rci vs princess

[mappa2]

we are thinking of taking a cruise on rci and
wonder how it compares with princess. we have
been on several princess cruises and liked them
ver much. we like the personal choice dining.
would like to hear from anyone who has sailed
both.

[jkrislc]

All in all, I'd say they're on par with one another. Personally, I like Princess' food and service more, but prefer RCI's entertainment and buffets better. Some also like the fact that Princess has fresh water pools that are open 24 hours a day. Although I did a comparison between the two lines in my Star Princess review last year, the choice for me would really come down to price and itinerary rather than the actual cruise line as they are that close to me. However, I might give a slight nod to Princess if price and itinerary were identical.

KLC
UPCOMING CRUISES:
---------------------
MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;4;16;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2005;01;2;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]

PREVIOUS CRUISES
-------------------------
RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)
Star Princess (6/03)
RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)
Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)
RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

[Cruising Fool]

jkrislc: Well said. Totally agree with you. I like Princess, but now, by being a Diamond member with RCI, I get so many perks. My husband and I personally like the fixed seating on RCI. You get to know your waiter - or I should say that your waiter gets to know you and what you like. Also, it's more structured so that you can go see the shows. But, if I found a Princess cruise with a great price, I'd go in a second.

Enjoy!

Marianne
Royal Caribbean - 23; Carnival - 11; NCL - 9
Princess - 4; Costa - 2; Disney - 1; Celebrity - 1
Other now defunct lines - 18

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;8;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until Our Jewel of the Seas Canada/NE Cruise [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=19210619&p=1"]Roll call here[/url]

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Until Our Radiance Thanksgiving Cruise[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=8603039177"] Roll call here[/url]

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[jkrislc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cruising Fool:
by being a Diamond member with RCI, I get so many perks.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The perks are definately a deciding factor. By being a diamond member, you get many "freebies" onboard that you wont get on Princess. I'd have to agree that RCI has the best frequent cruiser program. Princess' is pretty lame and amounts to the obligatory cocktail party and stamps for your "cruise passport." I don't remember any other perks onboard. However, they do have an excellent "stand by" program and I received an email offer for a three night cruise for $59. Unfortunately, the airfare would have run almost $300, making the savings a wash.

KLC
UPCOMING CRUISES:
---------------------
MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;4;16;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2005;01;2;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]

PREVIOUS CRUISES
-------------------------
RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)
Star Princess (6/03)
RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)
Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)
RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

[caviargal]

IMHO RCI ships in general have more outgoing, energetic staffs. I also prefer fixed seating dining over Personal Choice and I really like RCI's ShipShape program. I am active on land and their program helps me keep it up and have fun at sea.

RCI(37),NCL(11),Princess(1),HAL(2),Celebrity(3), Carnival(2), Eastern Cruise Lines(13),Radisson(2), Star Clippers(1),Home Lines(2), Costa(5),Others (20)