Princess Cruises?

[3 things]

Seeing the question about Norwegian cruises makes me want to ask if anyone has any comments about Princess cruises? My wife and I booked a July 25th cruise 7-day Alaska on one of their new "huge" ships -- Sapphire Princess. Since it has it's first sail in May, I don't expect to get any specifics from DISboard about it, but maybe in general comments?

Food? Service? Rooms? Bars? Gyms? Spas? Fellow cruisers? Anything else?

PS - I wish Disney sailed Alaska!

 

[magic cruiser]

We have sailed on several cruise lines.Princess and Celebrity really "tie" for 1st place with Disney a very close 2nd. The service was the best on Princess, not nec friendlier than Disney, maybe a bit more efficient and accomodating.The food is definately better quality and seemed to have more choices. The galley staff on Princess is Italian and they know how to cook! The entertainment ,I like better on Disney but very good on Princess.I couldn't tell the diff between the spas...may be the same company. Disney #1 for stateroom size, but her verandahs are a bit smaller. We had lounge chairs on our last Celebrity cruise.BTW we are empty nesters and love to sail on Disney !:thewave:

 

[TootyJane]

We've cruised on the Princess Regal in Alaska. Loved the ship. It is one of their older ships so it's quite a bit smaller. Food was fabulous -- especially the bread (baked daily) and pastas. Our servers were great as was our room steward. Mini-suite was a good size. Bars were nice and drinks were moderately priced and they had nice wine packages. Can't comment on spa or gym. We're booked on the Diamond Princess (the Sapphire's sister ship) next March (Spring Break) for the Mexican Riviera. Since we really liked the Regal Princess we're looking forward to cruising on the Diamond.


You should have included the Seabourn cruise line in your poll. It is the best cruise I've ever been on -- next to Disney, of course. HTH

 

[Mjasp]

I also would like to see how this poll shapes up. Since DCL is going West, I would like to see how others who have sailed DCL feel about RCCL, Carnival, Princess and Celebrity.

 

[plutospup]

Does Princess offer a children's menu? I know...with all of the good food aboard a ship, my daughter will still be asking for macaroni & cheese, etc.! Any experience with Princess' kids clubs/activities? Thanks for your help.

Hi 3 Things!

 

[sopandbass]

I believe the Sea Princess doesn't sail in Alaska anymore but we found the ship very nice and the food was good. The service was very good also. We took our daughter who turned 2 during the cruise and traveled with another family with a 2-year-old. Because there weren't the number of children there are on the Disney ships, they fawned over our daughters and they were very spoiled! It was great fun.

They did offer a kids' menu with the usual hamburgers, mac and cheese, etc. They also brought the kids special smaller plates of fruit or crackers during meals.

Our daughter wasn't potty trained but we could stay with her and she was allowed to play in the children's area. Now, the Sea Princess was an older ship so I'm sure the kids' areas one the newer ships are larger. But the other older kids seemed to be having great fun at computers and play areas. There were always activities (crafts, stories, etc) going on while we were there. The counselors seemed great just like the wonderful counselors were just had on the Wonder.

 

[my3kids]

We sailed on Princess, but it was a number of years ago. The meals were great....many more courses and choices galore. Dinner was almost a show in itself. I don't know how it has changed over the years, but we would certainly go on Princess again.

 

[Mjasp]

Seems DCL cruisers are favoring Princess and then RCCL. Interesting.

 

[kaseyC]

I voted Princess too. We have really enjoyed our Princess cruises. I also believe they have one of the largest selections of itineraries as well. I look forward to the time our girls are older and we can try one of their South Pacific cruises and/or New Zealand and Australia.

As you can see by my countdown clock, I will be on the Diamond Princess to Alaska in a few weeks.

 

[3 things]

I'm finding this poll and thread very interesting! And now that you know that people prefer Princess in Alaska, why not join us on the July 25th 7-day Alaska cruise - departing and returning to Seattle!?! *grin* It will be a "magical" trip!

PS - HI Plutospup!!! How's Milton?

PS2 - KaseyC, you might find me emailing you in the weeks following your trip on the Diamond Princess. The Diamond and Sapphire are basically the same ships and it would be GREAT to hear how your trip goes. You know, share the things you learned from your trip!

Take care of each other, y'all!

 

[kaseyC]

3 Things, we originally booked on the Sapphire Princess but her delivery date was pushed back so we moved to the Diamond Princess. Feel free to PM me about our cruise, I am very willing to share my experience. I have read so many great reviews on it from the cruisecritics board. We have also booked some really cool excusion - whale watching w/ Capt. Larry and the Costal Flightseeing and Dogsledding.