Switched to Princess for one cruise

[FinelyCruising]

Well.....it's a really great game. An adult scavenger hunt that keeps people running and laughing their heads off with all kinds of crazy antics.:D

[mike35]

On the whole, I don't feel Princess is as good a cruise experience as Celebrity, but, standing on its own, it's not bad either...it's still a major step or two above Carnival or Norwegian...

 

 

Steve -- from a fellow Bruin -- I just had to chime in with regard to your comments about Norwegian. Looking at your cruising experience, I don't see where you've sailed NCL. Before you knock NCL, you should know that the $1B infusion of capital to NCL from Apollo Management (same owners as Oceania and Regent) has resulted in a HUGE improvement over NCL's older product. We just returned from a 12-night NCL Jewel Baltic cruise, and quite frankly, it was terrific! I'm a travel agent and have received recent glowing feedback from my clients who have returned from NCL. With that being said - we still love Celebrity!

[JUST CRUZIN]

We have 10 Celebrity and 27 Princess cruises with a few other lines sprinkled in. We would sail on each line once a year trying to decide on which was best for us. I too find Celebrity to be the best. The reason for the higher Princess numbers is a financial one. They have more ships, wider itineraries usually at less cost so I can cruise 2 or 3 times a year with the lower cost that Princess offers versus Celebrity. We found the perks were the best on Princess, free internet, free laundry and dry cleaning, $100 on board booking deposit for future cruises with extra ship board cabin credit among a few others.

Princess has recently reduced some of these perks to have some limits. We hate to give back anything these days so we are back to sailing Celebrity again. Princess does give you your moneys worth and I would recommend them as I recommend Celebrity as the top shelf with white glove service. I think trying other cruise lines is part of what we call "Cruising". Just my 2 cents….

[DeepWaterMariner]

We have 10 Celebrity and 27 Princess cruises with a few other lines sprinkled in. We would sail on each line once a year trying to decide on which was best for us. I too find Celebrity to be the best. The reason for the higher Princess numbers is a financial one. They have more ships, wider itineraries usually at less cost so I can cruise 2 or 3 times a year with the lower cost that Princess offers versus Celebrity. We found the perks were the best on Princess, free internet, free laundry and dry cleaning, $100 on board booking deposit for future cruises with extra ship board cabin credit among a few others.

Princess has recently reduced some of these perks to have some limits. We hate to give back anything these days so we are back to sailing Celebrity again. Princess does give you your moneys worth and I would recommend them as I recommend Celebrity as the top shelf with white glove service. I think trying other cruise lines is part of what we call "Cruising". Just my 2 cents….

 

I agree with just about everything above except the reduced perks comment. The only reduction I'm aware of was a limit on free Internet, otherwise it's all still the same plus now unlimited free WiFi if you have your own laptop. Anyway, we like both lines but Princess is a better fit for us particularly with Anytime Dinning but I was happy to learn that Celebrity's informal dress is finally gone.

[Tatka]

We're pretty underwhelmed by Princess, for the most part, too. We weren't at all impressed with the level of service, although we liked (most of) the food on Princess. The biggest let-down for me was how crowded Princess' ships are; WAY too many people sharing the same space!

I wouldn't say "never again" about Princess, but it would not be my first choice (or even my second choice:o ) if I could find something similar on Celebrity.

 

Interesning.. We also sailed on Caribbean Princess, but got completely opposite impression. We were surprised by how uncrowded she felt.. at full capacity. Many pools - several of which are adult only, many lounges for different tastes..

[Tatka]

Did you compare notes with them? I'd be interested in hearing what they enjoyed about Princess that makes them their cruiseline of choice. :confused:

 

I don't have a cruiseline of choice.. Actually Princess and Celebrity are my favourite lines... but Princess did have some stronger points... at least Caribbean Princess.

 

1) Variety of pools. 2 adult only. One of them all the way in the back with alot of woods.. Cozy.

 

2) Great seafood buffets.. Alaskan crab legs split in halves, lobsters , shrimp.. Every day something "seafood" in buffets.

 

3) Buffet with quality food are opened almost 24 hrs.

 

4) More varied lounge entertainment.

 

5) Mini-golf.. We aren't kids anymore, but it was a pleasant experience

 

6) We had great service from stateroom attendants on both lines, but on Princess our stuard called us Mr and Ms ....(last name) We also received nice greeting message on our answering machine.. and Princes circle "passport" by the end of our cruise.

