Princess vs Celebrity

[Karen Lynn]

Anyone done a cruise / tour with both?

Experience if so?

 

Thanks!

[Working 2 Cruise]

I believe Celebrity doesn't go to Glacier Bay. If that's important to you, go with Princess.

[mek]

I've been to Alaska on both - very similar, IMO. Is there something in particular that you want to know?

Edited June 10, 2015 by mek

[Karen Lynn]

Its not for me..

I just prefer Celebrity although I've done Alaska with Princess and thought them excellent. Really trying to compare the land tours ..I know Princess does those very well, I did Mt McKinley...Denali and Anchorage. My friend is keen to do Copper River which I know little about.

 

:confused:

[OCruisers]

I believe Celebrity doesn't go to Glacier Bay. If that's important to you, go with Princess.

 

It is a big consideration if you want to go to Glacier Bay.

Princess and HAL both do a GREAT job with cruises to Alaska. ;)

 

LuLu

[mek]

Its not for me..

I just prefer Celebrity although I've done Alaska with Princess and thought them excellent. Really trying to compare the land tours ..I know Princess does those very well, I did Mt McKinley...Denali and Anchorage. My friend is keen to do Copper River which I know little about.

 

:confused:

 

Sorry, no experience with Celebrity land tours in Alaska.

[xlxo]

Must do Glacier Bay...

 

Some Princess Glacier Bay trips offer a mid-ocean (pre-Juneau) excursion transfer to Tracy Arm (Sawyer is depends on ice congestion).

http://www.princess.com/excursion/exDetails.do?t=A&exType=S&tourCode=TA1-665

Edited June 11, 2015 by xlxo

[GUT2407]

Haven't done Alaska, however have been with both, more alike than different, I lean slightly to Princess mate is the other way, each happy yo go with the other.

 

Similar size/age ships are similar, quality is similar.

 

So pick on itinerary.

[Northern Aurora]

Celebrity has a very restrictive smoking policy with NO indoor smoking areas on their ships -- yes -- even their casinos are totally non-smoking. For those who are either non-smokers or trying to quit this policy is wonderful.

 

My friend is keen to do Copper River which I know little about.

 

:confused:

 

I've stayed at the Copper River Princess Lodge, and am curious as to why the friend is "keen to do Copper River?" Any specific interests?

[Budget Queen]

I disagree Princess land tours, are so great. Some are, but They have WAY too many that only include the worthless NHT and they park people at their holding tanks- the McKinley Princess, (especially if at the expense of staying at the Denali Princess) where Celebrity land tours use the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge- a whole lot better. Also some tours, include Alyeska- which could have a lot of potential for touring, depending on interests.

 

As for the Copper River Princess, I also have stayed there, extremely nice, but no place I would ever be without a car. The negative of some of their tours that include this lodge- is being on the fast ferry to Valdez (slow one is superior and very "tour" like) and no time in Valdez. Bused for hours, looking out a window, no ability to stop. Too many people turn up their noses at the expense of getting to Kennicott/McCarthy, which is a superb tour and a great reason to stay in this area. Too many do nothing. Same with the McKinley Princess.

 

Flame away.

[Keith1010]

I have sailed both along with other lines in Alaska.

 

I would base my decision on the itinerary.

 

I found that the tours offered were similar in quality.

 

As to the ships and the on-board experience, I do prefer Celebrity but that is another story.

 

Keith

[Northern Aurora]

...

 

As for the Copper River Princess, I also have stayed there, extremely nice, but no place I would ever be without a car. The negative of some of their tours that include this lodge- is being on the fast ferry to Valdez (slow one is superior and very "tour" like) and no time in Valdez. Bused for hours, looking out a window, no ability to stop. Too many people turn up their noses at the expense of getting to Kennicott/McCarthy, which is a superb tour and a great reason to stay in this area. Too many do nothing. Same with the McKinley Princess.

 

Flame away.

