Convince this RCI cheerleader to try Princess

[DonnaK]

We are looking at the Caribbean Princess in August 2008 to New England/Canada.

 

We love RCI Voyager class ships but would like to try something different, and we are tired of the same old Caribbean ports, so this itinerary appeals to us too. We need a cruise that leaves from New York to save on airfare. The alternative is RCI's Explorer, same itinerary, in July, however it is quite a bit more expensive.

 

Will we be happy on Princess? Last time we tried something new (Carnival Miracle), it was a horrible experience, so I am hesitant.

 

Also, since finances are strictly limited, we must put 4 of us (two adults and two teenagers) in an inside cabin. Is this do-able? We are used to balconies, or getting two cabins, so this will be an adjustment for us, but the alternative is no cruise at all.

[helpmesailaway]

Save $$$$ and enjoy the Caribbean Princess from NYC.

 

It is always fun to try something new. I was on RC several years ago so I can't really compare but we have always enjoyed our Princess Cruises. Sailing out of NYC was very special - as well the return too. Seeing the Statue of Liberty with the sun rising early in the am.

 

I can't comment on the space on the inside room - but you probably won't spend much time there anyway!

 

Just go and have fun!!!

[Colo Cruiser]

This might help.....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=694242

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

Since you admit that your are an RCI cheerleader, it may be difficult for you to enjoy Princess to the same degree. You will probably find yourself comparing every little thing to see if Princess measures up. I have read many posts from cheerleaders of _______ (name the line) who can only find fault with ___________ (name the line) after trying it.

 

With that being said, you may very well enjoy Princess if you travel with an open mind and understand that Princess is not RCI. My DW and I have been sailing with Princess the last few years because they offer good itineraries and reasonable prices. We love anytime dining and have no desire to climb walls or ice skate. However, if the itinerary and price were right, we would also have no qualms about sailing with RCI. We feel both lines offer a good product, just different in some areas.

[dsawyer]

4 people in the same cabin will be really tight. If you are really cramped and miserable, it might be difficult to be objective about the other things on the ship. I don't want to say don't do it but I don't think its the right circumstances to try Princess.

 

That being said, many people travel with 4 in a cabin and don't mind a bit.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

4 people escpecially in an inside cabin may be a little close. We had a mini suite in January which had a queen configuration and a sofa couch that could have slept 2 for a total of 4.

 

However, in the KK cat for the inside rooms they have a 3rd person berth that comes out from the ceiling for a 3rd and I am sure that you can get a roll away for the 4th. I do think this may be a little tight though. But as other poster said - you won't be spending much time in the room.

 

January was our first Princess experience, and we are going back in April for a 4 night special on an inside - we barely spent any time in our cabin on the last cruise. We are excited to be going back so soon and on the same boat. We will definitely sail with Princess time and time again after our recent experience.

[janetz]

Do try the Carribean Princess. It is a great ship. We have a quad, obstucted outside, for our cruise in May. Walk into the cabin with a sense of humor. :D

[DonnaK]

Thanks for your comments. Please keep them coming!

 

The inside cabin we are looking at has 3rd and 4th upper berths. It does look a bit claustrophobic, but I just took my older daughter to tour some college dorms which are much smaller than this cabin! Because the itinerary is so port intensive, we thought we'd be in the cabin much less than usual. We've done 4 in a cabin before, but always with a sofa bed, not upper berths.

 

Is it better to book with Princess directly? (RCI does not allow TA's to discount cabins, although sometimes you can get perks like OBC - is Princess the same?)

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

Well, we were Diamond members with RCI before we ever tried Princess, so I guess we had earned our pompoms, too. :p There are still some elements of RCI that we prefer to Princess, but, there are also some elements of Princess that we prefer to RCI. Just as one example: I personally believe that RCI has the most beautiful ships at sea. You mention the Voyager class, so you know how stunning those dining rooms are. However, Princess has some really nice touches in their cabin & hallway decor that RCI lacks -- so you can choose between prettier architecture or prettier rooms. :)

 

Since we're trying to sway you towards Princess, here's a few more items on my pro-Princess list:

• TA's can discount cruise fares
  
• laundry rooms (great for longer cruises)
  
• 24-hour buffet
  
• cheaper soda cards
  
• good Captain's Club offers/discounts beginning after 1st cruise

So I guess my overall advice would depend on how comfortable you are with trying new things. We kind of like experiencing the strengths & weaknesses of different cruiselines, as you can tell from my signature. And we're still big fans of RCI, but these days I'm carrying pompoms with a few different logos. :D

[GlockMan9c]

In my opinion, Princess is superior to RCCL.

