Carnival or Princess? Save your moeny and stay with Carinval!

[CWcruisers]

ala-kat-My TA is a nut about knowing everything about all the cruise lines. He can see a ship off in the distance and know what ship it is because he has studied each ones profile. He is an absolute wealth of knowledge. He escorts groups so he has had a lot of experience with all of the lines and gets to know all the Hotel Directors. That's where he gets his stats on how many of each type of cruiser per cruise.

 

Livin4real-Good to hear that you had no problem with Anytime Dining on the Caribbean. We unfortunately did not have that experience on the Island. But Island only has one anytime dining room where I see the Caribbean has two. It was about 50/50 on the Golden, sometimes we got in no problem, other times we went to the buffet because the wait was too long.

 

And Let's Party, that is my motto, there are no bad cruises! That's why I already have deposits on 3 more for 2008 and 6 more for 2009. Trying to catch up to you!

[Jolimont]

I also had a bad experience on the Princess Diamond a few years ago, also to Alaska. On the last day I was ready to go home, which it totally the opposite to how I feel on Carnival. For instance the ship was deserted by 9pm due to the fact that most passengers were much older than we were. There were only a handful of families with young children and the camp for kids wasn't as fun says our kiddo. The ship was gorgeous but the cabin was smaller. The food was not as nice as Carnival but we didn't go hungry or anything. There were lots of technical problems with the ship because they hit the pier as they docked in Seattle the cruise right before ours. I don't think Princess took good care of us in responding to the problems either in keeping us waiting to board for 8hrs or when they cancelled a port. I know problems happen, they just didn't handle them well. Besides, I definitely don't feel it's the right crowd for us. My husband won't ever let me go on Princess again, he thinks that cruise was a ripoff. So while it's probably great for older folks (70+) it's not appropriate for passengers in their 30s and 40s. That's a generalization, but I think it's a fair one.

[Kurbanfan]

So while it's probably great for older folks (70+) it's not appropriate for passengers in their 30s and 40s. That's a generalization, but I think it's a fair one.

 

Yes for that itinerary no matter what cruiseline;)

[JeffHatfield]

We cruised the Crown last year out of New York and while I won't say we won't sail Princess again, it is not at the top of our list. My sister went on the Caribbean Princess in May and commented to the purser how much better the service, etc was on the Caribbean than the Crown and the purser said they hear that alot about the Crown. A local CPA was just on the Crown last month in Europe and she said she would probably not cruise Princess again either.

[RatherBFishin]

The Golden Princess is the one Princess ship my friend who ONLY does princess said she would never cruise on again. She just wasnt happy with the ship overall, service etc.

 

Iv been on the Grand princess and wasnt all the impressed, but then I loved the Caribbean princess. Dont rule out Princess completely over this one ship

 

I think this is good advice.

 

The original poster mentions Glory and Legend. Both of those Carnival ships have a better Cruise Critic rating than Golden Princess (by a small margin). But there are plenty of Carnival ships that don't, and none that are rated as high as Crown Princess.

 

I don't think it's fair to judge a whole line by one or two experiences.

[hubofhockey]

I think this is good advice.

 

The original poster mentions Glory and Legend. Both of those Carnival ships have a better Cruise Critic rating than Golden Princess (by a small margin). But there are plenty of Carnival ships that don't, and none that are rated as high as Crown Princess.

 

I don't think it's fair to judge a whole line by one or two experiences.

 

I booked the Crown Princess after advice from my brother, who like me, had also been on the Liberty and said the Crown Princess was a better ship.

[xz3k3x]

Starwarsgal, I could have written your post exactly. We just got off the Island Princess for our Alaskan Cruise. We also wanted to try out Princess. It didn't take long before my DH and I both said it sure wasn't worth the extra money.

 

Save your money and stick with Carnival.

[xz3k3x]

Just to clarify. There was nothing wrong with the cruise, however, for the money value, Carnival wins hands down.

[jkfreeman33]

I was on the Golden Princess in the Carribbean and I thought the ship was very nice.

We were on the Diamond Pricess for Alaska and I thought that ship, service & room (mini-suite) was fine. The best part about Princess for Alaska is the land package and the hotels they put you up in. Princess Hotels are wonderful.

