royal caribbean vs. princess ?

[zoe girl]

we just sailed on the freedom. we've never cruised with princess however have heard only great things. should i stick with rccl or try princess. will i be disappointed on the caribbean princess vs the navigator?

[CruisinFinsUp]

It depends what you liked / disliked about the Navigator. We've sailed the Grand Princess and the Jewel of the Seas - We loved the kids pool and slide on the Jewel, and loved the freshwater pools on the Grand. We are going next on the Caribbean Princess - we are looking forward to the seafood buffet on CB because the Jewel had no seafood on its buffet. Not even peel & eat shrimp on the dinner buffet. We recall that the Grand used to have shrimp on the buffet when we sailed her back in 2001, but this year the Jewel didn't.

 

I think you cannot go wrong -- if you like RCI you'll like Princess, but if you have specific loves / hates, you should do some more research - read the reviews on this board -- there are tons of them (some filed on the ship review pages which you can access from the home page so you are not limited to the boards). Check out http://www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com and also read the patters that Laura posted here yesterday. You've already found what in my opinion is the best cruising resource on the internet - cruisecritic.com. I spend HOURS reading and reading and reading....My 200 posts in no way reflects the time I spend on this site!!!:D

 

If there is a sailing that meets your schedule / price and its an itinerary you are interested in, go for it!!

[ssbeagle]

If you really enjoyed the rock climbing walls, skating rinks and big arcades, then I would stick with RCL. However, if you are thinking about cruising for itinerary and relaxation I would choose Princess. Princess and RCL both have beautiful ships. I like Princess because some of their ships are smaller (like the Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess and now Royal Princess). I believe the food is better in the Princess dining rooms but better in the RCL buffets. The specialty restaurants on all ships are good. Entertainment is good on all ships. There are times when I haven't liked it on either line. I find I like Princess because they have been very customer-oriented and tried to do everything they could to make my cruise better. RCL always gave me an arguement why they couldn't do something. It's a matter of preference. You won't know until you have tried a different line. :)

[Next]

We sailed on the Voyager of the Seas (aka Voayager Class, Sister to Naviagator) and the then the Golden and Caribbean Princesses (Grand Class Ships)

 

The Voyager class and Grand class ships are two different beasts. Each have different design points and hence deliver a different experience. If you have tried one, I would try the other. You may end up with a preference of one versus the other but I do not think you would be disappointed on either.

 

In short, RCI designs ships (That is CEO Richard Fain's influence) to be splendid show pieces with unique and creative open spaces. Hence the prominade and 9 story atriums. I think there food is good but a tad less quality than Princess.

 

Princess ships, by design, have smaller, more intimate spaces. E.g the they have three separate low ceiling dining rooms. This is by design. You feel more like you are on a private yacht (well not quite that small) versus on the Voyager you have a three story single dining room with a grand Titanicesque staircase. Again, both are good. They are just differrent and give different feel.

 

The Prominade on the Voyager class is an mprseeive and great place to stroll, hang out, enjoy a drink, watch a ball game, etc. By contrast, princess has one small (3 deck) atrium with a few shops. There is no grand prominade on Princess. If you get on the ship and expect that, you will be disappointed. So just don't expect it.:)

 

I believe the food is better on princess. They have an Italian influence in food and service. If someone is wondering what that is, then talk to somene who has been to Rome.

 

Princes has four smaller pools While the Voayager has a main, large pool area with two side by side pools. They have second pool for adults only.

 

The four princess pools each have a distinct atmosphere. The spa pool is very quite and secluded. The main pool has food and games and kids. The have all day Pizza (extremely good), bratwurst, knockwurst, burgers, chicken. The MUTS pool has MUTS. It is loud when you are at, but you can';t hear it elsewhere. I like it becuase dont; go there and it keeps noisy kids away from me. The aft pool is my favorite. It is quite but opend to the sea. It has a great hot tub on top with 300 degreee views of the sea. The view to the aft is spectacular.

 

Enjoy.

[madaamt]

Hey Zoegirl! I Have Cruised Mostly On Rcl. I Have Tried Ncl And Am Now Trying Princess And Next Year Will Sail On Carnival. I Feel Like Any Cruise Is A Great Cruise And Your Vacation Is What You Make It. Happy Sails.

[Ships Ahoy 2126]

I've sailed with both cruise companies, and I prefer Princess. RC had a fun and active vibe, however there were several negatives. For instance, on the Adventure of the Seas, we encountered:

 

1. several rude crew members

2. terrible food (it was so bad one night that I had to send it back to the kitchen, and I've never done that before in my life!)