 

I have not been on Princess (Grand) for 4 years, but it was quite nice. I am going next month on the Emerald for 10 days. I guess I will know more then.

 

I got the virus on Mariner of the Seas (missed two ports do to quarantine) and absolutely hated Soverign of the Seas.

 

JMHO.

[ggprincess2004]

Experiences on the major mass market lines are generally pretty similar - I think it is the small things that each line does differently that cause us to become cheerleaders for one line or another.

Princess just fits who we are and what we want from a cruise - soothing decor, plenty of opportunities to join in activities or just relax, we really appreciate the anytime dining.....so if you can appreciate what Princess does very well - which is probably different from what RCI does very well, I am sure you will enjoy your cruise.

4 in one cabin - little tip. Send the men to the spa area. They have showers that are larger there, and that will help to ease the logjam when dressing for dinner, etc. In fact, if you can choose your inside, you might want to look for something forward on Lido, as you will walk outside to the pools, and are close by the spa area, which will be a convenient place to find that "second bath" that you will be missing with four in one cabin.

We really enjoyed our cruises on the Caribbean Princess, and if going Princess means you can afford to cruise - go for it!!! Sailing in and out of New York harbor is an experience not to be missed!

[sunlover2]

We are going on our first Princess cruise this coming March and can't wait!! Like you we only did RCI and we love the Voyager ships however we have only heard great things about Princess. So we are giving it a try!! Go in with an open mind and positive thoughts. Life's too short...go for it!! :p

[sunlover2]

We are going on our first Princess cruise this coming March and can't wait!! Like you we only did RCI and we love the Voyager ships however we have only heard great things about Princess. So we are giving it a try!! Go in with an open mind and positive thoughts. Life's too short...go for it!! :p

[sunlover2]

We are going on our first Princess cruise this coming March and can't wait!! Like you we only did RCI and we love the Voyager ships however we have only heard great things about Princess. So we are giving it a try!! Go in with an open mind and positive thoughts. Life's too short...go for it!! :p

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

Thanks for your comments. Please keep them coming!

 

The inside cabin we are looking at has 3rd and 4th upper berths. It does look a bit claustrophobic, but I just took my older daughter to tour some college dorms which are much smaller than this cabin! Because the itinerary is so port intensive, we thought we'd be in the cabin much less than usual. We've done 4 in a cabin before, but always with a sofa bed, not upper berths.

 

Is it better to book with Princess directly? (RCI does not allow TA's to discount cabins, although sometimes you can get perks like OBC - is Princess the same?)

 

I have stayed in an inside with 4 people, sure its cramped but its not too bad. I say go for it, the Caribbean Princess is a beautiful ship and I have sailed on here twice. Both cruises were amazing.

 

I usually book through an online TA because you can get great discount rates. Keep in mind when you get these quotes that most of them include all port charges/taxes and fuel surcharges. Try that website that competes over your cruise. (Im not supposed to type the address) cruise compete with no space in it and so on...

[RAIDERMOM]

I was once a Royal Carib only snob. I tried the Carnival Glory and did not care for the experience. I went on the Carib Princess in 2005 and had a great time, loved the ship, the food, and the shows.

 

Last August I went back to Royal and sailed on the Mariner of the Seas. It was just okay........

I decided this year to go back to the Carib Princess .We sail from NY(great experience) in July. The ship is beautiful, the food was plentiful and very good. I travel with my neighbors and their children, The age range for adults is 40 to 50 and the kids are 15 to 21.

 

You will not be disappointed!!!

[WelshieLover]

I posted a comparision of our 2 cruises last year June 2007 on the Carribean Princess and December 2007 on the Jewel of the Seas. I don't know how to link back to it, but here it is below:

RCCI Jewel of the Seas December 01 – December 09 2007 number of passengers around 2200

Princess Caribbean Princess June 25 – July 01 2007 approximately 3100 passengers

As you can see these two ships were quite different in size. The Princess always seemed crowded and the Jewel never seemed crowded. I cannot pinpoint if it was because of the time of year and the different crowd on each ship. The Princess had a really large mix of people – lots of families with young children through teenagers, people in their 20’s straight up to retirees. The Jewel being that school was still in session had a lot less families (only those with preschoolers) and very few people in their 20s or 30s. There was also a group of over 700 on the Jewel associated with a Nutritional Supplement company. They had meetings on sea days. Still the pool and common areas on the Jewel never seemed as crowded as it was on the Princess.

