Should devoted Celebrity cruiser try Princess?

[catmand]

As somone who has posted to this thread on both the Princes and Celebrity board and sailed with both Princess and Celebrity I also found the reading here interesting. I especially enjoy reading opinions of an entire shipline from people who have sailed once, and on one ship. Even more valuable is information from those who have never sailed with the line, period.

Nothing like sailing the oldest ship in the fleet and responding the entire line is awful.

[swelch]

My 2 cents: I've sailed on Princess once, Celebrity once, RCCL four times in the last four years. I liked Princess the LEAST. I wouldn't turn down a free trip (like if I won a free trip) but I would NEVER choose it again. The plusses were : Really good shows. The best I have seen on board. Clean ship. Nice spacious rooms. Nice tender ships. really clean and covered, so not so hot. Lovely "aqua spa" area, free of charge and quiet. (it was a brand new ship -- Star Princess)

Negatives: really annoying cruise director. (I hope to never hear the words "Princess Patter" again!!!!! The worst food I have ever had on a cruise (I mean it!) HORRIBLE music poolside (mostly bad '70's flashback music performed by two little guys in the corner by bar.) An EXTREMELY limited menu for dining in your stateroom, especially breakfast. I don't recall ANY hot items from which to choose. I am a late riser, so I always had raisin bran and fruit. Oh, so I guess another positive (negative??) is I gained no weight!!! Might have lost some!!! So in summation, if ya win that raffle drawing, well, have fun!!

[catmand]

To comment, a swarmy CD can be a pain in the backside after all but how long does one need to put up with him/her? There are at least three pools on Star, why not go to one that does not have a band, there is always a quiet spot at one of the pools. You can get anything you want via room service (that is within reason, you can't get 10 lobster tails) but you can order anything on the regular menu's, you just write in exactly what you would like. You need to write butter if you want it for your toast, etc. I have had eggs with smoked salmon, bagles, oatmeal......you can also order off the dinner menu. Now, in all fairness, this is not advertised (unless in a suite) but none the less, it's true. Food, well OK that's subjective so if someone says it is horrible, it is horrible to them. I am not all that experienced with Princess, only 17 days at sea, only 17 dinners.............all 5 course meals with multi-choices, I always found something worth eating.

 

Now PLEASE, I do hope no one takes my post as a dispute of their experience, after all, who the heck am I to tell someone what/how/why they should have had a really great time. I just point these things out to let folks know there are alternatives to almost everything that could cause a "problem" to them. There are also little secrets like room service that make things nicer. An example of this on Celebrity is Cova Cafe, they have the most delicious pastry out from about 3-4 or so every day. It sits on the bar under a large glass case. The speciality coffee there is a charged item but the napoleans, pastries and cookies are complimentary. On one thread here that was mentioned and at least 3 people wrote "I didn't know those were free?" or close to that. So it always pays to do your homework and ask questions.

[Lois R]

Cat:) hi, I know you like both lines, as do Phil and Marti:)

Speaking of which, did you tell me on another thread you are having lunch with them?

You probably know they are 2 of my most favorite people:D When you see them please give Marti a big hug for me! (and if you want to Phil too;) ). Send them lots of love for me! Thanks for the favor!

 

Oh I LOVE those pastries:D

[swelch]

I suppose I got a little carried away with the adjectives (for example "horrible") I just wasn't too thrilled. And I didn't do my homework, so shame on me. Most important, I took my two sullen teenage daughters who missed their boyfriends and were a drag. Maybe that had something to do with it??? Maybe I'll give Princess another try. My in-laws have been 7 times. Love them!!!

[dmarch@islc.net]

I've done Cunard, Dolphin, NCL, RCL, Princess, X , Royal and Carnivore.....I like X the Best. That said, I enjoyed our time on the Coral Princess very much. X definitely has a better decorator and I was very disappointed with what they call a "mini suite". Food was just a hair inferior to X's. Everything else was top notch. I would sail Princess again.

[Tjalex07]

In my experience, both Celebrity and Princess provide an acceptable product. There is little doubt that the Celebrity experience is superior to that of Princess. Celebrity is more refined and of higher quality. Princess is nice, predictable, and comfortable. The food and service experience on Celebrity is representative of a 5 star hotel. I would not refuse to book a Princess cruise, but Celebrity would always be my first choice. If you want the service of a 4 to 5 star hotel, book Celebrity. If you desire the service of a 3 star hotel, book Princess.

