Choosing a large ship in Europe

[ActiveTraveler]

I know I asked earlier if it makes a difference whether I sail on Grand, Golden, Emerald, Crown, or Ruby. The answers were:

1. Grand and Golden are older ships.

2. Crown, Emerald, and Ruby are bigger ships.

While the Grand does not have the International Cafe the Golden does so now I want to know if it makes a big difference whether I sail on her or one of the newer ships that are one deck larger. Should I pick the Crown, Emerald, or Ruby because they are young or the Golden because she carries fewer passengers, or is there no significant difference?

I read the three little girls do not have anytime dining or the International Cafe, so I am not interested in them anymore.

[UKBayern]

Cruises in Europe are port-intensive, you spend little time on board. The size and amenities of a ship matter much less than a cruise in a different area of the world. Go for the best ports of call and the best deal....

[JLC@SD]

I know I asked earlier if it makes a difference whether I sail on Grand, Golden, Emerald, Crown, or Ruby. The answers were:

 

1. Grand and Golden are older ships.

2. Crown, Emerald, and Ruby are bigger ships.

 

While the Grand does not have the International Cafe the Golden does so now I want to know if it makes a big difference whether I sail on her or one of the newer ships that are one deck larger. Should I pick the Crown, Emerald, or Ruby because they are young or the Golden because she carries fewer passengers, or is there no significant difference?

 

I read the three little girls do not have anytime dining or the International Cafe, so I am not interested in them anymore.

 

I think a ship should be selected based on where it goes......especially in Europe.....since you spend so much to get there....and to be there.......rather than select the ship based on whether there is a café on board.....;)

[spongerob]

The difference between the Grand/Golden and the newer ships is really rather trivial. The newer ships have an extra deck of cabins and therefore larger passenger loads but it's exactly the same hull. Personally I would choose either Grand or Golden (fewer passengers) if I were forced to make a choice but in all honesty the itinerary would be my main criterion for selection.

[mowb07]

I have never sailed on any of those ships before, but I have sailed in Europe and its true what another poster said - its very port intensive and you don't spend much time on board during the day.

 

I think that whether you go with an older ship or a newer ship is a personal choice based on preference. I don't think having one deck larger matters, but then, since I've never sailed on any of those ships, someone else will have to confirm that :)

 

Have you been on a cruise before? If you have, then you'll know what your "cruising style" is. For example, is the ship just a place for you to sleep/eat? Do you use the gym? The casino?

 

If you've never cruised before, I'll assume you've stayed in different types of hotels, so maybe compare the ship with that experience - price aside, do you always try to stay in new hotels no matter what, because the thought of faded curtains or slightly worn carpet annoys you? or you can't live without a flat screen tv, etc.

 

I am not talking about an older ship being dirty or anything, but based on reviews I have read, sometimes you will see worn carpet or a stained countertop etc, simply because the ship has seen more passengers.

 

I think you need to figure out if that kinda stuff will take away from your vacation. For some people, a slightly older ships, unless refurbished, take away from the experience a bit. If its gonna bother you to that point, you should choose something newer or that has recently been in drydock/refurbished.

[sammiedawg]

Itinerary and ports are important, where do you want to go?

We try to avoid the Ruby, Crown, Emerald class of ships, 500 extra people in the same public space. I would go with Grand, Golden why fight extra bodies. Even on a port intensive cruise, the less people in the same public space the better.

We did Grand Princess Greek Isles 2 years ago, it was wonderful and the ship was in fine condition. Princess maintenance and upkeep is generally very good. I do not care one whit about the International cafe type amenities.

[chipmaster]

Well said, PORTS PORTS PORTS. I'd take the big crowdwed ship with dream lineup of ports over a small intimate ship with the very best in personal attention, at least for Europe that is :D

 

Cruises in Europe are port-intensive, you spend little time on board. The size and amenities of a ship matter much less than a cruise in a different area of the world. Go for the best ports of call and the best deal....