In June we traveled with 18 family members. In December it was just the two of us. I think traveling with others is the way to go. Even though there were a lot of us, we still had our private time and we still met other cruisers. Being just the two of us we met people to socialize with, but I think it is more fun to travel with other family members or friends you care about.

We loved both ships and would cruise either line in the future. There were definitely some pluses and minuses to each.

Remember this is subjective and just my observations. Everyone’s likes and dislikes are different.

Stateroom

The size of both rooms was about the same. Princess had a much better closet set up than the Jewel. When you entered the room on Princess you had off to your left or right a very wide closet almost the width of the cabin with lots of hangers that can accommodate easily 4 empty suitcases and 4 carry-on bags as well as clothes for 4. The closet creates a nice “changing area” hallway with the bathroom and also in this area is a floor to ceiling cabinet with shelves and the safe. The closet on the Jewel was along the wall as you enter the room with doors on it. Inside the closet were some shelves. It had less than half the hanging space than that on the Caribbean Princess and we could not fit all our suitcases and carry-on bags in the closet and we only had 2 people on the Jewel where we had 4 on the Princess. Thumbs up to the Princess for the closet and changing area set up. As far as the bathroom goes, they were very similar. Thumbs up to the Jewel on the mirrored door for the bathroom shelves. A very big thumbs up for the shower door versus the curtain on the Princess. The curtain would often cling to you while you were showering also water would often spill out of the shower onto the bathroom floor. Princess Cruiselines provide individual sized shampoo; conditioner and body lotion form their Lotus Spa line. RCLL only provides shampoo in a wall dispenser in the shower stall. It is good that I knew this and brought my own as I would have been upset. The blow dryer that the Jewel had was what appeared to be a full size one. I did not use it as I brought my own from home because the one on the Princess was a travel one that did not work well at all. Both cabins had a nice desk area and a mini-fridge. The Jewel had a loveseat in it the Princess did not. We really did not use the loveseat we had our empty suitcases on top of it quite a bit of the time. We found the beds on both ships comfortable enough. We did not ask for “egg crates”. On the Jewel we had some really fantastic towel animals in our room most night often wearing sunglasses sometimes holding the TV remote and watching TV. There were no towel animals on Princess, but while it is a nice touch it would not stop me from going on Princess again just because they don’t have towel animals.

Staff and Crew

The Staff and Crew seemed a little friendlier on the Jewel. I don’t know why they just did. More personal greetings.

Décor and Public Rooms

The Décor on each ship was very different. The Caribbean Princess was much understated and the Jewel was more themed. Both were very beautiful ships. I lean a little towards liking the Jewel better. The Jewel’s buffet area called the Windjammer was done it up very nicely dark mahogany toned woods with a nautical theme but not over the top. The outdoor eating areas that spilled out from the Windjammer had nice wicker style furniture. The Princess’ buffet area was understated it looked like a nice restaurant but nothing popped out at you as special. The outdoor eating areas that were adjacent to its buffet were the plastic resin furniture. The Main Dining rooms on both were too similar to compare. The lounges on both were both very nice. Club Fusion on Princess was similar to the Safari Club on the Jewel. Club Fusion was larger but the ship held a lot more people. The theater was very large and had more than enough seats. We often found that the theater on the Princess did not have enough seats. The Jewel had a small stadium seating Movie Theater that may have sat 40 or so people, but was never full. The Princess would show movies in its big theater and also on its MUTS (Movies Under The Stars) screen by the main pool. This was really nice at night. If you are into gambling the Casino on the Jewel is much larger than the one on the Princess.

Pools

Both ships had 3 pools each. I think the ones on the Jewel were smaller but never crowded. One was mainly a kid’s pool with a water slide. One called the Solarium was for adults only (over 16) and was inside and air-conditioned. It had an Asian theme with lots of plants and privacy. It was beautiful and peaceful.

Drinks alcoholic and non alcoholic

For a cold lemonade, ice water, or Ice Tea, the Jewel was the winner. In the Windjammer the staff always had plenty of already poured drinks for the taking. On the Princess you would have wait in line and serve yourself. As far as alcoholic beverages the Princess wins hands down. I am not a huge drinker, but on the cruise I would like to get a cocktail each day. I found the cocktails on the Jewel “stale”. I don’t know if that is the right way to describe them, but on the Princess tasted much fresher.

