When considering a cruise vacation, two renowned names often emerge: Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line. Both lines are celebrated for their distinctive approaches to cruising, catering to different types of travellers.
This article delves into the unique characteristics of each, helping you work out which might be the ideal choice for your next cruise adventure. Join me as we explore the nuances that set these two popular cruise lines apart, from their onboard amenities and dining experiences to their entertainment options and overall cruising ethos.
Key Features: Princess vs Carnival
Before going into each section, here are the key features to know about each cruise line.
Princess Cruise Line
- Sophisticated Experience: Known for its refined, somewhat British ambience.
- Diverse Passenger Base: Attracts both British and American passengers.
- Elegant and Tranquil: Focuses on providing a relaxed, upscale cruise experience.
- Educational Partnerships: Collaborates with Discovery and Animal Planet for enriching experiences.
- Varied Entertainment: Offers activities like art auctions, wine tastings, and unique shows.
Carnival Cruise Line
- Vibrant and Fun-Focused: Designed for a lively, fun-filled atmosphere.
- Young and Family-Oriented: Appeals mainly to young American couples, families, and friend groups.
- Energetic Entertainment: Features non-stop activities, including water parks and live shows.
- Casual Dining Style: Offers a range of American-style dining venues.
- Adventurous Activities: Includes unique attractions like SkyRide and Bolt rollercoaster.
…and here are the quick takeaways in the table below if you don’t have time to read the whole thing.
| Category | Princess Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Sophisticated dining with an emphasis on authenticity and local influences; speciality restaurants and educational food encounters. | Casual American-style dining with burger joints, chicken shacks, and steakhouses; celebrity-endorsed venues. |
| Entertainment | A wide range of fun activities, including mini-golf, water parks, poolside competitions, and late-night entertainment. | Non-stop fun with game shows, casinos, karaoke, live music, and adrenaline-pumping activities like SkyRide and Bolt rollercoaster. |
| Activities | A mix of relaxing and engaging activities like Movies under the Stars, pools, hot tubs, and state-of-the-art theatres. | Educational offerings with Discovery and Animal Planet partnerships, age-grouped kids’ clubs, and special dining events for children. |
| Cabin Types | Range of options including interior cabins, balcony staterooms, mini-suites, and exclusive Sky Suites; eco-friendly amenities. | Variety of staterooms including interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, Family Harbor, Cloud 9 Spa, Havana, and Terrazza. |
| Family and Kids | Educational offerings with Discovery and Animal Planet partnerships; age-grouped kids’ clubs and special dining events for children. | All-day youth activities, age-specific kids’ clubs, WaterWorks water park, video arcades, and Dr Seuss at Sea program. |
| Itineraries | Global departures with a focus on Australian, European, and North American destinations. | Primarily U.S.-based departures with popular routes to the Caribbean, Bahamas, South Pacific, and Europe. |
| Pricing | Offers inclusive package options like Princess Plus; generally more upscale pricing. | Generally more budget-friendly with a variety of included amenities and additional comforts. |
| Overall Recommendation | Ideal for those seeking a sophisticated, tranquil cruise experience focusing on fine dining and varied entertainment. | Perfect for guests looking for non-stop fun and casual, family-friendly cruising with diverse activities and entertainment. |
Fleet
Princess Cruise Line
Princess Cruise Line has a total of 15 ships, with two more on the horizon, either currently being built or in the planning phase. Their ships are spread across four distinct classes: the Sphere Class as the latest, accommodating around 4,300 guests; the Royal Class featuring six large ships with a capacity of 3,560 to 3,660 passengers; the Grand Class, with eight mid-sized ships for 2,600 to 3,140 guests; and the Coral Class, the oldest in the fleet, each hosting 2,000 to 2,220 guests.
The range of ships in Princess Cruises extends from the Grand Princess, their oldest, launched in 1998, to the newest, the Discovery Princess, which joined the fleet in January 2022.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line Fleet is larger, with 26 ships and one more in the pipeline. The Carnival fleet is categorised into eight classes, from the oldest, the Fantasy Class, to the newest and largest, the Excel Class.
Their ships range in size and capacity, accommodating guests from 2,606 up to an impressive 6,500. The age of their ships spans from the Carnival Ecstasy, launched in 1991, to their latest addition, the Carnival Jubilee, introduced in 2023.
