Need some advice - have some questions

[jnmrlk]

Hi every-one,

 

We have never tried a Princess cruise, formerly cruised on NCL - wondered what Princess has that we may or may not like compared to NCL. Found our last cruise to be lacking on daytime activities, and cramped around the pool - we have not sailed on the newer NCL ships so far the largest of NCL's we have been on is the Dawn and then the smaller ships.

We are looking to go next year as a family cruise - ages will range from 18 months up to the 60's - all of us with different wants and needs - we will want to sail out of NY - or close to (NJ, PA even Maryland would be okay). Can any-one give me a heads up and what I may or may not like about Princess - Thanks!

[Casshew]

I have sailed NCL and Princess... some of my opinions.

 

NCL was very casual, Princess has a couple of dressy evenings...

 

NCL had too many announcements on the public speakers, princess was much better - especially with their disembarkation system, it's excellent.

 

NCL had a better buffet IMO, with their beautiful selection of cheeses - Princess has a little platter of pre sliced that never seems to change.

 

Food was about the same in the dining rooms, slight edge to NCL for having so many dining choices.

 

Princess has fresh water pools

 

Princess has MUTS if you are certain ships

 

Also indoor pools on certain ships.

 

Both were the same for service and cabin quality, slight edge to Princess for having those nice mini suites that have bathtubs.

 

Slight edge to Princess for shows

 

Casinos I found the same

 

Embarkation the same

[Sea Hag]

I like both Princess and NCL very much, but with a slight preference for Princess.

 

One thing that isn't as good on Princess as on NCL is that NCL lets you stay in your cabin until your disembarcation group is called, and Princess doesn't. Princess boots you out by 8:00 (this is my experience only and others may have had different "get out" times).

 

The overall quality of the cruise might be a tad higher on Princess, but that's probably arguable and on a ship-by-ship basis.

 

Food on both is great and each has things that they make better than the other one does. French toast is great on both, and it's completely different. Princess does a crunchy outside coating of cornflake crumbs, and NCL uses thick-sliced cinnamon raisin bread. What? You say you don't want to base your cruise selection on frech toast? How odd. :D