Princess Cruise Ship Preferences

[sbellante]

Island Princess? Diamond Princess? Sapphire Princess?

 

Are these equal in dining quality, cabin quality, etc.?

 

These are the choices for our Alaska cruise so I thought I would ask the experienced "Princess Cruisers" their opinion...

 

Thank you!

[Pam in CA]

Island Princess is as long as the Sapphire and Diamond but is narrower. She carries 1,970 passengers vs. 2,600 and has a much better passenger/space ratio. There are open public decks both forward and aft for scenic viewing.

 

The Sapphire and Diamond are sister ships. However, the Sapphire was recently updated with an International Cafe, Vines, Alfredo's and the Sanctuary. Neither the Island nor the Diamond have an International Cafe, Vines or Alfredo's. The Island has the Sanctuary, the Diamond doesn't.

 

The bottom line is that if fares are equal, I'd go on the Island although the Sapphire updates are very, very nice.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I've been on all three, and just last week disembarked the Island Princess in Alaska. It was the first time I'd cruised on that class of ship (there are only 2 ships in that class, the Island and the Coral), so I had a lot of first impressions.

 

I would dismiss the Diamond almost immediately, because it lacks an International Cafe (IC) which we really enjoy, even though in most other ways it's the same as the Sapphire.

 

Since you're comparing those ships, I'm guess you're looking at an Alaska cruise. In that case, the Sanctuary will mean nothing to you, so don't worry about that. As Pam said, the Island has far fewer people and you can definitely tell that when you're on the ship. We never waited in line for anything, and even Anytime Dining lines at peak hours weren't bad (and half the time there was space in the Traditional Dining Room just one deck up, and they'd escort us there).

 

The Island has far nicer entertainment venues than the Sapphire. It has the Universe Lounge, which makes a great deal more sense than Club Fusion, and the Bayou Lounge, which the Sapphire doesn't have at all. It has nice seating areas on the starboard side of both Decks 6 and 7, and a much nicer library with leather seating and ottomans.

 

All these ships have a covered pool area, which I think is vital for Alaska. And while the Island lacks the Terrace Deck and pools that the Sapphire has, you probably wouldn't use those in Alaska either.

 

The Island did have one quirk that the Sapphire doesn't. If you take the mid ship elevators up to Deck 14 (the Lido Deck) to go to the buffet, you have to walk outside to get to it. Now, it's covered a bit, but that green carpeting that covers that deck was wet a lot, and consequently we'd get our shoes/socks wet too, as the water splashed up with each step. The Sapphire has the buffet in the back, so you don't have that issue. Also, I guess I really don't like a buffet at the front of the ship, as the Island has. It's great for looking out as you come into port, but the reality is that if it's sunny, the front of the buffet is a bit of a sauna, and some of the windows were permanently clouded/fogged. I prefer a buffet at the back, which the Sapphire has.

 

However, saying all this, the lack of crowding really outweighs anything else in my mind. And the Sapphire/Diamond aren't as crowded as the larger ships, so they're not horrible. But the Island truly felt empty most of the time.

[sbellante]

Thank you both for all the information. It sounds like Diamond is getting their "upgrade" in October 2013, so that is disappointing. I will keep looking...your posts have been very helpful, thank you!

[fishfire]

The Island and Coral are my favorite ships in the fleet. I will always choose one of those if available. My favorite spaces are the library and the card room (only available on these two ships in the whole fleet). I have learned that to get one of those leather chairs with an ottoman (they face the windows) I need to get there early on sea days. The card tables go fast in the card room as well, but it is a great place to make new friends over a deck of cards, a puzzle or a board game.

[billco]

However, saying all this, the lack of crowding really outweighs anything else in my mind. And the Sapphire/Diamond aren't as crowded as the larger ships, so they're not horrible. But the Island truly felt empty most of the time.

Actually, the Diamond and Sapphire are currently the largest Princess cruise ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_world's_largest_cruise_ships

 

The Coral and Island were my favorites, but after spending three weeks last March on the Sapphire with its new upgrades, I would have to say it is my new favorite. I like having a choice of four different styles of MDRs (Savoy, Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, and sometimes Vivaldi) the upgraded gym with the latest equipment, the wide Promenade deck with its stairs to the Emerald deck, Alfredos, International Cafe, the little known Wake View bar, and the redesigned Horizon Court.

[dorisis]

I have 2 princess cruises booked. One on the Sapphire and one on the Pacific. I like Coral and Island too. Now ask me which of my children I like best. The ships are all different and have a different ambience.

 

~Doris~

[sbellante]

Well because of scheduling we are forced to take Diamond, which I am not pleased about. I am assuming it can't be that bad right? haha

[caribill]

Well because of scheduling we are forced to take Diamond, which I am not pleased about. I am assuming it can't be that bad right? haha

 

There is nothing wrong with the Diamond.