Recommended reading: The Best Carnival Cruise Ship (For Every Kind of Cruiser!)
Key Takeaway:
- While Princess Cruises offers a smaller, more class-diversified fleet focusing on a range of guest capacities and experiences, Carnival Cruise Line boasts a larger fleet with a wider range of ship sizes, accommodating a more extensive range of passengers, from the smaller, older ships to the newer, larger ones.
Itineraries
Princess’s Destinations
Princess Cruises sets sail from 30 different ports globally, with Fort Lauderdale, Southampton, Sydney, and Yokohama being among the most frequented. The cruise line is particularly noted for its array of Australian itineraries, boasting seven embarkation ports in the country, surpassed only by their 12 in North America and closely followed by six in Europe.
Carnival’s Destinations
Carnival Cruise Line, on the other hand, operates out of 21 ports, primarily in the United States, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston. Carnival is renowned for its Caribbean cruises, which form the bulk of its itineraries, alongside routes to the Bahamas, the South Pacific, and Europe.
Key Takeaway:
- Princess Cruises offers many UK departures from Southampton (March-November), while Carnival has fewer from Dover. Princess is better for Asia or the Pacific Coast, which Carnival doesn’t typically cover. Carnival excels in Florida departures to Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. Both lines visit Princess Cays, and Carnival also accesses Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
Dining Options
Princess’s Dining Experience
Princess Cruises offers a refined dining experience, highlighting authentic and locally influenced dishes. While casual dining options like the World Fresh Marketplace, International Café, pizzerias, and grills are available, the culinary highlights are in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants, including Kai Sushi, Bistro Sur La Mer, and the Crown Grill.
Unique experiences like the Chef’s Table and Chocolate Journeys program elevate the dining experience further. Princess is also renowned for what many consider ‘the best pizza at sea’.
Carnival’s Dining Experience
Carnival Cruise Line caters to American tastes, featuring casual and hearty dining choices. Dining venues range from 24-hour pizza parlours and soft-serve ice cream at Swirls to burger joints, Mexican cantinas, street food, and the Lido Marketplace.
Celebrity-endorsed options on select ships include Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant. For more formal dining, specialty venues like Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and Bonsai Teppanyaki are available at an additional cost.
Key Takeaway:
- For an elegant and fine dining experience, Princess Cruises is the ideal choice, offering sophisticated venues and unique culinary encounters. Conversely, if casual dining focusing on American favourites like burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken is more your style, Carnival Cruise Line is the perfect match.
Cabins and Suites
Princess Cruise Line Cabins
Princess Cruises offers a range of cabin options across their fleet, including interior cabins, balcony staterooms, and suites. Balcony rooms on the Discovery Princess, while maintaining a design similar to those from the past two decades, feature upscale furnishings, open-concept closets with ample storage, and a large flat-panel television with complimentary on-demand movies and TV shows.
Mini-suites on the ship include a full sitting area, an expanded bathroom with a tub and shower combo, and a larger balcony. Standard suites are comfortably spacious and well-appointed, while inside cabins provide a more economical option. Discovery Princess also includes unique Sky Suites, offering exceptional space and amenities​​.
All rooms aboard Discovery Princess are equipped with a safe, interactive flat-panel television, private bathroom with shower, a small desk, and a closet. Bathrooms feature eco-friendly Lotus Spa bath products in dispensers. Cabins are also equipped with electrical and USB outlets for charging devices
Carnival Cruise Line Cabins
Carnival Cruise Line’s staterooms cater to various tastes and preferences, offering interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, Family Harbor, Cloud 9 Spa, Havana, and Terrazza room types. This diversity ensures that Carnival can accommodate different guests, from those seeking a simple and cosy room to those looking for more luxurious and themed accommodations​​.
Every Carnival stateroom comes standard with a dedicated attendant, soft linens, climate control, ample storage space, a television, and an in-room safe. Additional comforts like bathrobes are available upon request, ensuring guests have everything they need for a comfortable stay.
Related reading: Carnival Suite vs Balcony Staterooms
Key Takeaway:
- Princess Cruises offers a variety of cabin types, with an emphasis on upscale furnishings and spacious designs, including unique Sky Suites, alongside eco-friendly amenities. Carnival Cruise Line provides a wide range of stateroom options, from standard to themed accommodations, all featuring essential comforts and attentive service to accommodate diverse guest preferences.
