Royal Caribbean vs Princess - JMO

[Merion_Mom]

I had no trouble with the photographers on the Explorer 6/2... bypassed the boarding photo... just said no, thanks at each of the ports and kept walking... saw the pirate in the dining room but he never came to our table... only photo I'm in is one taken of our dinner table group on the second formal night... (oh, and the group photo of our travelling group of 50 that we arranged to have taken)

And I can't wait to see the picture of Carol & Nancy strangling the parrot!

Oh, I can avoid them - I am quite at ease with saying "no thanks" and continuing to walk - but they were simply less THERE on Princess. As a matter of fact, I wish that there had been MORE photo ops in the dining rooms. The guy IN Dunn's River Falls just cracked me up.

 

Did you all know that we got all of our pictures for free? I guessed that before they announced it. After all, how else could they possibly handle this? They just said, go and get 'em, they're yours. So, of course, we took them all, the good, the bad and THE UGLY. :)

[GMoney]

 

NO INTERACTIVE TV. Given that it's 2006, I can't understand ANY cruiseline NOT installing this feature on every ship being built. Their lame reasoning is ABSURD. DOUBLE EYEROLL!

 

Wow that's surprising. Interactive TV is so helpful. The NCL Dawn doesn't have it either, and it's one of the many reasons I won't go back there.

 

I just canceled my Nov Caribbean P cruise, but not b/c of this. =)

[Merion_Mom]

Carol~~

 

Thank you very much for the most excellent comparison between the two lines; until RCI branches out much more, DBF and I will need to sail on Princess or HAL in order to get around Asia....

That is indeed Royal Caribbean's weak underbelly. The itineraries. And Princess will get those cruisers, and some of them won't come back to RC. It's their business decision, and we'll see how it plays out.

 

 

 

On the Radiance class vessels, the Solariuim Pools have a very powerful swim-against-the-current feature. Whenever we sail on those ships, we ask the pool attendant to make a phone call to engineering to turn it on, (but they don't seem to leave it on for more than an hour or so). There are some minor controls there at the head of the pool under the little bridge, but the main machine needs to be turned on by the engineering staff.

 

Leslie

This is the one class of RC on which we haven't cruised, thanks to USAir. (if you really want the story, the threads are linked in my signature)

[GlenandVal]

thanks for this information I will check this out next cruise we take

 

Val

 

 

 

Carol~~

 

Thank you very much for the most excellent comparison between the two lines; until RCI branches out much more, DBF and I will need to sail on Princess or HAL in order to get around Asia....

 

 

 

On the Radiance class vessels, the Solariuim Pools have a very powerful swim-against-the-current feature. Whenever we sail on those ships, we ask the pool attendant to make a phone call to engineering to turn it on, (but they don't seem to leave it on for more than an hour or so). There are some minor controls there at the head of the pool under the little bridge, but the main machine needs to be turned on by the engineering staff.

 

Leslie

[Merion_Mom]

I cruised on the Crown July2-11, 2006 ( 1st time cruising with Princess) and was not very impressed! I have cruised Royal Carribean 14 times (diamond member) 2 times on Celebrity, 1 Carnival, and 2 Holland America.

 

Food- I feel the selection is limited ( including deserts) and didn't find it as good tasting as RC. I am not a person that eats a lot, but I do enjoy good meals! The Lobster on Princess was not very tasty and the 2 tails we did get were very small. Both Cruiselines offer extras if wanted! Princess does not have a Midnight BUFFET at all! RC does ! Rc gets the pts for this one.

 

Bars- Both ships have many and I am a Social Drinker ( had 4 total alcohol drinks on a 9 day cruise) so I can not comment on this aspect.

 

Cabin- I must of had the cabin that never was completed when the ship was built. We paid for a triple , balcony cabin and we received a balcony cabin with no third berth. Since the ship was fully booked ( plus the fact we were with friends who had trip cabins on either side of us) there wasn't any other alternative but to accept a rollaway cot. The cot was placed in FRONT of the Balcony door( which mad it very hard to utilize the balcony after 10 pm-10am) and that is not what I paid for. Next we had no air conditioning at all the entire 9 days( woke up ring and wet, and after showering the same) and the fride did not work at all for 9 days. Not to mention the blow dryer broke after the 3rd day on the ship. I feel all of the above issues put a damper on this Cruise. RC gets the pts for this too.

