Princess keeping things strong or falling behind?

[Doug & Cindy Scrap Hunter]

We've only sailed Royal Caribbean after many Carnival Cruises. After our last Cruise on the Vista we're headed back to RCL to try Harmony of the Seas. I like Guy's Burgers and the comedy club better on Carnival, and my wife thinks the food is more tasty in the dining room too. Too many things are going down hill though, and we like the WOW factor better on RCL.

 

The wife thinks we should try Princess and MSC too. Some of the reviews talk about cutbacks, and there's post here about diapers in the hallways, hamburger patties instead of steaks, and bad pizza by the pool. Is Princess cutting back too, or should we give them a try?

[hlperez]

I haven't sailed on Carnival, but have sailed several cruises on each of Royal Caribbean, Princess and MSC. If you liked Royal Caribbean, you'll like Princess. Princess are a little more conservative, they don't have skating rinks or climbing walls, but you do get a really enjoyable cruise. They also have good children's facilities if you need them. MSC are another breed altogether, beautiful ships, and catering to all different languages. Everything is announced in 5 languages, though English is first. Very European in style.

 

Hope this helps.

[flamomo]

I have been cruising almost exclusively with Princess (40+ times on Princess) since 2004, and while there have been the inevitable business-related cutbacks here and there, I really don't feel the overall quality of the Princess experience has been greatly affected in a negative way. In actual practice, the staff and crew's desire to provide great service, please passengers, and ensure a great cruise seems just as strong as ever, despite what you might read on CC.

 

BTW, I suspect the diapers in the hallway thread may have been an attempt at an April Fools Day spoof.

Personally, I think Princess pizza is really good .... at least it was when I had it a few months ago.

[skynight]

We've only sailed Royal Caribbean after many Carnival Cruises. After our last Cruise on the Vista we're headed back to RCL to try Harmony of the Seas. I like Guy's Burgers and the comedy club better on Carnival, and my wife thinks the food is more tasty in the dining room too. Too many things are going down hill though, and we like the WOW factor better on RCL.

 

The wife thinks we should try Princess and MSC too. Some of the reviews talk about cutbacks, and there's post here about diapers in the hallways, hamburger patties instead of steaks, and bad pizza by the pool. Is Princess cutting back too, or should we give them a try?

Princess does make changes to control costs. But, not all changes are cutbacks. Some examples, Royal Class ships have Alfredo's at no charge. On the Caribbean & Crown Princess they have changed the Trident Grill to the Salty Dog which has good burgers, dogs, tacos, and other selections with a variety of toppings, no charge. There is one special burger with a $5 charge, $8 with a beer. Princess has been rolling out new very comfortable bedding. They have invested big time in new shows. Princess hires some excellent comics, but all comics must have a family friendly act. Pizza by the pool is very good. Diapers in the hallways, that is really an anomaly. Some inconsiderate passengers. I have never seen it. The Royal & Regal have the largest and best buffet I have seen. The Caribbean's buffet is also really nice. Princess has the 24/7 International Cafe on almost all ships. Food selections at no extra charge.

Each Princess ship may offer different things, not all are the same.

[Griller]

Princess does make changes to control costs. But, not all changes are cutbacks. Some examples, Royal Class ships have Alfredo's at no charge. On the Caribbean & Crown Princess they have changed the Trident Grill to the Salty Dog which has good burgers, dogs, tacos, and other selections with a variety of toppings, no charge. There is one special burger with a $5 charge, $8 with a beer. Princess has been rolling out new very comfortable bedding. They have invested big time in new shows. Princess hires some excellent comics, but all comics must have a family friendly act. Pizza by the pool is very good. Diapers in the hallways, that is really an anomaly. Some inconsiderate passengers. I have never seen it. The Royal & Regal have the largest and best buffet I have seen. The Caribbean's buffet is also really nice. Princess has the 24/7 International Cafe on almost all ships. Food selections at no extra charge.

Each Princess ship may offer different things, not all are the same.

 

 

Has the Salty Dog changed? When I was on board and went there shortly after it opened it was an interesting menu but the charge was $19 I think.

Now its free? But not the same menu?

[Expat Cruise]

Between Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, and Princess my choice is Princess. Overall I think it has a better staff and quality product. But I'm not someone into the bars and clubs, so maybe if that is your interest you would feel different.

