In the main dining rooms on Carnival ships, you can choose between traditional and anytime dining, and Carnival does a good job with flavors that pop. On newer ships, there's creativity at the buffets, and the line wins points for excellent complimentary poolside eats — including decadent (if calorie-laden) burgers created by TV Chef Guy Fieri. Fee-based options include steakhouse, Italian, sushi, Asian, and seafood specialty restaurants.

Princess also offers traditional or anytime dining, and the food in the main dining rooms is usually solid, if not particularly memorable. You'll do better choosing featured dishes by celebrity TV Chef Curtis Stone, who also has a popular specialty restaurant, SHARE, on select ships. The line's for-a-fee Italian and steakhouse restaurants deliver bang for your buck, but our favorite is the complimentary, hand-tossed Neapolitan-style pies at Alfredo's Pizzeria.

Lively piano bars, Caribbean-themed pubs, R-rated comedy acts, and late-night dance parties (with prime DJs) are all part of the scene on Carnival ships. High-energy Playlist show productions are kept short for a crowd that often wants to go get their drink on. (As for us? Our preferred activity is people-watching with a cocktail at the Alchemy Bar.) Carnival Live! brings big-name performers such as Little Big Town and comedian Jay Leno on board select cruises for live concerts. (Spring for a VIP ticket, and you can meet the star, too.)

Princess passengers like to enjoy a cocktail with conversation, or maybe some oysters and Champagne. The hub of activity is the Piazza atrium with bars, cafes, and live entertainment every night. The ships' casinos attract a crowd, too, as does Movies Under the Stars, the equivalent of a drive-in movie at sea. The line recently gave its entertainment lineup a boost by partnering with Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz for four well-received original stage shows.

Carnival is about casual, American-style fun cruising at a fair price. The ships carry thousands of young — or young at heart — cruisers who can only be described as down to Earth. Carnival doesn't try to be fancy, though its newest ships are surprisingly nice. (Our advice? If you're looking at an older ship, be sure to choose one that's been updated with the latest amenities.)

Vs.

Tradition reigns on Princess cruise ships, which attract slightly older American, British, and international passengers looking for a customary cruise with some contemporary updates. The classic experience may read as old-fashioned, even sedate, to some cruisers, but others will love the combination of activities and opportunity for rest. Summertime and holiday periods attract families, but these ships are mostly designed with grown-ups in mind.