Celebrity to Princess

[PoppyandNana]

At one time or another we have sailed on Princess, RCCL, HAL, Carnival and Regent. Our last 14 cruises have been exclusively on Celebrity.

 

We want to sail to the British Isls in July from London. Never been to London and would like to spend several days before the cruise. Unfortunately, only the Caribbean Princess sails from London. Celebrity goes out of Amsterdam. We have been to Amsterdam numerous times and we were looking forward to seeing London.

 

Both my wife and I are nervous about going from the Equinox to the Caribbean Princess. Will we be spending $6,000 and be miserable every day? Our cruises on X are fairly predictable and as Elite we get a couple of perks not least of which is the beverage package.

 

I tried to talk her into taking the train or fly from London to Amsterdam but no dice.

 

The Caribbean princess is scheduled for a retrofit in Feb, to what degree I don't know.

 

I guess the basic question is will a loyal Celebrity couple find an equally pleasant and luxurious cruise on Princess?

Edited February 16, 2016 by PoppyandNana

[snowyboy]

At one time or another we have sailed on Princess, RCCL, HAL, Carnival and Regent. Our last 14 cruises have been exclusively on Celebrity.

 

We want to sail to the British Isls in July from London. Never been to London and would like to spend several days before the cruise. Unfortunately, only the Caribbean Princess sails from London. Celebrity goes out of Amsterdam. We have been to Amsterdam numerous times and we were looking forward to seeing London.

 

Both my wife and I are nervous about going from the Equinox to the Caribbean Princess. Will we be spending $6,000 and be miserable every day? Our cruises on X are fairly predictable and as Elite we get a couple of perks not least of which is the beverage package.

 

I tried to talk her into taking the train or fly from London to Amsterdam but no dice.

 

The Caribbean princess is scheduled for a retrofit in Feb, to what degree I don't know.

 

I guess the basic question is will a loyal Celebrity couple find an equally pleasant and luxurious cruise on Princess?

 

Amsterdam is just 1 hour from London by plane a good budget airline http://www.easyjet.com/en flies from London Luton about 3 times a day Luton is 1 hour max from centre of London good rail link.

 

Can't help you with Princess I know some people who been on it and enjoyed.

Edited February 16, 2016 by snowyboy

[cruisestitch]

Having just been on Caribbean Princess and currently on Celebrity Silhouette, I must say, no. I think the Delwbrity experience is better. Comparing Silhouertte to Royal Princess I find a lot of comparables but comparing Silhouette to Caribvean Princess, I find Silhoutte superior.

 

Celebrity staterooms are larger. Princess closets are larger. Celebrity bathrooms are larger and the toiletries are better. And the towels are not scratchy.

 

Celebrity public restrooms are better, staffed in the evenings, with cloth hand towels.

 

Celebrity has no smoking in the casino.

 

Caribbean Princess library was pitiful.

 

Caribbean Princess has no Sky Lounge.

 

Celebrity has sommeliers, Princess doesn't. And the Celebrity wine list is superior.

 

I never had hot food served hot at the buffet on Caribbean Princess.

 

Others will chime in as well, I'm sure.

[GUT2407]

I find Princess and Celebrity very similar.

 

Pluses for each.

[Big_G]

I don't think any of the Princess Grand Class ships are comparable to the Celebrity Solstice Class ships but I don't think I would be miserable on Caribbean Princess. We thoroughly enjoyed our Princess cruises.

[barneymag]

At one time or another we have sailed on Princess, RCCL, HAL, Carnival and Regent. Our last 14 cruises have been exclusively on Celebrity.

 

We want to sail to the British Isls in July from London. Never been to London and would like to spend several days before the cruise. Unfortunately, only the Caribbean Princess sails from London. Celebrity goes out of Amsterdam. We have been to Amsterdam numerous times and we were looking forward to seeing London.

 

Both my wife and I are nervous about going from the Equinox to the Caribbean Princess. Will we be spending $6,000 and be miserable every day? Our cruises on X are fairly predictable and as Elite we get a couple of perks not least of which is the beverage package.

 

I tried to talk her into taking the train or fly from London to Amsterdam but no dice.