Child-Friendly Activities
Princess Cruise Line Kids Clubs
Princess Cruises offers educational and enriching experiences for children through its partnerships with Discovery and Animal Planet, including unique shore excursions and themed activities. Their kids’ clubs cater to various age groups from 6 months to 20 years, all supervised by trained staff, with special dining events like pizza and ice cream parties for children to enjoy with their peers.
Carnival Cruise Line Kids Clubs
Carnival Cruise Line is packed with family fun, featuring waterslides, mini-golf, live entertainment, and all-day youth activities. With kids’ clubs divided into age-specific programs for 2-11, 12-14, and 15-17 years, Carnival also offers the WaterWorks water park, video arcades, a Build-a-Bear workshop, and the Dr Seuss at Sea program, complete with story times, parades, and themed breakfasts.
Related reading: Best carnival ship for kids
Key Takeaway:
- Carnival cruises are a haven for kids with their array of activities and dedicated entertainment programs, ideal for families seeking constant fun and engagement. Princess Cruises, on the other hand, provide more educational and age-tailored experiences, suitable for families who prefer a mix of fun and learning or more relaxed activities for younger children and teenagers.
Entertainment and Activities
Princess Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess provides an array of daily activities such as dance lessons, wine-tasting seminars, art auctions, casino gaming, shopping, and relaxing in pools and hot tubs.
They also feature outdoor cinema screenings with Movies under the Stars, comedians, magic shows, and diverse performances in modern theatres. A unique highlight is the ‘Voice of the Ocean,’ a take on the popular TV show where guests can participate and compete.
Carnival Cruise Line Entertainment
Carnival, renowned for its ‘fun ships,’ offers non-stop entertainment. Expect activities like mini-golf, water parks, poolside competitions, game shows, casinos, karaoke, and live music, extending well into the night.
For thrill-seekers, there’s the SkyRide, a high-flying bike track above the ocean, the Bolt rollercoaster, and numerous exciting waterslides.
Recommended reading: 25 Unforgettable Things to Do on Carnival Cruise
Key Takeaway:
- Carnival Cruise Line is ideal for young adults and those seeking constant fun and excitement, like during Spring Break, with its array of non-stop activities. In contrast, Princess Cruises suits those who prefer a more sophisticated, tranquil cruise experience, offering a mix of relaxation and entertainment. For younger couples, the choice depends on their preference for either the lively atmosphere of Carnival or the more subdued ambience of Princess Cruises.
Pricing and Value
Princess Cruise Line Pricing
A typical 7-night Caribbean cruise with Princess in a Balcony stateroom averages $1,153 per person. Additional costs include $112 for gratuities and about $525 for a drinks package, bringing the total to approximately $1,780 per person.
However, Princess offers the ‘Princess Plus’ or ‘Princess Premier Fare’ packages, which, for an additional $60 per person per day, provide an all-inclusive experience with a free drinks package, unlimited wifi, and pre-paid gratuities.
Carnival Cruise Line Pricing
Carnival’s average price for a similar 7-night Caribbean cruise in a Balcony room is around $963 per person. Additional expenses, including $112 for gratuities and $420 for a drinks package, bring the total average cost to about $1,485 per person.
Key Takeaway:
- While the base prices for both Carnival and Princess Cruises are comparable, Carnival generally offers slightly cheaper options, particularly for budget-conscious travellers in the US seeking short cruises departing from Florida. Princess, on the other hand, provides value through its inclusive package options for those looking for a more comprehensive cruise experience.
You May Also Be Interested In…
If you’re comparing Carnival to other cruise lines, you may also be interested in these articles: Carnival vs MSC, Norwegian vs Carnival, Carnival vs Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise vs Carnival.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between Princess Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line hinges on personal preferences and the type of cruise experience you’re seeking.
Princess offers a more sophisticated, tranquil experience with an emphasis on educational partnerships and elegant entertainment, making it ideal for those seeking a refined holiday.
On the other hand, Carnival is perfect for those looking for a vibrant, fun-filled vacation, focusing on energetic entertainment and casual, family-friendly activities.
Whether you’re drawn to the serene charm of Princess or the lively spirit of Carnival, both cruise lines promise memorable experiences tailored to their unique offerings.
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