Same Itn - which ship? Caribbean Princess or Grand Princess?

[RMM34667]

Same price. Same ports. (Princess Cays, Curacao and Aruba) Which would you choose and why.

 

My first cruise was on Caribbean Princess and I loved it. What are the differences in the ships? Is one nicer than the other?

 

Thanks for any input.

[caribill]

Grand is one deck shorter and thus about 500 less passengers.

 

Grand had Skywalker's removed last year and has the One5 Lounge instead.

 

Grand does not have a public stairway mid-ship above deck 7.

 

Grand had Alfredo's Pizzeria added in the atrium last year.

 

Both are fine ships.

[MDSue]

I've sailed both and each was fine. It was 6 years ago when I sailed the Grand so I don't know if she has been updated snce then other than removing the Skywalker lounge (which I really liked). I sailed the Caribbean Princess this spring and I would give her the edge over the Grand. However, it's hard to make a good comparison since I sailed them so many years apart.

[Keith1010]

I think either one would be fine.

 

Keith

[RMM34667]

I think I'm going to go with the Grand. I like the idea of 500 less passengers. I really loved the Caribbean and Emerald Princess so I'm sure I enjoy the Grand. Hopefully book by end of day.

[ukbriang]

I went on the Grand two years ago and it was very nice, even before the update took place last year. It has had quite a lot of improvements apart from Skywalkers. A new Atrium has been put in and I think Horizon Court has been completely re-fitted and numerous other changes too. If you do an internet search there are lots of pictures about showing this.

[skynight]

Grand's advantage (in my way of thinking) is 500 less passengers with almost the same amount of public space as the Caribbean. It also has some new adds made during the 2011 major dry dock.

 

Caribbean has two outdoor pools mid ship on the lido deck, which allows for more outdoor pool lounge space on sea days. The Grand has one outdoor pool and one indoor pool mid ship, with less outdoor lounge space. Although the indoor pool has a cover that opens, on my cruises I have never seen it open. They both have the Terrace Pool, aft, and the Lap Pool, Sun Deck Fwd.

 

The Caribbean has a more spacious Youth, Teen Center, if you are bringing some along.

 

The Grand has a Vista Show Lounge, Deck 7 aft. In the evening they have shows there, including certain production shows, singers, etc.

The Caribbean has a Club Fusion in this space. It is basically a night club type area where the cruise staff runs theme nights, karaoke, and other activities. Comics and other entertainment probably will be in Explorers Lounge on the Caribbean, which is a smaller venue. Both have the Princess Theater with all the normal shows and entertainers.

 

Both have actual nightclubs. The "Nightclub" on the Caribbean is Skywalkers, the "shopping cart handle" at the aft end of the ship. On the Grand it is ClubOneFive, top deck aft.

Hope this is useful.

[gertz]

Have been on both and will take the Grand. Space matters.

[Fishfindergirl]

The Grand

[RMM34667]

WOW such good info.

 

I'm a smoker. On my previous Princess cruises you could smoke one side of the Lido. But on those ships (Emerald, Caribbean, and Star) both pools where open. And if I recall correctly it was an entire side. I can't imagine them allowing smoking in closed in area (like the covered pool area). I know the Star had the retractable roof thing but it was always open.

 

Can anyone tell me what the options are for smoking on the Grand? I know the new rules now prohibit smoking on the balcony. So what areas is it allowed?

 

Not that it will affect my choice, I just want to know.

[RickEk]

Same price. Same ports. (Princess Cays, Curacao and Aruba) Which would you choose and why.

 

My first cruise was on Caribbean Princess and I loved it. What are the differences in the ships? Is one nicer than the other?

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Hmmm...if it's the voyages at the end of the year, we chose the Caribbean Princess because she will be in Curacao from 1pm - 10pm and Aruba 8am - 5pm. The Grand Princess' itinerary is reversed and while Aruba is the same, she's only in Curacao from 7am - 1pm. Since neither of us have been to Curacao, we thought it'd be better to be there longer. I personally don't have a problem with the extra 500 passengers that some folks have (we've been on the Caribbean Princess twice now and have never felt crowded). To each their own... :)

[Coral]

I would also choose the Grand.

[RMM34667]

Hmmm...if it's the voyages at the end of the year, we chose the Caribbean Princess because she will be in Curacao from 1pm - 10pm and Aruba 8am - 5pm. The Grand Princess' itinerary is reversed and while Aruba is the same, she's only in Curacao from 7am - 1pm. Since neither of us have been to Curacao, we thought it'd be better to be there longer. I personally don't have a problem with the extra 500 passengers that some folks have (we've been on the Caribbean Princess twice now and have never felt crowded). To each their own... :)

 

 

My reaction might be because I just LOVED the Star so much. And I was told the only difference in the Crown(?) was the lack of one deck. To date the Star was my favorite. I thought the staff was just so awesome and wondered if it might be due to that 500 less passengers?? But then again all my Princess cruises have been wonderful. The Star just a little more wonderful.

 

I have also never been to Curacao (I still am not sure of how to say it). Our Star cruise did stop in Aruba but I was sick that day and didn't get off. So two totally new ports will be great no matter which I pick. Didn't book yet today. Still working on Cat sitters.

 

I also just decided to look at the 10 day itns to see what was available. I'm surprised Thanksgiving week is not much more expensive. That holiday week is usually so much more. But Princess web site didn't list prices just now so I'll check that later.

 

Isn't that always the case.. You think you've made up you mind but then decide to take one more look....

[hightownCO]

Have been on the Caribbean 3x for 21 days and the Grand 2x for 19 days total. I'd choose the Caribbean for these reasons:

 

• If you have teens, definately, they want the CB. Mine did!
  
