Anyone with experience on Princess?

[Dug720]

Contemplating a California Coast cruise on the Ruby Princess out of LA (hits San Francisco, Monterrey, and somewhere that starts with an E in Mexico. (I'm not home right now to look at it directly.)

Pics of the ship look beautiful. And at least looking at videos and websites, Princess looks much closer to DCL than some other lines. Just curious for experiences...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Contemplating a California Coast cruise on the Ruby Princess out of LA (hits San Francisco, Monterrey, and somewhere that starts with an E in Mexico. (I'm not home right now to look at it directly.)

Pics of the ship look beautiful. And at least looking at videos and websites, Princess looks much closer to DCL than some other lines. Just curious for experiences...

We've done 2 Princess cruises - Wine Country coastal (Catalina, San Francisco (overnight), Astoria, Victoria, Vancouver) and Baja/Sea of Cortez (San Diego, Cabo, La Paz, Loreto, Puerto Vallarta).

Your cruise probably stops at Ensenada.

We haven't been on the Ruby, but have been on the Crown (I believe they are the same class ship). The decor was somewhat more sedate than on DCL (well, naturally), but it was nice.

We enjoyed both cruises. One thing - the shows are hit or miss. Didn't really care for the shows on our coastal cruise, but there were a couple of pretty good shows on the Baja cruise. They're Vegas-style review shows, not ones with a storyline (like on Disney).

The food on both cruises was fairly mediocre (to me). Basic italian fare, and some not well prepared.

Loved, loved, loved the captain we had on our Baja cruise.

Yes, we'd do a Princess cruise again.

 

[DLgal]

Ensenada. Don't bother getting off there.

I did a Princess cruise a long time ago. My parents cruise a LOT and basically stick with either HAL or Princess. They like them equally.

Princess tends to attract mostly seniors but not sure how the CA Coastal itinerary would affect the passenger mix...might get more younger people who are looking for a cheap local getaway.

 

[SummerMagic]

Princess tends to attract mostly seniors but not sure how the CA Coastal itinerary would affect the passenger mix...might get more younger people who are looking for a cheap local getaway.

We did an Alaskan cruise on the Diamond. The ship was mostly seniors. There were only a handful of people under 40 on there.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks all! Yes, that is the Mexico port.

I don't mind an older group - never was into parties even in high school or college. Lol.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I quite like Princess. They have great upcharge restaurants. Their MDR food is awful IMO, but take that with a grain of salt because I think DCL is mediocre at best and have never found MDR food I actually enjoyed.

Not sure what category you sail in, but I think they have the best suite perks of any mass market line. The free laundry really spoiled me. You also get a one time minibar set up
But you can trade it for wine or 2 coffee cards-we go for the coffee cards.

I don't go to shows when I cruise so I can't speak to that. Although their movie under the stars is my favorite cruise ship activity and probably the only thing out of the navigator I'd ever pay attention to.

I think the ships look nice. The service is on par with other lines including Disney. I sail for the itinerary but all things considered Princess would probably be my line of choice (or Celebrity, but their decent size suites tend to reach a cost tipping point where I'd rather look to Crystal, Regeant, etc.).

 

[Sanchez]

I cannot comment on the itinerary or the Ruby. I can directly compare Regal and Fantasy which are roughly the same size and age, but as that comparison is not relevant I will try to stick to general matters.

In short, for an adult only cruise I would choose Princess over Disney and it is not a close call.

The clientele does skew older though more on the professional side as opposed to walkers and oxygen tanks. Of course, this means that the volume in the MDRs is not cranked up to eleven. The pools are much more sane and the adult areas remain adult. In general, the atmosphere is much more sedate. No slides, deck parties etc.

We have found service to be more professional on Princess as opposed to DCL which is . . . Sometimes cloying. Of course, this can vary depending on the server. If you are looking for magic tricks and parades during your meal then you are out of luck.

Food in the MDRs is about the same- neither is great. Princess has better and more varied upcharge options. Princess excels with the buffet. I cannot stress this enough as DCL's buffet is disappointing both in access and content.

