Carnival Glory vs. Crown Princess

[SMRivera198]

I was hoping someone could share some insight on these two ships. Hubby and I have never been on either line (or any line for that matter :p ) and we're planning a cruise to the eastern caribbean for Jan. '09. We originally found the Crown Princess as our first choice, but I recently came across the Carnival Glory and was wondering which is better. Our main 'requirements' are a nice big ship with a diverse age group (we're in our mid 20's and hoping to meet others close in age) lots of dining choices, great food, lots of bars and other onboard activities. We're really not picky, we just want to have a great, romantic, fun and memorable trip! Carnival Glory is cheaper than Princess, however if it's worth it than we're willing to spend the extra $$$. Any info on one or both of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance for any replies.:D

 

~Sara

[Kurbanfan]

I was hoping someone could share some insight on these two ships. Hubby and I have never been on either line (or any line for that matter :p ) and we're planning a cruise to the eastern caribbean for Jan. '09. We originally found the Crown Princess as our first choice, but I recently came across the Carnival Glory and was wondering which is better. Our main 'requirements' are a nice big ship with a diverse age group (we're in our mid 20's and hoping to meet others close in age) lots of dining choices, great food, lots of bars and other onboard activities. We're really not picky, we just want to have a great, romantic, fun and memorable trip! Carnival Glory is cheaper than Princess, however if it's worth it than we're willing to spend the extra $$$. Any info on one or both of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance for any replies.:D

 

~Sara

 

I highly recommend the Crown. It is worth every penny IMO. Although I have never sailed the Glory, I have been on her sister ships, the Valor and the Liberty (which are newer then the Glory)

The Crown has many more dining options plus anytime dining. More selections in the buffet and room service menus. The age difference was identical as Carnival. It was not a snooze cruise as a lot on hear say it is.

Good luck!

[firefly333]

I would pick the Crown Princess if the price wasnt that much more. Take a cruise in off season to bring the price down?

 

Its a newer, awesome ship.

 

You would have lots of fun on the Glory too and larger cabins, but that Princess ship has lots of wonderfull reviews. Im been on the Caribbean Princess which is supposed to be similar and loved the ship.

 

Whichever you pick, you cant go wrong. I like the Glory because it goes out of Port Canaveral, a very easy port to leave from and prices on hotels are better and most have free cruise parking.

[kellyinkentucky]

we just returned from the crown 2 weeks ago and lovedddddddd that ship - you can't go wrong with it - it's WONDERFUL!!!!!!!

[mek]

I was on the Crown last fall - a wonderful ship!

[Livin4Real]

We were on the caribbean princess (crown's sister ship) last year and had the best vacation ever! Going in January you won't see as many folks your age as you would going spring break or summer time on either ship. We'll be on the Glory in a couple weeks so I'll be able to compare them after this trip :)

[loveJake]

We have sailed on the Glory in 05 and going back again in September. We have sailed on the Emerald Princess, sister ship, in December 07. If you want a more beautiful ship go with Princess. What we like better on Princess is anytime dining, 24 hour buffet, and MUTTS plus the softer colors all over the ship. What we like better on the Glory is the price, larger cabins and the seating in the theater. I don't think you can go wrong with either ship.

[mainer208]

I've looked at the Crown Princess and the itinerary looks wonderful especially the eastern Caribbean. Based on what I have read from these boards is that a regular balcony cabin on Carnival is larger than a balcony cabin on Princess. The mini-suites on Princess are more comparable (have couch, etc.). Princess is quite a bit higher in price than Carnvial and then add in the mini-suite, you are talking a signficant difference (in my opinion). While I would love to try Princess, paying $1,000 or more for two of us is too much. That would more than pay for our airfare and one night pre-cruise.

 

Good luck!

[firefly333]

I've looked at the Crown Princess and the itinerary looks wonderful especially the eastern Caribbean. Based on what I have read from these boards is that a regular balcony cabin on Carnival is larger than a balcony cabin on Princess. The mini-suites on Princess are more comparable (have couch, etc.). Princess is quite a bit higher in price than Carnvial and then add in the mini-suite, you are talking a signficant difference (in my opinion). While I would love to try Princess, paying $1,000 or more for two of us is too much. That would more than pay for our airfare and one night pre-cruise.

