Celebrity or Pincess to Hawaii

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AngelFan

Guest
We’re looking at a Christmas cruise to Hawaii next year, 15 day round-trip from Los Angeles. Torn between the Diamond Princess and the Celebrity Summit. They’re about the same price for a veranda room. We’re in our late 40’s, so I’d prefer a “younger†crowd, and more nightclub/dancing environments. Any suggestions or preferences between the two ships?
 
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BSeabob

Guest
You do realize that this is the X forum right :D Anyways not having sailed on P I can't give a personal comment. My acquaintances that have do favour X. :) however!!
Reasons are staff being friendlier and overall cruise experience.

My comment on you guys looking for a little more activity is based on a number of X RCI and HAL cruises. Those of over 14 days generally find an older crowd period. That being said there have always been people in your age group on board any sailing and we have always been able to find someone that fits in and wants to shake it up a little. There will be around 1800 people on the ship. Someone will party with you I'm quite sure.
Sailed the Infinity a sister ship to the Summit and it is a larger ship that does not feel like one excpt when you want to go back to front in a hurry. Good access to all area's. Nice show room and public area's. Never feel crowded after the first day and a half when everyone settles in.
 
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Frank Black

Guest
I have been on numerous Princess and Celebrity cruises. Including the Sapphire Princess and Millennium. I like Celebrity a bit more, but the Diamond is nice ship with a bit more to do. They have PC dining if you want it. I don't think you can go wrong either way, but I would take celebrity first.
 
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AngelFan

Guest
Thanks for the input. I posted this on the Princess board also, but didn’t get anyone defending their position. Anyway, I’ve chosen to go on Celebrity. A few pros and cons for both lines, but I agree, it’s a no-lose situation. The thing that really swayed me was the itinerary. Celebrity stops in Oahu for two days, and Princess is only there for one, and it’s Christmas day, when much of what I want to see is closed. Also, Celebrity spends 6 days in 4 ports, as opposed to 5 days in 5 ports. So, thanks again for the advice, and if anyone has any general advice regarding the Summit, I would appreciate it. My only cruise experience has been twice on the Carnival Pride (which we loved).
 
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Ine

Guest
We cruised Summit in March 06 to Hawaii and loved it.
The ship is very nice, food was excellent and it had a great crew.
We rented cars in the islands (reservations necessary), easy to do and the best way to make your own schedule.
 
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kat9661

Guest
Angelfan-
We too have been trying to decide between Celebrity and Princess for Hawaii next year. We are currently booked on the Diamond for October 2007. Just wanted to point out that although the itinery lists 6 days in port on the Summit the ship leaves Honolulu at 2:00 am so it really only gives you one full day in Honolulu as you will be leaving just after midnight.
Most of our cruises have been on Celebrity and we love it however we chose Princess for the extra island stop of Kauai and the more varied entertainment venues in the evening. It will be our first cruise on Princess so a little nervous about our decision for such a long cruise but we'll see. Good luck with your planning and have a great cruise!
 
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AngelFan

Guest
Thanks for the input, kat9661. We’ve gone down to Ports-o-call and watched both the Diamond and Summit sail by on their way out to sea, and I’m quite sure I would enjoy either one. I’m sure you will have a great time, and let me know what to see in Hawaii if you get a chance. And you’re right; I misread the itinerary, which really screws up my plans. But I’m really glad you pointed it out, I’ve got plenty of time to change things around. I would still rather be in Honolulu on December 30th than the 25th.
 
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kat9661

Guest
Hi Angelfan,
Taking a cruise over a holiday adds another element of planning as to where you are on which day, we've never been over the Christmas but would like to go over New Years someday. Next year we'll be on board over Halloween though!! It sounds like you are a planner like me. I have a couple calendars for next year with the different cruise itineraries filled in to see which fit best with our "real life" schedule! It's crazy how much planning goes into a two week trip that is now less than a year away!!! We cruise on the 19th of October 2007.Happy planning!
 
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randy

Guest
On last year's cruise to Hawaii (San Diego RT on Infinity), we talked to some Princess cruisers in Kona who were very disappointed in their trip. While our itineraries were nearly identical, they said that the cruise experience was "vanilla," with little or no "Hawaii" in it other than the ports. The enrichment lectures were about investments and health, not Hawaii, the Pacific, or even WWII in the Pacific. The entertainment and music was all "generic," and the information provided amounted to a handout that was "available" at the Purser's desk, rather than port lectures or presentations.
Not having done Princess to Hawaii, but having two Celebrity cruises there, I'd say stick with the Celebrity booking.
 
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AngelFan

Guest
Thanks for the input, Randy. I must say that I’m surprised that I didn’t get any positive input on the Princess board for the same post. That alone tells me a lot. Had I asked for the same comparison on the Carnival board, I would have received dozens of pro-Carnival responses. I expected the same from the Princess group, but it didn’t happen. Is there no one that is so pro-Princess that they will say so?
 
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randy

Guest
Normally, there are rabid Princess fans, who will defend their favored line against all slurs ("hey, any ship can tip over and dump passengers to the deck when they do battle turns! Lots of cruise ships catch on fire!"). It may be that the opinions of those cruisers I met in Kona reflect a fact, that Princess, for all its good points (I'm sure there are many, in fact our Princess cruise was fine, just not our favorite), just doesn't "do" Hawaii as well as other itineraries. YMMV.
Anyhow, you shouldn't go wrong with your planned cruise. I'd not want to have my day in Honolulu be the 25th, either!
 
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