Royal Caribbean vs. Princess Cruises

[frndshpcptn]

Hi all-

I'm hoping the wise people of the DIS can help me with my next (non Disney) vacation decision.

My DBF and I are taking a cruise in early January. We are considering the Freedom of the Seas and the Ruby Princess.

We are in our early-to-mid 30's, no kids. We don't drink a lot - we like a mix of relaxation and adventure for a vacation. I've been on Enchantment of the Seas and he's never been on a cruise.

I love the idea of MUTS on the Princess ship. I like the Ruby itinerary a bit better (both are Eastern Caribbean, one has 2 sea days, one has 3).

I'm intrigues by the Flow Rider on Freedom, as well as the ice rink and climbing wall.

I'm worried that the crowd on the Ruby will be 15-20 years older than we are...which isn't a huge issues - but gives me a bit of pause.

Help!! Does anyone have any thoughts on which is the better option for us?

 

[IFLOSIRI]

I prefer carnival the fum ship very resonable and alot of fun for all.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I cannot speak to RCCL, but we have sailed Princess a number of times and always enjoyed it. The crowd leans toward slightly older folks but we never felt out of place (we sailed the line in our late 20s through mid 30s). It is not a booze cruise or party ship, but there are lots of fun activities that still appeal to a board age range (including fun nights in the clubs--just not the kind of heavy college like parting we saw on Carnival for example). Cruise critic would be a great board to look at to research the two lines and compare.

 

[DawnCt1]

We have sailed RCCL and Celebrity. Haven't sailed Princess. From what I understand, the demographic is older on Princess, not as old of course as Holland America, but older than RCCL. I prefer the food on Celebrity but we are sailing the Oasis of the Seas because of the younger demographic in early January. DS#4 (college student) is coming a long.

 

[frndshpcptn]

thanks!

I've been on cruise critic as well - but I'm still really undecided. I figured since I ususally like the variety of opinions I read on here it would be a good place to ask as well!

 

[DawnCt1]

thanks!

I've been on cruise critic as well - but I'm still really undecided. I figured since I ususally like the variety of opinions I read on here it would be a good place to ask as well!

I love cruise critic when I narrow down my options. Those who sail on Carnival all of the time, LOVE Carnival, same with all of the other sub forums. People generally post where they love. I am trying to get some help with one night pre cruise. Last time we stayed two nights at Hyatt Place and it was fine, but I want to be downtown or near the beach and don't want to rent a car. We felt we needed one for two night but I don't think we do for one night.

 

[Bethenny]

Dawn, there's a home port section on CC that has lots of good discussion on where to stay pre/post-cruise.

OP, I doubt you could go wrong with either line. Normally I would say go for the itinerary, but you did mention some features on RCI that you would enjoy. I've not done Princess, but RCI is really a fantastic cruise line. You may want to go with the one that has the better deal.

 

[tinatark]

I love cruise critic when I narrow down my options. Those who sail on Carnival all of the time, LOVE Carnival, same with all of the other sub forums. People generally post where they love. I am trying to get some help with one night pre cruise. Last time we stayed two nights at Hyatt Place and it was fine, but I want to be downtown or near the beach and don't want to rent a car. We felt we needed one for two night but I don't think we do for one night.

Dawn, check for posts by burbunny (I think that's her name!) on cc - she has a WEALTH of information about hotels.

OP, I think the demographic on RC would be more your age, if that type of thing is important to you. I agree with a pp, go with the one with the best price. In January, I think the demographic is generally an older one, anyway, because of the weather, both in the islands and on the mainland!

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn, there's a home port section on CC that has lots of good discussion on where to stay pre/post-cruise.

OP, I doubt you could go wrong with either line. Normally I would say go for the itinerary, but you did mention some features on RCI that you would enjoy. I've not done Princess, but RCI is really a fantastic cruise line. You may want to go with the one that has the better deal.

