Navigator of the Seas or Caribbean Princess from Galveston?

[Ladysilver]

We're considering booking Navigator of the Seas or the Caribbean Princess from Galveston for early 2014. While almost every review I read about the Navigator is very positive, a lot of recent reviews on the Caribbean Princess are not-so-flattering, to put it mildly. We've never sailed on Princess but have always "heard" it was wonderful. On the other hand, our last cruise on RCI was fantastic and we can't wait to go on the Mariner next year. Any thoughts from anyone who's been on both cruise lines? :rolleyes:

[bigeagle12]

Love Caribbean Princess and love Voyager class ships. I would pick soley on itinerary and price.

[workstocruise]

Been on the Caribbean Princess and Mariner and loved them both. But if given the choice between Navigator and the CB out of Galveston, would definitely choose Princess. The CB was our first ship with princess and it won us over.

[Worn out mailman]

I notice those Western itineraries on Princess from Galveston only stop at 3 ports. That's a rip for what Princess charges. Don't get me wrong, the Grand class of ship is very nice, albeit the venues are crowded since the ships added the Riviera deck of staterooms. The upper decks aka pool decks are nicer in my opinion. Still, they charge too much for 3 port stops.

[bigeagle12]

I notice those Western itineraries on Princess from Galveston only stop at 3 ports. That's a rip for what Princess charges. Don't get me wrong, the Grand class of ship is very nice, albeit the venues are crowded since the ships added the Riviera deck of staterooms. The upper decks aka pool decks are nicer in my opinion. Still, they charge too much for 3 port stops.

 

Some of us would pay more for extra sea days. My preference would be a 7 day cruise to nowhere :D

 

Also, I have never paid more for a Princess cruise than RCI. Pretty comparable pricing in my opinion. And with my TA get OBC's with both.

[maxxedout2]

Hi,

 

If everything else about your choice is equal...the Navigator would be my choice.

 

We Sailed Crown Princess several times and Emerald Princess.

We sailed the larger Navigator and Liberty about a dozen times.

 

Ship for ship, the Navigator would be my choice just for all the extra

entertainment alone. If you travel with kids, more to do on Navigator.

The mini-golf course on the Navigator is way better than any on Princess

as an example. We find the Navigator Ice show very entertaining and never

miss one. Royal targets active families with teens that will come

back in a few years.

 

Princess is nice and we will sail again no problem. Elegant decor.

Seems to me Princess is older demographic...but still a mix. The two

of us enjoyed the cruise but if we travel with kids we'd go with Royal

bigger ships. Princess ships are slightly smaller ships than Navigator,

yet some of the venues always seemed more crowded. Crown Princess

would cram SRO crowds into Explorer Lounge for Comedian shows as

an example.

 

Food is subjective but DW prefers Princess for their salad bars.

I prefer WJ on Navigator...better layout, more tables.

Enjoyed both steak houses for extra $$. We don't do MDRs

so can't comment on them.

 

These are just a few thoughts.

 

Have fun.

 

:cool:

[Galveston Cruiser]

Have sailed both and prefer RCI.

The grand class on Princess is nice, but the mini suite balconies on deck D are not. The entire ship can see in your balcony and it is unusable on sea days due to the wind.

Baja deck has the best balcony, half covered, half not.

 

Have sailed Voyager, Mariner and Navigator. Haven't seen the Mariner since upgraded but wil finld out in October. Have liked the Navigator the best due to the decor and we will sail her again in November 2013 bringing her to Galveston.

[Cruzin-K]

I've sailed on both ships, and currently have a cruise booked on Princess from Galveston in November 2013. For a solo passenger, Princess was significantly less expensive.

 

Since the ports are the same, it really just depends on YOUR personal preference.

 

If I could afford it, I probably would have picked Navigator because I enjoy the Love & Marriage show, Quest, 70's night, and think the Windjammer is laid out better than the Horizon Court and has better food. I think Princess has better pizza. I like Royal Caribbean's self serve ice cream better. I find the food in the MDR pretty even. Closets are bigger on Princess. I think Princess is more laid back, and more elegant. I am not a fan of singing waiters and towel animals, so Princess works better for me that way. From my limited experience, Royal has a better embarkation process.

 

On my most recent cruises, Princess printed the formal photos with a matte finish and Royal uses glossy (which I do not like because they show fingerprints much worse). I like the photo department better on Princess for their variety of backgrounds and the quality of the prints. On my Navigator cruise, it was the worst photo staff I've ever encountered - they didn't even know about the specials printed in the Cruise Compass.

 

If I was cruising in Europe, New England, or Alaska I would pick Princess by a mile. The Caribbean however, just has a different feel to it and I think Royal Caribbean is a better fit.

