Carribean Princess vs. Zuiderdam?

[mrlarry]

We are looking to cruise in this Sept. Prices are identical for a balcony on either ship. Have been on the Golden and Grand so know what to expect, but have never sailed HAL.

 

We are active mid-50's, enjoy the casino, entertainment, relaxing by day type people.

 

Any thoughts on which one to choose, stops not important, so what should I choose?

 

Thanks for the help.

[HMcruiser]

My husband and I sailed on the Oosterdam for our honeymoon and had a fantastic time. We are taking our first Princess cruise this October so I can't compare the two yet, but from my experience on HAL and research for our upcoming CB cruise, The Zui seems to have better food and service and fewer passengers, but also fewer activities and less entertainment. We are in our mid 30s and the ages of passengers on the Vista class HAL ships is definitely all over the board, but fewer children than many other lines.

 

If you want a more relaxing vacation and to try something new, go for it, I don't think you'll be disappointed unless you are looking for a lot of activities.

[dexter727]

We've been on both the Caribbean Princess and the Zuiderdam. They are both big and beautiful with the Caribbean Princess having a few more bells and whistles. They were both clean, new and fun but Zuiderdam was more personal, had better service (nothing wrong with Caribbean Princess, either!) and we liked it. I don't recall exact square footage of the comparable balcony cabins but it seemed that the Zuiderdam had the edge there, too. You can't go wrong with either of them. When I really get down to thinking about it, I loved the atmosphere and the look of the Caribbean Princess but did not like the crowds on sea days. With the extra deck, it holds at least 500 more than the Grand, Golden and Star and it was felt. The Zuiderdam doesn't hold as many people and won't feel so crowded. All that being said, they're both good and it just comes down to the overall capacity issue with us.

[Toto2Kansas]

We have also sailed on both ships. Really liked them both. Had an SS Suite on the bump out section which was huge on the Zuiderdam. Also had a table for two in the dining room and the food was wonderful.

Caribbean Princess wins out in the buffet department hands down as the Zuiderdam buffet we weren't impressed whatsoever.

Other than that, we found the Z to be a much quieter cruise then on the CB.

 

If I had to choose to sail on one of them again, it would have to be a coin toss, we liked them both.

 

If you are more active though, I think I would sway more toward the CB, the Zuiderdam was a much quieter cruise.

[Tak8]

I have been on the Z. and the Golden Princess. I would give a slight edge to Princess on food and friendly service. I like the Z. itinerary better. I like the 4 ports with Tortola better than the 3 Eastern on the Caribbean. In fact, I debated the same and decided to go back on the Z. due to islands. It all depends on what is most important to you.

[sammiedawg]

I agree with most of of the previous comments other than we thought the Z's buffet -food court style, was outstanding, but its not 24 hours. Have noticed the CB sells out quicker, the Z will have better pricing and more availability after final payment date

[LARGIN]

Go for the Z..... no MUTS :D

[Italy52]

Casino slots paid out for us on Zuiderdam....nothing from Princess. Princess slots were so tight I had to go back to the cabin and get my can of W-D 40 to losen them up :)

[mrlarry]

We are still debating!

 

Funny about the casino....last trip my wife won $450. on the slots, and I won $400. playing roulette!! In fact, met Sarge, the comedian, playing roulette and we had dinner with him late one night!