I have been there too. I know the area that I want to stay in. I am just up in the air about what to bid on Priceline or take the "mystery hotel on Hotwire. It's sort of a "tag sale" mentality. If you know you can get it for less, or you think you can, it leads to paralysis by analysis.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We have sailed RCCL and Celebrity. Haven't sailed Princess. From what I understand, the demographic is older on Princess, not as old of course as Holland America, but older than RCCL. I prefer the food on Celebrity but we are sailing the Oasis of the Seas because of the younger demographic in early January. DS#4 (college student) is coming a long.

Dawn I would love it if you would post more of your opinion on Celebrity. We are sailing them for the first time in 3 weeks. I have browsed cruise critic but I like opinions of people I feel like I "know"

 

[frndshpcptn]

Princess actually has a better rate at the moment - I can get a mini-suite on the Ruby for the same price as a balcony room on the Freedom.

The only real difference in itinerary is the stop at Grand Turk on the Ruby - otherwise it's pretty much the same Eastern Caribbean trip.

Urgh....I know I'll probably be happy either way - I just can't decide! DBF is leaving it pretty much up to me - his only request was a relaxing week away and people somewhat near our age on board (so, no Holland America).

It's also our first real vacation together...so I'm probably stressing a bit mroe than I usually would because I want it to be great and for him to think I'm good at planning trips

 

[frndshpcptn]

Dawn, check for posts by burbunny (I think that's her name!) on cc - she has a WEALTH of information about hotels.

OP, I think the demographic on RC would be more your age, if that type of thing is important to you. I agree with a pp, go with the one with the best price. In January, I think the demographic is generally an older one, anyway, because of the weather, both in the islands and on the mainland!

thanks!

Do you think the weather will make the water unswimmable for the Eastern itinerary?

 

[frndshpcptn]

I love cruise critic when I narrow down my options. Those who sail on Carnival all of the time, LOVE Carnival, same with all of the other sub forums. People generally post where they love. I am trying to get some help with one night pre cruise. Last time we stayed two nights at Hyatt Place and it was fine, but I want to be downtown or near the beach and don't want to rent a car. We felt we needed one for two night but I don't think we do for one night.

I had that same thought - I feel like once I choose a boat I will get TONS of great advice there - but I'm not even sure where I'd post a general question like this one over there. I like the advice of the DIS on an initial question like this one

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn I would love it if you would post more of your opinion on Celebrity. We are sailing them for the first time in 3 weeks. I have browsed cruise critic but I like opinions of people I feel like I "know"

I absolutely LOVE Celebrity. Our first Celebrity cruise was on the Galaxy, an older Mercury class ship. I went with a female friend and DS#4. He was about 14 or 15 at the time. We had sailed the Voyager the year before and when we boarded DS said, "This isn't going to be that great". Within 3 hours we all loved it, older ship or not. The staff and crew remembers your name, (a little thing), the chaise lounges all have chair pads, the ship is extremely clean and polished. The crew is always professional. No one is screaming "Get your Bahama Mama" at the pool. The food was fabulous. We really noticed this. The hot food is hot, the cold food is cold. The options at the adults only pool, Aqua Spa for healthy lunches were delicious and creative. DS loved it. He is very outgoing but found it easier to meet friends because the group was a bit smaller and they had great activities for teens.
The following year we booked the Infinity. Larger, new, equally clean, wonderful food, excellent staff. Even though it was larger, it was just as friendly and personal as the smaller Galaxy. About 4 years ago I finally got DH to go. He only likes to cruise every few years. We sailed the Millenium. Same as the Infinity. What I love about the Celebrity cruises is the deck off of the back of the casual dining restaurant. We would go through the buffet line and eat on the back deck. It was wonderful to enjoy breakfast while docking in St. Thomas or being at sea. There is also a bar on the back deck with quiet music. We saw Pepe, the spanish guitarist on a couple of those cruises. DS enjoyed listening to him, both on the Galaxy and the Infinity. On our last cruise he asked about Pepe. Apparently he was well known in the Celebrity family and we were told he had had a stroke.
One good book to read while you are lounging out by the pool is "If I were not upon the Sea'. Its a poorly written book about a young woman who went to see as a crew member, became a staff member and eventually married a captain. True, autobiographical story but its a fun read. You can buy it in the gift shop on board.