 

The Caribbean princess is scheduled for a retrofit in Feb, to what degree I don't know.

 

I guess the basic question is will a loyal Celebrity couple find an equally pleasant and luxurious cruise on Princess?

 

Just so you are aware the Caribbean Princess does not actually sail from London (not aware of any mainstream cruise line sailing from London as there is no major cruise terminal) It actually sails from Southampton ....... So you are looking at car hire or train anyway ! Flight to Amsterdam from London is about the same as train times to Southampton

[cynbar]

Our last few cruises have been on Celebrity and have been big successes. However, we are booked on the Caribbean Princess British Isles cruise in May because we like the itinerary better ---- Princess does this route all season long and all indications are that they are excellent on this region. We have sailed the Grand class ships on Princess several times and have had no complaints -- they are not as "glitzy" as the S class Celebrity ships, but they are comfortable and put out a good product. We like a lot of things about Princess -- the wraparound promenade deck, the 3 smaller MDRs instead of one loud and cavernous one, the pizza and International Cafe for snacks, the pasta course at dinner, laundramat with iron on every deck, a very friendly and efficient staff, the nautical feel of the Wheelhouse Lounge, a full deck of mini suites, and I'm sure there are others. We enjoy Celebrity too but don't like to sail the same line every time, too many things are the same from ship to ship. The CB is a little bit older but we are going in with a positive attitude and expect a great cruise, itinerary is most important to us at this point. Just our opinion, of course.

[DebbieMacG]

I did a 15 night cruise on Caribbean Princess last June after 8 Celebrity cruises. We did it for the itinerary (North Cape) and had a great cruise.

 

This is what we liked better or thought was worse than Celebrity

 

Ship layout and overall look.

We like Celebrity better, more modern and a better flow. Better pool deck, although princess does have more pools. BUT after a couple of days you get settled in and Caribbean princess is a great ship.

 

Cabin

we prefer the Celebrity cabins, either inside or balcony and the shower door to the shower curtain

 

MDR

Princess served better food and the service was excellent at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually service is good at dinner on Celebrity, so-so for lunch and sometimes lacking for breakfast

 

Buffet

Whilst the food was ok on Princess, we liked the layout of the buffet and the choice of food better on Celebrity

 

Service

Excellent on Princess, almost excellent on Celebrity. We thought the service was better on Princess and staff spent less time chatting to each other and more time doing what they should

 

Coffee cafe

Cafe al Bacio v International cafe. Princess win, better service, great food and the coffee cards with the free filter coffee, tea and hot chocolate are great.

 

Entertainment

Same on both

 

Shore excursions

Better organised on Princess. We tend to do our own thing but it's hard in some of the Norwegian ports as the only thing is booked by the cruise line, princess did a great job.

 

Would we sail Princess again? In a heartbeat.:D

Edited February 16, 2016 by DebbieMacG

[Kartgv]

We've sailed some long cruises on both and find the lines very similar. All in all, we'd give a slight edge to the total Princess experience over our most recent Celebrity experience (Solstice in January). The statement that the Caribbean Princess has no Sky Lounge is not correct - it has Skywalkers which is very similar. The typical balcony size is actually similar also - a Solstice balcony cabin says it's 194 sq.ft. plus 54 sq.ft balcony = 248 sq. feet. The Caribbean Princess balcony cabin is 240 total sq. ft., so very little difference.

 

We do agree with some of the other points made (Celebrity better public restrooms, cabin bathrooms larger, sommelier, etc.) However, we prefer the Princess bars (never found a bar we were happy with on the Solstice) and give Princess the edge on menus, especially the "always available" items, such as the Fettuccini Alfredo.

 

Both have excellent service and we don't believe there's any reason you'd be "miserable every day".

Edited February 16, 2016 by Kartgv

[Jetswdo]

re Princess, in general- The only things that I like better about Princess over Celebrity: self service washers and dryers- can just make reservations for shore excursions and then pay later-- I find mini suite cabins very good value for the money- very comfortable--

 

Celebrity over Princess, again in general: caters much more to adults, a bit classier, at least on Solstice ships, I only book aqua cabins as those sections are 2 to a cabin and very few if any children in Blue. More choices of specialty restaurants. Have found the food to be consistently quite good. If you just want table for two for anytime, have found Celebrity much easier to get without a long waiting time.

