Cruise line Question

[wptamo]

Hiya....

hope this is an appropriate forum for my question...

Can anybody tell me if Princess Cruise Lines are equal to, or better/ worse than Royal Caribbean?

I have taken 3 Cruises with Royal C, and have a 4th booked for 2013... but there was something, sort of a small issue, that made me question why should I be loyal to them?

any info would be welcome.

thanks,

Paul

 

[Passepartout]

You might mention the 'small issue'. With soon-to-be 4 RCCI cruises behind you, you are close-if not into their loyalty perks with goodies like laundry, internet time, upgrades, etc, so at this point the 'small issues' better loom large to start over.

We are in Celebrity's loyalty program, and have a couple of HAL cruises, so can't offer any comparison between the two you listed.

Jim

 

[hypnotiq]

Im a Platinum cruiser on Princess and love them. I've done a cruise on RC and while it was OK, I enjoyed my Princess cruises more.

Also, I agree with Jim. Once you get into the loyalty programs it makes sense to stay unless its a *big* issue. I really enjoy my Platinum benefits.

 

[MommaBear]

I feel that the food and the service was equal on the two lines. We did a bigger, newer ship on Princess, so it had more bells and whisltes such as the big screen movies at the pool. I liked the variety of pools on the Princess, I felt like there was more choice as far as "quiet" vs "noisy" with Princess, whereas RC the volume was about the same everywhere. I liked the midnight buffet on Princess, notice the absence on RC. The decor was more over the top on Princess. I likekd the ice and fruit sculptures. I preferred the entertainment on RC. I preferred both of those lines over Celebrity, but that may be because my Celebrity cruise was on a boat headed into dry dock for refurbishment and it showed it's age. It was a also a shorter cruise, which meant more young people partying. The service and cleanliness was sub-par on the Celebrity ship.

Hope this helps! My demographic- young at heart mid 50's, Princess traveled with 6 people, two generations, RC traveled with a friend, and Celebrity traveled with my late 20's daughters.

 

[geekette]

might depend on what factors you wish to consider.

I like both lines, but give the edge to Princess for Anytime Dining (I think RC has implemented somethign like it by now) and also for a slightly older demographic. It's been about 6 years since my last cruise and I do not recall the other considerations that made me certain that Princess was a better fit for me.

Were I travelling with kids to occupy, I'd look hard at RC. closer to an amusement park at sea.

I also think they are roughly equivalent but would give the edge to Princess as just a hair nicer or more refined or something.

If these are the 2 you are considering, I think you would be happy with either one. If you want way mroe detail than you thought you would ever want, head over to CruiseCritic.com, somewhat The Tug of Cruisers.

 

[wptamo]

Good answers all.
thank you very much for the info!

Will check out that site as well.

Paul

 

[sarahtme]

I have only cruised rc, but my father has cruised both. He said they were comparable other then the food. Royal carribien won hands down.

 

[Twinkstarr]

I cruised Princess last September to Canada/NE, the food was excellent, even the stuff on the buffet. The pizzaria produces pizza as good as I've had in Italy. This was my 3rd Princess cruise, also have done a few RC cruises over the years. Other than Disney, I think most cruise entertainment is pretty hokey. The big movie screen out by the pool was fun.

If intineraries were the same(I pick by ports/length of cruise) I would go with Princess.

 

[SpikeMauler]

Cruised 4 times with Royal Carib and 2 times with Princess. We like Royal Carib much better. Not big fans of Princess...

 

[PStreet1]

I agree that the loyalty program is worth thinking about: discounts on balcony bookings, lounges, priority boarding, priority wait lists, priority for dining times, priority de-embarkation...all little things, but added up, they add to the over-all experience.

To begin with, we scattered our cruises: Holland, Celebrity, and Royal Car. Now, we're sticking to Royal Car, and it's because of the loyalty program.

 

[Conan]

While we're on the subject, I'm trying to choose between Holland America and Celebrity for an Alaska cruise.

Celebrity I know is a larger ship, and people say it's more up-to-date, with special amenities like Aqua Class for about the same price as Holland America standard cabins.

