celebrity vs princess / age group

[wallie5446]

Hi. I am planning to do a cruise, but I am debating between celebrity and princess lines. I am single, 40 year old professional female ; not looking for a loud party atmosphere, but don't always want quiet boring evenings either. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on what might be the best line to sail with (wondering if celebrity may attract an age group older than me ---is princess a younger crowd?). Thanks for any advice! :)

 

We sailed the Ruby Princess in Nov 2012, and Celebrity on the Reflection Nov 2013, and just returned from the Equinox Nov 2014.

 

The wifester is 57, I am 60. Based on your question we think you would like the product delivered by Celebrity.

 

ps: Have not read all the comments, but the best one to watch for will be from Lois.

[bouhunter]

Celebrity average age for a 14 day cruise is in the 60s.

.

 

I suspect that is likely true on most cruise lines for 14 day cruises...:D

[ECCruise]

As some have said, itinerary and length of cruise are far more determining factors than the name of the cruise line.

 

We have sailed around 200 days on Celebrity, 150 on Princess. Have seen boorish behavior on Celebrity and refined, well traveled passengers on Princess. And the reverse, most importantly. No way Celebrity passengers are more refined or anything than Princess cruisers. Or older. Or younger. The demographics on similar itineraries are virtually duplicates.

 

And the very worst shoving and crowding we have ever seen, on any ship, was on Eclipse last month.

 

Pick for itinerary and value and don't worry about it and you will have a great time on either line, IMHO.

[RDC1]

Have done a number of Celebrity and Princess cruises.

 

Age demographics is similar

Both vary by route, length and time of year.

 

A key question is exactly what type of activity do you like?

 

Celebrity has reduced their activity staffs and most night time entertainment is lounge/bar based outside of the main show. On Princess you do have some entertainment that is lounge/bar based, but it is less of a focus. Princess usually has other entertainment in addition to the main show. Often the main stage entertainer from the night before is in a smaller venue the next night. Also there are more activity staff run things at night such as trivia, or other similar traditional type cruise activities. Really depends upon what you like to do.

 

If bar focus I would pick Celebrity, more variety I would pick Princess.

[Lois R]

We sailed the Ruby Princess in Nov 2012, and Celebrity on the Reflection Nov 2013, and just returned from the Equinox Nov 2014.

 

The wifester is 57, I am 60. Based on your question we think you would like the product delivered by Celebrity.

 

ps: Have not read all the comments, but the best one to watch for will be from Lois.

 

Hi Wallie? Me:confused:......I have never sailed Princess and as for commentary

on Celebrity? I don't even do much of that anymore.

[tangerinebunny]

What you do once on-board determines who you meet. Hang out in the martini bar, do some active shore excursions....you get the drift.

 

Avoid the free slot pulls, the card/game tables, and early dining and odds are you'll miss many of the older folks (who seem to be having their own brand of fun).

[wallie5446]

Hi Wallie? Me:confused:......I have never sailed Princess and as for commentary

on Celebrity? I don't even do much of that anymore.

 

Hi Lois! :)

 

I ment that you would be one of the best to express feelings as to if a single would enjoy a Celebrity cruise. Hope ya have a wonderful Holiday.

[cynbar]

We sail both Princess and Celebrity, although lately more Celebrity. I haven't found much of an age difference overall, this varies from cruise to cruise on both lines. But I do think the atmosphere is different. Celebrity is quieter, more elegant, more dignified, more sedate. There is less entertainment on Celebrity, although we have found it to be very good. But Celebrity is really more about relaxing and enjoying the company of your fellow cruisers. And, as mentioned above, the Martini Bar is usually the happening spot. But I think it depends more on which type of cruise appeals more to you, the livelier Princess or the more subdued Celebrity. There are opportunities to meet other cruisers on both lines --- the roll call, traditional dining, shore excursions, and so on.

[RDC1]

It seems that in addition to age, you're also enquiring about the night life.

 

I've cruised a number of times on Princess (Platinum) and Celebrity (Elite) and her is my summary:

 

- Age on Princess is a little lower (but not much). They also tend to have more children on board, possibly due to MUTS and their marketing approach. All in all we find them similar unlike HAL that seems to be a much older crowd. DW and I are early 50's and have no problem fitting in with either Princess or Celebrity.

 

- As far as nightlife we find lots to do on both ships, but we find them different.

On Princess the piano bar area is usually very lively (depending of course on how good the piano player/singer is). There is also the Wheelhouse bar and Explorers lounge but we never really found any entertainment there we liked. There is of course Skywalkers which has either been very popular and fun... or completely dead.

 

On Celebrity (depending on which ship), the main atrium is a focal point of actively with bands and singers usually entertaining each evening. They also have a number of smaller venues which often have entertainement. Dancing late into the night can be done at the Sky lounge or Quasar.

 

If you are an outgoing person I'll sure either will be fine. Usually nightlife is what you make of it...