 

Entertainment- The main theater on P is way too small for the amount of people the ship holds. I found the commedian shows to be good, the singer and dancer shows I did not enjoy at all ( my friend who was along her granddaughter competes in Las Vegas& New York dancing and got a good LAUGH out of them). RC shows seem to be more corregraphed, and costumes are way nicer. RC gets all the pts in this category.

 

Beds- Princess has way better beds. The Duvets were very comfortable and seemed even larger than RC bed. Princess gets the pts for this.

 

Shops- I didn't think the shops on Princess( only a few shops) had much of a variety. The Promenade Shops on RC are the way to go.

 

Pools- I am a sun worshiper, and can fit in on either Ships pool area. I don't mind kids, teens, noise, etc. If I wanted to be in a secluded area I wouldn't vacation with 3000 people! No pts to either Cruiseline

 

Service- The cabin steward was very nice and tried to go out of his way to accomadate us, since he was aware of all the problems we encountered with the cabin. He brought 3 ice buckets each day for us to try to cool our drinks ( since the fridge wasn't working) he also gave us extra toiletries ( which I only use my own brands) to make up for the above problem. He went above his daily duties to try to accomadate us.

 

Dining Service- We ate second seating, and I find RC is more personal with the pax ( they ask your name and know it the next time you go to eat) Princess did not ( and maybe it is not a tradition for them). RC knows what you drink at each seating and Princess does not follow that personal touch either. Their were nites we waited until after our salads until our drinks came ( not bar drinks, just normal ice tea and soda beverages) and if we needed refills had to ask. Rc gets the pts here also.

 

Elevators- We waited sometime 10 minutes for an elevator on Princess and the aft elevators only take you to certain floors. Never encountered this problem on RC. Rc gets these pts.

 

Purser's Desk- It was packed with complaints all the time. People being charged on sea passes for items they didn't purchase ( found that on the pool deck, waiters don't take your sea pass, just jot down # and when they input the # it caused errors) all sorts of complaints with amenities in cabins. I discussed my issues with the Purser desk and they never were resolved. They need to retrain in Customer Service. RC gets the pts here.

 

Muts- Many pax seemed to be enjoying it. I personally did not view any movies. Could take it or leave it....

 

Casino- They all take your money , so I donate to all of them since i'm a gambler. we had an extra sea day ( due to missing our 1st port) so I spent more time than usual in the Casino. They were about equal in my opinion.

 

Overall, I rate RC way above Princess. I am always eager to try new Cruiselines but I have yet to find one that I like better than RC.

Thanks for adding your views to this thread, pmshirl.

 

That particular cruise had people lined up on the far sides of the opinon spectrum. There are quite a few reviews of it over on the Princess boards, and I suggest that anyone who is interested in a variety of impressions of this cruise go over there and read them.

[Italy52]

As far as the Muster Drill being held inside is concerned............

 

I have mixed feelings about this. Sure, it was pleasant to sit inside an airconditioned lounge, no lifejacket on, while a recorded video safety message plays, followed by an audio announcement by the Captain, BUT...............

 

During the list, I immediately thought, "if this were an abandon-ship emergency, no one has the SLIGHTEST idea of where to go or what to do."

 

I vote for Royal Caribbean's method, when all is said and done.

 

Interesting that you should say you wouldn't know where to go or what to do. We have been on 6 Princess ships and ALWAYS know where to go and what to do. We meet at our muster stations (which just happen to be inside the ship) so we know where to go. We watch LIVE crew members put on their life jackets and then we are asked to put on ours after the demonstration; before we are dismissed. You mentioned recorded video safety message, now that is new. I wonder if this is something different Princess is trying out because it certainly deviates from what we have been used to doing.

[Merion_Mom]

I can understand your thinking. My following comment is not meant to debate your statement, but just express my thoughts. Don't you think all cruise lines have some drama associated with them? A young honeymooner was killed while on board a RCCL ship. A young girl went missing while sailing on RCCL. I have friends who consider these two incidents more disturbing than what happened on Princess. Carnival has had fires. Celebrity has had mechanical difficulities. If one lookes hard enough, there are enough problems to go around. We cruise where we feel most comfortable and that is a good thing. But certainly, no line can cast the first stone.

