Coral Princess vs Celebrity Reflection

[catsdinner]

We just did 2 cruises b2b, first on Celebrity Reflection and then on Coral Princess. Both cruises were great but found service better on the Princess ship, especially in the buffet. Didn't like the beverage stations on the Reflection but loved that the waiters were there the moment we sat down on the Coral to bring us our beverages. Dining room on Coral Princess much less noisy. Reflection, the Show, was excellent. I think Celebrity shows are better than Princess but other entertainment on Princess is better. Chair hogs rampant on both ships. Dress code enforcement bad on both ships. Balcony cabin on Reflection had a sofa but it was uncomfortable so rarely sat on it, preferred sitting out on balcony so not an issue. More closet and storage space on Princess. Both lines have stringent smoking policy except on Princess they allow smoking in the casino some nights. Liked that on Princess the room steward called us by name every time she saw us in the hallway, that didn't happen on Celebrity. Food was great in the MDR on both ships, liked that escargot was available every night on Celebrity. Love the Fettucine Alfredo on Princess. We had Select dining on Celebrity and didn't like that every night they sat us at a table for 2 even though we said we would share a table. On Princess we had a table for 6 or 8 every night and enjoyed that more. Reflection is a beautiful ship, Coral is also beautiful but more laid back. There were more children on Celebrity but it was a 7 day cruise and Princess was a 11 day cruise. Like that Princess has laundry rooms so we can iron clothes if necessary. Like that on Princess excursions are paid for on board even if you order them before boarding. Select dining on Celebrity gratuities must be paid for before boarding, not on Princess. This is great when you have a large OBC. Princess we get OBC for being veterans and different OBCs can be combined (Veterans, FCC, shareholders, TA, etc) not on Celebrity. Couldn't use my FCC and drink package for same booking.

The above is my opinion only.

 

Sarah

[TorontoTL]

Thanks for your observations Sarah.

[dorisis]

I especially like being able to combine ALL onboard credits on Princess and also having any that are unused refunded. But I do like the larger cabins on Celebrity. Princess also has better perks for their past passengers when one reaches Elite.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the comments.

[jagoffee]

We just did 2 cruises b2b, first on Celebrity Reflection and then on Coral Princess. Both cruises were great but found service better on the Princess ship, especially in the buffet. Didn't like the beverage stations on the Reflection but loved that the waiters were there the moment we sat down on the Coral to bring us our beverages. Dining room on Coral Princess much less noisy. Reflection, the Show, was excellent. I think Celebrity shows are better than Princess but other entertainment on Princess is better. Chair hogs rampant on both ships. Dress code enforcement bad on both ships. Balcony cabin on Reflection had a sofa but it was uncomfortable so rarely sat on it, preferred sitting out on balcony so not an issue. More closet and storage space on Princess. Both lines have stringent smoking policy except on Princess they allow smoking in the casino some nights. Liked that on Princess the room steward called us by name every time she saw us in the hallway, that didn't happen on Celebrity. Food was great in the MDR on both ships, liked that escargot was available every night on Celebrity. Love the Fettucine Alfredo on Princess. We had Select dining on Celebrity and didn't like that every night they sat us at a table for 2 even though we said we would share a table. On Princess we had a table for 6 or 8 every night and enjoyed that more. Reflection is a beautiful ship, Coral is also beautiful but more laid back. There were more children on Celebrity but it was a 7 day cruise and Princess was a 11 day cruise. Like that Princess has laundry rooms so we can iron clothes if necessary. Like that on Princess excursions are paid for on board even if you order them before boarding. Select dining on Celebrity gratuities must be paid for before boarding, not on Princess. This is great when you have a large OBC. Princess we get OBC for being veterans and different OBCs can be combined (Veterans, FCC, shareholders, TA, etc) not on Celebrity. Couldn't use my FCC and drink package for same booking.

The above is my opinion only.

 

Sarah

 

Sarah, interesting comparison as we have been on the Island Princess and the Reflection.

 

You must have had an Open Passage purchased before August 2013. The ones purchased after that date can be combined with one other offer. (Just for future reference). Of course they cannot be combined with multiple offers like the FCC on Princess.

 

IMO the actual design/ layout of the ships are very significantly different. I am cruising on the Royal Princess in August. I believe the Reflection is more like the Royal Princess, but I will let you know when I get back.

Edited April 1, 2014 by jagoffee

[geoherb]

Thanks for your observations. I always look at Celebrity cruises as well as Holland America before booking my Princess cruises. It's been several years since we sailed on Celebrity. I know I shouldn't judge the cruise line on one underwhelming cruise, but that one was.