This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase or booking through one of my links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions in this comparison are based on my own cruise experiences. Casino offers and benefits vary, and the way I book my cruises may not reflect the prices or offers available to other travelers.
I have a cruise opinion that apparently doesn't fit neatly into the internet's need to declare everything either amazing or terrible:
I genuinely like both Carnival and Princess.
I know. Bonkers. 😂
But it really isn't that different from the way I travel on land.
Sometimes I'm staying at a beautiful hotel and the hotel itself is part of the vacation. I want the room, the service and the whole luxury experience.
Other times I'm hiking all day with my family, and I'm perfectly happy checking into a Hyatt Place or Fairfield Inn. Give me a comfortable bed, a shower, and somewhere convenient to sleep so I can get up and do it all over again.
Both trips make me happy.
They just make me happy for different reasons.
That's pretty much how I feel about Carnival and Princess.
They're different experiences.
I enjoy both of them.
And if you force me to pick just one?
I'm picking Princess.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop booking Carnival. Not even close.
If you're already leaning one direction, you can jump straight into my Princess Cruises guides or my Carnival Cruise Hub. Otherwise, keep reading, because the reasons I choose one over the other probably aren't what you'd expect.
First, Can We Stop Calling Carnival "Walmart of the Seas"?
This is one of my cruise pet peeves.
I hate when people dismiss Carnival as"Walmart of the Seas."
There. I said it.
I've sailed Carnival.
I've sailed Princess.
I've had fantastic vacations on both.
Is Carnival the same experience as Princess?
No.
Do I want it to be?
Also no.
I just got off Carnival Magic after having the time of my life.
I loved our Cloud 9 Spa interior cabin.
I loved the thermal suite.
I found an old-school penny slot in the non-smoking casino that happily ate my entire $300 gambling budget.
I had some of the best cruise ship coffee I've ever had.
My bestie and I basically turned our cabin into spa central.
My parents were sitting beside me in the casino laughing and having fun.
And then there was Carnival's melting chocolate cake.
Enough said. 😂
I came home thinking:
When can I do that again?
So no, Carnival isn't Princess.
That doesn't make Carnival bad.
If Everything Were Equal, I'd Choose Princess
Let's just get the answer out of the way because I'm not going to make you scroll through this entire comparison to find it.
Imagine I have two cruises in front of me.
Same itinerary.
Same dates.
Same length.
Same basic cost to me.
One is Carnival.
One is Princess.
I'm booking Princess.
Princess is my happy place.
The overall experience is more laid-back, and that's generally how I like to cruise at this point in my life.
But there's something important you need to know about this comparison.
If Princess is already sounding more like your cruise style, my Princess Ship Reviews are a good place to start. I've sailed enough of them to know that choosing the right Princess ship matters almost as much as choosing the cruise line itself.
Price Isn't Usually My Deciding Factor
I'm a low-stakes casino cruiser, and casino offers are a big part of how I cruise as often as I do.
Many of my cruises begin with an offer for a complimentary interior cabin, with me paying the taxes, fees and other costs associated with the particular offer and trip.
So my decision often isn't:
Which cruise is cheaper?
Instead, it's:
Which cruise experience do I want this time?
That's a very different question.
And if you're comparing Carnival and Princess using regular retail fares, your answer may be completely different from mine.
That's why I always share how I'm actually booking these trips rather than pretending my situation applies to everyone.
Overall Atmosphere: Princess Wins for Me
My pick: Princess
This is probably the biggest reason Princess remains my favorite.
I like a more laid-back cruise.
Give me a relaxing sea day, a spa, some good food, a little casino time and somewhere comfortable to sit with a coffee and I'm perfectly content.
I don't need my cruise to entertain me every second.
Princess just fits naturally with how I like to spend my days at sea.
Carnival has more of that FUN energy, and sometimes that's exactly what I want.
But if you're asking which atmosphere feels most like me?
Princess.
Food: Princess Wins, But Carnival Has Some Serious Competition
My pick: Princess
If food is a major part of your cruise decision,I have my Princess dining guides here.
I'm a sucker for the ramen I find on many of the Princess ships I sail, and overall Princess dining tends to fit my tastes a little better.
Ramen on Majestic Princess
But Carnival has some included food that I genuinely LOVE.
BlueIguana Cantina is one of them. Carnival describes BlueIguana's menu as tacos and build-your-own burritos, plus breakfast options.
I also love having the complimentary Italian lunch.
Those casual included meals are one area where Carnival makes it very easy for me to be happy without spending extra money.
And let's talk about something that doesn't show up on a menu:
The servers.
On my most recent Carnival Magic cruise, we had some of the best servers ever.
Those people became part of our vacation.
I even have a picture with them, and that's absolutely going into this post because sometimes the people taking care of you matter every bit as much as what's on the plate.
Some of the people who made our Carnival Magic sailing so much fun. Great service can completely change the feel of a cruise.
So yes, Princess gets my food vote overall.
But this one isn't the Carnival blowout some people might expect.
Pizza: Princess
My pick: Princess
Easy one.
I like Princess pizza better.