Italy, Italy, Italy...........no one has proven that George Smith was "killed" - most people believe that he got drunk and fell overboard. And unless you are talking about a different incident, the girl who fell overboard was on a Costa cruise.

 

Every line has had disappearing passengers.

 

Cruising is a relatively safe kind of travel, particularly if you exercise ordinary caution, and not set it adrift just because you're on vacation. Most of the people who end up in trouble have forgotten that you still have to be responsible and aware.

[Merion_Mom]

Interesting that you should say you wouldn't know where to go or what to do. We have been on 6 Princess ships and ALWAYS know where to go and what to do. We meet at our muster stations (which just happen to be inside the ship) so we know where to go. We watch LIVE crew members put on their life jackets and then we are asked to put on ours after the demonstration; before we are dismissed. You mentioned recorded video safety message, now that is new. I wonder if this is something different Princess is trying out because it certainly deviates from what we have been used to doing.

When I talk about knowing where to go, I mean lifeboat stations. Being in Club Fusion is NOT the place to be if the ship is going down. :rolleyes:

[Tex_Jen]

I don't know where the rest of you muster, but twice, I have been in Portofino's (Radiance class) and on the Adventure I was asked to gather in the Dining Room. No outside deck for me. It works because I also know exactly where my lifeboat is by my number.:)

Jen

[negc]

When I talk about knowing where to go, I mean lifeboat stations. Being in Club Fusion is NOT the place to be if the ship is going down. :rolleyes:

Actually, Carol on many of our RCI cruises our muster station has been inside either in Chops or the Schooner Bar, so in that way it is similar to Princess and we don't actually go to a particular lifeboat station. Of course, depending on the nature of the emergency, it might not be possible or safe to go either to the inside muster station or a particular lifeboat station, so you need to be flexible enough to follow the instructions given during the actual event.

 

I mentioned the lack of interactive TV on the Princess board as an example that they were still in the technological dark ages, and was roundly taken to task, but I still find it inconceivable that they haven't taken advantage of this feature. I can't imagine how much extra paper is generated when guests stop at the pursers desk periodically throughout their cruise to check on their accounts, and how much staff time is spent on dealing with these requests, time that could be spent far more productively on other matters.

I thoroughly enjoyed our Sapphire Princess cruise and the first of our two Dawn Princess cruises, but just like a pebble in your shoe can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, some of Princess' procedures and policies are irritating enough to make the overall experience less satisfying than it has to be. None of the issues are major, but the cumulative effect is that they detract from what otherwise is a great vacation.

I'm guessing that Patrick has cancelled his reservation for one of two possible reasons:

1. Nancy and Carol are not booked on it.:)

2. Nancy and Carol are booked on it and he is fearful of what will transpire.:D

Besides without interactive TV how will he know that Carol and Nancy aren't having all their drinks charged to his account.;)

[GMoney]

I'm guessing that Patrick has cancelled his reservation for one of two possible reasons:

1. Nancy and Carol are not booked on it.:)

2. Nancy and Carol are booked on it and he is fearful of what will transpire.:D

Besides without interactive TV how will he know that Carol and Nancy aren't having all their drinks charged to his account.;)

 

LOL that is too funny. I think it would be great to cruise with Nancy and Carol...We should all sail together and terrorize the concierge.

 

CB was canceled b/c we found a super deal on HAL Noordam for Xmas that we could not pass up...it had nothing to do with interactive TV or the list of the Crown. :D

[madelinerose]

I am absolutely with you on this one. I cannot imagine, (but I will on the Crown in September), having to actually stand in a line to check your account balance! Insane, especially since Carnival has had interactive tv for years. Just don't get it. :rolleyes:

 

 

I mentioned the lack of interactive TV on the Princess board as an example that they were still in the technological dark ages, and was roundly taken to task, but I still find it inconceivable that they haven't taken advantage of this feature. .;)

[negc]

A lot of good points here, but I'll stick with the line whose ships don't burst into flames or roll over on their sides!