 

7) Movies under the stars with special pads and blankets were great experience.

 

 

Our X cruises were great.. best white glove service ever, but Princess was more exciting.

[rolfecms]

Movies under the stars with special pads and blankets were great experience.

 

This seems like something that would be compatible with the =X= experience - when you think about it how many of us =X= cruisers are old enough to remember drive-in's? It's certainly a passive activity (not like rock climbing or ice skating) and would be very relaxing in the moonlight in the middle of the sea.

 

Has anyone else pondered this concept on an =X= ship? Would anyone object or not cruise =X= if they did present movies under the stars?

[wa.mama]

we booked a Princess cruise last March that sails in 2 weeks . We were surprised to find that we were wait listed #105 for traditional dining. When we booked there were many cabins left, and our cruise was cheaper than other weeks before and after.

 

That is on the Caribbean Princess. do you know about how many tables are used for traditional vs anytime dining?

 

Just as you will miss anytime we will miss traditional.:)

 

We also were surprised by the long waitlist for traditional dining on Princess. However, on the first afternoon the maitre'd met with those of us who were waitlisted and allowed us to choose a table, waitstaff and dining time that remained fixed for the rest of the cruise. Ended up being just like traditional dining.

[Tatka]

I am sure it would be a nice feature..

 

It looks like this:

 

 

Well this is obviously during the day. :)

 

Big ships of Princess have 4-5 pools, so everybody can pick favorite one

 

1) Adult quite pool

2) Adult spa pool

3) Pool with movies

4) Pool with music

5) smaller pool for parents and Kiddies

[sjaak]

I can only compare 2 cruises, one on the Constellation to the Southern Caribbean and this year on the Grand Princess to the Northern Fjords.

 

- cabin: Princess (although we had concierge class aboard the Constellation, the layout of the cabin was much betten on the Grand)

- dining room food: equal

- specialty restaurants: Celebrity (Ocean Liners is just great!)

- buffet food: equal

- buffet organization: Celebrity (on the Grand we had to walk around with our plate at least 10 minutes every morning to find a place to sit, but perhaps that was also due to the wether in Norway, to cold to eat outside or enjoy roomservice on your balcony)

- dining choices: Princess (just love anytime dining)

- entertainment: equal

- bar service: equal

- customer service: draw (agree that Celebrity staff seems more professional)

- cabin staff freindliness: equal

- uncrowdedness: definitely Celebrity

- less money-grubbing: Celebrity

- atmosphere: Celebrity (I didn't like the music on board the Grand, everywhere and all day long, you couldn't find a nice quiet place to sit)

[Luv4dacruise]

Sailed the Crown Princess to the Caribbean in July 07 and the Celebrity Century to the Arctic Circle August 08.

 

My 2c:

 

- cabin: Celebrity

- dining room food: equal

- buffet food: Princess

- buffet organisation: both hopeless

- dining choices: Princess (not a fan of traditional seating)

- entertainment: Princess

- bar service: Princess (yes, Princess. Never had to wait for a drink on the Crown, even with 3500+ pax. Almost died of thirst a few times on Century plus had to send a few back as undrinkable)

- customer service: not evident on either

- cabin staff friendliness: Celebrity

- activities staff: Princess

- uncrowdedness: Celebrity

- less money-grubbing: Princess

- casino: Celebrity (although won more on Princess)

- engine noise (ie quieter): Princess

- liked being able to check bill on TV on Celebrity

 

Overall, wouldn't hurry back to Celebrity and certainly wouldn't pay a premium for it.

 

With all due respect, your comparing a ship that was a year old to one that was 13 years old when you sailed on them. Apples to oranges even with the Century having its refurb.

[cruiseblue]

Good to read these responses...I was deciding between Princess Ruby or Solstice. Most thread praised X for its service and ship so I know we will won't go wrong with Solstice but not crazy about its iteneriary. I finally chose Princess Ruby because of its iteneriary and price ($200/pp cheaper than Solstice.

[Tatka]

I loved music on Caribbean Princess.. especially irish band in Wheelhouse bar.. Bar itself was gorgeous, reminded me of old library..

