Any RCCL fans ever on Crown Princess? Comparisons?

[ds521]

Hi All - we're seriously thinking about taking a southern caribbean cruise on the Crown Princess. We're platinum members with RCCL and are big fans of the line, but unfortunately the itinerary we're looking for at the best price is on the Crown Princess. We took the Diamond Princess a few years ago and didn't have a great experience but we hear the Crown Princess is much better. Anyone have any opinions or experiences you can share with us before we make a final decision? Thanks for any help you can offer!

[Sue L]

This is a great comparison post by Merion Mom. She was on the Crown when it listed

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=384375

[ds521]

Thanks, Sue! That was a great post with comparisons!

[Sue L]

Hopefully Merion Mom, will see this thread and come on for first hand questioning.

[jamscckmc]

we were on the crown this summer. Food and entertainment about equal. Missed the promonade but the entertainment and on deck 5 and food at the international cafe were great. Love the iceshow on RC but MUTS was really special. If in a suite nobody does it like Princess. Their minisuites seem like two rooms and have 2 TV's. Their full suites have a 2 part bathroom, minibar setup, free laundry/drycleaning, free internet and free use the thermal suite. No concierge/lounge though. Crown has three sets of elevators, RC only 2 even on their largest ships.Princess only has one size balcony cabin and they are quite small with no sofa. The larger balcony cabin on RC/Celebrity are only a few $$$ more than the smaller one and give you 20 more sf. Crown has great private aft suites/balcony cabins wheras all of RC suites are under the pool deck. We love both RC and Princess and of the 3 princess ships we have been on, we liked Crown the best.

[ds521]

jamscckmc - thanks for your comparisons of the two. it really helped, especially your comment about liking the Crown the best. our experience on the diamond was not too great, and we kind of swore off princess, but now are thinking that maybe we should give them a try since the price is actually better and the crown has that 5* rating. thanks again!

[skiiergirl]

Are you comparing the Crown to Serenade southern or Adventure southern? That would be a big difference in my mind. We have never done Princess BUT we met a couple on the SR in December that did Crown one week and SR the next week. At the end of our week we asked them which they preferred and their answer was "hands down SR". Again, can't give you an opinion since we have never done Princess but that was their answer.

[Aldeya]

We went on our first Princess cruise this summer, Crown Princess from NY. Have been on 6th RCL cruises.

 

In short, the food is much better on Princess. The didning room food was excellent and the stuff seemed more attentive and more experienced.

 

The entertainment: RCI is much much better than Princess. Can't even compare. Princess "Love and marriage" is a joke comparing to RCL"s show.

Overall we were extremely dissapointed in cruise director and his staff. They were no match to the most RCI staff. We were not impressed by MUTS although many people did enjoy it.

 

We missed Solarium on RCI which is free and didn't care for a new pay for an hour adult only area on Princess.

 

Absolutely LOVED thermal suite on Princess, it was worth every penny.

 

So there are pluses and minuses for each of the line. We had a good relaxing time on Princess but decided that for us RCI has more choices and more variety.

[wrp96]

Aldeya, have you tried out the thermal suite on the Radiance class yet?

[Merion_Mom]

Apparently, you posted this twice. I answered on your other thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=681412

 

:)