 

Given the location of these facilities I firmly believe that folks need their own transportation when staying at the McKinley, Copper River or Cooper Landing Princess lodges. Otherwise they are stuck on the properties unless they book Princess excursions.

 

It amazes me when entering either the McKinley Princess or Copper River Princess to see the lobbies full of people just reading or playing board games. I can't help but wonder how many of these folks intended to spend their trip to Alaska playing a board game.

[RescueDontBuy]

We just got back a week ago from Princess cruisetour and we had a blast. I don't know why someone said they put you in Mt. McKinley lodge at expense of Denali because frankly I liked the Mt. McKinley lodge much better than the Denali lodge (this doesn't mean I didn't love Denali park). Also at MT McKinley you can go to Talkeetna and you can book a much more cost effective flight over the mountains than at the Denali park area. Also the view of the mountain range (yes we got lucky and saw mt. McKinley peak through the clouds) is spectacular on the deck of the MT, McKinley lodge. We also attended the talk with the guy who has climbed the mountains many times and his pictures were awesome. Denali wilderness lodge is nice but older and it is right on the main highway so not so lodge like feeling at this location but great access to the park. Also more shops across the road a the Denali location as the MT McKinley location is off the beaten path. I couldn't beat the price and value of the princess cruisetour combination, including their Alaska extras like brining Rangers on board, fresh salmon cooked lunches on the pool deck, and the trip through glacier bay, and we were not disappointed in any way.

[Budget Queen]

We just got back a week ago from Princess cruisetour and we had a blast. I don't know why someone said they put you in Mt. McKinley lodge at expense of Denali because frankly I liked the Mt. McKinley lodge much better than the Denali lodge (this doesn't mean I didn't love Denali park). Also at MT McKinley you can go to Talkeetna and you can book a much more cost effective flight over the mountains than at the Denali park area. Also the view of the mountain range (yes we got lucky and saw mt. McKinley peak through the clouds) is spectacular on the deck of the MT, McKinley lodge. We also attended the talk with the guy who has climbed the mountains many times and his pictures were awesome. Denali wilderness lodge is nice but older and it is right on the main highway so not so lodge like feeling at this location but great access to the park. Also more shops across the road a the Denali location as the MT McKinley location is off the beaten path. I couldn't beat the price and value of the princess cruisetour combination, including their Alaska extras like brining Rangers on board, fresh salmon cooked lunches on the pool deck, and the trip through glacier bay, and we were not disappointed in any way.

 

You were lucky, most people do not see McKinley. How far did you get into Denali Park, and how many days did you have there. You don't mention a thing about it?? It is the highlight of the trip for many people.

 

The comment I made was about some cruisetours, which place people at the McKinley Princess for 2 nights and only 1 at the Denali Princess. This can be a very poor itinerary- IF someone wants more of the activities at Denali. Many times people do little at the McKinley Princess and aren't thrilled about the 2 hour round trip transit required to get to/from Talkeetna.

[DCCRANCH]

Just got back on a Princess cruise. Check both lines itineraries. The Princess ship docked first each day followed by three other ships. Each time, Celebrity was last in port and got the worst docking position. Twice, Celebrity had to anchor in port and use shuttle ships. Seems a bit frustrating for passengers. You can Google cruise port itineraries. You will find a sight that lists all cruise ships in each port for everyday of the year and what time they arrive.

[Lastdance]

Just got back on a Princess cruise. Check both lines itineraries. The Princess ship docked first each day followed by three other ships. Each time, Celebrity was last in port and got the worst docking position. Twice, Celebrity had to anchor in port and use shuttle ships. Seems a bit frustrating for passengers. You can Google cruise port itineraries. You will find a sight that lists all cruise ships in each port for everyday of the year and what time they arrive.

 

Which ship are you talking about when you mention Celebrity - the Soltice or Millie or both?

Edited July 11, 2015 by Lastdance

[Pushka]

I booked with both Celebrity and Princess for next years Alaska cruise. I love Celebrity deals and their ships but as a once off trip to Alaska decided we had to see Glacier Bay. So Princess won.