[financialgrl]

Be warned - this person has stated and is on multiple threads asking the same question over and over, never about a particular trip but the ship and the International Cafe. A few pages back it was decided we are dealing with a troll/and we are being played. Posted my review of the Grand Med (fantastic trip, BTW) and this username posts they were unhappy because they only open reviews to read about the ship and I didn't include comments other than to say the Ruby and her crew were great. Someone added that this same username appeared with the same type nonsense on another cruiseline's page. So my guess is they eventually move on when their fun is over.

 

Methinks Alice Cooper said it best - "schools out for summer".

[ShelbysMom]

Is Princess sending the Golden to Europe?

 

The Golden sails Alaska in summer and Hawaii in winter.

[lehb]

Is Princess sending the Golden to Europe?

 

The Golden sails Alaska in summer and Hawaii in winter.

 

Golden is not in Europe this summer and will not be there next summer. Alaska in summer, Hawaii in winter.

 

Star and Grand are in Europe this summer and next. The Star has been refurbished and has IC and Vines. Grand is going into drydock next April and will most likely get IC and Vines then.

 

Since OP is more interested in the ship than the itinerary, OP should plan on a cruise with a lot of sea days (like a Tranatlantic). Maybe on Cunard.

[ActiveTraveler]

Cruises in Europe are port-intensive, you spend little time on board. The size and amenities of a ship matter much less than a cruise in a different area of the world. Go for the best ports of call and the best deal.

Spend little time on board? Say I am in port from 8:00 to 5:00. I have to be back on the ship at 4:30. That means I will be onboard 2-3 hours before supper, then watch a show, dance, or listen to music for a couple more hours before relaxing in my cabin. That is a long time to eat and watch entertainment after nine hours off the ship. Remember, I am still young enough to love lots of activity after 5:00 p.m. instead of relaxation. Why else do you think my user name is ActiveTraveler?

[cruise kitty]

Spend little time on board? Say I am in port from 8:00 to 5:00. I have to be back on the ship at 4:30. That means I will be onboard 2-3 hours before supper, then watch a show, dance, or listen to music for a couple more hours before relaxing in my cabin. That is a long time to eat and watch entertainment after nine hours off the ship. Remember, I am still young enough to love lots of activity after 5:00 p.m. instead of relaxation. Why else do you think my user name is ActiveTraveler?

 

Actually for many of the European ports you will be ashore much later, for example, on our upcoming cruise there are a few 6pm departures, as well as 8pm & as late as 10pm. We're usually off the ship by 7am, which means up by 5:30, to get ready & eat. So after walking, exploring, hiking, sightseeing for anywhere from 10 to 14 hours, (you did say you are active) you have to shower & change to eat, on some port days you'll be lucky to eat by 8:30, sometimes you won't until 10 or later, if you want to come back early, dress, & dance before dinner, you're going to miss out on a lot that Europe has to offer.

[caber]

Remember the Grand is sailing round trip from Southampton so you have a couple of sea days at the start and finish of the cruise as well as a couple in the middle. It is not all ports.

[Ethel5]

Spend little time on board? Say I am in port from 8:00 to 5:00. I have to be back on the ship at 4:30. That means I will be onboard 2-3 hours before supper, then watch a show, dance, or listen to music for a couple more hours before relaxing in my cabin. That is a long time to eat and watch entertainment after nine hours off the ship. Remember, I am still young enough to love lots of activity after 5:00 p.m. instead of relaxation. Why else do you think my user name is ActiveTraveler?

 

You did say you were traveling alone...Princess isn't exactly the place for swinging singles-especially Europe.

[grandmato4]

The Golden has traditionally done Alaska in the summer so if that holds through 2012 she will not be an option on any itinerary you choose in Europe if you are still planning on 2012.

 

No significant different between any of the ships you are looking at right now as far as evening entertainment goes.