Sea Princess or RCCL Voyager of the Seas??

[cawhite]

Hi everyone,

 

Our family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids - 14 and 11) are about to book a Western Caribbean cruise for Spring Break 2006.

 

Can you please compare the Sea Princess with the RCCL Voyager of the Seas? The itinerary is almost the same. Both go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Riose. The Sea Princess goes to Princess Cays and the VOS goes to Labadee. Is Princess Cays a better port than Labadee? We like to snorkel, dive, hike, and sightsee.

 

But what about the ship itself? I was initially leaning toward a Voyager Class ship for all the activities (mini golf, ice skating, etc.), but one TA told me today that Princess is really better overall, and that their kids program is also better than RCCL's. Also, a balcony cabin is WAY less on Princess than on VOS.

 

But what about ship activities? We will enjoy the pools (I think they are fresh water?) but are they open late? Also, are there fun things to do during the day (classes, tours, etc.)? I hear Princess has better food, but are there good snacks around all day (soft ice cream, pizza, midnight buffets, etc.)? And I understand it's not "traditional" dining w/ the same waiter and tablemates each night? We're not into gambling so we don't need a review of the casinos.

 

So which do I choose?????

 

Thanks again for your help!.

 

I just posted a similar message on the RCCL forum so it will be interesting to compare!

[Toto2Kansas]

Our family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids - 14 and 11) are about to book a Western Caribbean cruise for Spring Break 2006.

 

Can you please compare the Sea Princess with the RCCL Voyager of the Seas? The itinerary is almost the same. Both go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Riose. The Sea Princess goes to Princess Cays and the VOS goes to Labadee. Is Princess Cays a better port than Labadee? We like to snorkel, dive, hike, and sightsee.

 

But what about the ship itself? I was initially leaning toward a Voyager Class ship for all the activities (mini golf, ice skating, etc.), but one TA told me today that Princess is really better overall, and that their kids program is also better than RCCL's. Also, a balcony cabin is WAY less on Princess than on VOS.

 

The Sea Princess is a much smaller ship and therefore offers less than you will find on the VOS in the form of 'things to do that are different'.

Their balcony cabins are also totally different. On Princess a balcony cabin consists of two twins or one queen bed. To sleep four there would be two bunks that pull out from the upper wall or ceiling. There is no sitting area to speak of on Princess ships in a balcony cabin either. One semi comfortable upholstered chair and one desk chair or stool. For a family of four to go on a Princess ship I would recommend a mini suite, much more comforatble and not so crowded. On the Sun Class ships such as the Sea Princess the mini suites are more like the full suites on the Grand Class. (but they usually have a much higher price). On the Sea, like the Sun, and the Dawn Princess the balcony is cut from the hull and quite tiny. Maybe 3 1/2 deep and the width of your stateroom. Just enough room for a small table and two chairs.

 

But what about ship activities? We will enjoy the pools (I think they are fresh water?) but are they open late? Also, are there fun things to do during the day (classes, tours, etc.)? I hear Princess has better food, but are there good snacks around all day (soft ice cream, pizza, midnight buffets, etc.)? And I understand it's not "traditional" dining w/ the same waiter and tablemates each night? We're not into gambling so we don't need a review of the casinos.

Yes, Princess has fresh water pools and hot tubs that are usually open 24/7 which is a plus.

We do enjoy the food more on Princess then on RCI, but ice cream is offered free only for a short time in the afternoon. Pizza is also offered in sit down style restaurant during certain hours only on the Sea. There are no midnight buffets on Princess, sorry. You still have a choice on Princess of traditional assigned seating (early or late) or anytime dining which has a differnt dining room. Princess also has specialty restaurants which are Sabatinis ($25 pp charge) and the Sterling Steakhouse ($15.00 pp charge) which have wonderful food and a great alternative. There is always food available throughout the day somewhere on the ship.

To choose a ship for the entire family with the things you have mentioned, I think it would have to be the VOS as it would offer more of what you were asking about.

Princess is a wonderful cruise, but things like ice skating rinks, ice cream, midnight buffets, etc. Well, they just don't have them.

Now, a Princess ship like the Caribbean Princess is much larger and has lots to do for the entire family, that one I could recommend to you for a family of 4.

Hopefully you will get more responses on this question, remember my thoughts are just that, and someone else might feel a different way.

 

[cawhite]

I'm sorry everyone. It's the STAR Princess, I'd like to compare!!!

 

Just started looking at Princess Cruise Lines today... so I was confused....

[SandyR5]

Hi - Just want to add my comments. We have sailed on Voyager and are booked now for Sea Princess. We have been on the Sun Princess and Ocean Princess which are sister ships. (Ocean princess now sailing under different name for different cruise line.) No comparison for a family. Go with the Voyager. The ship is amazing...it will blow you all away. The kids program is fantastic and they are really geared for families. There is nothing like the Voyager class promenade. There are parades on a few evenings that are just amazing. You'd never believe you were on a ship. I love both ships, but the Voyager class is my favorite...especially for families.

[DONNALAKA]

let me say I LOVE ANY CRUISE/SHIP :)

 

but, just another thought................. if this is to be your 1st cruise of many to come............. voyager will be hard to beat ! :)

[cawhite]

This is our 2nd cruise (yes... of many to come!!)... our first was last month on Carnival (W. Caribbean out of New Orleans).

 

I think we will do the Voyager over the Star Princess after all. It's just that balconies on that ship are pretty expensive (for what we'll pay for the cruise, airfare, pre-cruise hotel, transfers, excursions, etc., we could go to Hawaii... my favorite place in the world.. for longer). So, I want to be able to cruise and still do my other favorite trips too.

 

Thanks!!