 

Have not noticed more children on board Princess then Celebrity. Both have had about the same number, depending upon cruise length, location and time of year. We tend to cruise during the US school year and do not cruise during school holiday periods. During those times both lines are very light on Children.

 

A few years ago, when my wife was still teaching, we would do some cruises during the summer. Mostly 7 day trips to Alaska. The ratio of children seemed similar. Far less then on Carnival, Royal Caribbean or NCL.

[Lois R]

Hi Lois! :)

 

I ment that you would be one of the best to express feelings as to if a single would enjoy a Celebrity cruise. Hope ya have a wonderful Holiday.

 

Hi Wallie,:) I guess I have not even been reading the threads correctly.

I didn't even see the OP was going solo:o......

 

Yes, I started sailing with Celebrity in my mid 40s.....now I am in

mid 50s.......and still sailing with them.:p

[baldercash]

Just finished a back to back to back on Emerald Princess, did a 38 day Millie cruise last fall Hawaii to Singapore and did both Oasis crossing this fall as well as a Viking river cruise this year. We are Platinum, Elite Plus and Diamond+.

 

I would say age is very similar on both lines, a younger group on RCI with far more families but Princess is family oriented while I would say X may be families cruising with grandparents.

 

Shows are superior on X with better production values and nicer venues. The X ships are far more elegant.

Princess has more activities but shows are not to as high a standard as X and their theaters are poor and they only produce half hour productions.

 

While on the Emerald they actually held the Quest a raunchy in audience scavenger hunt requiring mass participation with ladies removing bras or showing their thongs and men to drop their pants in front of the audience this game originated on RCI.

 

I think that just about says it all on who the two lines are targeting I can never imagine X putting on the Quest.

 

I believe staff are trained to a higher standard on X and in my opinion the crew mix but carry themselves better.

There is a difference in the training of staff and crew on X as to how they interact compared to RCI staff who are never transfer to X but Celebrity staff migrate to Azamara. I think staff is better trained on RCI then Princess as well.

 

We enjoy cruising Princess and placed future cruise deposits on the ship but with Regal and Royal I believe Princess is setting sights firmly on RCI.

I think both X and RCI cruises cost more which impacts the financial demographics of the pax.

Edited December 20, 2014 by baldercash

[RDC1]

Just finished a back to back to back on Emerald Princess, did a 38 day Millie cruise last fall Hawaii to Singapore and did both Oasis crossing this fall as well as a Viking river cruise this year. We are Platinum, Elite Plus and Diamond+.

 

I would say age is very similar on both lines, a younger group on RCI with far more families but Princess is family oriented while I would say X may be families cruising with grandparents.

 

Shows are superior on X with better production values and nicer venues. The X ships are far more elegant.

Princess has more activities but shows are not to as high a standard as X and their theaters are poor and they only produce half hour productions.

 

While on the Emerald they actually held the Quest a raunchy in audience scavenger hunt requiring mass participation with ladies removing bras or showing their thongs and men to drop their pants in front of the audience this game originated on RCI.

 

I think that just about says it all on who the two lines are targeting I can never imagine X putting on the Quest.

 

I believe staff are trained to a higher standard on X and in my opinion the crew mix but carry themselves better.

There is a difference in the training of staff and crew on X as to how they interact compared to RCI staff who are never transfer to X but Celebrity staff migrate to Azamara. I think staff is better trained on RCI then Princess as well.

 

We enjoy cruising Princess and placed future cruise deposits on the ship but with Regal and Royal I believe Princess is setting sights firmly on RCI.

I think both X and RCI cruises cost more which impacts the financial demographics of the pax.

 

Who was the Cruise Director on the Emerald? What was the route?

 

I have never encountered anything like that on any Princess cruise, though the last time I was on the Emerald was last January. Does not sound like any of the Princess CD's would have done on any of the cruises I have been on with them. Certainly did not encounter it on the Pacific in Tahiti, the Star in Alaska, and the Golden on the west coast during the last 9 months.

 

A couple of production shows on the Solstice in March from Sydney to Auckland was more risque (though overly so) then what I have seen on Princess.

[RDC1]

I have seen them do scavenger style games on Princess ships but nothing anywhere close to what you describe.

 

A friend of mine did encounter a version that he said was inappropriate on the Caribbean Princess with a new CD from New Zealand named Corey. He said that a number of people complained to the CD afterwards.

[baldercash]

Who was the Cruise Director on the Emerald? What was the route?

 

A couple of production shows on the Solstice in March from Sydney to Auckland was more risque (though overly so) then what I have seen on Princess.

 

Not sure who the CD was he did a rather bad morning show we were sailing out of Fort Lauderdale so Caribbean.

 

Risque as in sexually provocative or revealing in the costumes.?

I would imagine X wants to be a little edgy in their shows to appeal to a younger or more up scale theater going crowd the demographic they are trying to appeal to.

 

I found the Princess production shows rather dated on Emerald.

One can see the influence of RCI and their production values in the Solstice class ship productions.