Alaska in general is an older quieter crowd. The whole experience is different than the Carribbean. Alaska is nice, but I'll take the Carribbean anyday.

[flvol77]

We liked our cruise on Carnival a couple of months ago on the Valor.

 

But, I think Princess is a notch above. The movie theater on Carnival is a joke and a waste of money. MUTS on Princess is done right, and is a very enjoyable experience. I thought the food was better on Princess and its more consistent than Carnival, but again food is subjective. Balcony cabin was nice on Carnival, but if you have ever had a caribe balcony on Princess there is no going back to a regular balcony.

 

Entertainment was better on Carnival and the Cruise Director was awesome. .

 

The "glitz" factor didn't bug us at all. The Caribbean Princess felt much larger than the Valor and we missed Cafe Caribe on the Caribbean Princess which is also on the Emerald, Crown and the new Ruby.

 

All and All the value factor is strong with Carnival. In Jan 09 we are looking at a basic balcony on the Ruby for 1996 or a basic balcony on the Legend for 1696 - $300 bucks in the past wasn't a huge deal to us, but now it has become a factor that we have to think about.

[kkorman]

I hope my Crown Princess cruise is a better experience for me than your your Golden Princess cruise. I originally booked a balcony cabin on the Crown Princess. But after seeing pictures and reading about how cramped it would be for the four of us, I switched to a mini suite.

 

 

I can argue the opposite. Everyone has different tastes and if you are looking for 24 hour burgers, pizza, and soft serve, Princess is not for you. Princess is a refined dining experience and have had very consistent food and service on the line. Enough to have been on 14 cruises with them in 4 years.

 

I have sailed inside up to mini on Princess and did not have a problem fitting in them, in fact they did not seem that different than any other cruise line.

 

Do not let others give you a negative start to your cruise... you do not know anything at all about the OP and therefore just go and enjoy it.

[crazd]

Sorry to hear about your problems on Princess. I have sailed many times on both Princess and Carnival. I have found that Princess has always had great food even in the Buffet. I was on Carribean Princess last year and the food was really great! And they had alot of entertainment. Don't get me wrong, Carnival usually has good food but the food we had on the Caribbean Princess was really outstanding and the 24 hr buffet was great even at dinner.

 

I did miss the Ice Cream and Lemonade on Princess.

 

Have a wonderful trip on your upcoming cruises.

[DesrtDrmr]

That's odd they had a 24 hour buffet on the Crown Princess. Sorry you were a little disappointed......could it have been the ships itinerary. But I hear ya I have sailed on Carnival Holiday and was disappointed and will never sail that ship again. But I will still sail Carnival. No reason for me to hold it against the cruiseline for one bad duck (or ship lol)....................

I agree! They different but in a good way!

 

We've been on seven Princess cruises and they have all had 24 hour buffets which we have enjoyed when having an early dinner and a bedtime snack or just to grab a couple of cookies and a cup of coffee late in the evening. We are going to take our first Carnival Cruise and wondered if there were any late night snacks...............pizza, burgers and ice cream? No cookies?????

:)

We've been on HAL and RCI also, and are looking forward to trying Carnival........a new line is always an adventure.

[Princessbride3]

The funny thing is when we booked our carribean princess cruise a couple years ago, everyone was like oh, the food is better, it is more upscale etc..

We had a great time dont get me wrong (who cant on a carribean cruise) but we were also disappointed with the food, as well as the fact that we would go to eat at the buffet at night and it was either closed or not much there! The entertainment was 2 nights of the same show and that was about it.. i was a bit disappointed.

We booked carnival again because we just like it!

[Livin4Real]

Just to clarify. There was nothing wrong with the cruise, however, for the money value, Carnival wins hands down.

 

The princess cruise we just booked was cheaper than anything similiar on carnival. It was only $2340.72 for four of us inside. That includes the fuel supplement and trip insurance for everyone.

[PA Dutchman]

The only time we woundered from Carnival was for the itinerary. We just don't think the other cruise lines are worth $300 to $400 each for a balcony, and thats = $600 to $800 more to have the same thing. All the ships we were on have been nice but not worth the price difference. As long as Carnival keeps that Military price where it is we won't wounder anymore. These days we keep a close account of the bucks so we can go 2 to 3 times a year. Some people money dosen't matter. Have a nice cruise whatever line you go on.