[paul929207]

We've only sailed Royal Caribbean after many Carnival Cruises. After our last Cruise on the Vista we're headed back to RCL to try Harmony of the Seas. I like Guy's Burgers and the comedy club better on Carnival, and my wife thinks the food is more tasty in the dining room too. Too many things are going down hill though, and we like the WOW factor better on RCL.

 

The wife thinks we should try Princess and MSC too. Some of the reviews talk about cutbacks, and there's post here about diapers in the hallways, hamburger patties instead of steaks, and bad pizza by the pool. Is Princess cutting back too, or should we give them a try?

I have never seen diapers in the hall.

I get plenty of steaks on our cruises.

I like the pizza.

[Oh2B@C]

Has the Salty Dog changed? When I was on board and went there shortly after it opened it was an interesting menu but the charge was $19 I think.

Now its free? But not the same menu?

 

Suggest you go to the Princess website and look at the Caribbean Princess deck plans. Find salty Dog on Lido Deck. Under Dining Options you can access the Salty Dog menu. HOWEVER, the original Salty Dog is in the Wheelhouse Bar on the Crown and Ruby. Used to be $19 for three choices now $12 for 2 choices. As stated above, Salty Dog on CB is free except for Ernesto Burger.

[Griller]

Suggest you go to the Princess website and look at the Caribbean Princess deck plans. Find salty Dog on Lido Deck. Under Dining Options you can access the Salty Dog menu. HOWEVER, the original Salty Dog is in the Wheelhouse Bar on the Crown and Ruby. Used to be $19 for three choices now $12 for 2 choices. As stated above, Salty Dog on CB is free except for Ernesto Burger.

 

Confusing to have diners the same name but different menus and charges on different ships

 

whatever happened to consistency across the fleet?

[susancruzs]

Just off the Emerald and there are steaks. The hamburger instead of steak is a stretch probably because a hamburger is always on the menu. Princess has a section of "always available" if something on the regular menu doesn't suit you.

 

The surf and turf I had was excellent, also the prime rib, other beef choices. I don't eat beef a great deal but last year on the Royal noticed my table mates surf & turf looked great so I tried it the 2nd week. It was very good as it was this year on the Emerald.

[hpeabody]

Suggest you go to the Princess website and look at the Caribbean Princess deck plans. Find salty Dog on Lido Deck. Under Dining Options you can access the Salty Dog menu. HOWEVER, the original Salty Dog is in the Wheelhouse Bar on the Crown and Ruby. Used to be $19 for three choices now $12 for 2 choices. As stated above, Salty Dog on CB is free except for Ernesto Burger.

 

It appears that on the Crown as of the recent dry dock the former Trident Grill is no longer and has been replaced by Salty Dog Grill. I do wonder what they did in the wheelhouse to the original Salty Dog Gastropub, or does it now have both? Very confusing, yes.

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/ships/products/menus/Salty-Dog-Grill-Menu.pdf

[Oh2B@C]

Consistency???

 

> Wrap around promenade vs none

> Alfredo's on some ships vs none

> Vista Lounge vs Club Fusion

> Princess Live vs Explorer's Lounge

> Skywalkers vs other type of club on the top deck

> Bayou vs Crown Grill

> Share vs Sabbatini's

 

Need I go on...:D

 

I like Princess especially for the choice in the ship's designs. I am going on the Caribbean Princess for the first time ever and cannot wait. I think they made some very positive changes in the 2017 refit.

[eclue]

Between Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, and Princess my choice is Princess. Overall I think it has a better staff and quality product. But I'm not someone into the bars and clubs, so maybe if that is your interest you would feel different.

 

I agree . we have done Carnival ( too much of a circus act for us ), never gone on RC, Celebrity is a close second to Princess...Princess stands out among them- we have done 25 cruises with them. Remember some people will complain about anything - you need to find your niche.

eclue:cool:

[Host CJSKIDS]

Confusing to have diners the same name but different menus and charges on different ships

 

whatever happened to consistency across the fleet?

 

That seems to have gone out the window!! LOL They seem to be consistent in their inconsistencies these days.

 

It's the Salty Dog Grill vs the Salty Dog Gastropub that is held on some ships at night in the Wheelhouse bar. They probably used the Salty Dog so they could add the Ernesto burger for a charge that is in the Salty Dog Gastropub. That or they just want to confuse the heck out of everyone yet again.