 

TA

[don loves to cruise]

The pricr is right-but don't expect 1st class treatment. We were on a golf cruise (400) golfers--Waited about 1 hour or more at each port, to disembark--Not a lot of fun ,standing around in the casino. (operative word standing) I was on Saphire Princess, and they only had 1 gangplank for 2500 to get off the ship. Seems like they don't plan too well. No cruise critic party-and they even split our group up-for dinner. don loves to cruise 4 Royal Caribean (the best) 2 Celebrity (2nd) 2 Disney (for kids) 1 Premier (our first-great service) AND 1 Princess

[andrew53]

We have cruised three times on Princess and once on Celebrity. They both have good points. As paying customers we make the final choice. We take into consideration itinery, cabin, ship and line. True Celebrity have CC but they do not have free choice dining. Celebrity have excellent room service but their bars are sterile and unfriendly. Both lines could learn from P & O. They have real life celebrities that are known to their UK customers. As customers we must decide what our priorities are, destination, cruise line, cabin, deck level, time of year and cost. As long as you are clear in your own mind what you are seeking you should not be dissapointed.

Andrew.

[Lois R]

Hi Andrew:)

 

Celebrity's bars are unfriendly?:eek: ...sterile would be ok...I think of sterile as being clean:)

But unfriendly? All 5 cruises I have been on, the bars and lounges, bartenders and wait staff have always been friendly with big smiles:D

[ambullmom]

Im a devoted Princess cruiser and I tried Celebrity. Doesn't hurt to try.

I still love Princess best but I had a great time.

 

Mary Beth

[sammiedawg]

We've sailed the Golden twice and it is the most beautiful ship, wonderful balconies, pools, choices. The Southern Itinerary you chose is one of the best. Enjoy

[sammiedawg]

I doubt you will visit Caracas, our stop there was cancelled due to political unrest, civil war was in progress last year. We visited Margarita Island instead, just off the Venezuelan coast. I'm suprised Princess still advertises Caracas, maybe the situation improved since last year. Grenada is one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen, the spice island. Aruba is one of the few port stops I think I could spend a week in. Rent a jeep and tour the back country on your own, Hertz. Princess excursion program is the best of the 4 cruise lines we have sailed.

[mii]

Of course you should try Princess. As a devoted Princess fan (six cruises) on all sizes of their ships we are trying Celebrity for the first time in three weeks. We did this because we like the itiniery in Alaska r/t out of S.F. better than Princess and also gives us an opportunity to try another line. I will always be a Princess fan because next year I have already signed up for another cruise with them.

 

So give it a shot. Isn't it nice that we have choices.

 

marilyn

[CroozBlooz]

We've been on about 30 cruises or so--12 of them on Princess and only 1 on Celebrity. There may be something to the view that the "Carnivalization" of Princess has caused quality to decline significantly since the merger. Or it may simply be a sign of the times based on aggressive competition among the "mass" lines. The quality of the food on Princess, in general, has declined over time. That being said, I used to think that NCL had the best food (that was about 12 years ago). Now, I don't believe you can say that.

 

There are many very nice and subtle things that are great on X. Linens on trays at the buffet, with trays carried to your table for you. No announcements!!! Wonderful library and music listening rooms on the newer, larger ships.

 

But the Princess ships, particularly the new Grand style ships, are wonderful. Larger cabins.....outstanding spas on the Sapphire, Diamond and Caribbean Princess.

 

We like the freestyle dining concept, and will probably try NCL again, particularly since we have concerns about the integrity of Princess/Carnival (but I won't go into that here).

[debbue19511972]

We have been on 4 RCI, 1 NCL, 2 Princess and just booked our 2nd Celebrity.
Just got back from the Caribbean Princess. Although I would not hesitate taking a Princess cruise, for some reason on both of the cruises I came away unexcited. Don't know what it is. We enjoy Royal Caribbean and will go on Celebrity Constellation for the 2nd time. It is BY FAR a cut above... as enjoyable as Royal Caribbean, but more classy such as cool towels around the neck when reboarding and sorbet around poolside and don't forget the carrying of the trays to the tables. And ah yes....no announcements!

[ShipsAhoy]

We just booked our first Princess cruise............ I have been on 5 different lines and loved them all (12). I always go with a positive attitude, and I am not one to make a fuss or complain. So I know I will have a great cruise.

[Tjalex07]

Shipsahoy, I agree totally that attitude plays a significant roll in the cruise experience. Whenever my wife and I travel, we tend to pack with us an attitude that we are going to have a great time and enjoy the blessings that have been affored us. I think many individuals need to take just a few minutes to reflect on the fact that they are fortunate to be able to be on a beautiful ship going to wonderful places. Sure there are times that everything is not absolutely perfect, but a positive attitude can often be the trumph card that makes the difference between a good or wonderful time.

Tom

[Ma Bell]

Yes, Tom, you really have that one right.:)