 

I will say the food was very good on Coral Princess (just took New Years cruise) I physically liked that ship- but- finding tables for 2 for any time dining a pain in the neck, as very few tables in both dining rooms. Only one specialty restaurant- that we liked and very reasonable at that. O

 

HOWEVER: Itinerary over all. I personally would have just done London separately then fly to Amsterdam, if Celebrity itinerary is more to your liking--

If Carribean Princess itinerary does work better for you, and you don't mind crew catering more to young families, and my negatives aren't negatives for your circumstances, then Princess should be just fine.

 

I should add, I didn't care for the Summit at all, loved the Reflection and will be doing the Solstice for second visit to Alaska. I will be on the Regal Princess for New England/Canada cruise as I only wanted a one week cruise for that one-- so Princess has our business again.

[Go-Bucks!]

I've also sailed both cruiselines and, specifically, on the Caribbean Princess. I have future cruises booked on both lines and one is on the CB.

 

I enjoy both lines and find them pretty similar. When I'm on Princess I miss some things from Celebrity and visa versa.

 

Balcony cabins on Celebrity are very small with almost no storage, even for 2 people let alone if you have 3 or 4. Bathrooms are nicer, though. On X we get the 1A balconies on the side of the hump in order to get a decent sized balcony - Princess balconies are larger in general. I like Princess loyalty perks MUCH better than Celebrity. For longer cruises, Princess ships have laundry rooms so you don't have to spend a small fortune on clean clothes. I've found more daily activities on Princess and they allow you to book excursions without paying in advance. The S-class ships are beautiful and laid out nicely; but Princess atriums are much nicer. Good food on both; like having escargot on "anytime" menu with X and the parmesan basket alfredo on Princess. Good specialty restaurants on both, but prices much cheaper on Princess.

 

I can't imagine you'd have a "miserable" time on any cruise, but both of these lines provide a great product. Enjoy! :D

Edited February 17, 2016 by Go-Bucks!

[DrivesLikeMario]

I've completed 25 or 26 cruises on Princess. They are my cruise line of choice.

 

Yes, the Caribbean Princess is older but you're cruising mainly for the itinerary aren't you? I had the time of my life on my Caribbean Princess cruise doing the British Isles. It's truly one of my very best, ever! I love the easy, laid back vibe on the ship, the Horizon Court buffet service, the cleanliness of the ship, the amazing cabin stewards and the relaxed intimacy of the cruise line. A word of advice - go with a mini-suite if you can because the regular balcony cabins don't have a sofa in them.

 

If you do this cruise, make sure you join the roll call. The people I met on it are what made the cruise really special. I did 'shared private tours' in 90% of the ports and saw so much! It's definitely the way to go but you have to book early. Most are sold out far in advance. Go and enjoy the destination! Forget about the ship!

Edited February 17, 2016 by DrivesLikeMario

[eandj]

Don't fear. They are alike and different in different areas. Nothing major.

 

 

I'll tell you 2 little somethings I miss on X that I do like on Princess.....

 

Bread baskets on X are not very interesting. Princess offers much more variety.

Princess sets the tables with napkins and silverware, as well as serving beverages in the buffet. On X you fend for yourself. I find this kind of surprising, since X is supposedly service oriented.

 

Like I said..little things really.

[LabGuy64]

I had heard so many raving about the fettuccini alfredo and was excitied to try it...WOW..what a disappointment i did not even think it good let alone great. Food wise I did enjoy the chefs table experience. fun and te food was good....and to much to eat...you need to pace yourself

 

 

 

We've sailed some long cruises on both and find the lines very similar. All in all, we'd give a slight edge to the total Princess experience over our most recent Celebrity experience (Solstice in January). The statement that the Caribbean Princess has no Sky Lounge is not correct - it has Skywalkers which is very similar. The typical balcony size is actually similar also - a Solstice balcony cabin says it's 194 sq.ft. plus 54 sq.ft balcony = 248 sq. feet. The Caribbean Princess balcony cabin is 240 total sq. ft., so very little difference.