 

Good luck!

 

There are always ways, but I admit to paying $1100 per person for flight and my half of the cabin, so it still wasnt a bargain (live and learn on the price, I way overpaid I feel like).

 

We got one of the obtructed cabins on the front of Lido deck. The two outside cabins are oversized. Ours was the biggest 191 s.f. and only the two inside ones have a wooden bar over the window, not ours. There is a door right beside the cabins where you can walk out to what is essentially a private deck, never more than a dozen out there, mostly at sunset watching the sun go down. We did Eastern. Loved that cruise. Lots of bridge/card players and that ship had its own card room unlike older ships of Princess.

[loveJake]

Actually the missing sofa is not a biggie for us, that we would have to pay more for a mini sute. One thing I forgot was the storage area on Princess. When you come out of the bathroom you have a large sotrage/dressing area which is seperated by a wall from the bedroom area. Actually if you took the wall down there would be room for a sofa, so I really don't think the total area is that much smaller, just the layout, This is really nice if you always leave your curtins open as we do, or change your clothes 10X's like I do, if DH can't see he can't complain!

[Kurbanfan]

I've looked at the Crown Princess and the itinerary looks wonderful especially the eastern Caribbean. Based on what I have read from these boards is that a regular balcony cabin on Carnival is larger than a balcony cabin on Princess. The mini-suites on Princess are more comparable (have couch, etc.). Princess is quite a bit higher in price than Carnvial and then add in the mini-suite, you are talking a signficant difference (in my opinion). While I would love to try Princess, paying $1,000 or more for two of us is too much. That would more than pay for our airfare and one night pre-cruise.

 

Good luck!

 

We had a regular balcony cabin on the Crown Princess. And while the cabin was a bit smaller it was laid out much better then Carnival so it was not really that noticeable. It had more storage and a nice dressing area outside the bathroom although the bathroom was really small. But also the balcony is larger then Carnivals. They have a regular size dining table and chairs. Plus they had sliding patio doors so no trying to prop open and no slamming of the doors.

Good luck!

[cruisin_fanatic]

I was hoping someone could share some insight on these two ships. Hubby and I have never been on either line (or any line for that matter :p ) and we're planning a cruise to the eastern caribbean for Jan. '09. We originally found the Crown Princess as our first choice, but I recently came across the Carnival Glory and was wondering which is better. Our main 'requirements' are a nice big ship with a diverse age group (we're in our mid 20's and hoping to meet others close in age) lots of dining choices, great food, lots of bars and other onboard activities. We're really not picky, we just want to have a great, romantic, fun and memorable trip! Carnival Glory is cheaper than Princess, however if it's worth it than we're willing to spend the extra $$$. Any info on one or both of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance for any replies.:D

 

~Sara

 

 

My husband and I just sailed on the Glory May 3rd and we were not overly impressed. We have sailed on the Valor and we loved that ship, but something was missing with the Glory (cant quite figure it out)...however, upon our return, I have been searching for us a cruise Jan 2009 and its funny because we were looking at either Crown or Ruby princess and our other option is Royal Caribbean. We are really leaning towards Crown!! so I vote try Crown...yes the Glory is cheaper and you can always try it later. I have always sailed Carnival since I have been bitten by the cruising bug, but I think I am ready to try something different:o

[kaylen]

I just returned from eastern carrib on Carnival Glory! We had a wonderful time. I have 13 cruises behind me so I'm pretty familiar with most cruise lines. The Glory is a beautiful ship with tons of activities. The ages aboard are very diverse so you will not have a problem connecting with your age group. We had a balcony stateroom (not penthouse). The balcony was a little narrow but wide. Our friends were next door and we could open the door between our balconies. That was fun to have a toast on the balcony with them at the end of another wonderful day. The cruise director, Mark, on the Glory is ausume! The shows were sensational. We played bingo, took line dance lessons, lost our money in the casino, although my hubby did win the slot tournament! We attended the wine tasting, participated in the cocktail mixing lessons & the "new years eve celebration" - in May! At-sea days are so fun. The pool area always has something going on. There is no way to participate in all of the activities on-board. The weather was perfect. The food was terrific as was the staff throughout the ship. Our stateroom attendent was always available for just about our every need. The ship is extremely clean, everything sparkles. I love Princess also but I will cruise aboard the Glory again in the future. Kaylen

[jennbill]

If you look at our signature, you'll see that we've sailed Carnival more than any other line. We really like it for the value.