I am a poor source for show/entertainment reviews. I can't sit through DCL or Princess shows.

Princess has a much better selection of movies. While there is no dedicated theatre, all are available in-room. Many can be viewed in the Princess theatre and as part of the Movies Under the Stars showings. There were many first run/newly released movies to choose from.

DCL does better with the split baths but if adults only in a room there is really no concern. Of course,DCL has Disney stuff whuch comes at a premium. However, for the directly comparable measurables I would choose Princess over DCL for a relaxing and quiet cruise.

 

[elvispursley]

I did a Princess cruise from Vancouver to LA. We ended up in a HA balcony room that was HUGE! Service was comparable to DCL, in my opinion--host was friendly and room made up as soon as we left for breakfast.

I thought food on DCL was better, but my mom, who is a frequent/platinum cruiser on Princess, prefers Princess food. I find, as a vegetarian, more options on DCL and that the food tends to change on the buffet, whereas Princess, the food seemed the same ol' stuff. One difference I prefer on DCL is the how they tend to ensure you take a wipe for your hands (I've had CM nearly chase me down to ensure I've taken one, despite having taken one already ). Princess just has the Purell stands for you to use with no one there to "police" it's use. I'd say at least 80% of the people entering the buffet did NOT use the hand gel !!

The pools seemed less crowded (but it didn't seem as warm to be out in them, so could be an itinerary thing). Definitely less kids and older population. We liked the Movies Under the Stars--comfy loungers and warm blankets with popcorn handed out. During the day, wide variety of movies played poolside. I enjoyed the games/trivia shows they had. There was an interesting talk by the cruise director and how he came to have his job--very interesting, but I tend to like talks like that. The production shows were, meh. I preferred the shows on DCL but the comedians were pretty good.

DCL definitely beats Princess in the disembarkation process, hands down! Since I was cruising with my mom, who has some crazy ridiculous platinum-like status, we were able to wait in a "special" lounge until we were cleared to disembark (supposedly, platinum cruisers get to disembark first and are escorted off). Thank goodness for that! There were people waiting all through the walkways/bars/lounges with their bags, waiting to disembark when their number was called. It was so crowded that just walking through the masses started to make me claustrophobic!

The differences on Princess definitely would't stop me from cruising with them again. They're just not DCL. And when my mom is on DCL, I have to remind her that she's not on Princess . We'll likely book with them when we're ready to do AK.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks everyone! The more research I do, the more I am leaning towards giving it a try. I'm making no decisions involving money actually changing hands until at least mid-May, but I have tentatively reserved a hotel room for a couple of nights before in San Pedro - a couple of miles from the port Princess uses - since that's just a CC guarantee and no money going anywhere.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks everyone! The more research I do, the more I am leaning towards giving it a try. I'm making no decisions involving money actually changing hands until at least mid-May, but I have tentatively reserved a hotel room for a couple of nights before in San Pedro - a couple of miles from the port Princess uses - since that's just a CC guarantee and no money going anywhere.

There are hotels in San Pedro? Eww...I wouldn't recommend staying there. It's a dirty, ugly, industrial port city. There is nothing to do there. Try Long Beach, near the aquarium (Shoreline drive). There is a ton of stuff to do, restaurants, and shopping in walking distance. There are several nice hotels right there. I'd go with one of the Hyatts. Uber over to the port on departure day. It's like 10 min away.

 

[Dug720]

There are hotels in San Pedro? Eww...I wouldn't recommend staying there. It's a dirty, ugly, industrial port city. There is nothing to do there. Try Long Beach, near the aquarium (Shoreline drive). There is a ton of stuff to do, restaurants, and shopping in walking distance. There are several nice hotels right there. I'd go with one of the Hyatts. Uber over to the port on departure day. It's like 10 min away.

I use Hilton. There is a Doubletree on the Marina - looked ok.

