Carnival Breeze Dec 5 vs Regal Princess?

[cruise_z]

Hello,

 

I recently booked my first ever cruise (Woot!) - an 8 day Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Breeze. The ship sails on December 5th from Miami.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever cruised the ship on this date and can offer insight on how crowded the cruise may be. Or maybe just some general insight.

 

This is the second week in December so I am hoping it won't be overrun with kids on Christmas Break. I chose this ship because I thought it would be a nice mix of fun and relaxation (and I got a really good refundable deal), but in reading other reviews it seems to be more oriented towards cheesy deck parties / spring break type crowds (or is this just during school breaks?). I don't necessarily have an issue with this in general, as long as there are enough places onboard to get away. I just want to have plenty of time to relax too and not be fighting for deck chairs or waiting in long lines all the time. I've already read hundreds of reviews and watched many YouTube videos of the ship.

 

I'm starting to have worries /reservations about booking this ship because I saw another good deal with the Regal Princess that still sails on the same date. Regal Princess definitely seems like a relaxing ship but then again the typical passenger demographic is like ages 85+ and that might be too boring... I'm kind of jus rambling at this point, but I just want some sort of assurance that the Breeze is the right choice.

[Luvthewater48]

That week on the bre2is also an ultra premier gambling cruise so the casino will be packed.

[Tapi]

Regal Princess definitely seems like a relaxing ship but then again the typical passenger demographic is like ages 85+ and that might be too boring...

 

 

That statement about the demographics is as accurate as Carnival being only for trashy/rednecks/ghetto people. I would book the Regal Princess in a heartbeat for a more upscale and refined experience, and if attention to detail and quality are more important to you. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Princess last fall and the median age was maybe a bit slightly older than Carnival. Definitely not enough to be noticeable.

[SHayesShip]

I agree totally with Tapi. Both ships are very good however the Regal Princess is an unbelievably beautiful ship and will be quieter and less stressful and not anywhere nearly as crowded feeling as the Breeze. Historically, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a slower period with less kids on all ships.

While I cruise both Carnival and Princess if the pricing was similar as you stated I would go with the Regal because of the wants that you stated.

Edited August 1, 2015 by SHayesShip

[AmberTeka]

I love Princess. I am platinum on Princess We cruised on the Regal in March of this year

 

That was one of the worst cruises I have ever been on. I had taken mu daughter and her family with us so I shelled out a bit. Took a while to save it.

 

FOOD in MDR was awful. they have an infusion menu. And no one minds cultural dishes from ports the ship visits. diversity in food is good. But when sat down in the MDR and the main entrée was Spiced Goat Curry.....enough of the goat and black beans and red beans and rice and rice same thing called 12 different names

 

WHEN there was NEVER a line to the MDR.......should have known.

Princess may have tweaked that menu.

 

Activities. Princess used to be fun, fun. Trivia. Games. Stuff like that. NOW they are INTER ACTIVE. They have activities people play the games while an audience watches and it is broadcast over in cabin television. ugh,

 

Buffets was large and good. We ate up there almost every night. First time we have ever done that. Staff was nice. We had a great cabin. A deluxe obs. balcony. HUGE balcony. little obs. of view too.

 

SAILED on sunshine in June. BANG FOR THE BUCK. MOST FUN. SUNSHINE BY A LONG SHOT.

 

My husband and I cruise a lot. I read these and that comments about Carnival and the demographics and such and such. And perception is personal. To me CARNIVAL is clean. clean. clean. No one I know has every been stricken with NORVO on Carnival. ( I am sure some have. but no one I know. I have been on Princess. The Crown. The PITS.) In the fall and spring...demographics much like Princess. MOST people I know cruise BOTH Princess and Carnival Go back and forth.

 

AND Price. Regal is not that well liked. We got that balcony for a great price. Less than I would have paid on Carnival. And PRINCESS does great past guest rates. And their super savers. Not called that....last minute cruises.

 

These days.........it is as much to cruise Carnival as princess. excepting the Summer. Holidays and Spring Break. All prices are high then. CARNIVAL does not get the appreciation it deserves sometimes I think.

Edited August 1, 2015 by AmberTeka

[Topo Gigio]

Have been on both, and Regal is the (much) better choice. Very good buffet, with some excellent desserts. Btw Breeze is my favorite Carnival ship, but Regal is a step above!

[pusywillow]

Princess IMO is much better and more relaxing. I hate all the noise on Carnival. In March I will be doing the 8 day on the Breeze and then a 7 day on Regal Princess side by side. I always do Princess last so I have something to look forward to. I am only doing the Breeze because it is a free casino cruise from a land casino.

[cruise_z]

Hello,

 

Thanks for your message. I had no idea the there was a casino event. Thanks for the heads up! I'll look into it.

[cruise_z]

Yeah almost seems unfair to be choosing between them since they're pretty different in what they offer. The only reason I was able to consider Regal was because I found a good deal on an obstructed balcony cabin that was actually cheaper than Carnival, but the cruise on the Breeze is an 8 day cruise and goes to some pretty awesome destinations.

[cruise_z]

@ Tapi, you're right - I am kind of over generalizing regarding the age/people demographics of the ships. I am sure it will vary greatly with the time of year, the type of cruise, any specials and a number of other factors.

[cruise_z]

@ AmberTeka, I think you are right, it does seem that Carnival does not get the recognition/appreciation it deserves. There are a lot of pros and cons to each side, I am just going through a sort of buyers remorse. I am overthinking a lot of things. I should be a lot more excited seeing as I have always wanted to go on a cruise and this will be the first one. In any case, I am sure it will be a great experience.

[delta13]

Loved the Breeze! The itinerary is also great. Our cruise last year for me was actually one of the best I've been on!