 

 

[SandDragon]

With all due respect, your comparing a ship that was a year old to one that was 13 years old when you sailed on them. Apples to oranges even with the Century having its refurb.

 

I agree there is some apples to oranges in the comparison, but would have thought that was more relevant to the size of the ships rather than their respective ages - except maybe the engine noise issue. Most of the criteria are service-related.

 

Also, it was only my 2 cents worth and perhaps I over-valued it.

[jt1120]

Before you knock NCL, you should know that the $1B infusion of capital to NCL from Apollo Management (same owners as Oceania and Regent) has resulted in a HUGE improvement over NCL's older product. We just returned from a 12-night NCL Jewel Baltic cruise, and quite frankly, it was terrific! With that being said - we still love Celebrity!

 

I'm with you on that one, Mike. Actually, if it weren't for "optional formal nights" (we're admitted formal night snobs), NCL would probably be our favorite line. That, and the better quality of food on =X=, though the variety on NCL is a good thing too. I'd recommend NCL before Princess, I can safely say that much.

 

Would anyone object or not cruise =X= if they did present movies under the stars?

 

[this might be a good topic for a separate thread]

 

Not that I wouldn't cruise =X= anymore, and I know I'll probably tick off a few people when I say this, but I find the MUTS a waste of space. When we cruised Princess last fall, we noticed that in the daytime, you couldn't see the screen that well anyway, and for the most part, the movies they showed were ones that either were geared to the youngsters (good choice for the kids but not for us) or movies that we've already seen. How many times can you watch Pirates of the Caribbean?

 

Instead of wasting the deck space, why not have a big screen TV in a sports bar on board? I like watching sports (or concerts) on the big screen, and even though they had a few games on the screen when we were on board, I didn't feel like sitting outside in the hot sun to watch them (though it probably helped the beer sales!). No, I don't think that the MUTS concept is right for the =X= brand. Let's hope that the Oasis has a sports bar with a big screen. "Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?"

[rolfecms]

Not that I wouldn't cruise =X= anymore, and I know I'll probably tick off a few people when I say this, but I find the MUTS a waste of space. When we cruised Princess last fall, we noticed that in the daytime, you couldn't see the screen that well anyway, and for the most part, the movies they showed were ones that either were geared to the youngsters (good choice for the kids but not for us) or movies that we've already seen. How many times can you watch Pirates of the Caribbean?

 

Thanks for filling in the blanks for me - I have never experienced 'MUTS' on Princess or any other cruiseline. My idea of how this would work on =X= would be different than what you have described: The films would definitely NOT be the mass market ones you could see anywhere at the nearest megascreen theater or on any airplane - no pop culture or children's presentations here because =X= is not (yet) trying to appeal to these demographics anyway.

 

In keeping with the =X= atmosphere only classics (both color and B&W) that have passed the test of time or foreign films with subtitles would be screened. And they would be presented only at night. Afterall how can you call it Movies Under the Stars if you show them all day long? And what =X= cruisers have ever gone to the outdoor during the daytime? It's not only an oxymoron, it removes any specialness about it.

[DeepWaterMariner]

In keeping with the =X= atmosphere only classics (both color and B&W) that have passed the test of time or foreign films with subtitles would be screened. And they would be presented only at night. Afterall how can you call it Movies Under the Stars if you show them all day long? And what =X= cruisers have ever gone to the outdoor during the daytime? It's not only an oxymoron, it removes any specialness about it.

 

Princess shows the movies you like but not on MUTS. They lean toward the arty type of movies for inside viewing in the showroom or a lounge. We always catch some interesting, non-mainstream movies, on Princess. The big box office movies, or major sports events and concerts, are on MUTS.

[Cruise Junky]

Princess shows the movies you like but not on MUTS. They lean toward the arty type of movies for inside viewing in the showroom or a lounge. We always catch some interesting, non-mainstream movies, on Princess. The big box office movies, or major sports events and concerts, are on MUTS.

 

Watching Pirates of the Caribbean was very cool while cruising the Caribbean! I Love MUTS, hopefully they have some "Greek" themed movies on the Grand :)

[Tatka]

On the second thought, MUTS might not work on Celebrity.

 

Princess has completely separate pool areas, so in case you don't wan't to see a movie, you don't have to.

 

Also for us big advantage on Princess were opened very late into the night pools.

