Why Princess

[cruising 2013]

I have always cruised on NCL but Princess has a Pacific Itinerary that really interests me. What are the biggest differences between Princess and NCL?

[Murphey]

Princess still has formal nights, but alternative dining available. I believe you will find the food of better quality. Princess always has the best itineraries. NCL feels much more casual to us. We prefer the more elegant feel to Princess without being stuffy. Welcome to Princess if you decide to book!

[Tatka]

What is a ship?

 

We only sailed with large ships Caribbean and Ruby.

 

Things that we liked more than on NCL (Sun and Spirit)

 

1) Better pools and more space near them. Princess actually has adult only pools.

2) Better quality and variety of food, longer opened buffets

3) Larger cabins (well RCCL has better cabin plans than Princess, but NCL's were tiniest)

4) MUTS (movies under the stars)

5) Great ship design

[kruzinon]

Although I think Princess ships all look too similar at least they don't have suites with pink and purple ceilings! NCL colors look like brothel chic! LOL

[Woobstr112G]

I have always cruised on NCL but Princess has a Pacific Itinerary that really interests me. What are the biggest differences between Princess and NCL?

 

I've never sailed on NCL, but from what I've read on the boards and heard from people who've sailed both lines is the quality of the food (Princess wins over NCL) and the understated elegance of Princess vs the glitz of NCL.

 

Bob

[jeromep]

What is a ship?

 

We only sailed with large ships Caribbean and Ruby.

 

Things that we liked more than on NCL (Sun and Spirit)

 

1) Better pools and more space near them. Princess actually has adult only pools.

2) Better quality and variety of food, longer opened buffets

3) Larger cabins (well RCCL has better cabin plans than Princess, but NCL's were tiniest)

4) MUTS (movies under the stars)

5) Great ship design

 

Add to that, Princess pools are all freshwater.

[bdjam]

Do you mean Pacific Ocean itinerary or Pacific Princess itinerary? I think if you want to contrast Princess and NCL, we need to be clear on the ship.

Pacific Princess is a 680 passenger ship. Because the ship is small, the only real alternative dining is the buffet or the pizzaria/bistro. They have Sabatini's and Sterling Steakhouse, but I believe they are open alternate nights and I know they are both for extra tariff. The ship has one pool, a small casino, nightclub like entertainment lounge and only one main dining room (no Anytime Dining).

I have always cruised on NCL but Princess has a Pacific Itinerary that really interests me. What are the biggest differences between Princess and NCL?

[cruising 2013]

Do you mean Pacific Ocean itinerary or Pacific Princess itinerary? I think if you want to contrast Princess and NCL, we need to be clear on the ship.

Pacific Princess is a 680 passenger ship. Because the ship is small, the only real alternative dining is the buffet or the pizzaria/bistro. They have Sabatini's and Sterling Steakhouse, but I believe they are open alternate nights and I know they are both for extra tariff. The ship has one pool, a small casino, nightclub like entertainment lounge and only one main dining room (no Anytime Dining).

 

I am looking at the 29 day from the West Coast to Sydney Australia or the reverse. A cruise like that is on my bucket list and Princess is seems to offer the best itinerary that I have seen so far.

[DeepWaterMariner]

I am looking at the 29 day from the West Coast to Sydney Australia or the reverse. A cruise like that is on my bucket list and Princess is seems to offer the best itinerary that I have seen so far.

 

Bingo! And that is the reason so many cruisers choose Princess (or HAL), the great itineraries. If you want an interesting itinerary, sooner or later you have to try a cruise line that will get you there. Princess isn't as free style as NCL but it does have flexibility in its dinning time in the MDR and a very decent buffet if you want to skip the MDR.