RCCL or Princess

[trbutler]

As many of you know, I coordinate a large group every year for a cruise. This year we are considering Princess over RCCL. Has anyone been on a princess ship recenlty to help compare?

[lmmn]

Yes, I have. Do you have any specific questions? Both cruiselines are very similar. Major difference would be the anytime dining offered by Princess and many of the Princess ships now have a large screen by the pool area. Princess definitely has better pizza. I would first consider the cost and the itinerary. I know I chose Princess because it was a couple hundred dollars less per person....and I was taking my kids...so it was several hundred dollars less!!! I don't really like to say I liked one better than the other, because all cruises are a different experience. Even if you cruise on all RCCL ships, there will be differences with each cruise.

[SunLover05]

I am in the process of deciding between the Voyager and the Caribbean Princess. Prices are similar for my timeframe. Any suggestions?

[princessb]

After cruising four summers on the Voyager class ships, we tried the Caribbean Princess last summer. Beautiful ship, great food, pools were

fun, but it wasn't quite the Voyager ships. We had fun and enjoyed

ourselves, but we (12 of us, various ages) it lacked something. The ship

was "sleepy", nothing stayed opened later and it definately was not

"kid" oriented. There wasn't even a game room for the pre teens to hang

out at. The crowd was very laid back.

 

What we missed the most was the Promenade and people watching.

There didn't even seem to be a central spot, besides the bars, to sit

around and watch people. We booked the Navigator this summer and

looking forward to it. Not to say I wouldn't do Princess again sometime

in the future, but there would have to be a good reason not to do RCCL.

[jezzdogg]

We have done several of the RCCL voyager class ships and cruised on Princess 3 times, the last being in April 04.

Food is about the same...maybe a slight edge to Princess.

Service, however is horrible and several times food arrived cold, as the waiter and assistant have too many tables then they can handle. plus they are responsible for the bar and wine service so it took 3 hours to eat a meal and several times we missed going to the shows., and it was not just our table.

Princess at night had no activities, very quiet, almost like a ghost ship., even the casino was quiet at 10p.m. most tables were closed because no one was there.

For me I prefer RCCl over Princess.

[decker]

RCCL is definitely superior to Sun Princess in the eyes of this 10 cruise veteran and his wife. The ship smelled of Eau d' toilette. I believe the scent must have been "Downwind from the Overflowing Septic Tank". The smell was there from the time we boarded until we returned to Fort Lauderdale. Several passengers we talked to, who had sailed on the Sun Princess or other Princess ships in the past, uniformly said that the quality of the experience had diminished since Carnival bought them. The ship was clean but VERY threadworn. Food was more like that of a cheap neighborhood diner than a cruise ship. If you like pasta, and are not particular about quality, you'll be happy. It is served an excessive number of times in the dining room. Every day for lunch (2 entrees) and dinner usually had it. The beef served was not prime nor choice and spices were lacking.

The rolls and breads were excellent.

The shipboard personnel other than waiters cabin attendents and bartenders were not pleasant at all. Their favorite reply to a question was, "I don't know".

Cruise #11 will not be with Princess. Royal Carribean here we come.

[cruisequeen007]

I have been on three Princess and three RCCL plus many others. In my view I would suggest you carefully consider the ages of people who want to go with you. Princess passengers are more laid back and go to bed early. RCCL passengers tend to frequent the bars and stay up later.

My last Princess was last month on the SUN. If it wasn't for the great Cruise Critic People I had met online before the trip, I would have been unhappy. There is just not enough activities to do onboard. Even the exercise activities were almost none existent or they were making a charge $$ for them. RCCL has their great SHIPSHAPE program that keeps you moving all week.

The food on both ships are about equal. Lots of great pasta dishes, great salad dressings and good desserts. Did not feel the need to pay for the specialty restaurants nor did we talk to anyone who had.

Cruise Number 14 will be on RCCL.

[queenL]

I prefer RCL to Princess also. Princess B summarized my sentiments!

[isujim]

We just returned from the Caribbean Princess in November..........if you are specifically looking at this ship I'll try and answer any questions.

[SunLover05]

I just booked 8 of us on the Voyager of the Seas! Thanks for your help.

 

Denise