RCCL regular tries Princess

[Flatiron]

We just got back from a NE/Canada cruise on Caribbean Princess. We wanted this cruise and were debating Explorer or Caribbean Princess. We have been on Explorer for 3 of our 7 RCCL cruises on Soveriegn, Mariner and Enchantment. The reason we wanted to try Princess was the itinerary. They stopped at Newport and we wanted to see the Mansions, plus we have been to Portland a few times. I heard good and bad on these boards but wanted to see for myself.

 

We had a good cruise and the ship was alright but, it was not, in my opinion, as good a RCCL. The only area I would say Princess was better was with the food in the dinning room. That is just the food. They have 3 dinning rooms that are pretty plain. I had a good waiter and assistant but they never introduced themselves. They just served and never sang or did any of those things they do on RCCL.

 

I see the WOW factor mentioned here many times. After this cruise I have a better understanding of what this means. This ship was just not as nice. The ship just did not have anything that would stand out, the centrum area was small and plain, the dining rooms were smaller and actually drab compared to Explorer.

 

Caribbean Princess has 3,200 passengers however the public areas, shops, bars, buffet, etc. are not big enough for this many people. I really had a problem with crowds.

 

The age group was much older. I am 63 and I mean much older. All the bars and clubs were empty by 11PM. I experienced quite a bit of "rude' people on this cruise.

 

The entertainment was about the same. RCCL slightly better. The entertainment in the clubs was good but a group would play for about 1 hour and that was it?

 

We had a mini-suite and the rooms were comparable.

 

I guess when you get used to one cruise line like we are with RCCL it's difficult to switch. We did not feel as at home as we do on RCCL. I read on these boards that you will be much more "pampered" on Princess. I didn't see that at all. Like I said, I wanted to see for myself and based on that I am sticking to RCCL in the future. If it becomes a question of the cruise line or the itinerary, I'll take the cruise line.

 

Flatiron

[Aquahound]

Thanks for your comparison. We have the Grand Princess booked for a TA next year because the itinerary is much better than what RCI has to offer. I'm just wondering if I'm going to like spending 5 days at sea on the Grand compared to the RCI ships I'm used to. I've also been warned of the crowding, which seems to be a problem with Carnival Corp ships.

[The Big Booper]

The Caribbean Princess (CB) carries 3,100 at full occupancy and 3,700 full occupancy. This is comparable to the passenger load of the Explorer except that the Explorer is 80 feet longer and 24,000 GRT bigger, so the crowding is to be expected. Plus Princess sections off a large part of the pool deck for "The Sanctuary" where you pay for your lounger; this area doesn't hold many people but takes up valuable pool real estate, causing even more crowding in the other pool areas. The theater on the CB holds 500 people less then the Explorer's theater.

 

This is why we have never taken the CB and we love cruising out of NY, no air !!!

 

The Grand Princess, which we have been on, is a better design with not such a high crowd factor. The CB and it's 3 sisters are essentially the Grand Princess with another full passenger deck and not one more inch of common area. This philosophy came about after Carnival scarfed up Princess (and HAL).

 

The two new Princess ships coming in 2013 and 2014 will hold as many people as the Freedom class (3,600 double) but will be the size of the Explorer. More of the same.

[It'sRC4ME]

We did a Carribean cruise on Grand Princess a few years ago, after we saw her in port and thought she looked neat. We found food, service, entertainment to be similar to RC, and our inside cabin was laid out better. The ship did definitely lack and wow factor - centrum was only three stories tall (!) and it felt like ceilings were lower everwhere. It was a good cruise, but we rushed back to RC afterwords.

[Topo Gigio]

We just got back from a NE/Canada cruise on Caribbean Princess. We wanted this cruise and were debating Explorer or Caribbean Princess. We have been on Explorer for 3 of our 7 RCCL cruises on Soveriegn, Mariner and Enchantment. The reason we wanted to try Princess was the itinerary. They stopped at Newport and we wanted to see the Mansions, plus we have been to Portland a few times. I heard good and bad on these boards but wanted to see for myself.