[AlibearNS]

We cruise RCCL when we're sailing with younger family members as there's more to do. Sailing as a couple we prefer Princess and Celebrity. The threads on the cutbacks/changes are worrying but we'll keep with Princess for the time being. As for Princess pizza, we LOVE it; my husband is a self styled pizza connoisseur - even has it for Christmas dinner (I know, just terrible!) On the Coral over Christmas, he'd have dinner every night in the MDR, then nip out on deck for a slice mid to late evening! The worst pizza (inedible, tasted like soggy cardboard) was on RCCL Independence of the Seas last year. I don't how they can honestly call it pizza.

Princess also has food readily available after 9 - which was a problem on the Indy after they brought in the charge for room service, and closed the buffet ridiculously early. I'd recommend definitely trying Princess, or Celebrity Solstice Class (my favourite). Oh, and I'm pretty sure the diapers thread was April Fool, we've never seen that ever!

[Tapi]

I’m a Platinum cruiser on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean. We selected Princess for our 10th wedding anniversary cruise and I can summarize our experience by saying that this cruise made us notice the cutbacks, NOT on Princess, but on the other cruise lines that we used to frequent. [emoji6] Overall, I considered our experience on Princess to be a few notches above Carnival and Royal.

 

Do expect to be wowed, but not with open promenades, water parks, or glitzy entertainment. Princess likes to wow people with more attention to detail, better quality, and more polished service. If this sounds like something that you’ll enjoy, then I’d recommend that you give Princess a try. We did and we absolutely loved it.

 

 

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[mrpayroll]

I’m a Platinum cruiser on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean. We selected Princess for our 10th wedding anniversary cruise and I can summarize our experience by saying that this cruise made us notice the cutbacks, NOT on Princess, but on the other cruise lines that we used to frequent. [emoji6] Overall, I considered our experience on Princess to be a few notches above Carnival and Royal.

 

Do expect to be wowed, but not with open promenades, water parks, or glitzy entertainment. Princess likes to wow people with more attention to detail, better quality, and more polished service. If this sounds like something that you’ll enjoy, then I’d recommend that you give Princess a try. We did and we absolutely loved it.

 

 

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Your second paragraph says it all.

[Nightengale31]

I have never sailed on Carnival or Royal Caribbean but after 6 cruises with Princess I received an NCL cabin comp offer from a local casino and decided to try this line out. I chose a NYC to Bermuda cruise on the at the time brand new NCL Breakaway. The Breakaway is a beautiful huge ship with many similar features as the RCL ships, but honestly I did not feel like I was on a ship or a cruise for that matter but more like being on a floating upscale hotel. Call me sentimental but I missed the grand piazza that is on all Princess ships, the champagne waterfall on formal night, afternoon tea, art auctions, etc. If you like the big wow vibe of RCL than you will probably not enjoy Princess. But if you are looking for elegantly beautiful cruise ships that provide great service, food, wonderful and multiple pools, and great access to the views of the ocean you will probably enjoy sailing on Princess.

[kendon]

Consistency???

 

> Wrap around promenade vs none

> Alfredo's on some ships vs none

> Vista Lounge vs Club Fusion

> Princess Live vs Explorer's Lounge

> Skywalkers vs other type of club on the top deck

> Bayou vs Crown Grill

> Share vs Sabbatini's

 

Need I go on...:D

 

I like Princess especially for the choice in the ship's designs. I am going on the Caribbean Princess for the first time ever and cannot wait. I think they made some very positive changes in the 2017 refit.

I like the ship's design also. We will be going on the CB this June. We've been on it many times, but in June we'll get to see the new buffet area and the Salty Dog Cafe by the pool.

[Doug & Cindy Scrap Hunter]

I have never sailed on Carnival or Royal Caribbean but after 6 cruises with Princess I received an NCL cabin comp offer from a local casino and decided to try this line out. I chose a NYC to Bermuda cruise on the at the time brand new NCL Breakaway. The Breakaway is a beautiful huge ship with many similar features as the RCL ships, but honestly I did not feel like I was on a ship or a cruise for that matter but more like being on a floating upscale hotel. Call me sentimental but I missed the grand piazza that is on all Princess ships, the champagne waterfall on formal night, afternoon tea, art auctions, etc. If you like the big wow vibe of RCL than you will probably not enjoy Princess. But if you are looking for elegantly beautiful cruise ships that provide great service, food, wonderful and multiple pools, and great access to the views of the ocean you will probably enjoy sailing on Princess.

