, crew constantly cleaning, interactive Piano Bar, comedy lounge, karaoke faster than My Way, long indoor promenade with lots (100+) of seating.

 

Wish both lines would allow a photo bundling system like HAL has. Collect all your photos, put into an envelope, kept in a box in the photo area. Then look thru them at the end of the cruise.

Edited May 18, 2015 by SadieN

[Hawaiidan]

Try Celebrity, especially the Solstice class. Much better then Carnival and Princess in all above areas.

 

That's several levels above... no where near the same levels

For that matter try Crystal, Seaborne ,Regent or Oceania Night and day above Celebrity with 3000 pax

 

 

All the lines I have mentioned are ships 650 to 1200 and all inclusive including air fare not 3000+pax and all extra

 

From a pure price perspective the difference between Carnival and say one of the all-inclusive luxury lines is generally less than $100a day difference....that's the surprise. In pure value, that what you get for your money it turns out that it is a not really more expensive to go all they way to the top..... really crunch numbers and get a surprise...don't just go up a class....leap up over the massmarket line all together.

[windsor26]

I'm really curious how the Crown Grill will compare to the equivalent on CCL. For all CCL's faults (don't get me wrong, for their price point I think they're just fine and I enjoy cruising them), I think their steakhouses are excellent. I'm quite excited to try the Crown Grill and Sabatini's.

 

I've read opinions of the Crown Grill all the way from worst steak ever to best meal ever. It's food and subjective so I'll just wait and see.

 

Normally we are happy with Dining room food but have used SteakHouse on Princess once which was marvellous and $25 pp On Carnival I saw the price was $40pp so passed it up:(

[Nezmo]

[quote name='windsor26']Normally we are happy with Dining room food but have used SteakHouse on Princess once which was marvellous and $25 pp On Carnival I saw the price was $40pp so passed it up:([/QUOTE]It was $30 pp last time I sailed and still good value. I just checked and their Website says it's $35 now. Nice to see the Princess price is lower. If it's up to the standard at CCL then that's very good value in my opinion.

[doe326]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][/COLOR][/FONT]Have sailed on both Princess and Carnival. And comparing them is like anything else, it is subjective.

Been on Carnival during Spring Break and had no problem with children. In fact, hardly saw them. Was on a June Alaskan cruise with Princess and was almost ready to throw all the kids overboard. They were obnoxious, loud and undisciplined. Was also on a Caribbean cruise with Princess in January and there were so many strollers and babies I felt like I was in a day care. Someone was always rolling over people's feet with the strollers. It was a back to back and the second week was a little better but a lot of older (6-12) children but pretty well behaved.

I find the food to be better on Carnival. My last 3 cruises on Princess the food has been just awful. The buffet food looks like mush and the variety was poor. I also miss the Carnival deli on Princess. Great sandwiches. IC Cafe is good but no match for the deli.

The rooms are larger on Carnival than Princess but this doesn't bother me. Carnival doesn't have a room comparable to the Mini Suite. Carnival's suites are o.k. but Princess has it all over them on suites. Carnival has basically no amenities. We had a basket of fruit, a bottle of wine (ugh) and we were in the owner's suite. The only perk was we were personally escorted to the suite--passed lines and got to the head of the scanner line.

Carnival has better gifts for platinum guests. I have enough of the blue Princess bags to make a float (lol). Princess has better wifi for platinum guests than Carnival. Get laundry with Carnival platinum. Have to wait for Elite on Princess. But I don't sail for the gifts either.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is you have to sail the company that you like the most. I love Carnival (especially their longer cruises) and I love Princess (hope the food gets better). So I look at the itinerary, departure port and price and make my decision from there. Good sailing all!:)

[windsor26]

Thank you everyone for your comments
To deviate yes I also like Celebrity but apart from lack of their ships in Australia they do cost a fair bit more than Princess so while always willing to try other companies if their itineries are what we are looking for Princess still has my main vite:)