It's hard to explain what makes a vacation on the ocean stand out, but it's been my preferred way to travel since I was five.
There's something special about listening to the sound of the waves and looking at the infinite horizon. There's also something unique about sailing on a floating resort with activities and dining options under one roof.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to cruising, though. In my two decades of cruising, I've sailed with six lines ranging from the family-friendly Carnival Cruise Line to the upscale Princess Cruises. While both are owned by the same company, they couldn't be more different.
Carnival is known for its fleet of "FUN" ships that focus on letting cruisers kick back and relax in a no-frills environment. Princess, however, is the opposite. Though I busted the myth that Princess Cruises is just for older passengers, the atmosphere is more refined than Carnival. You won't see guests showing up to dinner in slippers, that's for sure.
Having taken my first Carnival cruise in October 2023 and Princess in October 2024, I am relatively new to both cruise lines. However, since I've been cruising for over 20 years, I can easily pick out things I like and dislike about cruise experiences.
Though I enjoyed most of my sailing aboard Carnival Celebration, the party-like atmosphere of the older, smaller ships was an immediate turn-off. After cruising on Carnival Elation, one of the line's oldest and smallest ships, I'd be hard-pressed to return to a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas unless there was a good enough deal.
There's nothing wrong with loving either line—they cater to different demographics. It's one of the beautiful things about cruising; there's truly a line for everyone. Although both cruise lines have their appeal, I'll stick to Princess for future cruise vacations.
Princess ships are more elegant and technologically advanced
Seconds after stepping foot on Sun Princess, I was taken aback by the ship's elegance. The atrium didn't feel like a central hub on a cruise ship; it felt more akin to the lobby of a luxury hotel with polished marble floors, soft lighting, and an abundance of sunlight.
I've never had that same feeling on a Carnival ship. In fact, some atriums have been more tacky than anything, such as the one on Carnival Conquest. It was flashy and designed to immediately grab your attention with over-the-top décor.
Similarly, the atrium on Carnival Vista had a large, curved LEG screen swirling out of the bar. The projected images rotated throughout the week and were odd, such as lacy frost and a tree trunk with a squirrel.
Though some cruisers may have appreciated it, I thought it was more of a distraction—definitely not the upscale atmosphere on Sun Princess.
Even the dining experience felt more refined on Princess Cruises. Instead of bland, tablecloth-less tables, Princess' dining room was outfitted with statement chandeliers and crisp linens. I also didn't have to worry about the dining room becoming a dance party.
On Carnival, the dining takes a more festive vibe. Meals are more about enjoying each other's company and the food. I've been serenaded by the crew before and even had magicians approach my table in the middle of the meal.
While that energy is certainly entertaining, it's not quite the atmosphere I'm seeking on vacation. I much prefer Princess' approach to dining, where the food is the main focus.
Read more: 11 things I loved and hated about my first Princess cruise
Inclusive packages offer a better value
I used to think that Carnival was one of the cheaper cruise lines. There's nothing wrong with cruising on a budget, but other lines offer a much better value. For example, Princess Cruises has two inclusive fares, costing $60 or $90 per day.
Princess Plus, the cheaper of the two, includes everything from alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks to Wi-Fi, gratuities, two complimentary fitness classes, unlimited room service delivery, two casual specialty meals per sailing, a waived OceanNow fee, and two daily premium desserts.
I almost couldn't believe the value. Carnival's CHEERS! drink package costs at least $82 per person, per day, meaning that you'd spend more on just alcoholic beverages than you would on the entire Princess Plus package. And that's not even factoring in all the other inclusions, such as Wi-Fi and gratuities.
Not only that but Carnival's basic Wi-Fi costs $18.70 per day. In other drinks, Carnival's alcoholic drink package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities add up to around $117 per person, per day—nearly double what Princess Plus costs!
For $90, you could get a nearly-inclusive Princess experience. The line's Princess Plus fare includes everything from unlimited specialty restaurants to a multi-device Wi-Fi package, unlimited fitness classes, and more.
Are Carnival's cruise fares that much cheaper to justify the higher add-ons? Not usually. In November 2026, I found a cruise aboard Carnival Celebration, one of the cruise line's new Excel Class ships, that starts at $759 per person based on double occupancy in an inside cabin.
Compartively, the most affordable fare on a weeklong cruise on Sun Princess, Princess Cruises' new Sphere Class ship, starts at $727.
Read more: 6 big changes coming to Carnival Cruise Line in 2025
Quality dining options
As a foodie, one of my favorite parts about any cruise is the delicious dining. I am the primary cook at home, so it's nice to have a break and enjoy three-course meals prepared by the ship's culinary team.
When I first sailed on Carnival, I was blown away by the fast-casual dining, including BlueIguana Cantina, Guy's Burger Joint, and Big Chicken. Truthfully, the main dining experience also exceeded my expectations, especially at restaurants like Cucina del Capitano (complimentary on Excel Class ships) and ChiBang.
That said, I found the food on Princess to be of higher quality, with a focus on fresh ingredients and expertly prepared dishes. The complimentary pizza, for example, was perhaps some of the best I've had on a cruise ship, second only to MSC.
Even fast-casual spots like Lido Taco and Lido Greens tasted like higher-quality ingredients were used. In fact, I don't think I've ever had such a crisp salad on a cruise before.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed Carnival's food, but I felt like I got my money's worth in terms of quality on Sun Princess.
Read more: I ate at 6 specialty restaurants on Princess’ newest ship. Here’s how they rank
Better itineraries
As someone who has cruised to the Bahamas and Caribbean over 20 times, I want to brand out and try more worldly itineraries. Princess aligns more with my vacation preferences. Though they have cruises to the tropical Caribbean, they focus on taking passengers to other corners of the globe.
Carnival does have itineraries outside of the Bahamas and Caribbean. However, as most ships are deployed out of North America, the options in regions like Europe are significantly fewer.
For example, Carnival has just one ship in Europe in 2025 embarking on 17 different cruises. Compartively, Princess has seven that collectively offer 100 sailings. Plus, two ships are brand-new to Princess' fleet, whereas the only Carnival ship in Europe, Carnival Miracle, is over 20 years old.
Read more: 5 things I liked better about Princess than Carnival, after my first Princess cruise
Should you graduate from Carnival Cruise Line to Princess?
While I prefer Princess Cruises to Carnival, that doesn't mean it's the right choice for all travelers. As someone in their mid-20s and childless by choice, I find myself drawn to upscale cruise lines that focus on world-class cuisine and craft cocktail bars versus ships that embody party atmospheres.
Carnival still has its pros, though. For families, especially those with younger children, Carnival is hard to beat. The variety of activities, casual vibe, and accessibility in ports like Norfolk and Mobile, Alabama, make it a great option for cruisers who don't care about the big frills.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