But Holland America has a license to go into Glacier Bay, and Celebrity doesn't. Is that reason enough to go with Holland America?

(Regent is a third alternative, much more expensive up front but free excursions, drinks and an airfare credit maybe make it competitive. But it also doesn't go into Glacier Bay.)

 

[lvhmbh]

Have you considered Celebrity? You can transfer your loyalty points into their program. I'm looking at a cruise with them and, since my husband is platinum with Royal Carib, he would qualilfy for their second to highest awards. We sail for itinerary and have not been on Princess.

 

[Pat H]

Have you considered Celebrity? You can transfer your loyalty points into their program. I'm looking at a cruise with them and, since my husband is platinum with Royal Carib, he would qualilfy for their second to highest awards. We sail for itinerary and have not been on Princess.

How do you do that? I have been on 3 RC cruises and am going on my first Celebrity in Jan.

 

[Passepartout]

But Holland America has a license to go into Glacier Bay, and Celebrity doesn't. Is that reason enough to go with Holland America?

Even though we have some status with Celebrity, (imo) the whole reason to cruise to Alaska is to see Glacier Bay. Otherwise the ports are just overcrowded small towns with too many cruise line sponsored jewelry stores and T-shirt shops. Unless you spend a bunch extra to get away for a 'real' Alaska experience.

Hence, we took the grandurchins to Alaska last Summer on Holland America.

Jim

 

[PStreet1]

If you do a google search for "Aqua Class" + Celebrity, it will take you to a cruise critic discussion of exactly what "Aqua Class" is. It may, or may not, be of interest to you. I found it interesting that Aqua Class originally included balcony cabins that were somewhat smaller (and still does at least some of the time), and I discovered that the benefits of being in one of those cabins wern't something I cared about. I've noticed that the difference in price between aqua class and regular balconies is often quite small--and sometimes, the aqua class staterooms are even a little less than the regular balconies--it all depends on how the ship is filling at the moment you are booking.

For me, the whole point of cruising to Alaska is seeing Glacier Bay. If I'm not doing that, I'm not going.

 

[PStreet1]

How do you do that? I have been on 3 RC cruises and am going on my first Celebrity in Jan.

Sign up for Captain's Club on Celebrity. Give it a few days, and your status with Royal Caribbean will show in your Captain's Club account. Celebrity does status by number of cruises rather than by days.

 

[pedro47]

May I suggest you go over to Cruise Critic web site and read the many reviews by actual passengers on both cruise lines. They are postive and negatives remarks on both lines. We have sailed / cruised only with Disney and Celebrity.

We like Celebrity better for their service, food and their non smoking policy on their ships.

 

[SDKath]

We've cruised many, many times and have to say Princess and RCCL are equal. HAL and Celebrity are equal although we much prefer Celebrity as the HAL demographic is much older and the ship gets very quiet after about 9-10pm (just our experience but CC folks tend to agree based on reviews).

As to the person asking about Alaska, DEFINITELY go to Glacier Bay!! It is the highlight of any Alaska cruise. Many ships don't have permission to go into the bay so they make it sound like the other bays are equal but I have to say after 4 Alaska cruises that there is no comparison.

I would recommend doing Princess to Alaska, and doing the Glacier Bay experience with them. They have the best Alaska program IMHO -- even nicer than Celebrity, although the Celebrity Solstice is going to Alaska in the 2013 season and that's a gorgeous, modern ship. I am just not sure if they will get into GB...

Katherine

 

[Elli]

I have only cruised rc, but my father has cruised both. He said they were comparable other then the food. Royal carribien won hands down.

I have cruised on both and would say that the food on Royal Caribb. is only slightly better. But, the entertainment was better there as well.

I also like Princess, though, would pick either one, depending on what size ship and itinerary I liked better.

 

[geekette]

While we're on the subject, I'm trying to choose between Holland America and Celebrity for an Alaska cruise.

Celebrity I know is a larger ship, and people say it's more up-to-date, with special amenities like Aqua Class for about the same price as Holland America standard cabins.

But Holland America has a license to go into Glacier Bay, and Celebrity doesn't. Is that reason enough to go with Holland America?