 

[DawnCt1]

Princess actually has a better rate at the moment - I can get a mini-suite on the Ruby for the same price as a balcony room on the Freedom.

The only real difference in itinerary is the stop at Grand Turk on the Ruby - otherwise it's pretty much the same Eastern Caribbean trip.

Urgh....I know I'll probably be happy either way - I just can't decide! DBF is leaving it pretty much up to me - his only request was a relaxing week away and people somewhat near our age on board (so, no Holland America).

It's also our first real vacation together...so I'm probably stressing a bit mroe than I usually would because I want it to be great and for him to think I'm good at planning trips

If you are going before college resumes, you are probably going to get a younger crowd anyway. I am cheap. We get an inside cabin. I figure that it isn't the Titanic and we won't have to be confined to steerage or eat in a cafeteria. If I were doing an Alaskan cruise, I would get a balcony. We are in the room to sleep and change. That's it. When I can't decide, I pick by price. We picked the Oasis this January, even though there are other ships that are no doubt a better value, because we are bringing DS. I am sure he could find someone to hang with no matter what ship we picked but this sounds exciting to him.

 

[NHdisneylover]

THANK YOU Dawn--this sounds like exactly what we were hoping for. We all enjoy the elegance and sophistication a cruise ship can offer and wanted to try a step further in that direction.
I am so glad to hear the teen programming is good. We fully expect there to be virtually no kids on a med cruise this time of year with Celebrity, but the kids are okay with that (they do better in small groups anyway) but the programming and staff can make all the difference.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Can't say anything for RCCL or Princess ... but we went on 2 NCL cruises (the NCL Star to Alaska and the NCL Epic to Mexico) and they were both fantastic!! (This is with our family ages from 9 thru 66.)

The Epic has the rock walls, 6 bowling lanes, sports deck, and even a 3-slide water park!! (Which, by the way, was Awesome!!) The general "age" of cruisers on these ships would be right what you're looking for. You may want to check them out just to see if there's an itinerary there that you like.

I agree with the PPs ... go to cruisecritic.com and you will get a TON of info there!

Whichever line you choose, you'll probably have a fantastic time!!

.

 

[frndshpcptn]

If you are going before college resumes, you are probably going to get a younger crowd anyway. I am cheap. We get an inside cabin. I figure that it isn't the Titanic and we won't have to be confined to steerage or eat in a cafeteria. If I were doing an Alaskan cruise, I would get a balcony. We are in the room to sleep and change. That's it. When I can't decide, I pick by price. We picked the Oasis this January, even though there are other ships that are no doubt a better value, because we are bringing DS. I am sure he could find someone to hang with no matter what ship we picked but this sounds exciting to him.

Eeeek...I defintiely don't want it to be college-kid heavy.

I don't mind an inside room, but I think since we will be on board for 7 nights, I'd like to spend part of the time on the balcony of my room reading / watching the water go by. I don't want to be "in the mix" at all times for the week - I'm definitely the type of person that needs a bit of quiet time here and there...

 

[Chelley00]

I cannot speak to RCCL, but we have sailed Princess a number of times and always enjoyed it. The crowd leans toward slightly older folks but we never felt out of place (we sailed the line in our late 20s through mid 30s). It is not a booze cruise or party ship, but there are lots of fun activities that still appeal to a board age range .

This was our experience as well. We LOVED our Princess cruise, but we were definately in the minority as far as age. We enjoyed it, because it was a "quieter" cruise, and there weren't very many kids on board at all. The food was good, the staff was great and the whole thing was very relaxing, which was exactly what we wanted for a couples only trip. If you end up going to Grand Turk and want an idea of an excursion, there is a bed and breakfast that offers day passes with lunch and private beach. It was the highlight of our cruise.

When we take the family this summer, we're going RCCL because I think it's a better fit for our kids. There wasn't a lot of "active" activities on Princess.

 

[DawnCt1]

We stayed at Hyatt Place two nights before our cruise which was on a Sunday. We checked in on Friday and thought we had checked into the local assisted living center. We were one of the few families there and were by far the youngest, with the mean age of the group being in their mid seventies. In the morning the reason was apparent. They were all getting on the shuttle for their Holland America cruise.