Does California have Lyft? I don't like Uber for a variety of reasons - and I always feel safer with a Lyft driver.

eta: How is the Hermosa Beach area?

 

[DLgal]

I use Hilton. There is a Doubletree on the Marina - looked ok.

Does California have Lyft? I don't like Uber for a variety of reasons - and I always feel safer with a Lyft driver.

eta: How is the Hermosa Beach area?

I'm sure that hotel is fine but there is literally nothing of interest near it. You will probably end up hanging out in Long Beach anyway.

Yes, CA has Lyft. Most people here drive for both companies.

Hermosa Beach is okay. If you want to go to the beach, it's decent. It's a typical beach town.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

but there is literally nothing of interest near it.

Ports O Call Village
SS Lane Victory
Los Angeles Maritime Museum
Battleship USS Iowa
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

There's a few things to see/do in San Pedro.

 

[Dug720]

I'm sure that hotel is fine but there is literally nothing of interest near it. You will probably end up hanging out in Long Beach anyway.

Yes, CA has Lyft. Most people here drive for both companies.

Hermosa Beach is okay. If you want to go to the beach, it's decent. It's a typical beach town.

Thank you.

Yes, I know...but I had a friend who used Uber once and in a discussion where car services came up, we discovered that we had had the same driver - her with Uber and me with Lyft, and the attitude the driver had was totally different. Plus at least I know my money is going to a company I can feel good about supporting with Lyft.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you.

Yes, I know...but I had a friend who used Uber once and in a discussion where car services came up, we discovered that we had had the same driver - her with Uber and me with Lyft, and the attitude the driver had was totally different. Plus at least I know my money is going to a company I can feel good about supporting with Lyft.

Just another bit of info for your "file". The food at the buffet repeats for 3 days before being changed. Both lunch and dinner.

Not saying the same food is there for 3 days, just the same menu items.

 

[Dug720]

Just another bit of info for your "file". The food at the buffet repeats for 3 days before being changed. Both lunch and dinner.

Not saying the same food is there for 3 days, just the same menu items.

Gotcha. Good to know.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Gotcha. Good to know.

And (not sure I was clear) lunch is one menu, dinner is another. Not the same menu at lunch and dinner.

 

[Dug720]

And (not sure I was clear) lunch is one menu, dinner is another. Not the same menu at lunch and dinner.

Understood. Thanks!

 

[monkeybird]

Saying not to get off in Ensanada isn't really fair, especially if you are able to go to La Bufadora. It's a marine geyser. Pretty cool and quite unique. They also have the most amazing churros there by the blow hole. Of course is getting more developed every year and I was last there at least five years ago so it could very well be different.

 

[quickcat]

We have sailed on the Ruby. We enjoyed their Las Vegas type shows and thought they were good. My DH loved the comedian they had. He was funny- he made fun of HAL passengers a lot. All in good fun. Way different clientele then Disney, which I'm sure you figured. We sailed on her to Alaska, we are in our 40s and I felt young I definitely didn't take the different clientele as a bad thing at all. The staff is all very nice. Their dining room staff was VERY quick. My only complaint was they had the same menu in their main dining room every single night. And I always read people talking about their great buffets, my personal opinion was that Disney's buffet was way better. Just many more choices. We didn't eat at any pay restaurants so I can't comment on that. I loved the milk shakes and the pizza!! They also had cookies and milk served for their movie that played on the deck in the evening which was nice. I did the afternoon tea with my mother-in-law and she thought that was great. I'm not much of a tea person but still enjoyed the company
They never had out the mini golf clubs?? We always had to go around asking staff where to find them and it always seemed to be a big production.
We stayed in a mini suite and it was very nice, very spacious.
Good luck with your decision!

ETA: I don't know if you have children but my daughter who was six at the time loved their kids club. She hates Disney's -way too many kids, way too busy. The Ruby's does shut down periodically throughout the day which was never a problem for us but I just found it interesting how much she loved their kids club. Way smaller and by the end of the cruise all the kids knew each other and were friends.