Sea Princess or Emerald Princess??

[honeymoon06]

We're looking to book our cruise for March next year. Going to the caribbean.

 

We've seen two cruises which stop at same/similar islands. These are our two options:

 

14 night cruise on the Sea Princess.

 

or

 

10 night cruise on the Emerald Princess.

 

We love the idea of 14 nights rather than 10 nights, but we're worried the Sea Princess isn't as good as the Emerald.

 

My husband and I are in our twenties. On our last cruise (our honeymoon) last year we went on the Coral Princess.

 

Anyone been on the Sea or Emerald princess? or both?

 

Any recommendations on which one we should choose?

 

Sadly due to budget this year we will have to have an inside cabin, so balcony positions etc aren't an issue.

 

Thanks for your help!

[coiran]

I would go with the Sea princess - it is smaller and more intimate - however you have to go to Barbados or Jamaica to board. Also, you will find mostly Brits on the Sea, they seem to be gearing it for the English - the Emerald sails from FLL - we are on the March 15 2008 Emerald sailing.

Ron

[otogocruisin]

We sailed on the Sea Princess on our irst cruise. DH still feels it is the best. Enjoy your cruise.:)

[FLACRUISER99]

My rule is the newer the better Emerald Princess no contest

[robanddiane]

We were torn between the two ships for our cruise in april 2009 and plumped for the Emerald. We have been on the Caribbean & Golden princess also The Oceana which is the sister to Sea Princess and prefer the Grand class ships.

[Tina G]

All Princess ships have the same food, similar entertainment, similar cabins. The inside cabins on the Sea Princess are a bit smaller, but how much time will you spend in them? I always choose my cruise for the itinerary, not the ship. 14 days on a Princess ship beats 10 days, hands down!!:D Many people prefer a "smaller" ship. (When the Sun class ships first came out, they were considered very large!)

[PescadoAmarillo]

Unless you cruise over a holiday period, you will be in the younger minority on the Sea Princess. While the Sea Princess has been my favorite Sun Class ship, it has a more formal feel, in part because of the British majority on the ship. I'd recommend the Emerald Princess.

[JohnL1935]

I haven't been on the Sea Princess but we just finished a 12 day Med Cruise. The ship is clean, new, all broken in and they have great food,current movies ( both on TV and outside). There are entertainment acts going on simutaneously in the lounges and theatre and there is food available from 11 at night to 4 in the morning at grills or the rear Cafe. Service was great and pizza is above average. Only downer was poor pay back in Casino. Have a great cruise!!

 

John L.

[maratfun]

We took 12 days Mediterranean Cruise on Emerald this August. The ship is fabulous. It is big, but it has a very intimate feeling to it. Our cruise was sold out, but we never felt that there were so many people around us. You can find places that are quiet, and places that are booming with activities. We had an inside cabin and never felt bad about it. The size of a cabin is sufficient with very clever designed “storage/closet areas”. We would go on Emerald again, again and again. We are in our early thirties from NYC area.

[emmilu]

No question at all- the Emerald!!~! We did the Sea last year and would not do it now since we would have to fly to Barbados. Menu on the Sea leaned heavily to British cuisine and British entertainment. Cabins very small.

[seachaser]

My suggestion would be neither!:) Enjoyed our 14 day Sea cruise 12/05 out of FLL, but would never consider embarking in Montego Bay; Barbados flights are too expensive. I'd opt for a 14 day Crown B2B out of San Juan. Same ship as Emerald and lots of ports!

[silvercruiser]

Compare the air fares to Barbados and Fort Lauderdale.

As someone mentioned, your fellow passengers will be mostly Brits. They fly them in on chartered flights and they go right to the ship. Sea Princess doesn't even stop at FLL anymore because of the hassle of immigration for the Brits.

We were on the Sea Princess awhile back and there were 1500 Brits and only 400 Americans.

And if you plan on using the self-service laundry, be aware that the laundry facilities are very very limited on the Sea, but on Emerald are large and plentiful. Look at the deck plans for both ships.

[cantwaitfornextcruise]

I have been on the Sea had a great holiday, but too crowded when a full cruise, cabins are smaller and she is getting a little tired now. The Emerald is new and the reviews so far all positive.

[spongerob]

I think your choice is going to be dictated by the additional airfare costs to join Sea Princess. Also, ships with lower passenger totals tend to be a little more expensive on a very general basis compared to larger ships. You will definitely get a little more room in your cabin on Emerald. The cabins on Sea Princess are rather small.

[coiran]

The food menus on the sea are NOT geared toward the Brits, however the entertainment, other than production shows, was mostly British. You could order certain British food items if nyou wanted them.

Ron

PS - MrDawson - this is not erronious info - it is fact.

[Nanatravel]

We have sailed on both, most recently the Emerald Princess in the Med. Without a doubt, I'd choose the Emerald 10 night cruise. (We are actually looking at it for next October, 2008). You would save money flying if you live in the USA, too. Lots of variety; great Caribe Cafe and International Cafe plus Vines & Wines cafe. Entertainment was varied, cabins were comfortable and service was excellent.

 

Bon Voayge

Nanatravel

[britsbest]

A major concern will be luggage. Sea Princess uses exclusively charter flights limit 1 case @ 23 kilos scheduled flights allow 2 cases