 

That being said, the Crown Princess was the absolute best ship we've been on. Very classy without being stuffy. Tremendous food in all venues. Entertainment wasn't the best in the theatre but we became kareoke fans on our cruise and were never bored. The palazzo(?) area was great. Good entertainment there, the sushi/winebar was tremendous and the free snacks from the small eatery located there were tasty. Couldn't go to bed without grabbing a couple freshly baked cookies to take back to the room. The gelatto was good.

 

Movies Under the Stars was awesome! Nothing like watching Monday Night Football sitting in San Juan harbor on a giant screen.

 

We love Carnival but REALLY LOVE the Crown Princess.

 

You'll be happy with which ever you choose.

[jennbill]

That should read "on a giant screen, sitting in San Juan harbor".

[mainer208]

Thanks for the update on the Crown Princess. Interesting reading others perspective! When I referenced cost, I meant that when I researched Princess, it was $1,000 more than Carnival for the 2 of us, not that it was $1,000 each. Meaning, instead of $2,000 for 2 on Carnival for a balcony cabin, it was nearly $3,000 for 2 on Princess.

[hubofhockey]

Good to read this thread. OP posted similar thread on Princess board and I defended Conquest Class ships over there. I am looking forward to my Crown Princess cruise next April.

 

For a young person, who might be more concerned about value and saving $500 to $1,000 per couple, the Glory might be the right choice.

[Kurbanfan]

Good to read this thread. OP posted similar thread on Princess board and I defended Conquest Class ships over there. I am looking forward to my Crown Princess cruise next April.

 

For a young person, who might be more concerned about value and saving $500 to $1,000 per couple, the Glory might be the right choice.

 

 

I know I will probably get crap for this because this is the Carnival board.

But I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the Crown and you will see where the extra money goes:)

Also depending on time of year you can get a great price. We paid the same amount for our balcony cabin on the Crown as we did for a balcony cabin on the Valor......

[direfun2000]

I was hoping someone could share some insight on these two ships. Hubby and I have never been on either line (or any line for that matter :p ) and we're planning a cruise to the eastern caribbean for Jan. '09. We originally found the Crown Princess as our first choice, but I recently came across the Carnival Glory and was wondering which is better. Our main 'requirements' are a nice big ship with a diverse age group (we're in our mid 20's and hoping to meet others close in age) lots of dining choices, great food, lots of bars and other onboard activities. We're really not picky, we just want to have a great, romantic, fun and memorable trip! Carnival Glory is cheaper than Princess, however if it's worth it than we're willing to spend the extra $$$. Any info on one or both of these ships would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance for any replies.:D

 

~Sara

 

 

 

By and far The Crown. Let us know what you decide.

[nschurr]

FYI-A good TA can get you prices that are cheaper for Princess cruises then are advertised on the Princess web site. Princess still allows TAs to advertise lower prices. There are many online and brick & mortar TAs out there, just check them out.

[hubofhockey]

I know I will probably get crap for this because this is the Carnival board.

But I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the Crown and you will see where the extra money goes:)

Also depending on time of year you can get a great price. We paid the same amount for our balcony cabin on the Crown as we did for a balcony cabin on the Valor......

 

I am really looking forward to going on the Crown Princess. I also have the money to afford it. I got a quad balcony cabin for around $4,200 for a 7-day cruise during next April school vacation week. I paid $3,800 for my 8-day Liberty balcony for four last month. But the price for that one went up to more than the Crown Princess.

 

Just from the pictures I have seen of the Crown Princess and the description of the amenities, programs, courses, etc., I am pretty psyched.