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PCL vs. CCL

Gecko7

By Gecko7,
in Princess Cruises

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Gecko7

Gecko7

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I am try to convince DW into taking a Mexican Riviera cruise and would to get some comments on PCL vs. CCL. We took a 5-day on Carnival last year and would like to try something new this year. Any thoughts or advice? :)

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DEERINH2O

DEERINH2O

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Having done both, I would go for Princess. I like CCL and would cruise them again. But I also love Princess. Differences, I like the food better on Princess and the service seems a bit higher, also the pools are fresh water, not salt. Princess also have the thermal spa (a pay service that you can sit in saunas and heated cement loungers - sounds weird, I know, but we love them). We are heading on the Ruby in April, but I want to try a new line in October so we will probley try Celebrity.

Hope some of this helps you.

Have fun whichever you choose... its your vacation!

 

Kathy

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mom23guys

mom23guys

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We've just booked the Golden Princess for July but have sailed on Carnival for our other cruises. Maybe it depends on which ship you sail but we've always had good luck with our Carnival cruises, they have been on their newer and bigger ships though, we are even booked on the third sailing of the Dream. Food and service have been excellent and everything was spotless. Our only issues have been crowds when we debarked. Anyway, Princess cruise ships seem to be "prettier" with classier interior colors. The lap pool looks interesting. Any other specific differences that people who have sailed on both can comment on.

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kooljamming

kooljamming

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We tried Carnival and enjoyed it very much. For different reasons we are trying Princess. We decided to try Princess because wanted something a bit more elegant and formal. Dancing till the wee hours of the morning is very important to me, but seems to missing on Princess:(. Carnival rocks after hours, or that could have just been the boat. I am always up to trying something new. I will definitely return to Carnival, because of the water slide for the kids, and the dancing for me.

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Gecko7

Gecko7

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OK, As I see princess is a bit more classy. What is the age make up like? We are early 40's although DW is only 39:cool:. We don't want to beon the geriatric cruise and be the only people eating dinner at the late seating.

 

Gecko7

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Gecko7

Gecko7

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Thanks for the photo link. We are last minute cruisers and usually get a good deal as lines try to fill vacancies. I am expecting a nice refund from the government and want to do my part and stimulate the economy.

 

Do you have an insight to deals for mid April?:confused:

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serene56

serene56

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OK, As I see princess is a bit more classy. What is the age make up like? We are early 40's although DW is only 39:cool:. We don't want to beon the geriatric cruise and be the only people eating dinner at the late seating.

 

Gecko7

 

 

We were diehard Carnival junkies- and were afraid to take a princess cruise because we heard it was older people. nothing to do at night. Then I remember that a lot of people wont sail carnival because of their "party ship" drunken stories. So we gave it a try and nothing was further from the truth. Our First was the Caribbean Princess and it was all that plus. I didnt feel we were stuck on a geriactic ship and many nights we had to chose from an assortment of what to do.

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Desert Cruizers

Desert Cruizers

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In our two sailings with Princess, we saw all range of ages, and things were going on well past 11 PM. One of the places many like to sit for the evening is the Atrium and listen to the entertainment and music Trivia or singalong. Our last cruise thru the Panama, the Karioke was not doing well though. Princess has some of the best Wacky Pool Games.

As far as deal, can't say, except check with RCL or the web. We prefer to deal with our TA who has gotten us excellant prices & most importantly when I request a payment, she calls the cruise lines directly for the charges, then sends me a statement within 5 days.

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dclark

dclark

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Your first and last days at sea will be cold. It doesn't matter when you cruise, I have seen the cold when cruising at first week of january, last week of June and first week of July. The water is pumped in cold from the pacific. Princess uses freshwater and they have at least one pool that's heated. This is something to think about if you like pool time.

There are so many things to say about princess, that have already been said.

I have been on nine CCL cruises and still like them a lot, but would still take Princess over CCL.

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jfv379

jfv379

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Thanks for the photo link. We are last minute cruisers and usually get a good deal as lines try to fill vacancies. I am expecting a nice refund from the government and want to do my part and stimulate the economy.

 

Do you have an insight to deals for mid April?:confused:

 

Get the past passenger rate as a past Carnival cruiser. If they tell you that you don't qualify, get someone else. It seems some reps don't know that as a past Carnival pax you can get the rate on Princess.

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kooljamming

kooljamming

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We were diehard Carnival junkies- and were afraid to take a princess cruise because we heard it was older people. nothing to do at night. Then I remember that a lot of people wont sail carnival because of their "party ship" drunken stories. So we gave it a try and nothing was further from the truth. Our First was the Caribbean Princess and it was all that plus. I didnt feel we were stuck on a geriactic ship and many nights we had to chose from an assortment of what to do.

 

I have always choosen RCCl or Carnival over Princess because of hearing things like, its for the old and cold. I read the put downs of Carnival realizing how wrong and bias some passengers can be. Finally I have decided to try Princess. To make sure I have a good sense of Princess, I booked not only one but 2 sailings for this year. The first on Sapphire Princess to the Mexican Riviera then in August on Golden Princess to Alaska. Maybe I will have to stroll across the deck instead of skipping merrily along. Sometimes you can make something seem so formal, it starts to feel stuffy, uncomfortable and most of all unwelcoming. I found a few on the roll call who are up for some after hours dancing. I am have been practicing my moves from the Beyonce video...Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) I might have to save the Beyonce moves for Ocho Rios or Cancun.

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dclark

dclark

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I have always choosen RCCl or Carnival over Princess because of hearing things like, its for the old and cold. I read the put downs of Carnival realizing how wrong and bias some passengers can be.

 

Princess is great for those who have outgrown CCL. FWIW, both of my teenage daughters both prefer princess over CCL and they are far from old.

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kooljamming

kooljamming

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Princess is great for those who have outgrown CCL. FWIW, both of my teenage daughters both prefer princess over CCL and they are far from old.

 

I honestly don't know what that means. I had fun on Carnival last year but like to experience different things, and not be too influence by others experience. I wanted this trip to be a bit more formal, to wear my gowns before the moth get to them. We are planning the Carnival Splendor for 2010 because of the water park. I see the three lines offering different things that appeal to me at different times. Princess is offering me a change, which is what I seek, not an upgrade in status. I am always looking to experience something different, so chances are I will never grow attach to one line. This could all change in 6 days after walking onto the deck of Sapphire Princess:D I haven't cruised enough to outgrow any of the lines. Usually I am truly grateful when I come across a deal that can get me back on any of the decks. I have done RCCL 5 times, CCL twice and now have 2 bookings on Princess. This is over a 15 year period. Cruising on any ship is a luxury vacation for me. I am in awe of the grandeur of every ship I have been on.

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newmexicoNita

newmexicoNita

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I am try to convince DW into taking a Mexican Riviera cruise and would to get some comments on PCL vs. CCL. We took a 5-day on Carnival last year and would like to try something new this year. Any thoughts or advice? :)

We did Princess, Mex Riv last year and had a great time. Mex Riv is one of our least favorite itineraries, but that didn't stop up from having a good time. Was everything perfect? Of course not..we had a few minor issues and one major,well not all that major. The food on Princess is good, some better than just good, the casino on the Golden was really nice and the cabins acceptable.

 

Do give the line a try.

Nita

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