Food

The food was quite a bit similar on both ships. The Windjammer set-up was much better than the Princess buffet area. There was a lot more space between the food stations and was easier to maneuver. Princess has anytime dining in one of its restaurants and the traditional early and late seatings in its others. The anytime dining would have been nice, so we could have been on deck for more of the sail aways. My travel agent said she had set us up for the late seating but we ended up with the 6 PM seating. I think the meal portions were larger on Princess (although do you really need that much?). I also think the presentation was better on Princess. But overall taste and quality was very similar.

We did not eat in any specialty restaurants on the Princess. We did eat in Chops – the steakhouse on the Jewel. It was an additional $20 per person for the meal. We chose it over Portofino’s – the Italian restaurant because I do not enjoy seafood and its menu was seafood intense. I think my expectations were too high. I was expecting a much better quality of meat than was served. I have eaten at some really good steakhouses in NYC, Baltimore, Philly and Boston and this steak did not even compare to them. The side dishes were really good, the atmosphere was wonderful and the service superb, but it was not worth the extra charge. The steak I had the last evening of the cruise was the same quality I was served at Chops.

The Princess had a burger and pizza place right by the pool. This was better than the Jewel as you could get pizza and “hot” burgers and fries almost around the clock. The Windjammer had these things did not carry them all the time. On the very top deck there was a Seaview Café but again it was not open as long as the one by the pool on the Princess. This is really important to teenage boys.

Activities

Each ship had plenty of activities. Both ships had trivia daily. The Jewel had better prizes for the winners. The Jewel had shuffleboard, a rack climbing wall, mini golf which we did not find on the Princess. Both had basketball courts and virtual golf. I think both ships had plenty of activities for all age groups, although I think my son’s would favor the Jewel.

Shows

Entertainment on both ships was good. The Princess had more comedians who performed in both the theaters and the lounges. My family really enjoyed the comedians. The singers and dancers on the Jewel were really good. Sometimes I felt that the song choices were rather eclectic and there was not a seamless transition from one musical number to the next. On the Jewel we would often go to the shows with low expectations. One night they had Marty Allen (we didn’t know he was still around – he is 86). We were pleasantly surprised he was not bad. His wife had a really decent singing voice. One night they had El Gaucho from Paraguay. He was actually very funny and entertaining.

Sports Fans

I really can’ speak for the Princess as I did not notice any location dedicated to sports TV watching, but on the Jewel there is a lounge called The Pit Stop. It had a NASCAR feel and the TV always had sports on. NFL football was televised on Sunday, Monday night and Thursday night. The rest of the time it was soccer. My husband watched Monday night football in our stateroom.

Smell

This is a little odd but I had to mention because I overheard another person who thought the same thing as me. The public restrooms began to smell as I overheard “like a latrine”. They seemed clean, the floors were dry, but there was an unpleasant odor. This was only on the Jewel. I would have remembered it if I had smelled it on the Caribbean Princess. It was noticeable.

Embarking and Disembarking

Both ships embarking process were similar. For disembarking in both cases you were giving a color tag that they would call when it was your turn to disembark. On the Princess we waited in the buffet area, which was very crowded. On the Jewel we waited in the Schooner Lounge. When we were called to disembark the Princess we walked right off into the terminal to pick up our luggage. When we called on the Jewel we went down to deck 6 to wait in line that spanned under the lifeboats into a tunnel down into the terminal. They should have let us sit longer so we did not have to wait in a line. We saw people having to get out of wheelchairs to stand in this line. It did not make a lot of sense.

Overall these were both great ships which we would not hesitate to sail on again!

[SmokinActuary]

I have never been on RC nor Princess, but IMO there is only one way to find out - go for it and keep an open mind.

 

You are on vacation after all!

[CruisJack]

The above posting by Welshielover made a very good comparison between RCI and Princess cruises.

We have cruised 17 times with Princess and twice with RCI on the Radiance and Serenade. As has been said both cruiselines

are similar in most areas.

I would just like to add a few comments.

1. The pools on Princess are filled with fresh water.

2. We preferred Anytime Dining on Princess for its flexibility.

The food is the same as in the traditional dining rooms.

3. If you like pasta, Princes is far superior over RCI.

4. If you like souffles, Princes has great ones.

5. RCI seemed to offer a lot of lamb entrees and we don't

care for lamb. So the other selections were limited but

the food quality was good.

