Just returned from Italian Delight cruise on Sea Princess

[Grumm]

Hi folks

 

Just a brief precis of our cruise and a comparison with RCI. Overall the ship was a disappointment. The food was excellent, but the activities were very limited. For all you golf fans out there, note that there is NO golf simulator onboard despite all the brochure advertising. Days at sea meant a fight for deck-space. The croupiers in the casino were very off-hand. The cabin steward was excellent. Cabin size (Aloha with balcony) very disappointing. All-in-all I am of the opinion that RCI provides more value for money and whilst I'm glad to have experienced Princess, I will stick with my favourite line in future.

 

Enjoy all your forthcoming cruises. It's been nice speaking with some of you over the past few months.

 

Alan

[Toto2Kansas]

Alan, Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the Sea Princess. The Sun class ships definitely are not for everyone. I never push them to those that enjoy the larger ships or those that want more cabin space. They do offer limited activites, in comparison to the larger Grand Class ships on Princess. And the smaller cabins are something we found annoying. We love the class of ship, but never book less than a mini suite now (which on the Sun Class are more like the full suites in the Vista, or Penthouse category on the larger Princess vessels).

 

The food and service are what seem to bring us back time and again. We recently sailed again on RCI and were not at all pleased with the food offered, which to us is a huge part of cruising.

 

Hope your next cruise on RCI fullfills all of your dreams.

[haggis]

Hi Grumm, sailed on the Sea Princess ( as Adonia) early this year. There certainly was a golf simultaor on her then. Have they had it removed ? It was on the pool deck right aft of the ice cream parlour. If it has been removed seems a backward and unusual step for Princess. Happy cruising, Jimmy:)

[Grumm]

When we went looking for the simulator we were told that it had been removed by P&O!, which is clearly not the case........I assume that Princess have been economical with the truth. As explained, I only wanted to provude a brief comparison with RCI, and I hope that our reflections are not too negative. Overall, we had a great time and we wish all future Princess cruisers all the best.

 

Alan

[Coral]

Grumm - can I ask which ships on RCCL you are comparing the Sea Princess to?

 

If it is the Radiance or Voyager class, you are correct, they do not compare in amenities/activities.

[Grumm]

The Brilliance is my favourite RCI ship, although tonne for tonne, the Legend is probably a fairer comparison. I really missed the calming atmosphere of the solariums available on RCI and whilst we had a great time, my vote would go to RCI every time. As I said previously, I can fully understand why folks love Princess, but (thankfully), if we ALL loved the same company, the prices would be extortionate and the availability nil, so each to their own.

 

regards

 

Alan

[Coral]

The Brilliance is my favourite RCI ship, although tonne for tonne, the Legend is probably a fairer comparison. I really missed the calming atmosphere of the solariums available on RCI and whilst we had a great time, my vote would go to RCI every time. As I said previously, I can fully understand why folks love Princess, but (thankfully), if we ALL loved the same company, the prices would be extortionate and the availability nil, so each to their own.

 

Thanks Alan for answering.

 

I think some of your comments relate to the age of the ship. When the Sun class ships came out (Sun, Sea and Dawn), it was revolutionary to put that many balconies on a ship. I agree, the balconies and cabins on this ship are small. You probably would have had a different impression if you had sailed a Grand class or Coral/Island Princess.

 

If you choose to cruise Princess again - you may want to choose the Coral and Island Princess - I found them very similiar to the Radiance class.

 

Theresa

[Grumm]

Theresa

 

Many thanks for your helpfull and informative comments. I have noted them and as a famous fellow-Scot once said "Never say never again".

 

Alan