 

Thanks for all the advice. DW really likes what you folks have to say and some of the videos online. I will probably like some of this too, but a part of me will always like the big ships that RCL and NCL have to offer. Sometimes it does feel like a fancy but busy hotel, and an elegant ship viewing the sea, might be nice. We're done being loyal to one line, so why not enjoy it all? :):ship::champagne-toast:

[Lucky TGO]

I have never seen diapers in the hall.

I get plenty of steaks on our cruises.

I like the pizza.

 

Ditto!! :)

Tony

[SailinC2C]

We just finished a cruise on Harmony of the Seas. We have done 6 cruises with them and 15 with Princess.

We think the service in the dining room is better on Princess. We found the service on Harmony very rushed and disjointed, although we liked some of the unique options on the menu we don't see on Princess, like Salmon tartar, beef Short ribs.

Although RCI has some of the huge productions shows, we actually feel that the 4 primary singers on the Princess ships have better voices and are more talented. The Bravo show on Princess is excellent.

We LOVE the pizza at the pool and the choice at the International Café.

We find it boils down to.... we sail RCI for the WOW ship and Princess for the Itinerary and that 'at home' feeling.

[TheRabbit]

We've only sailed Royal Caribbean after many Carnival Cruises. After our last Cruise on the Vista we're headed back to RCL to try Harmony of the Seas. I like Guy's Burgers and the comedy club better on Carnival, and my wife thinks the food is more tasty in the dining room too. Too many things are going down hill though, and we like the WOW factor better on RCL.

 

The wife thinks we should try Princess and MSC too. Some of the reviews talk about cutbacks, and there's post here about diapers in the hallways, hamburger patties instead of steaks, and bad pizza by the pool. Is Princess cutting back too, or should we give them a try?

We have the golden tether to princess (free laundry) so if we have a choice, we will pick Princess.

We have sailed RCL a few time when Princess did not have the itinerary we were looking for. Before aquiring Celebrity, I thought Princess food was a half star better. Now they are close. All depends on what is on the Menu. Princess did decrease the size of serving several years ago. Not to save cost, but to limit waste. You can ask for seconds and thirds of anything so any argument about cut backs in this area are mute.

As for WOW, not realy a Princess thing. That said, the service as mentioned by others is their WOW in my book. Never had bad let alone poor service on Princess. There are a few here who know how the scrap heap ship building contest works, and I have never had a room steward who would not bend over backwards not help including taking some plywood down to their shop and having it cut.

Pizza? Never had a bad one. I have not seen any drops in quality a few have reported.

Diaper in hall? If this is real, it is the same as dishes left in the hall. Shame on the cruiser, not the cruise line. If the room steward is on his break, they dont't get picked up till they get back or someone calls service.

[LMADAMS91]

We've sailed with RCI nine times and once on Regal Princess. We started cruising with our kids when they were younger and chose RCI because they had more to keep the kids busy. As the kids aged and we started cruising more as a couple, we opted to give Princess a try. Although each line has its advantages and things they do well, both DH and I thought Princess provided a better experience for us, especially at this stage in our lives.

Service between the two lines was pretty comparable. We're pretty low maintenance anyway and have never had a major issue with any cruise. We both thought the food on Princess was much better than RCI, MDR, buffet, pizza ( both Alfredo's and the one on Lido) and the grill. We also thought the entertainment on Princess was better (other than having to arrive at the theater ridiculously early to get a seat.)

RCI seems to get people where they need\want to be better than Princess. Royal has the "people flow" issues down to an art where Princess really needs to work on traffic flow. Getting onboard RCI was a smoother process than Princess; getting around the ship without running into bottlenecks was easier. But, of the two, Princess won in Our overall comparisons. Our kids (all young adults at this point) are joining us on Caribbean Princess this summer. They are ready for a change too.

 

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[NoWhiners]

I get plenty of steaks on our cruises.

 

Do you have to go to Crown Grill to get them or are you saying they are offered in the MDR at least some nights?

 

There is no debate that the 'always available' steak in the MDR is gone and a burger is now offered so I am trying to understand this.

 

ML