 

We had a good cruise and the ship was alright but, it was not, in my opinion, as good a RCCL. The only area I would say Princess was better was with the food in the dinning room. That is just the food. They have 3 dinning rooms that are pretty plain. I had a good waiter and assistant but they never introduced themselves. They just served and never sang or did any of those things they do on RCCL.

 

I see the WOW factor mentioned here many times. After this cruise I have a better understanding of what this means. This ship was just not as nice. The ship just did not have anything that would stand out, the centrum area was small and plain, the dining rooms were smaller and actually drab compared to Explorer.

 

Caribbean Princess has 3,200 passengers however the public areas, shops, bars, buffet, etc. are not big enough for this many people. I really had a problem with crowds.

 

The age group was much older. I am 63 and I mean much older. All the bars and clubs were empty by 11PM. I experienced quite a bit of "rude' people on this cruise.

 

The entertainment was about the same. RCCL slightly better. The entertainment in the clubs was good but a group would play for about 1 hour and that was it?

 

We had a mini-suite and the rooms were comparable.

 

I guess when you get used to one cruise line like we are with RCCL it's difficult to switch. We did not feel as at home as we do on RCCL. I read on these boards that you will be much more "pampered" on Princess. I didn't see that at all. Like I said, I wanted to see for myself and based on that I am sticking to RCCL in the future. If it becomes a question of the cruise line or the itinerary, I'll take the cruise line.

 

Flatiron

 

The age of the passengers has to do with the itinerary they told us a few weeks ago on the Carnival Glory. It was one dead ship after 11:30. There were never more than 30 people in the disco around midnight and sometimes before 1 they were calling for last call for alcohol! thanks god there was a bar in the casino. Lot of the waiters/bartenders told us they couldn't wait to start sailng the Caribbean again in November. You don't see a lot of people drinking and the waiters/bartenders get their salary from what they sell!

[Flatiron]

Aquahound,

 

The crowding was more of a problem than I expected. I did read on these boards about the crowding and I just thought they all seem crowded so what. Wrong. This was pretty bad. We had an extra sea day because we could not dock in St. John, NB. We stayed in the cabin most of the day because it was so crowded in the public areas. However, as the Big Booper clearly explained, you should not have this problem with the Grand Princess. It seems crowding is not an issue there. The theatre, clubs and so on on Caribbean Princess are too small for 3,100 people.

 

Topo Gigio,

 

Thanks for the info on the age demographics. I guess the itinerary does make a difference. Like I said, I'm 63 and not looking for a "party ship" for a total booze cruise. However, this ship was really dead at night. It was like being in a nursing home. I noticed at the sail away party on the deck in NY that nobody was at the bars by the pool. You can't get near them on RC.

 

Flatiron

[Jimnbigd]

I thought about booking the Crown Princess from Galveston (same layout as your Caribbean Princess), but the main deal breaker for me is that it departs on Saturday, not Sunday. So I'd have to drive down Friday from Dallas and take an extra vacation day, or drive down Saturday the day of the cruise (not recommended). I think I'll stick with Royal Caribbean. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[hollon]

I went to alaska on the diamond princess, the people was much older than I am, I'm not a party type person, but couldn't find that many people to visit, and I talk to anybody, the ship was nice but I doubt I will ever do princess, the wow factor was just not there and the layout was terrible, just my opinion, like said if it ain't broken, don't fix it :)

[cruissett]

after many trips on Explorer, we tried the CB last Fall. We had a very nice time, Princess has the best pizza at sea! We don't care for their buffett style of herding you into a small space to get your food, but they do put a lot more meat on their sandwiches then RC. Hated the noise of MUTS during the day on a screen that you could hardley see in the bright light. We'll stick with RC if it comes to choosing between the two lines.

[J & G]

The age of the passengers has to do with the itinerary they told us a few weeks ago on the Carnival Glory. It was one dead ship after 11:30. There were never more than 30 people in the disco around midnight and sometimes before 1 they were calling for last call for alcohol! thanks god there was a bar in the casino. Lot of the waiters/bartenders told us they couldn't wait to start sailng the Caribbean again in November. You don't see a lot of people drinking and the waiters/bartenders get their salary from what they sell!

