Need Feedack: Caribbean Princess or Allure of Seas-Thanksgiving 2016

[Roneill76]

Hello Everyone,

Need some feedback.Here's the info

 

Princess: 8 day South Caribbean. Caribbean Princess. Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire 4 sea days

RCL: 7 day Eastern Caribbean. Allure of the Seas. Nassau, St Thomas, St Maarten. 3 sea days

 

Price is very similar.

 

About us: gay couple in late 30's. Don't care for big parties. Love to snorkel. Spend time in casino. Have only been on Princess cruises including Caribbean Princess. At times, have felt a bit bored with activities on Princess but enjoyed the food and service. The draw to the RCL would be the Allure of the seas but don't know about the ports. We love Curacao and want to snorkel in Bonaire. Our dilemma is old ship with good itinerary vs very exciting ship with itinerary we don't care too much about.

Like to hear from people that have been on both lines. Thanks!

Edited January 3, 2016 by Roneill76

[DougandEric]

Hi guys,

 

We too are a gay couple (53 and 67) and just got back from a cruise on the Royal Princess over Thanksgiving that stopped at Aruba and Bonaire. We've not sailed RCL before but have sailed Princess (Platinum members), HAL, Cunard and several others.

 

I think some of the best snorkeling will be in the ABC's (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). We snorkeled in both Aruba and Bonaire and had a great time. Bonaire is noted for it's snorkeling. We also had a great time snorkeling in St. Thomas if that is on the itinerary. All our excursions were done through Princess but I know that there lots of highly rated tours available privately (check out trip advisor dot com) - we just didn't want to deal with organizing it this trip.

 

We've not sailed on the Caribbean Princess before but have on Diamond, Golden, Sapphire and Pacific. We also think the food is good on Princess and we've always had great service as well.

 

Which ever you decide on, sign up with the roll call for that trip. We've been able to join in on private tours that someone in the roll call had organized and it worked out great - some you may pay the person who organized it when you board and others you may pay the tour company directly.

 

If you have any questions about the tours we did, just let me know and I'll get you the information.

 

Doug

[readtome]

Hi! My dh and family(children and grandchildren) just went on the Oasis this Thanksgiving.

The ship is beautiful but very crowded. 1700 children!!! The food was not as good as Princess and the casino tables were high dollar! If you don't book evening events online, before sailing day, you will not have any evening entertainmennt. Drinks were more expensive, also. The Allure is basically the same ship. The Princess itinerary is much better! Imho, Caribbean Princess is your best bet! Enjoy which ever you choose!!!!

[moki'smommy]

I've been on the Caribbean Princess, and I've cruise to Curacao on another line. We did a private snorkeling excursion in Curacao--great.

 

I've done way too many St. Thomas/St. Maarten trips. There is nothing wrong with them and there are nice beaches. Nassau is about my least favorite port on any cruise/any line.

 

Royal at Thanksgiving? You've got to be kidding. There will be a bunch of kids on the Caribbean, but they will overrun any of the Royal ships. If I wanted to cruise Royal, I'd definitely do it when school was in session. No, I'm not a kid hater. But there is a large difference between 800 on Princess (actual number, Thanksgiving 2015) compared to 1700-2000 on Royal.

 

For me, this would be a no brainer. Princess gives you better ports, fewer kids, and an additional day. They win.

[Cindy]

I've been on the Oasis, and I was on the Caribbean Princess in December. I would say if the ship is most important, without question I would choose the Allure...there's just no comparison. We were skeptical, and loved it! The entertainment was fantastic, we went all week without ever eating in the buffet, and only went to the MDR once. If I were to go on that class ship again, I would do B2B so I could really explore and experience everything the ship has to offer.

 

If the ports are the most important thing, I would choose the CB, with reservations. We didn't think some areas of the ship were well maintained, and we had a lot of problems with our suite. On the positive side, we thought the MDR and specialty dining on the Caribbean Princess were very good, and we had excellent service throughout the ship.

 

You don't say if you're restricted to Thanksgiving week or have some flexibility. We cruised on Oasis the week BEFORE Thanksgiving, and never experienced crowds or lines. There weren't many children on our sailing, but I know from chatting with my cabin attendant the next week was a different story!:eek:

Edited January 4, 2016 by Cindy

[lor74]

From what you wrote, I think you should go with the better itinerary.

 

Having been on both ships, imo:

 

The CB has better food with the exception of the MDR. Chops is excellent, but the CG is the best value at sea.

 

The CB will have less children...if that matters.

 

The Allure has more bell n whistles, but they only matter if you use em.

 

The Allure offers more entertainment.

 

The Allure has a very large casino.

 

The CP has better all around service.

 

Whichever you choose, have fun [emoji3]