• I like Cafe Carib in the evenings in vs Horizon Court. Tablecloths, set dinnerward. Just a tick up from normal buffet.
  
• I like the way the pools are used w/MUTS. Both middle pools are open with MUTS nearest Horizon court. That way the sun worshipers have the next pool all to themselves. On grand, the one pool is covered so the other uncovered has MUTS. Makes it crowded during the day.
  
• I like the public stair midship.
  

That said, I wouldn't every turn down a cruise on the Grand too. With the same itinerary, I might choose the one that sails on Sunday. It's easier for me to travel on Saturday precruise and don't have to take an extra day off.

[nycruiser2006]

I too looked at both ships and itineries and had to decide between the two. I decided on the CB for these reasons:

1. I preferred the itenerary layout on the CB. I like doing the ports in the beginning of our cruise, then having the last few days be sea days. For us it is the perfect way to wrap up a relaxing week.

2. DD is 16 and CB sounded more teen oriented when I read through the reviews from last year. (Thaksgiving week)

[nukesubsailor]

WOW such good info.

 

I'm a smoker. On my previous Princess cruises you could smoke one side of the Lido. But on those ships (Emerald, Caribbean, and Star) both pools where open. And if I recall correctly it was an entire side. I can't imagine them allowing smoking in closed in area (like the covered pool area). I know the Star had the retractable roof thing but it was always open.

 

Can anyone tell me what the options are for smoking on the Grand? I know the new rules now prohibit smoking on the balcony. So what areas is it allowed?

 

Not that it will affect my choice, I just want to know.

 

 

I sailed on the Grand in Feb. 2011 before its overhaul. I sailed on the Caribbean in Sept. 2011. As I recall they had the same smoking areas.

I liked both ships but would have to say the Grand was more enjoyable.

At the time I sailed on the Caribbean, I thought the staff working the entire Lido deck area were far less attentive to their duties than on any of the other 9 Princess cruises, on 6 different ships, that I have taken.

On the Caribbean, the staff hosed down the areas around the pools at night---even the ceilings, tables, and chairs and never dried anything off.

As a morning person, I liked to enjoy my coffee at one of the tables in the port side smoking area. Couldn't do it with wet chairs, tables, and a dripping ceiling. They seldom had any ash trays available in the mornings either. The staff in the Horizon court mostly just stood around instead of clearing dishes from tables and serving coffee or juices.

[moorerf]

Due to husband' work schedule we travel over Thanksgiving most years. We wanted to do two islands we had never been to and have a few days of rest time. The Grand and Caribbean princess both had that so it became a choice of which ship. After study, seeing they were the same price, we took the Caribbean because it has more time in Curaco, as said earlier, and starts with a day of fun in the sun on Princess Cays and ends with two relaxing days at sea. We did New England on the Caribbean and enjoyed the ship so we will try it where it is suited to be- the Caribbean. One final note, we could get an aft cabin on Caribbean and have been wanting to try one of those prime real estate cabins...lol....

[skynight]

WOW such good info.

 

Can anyone tell me what the options are for smoking on the Grand? I know the new rules now prohibit smoking on the balcony. So what areas is it allowed?

 

Not many.

We were on the Star in Feb/Mar this year. We expect that the Grand will have very similar areas for smoking. These would be

Snooker's Bar, Deck 6 fwd

Casino (sometimes non smoking)

Lido Pool Port side fwd corner, not the entire side.

Horizon Terrace, Port Side aft.

Part of the Onefive nightclub (late night). May not allow smoking during Platinum/Elite happy hour as they serve food then.

[Stevesan]

WOW such good info.

 

I'm a smoker. On my previous Princess cruises you could smoke one side of the Lido. But on those ships (Emerald, Caribbean, and Star) both pools where open. And if I recall correctly it was an entire side. I can't imagine them allowing smoking in closed in area (like the covered pool area). I know the Star had the retractable roof thing but it was always open.

 

Can anyone tell me what the options are for smoking on the Grand? I know the new rules now prohibit smoking on the balcony. So what areas is it allowed?

 

Not that it will affect my choice, I just want to know.

 

I can't recite specific areas, but the general policy is:

 

 

 

 

Keeping the comfort of our passengers a priority, and in consideration of consumer studies which show smokers are a small minority of passengers, Princess has implemented the following smoking policy:

Designated Smoking Areas

 

Clearly marked “Designated Smoking Areas” are available onboard and include a sufficient number of ashtrays that are emptied regularly. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub and casino, as well as a portion of the open decks. As a safety precaution, passengers are reminded to properly dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco, which are never to be thrown overboard as this may be sucked back into the ship and cause fires.

Stateroom Smoking Policy Update

 

For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our passengers who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely.

[OhioDogLover]

Agree w/ Gertz. The Grand. Space matters.

We never felt crowded on the Grand; we did on the CB.

Both were good cruises, of course.

Ohiodoglover

[FLACRUISER99]

Have been on both several times and will take the Caribbean . I and it is my opinion that the maintenance on the Grand is poor. She had tons of rust when I was on her last, yes I admit it was a while ago before her last trip to the yard. Did they ever fix the floor in the forward elevators? That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!!

[stingraynz]

Great thread. I had this same question myself so now I have more knowledge to make a better decision.

[msg_girl]

I think my vote would be for the Grand (sailed in Feb) over the Caribbean (sailed in July). Why? The larger deck space outside the Horizon Court for breakfast outside vs Cafe Caribe and hardly any outdoor seating. We had a peaceful breakfast every morning on the Grand vs struggling to find a seat on the Caribbean.

Also I liked the larger library on the Grand but thought Leaves a waste of time - and I am a tea drinker.

Two minor downsides on the Grand - one that has already been raised about the lack of a central staircase and the second is the smaller wardrobe area as compared to all the following ships.

G.