 

Yes, it is the itinerary.....not the ship or cruise line. We did this same itinerary a couple of weeks ago on Jewel and found our fellow cruisers to be MUCH older than we are used to.....and we're old!

 

How were the beds on Princess compared to RC? We are booked on Crown Princess for the Mediterranean, based solely on the itinerary, but have read nothing but bad things about the comfort of the beds on Princess.

[The Big Booper]

 

...>>>SNIP<<<...

We don't care for their buffet style of herding you into a small space to get your food, but they do put a lot more meat on their sandwiches then RC.

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

.

 

Take 2 sandwiches and pitch the extra bread.:D Works for me.

[NHTraveler]

I took the CB last fall as I have traveled with Princess in the past but am more loyal to Royal. I was not impressed this time with the quality of the Princess experience. I am taking the trip this month on the Jewel out of Boston as I did a few years ago and know I will be 'home again'. I typically use Princess for cruising ONLY when it goes places Royal Caribbean or Celebrity do not. I will continue to do so but with expectations of a different experience. Sometimes it has to be about the places you are visiting and less about the means to get there. My thoughts...

[Ashland]

I have recently booked Princess "Sapphire" for Feb 2012..she will have just come out of drydock with some apparently new upgrades..Have booked a mini-suite E731 which is a favorite with a wrap around covered balcony on Emerald deck with Princess cruisers I've read...As a long time RCI cruiser do any of you have the feeling I may be disappointed in the Princess product..This cruise to the Mexican Riviera with it's price and no need for flights and just a 2 hr drive to the port was enough to convince me to try since RCI has left the west coast and the MR cruise we have always loved so much with RCI....

[Maraprince]

Yes, it is the itinerary.....not the ship or cruise line. We did this same itinerary a couple of weeks ago on Jewel and found our fellow cruisers to be MUCH older than we are used to.....and we're old!

 

How were the beds on Princess compared to RC? We are booked on Crown Princess for the Mediterranean, based solely on the itinerary, but have read nothing but bad things about the comfort of the beds on Princess.

 

 

It has everything to do with the ports! Alaska is no better. The Caribbean tends to have a younger demo and is more "party/beach" oriented, relaxed and laid back. You are not constantly on the go go all the time. Canada/NE is for the serious port/shore excursion takers and tends towards an older group who can afford it. Plus, port times are early and by the time you hit the 3rd port, you start to "poop" out from all the early morning tours. People will try to cram as much shore experience as they can and this will lead to early nights.

 

MARAPRINCE

[PaddleAddict]

I did a Southern Caribbean cruise on the CB and the nightlife was hopping all week. I think the older passengers are due to your itinerary. We did a 12 day repo on Carnival and aside from a handful of young honeymooners (including us) I think most passengers were in their 70s and above. That is to be expected on a cruise of this type. We still had fun!

 

I loved Princess and loved the CB... It never seemed too crowed to me. The food was much better than the food we had on our recent Serenade cruise.

[Flatiron]

I read some negative comments about the beds on Caribbean Princess before the cruise. I had a mini-suite and found the beds to be pretty comfortable. They were a little firm but as good as any on RCCL. I slept well.

[Flatiron]

"Sometimes it has to be about the places you are visiting and less about the means to get there. My thoughts... "

 

 

This is a very good point and something my wife and I have been debating. Is it the journey or the destination? I think that sometimes the ship itself is more important than the destination, especially with cruising. If it was just the means to get there you could drive or fly.

 

Flatiron

[roe2ship]

Your experience with some crowding issues and rude people have a lot more to do with the itinerary and the demographics that itinerary attracts. It's not the line nor the ship.

 

I have been on the CB four times to the Caribbean and overall never felt crowded other than the usual areas at prime times. The most crowded feel I had on a ship was my Radiance cruise. Everything seemed very narrow and the passenger flow was not good.

 

IMO, the PSR numbers don't really mean all that much it the ship has a poor design.

