Suites - Princess v Celebrity

[geric26]

Penthouse Suite (Diamond Princess, March 2018) v Sky Suite(Reflection, September 2017)

 

 

Suite.

The Princess suitewas roomy and despite the ship’s age, or the time since the last refurb, therewas a remarkable lack of scuff marks or wear, with only a clumsy shower resealjob spoiling the picture. There was a very large balcony, but you had to bearin mind that past half way to the rail you were visible to all balconies aboveand could also look down onto the mini suite balconies below. Celebrity balconyis smaller but private.

 

 

Suite service.

There was one room attendant on Princess compared to thebutler and room attendant on Celebrity. We only occasionally use the serviceoffered by a butler, but sometimes it is very useful. Small things likecarbonated water in your room (with the premium drinks package) was not aproblem with Celebrity, but could not be done with Princess. The wall mountedhair dryer in the Princess suite could not cope with my wife’s long hair, so weasked if a hand held hairdryer could be made available. No. The suite video (current today) shows anddescribes “a large flower arrangement” together with a smaller flowerarrangement and an orchid. We only had the orchid in the suite, and as my wifeloves flowers we asked about the flower arrangement we were looking forward to andwere met with blank looks from the room attendant and Guest Services. Wepurchased our own arrangement. This isjust misdescription, and Princess should not have to rely on this.

 

 

Dining.

We knew that the Club Class dining would not quite compareto the Celebrity Luminae arrangement, but there was no waiting, the wait staffgave excellent service, and the food was very satisfactory. All as promised. ClearlyCelebrity have spent more with their concept, and we prefer it, but dependingon the route and area you will likely pay more for it. The Princess breakfastat Sabatinis was excellent, and equalled Luminae. The buffet, Horizon Court,had quite satisfactory offerings, and the table service for drinks etc was atouch better than Celebrity we thought. Thereis no equivalent however to Celebrity’s Michaels Club on Princess.

 

 

General.

The Diamond Princess seemed more crowded than the S classboats we have been on, but this could be due to the cruise being only an 8 daySydney – Sydney instead of the usual Mediterranean routes. On sea days it washard work to get a coffee, and one time we were turned away from the Lobby Baras they had a 15 minute backlog of coffee orders. Sailaways were not a time fora quiet drink on the Deck 10 balcony however, with the noise from the Deck 15 partymaking us move inside.

 

 

Overall.

The vote goes to Celebrity - we felt we really had a SuiteExperience, and we look forward to another one in 6 months.

[Johnamac123]

...

[Keith1010]

Thanks for your review.

 

Our experience was that we found that Celebrity Suites were always superior to those of Princess.

 

Keith