That's it. 😂
Food is subjective, and I don't need to write 500 words trying to convince you that my preferred pizza should also be your preferred pizza.
Give me Princess for this one.
Specialty Dining: Princess Wins...But My Wallet Has Opinions
My pick: Princess
If we're talking purely about the experience, Princess wins specialty dining for me.
Especially when I'm sailing with Princess Premier and specialty dining is part of my package.
But let's discuss Princess Premier.
It costs a small fortune. 😂
Do I think Premier can be worth it?
Absolutely.
Do I want to pay for it every single time I sail Princess?
Nope.
And this gets right to the heart of how I think about travel.
I'm not always trying to spend the absolute least amount possible.
I want to save where something doesn't matter that much to me so I have room to spend where it does.
Sometimes Premier fits that equation.
Sometimes I'd rather keep my money for something else.
So:
Specialty dining experience: Princess.
Do I need to buy the full Premier experience every cruise to be happy: Absolutely not.
Coffee: Carnival Just Pulled Off the Upset of the Century 😂
This category cracks me up.
Before my latest Carnival Magic cruise, I would have told you:
Don't waste your money on Carnival coffee.
Two years ago, I didn't like it.
I didn't even like the specialty coffee.
And then Carnival Magic happened.
I discovered that the non-smoking casino on Deck 4 had coffee service, something other Carnival Magic passengers have also reported.
My casino offer included casino drinks for both me and my bestie Mary, which meant that when the casino was open, I could go downstairs in the morning and get two specialty coffees under the benefit I had on that sailing.
I wasn't sitting there gambling.
I was literally picking up our coffees.
And Glad, the bartender, made some of the best coffee I've had at sea.
I couldn't believe it.
So after years of being Team Princess Coffee, Carnival Magic has forced me to reconsider my position.
Coffee: I'm calling this one a tie.
Never thought I'd say that.
Also, please tip your bartender, even when your drink is included.
Service: I'm Not Picking a Winner
This is where I refuse to manufacture a winner just because this is a comparison post.
I've had wonderful experiences on Princess.
And I just had incredible servers on Carnival Magic.
Service can vary tremendously from one experience to another, and some of the people on this latest Carnival sailing genuinely became part of what made the trip special to me.
So:
Service: Tie.
More importantly, I've had people I remember long after leaving the ship on both lines.
That's the part I care about.
Technology: Princess Wins
My pick: Princess
I prefer the Princess Medallion over carrying a traditional cruise card.
Princess says the Medallion replaces the traditional cruise card and works as your stateroom key, boarding credential and onboard payment method. [princess.com]
I've gotten used to it.
And when I go back to carrying a card, I notice.
This isn't something that would make or break a cruise for me, but if we're keeping score:
Princess gets the point.
Entertainment: I Have Absolutely No Idea 😂
This may be the least helpful section in any cruise-line comparison on the internet.
I don't go to the shows.
There. 😂
I could research the production shows on both cruise lines and confidently tell you which one is supposedly better.
But that's not how I travel.
I'm not going to give you an opinion about an experience I don't actually use.
If shows and theater entertainment are a huge part of cruising for you, I'm not your girl for this category.
And I'm okay with that.
Casino: It's Complicated
I'm not ready to crown one cruise line here because I've genuinely enjoyed casinos on both.
Princess has treated me very well as a low-stakes casino cruiser.
But that non-smoking casino on Carnival Magic?
I LOVED it.
The main Carnival Magic casino was too smoky for me, but I found my happy place in the smaller non-smoking casino on Deck 4.
I spent $300 out of pocket over the cruise, earned more than 1,000 casino points and even hit a $399 jackpot.
Did I bring home the $399?
No.
😂
I gave it back because I was having fun.
And I have zero regrets.
→ Carnival Magic Non-Smoking Casino Review
→ What I Actually Play on Each Cruise
Casino offers also play a big part in how I'm able to cruise as frequently as I do, so I evaluate these programs based on my actual experience rather than trying to determine which is universally "best."
Spa: I'm Happy on Either Ship If You Give Me a Thermal Suite 😂
I apparently have a cruise spa problem.
And I'm not particularly interested in fixing it.
I've become someone who seeks out the thermal spa on as many ships as possible.
My Carnival Magic Cloud 9 experience was fantastic. My bestie and I stayed in a Cloud 9 Spa interior cabin steps from the spa, and the thermal-suite access was included with our cabin benefits.
Then we'd head back to the cabin and break out our own masks and scrubs.
Apparently we were committed to the theme. 😂
Princess also has spa experiences I love, which is another reason I'm not going to force a universal winner here.
This category is becoming less:
Carnival vs. Princess
and more:
Julie vs. her ability to walk past a thermal suite without booking it.
The thermal suite wins.
→ Carnival Magic Cloud 9 Spa Review
→ Carnival Magic Spa Cabin Review
→ Cruise Spa Hub
After enough cruise spa days, I've developed my own little routine. These are the lightweight spa-day things I actually pack for Princess's Enclave and other cruise thermal suites. Nothing elaborate, because the entire point of going to the spa is NOT having to work very hard. 😂
Princess Lotus Spa Packing List
The lightweight, travel-friendly spa essentials I actually bring for the Princess Enclave, including a few little extras that make thermal-suite days even more relaxing.