 

As one poster pointed out there is no International Cafe or Alfredo's. You will not starve without it.

[Tipbob]

We just took the Sapphire from Vancouver and back. My husband's first cruise and my second. We loved it. My husband was leery of cruising, envisioning long lines and crowds. He says he never felt any of that. Loved the Wheelhouse bar and the music there. Always looked forward to a snack from the IC. We would miss it if it isn't on our next cruise (which we are already planning). Enjoyed all our meals, from the buffet to Alfredo's pizza to the any time dining rooms. Even got to do the Chef's Table. Everyone should do that once in your life. Wow!

[JLC@SD]

They are all pretty much equal .....we just took the Island and it was nice. Island might be a little more preferable as it has less passengers.

[Pam in CA]

Well because of scheduling we are forced to take Diamond, which I am not pleased about. I am assuming it can't be that bad right? haha

You'll have a great cruise. I'm booked on the Diamond next Spring and booked it because of the itinerary, not the amenities. I've cruised on the Sapphire several times before any updates and had a great time.

[DougH]

I just booked the Islannd for the Panama Canal over Thanksgiving. I've never been on her or the Coral but have heard good things. How is the Bayou Cafe compared to Sterling? very similar? Is the aft Universe lounge two levels? on some deck plans it looks like it has a balcony.

 

Any special tips about her?

[caribill]

Is the aft Universe lounge two levels? on some deck plans it looks like it has a balcony.

 

Any special tips about her?

 

Universe Lounge is two levels. You can enter on deck 6 or deck 7 and there is an internal stairway next to the bar.

 

Compared to most other princess ships:

o Traditional dining room and buffet are forward, not aft.

o Princess Theater is only accessible from deck 7.

o Panoramic elevators only go up to deck 8.

o Forward elevator does not go below deck 7.

o Library and card room, both on deck 8 along with the Internet Cafe, are very nice sized

[PescadoAmarillo]

o Princess Theater is only accessible from deck 7.

I forgot about that one. If you enjoy sitting in front (we do) there is a bit of a wait while the theater empties after a show.

 

OTOH the Universe Lounge, being two decks high, is very accessible.

[Bimmer09]

The Diamond has a Sanctuary- above the bridge and screened from the wind. The Island/Coral have the Sanctuary at the stern with the loungers facing the wake. The staff on the Coral Sanctuary are exemplary.

 

The Coral doesn't have a Promenade deck that goes all the way to the bow (boo!) , no stern cabins (hiss!) and no Skywalkers (outrageous!) which the Diamond/Sapphire both have. It is a very spacious ship however

with a fine staff. The forward and aft viewing areas (the "Secret" decks) are good but having just come off the Diamond it is hard to beat standing on the roof of the bridge during sailaway or Glacier viewing.

 

Norris

[runnerodb83]

Actually, the Diamond and Sapphire are currently the largest Princess cruise ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_world's_largest_cruise_ships

 

The Coral and Island were my favorites, but after spending three weeks last March on the Sapphire with its new upgrades, I would have to say it is my new favorite. I like having a choice of four different styles of MDRs (Savoy, Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, and sometimes Vivaldi) the upgraded gym with the latest equipment, the wide Promenade deck with its stairs to the Emerald deck, Alfredos, International Cafe, the little known Wake View bar, and the redesigned Horizon Court.

 

I'm not so sure about this. The Grand/Caribbean class of ships have an extra deck and while gross tonnage is computed from the enclosed volume of a ship, I'm suspect that the Calypso pool is not included in the tonnage on the Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, and Ruby whereas it IS included in the volume of the Diamond/Sapphire. Additionally, one cannot take the gross tonnage as the end-all be all for ship sizing. Yes its used for comparison but it is the product of volume and a volume dependent computed factor (k). It is therefore a "unit-less index" meant to help determine capacities of a vessel. So while gross tonnage is useful to say that the allure of the seas is bigger than the ruby princess, its harder to use when comparing the difference between the sapphire and the ruby. Since the sapphire/diamond are 3' wider than their grand class siblings, the difference in volume may be that 3' of extra width over all the decks which is not really noticeable (ask yourself, in the princess theater, does 1 extra seat in each row make it that much "wider", granted the full size chairs on the promenade deck are nice).

 

Anyways, the short version is that while gross tonnage is a good measure, it doesn't tell the whole story, and i would stop short of saying that diamond/sapphire are the largest in the fleet with 1 less deck than the grand/Caribbean class and a covered pool.

[Jasperdo]

Is the aft Universe lounge two levels? on some deck plans it looks like it has a balcony.

The Universe Lounge does have a balcony, but the sight lines are terrible from there. There is a metal railing that gets in the way of every seat up there. Here are a few photos to explain what I mean. But aside from that, the Universe Lounge is a great venue. It has three round stages, and one of them revolves. The show On The Bayou is probably the best show I've seen on a Princess ship.

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[sbellante]

Thank you all for the help!