Help Mariner compared to others......

[Disneycruiser#1]

We have never cruised Princess or Holland America and are considering going on a different cruiseline. We have cruised on CCL, RCI and DCL. This is a last minute cruise for just my husband and myself before he deploys back to Iraq. Can anyone give me a lesson in Princess and how it would compare to the following.

 

I understand all cruiselines are family friendly but I do not no much about these ships at all.

 

Remember this time we are cruising without our boys.

 

I will be taking them on the DCL Magic again this fall while my husband is gone to keep them occupied and we are going for a week to a AI in Playa at the end of July.

 

We want good service, laid back, some shows or casino's, nice cabin with balcony, not into parties.

 

All eastern ports

 

PO Caribbean Princess BG or BD balcony's

CCL Glory looks like balcony choice is a 8B or 9a deluxe balcony

RCI Mariner of the Seas E2 Deluxe balcony or D1 Superior balcony

HA Zuiderdam AE Mini Suite

 

Need help asap. Does anyone have any opinions on how these ships rank against each other and the category of balcony cabin to book?

 

Thanks!

[gamomluvs2cruise]

I have only been on two cruises; 8-03 Carnival Glory(went with Mom, Sis, and Aunt) and DCL May 23, 2004 Wonder(with husband and children). I loved both! I can see on DCL that you will probably miss your children more because of things like characters and lots of visible children. I hope this helps a little!:)

[photonut4]

Hi, I have sailed on HAL, Carnival, Princess, and RCL. I was on the Grand Princess in 1996 and Mariner of the Seas June 13, 2004. I thought the two were very similar. I would have to get very nitpicky to find differences between them. I thought Mariner's buffet had a better easier, faster set-up. I believe Princess now has open dinner seating in one dining room, and I think I would like to try that. Personally I liked the food on both lines. Becky was a good cruise director on the Mariner, I don't think I ever knew who the cruise director was on Princess. Cabins are very similar in size. They were both great cruises and I would not hesitate to cruise on either one again. I hope this gives you a little help. Know matter which one you pick, enjoy it.

[angel dog]

I have been On the Mariner and Caribbean Princess and the Disney Wonder.. I think whatever ship you select you will have a fantastic time. I enjoyed both ships very much. If I had to pick my favorite it would be the Mariner. I thought the cabins were a bit larger the bathrooms were small but the shower were nicer with rounded glass doors. I thought the entertainment was slightly better. The Mariner had more of a "WOW" factor about it. On the other hand CP had PC dining and the food was very good. The staff was equally couteous and friendly.

 

Go and enjoy!

 

Jan

[Disneycruiser#1]

Thanks but since it is just my dh and me before he deploys to Iraq we are looking for new ship, good ship and quality of food and nice balcony cabin. We have cruised on DCL 3 years in a row and I am taking the boys on the Magic in October while my dh is deployed to get our minds off of it for a week :(.........not sure which one to go with but thanks! We just took the boys on a 4 day Carnival cruise a month ago and are taking them to a AI resort in Playa for a week at the end of July so that is why we need some alone time before he deploys out............he will gone a long time :(

[jezzdogg]

May he come home safe to you and your sons.

We were on the Mariner in Feb (President's week) and the Island Princess(Easter week).. There were less teenagers, etc on Princes.....We had an E1 on the Marriner and an BD on Princess, the BD are more on the scale of the D cat. The food is about the same in quality, maybe a little better on Princess, but the entertainment and feel of the ship is more friendly on RCCL, we found on Princess the nights are very quiet with not a lot to do......

If you book on RCCL, go the the upgrade desk after you check in(by the way the person who checks you in will tell you the ships is sailing at full capacity and there are no open cabins)if you book an E you can upgrade to a D for around 100 dollars and to a minisuite for 400 dollars(if those cat. are available. Get there early, If you are would think you would like to upgrade. Enjoy your time together and make wonderful memories until he comes home to you again

[Nanatravel]

All 4 mass market cruiselines have their good and not so good features. Princess' embarkation is one of the best. Their regular and balcony cabins are smaller than Carnival or Celebrity's. Food variety was good and Princess has the 24 hr. buffet available. Entertainment was very good, but due to Personal Choice dining, you may get crowded out of seeing a show. Princess monitors how many children are on board, so they won't over run the ship. However, I tought their children's program lacked a little structure especially with attentive counselors. Have you thought about a Celebrity cruise? This line will give you about everything you may wish to enjoy. Great service, cabins, food and good entertainment. Buffets are their lower point IMHO. The Millennium is really a nice ship, too.

Bon Voyage and God Bless your DH. May he be safe and thank him for being there for us.