Would I Take My Bestie on Carnival?
Obviously.
I just did.
😂
Mary loves cruising.
My husband doesn't particularly love cruising.
Therefore Mary has become my cruise partner in crime.
Carnival works beautifully for a trip like this because we're perfectly happy leaning into the fun.
Spa?
Yep.
Casino?
Yep.
Face masks in the cabin?
Yep.
Chocolate cake?
Obviously.
I'm booking that kind of trip with Mary again without hesitation.
Would I Put My Husband on a Carnival Cruise?
Now THIS answer is different.
Would I book Brandon and me on Carnival?
Probably not.
And that isn't because I think Carnival isn't "good enough."
Clearly I don't think that.
I'd personally sail Carnival again and again.
But Brandon likes the finer things.
More importantly, he doesn't have unlimited PTO.
When I'm using some of his limited vacation time for a cruise, I want the odds of that trip being exactly what he'll enjoy to be as high as possible.
For us, that's more likely to be Princess.
The quieter, more laid-back atmosphere already suits the way I personally like to cruise, and it's a better fit for Brandon too.
But I wouldn't completely rule Carnival out.
If Carnival had an itinerary with ports we really wanted?
I'd consider it.
Because sometimes the itinerary wins.
And that's another reason I don't believe in choosing one cruise line and declaring everything else inferior.
Carnival vs. Princess With My Parents?
This is another example of why I don't think there is one universal "best cruise line."
My parents were with me on Carnival Magic.
We had a blast.
Some of my favorite memories from that sailing involve sitting beside them in the casino laughing and playing.
Would Princess work beautifully for them too?
Absolutely.
So when I'm planning trips with my parents, I'm looking at the whole trip, not only the logo painted on the ship.
Itinerary.
Convenience.
Cabins.
What we want to do.
The offer I have.
How much we're actually going to spend.
All of those things matter.
Who Should Choose Princess?
Based purely on my own experiences and preferences, I'd lean toward Princess if you:
Prefer a more laid-back cruise atmosphere
Like the Princess dining experience
Appreciate the Medallion system
Want the kind of cruise experience I personally prefer for couples travel
Are looking for something closer to my own relaxing "happy place" style of cruising
Princess is still my first choice.
There's no question about that.
I sail Princess often enough that I've stopped reinventing my packing list every time. These are the clothes, accessories and little cruise-life things I actually bring with me.
Princess Cruises Packing List
My complete Princess Cruises packing list - carry-on friendly, cruise-tested, and filled with the practical essentials I actually bring on my Princess sailings.
Who Should Choose Carnival?
I'd happily choose Carnival when I want:
A more energetic, fun cruise
Included casual food I genuinely enjoy
A bestie or family trip
A Carnival itinerary I really like
A great casino offer
Cloud 9 Spa
A trip where I'm completely happy embracing Carnival for what it is
And that's important:
Carnival doesn't need to become Princess for me to enjoy it.
I don't board Carnival and spend the whole trip wishing everything were more like Princess.
What would be the point of that?
What I Actually Pack for a Carnival Cruise
My real Carnival cruise packing list - practical, comfortable, and filled with the cruise basics, spa favorites, and little extras I actually bring onboard.
So Which Is Better: Carnival or Princess?
If you're asking:
Which cruise line does Julie prefer?
Princess.
Easy.
Princess is my happy place.
If you're asking:
Would Julie happily sail Carnival again?
Also yes.
Easy.
I had the time of my life on Carnival Magic.
Those two things can exist at the same time.
Sometimes I want Princess.
Sometimes I want a different itinerary.
Sometimes I want a bestie cruise on Carnival with a Cloud 9 Spa cabin, melting chocolate cake and a happy little penny slot.
Sometimes I'm traveling with Brandon and want the trip to feel just right for the limited vacation time he has.
Sometimes the casino offer is too good to turn down.
Sometimes the ports decide for me.
There is room in my travel life for all of it.
And honestly?
That's kind of the whole point of No Point Left Behind.
I don't collect points, miles, casino offers and travel perks so I can brag about booking one particular kind of trip.
They're my travel toolbox.
I decide where I want to go and what kind of trip I want to have.
Then I use the tools I've got to make it happen.
And whether that puts me on Carnival or Princess?
I'm probably going to have a pretty great time.
Keep Planning Your Cruise
About the Author
Hi, I'm Julie Davis, creator of No Point Left Behind. I travel about 12–15 times a year using a mix of points, miles, casino offers, travel credits and regular travel deals.
Cruising is a big part of how I travel these days, and I regularly sail different cruise lines rather than staying loyal to only one. Princess is my personal favorite, but I'm much more interested in finding the right trip than proving one cruise line is universally "best."
My philosophy is pretty simple: save where it doesn't matter to me so I have room to spend where it does, decide where I actually want to go, then use everything in my travel toolbox to make that trip happen.