[mainer208]

Good comments - I have looked into Princess due to the fact that they have some interesting itineraries for the Caribbean compared to Carnival. Even comparing balcony to balcony cabins, there is an increase of $800 for two in cost with Princess. If you upgrade to a mini-suite, it's of course even more. Unfortunately, too much of an increase for us to consider Princess at this point but have wondered if it was worth the difference. Am sure some would say yes, others no.

[Kurbanfan]

The princess cruise we just booked was cheaper than anything similiar on carnival. It was only $2340.72 for four of us inside. That includes the fuel supplement and trip insurance for everyone.

 

I hear ya!

We only paid $100 more for a balcony on the Crown then we did for a balcony on the Valor. Same time of year. With a obc of $100....so basically the same price.

Don't look at the internet prices....they have deals all the time just like Carnival. We actually received the obc for being a first time customer.

Even if I paid a couple hundred dollars more I would not be disapointed, because I can see where the money is spent. There is a difference IMO.

I would tell anyone who is thinking about booking them but are put off by the price......call a TA and get a few quotes. Ask for deals etc.

You will also get upgrades for being a past guest on Carnival when they have their sales......

[Kurbanfan]

We've been on seven Princess cruises and they have all had 24 hour buffets which we have enjoyed when having an early dinner and a bedtime snack or just to grab a couple of cookies and a cup of coffee late in the evening. We are going to take our first Carnival Cruise and wondered if there were any late night snacks...............pizza, burgers and ice cream? No cookies?????

:)

We've been on HAL and RCI also, and are looking forward to trying Carnival........a new line is always an adventure.

 

The late night snacks on Carnival are the 24 hr. pizza, ice cream and a limited room service menu.

As far as burgers go, Carnival serves them until about 5:00 p.m. while Princess serves them until about 11:30 p.m.:)

[DesrtDrmr]

The late night snacks on Carnival are the 24 hr. pizza, ice cream and a limited room service menu.

As far as burgers go, Carnival serves them until about 5:00 p.m. while Princess serves them until about 11:30 p.m.:)

 

Thanks, Kurbanfan! We love Princess and HAL, am sure we'll love all things special about Carnival too...................we'll bring our own cookies!!!! :D

[Kurbanfan]

Thanks, Kurbanfan! We love Princess and HAL, am sure we'll love all things special about Carnival too...................we'll bring our own cookies!!!! :D

 

I'm not a dessert person but I think you might be able to get cookies from room service........

[corkpopr]

well, the more posts you read the bigger the variety of opinions. Yes, carnival has bigger cabins. we don't care because other than sleeping and a shower we spend very little time in our cabin. Princess food is better, but not far better. service is excellent in both. I hate singing waiters so you know where i stand on carnival. do not like sweets so i never order dessert.

 

we like both and will instead go with the interesting cruise at the time that works for us and with a competative price.

 

not a big fan of NCL but if it is a cruise I am down for it!!!!! Actually i think if I had a deck chair, a book, and a bottle of wine i would be fine on a freighter.

[KatSt]

The late night snacks on Carnival are the 24 hr. pizza, ice cream and a limited room service menu.

As far as burgers go, Carnival serves them until about 5:00 p.m. while Princess serves them until about 11:30 p.m.:)

On the Miracle a few weeks ago, they opened the grill which served hamburgers and hot dogs in the Lido buffet every night at around 11:30.

[Kurbanfan]

On the Miracle a few weeks ago, they opened the grill which served hamburgers and hot dogs in the Lido buffet every night at around 11:30.

 

 

 

Really? Awesome! Maybe they will start doing that on all the ships.

When we choose to eat in the buffet for dinner, all I usally want is a burger:o

[crusinpsychRN]

I was on the Grand Princess, a beautiful ship, but the food was AWFUL! Shows were not as good either.

 

I also did a post over on that board and was attacked by the Princess cheerleaders who are more rapid than Carnival's. I had said a friend had a bad experience with a wedding on one of their ships and got my throat ripped out. I was told if it didn't happen to me don't report it.

 

Read a few formal attire threads and they seemed almost militant about not showing up without a jacket in the DR. A very different clientele.