[pekachryn]

We usually cruise on Princess or HAL and would very much like to try Celebrity. But, we won't be anytime soon. We like to eat alone, unless traveling with others, and much prefer Anytime Dining for that reason. In our early cruise days we did the assigned seating with the same people every night. We met and were stuck with some real doosies then! :eek: We prefer on our own now, and to eat whenever we feel like it on any particular day.

 

Also, my husband likes to have one cigar a day after dinner out on the balcony. With Celebrity's new policy of no smoking on the balconies, that eliminates the line for him. I hope the policy doesn't backfire the way it did with Renaissance.

 

When considering Celebrity in the past vs. Princess, I found that we could get bigger suites on Princess for the same or less amount of money. And, we preferred the Princess or HAL itineraries.

 

Too bad, as I'd still like to try Celebrity some day, if some things like more dining options change.

[jt1120]

We usually cruise on Princess or HAL and would very much like to try Celebrity. But, we won't be anytime soon. We like to eat alone, unless traveling with others, and much prefer Anytime Dining for that reason. In our early cruise days we did the assigned seating with the same people every night. We met and were stuck with some real doosies then! :eek: We prefer on our own now, and to eat whenever we feel like it on any particular day.

 

Also, my husband likes to have one cigar a day after dinner out on the balcony. With Celebrity's new policy of no smoking on the balconies, that eliminates the line for him.

 

Too bad, as I'd still like to try Celebrity some day, if some things like more dining options change.

 

Did you ever think to ask for a table for two? Out of my four =X= cruises, I only sat with other people once. Actually, the last time we were on the Century, we had an excellent table for two, right near where the quartet played. It was very romantic. As far as options, if the food isn't that good, who cares how many options there are? We found the food on Princess to be hit and miss. The Solstice class will offer some excellent dining options. We're looking forward to the inaugural cruise to sample these new offerings.

 

If a table for two and smoking a cigar are your only reasons for not trying =X=, maybe you should reconsider. You have no idea what you are missing.

[Cruise Junky]

Did you ever think to ask for a table for two?

 

We asked for a table for two on Millie and we booked the first day the cruise opened. We didn't get one and weren't happy. That's not a chance I'd be willing to take if I really wanted us to eat alone. I've cruised both and still go back to Princess. Our experience on Celebrity was good, but not to the extent that is reported here. They were not head and shoulders above other lines.

[pekachryn]

Did you ever think to ask for a table for two? Out of my four =X= cruises, I only sat with other people once. Actually, the last time we were on the Century, we had an excellent table for two, right near where the quartet played. It was very romantic. As far as options, if the food isn't that good, who cares how many options there are? We found the food on Princess to be hit and miss. The Solstice class will offer some excellent dining options. We're looking forward to the inaugural cruise to sample these new offerings.

 

If a table for two and smoking a cigar are your only reasons for not trying =X=, maybe you should reconsider. You have no idea what you are missing.

 

Do they really have tables for two? On other cruiselines we've been on, even though we requested one, they tried to pressure us into eating at a large table or table for four with another couple. We also like the flexibility of eating when we want, not at an assigned time. So, if tonight we want to eat at 7:30, and tomorrow at 9:00, no problem.

 

The 'no cigar' wouldn't bother me, but my husband would sooner jump overboard than do without his after-dinner cigar. ;)

 

And, we've found the food on most Princess ships to be quite good. Most cruiselines have some hits and some misses when it comes to food. It's the coffee swill we don't like, but we can get brewed coffee by paying for a cup.

[jt1120]

We asked for a table for two on Millie and we booked the first day the cruise opened. We didn't get one and weren't happy. That's not a chance I'd be willing to take if I really wanted us to eat alone. I've cruised both and still go back to Princess. Our experience on Celebrity was good, but not to the extent that is reported here. They were not head and shoulders above other lines.

 

We requested a table for two when we booked our cruises and we got one every time, except our first =X= cruise, because we didn't think to ask for one. If you wait until you're on the ship, there's a good chance you won't get one.

 

Everytone hasd their own different experiences with different lines, but after one princess cruise, I would say that =X= IS head and shoulders above Princess. Just my own two cents (which is probably about all it's worth :-))

[Tatka]

On our last two X cruises we (3 of us) had table for 4.. Our son never ate with us, so we had table for "two". :) It wasn't in the best locatio but we took it.