 

Sovereign of the Seas 2002

Voyager of the Seas 2003

Mariner of the Seas 2004

Radiance of the Seas 4/2006

Sovereign of the Seas 1/29/2007

 

Better be careful when you make statements like this because the facts may not back you up. No ship or line is exempt from having bad things happen. The Monarch of the Seas ran aground off of St. Maarten several years ago and had to evacuate all of their passengers and crew about 3am. Several instances of missing passengers have been reported on RCI and Celebrity as well as Costa, Carnival etc. Fire, engine problems including total loss of propulsion have been experienced by any number of ships. If you set too high a standard you may be left on shore high and dry.

[TexasMom2]

Nice review and I agree with most of your perceptions. I'm just waiting for someone to jump on your comments about the bartenders pouring. There's nothing worse to a Princess cheerleader than someone trying to get something for free. :p

 

Seriously, I'm glad you guys had a great time despite what happened. May all your future cruises be tilt-free.

[Nancyquilts]

Your report must be accurate because I agreed with it all. So much so, that our next cruise is on Princess, and the one following on RCI. We enjoy both lines (obviously). Nancy

[Italy52]

[quote name='Merion_Mom']Italy, Italy, Italy...........no one has proven that George Smith was "killed" - most people believe that he got drunk and fell overboard. And unless you are talking about a different incident, the girl who fell overboard was on a Costa cruise.

The girl I was referring to is Amy Bradley, she disappeared from Rhapsody of the Seas in 1998. I don't know anything about a Costa passenger.

[Italy52]

[quote name='negc']Better be careful when you make statements like this because the facts may not back you up. No ship or line is exempt from having bad things happen. The Monarch of the Seas ran aground off of St. Maarten several years ago and had to evacuate all of their passengers and crew about 3am. Several instances of missing passengers have been reported on RCI and Celebrity as well as Costa, Carnival etc. Fire, engine problems including total loss of propulsion have been experienced by any number of ships. If you set too high a standard you may be left on shore high and dry.[/QUOTE]


Exactly! You hit the nail right on the head.

[Fairsailing]

[quote name='negc']I mentioned the lack of interactive TV on the Princess board as an example that they were still in the technological dark ages, and was roundly taken to task, but I still find it inconceivable that they haven't taken advantage of this feature. I can't imagine how much extra paper is generated when guests stop at the pursers desk periodically throughout their cruise to check on their accounts, and how much staff time is spent on dealing with these requests, time that could be spent far more productively on other matters.
I thoroughly enjoyed our Sapphire Princess cruise and the first of our two Dawn Princess cruises, but just like a pebble in your shoe can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, some of Princess' procedures and policies are irritating enough to make the overall experience less satisfying than it has to be. None of the issues are major, but the cumulative effect is that they detract from what otherwise is a great vacation.
[quote]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice this on my Sapphire cruise. It appeared to me that Princess puts zero effort into improving their ships when designing newbuilds. From the no interactive TV (even Holiday Inn has them!!) to the cafeteria-like setup in the Horizon Court to the low-ceiling one story dining rooms, it's like they don't even try to do anything new. Just add more bars, cabins, and lounges to the last design. Their only contribution to modern ship design has been ----- a big screen TV. Farcus needs to start focusing on that side of the house a little more. Love his stuff or hate it, at least it inspires an emotion...:D

Merion_Mom, agree 100% with your take. Aside from my little ship design rant, I found both lines far more alike than not. I would cruise Princess again, mostly because of the lack of exotic iteneraries on RCI.

[Merion_Mom]

[quote name='TexasMom2']Nice review and I agree with most of your perceptions. I'm just waiting for someone to jump on your comments about the bartenders pouring. There's nothing worse to a Princess cheerleader than someone trying to get something for free. :p

Seriously, I'm glad you guys had a great time despite what happened. May all your future cruises be tilt-free.[/QUOTE]And you know what, TexasMom? Not a single person on the Princess board has mentioned it! ;)

Italy52: Seriously, going back to 1998 to cite an incident? C'mon! :)

Fairsailing: Personally, I think that Farcus should be fired. Just for having the name "FARCUS". :D :D

[Italy52]

[quote name='Merion_Mom']And you know what, TexasMom? Not a single person on the Princess board has mentioned it! ;)

Italy52: Seriously, going back to 1998 to cite an incident? C'mon! :)

I only cited 1998 because that was the year she went missing. I can give you recent events but what's the point. When I made my statement to another poster all I was trying to do is make the person realize that all cruise ships have "incidents" that they would like to sweep under the carpet. Enough said, comment closed. :) Have a good day. Hope you are not sweltering like we are.

