Celebrity or Princess for PC

[NOSaints9]

We’ve only been on Carnival three times, so I’m curious between the two lines. Looking at the celebrity eclipse leaving from Vancouver and going to LA with stops in Victoria, O/N in San Francisco, Santa Barbara and LA. This is October 13,2019 which is our Ann

 

The other one on is princess starting in Vancouver, Victoria , Astoria, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and LA, but in April 2019 on the emerald princess. Can get an OV for basically the same price as an interior on Celebrity.

 

What does Celebrity and Princess do well, how’re the foods on each lines, entertainment, activities, and if we go with Celebrity is there any good restaurants for our anniversary. What is the dress code for each line, how is the spa area and how much is it for a week, for the aqua spa and for princess.

 

 

 

 

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[Host Jazzbeau]

We were just on Princess after several cruises on Celebrity. Princess MDR food is very hit or miss -- if you are adventuresome, all the Curtis Stone entrees and Norman Love chocolate deserts were terrific; but the regular Princess offerings could be poor; my recollection is that Celebrity MDR was more uniformly OK [last Celebrity cruise was in a suite with dining in Luminae, which is much much better than anything Princess offers]. Princess theaters are too small, so you have to arrive very early for the popular shows; Celebrity theaters are 'right sized.' Princess ships have 3 MDRs, but the galley is among them so the lower decks are cut up and only certain elevators go to certain dining rooms [major fail!]; Celebrity has one MDR and a better deck flow. Princess fleet is twice as big as Celebrity with more ship classes but a similar look; Celebrity has the M-class [classic] and the S-class [a more 'modern luxury' feel than any Princess except their latest Royal/Regal] and soon the Edge-class which will blow Princess out of the water. OTOH, Princess has more varied activities throughout the day :), and lots of smoke in the Casino :eek:.

[NOSaints9]

Have you used Princess air program and how is it.

 

 

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[Stateroom_Sailor]

While I haven't personally been on Princess, from what I've seen and heard, I would say most Carnival cruiser would find more to do on Princess, more dining and lounge options, and better pools. Celebrity would be the best option for cuisine, luxury, and a relaxing aubiance. Since Princess does coastals regularly, and Celebrity only a couple times a year (for the Alaska season), demand is reflected in the price.

[NOSaints9]

An OV is cheaper is on Princess than on X by about 400-500 CDN

 

 

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[comcox]

If you been on Carnival, Princess will probably seem familiar to you. I just did the coastal itinerary you mentioned and had a good time, even in an interior cabin (sailed solo so price was a factor). However, I'm not a "foodie" so I am not critical about the food very much. Princess does have very nice fitness facilities which I enjoy. Also as a Platinum member I really enjoy the free internet minutes and priority boarding, etc., and as a Carnival stock holder I get the OBC as well. The itinerary was very relaxing as I had visited all those places before so I did not bother with shore tours. It was very easy just to walk off and enjoy each of the towns.

 

Celebrity is a bit more upscale in both food and accommodations; however, I find their pre-cruise customer service absolutely horrible. Their website is a mess and if you email or telephone at least half the time they cannot answer your questions. I believe you will probably find a bit more older clientele and fewer children on Celebrity.

[NOSaints9]

Well by the time we take this cruise I will be 39, I just wish our loyalty transferred over. With Princess Ezair can you book it and pay it over time like Carnivals. The Sanctuary would that be like Celebrity’s Solarium?

 

 

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[Cruise Raider]

Well by the time we take this cruise I will be 39, I just wish our loyalty transferred over. With Princess Ezair can you book it and pay it over time like Carnivals. The Sanctuary would that be like Celebrity’s Solarium?

 

 

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Celebrity’s status is reciprocal for benefits on RCCL and vice versa. Carnival is the parent company of Princess and even they don’t give you any benefits for having status on any of the carnival lines as far as I know.

 

We booked EZ Air on princess once with a refundable rate. So, if you find one of these fares, put money into an interest bearing account and then pay it at final payment... win win!

The sanctuary and the solarium are quite different. There is no fee to use the solarium ... it is basically an indoor pool but limited to adults only except for a short period of time when families are allowed.

 

We have elite status on both lines and prefer Celebrity over Princess but we sail on Princess a lot more often due to their numerous West Coast itineraries.

 

Celebrity has better perks for ocean view and above but they also just switched to a non-refundable deposit structure so won’t be in a hurry to book that far out.

[NOSaints9]

But like Royal can’t you book either a refundable or non refundable deposit

 

 

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[sippican]

After repeatedly hearing that Princess is more similar to X than different, we were eager for our first voyage to the Panama Canal with Princess last spring.

Although it was okay - we were disappointed in many areas. The stateroom was teeny and poorly maintained (there was a rotted out hole under the balcony door and stains on the carpet), our cabin steward did the bare minimum (bed was poorly made, towels scarce), the food quality was fair, anytime dining had waits up to an hour so we switched to assigned, the waitstaff was harried and not attentive, the public areas have very low ceilings and feel dark and closed in compared to X's bright airy spaces and views.

Of course there were positives too: most of the crew was very accommodating, generally the ship was clean and comfortable, their prodution shows were good, we paid extra for The Sanctuary - and felt it was worth every penny.

We heard from other Princess "regulars" that our paricular cruise was somewhat substandard from their previous experiences.

For now, I don't think Princess will be our first choice for cruises unless we are doing an Alaska cruisetour - which they do better than any other line!

[NOSaints9]

Confused is the sanctuary like Carnivals Serenity? So if Princess has the Sanctuary what is it on Celebrity?

