7day Caribbean Princess or 10 day Sun Princess?

[KKB]

I am deliberating between these two cruises next Oct. The 7 day is Eastern, while the 10 day is Southern.

 

The 7 day is probably a better idea for time (3 kids 11, 8, 6 will be at 3 active grandmas, all willing to sit, but FIL does have stage 4 cancer). I like the idea of a newer ship, and considerably larger cabins. Also, on break from school that week, so no need to take time off. BUT we are doing the same itinerary on Disney this month, and we have to book air through Princess (long story), so will run about $2K for air/cruise.

 

I would LOVE to go for 10 days, and Southern was my first choice. It is a good deal at about $2300 for cruise/air. BUT I am concerned about the extremely small cabins (135 sq. ft!, going to a larger cabin increases cost considerably, and we generally use cabin for sleep, shower, & ;) ), and that the crowd/nightlife could be a bit more sedate. Additionally, we would have to use 5 of our 10 days off per school year to fit this one in.

I am torn!!! This is a change of booking, so need to stay w/ Princess...which was our first (and only so far!) cruise, and dates are firm due to school calender.

 

I am leaning toward the 10 day...

 

Any thoughts from you more experienced cruisers? Anyone stay in those tiny Sun Princess cabins? We had an exterior on our last cruise, about 175 sq. ft. We saw a balcony cabin, still felt we would not mind an interior, and we felt the cabin was plenty big for both of us.

 

Thanks!

Kris

[Robroy]

You raise some interesting points but to me, it sounds like you've already made up your mind. You like the Southern itinerary idea, the cabin size won't be a big problem, it is affordable - the only potential issue seems to be the older, more sedate crowd due to the length of the cruise.

We haven't been on the Caribbean thus far but thoroughly enjoyed the Sun two years ago - although we had an AB mini aft which was incredible.

As far as the ship went, I think it depends whether you like a more "traditional" ship versus a newer one with more glitz. The Sun has lots of wood - much more traditional - cozier than the Grand/Golden - more intimate. The pizzeria was fabulous - showrooms a nice size. You mention you've already done the Eastern, which is a fun itinerary, but frankly, we'd just as soon sail around in a circle - although St. Thomas is a great shopping spot!

You won't really spend too much time in the room, and there's always the possibility of an upgrade with an early booking, which might get you into an outside cabin. Personally, gimme the extra three days anytime, as it's a great value and we both find ten days much more relaxing than the seven day cruise.

Good luck with your decision - a pleasant dilemna!

 

Rob

[KKB]

Actually the 10 day also stops in St. Thomas, and since it looks like we will be beaching it w/ the kids this time, it would be nice to shop next time.

Actually chatted w/ MIL (whose DH has cancer). She said you only live once, do the 10 day...should I take that as an offer to help watch the kids??!!

Looking strongly toward the 10 day...

Kris

(hey, my aunts and uncles are in their 60s & 70s and would be a riot to cruise w/--I think there are partyers of every age!)

[calikak]

I stayed in an inside on the Sun last spring, but just on a short coastal cruise. It was definitely a bit smaller than on the Grand-class ships, but it was fine. In fact, I think the shower was actually a wee bit larger than on the Grand-class ships. The big downside, though, is there isn't as much clothing storage space. So if you're going for 10 nights and you're a heavy packer, you're going to feel a lot more crowded than we did on a short coastal. If you're a light packer, you'll probably be OK.

 

I really love the Sun-class ships. The pizzeria is fabulous and I like the size of the ship, and the layout.

[LMCAT123]

We had a balcony cabin (Aloha deck) on the Sun and according to the Princess brochure it was 179 sq. ft. including balcony. If you forget the balcony I am pretty sure the cabin size is about the same size as the "oceanview" or inside cabins. Yes, cabins are small-ish but we had no problem whatsoever. Bathrooms are tight, but again do-able, never once had a problem with the space.

 

I'd vote for the 10 day itinerary, we loved it and found it a nice mix of islands and sea days.

 

With a 10 day cruise you are apt to have less kids, but that can be a plus :-) There were a few on our cruise, but not many. Age wise the cruisers were from honeymooners on up to elderly, with a lot of "in between".

[sherman931]

A ten beats a seven every time. ;)

[Floflegs]

Go for the 10! We had an outside on Dolphin deck on the Sun and had plenty of storage space. Showere was OK but rest of bathroom space was tight.:eek:

[coiran]

Go for the 10 day - you wil not notice the cabin size difference - actually the cabins on the Sun (IMHO) appear to be larger than those on the Grand Class - the shower is much larger than the showers on the Grand Class - the pizzeria is excellent - the ship is in very good condition - you may also find that it seems less crowded than the Grand Class ships.

