RCCL & PCL for those who have sailed both

[sunshineminnie]

Hi there! I am new to these boards and SOOOOOO confused. I was hoping to get some opinions from those who have sailed both RCCL and PCL. My only cruising experience was on Disney with my family. (I'll post my quetions on both boards.)

 

My best friend from high school and I are celebrating our 40th birthdays together. Although our budget is limited, we are trying to do it right as it may be our one and only cruise together.

 

Right now I have it narrowed down to two choices. Price is within dollars of eachother for the initial cruise. Both with balconies. The Princess Grand 7 days and the Mariner of the Seas. The itineraries are very similar except RCCL goes to Haiti and PCL goes to their private island.

 

We are looking for a fun, relaxing vacation. We will be going on dives two days. We are not as much night life kind of gals as we are sports, action. We can't wait for some spa pampering. We would enjoy seeing some good shows but can pass on the bar/casino scene. (Although we'll do a little dancing and a little gambling!)

 

I am not much of a crowd person and can certainly see myself hanging out on my balcony and watching the sea go by.

 

We love to try new foods and restraunts and can't wait for the great food!

 

So, my questions. Which rooms/balconies are better. Which port is better? Once on the ship, is one ship more expensive for the extras (shore excursions, drinks, spa and such.) Which ship do you think would offer us newly 40 year old gals the most fun, relaxing vacation with great food?

 

Thanks in advance for all of your help!:)

[Sue L]

I have been on both lines but not on those particular ships. I would definitely lean towards the Mariner. I think you would find the food, entertainment and activities more to your liking.

 

Mariner has the ice rink, where they do a fantastic show, the rock wall, mini golf and all the other amenities of a Voyager class ship. Plus the adults only pool area which I don't remember if Princess has.

 

I also think you would find the demographics more to your liking.

 

Just for the record I have been on Princess 5 times and RCCL once, but we really felt RCCL was for us.

[lmmn]

You would love both and you will have soooo much fun!!!!! Beware, this could become an annual trip. We went on a trip like this...and now we've recently booked our 5th annual (now 10 of us). You don't state dates, but if you're going anytime when the kids are off school, you will definitely find more kids on the Mariner, than on a Princess ship. You would love either ship...If you "really" enjoy food, be sure to book at least one night alternative dining on either ship.

[sunshineminnie]

Wow! That was fast. Thanks!

 

The RCCL cruise would be the end of August. The PCL is the beginning of November. I guess that brings up a good question. Which is the better sailing time?

 

Thanks again!

[Sue L]

Both sailing times are technically during hurricane season though Nov is less likely. I sailed last mid-Sept and we lucked out sailing in between two.

 

 

Are you talking the last week of August? and then Nov, I don't think you will find a ton of kids on either since August many schools are already back or going back and in Nov there are no vacations at that time.

[99florida]

I've sailed on both ships. Both are beautiful! Balconies on the Grand were smaller than expected. More sport oriented on the Mariner by far!

 

Food was great on both but pasta and soups were better on Princess. Princess tends to be stuffier and not as personable as Royal.

 

Pizza is much BETTER on Princess by far. True New York style from what I recall as I ate a lot of it. Shows were equally as good.

 

Kids program is by far better on Royal (plenty of past experiences) but traveling without them won't matter in your decision.

 

IMO - I would go on the Mariner - newer, prommonade is neat to experience on the ship, ice show is fantastic, rock climbing, in line skating, etc...

[lmmn]

You will not have many kids either dates....what ports? It is hurricane season....August could be pretty hot. November is a great time to go on a cruise. It's the last month of hurricane season...still some risk. With the dates you are planning, I would choose Mariner.