 

 

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[suec12]

We have done many X sailings, and just one Princess last July (Alaska) because family members chose it. For the most part, the product is similar, altho we usually do not go to shows, casino, or fitness facilities. I think X cabins are a bit better because they all have a small sofa, Princess has better storage.

 

I'm a bit of a foodie! I thought Princess had much better seafood (not so much the fish) but shrimp, scallops, even crab legs one night, than Celebrity. X has much better beef and lamb. We did not try a specialty restaurant on Princess, we like Qisine and Lawn Club Grill on X but I think they are overpriced (we use our OBC). I thought the lunch and breakfast buffets (and even dinner) were better on X. The everyday menu is much better on X IMO.

 

Stockholder credit policy much better on Princess. Drink prices cheaper on Princess. But either will offer a pleasant vacation experience. Enjoy!

[Stateroom_Sailor]

For now, I don't think Princess will be our first choice for cruises unless we are doing an Alaska cruisetour - which they do better than any other line!

 

Don't rule out Holland America, they do great cruise tours as well, and have access to Glacier Bay. We're doing the Yukon Goldrush tour this summer, which is exclusive to their line, although Princess does have more lodges and options near Anchorage. The demographic may be a bit older, and slow down earlier in the night, but food/service/accommodations, should be closer to Celebrity.

[cltnccruisers]

Whenever we have such general questions regarding a different cruise line or ship we just spend time on the cruise line site and CC for reviews.

[nini]

We have been on both and really like both Princess and Celebrity.

Drinks, etc are less on Princess. We would take an OV any day over an interior.

April and October will present the same kinds of weather- iffy.

[upwarduk]

Carnival is the parent company of Princess and even they don’t give you any benefits for having status on any of the carnival lines as far as I know.

I would check this statement.

We had never sailed Princess, but we had sailed P&O, so our status was transferred to Princess, which meant we were Ruby. After our 14 day Mediterranean sailing we became Platinum, which if we do another 14 day cruise on Princess it will mean we will get 250 internet minutes.

I found the Princess web site much easier to navigate than Celebrity’s, but I had to claim my OBC refund. I was told it is automatic in the US after 4 weeks. Celebrity refund theirs to your credit card on the last morning.

We sailed on the Crown Princess, which is one of the older Princess ships. She had a U.S.Public Health inspection before she left the USA in April 2017 and she didn’t do well. Lots of aspects needed improvement.

Celebrity Eclipse just scored 100 perfect on their U.S.P.H inspection.

Edited November 30, 2017 by upwarduk

[cocacola86]

I did see the Royal princess going from LA to BC with an ON in SAN Francisco, San Diego, Seattle which I wouldn’t mind going to the Boeing factory. Would Royal be more comparable to the Eclipse? How does the O/N work can you come and go as you please?

 

 

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[pixiedust777]

Well by the time we take this cruise I will be 39, I just wish our loyalty transferred over. With Princess Ezair can you book it and pay it over time like Carnivals. The Sanctuary would that be like Celebrity’s Solarium?

 

 

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The Solarium on Celebrity is complimentary for anyone to use.

The Sanctuary on Princess is $20 per person for a half day or $40 per person for a full day.

 

 

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[cocacola86]

I see your from Toronto I’m just down the road in Hamilton

 

 

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[pixiedust777]

I see your from Toronto I’m just down the road in Hamilton

 

 

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Technically Newmarket but In general most know where Toronto is and that you are Canadian. Nephew is at Mac !

 

 

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[cocacola86]

Nice to see a fellow Canadian

 

 

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[Ramona760]

I have been on both X and Princess numerous times for the Coastals. Doing it again on X - 10 day in May. Choose the one with the best itinerary. If only X overnights in S.F. I'd do that. Pros and cons to both. By the way, as much as I like Celebrity their website is a trainwreck. Go to another TA to research prices, cabins etc.

[Lastdance]

I have been on both X and Princess numerous times for the Coastals. Doing it again on X - 10 day in May. Choose the one with the best itinerary. If only X overnights in S.F. I'd do that. Pros and cons to both. By the way, as much as I like Celebrity their website is a trainwreck. Go to another TA to research prices, cabins etc.

 

 

 

I always find it amazing that everyone comments negatively about Celebrity’s web site, but it does not seem to keep them from booking a cruise; you would think Celebrity would fix it, but as long as the bookings keep rolling in, why bother as it seems to be part of their brick and mortar...

 

 

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[cruisequeen4ever]

I️ know a lot of people love Celebrity, but we highly prefer Princess. IMHO, the food is much better on Princess. The staterooms are fairly similar, though I️ do have to give Celebrity the edge for a better laid out shower. The staff and crew are much more customer service oriented on Princess, in our experience. Princess doesn’t hound you relentlessly to buy the drink package like Celebrity does. Both cruise lines have nice ships. Whichever you choose, have fun!I️

 

 

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[chamima]

First of all - to get a fair comparison you really need to also ask this on the Princess board.

You are likely to get more people preferring Celebrity on this board and more people preferring Princess on that one.

 

That said, we cruise both lines and both have their advantages.

Princess has MUCH more to do in the evenings . The Cruise Director has 6 or 7 people on their staff (vs. the one or two on Celebrity) and it's evident in the variety and quality of activities offered.

Princess , as has been said,has lower drink prices.

We don't eat meat so find the food also better on Princess.

I also find the staff more accommodating and genuinely friendly on Princess. (On Celebrity I get the feeling they are aware they have to be nice but are really too harried to care much.)

 

I love the Solarium on Celebrity and the bathrooms (both public and in your cabin) are nicer on Celebrity.

 

I'd go with the OV and hope to get upgraded to a balcony.