Ron

[LARGIN]

longer is always better :p:p:D

[mii]

I would take the 10 day anytime.:D

 

Marilyn

[Dreamer333]

Another vote for the 10-night!!!

[sunflower1972]

If you have the time take the 10......we got one shot here folks and I believe in taking EVERY available vacation moment that comes my way:)

[Oink]

:) Longer is always better when it comes to cruising! It always takes me a few days to get into that serene, laid-back cruise mode, so on a 7 dayer my vacation is half over just when I start to chill. :rolleyes: Plus 10 day cruises tend to have fewer families with kids (bonus IMHO). The Sun class ships are smaller and easier to negotiate with far fewer passengers....another plus in my book. Have fun! Later....Oink! :)

[kryos]

A ten beats a seven every time. ;)

But the onboard environment is definitely different between the two cruises. A ten-day cruise will have an older passenger demographic, where a seven-day cruise will generally be more families ... younger passengers. The seven-day will have a more varied nightlife, and will usually be more port-intensive. Therefore, there won't be as many onboard activities during the day.

 

I think it is all a matter of what you are looking for. If you want a cruise with non-stop fun ... a variety of ports during the day with lots of beach options ... and a varied and active nightlife onboard ... opt for the seven-day. If you want a longer sailing which includes more of those luxurous days at sea, and less options for a varied nightlife ... go with the ten-day.

 

I can't say I've ever sailed the Caribbean Princess, but I did sail on the Sun last January ... ten-day itinerary. I loved it. But that's me. I prefer the more laid-back atmosphere and an older passenger demographic doesn't bother me in the slightest (I'm almost 50 myself). I also like some sea days interspersed with my port days. I get too tired running around after five days straight in ports.

 

But each person needs to decide what works best for them, and it's hard for others on this board to generalize that a ten-day is always better than a seven-day.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[KKB]

We LOVED sea days. Bingo, lunch by the pool, bingo again, ready for dinner, hit the casino, late dinner...(maybe an activity or two in between if we get the urge...)

BUT we DO like to dance late (midnight, 1AM). And more current music...at least music a DJ might play at a wedding reception that gets EVERYONE on the floor.

Is there a disco on the Sun?

Kris

[cruiseapril]

We had a great cruise on the Dawn in April- Southern route. The ports were so varied- very good itinerary with good excursions. We enjoyed the Dawn's size and the regular Oceanview was fine-well designed.

[chrysalis]

"Bingo, lunch by the pool, bingo again, ready for dinner, hit the casino, late dinner".......and what do you do if the sun is not shining???

[cruiserforlife]

We LOVED sea days. Bingo, lunch by the pool, bingo again, ready for dinner, hit the casino, late dinner...(maybe an activity or two in between if we get the urge...)

BUT we DO like to dance late (midnight, 1AM). And more current music...at least music a DJ might play at a wedding reception that gets EVERYONE on the floor.

Is there a disco on the Sun?

Kris

 

7 days vs 10 days?

 

Hmmm,let me see...I vote for the 10 day cruise based on the simple fact that THERE IS 3 WHOLE EXTRA DAYS TO CRUISE!:D :D :D

 

If you have never cruised longer than 7 days trust me...once you've gone on a 10 day cruise,you won't be able to go on any shorter ones because you will have SPOILED yourself...much the same as switching from an inside cabin to a balcony or from a balcony to a mini-suite,etc.

Sure the average age goes up with the longer cruises but there is always lots to do and you'll be much happier.

 

No brainer here!;)

[TorontoTL]

I have enjoyed all of my cruises with Princess. I've done both a 7 day Eastern on the Caribbean Princess and a 10 day Southern on the Sun Princess. I found that I enjoyed the 10 day itinerary more than the 7 day. That is partially because I had done the Eastern before and found the Southern islands to be so interesting. I liked the Sun Princess and she exceeded my expectations. After reading about her cabins being smaller I wasn't expecting to enjoy the ship itself. However, I was wrong. I thought that the ship was in excellent shape and the food and service to be excellent. Overall I prefer the amenities of Caribbean Princess over those of the Sun, however, if I had to choose between the two considering the itineraries I would choose the 10 day on the Sun in a heartbeat.