[voyager70]

I have to agree with everything that others have posted. I've sailed on both ships (actually not Mariner but sisters Voyager & Navigator) and prefer Voyager class over Princess' Grand class. Food and service are very comparable (specialty restaraunts on both ships are outstanding), but IMO Voyager class ships are laid out much better and offer more activities. Also, on the Grand class ships some of the decks are tiered, which leaves your balcony fully exposed to the decks above. Labadee is great - we liked much better than Princess Cays. November is definitely a better month to sail the Caribbean, however, but you should be able to find great rates on Mariner in November. That's an off-peak month & really a great time to cruise (beautiful weather & not too many kids). Whatever you decide, have a great cruise !

[Tasha999]

The Grand Princess is an older ship, I believe 1998. I was on the Grand in January 2007, my first Princess cruise. My trip on the Mariner was cancelled in 2004, due to the hurricanes, but I've been on the Navigator in 2005, and the Adventurein 2002, similar ships to the Mariner. I agree with the poster that said Princess is a stuffier ship, and the ambiance of RCCL is much nicer.When I came home from the cruise in January, I booked on the Liberty for this comming August. I'm 52, and I felt as though most of the passengers were older than I on Princess. I would be interested in knowing what you were told on the Princess board, I may check it out. Though it is early, Happy Birthday!

 

Tasha

[jillybabes]

Been on Golden (sister ship of Grand) and Mariner 3 times...Mariner would be my choice...Agree the crowd is older on Princess and more diversified on RCCL. The Promenade on Mariner is our favorite place to hang out and people watch! Have a happy birthday and enjoy whichever cruise you chose:D ...Later, Jill:cool:

[negc]

You should be almost equally happy on either ship and either itinerary. If you ask the same question, you may find more responses in favor of Princess, while on here, you can expect Mariner to get a more favorable response. We have sailed on both lines but not on the Grand Princess (we have been on Sapphire Princess and Dawn Princess. The rooms with balconies (not junior suites on RCI or mini-suites on Princess) are noticeably smaller on Princess. Pizza on Princess is generally considered to be better on Princess. Princess and the other lines have nothing to comparare with the Royal Promenade on Mariner and the other Voyager ships and the Ice Show is something not to be missed. The other entertainment is very similar on both ships and I prefer the traditional dining arrangement on RCI. You can, if you wish and if you are fortunate, get traditional dining on Princess but lots of folks who request it end up being assigned to "anytime dining". There are lots of people who like the "anytime dining" arrangement but also some who find it irritating when the concept of "dine when and where and with whom you wish" turns into a "here is a beeper, we will let you know when a table is available and it may be forty five minutes from now":( Since you girls are traveling alone, you should be advised that Princess posts your names outside your stateroom door. If that causes you any personal security concerns, make sure to remove it when you first arrive at your cabin.

Whichever line you choose should provide you with a great cruise experience.

[Tasha999]

Been on Golden (sister ship of Grand) and Mariner 3 times...Mariner would be my choice...Agree the crowd is older on Princess and more diversified on RCCL. The Promenade on Mariner is our favorite place to hang out and people watch! Have a happy birthday and enjoy whichever cruise you chose:D ...Later, Jill:cool:

 

The Grand is not the ship to people watch. Everyone on the cruise in January seemed to have come from a cookie cutter. There was no diversity on the ship!

 

Tasha

[Inshape]

Mariner since you said that you were into sports. What can be grander than rock climbing, in line skating, ice skating , mini golfing while cruising! The food and service is outstanding. The decks are layed out well and it is easy to get around. The balcony decks on Princess are graduated so you lose the privacy. Others from above can see right into your balcony.Mariner is wonderful. Both times on that ship we did deck 9. Easy walk to the sun deck, sports deck, and dinner we lucked out at deck 5. It was wonderful.ANd the cafe is a great spot for a cup of coffee, a nice snack( the pastry there changes daily and is sinful! )and people watching.

[julieanne]

I think I prefer RCL to Princess just a touch more. However, due to the fact that Mariner sails to Haiti, I would opt for Princess. I really enjoyed the relaxing day on the Princess Cays and Haiti has such poverty, it just breaks my heart every time we go there.

[sunshineminnie]

Thanks so much for everything. A great first experience on these boards! I've got a lot to think about!