Which cruise ship should I take? The Carnival Triumph or the Princess Caribbean?

Question

I am going on a seven day cruise in October with my wife. I am trying to decide which cruise would be best.

The Carnival Triumph is doing on an Eastern Caribbean cruise stopping in Half Moon Cay, Saint Thomas , San Juan/Puerto Rico, and Bahamas/Grand Turk.

The Caribbean Princess (through Princess Cruiselines) is stopping at Philipsburg/St. Maarten, Saint Thomas, and Princess Cay. The Princess is also a seven day cruise but is stopping at one less place (with an extra day at sea).

What do you recommend? Any experiences with either of those ships?

Answer 1

I prefer the extra day at sea, but if I were to choose, I would take the Carnival Glory out of Port Canaveral.  It does an Eastern to Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.  I go in the off season, usually Sept, and there are almost no children on the ship.  And I have noticed that on the longer cruises, there is less of a party atmosphere.  People are still on vacation, and having fun, but they are not as rowdy.  My first cruise was a three day to the Bahamas, and I would not do that one again.  That was when you ran into the party atmosphere.

I really love the days at sea,  I would almost prefer a seven day cruise to nowhere.

Answer 2

if you want this to be a romantic trip, i would stay away from carnival.  their cruises are fantastic, don't get me wrong, but filled with families and a younger party type crowd.  we went on one for our honeymoon and had a great time, but there were kids everywhere!  

the extra day at sea might be nice, you can use it to get into the spa (I couldn't get an appt. for what i wanted on our cruise because i waited too long, unless i wanted to go while we were at a port of call), enjoy the pool or casino or just relax.  and it might save you a little money, as you won't have to pay for another excursion.  

whatever you decide, enjoy and have fun.

Answer 3

I thoroughlyl enjoyed the Princess line.  Everyday there was so much to do on board.  The workers were extremely friendly and with a choice of activities, one never got board.

Answer 4

I would highly recommend the Princess Caribbean if it is just you and your wife. Pricess' cruises are geared more toward married couples without children. If you have children, then Carnival would probably be better since they offer a lot of activities for children.

I work for Delta Airlines in Ft. Lauderdale and we have cruise ships arriving every weekend. I have asked several people what cruise they went on and have seen the cruise ships firsthand. The Carribean Princess is beautiful.

I have provided a link for you too.

Answer 5

I loved the Triumph. We went snorkeling in St Thomas and the historic tour in Puerto Rico, 4 stops are alot, especially when they are in a row. Ive never been on Princess so I cant really tell  but I think whichever you choose you should have a fantastic time.

Answer 6

Definately go with the Princess Caribbean.  Carnival is tacky, tacky, tacky.

Answer 7

I'll be taking my first cruise with my boyfriend and his family aboard the Golden Princess, doing the Alaska Inside Passage from June 16 - 23. So excited!

Anyway, I've heard that Carnival ships are "party ships" for the immature, spring-break set, whereas Princess ships cater to everyone. My boyfriend is an experienced cruiser, and recommends Queen Elizabeth 2 (Cunard) above all, but neither of us have cruised with Princess Cruises. We're looking forward to it!

Answer 8

Review for Carnival Triumph- http://cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.c...

Review for Caribbean Princess http://cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.c...

for everyone saying carnival is for immature people remember the months your going in. The odds of having a bunch of children on a ship in October, Just ONE MONTH after school started is highly unlikely. So don't base your decision from that. Read both of these reviews and see which one you feel fits your personality. But note this.... Carnival isn't called the fun ships for nothing!

Answer 9

I haven't been on the princess but I saw it while on my cruise they were docked at the same place and it looked really nice,

Answer 10

carnival is more family fun,  princess more adult,, just remember 7 day cruises are a rip off,  boat leaves late afternoon first day,, and then returns early morning on the 7th,  hardly  7 days,,,  but enjoy,,,

I loved snorkeling in St Thomas, seas were too rough at St Maarten which was a shite hole, but we bought some tanzanite jewelry for cheap there,  

puerto rico was okay  we got in late after noon so no daylight to site sea,  we did a western,  the Bahamas was a huge shite sale, huge,  everyone sitting saying Come buy my stuff man,    

look at what time the ship arrives at the ports and what you can do,  my wife and I  were pretty fed up with each other by the 6th day let alone the 7th, thank god we are divorced, but I told her I would never go with her again, she was trashed the whole time,,  lotta fun that is,

Answer 11

I have been on 3 cruises.  I feel it's nice to stop and buy perfume or some crazy new rum that's not in this country.  

I have to be honest, after 1 or 2 stops, that enough.  Little boys begging down at the docks and people grabbing at my hair turns me off.  I rather get a foot massage.