[workstocruise]

After 5 RCI cruises and being loyal passengers, DH and I decided to try Princess. We booked the CB in the Caribbean during spring break and the ship was rocking with young adults, kids and senior citizens. For the first two or three days, we kept comparing it to the Explorer which was our last cruise on a bigger RCI ship. We decided we would go back to RCI, but then something on this cruise changed. I don't know whether it was the food or the anytime dining or the fact that Princess has more pools than RCI, but by the weeks end, we had booked another cruise on the Diamond and more recently a cruise on the Island Princess. I agree with other posters, the destination definitely has something to do with age. A caribbean cruise has much more nightlife than an Alaskan or Scandinavian cruise. If you have only tried Princess one time, then I would definitely try it again. You might be surprised. Also, I may like Princess more because I'm at that age where the fewer the kids the better.

[J & G]

I read some negative comments about the beds on Caribbean Princess before the cruise. I had a mini-suite and found the beds to be pretty comfortable. They were a little firm but as good as any on RCCL. I slept well.

 

 

Thanks! We have not ever found RC's beds to be wonderful. We think they are pretty marginal, in fact. Anything worse and we would not get much sleep....which would make busy port days really tiring! We have been trying to decide how to take a foam mattress pad as luggage, since the ones provided onboard are also marginal. Maybe we won't need to do that. :)

[Cruising Erin]

My first cruise was on the Dawn Princess and was fabulous! I fell in love with cruising. I then went on Royal Caribbean and have been hooked ever since. We have met wonderful people and the crew has always been great. Some better than others but when I'm on a cruise, I'm in my "happy place". Has RCI gone down in some aspects, yes, but they still do a good job and provide a lot of options. Also, I don't fell crowded most of the time which is a bonus.

[Flatiron]

I have read where you can request one of those egg crate type mattress covers on CB before you sail.

[zalusky]

We just got back from the Crown doing NY to Quebec. It was adequate but nothing special. I do like the buffet layouts better on RCI. Princess was pretty tight. I was disappointed with the entertainment this time around and we started to skip it and socialize in the lounges more with friends.

 

We did book a future cruise so we will go back at some point but we are going to do Allure next time.

 

 

I would like to try Celebrity again but I haven't found an itinerary that persuades me. Australia/New Zealand maybe but thats for the bucket list.

 

We have another future cruise on RCI in the hopper as well.

 

We have done western/eastern on RCI.

Panama and East Coast on Celebrity.

West Coast and New England on Princess.

 

I am torn on Alaska. Princess does Glacier Bay and RCI/Celebrity do not!

What do people suggest?

[vickiw0318]

LOL on the age thing. I have 70 year old friends who sailed on the Explorer to New England last year and they came home complaining about old people. Said they'd never seen so many scooters anywhere before. Off course, those two have been known to out party their 22 year old grandson!

[KKB]

Sometimes on the same ship!

 

The nightlife on DCL was DEAD DEAD DEAD after 10:30...We danced until 2AM most nights on Princess w/ a fairly crowded disco...RCCL went late, but was never very crowded.

 

We thought RCCL had better dining room food than Princess or DCL...

 

Our Oct. & March cruises we never felt too young or too old (we are 40s)--but "just right"; but our December Caribbean cruise on Princess--well, when the newlywed couple in the Love & Marriage show was in their 50s...THAT gives you an idea of the demographics of that cruise!

 

Didn't notice any particular differences in crowds, service or quality of entertainment on any of the ships.

 

A couple things we do like better about Princess--we like the larger variety of eating venues (GREAT pizza & burgers by the pool); we also like the wider variety of activities at any given time...there were several times on RCCL when we looked at the activities & NOTHING hit us...that NEVER happened on Princess; quite the contrary--we usually have too many we want to do at once.

 

One nice thing about our upcoming Allure trip--they seem to have the much larger variety of activity & eating venue choices we grew accustomed to on Princess.

 

So far we have chosen cruises on price--and Princess almost always has the best price. But honestly, I think there are more similarities than differences. (I haven't noticed any ship having more "WOW" factor than another yet--tho the Allure might have just that!)

 

ANY cruise is better than working!!! (even that disabled Carnival cruise last November would have been an adventure in our eyes--my folks agree!!)