 

For me, price and itinerary are the deciding factors. If the itinerary is the same, and price is the same, then I'd choose Royal Caribbean for the fun factor, and choose Princess if I just wanted a relaxing getaway and early nights in bed.

[Ladysilver]

Maybe a little more info would help. We're 58 and 64 and do not travel with kids. We mostly prefer to relax, but do like the shows, casino, walking the decks, etc. We like a room service breakfast, lunch at the Windjammer and dinner in the MDR. Our perfect day is a sea day sitting on our balcony reading a good book. :)

 

Also, the itineraries are exactly the same on both ships.

 

Roatan, Cozumel and Belize.

 

I'm leaning toward the Navigator. :D

[ssb]

Love Caribbean Princess and love Voyager class ships. I would pick soley on itinerary and price.

 

I agree With itinerary and price

But we do that within RCCL line itinerary and ships ,

and

we are Royalists by loyalty now and benefits earned for future trips.

Unless you can afford to switch lines

stick with one line for the benefits and you can cruise from anywhere and go where you want to go and go to some destinations you would never think you would go to.

 

Transatlantic are wonderful for traveling with no kids and an old crowd !!

[Cruzin-K]

Baja deck has the best balcony, half covered, half not.

 

 

Caribe deck :)

[Ladysilver]

Love Caribbean Princess and love Voyager class ships. I would pick soley on itinerary and price.

 

 

OK, I think my mind is made up.....

 

With insurance, the price difference is $535.47 higher on Princess. :eek:

[maxxedout2]

Maybe a little more info would help. We're 58 and 64 and do not travel with kids. We mostly prefer to relax, but do like the shows, casino, walking the decks, etc. We like a room service breakfast, lunch at the Windjammer and dinner in the MDR. Our perfect day is a sea day sitting on our balcony reading a good book. :)

 

Also, the itineraries are exactly the same on both ships.

 

Roatan, Cozumel and Belize.

 

I'm leaning toward the Navigator. :D

 

OK...same ages... and still would go Navigator based on the shows,

deck walk areas. We always book center hump balcony cabins which

are near aft elevators and save some walking.

 

Yup, princess has better thin-slice pizza but Navigator has a Johnny

Rockets.

 

Try Navigator now...Princess later!

 

 

:D

[maxxedout2]

Pack a camera!

 

 

 

:cool:

[DonnaK]

We have been on the CB twice, and on three of Navigator's sister ships for a total of 6 times. We love both ships and cruiselines, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend either one. However, RCI's ships have a greater WOW factor, and are more "fun" (meaning that there are more things to do and see).

 

As someone else suggested, price and itinerary should be the deciding factor, because the two ships will give you a pretty even and balanced cruising experience.

[Galveston Cruiser]

Caribe deck :)

 

Thank you. It has been a few years since we sailed Princess and the mind is not what it used to be:o

[Camlott]

Our perfect day is a sea day sitting on our balcony reading a good book. :)

 

Since you will be booking a balcony, it may make a difference to you (no matter which side of the issue you may fall on).

 

Smoking is not allowed on balconies on Princess and it is on RCI.

 

My 2 cents would be Navigator hands down! But CB is a nice ship and I would have no problem sailing her again.

[ssb]

I agree With itinerary and price

But we do that within RCCL line itinerary and ships ,

and

we are Royalists by loyalty now and benefits earned for future trips.

Unless you can afford to switch lines

stick with one line for the benefits and you can cruise from anywhere and go where you want to go and go to some destinations you would never think you would go to.

 

Transatlantic are wonderful for traveling with no kids and an old crowd !!

 

I intended to say " older " mix not old crowd

I'm in that group but with a younger mind.

 

Glad you made a decision.

 

If your continuing to cruise , we

Choose a line and stayed with it for the benefits.

Loyalty discounts, on board credits, upgrades, special dining areas

, free drinks and gifts and

Special events and lounges, priority seatings at certain events, private showings, boarding and disembarking privileges and etc.

 

 

You will still be able to select cruises on price and itinerary.

Enjoy your cruise.

[JulieRose]

We were on the Crown just a few months ago and loved it but I can see how some people might think there's not as much to do on Princess in comparison to RCI. You won't find any rock climbing walls, ice rinks or waterslides on Princess. Since we were married onboard that took up the first sea day and we were traveling with a group so we were never bored. We never even went to the shows or pool but we had a great time relaxing in the lounges and on our balcony. It was a beautiful, elegant ship to relax on. If you're traveling as a couple I would recommend it, if you're traveling with kids, I would probably go Navigator. We haven't been on RCI yet but I've done A LOT of research and it seems like they are much more kid friendly.