3. security kicked out passengers from the club (while the club was still packed, and everyone was on the dance floor)

 

However, these incidents won't deter me from traveling with Royal Caribbean in the future. My husband and I are mostly driven by the ship's itinerary anyway. Hopefully if we travel with RC, we'll have a better experience.

 

I would book with Princess without any hesitation. I've been on two Princess cruises, and they both exceeded my expectations in every way. And by the way, the food on the Crown Princess was really good - better than the Grand and 100% better than RC.

 

In my opinion, you won't be disappointed with Princess.;)

[j lang]

We have been on 23 Royal Carribean Cruises and have loved every one. We decided to give Princeess a try and we are booked on the Crown for the 9/3 sailing. We will let you know when we return the pros and cons. We have always heard very good things about Princess and look forwar4d to the experience.

[TexasMom2]

I've sailed both and there are many similarities because both are mainstream, and many differences that make each unique. Food and service are subjective, and can be different on the same ship just weeks apart. I thought the food was better in the dining room on Princess but better in the speciality restaurants and buffet on RCI. The pizza was better on Princess, the coffee better on RCI. The buffet is a better design on RCI. We had better service on our RCI sailings than the one Princess sailing, but I think the anytime dining is what colors my perception.

 

The balcony cabins on RCI are a better layout but the mattress (with foam topper) was more comfortable on Princess. The royal promenade on RCI voyager-class ships (and Freedom) is a plus to some and a minus to others. It was a plus for us.

 

Both lines have good entertainment and games and plenty for everyone to do to stay busy, or places to relax and be low-key. My favorite spot is my own balcony, for sunrises with coffee or sunsets with a cocktail. It doesn't get much better than that.

 

The spa on Grand had a special towards the end of the cruise, three 15-min treatments for $99, which I combined for one 45-min massage on the last sea day which was heavenly, except for the sunshine streaming through the window (used to darkened treatment rooms). No hard sell afterwards which was nice. I had a massage on Rhapsody which was nice, but I got the sales pitch afterwards when I was groggy with my hair sticking up everywhere. A simple "no thank-you" did the trick.

 

I loved the Rhapsody and Adventure and liked the Grand. I'm looking forward to the Tahitian Princess next summer for a different take on the Princess experience. You will have a good time on Princess.

[lyndamarie6]

I have to say definately Royal Caribbean! I am 40 been on 30 cruises and this year took two Royal Caribbean for the first time. I am hooked on Royal, much more elegant ships, marble, brass and glass elegant and classy, Princess is classy but different, more suttle.

 

Princess buffets are extremely long lines in such a small area, Royal are more wide spread and I didn't get any lines at all on both ships. They are well planned out.

 

Much more to do and choose from on Royal Caribbean than Princess, Princess gets very quiet after 11pm. On Princess if the casino doesn't have a certain amount of people they close the casino, on the 7 night cruise on the Grand I was kicked out at 1:15 of the casino they closed. Royal has more entertainment choices than Princess. Here is my analysis:

 

 

Princess:

 

Negatives: Extremely long lines in small area at buffet. Not as many choices for buffet lunch. Not much to do after 11pm and it gets very quiet after 11pm.

Positives: Better service for dinner in dining room. Disco very nice elevated above the ship. Fresh water swimming pools and nice cushions at solarium on chairs and chaise longes. Larger gameroom for kids. Less public areas to sit in.

 

 

Royal Caribbean:

Negatives: Staterooms are a bit smaller and so is the shower but you will find many places to store your items. The gameroom was smaller. Beverage service in dining room at dinner was slow. Everything closes at 2am but casino remains open longer.

Positives:

elegant and classy, loads of places to sit next to large windows, viking crown lounge is the perfect place to sit day and night with its 360 degree windows overlooking the ocean and turns into a wonderful disco at night. Buffets are much better and much less crowded more room to move. Dining room a bit more elegant. Bedding was much better and softer sheets and pillowcases, better pillows. Alcoholic drinks were strong and nobody hassels you to buy drinks, souvenier glasses and such and photos are more affordable. Some ships on Royal have the ice skating rink which you can see a great show at night. Breakfast buffet has a fresh ham carving and if you like salmon they have it for breakfast.

 

I have to say I really liked Princess but overall Royal Caribbean has more and is more elegant and better choices of food in buffet area.

[MCManders99]

Much more to do and choose from on Royal Caribbean than Princess, Princess gets very quiet after 11pm. On Princess if the casino doesn't have a certain amount of people they close the casino, on the 7 night cruise on the Grand I was kicked out at 1:15 of the casino they closed. Royal has more entertainment choices than Princess.

 

 

When I went to Alaska on Sun Princess, I was never kicked out of the casino late at night. And at times my DH and I were the only ones in there.