6. On the Princess menu left side are items which are always

available each dinner such as shrimp cocktail, Caesar's salad

steak, chicken and a seafood entree.

On the right side were the appitisers, soups, salad, usually

two choices of pasta and usually 5 entree choices.

 

We liked the choices a little better on Princess.

 

I'm positive you will enjoy your Princess cruise even with 4 in

your cabin. Pack your sense of humor and you'll do just fine.

 

May your future crusies have fair skies and calm seas.

[taxatty]

We're Platinum on both RCI and Princess--a few subjective observations--

1. The RCI ships are definitiely more spectacular in appearance, with much bigger atriums and the Promenade on larger RCI ships that Princess can't match.

2. We have found the dining room food to be consistently better on Princess. RCI has more overall food choices and a better buffet, but we like Princess' afternoon tea. Princess' extra cost choices are very good, but we found Chops to be better than any of them.

3. Staterooms are very comparable in similar classes.

4. Service everywhere on the ship is very comparable.

5. The evening entertainment is comparable, but we like Princess more, especially the piano bars and other smaller venues. MUTS is also wonderful on Princess--don't discount it.

6. We prefer the fresh water pools found on most of the Princess ships.

7. RCI has more stuff for kids to do and seems to attract a slightly younger crowd.

Bottom-line--if you like RCI, you'll like Princess--like you're doing, we usually choose between them based upon cost and itinerary.

Les

[Dapzilla]

DonnaK, we're fellow RCI fans who are now trying a Princess Cruise. We're not unhappy with Royal Caribbean, just trying something different. I have to say that I've heard the feedback about Princess, and have thoroughly checked the website, and I'm just darned excited.

 

Comparisons are going to be inevitable, but really, there's going to be things that Princess does better, and things that RCI does better. I don't know that anyone is going to give you the convincing push that you can't find on your own...it's cruising, so it's alllll good, baby.

 

I'm so looking forward to our January 09 trip on the Crown Princess, and I hope you soon have a Princess cruise to look forward to, too!

 

~Dapzilla

[spittler]

4 people in the same cabin will be really tight. If you are really cramped and miserable, it might be difficult to be objective about the other things on the ship. I don't want to say don't do it but I don't think its the right circumstances to try Princess.

 

That being said, many people travel with 4 in a cabin and don't mind a bit.

 

We travel with 4 in an inside and it's no problem at all. There is plenty of space and you won't be cramped at all. You don't spend a lot of time in an inside anyways.

[swscruiser]

Hi'

 

We've only done the Granduer and the Caribbean and Grand. We liked the Granduer better than either Princess ship. Service food etc was better on RCL. Princess to us was just not that enjoyable. Can't put a finger on anything specific, just not as much fun as other lines.

 

Keith

[roe2ship]

Lately, I noticed more postings from RCI fans who have tried Princess and were very satisfied with their experience. I see you love the voyager class ships. Princess atriums and dining rooms are completely opposite from that. Some will find that these areas are lacking from “eye-catching” on Princess ships. Atriums are 3 levels and dining rooms are one level. I personally find both of them lovely.

 

Some other minor differences from Royal….You won’t find the ability to view your shipboard account in the cabin tv. There are no unlimited pool towels around the pool areas. Ice Cream is not offered for free all day, just limited hours. Room service is very limited if not in a suite.

 

More importantly, since you are planning 4 to a cabin, their inside cabins are not like Royal. There is no sitting area with a loveseat. My kids had an inside on Radiance and that cabin felt extra roomy than our balcony cabin on Princess.

 

We feel the food is better on Princess. There is a whole lot more of entertainment options in the evening. Service I find equal except at the buffet on Royal is better. The staff is a little friendlier on Princess. More pools with cushioned lounge chairs around main pool areas. Most of all we LOVE anytime dining.

 

The Caribbean Princess is a great ship, we love everything about her.

[roe2ship]

Pools

Both ships had 3 pools each. I think the ones on the Jewel were smaller but never crowded. One was mainly a kid’s pool with a water slide. One called the Solarium was for adults only (over 16) and was inside and air-conditioned. It had an Asian theme with lots of plants and privacy. It was beautiful and peaceful.

The Caribbean Princess does not have 3 pools, they actually have 6. The two midship main pools, terrace pool, lotus pool, kiddie pool and one very small pool right next to the kiddie pool.