 

We do agree with some of the other points made (Celebrity better public restrooms, cabin bathrooms larger, sommelier, etc.) However, we prefer the Princess bars (never found a bar we were happy with on the Solstice) and give Princess the edge on menus, especially the "always available" items, such as the Fettuccini Alfredo.

 

Both have excellent service and we don't believe there's any reason you'd be "miserable every day".

[kiwi_sparkles]

 

We want to sail to the British Isls in July from London. Never been to London and would like to spend several days before the cruise. Unfortunately, only the Caribbean Princess sails from London. Celebrity goes out of Amsterdam. We have been to Amsterdam numerous times and we were looking forward to seeing London.

 

As I think another poster has said, Princess doesn't depart from London. We have no cruise terminals as we are land locked. Smaller lines such as Seabourn do come up the Thames and dock in the city, but not ships as large as Princess.

 

You will be leaving from Southampton. Trains from London take around 1 hour 20 mins+ to get to Southampton.

[Antropos]

I tried to talk her into taking the train or fly from London to Amsterdam but no dice.

 

What's the reason for her not wanting to fly from London to Amsterdam? Depending on your arline you may already have a stopover in London when flying to Amsterdam. I see you are from NJ? My choice would be to fly BA/AA from Newark to Amsterdam. Many flights available at very good prices and all flights have a stopover in London Heathrow.

The train takes way too long (in my opinion) and is more expensive than flying.

[BosoxI]

For the life of me I can't understand why the OP thinks he might be "miserable every day"

on Princess. But since that seed has been planted, perhaps he'd better not give it a try.

 

Personally, the S class ships are nicer, we think, but everything else seems to be a wash between the two lines. We're Elite+ on Celebrity and Elite on Princess, and itinerary and price are always the deciding factor.

[bobandalice]

At one time or another we have sailed on Princess, RCCL, HAL, Carnival and Regent. Our last 14 cruises have been exclusively on Celebrity.

 

We want to sail to the British Isls in July from London. Never been to London and would like to spend several days before the cruise. Unfortunately, only the Caribbean Princess sails from London. Celebrity goes out of Amsterdam. We have been to Amsterdam numerous times and we were looking forward to seeing London.

 

Both my wife and I are nervous about going from the Equinox to the Caribbean Princess. Will we be spending $6,000 and be miserable every day? Our cruises on X are fairly predictable and as Elite we get a couple of perks not least of which is the beverage package.

 

I tried to talk her into taking the train or fly from London to Amsterdam but no dice.

 

The Caribbean princess is scheduled for a retrofit in Feb, to what degree I don't know.

 

I guess the basic question is will a loyal Celebrity couple find an equally pleasant and luxurious cruise on Princess?

 

We have sailed the 12 day British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We booked a balcony and were first timers on Princess. We found it to be very nice and in many ways luxurious. We have only sailed X once, on the Eclipse for the 14 day southern Caribbean trip, and found the two ships to be very similar. We'll be boarding Equinox on Monday, but believe it to be very similar to the Eclipse.

 

The British Isles 12 day is VERY port intensive, so if that is what you are looking for, go for it. It was a great way to see the Isles. We were exhausted after, but truly enjoyed it.

 

Thinking you will like Princess. If the status thing is a hangup, we can not help you there, as we have spread our cruise dollars among many lines.

 

Try Princess...it sails out of Southampton so there is a bus ride from London to the port, but it only adds to the anticipation.

 

Enjoy!

[mickeysgal]

Enjoying this thread and thank you, to the OP for asking the question. We too are looking at the British Isles for our next trip and had many of the same questions. Never have been on Princess before either. Have heard though, that Princess pizza is very good!

[suec12]

You can pre-purchase Megatrain tickets out to Southampton - super cheap!

[BosoxI]

I had heard so many raving about the fettuccini alfredo and was excitied to try it...WOW..what a disappointment i did not even think it good let alone great. Food wise I did enjoy the chefs table experience. fun and te food was good....and to much to eat...you need to pace yourself

 

Ha! Fettucini Alfredo isn't very good at Alfredo's either. (I put it in the same category as pasta alla vodka, another overrated dish.) That's not Princess' fault, BTW, FA is just a mediocre dish.:(