 

I have only been on 1 cruise, but it depends on the person. My parents are RCI cruisers (and they are trying Princess in April with us) and they talk about all the activities poolside etc... My DH and I (both 29) are not really interested in that. We like the subtle atmosphere Princess had in ALaska. If it was more vivacious we wouldn't mind, but we aren't into all that. We keep to ourselves mostly. I am a very outgoing person.. but I will be reserved around people I don;t know.

 

I would say if you are looking for items that RCI specifically has (ie..ice rink, rock climbing, promenade) they do RCI. If you aren't into all that or don't mind being without it..give Princess a try. That is honestly the only way you can compare lines. Eventually we will try RCI, but not just yet. We want to try all the lines to see what we prefer. I have a family member who has just been on only RCI and bashes the other lines. I'll get into an argument with her, because she has no room to talk. Neither do I only being on Princess but I don't criticize other lines. TO each their own.

[momofmeg]

I asked this a few months ago-before we booked caribbean Princess because I did not like amriner of the Seas. i got good feedback from several people. If I can find that thread I will bring it up.

[momofmeg]

zoegirl that is the title of my thread asking people to compare Caribbean Princess to a voyager class ship.

 

You will see from my posts I did not care for Mariner of the Seas-so I asked people who had done both a voyager class and a grand class to compare. I know your ship was not voyager class but still you will get an idea.

 

BTW-I have been told by many that the radience class ships and voyager class ships are very differant. I say that because of the one post talking about Jewel of the Seas. Even though I did not care for Mariner of the Seas I am hoping to cruise Jewel of the Seas next year.

[Cindy]

I've been on the Grand twice, and was just on the Explorer last month. I think Royal Caribbean and Princess are more alike than different. There are some things I like better on Princess, and some I prefer on RCI. Here's a link to my review of my Explorer cruise...I made a lot of comparisons to the Grand Princess. The Grand is a little smaller than the Caribbean Princess, but it should give you a feel for some of the differences.

http://www.cruisereviews.com/RoyalCaribbean/ExploreroftheSeas137.htm

[Merion_Mom]

we just sailed on the freedom. we've never cruised with princess however have heard only great things. should i stick with rccl or try princess. will i be disappointed on the caribbean princess vs the navigator?

Personally, I think that this thread says it best:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=384375

 

:D

[cnmiranda]

These are personal opinions only and as everyone mentions, food is subjective so take it as you will:)

 

Princess:

-better member benefits (such as free internet after your 5th cruise)

-better hamburgers, pizza, fries - Rrccl has crunchy fries, Princess has potato-y fries

-cheaper coke card

-better beds so far to me

-anytime dining is a huge benefit to us as we like to dine earlier and more tables for 2

-on many ships you can do your own laundry

 

RCCL:

-round the clock chocolate and vanilla soft serve ice cream (a biggie for us!)

-the newer ships have more television channels

-better buffet layouts, not as congested

-younger crowd, better for families or singles

 

both:

-have personable staff

-have good dining room food

-same as far as ship layout

-spas about the same. Princess has better up front sales prices, rccl has good discounting according to your tiered membership level.

[sesh]

Personally I would suggest if you have had a good time on RCCL stick with them - as our experience of Princess was decidedly low rent, and Princess customer service leaves a lot to be desired (will post a seperate message on the whole debacle). Princess may have gotten some new ships, but there are a lot of unhappy crew sailing them.

[negc]

Personally, I think that this thread says it best:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=384375

 

:D

I agree completely, Carol. So good of you to bring it up.;):D

[Sandytoes]

Princess

[TexasMom2]

Princess

 

Can you elaborate? Tell us what you liked about Princess and what you didn't like about RCI when you sailed with them. That would help the OP a lot more.

[Nliedel]

I'ce sailed both and love both, but for different reasons. I would actually give the nod to food and entertainment to RCI. Princess gets it for service and atmosphere. More drawers and cubby places in the RCI cabins. Better bartender experience on Princess.

 

It's a draw. I like them both for different reasons. I suspect most people who sail RCI would like Princess, unless they are married to Rock Climbing Walls etc.

[Merion_Mom]

Princess

And you base this judgment on "how many" Royal Caribbean cruises?

[Nliedel]

Sandytoes,

 

I don't list my past cruises in my signature line, because the list is too long. I looked at your signature and it does list cruises, but only Princess. Have you sailed RCI?

[momofmeg]

You know guys- I thought the OP wanted you to compare SHIPS and not lines-

 

Has anyone been on both Naviagtor of the Seas and Caribbean Princess. This is who the OP wants to hear from.

[cnmiranda]

I didn't read it that way at all, the title of this thread is Royal Caribbean vs. Princess :confused:

[TexasMom2]

It will be rare to find posters who have sailed both (hope they post here), but sometimes ships in the same class are similar enough to have tips to share.