[CrusinAgain]

I would love to try an RCI ship but the major thing that stops me is no self-serve laundry rooms. My laundry stacks up so much and no room for all the dirty clothes for a family so it has always been Princess and Carnival. I know alot of you will say wear clothes for 2 days or handwash or send them out to be done but you can't beat the 1.00 per load on a Princess ship and take less clothes with that weight limit of 50 pounds now for the airlines.

Also, I heard that the casinos are not much of a casino on the RCI ships since they are European? Is this true?

[sesh]

[quote name='Italy52']***********
Like you, I have sailed many cruises on different lines. I have enjoyed every cruise, some more than others,. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience. I am sorry that your Princess experience was not as enjoyable as other cruises you have been on with other lines. I do feel however, that your observation of the line was a little unforgiving. After all, you sailed on a ship that barely has its feet wet in the water. And, since this was your first Princess cruise, you really didn't have a seasoned vessel to compare it to. Can anyone honestly say that a new ship sails without hitches for the first couple of months it is sailing? I don't think so. I have been a member of this board for quite a while. I have seen many tales of woe from people that have sailed new ships. Did that stop them from returning, no. I think when making a reference to a ship one needs to be sensitive to the fact that a new ship will not be perfect. Give it time and Princess another chance. I did with RCCL, and I am glad that I did.[/QUOTE]

Afraid have to disagree - ships when delivered go through a series of 'shakedown' cruises prior to entering revenue service, just so they can iron out all of the wrinkles. In reading the reviews of the Crown Princess which are not so favourable, I would have to point out that some of the items mentioned could also apply to the Sea Princess as well and she is a veteran of the fleet .. so it seems company wide problem.

[Merion_Mom]

[quote name='CrusinAgain']I would love to try an RCI ship but the major thing that stops me is no self-serve laundry rooms. My laundry stacks up so much and no room for all the dirty clothes for a family so it has always been Princess and Carnival. I know alot of you will say wear clothes for 2 days or handwash or send them out to be done but you can't beat the 1.00 per load on a Princess ship and take less clothes with that weight limit of 50 pounds now for the airlines.

Also, I heard that the casinos are not much of a casino on the RCI ships since they are European? Is this true?[/QUOTE]The casino in the RC ships on which I have sailed are as large or larger than the casino on the Princess ship. At least, that was my perception.

Of course, we all have to make choices in our lives, but I cannot believe that self-service laundry facilities are THE reason that you won't sail RC! Use the laundry service - if you absolutely cannot pack enough clothes for 7 days, just budget for having RC do some laundry for you.

Here are the prices (RC's website):

[url]http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/onboardExtrasFaq.do;jsessionid=00006wz299MoAkBOYqtTaTXEJVA:10ktmf1jr[/url]

[threeofus]

Good Comparison...they really are more alike than different.
[I][B][COLOR=magenta]But THAT PERSONAL CHOICE DINING....that is a winner[/COLOR][/B][/I]. You don't have to sign up for it and you can still ask for the same server if you do......you just aren't locked into the 6 or 8 pm time.

That is the big difference...and it is a big one!!!!!!

[CrusinAgain]

[quote name='Merion_Mom']
Of course, we all have to make choices in our lives, but I cannot believe that self-service laundry facilities are THE reason that you won't sail RC! Use the laundry service - if you absolutely cannot pack enough clothes for 7 days, just budget for having RC do some laundry for you.

Here are the prices (RC's website):

[URL="http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/onboardExtrasFaq.do;jsessionid=00006wz299MoAkBOYqtTaTXEJVA:10ktmf1jr"]http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/onboardExtrasFaq.do;jsessionid=00006wz299MoAkBOYqtTaTXEJVA:10ktmf1jr[/URL][/quote]

Ugghhh.....those prices are high. I'm just going to have to make you my wardrobe coordinator to make 8 days worth fit under the weight limit. ;)