(Regent is a third alternative, much more expensive up front but free excursions, drinks and an airfare credit maybe make it competitive. But it also doesn't go into Glacier Bay.)

HAL HAL HAL for Alaska. You want to go to Glacier Bay!!!

 

[Conan]

HAL HAL HAL for Alaska. You want to go to Glacier Bay!!!

Looks like it's unanimous for Glacier Bay.
Thanks all!!

 

[tompalm]

We have been on five different cruise lines and liked Princess the best. But, we are glad that we did RCL when we took our 20 year old son. They had entertainment set up more for the younger crowd. Celebrity was very good and a close second behind Princess. NCL was the only cruise line to go around the Hawaiian Islands in seven days and that was set up very well for what they do and the variety of age groups that go on that cruise. It really depends on what you are looking for. Pick up a copy of the unofficial guide to cruises and it will provide a lot more info. They update that every year. http://www.amazon.com/The-Unofficial-Guide-Cruises-Guides/dp/0470087919

Regarding Glacier Bay, we did that a year ago on Celebrity and it was excellent. However, the Princess cruise did Hubbard Glacier and I liked that better. On that event, 10 park rangers came on-board the ship and provided an outstanding presentation about the bay. We saw a lot more wild life at Hubbard Glacier. However, if you are not going to Seward, or the Anchorage area, the ship will probably not go to Hubbard.

On Celebrity, we did Icy Straits and it was nice to be in the country and do a hike in the woods. Also, a whale was jumping around the ship for most of the day.

I always go for the newer ships and open seating. But, Princess was the best time that we ever had in Alaska.

 

[spencersmama]

But Holland America has a license to go into Glacier Bay, and Celebrity doesn't. Is that reason enough to go with Holland America?

Another vote for HAL, and I am probably 25-30 years younger than their average alaskan cruise demographic. HAL gets very close to the glaciers and brings park rangers and Alaskan natives on board for educational programs. The shore excursions were reasonably priced, too, IMO. Alaska is a cruise you pick based on the itinerary.

My 2 suggestions- if you want to do a land tour, do it on your own rather than a land/cruise package. We (me, DH,2kids) did a week on land before our cruise. We rented a car and drove to Denali, plus did other attractions. We payed MUCH less for our accommodations and had considerably better food than what us available in "glitter gulch." I actually found Aladka to be one of our less expensive trips, despite it's reputation for being expensive, because we planned it on our own.

The other thing I would suggest us a small boat wildlife and glacier day trip. The small crafts can get very close to the glaciers and turn off their engines. You can hear the creaking and moaning so much better than on a cruise ship. I never got tired of seeing the glaciers calve while on any boat. Alaska is one place that really makes you realize how grand and magnificent the natural world really is.

 

[radmoo]

We are sailing to Alaska on Princess in July. We've cruised Princess before and have loved every sailing. This sailing is r/t Seattle and we were limited on choices given the fact that we will be in Seattle for a family wedding on July 28. So we set sail Sun, July 29. Our itinerary is what it is but I'm looking for tour recommendations. Generally we don't sign up for ship tours but rather opt for private ones, mostly so we are not part of organized chaos and crowd control This worked especially well 2 summers ago in St Petersburg and we saw things that others never did. so I'd love to hear back from Alaska experts . BTW, I'll be 60 and hubby 74 so no extreme hiking please!
You can post or pm me, thanks!

 

[Elli]

We are sailing to Alaska on Princess in July. We've cruised Princess before and have loved every sailing. This sailing is r/t Seattle and we were limited on choices given the fact that we will be in Seattle for a family wedding on July 28. So we set sail Sun, July 29. Our itinerary is what it is but I'm looking for tour recommendations. Generally we don't sign up for ship tours but rather opt for private ones, mostly so we are not part of organized chaos and crowd control This worked especially well 2 summers ago in St Petersburg and we saw things that others never did. so I'd love to hear back from Alaska experts . BTW, I'll be 60 and hubby 74 so no extreme hiking please!
You can post or pm me, thanks!

Did you try cruise critic? We've often arranged private tours through meeting other cruisers on cruise critic and never had a problem.