Comparing Princess and HAL?

[bluegiraffe]

We're thinking about a cruise on the Royal Princess next month. Nothing like the last minute! We've cruised on HAL (and Royal Caribbean once). Obviously the Royal Princess is a much larger ship than we're used to on HAL, but is Princess comparable in terms of service, food, amenities? We enjoy HAL for its quieter style and good service. Any info/opinion is appreciated!

[pris993]

We are elite on Princess, 2 star on Hal. We have not been on the Royal yet... but we do seem both cruise lines as being very similar...how quiet the Royal will be relative to the style on HAl, will be depend on when you go on the Royal... suspect more kids on Princess.

[jennybenny]

... suspect more kids on Princess.

 

I think the more kids on Princess is during holiday cruises and school vacation times, plus the length of the cruise. :)

[bluegiraffe]

Very helpful, thank you. Good point about the kids - the cruise would be over the holidays. Since it's a bigger ship than the HAL ships we're used to, I'm hoping we can find a quiet spot anyhow.

[satxdiver]

Princess is more like HAL but a bit younger pax (as if 50's is young!) and a larger ship. There is more to do on the Princess such as music venues etc. Both are a world apart from RCCI ships which are laden with kids and active things to do like the flow rider, ice skating etc and a younger pax. I would just not book a holiday cruise like Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. On the longer cruises like 10 days and more, there will be even less kids and an older pax present.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Princess is more like HAL but a bit younger pax (as if 50's is young!)

 

Hush your mouth! Of course 50's is young -- and it gets younger every year as it recedes in my rear-view mirror! :D

[bluegiraffe]

Thanks for the advice. It would be a 10 day cruise, so that might work out.

 

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts - Mark Twain"

 

Love the quote! So very true.

[melissa]

The Royal Princess is an amazing ship. Passengers are classy and friendly. Staff wonderful. Service superb. You will love it.

 

 

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[OCruisers]

You'll be fine on Princess and may even enjoy the more entertainment options! :)

[geoherb]

We enjoy both Princess and HAL cruises. Princess ships (for the most part) have lots of quiet places. Even on holiday cruises, we've been able to enjoy adult activities without too many kids.

[easyboy]

We are food lovers and we enjoy the variety of food choices on different food area on the Royal Princess. Specialty restaurants are other options.

 

 

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[skynight]

You should enjoy the Royal Princess. Be sure to try Alfredo's. Free waiter served individual pizzas, calzone, apps, desserts, open every day 11am to 11pm.

The Royal Princess has the best buffet. It is so large. Walk through it before settling. Fresh made omelets are all the way in the aft serving line. Be sure to try the Horizon Terrace outdoor seating area.

The International Cafe, also free, is open 24/7.

If you wish to dine in one of the specialty restaurants, Crown Grill or Sabatini's visit them to make reservations on boarding day. Reservations can only be made on board.

My experience compared to HAL, Princess has more daytime and evening activities, more live music, stays awake later in the evening, but not into the wee hours.

We had Buy One Get One for $1, 3 to 4 in the Wheelhouse Bar and again later at night in Club 6.

Like espresso drinks? The Coffee Card, around $35, has 15 punches for espresso drinks, plus you get unlimited brewed coffee and special teas for the cruise. Punches can also be used for gelato. FYI coffee prepared from grounds, as well as nice selections of teas and hot chocolate are available at no charge all day and evening in the buffet area and on the Horizon Terrace.

[Woobstr112G]

Hush your mouth! Of course 50's is young -- and it gets younger every year as it recedes in my rear-view mirror! :D

 

Ditto.....:D:D:D

 

Bob

[bluegiraffe]

Thank you ALL so much for all the very helpful advice!

 

sknight, thanks for the info about the coffee card; my husband will definitely want that.

[skynight]

Thank you ALL so much for all the very helpful advice!

 

sknight, thanks for the info about the coffee card; my husband will definitely want that.

Unused punches never expire. Can be used on the next Princess cruise. The unlimited brewed coffee and special tea is for one cruise only.

 

Also,

Are you aware of OBC for

Carnival Corp shareholder's benefit

Princess military benefit

Each is $100. The military benefit is per person up to two per cabin. So if both are discharged military each one gets the OBC.

Look up the details on the web.

[StLouisCruisers]

Another great feature of Princess is not being charged for shore excursions when you book them on your cruise personalizer. That will show up on your bill on the ship, and you can cancel up to 48 hours in advance without cancellation penalty.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Another great feature of Princess is not being charged for shore excursions when you book them on your cruise personalizer. That will show up on your bill on the ship, and you can cancel up to 48 hours in advance without cancellation penalty.

 

Apparently this policy is changing :(

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2419139