Oasis did a full stage production of Hair Spray on the East bound crossing and a 2.5 hour production of Cats on the return. Their Come fly with me production was as good as any Cirque du Soleil‎ production I have seen in Vegas or Toronto.

The ice show was spectacular as well as the high diving show. I could easily see paying $80.00 to see anyone of them not so with Princess.

 

I have seen them do scavenger style games on Princess ships but nothing anywhere close to what you describe.

 

A friend of mine did encounter a version that he said was inappropriate on the Caribbean Princess with a new CD from New Zealand named Corey. He said that a number of people complained to the CD afterwards.

 

They were running a scavenger contest during the cruises which they did on Oasis as well.

I have witnessed Quest multiple times on RCI and this was a "Quest" my wife even called the next quest before the CD as she knew when he would call for the teams to bring up bras and such.

I was following a Quest on RCI thread as people were disappointed it had been deleted from the Quantum. I assume it does not fit with the image they are trying to project with this new class of ship more up scale and sophisticated. It was mentioned that NCL does the Quest as well and they are in direct competition with RCI.

I expected the Quest to appeal more to Carnival cruisers then Princess.

 

Regal and Royal do not seem to have the same sophistication or elegance as Solstice class ships.

I have not sailed them but younger friends who have sailed Royal and the Break Away say they have a very similar feel both with tiny balconies, they were disappointed in both. But NCL supplies top notch entertainment.

Edited December 20, 2014 by baldercash

[Iamcruzin]

Hi. I am planning to do a cruise, but I am debating between celebrity and princess lines. I am single, 40 year old professional female ; not looking for a loud party atmosphere, but don't always want quiet boring evenings either. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on what might be the best line to sail with (wondering if celebrity may attract an age group older than me ---is princess a younger crowd?). Thanks for any advice! :)

 

Just a suggestion you may want to change the title of your thread to include that you are sailing as a single cruiser and post it on the Princess board as well. Sailing single is different than sailing as a couple or in a group. I notice a lot more singles on the Princess board than on the Celebrity board. However, I have been a member of the Princess board a lot longer than Celebrity so I know the CC members better on that board. Also the singles on that board are more vocal about sailing as a single than on this board.

[melsuli]

Age is just a number though I will concede the longer the cruise the older every group is at the end of it?

[LabGuy64]

Those studio cabins freak me out......maybe European singles would like them.....but they are just too damn small

 

 

MG,

 

I've cruised Med, Carib and River Cruise (French). I cruise every year with my 80 year old Dad, so for obvious reaons it feels like a singles cruise to me, expecially after 10 PM when he calls it a night. I go on whatever cruiseline / itinerary he chooses and we've done CCL, Princess and NCL. I would advise a 40 year old single cruiser to avoid school vacation periods (Christmas, Spring Break, T'giving and Summer) and also Disney and Carnival cruiselines (very kid friendly). NCL caters to solo adults in their Studio cabins but their partnership with Nickleodeon scares me and I'm not sure if I'll go back. I don't like Spongebob Squarepants at the best of times. I sure don't want to bump into him on a cruise.

 

Regardless of the cruise line, the service has always met or exceeded my expectations. I was always able to meet and spend time with fellow adult cruisers be they single or attached. People are good at heart and like to embrace perfect strangers. Find a hot tub or pool with a chatty group. Grab a drink and slide in. You'll be included in the conversation within minutes.

 

Celebrity and Princess have the reputation of being more elegant and adult oriented, but really, on any cruise with over 3000 guests you should be able to find a handful that share your interests. Each ship will have an assortment of adult activities. Bars, comedy, DJ's, casino, dancing etc. The maitre'd or MDR hostess can help seat you with guests of similarly age or circumstance.

 

Make your decision based more on which cruiselines best meet your itinerary / cost / dates / embarkation port expectations. IMHO.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

HTP

:cool:

[Jetswdo]

If itineraries are the same and not that into the food--I have found Princess more mainstream America. Celebrity a bit more "country club--

That being said, food on Celebrity is generaly consistently good to excellent. Princess, very hit or miss. If not going during school holidays- I think generally an older crowd on Princess- but depends as other folks have posted on the itinerary and length of the cruise. On the Reflection June of 2013- very few children on board- average age was around 45 or so- similar sailing on Princess had many children and more people 79 plus! (Princess I think caters better to multi generations) On the Royal Princess last April, much younger crowd- didn't see any scooters at all at that time---

NCL offers those small studios-- I think if I were around 40, I would go during non school vacation times, avoid mid March through April for spring breakers- and go for about a 1 week carribean cruise. Otherwise, I would do the same thing, probobly on Celebrity--

[Algebralovr]

Being a couple in our 40s, we paid attention to this the last few years on Celebrity. On the 7 night cruises, there were many our age. When we upped our nights to 11, many fewer passengers were our age. If you want to cruise for longer than 7 nights, I'd book a B2B.

 

Some of the activities included an 80s night, comedy show, and the martini bar is always fun. It is a matter of finding your fun.