Newbie: aft on Celebrity better than Princess to Alaska?

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chirk

Guest
Greetings,

We're a family of three planning a Vancouver-Seward cruise, our first. Do NOT like crowds or fancy airs but appreciate and want high quality. Hubby and 16-year-old daughter going reluctantly.

Shocked that rooms are already all booked!

Options available:
1. Aft on Celebrity summit, Vista deck 7024. (Concerns: Noise? Wake? Engine? Vibrations? View blocked? Why is this the last available such stateroom?)

2. Shore-facing with Island Princess, a little less expensive. (Food seems to get universally weak reviews; loud-speaker system starts bright and early? Lower quality than Celebrity for nearly same money?)

Or another cruiseline within reasonable prices??

Feedback please! Thank you.



Post Edited (02-08-04 13:52)
 
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CruiseAholic

Guest
As much as I like Princess, if you can get an aft cabin on the Summit do it ! Have had aft cabins (with balconies) on the Summit and the Millennium and they are fantastic, balcony is almost as large as the room.

I have no complaints about the food on Princess. Food likes/dislikes/tastes are subjective, so I really don't pay much attention when someone complains about food. I have found the food on most of my cruises to very good to excellent.
 
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DJA

Guest
I'm not crazy about aft cabins because on many ships there is vibration and noise, but as indicated above... lots of people really like them. Not sure about that cabin # though, 7024 is forward... maybe 7204??

As for Princess, we've cruised with them 20 times and have never had a significant complaint about the food... nor have I seen any evidence of universally weak reviews. As for the loudspeakers, I can't ever remember noticing it as an annoyance, and certainly never bright and early in the morning, or from inside your cabin. Princess is also very experienced in Alaska, they have had a far more significant presence there than most lines for many, many years.

Been on Celebrity several times as well and I'd be hard pressed to say that Princess is lower quality in any category. Lots of people rave about the food on celebrity, and although I find it excellent, it doesn't strike me as being considerably better than Princess... or any of the other comparable lines for that matter.

You will have a great time on either Princess or Celebrity, both are excellent.

You may also want to look at Holland America... another line with considerable experience in Alaska, and a very high-quality experience.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise whatever you decide.



Post Edited (02-08-04 15:05)
 
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Einstein

Guest
Like CA says ... if its an aft balcony on a Millie Class ship then GO for it. U will love it. :thumb

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egee

Guest
We traveled on the Coral Princess (sister ship to Island Princess)Vancouver to Seward last summer. Have cruised Celebrity before, but not milenium class yet.. I would take the Princess ship for one major reason: most Princess cruises visit Glacier Bay...one of the most pristine beautiful spots on earth! Celebrity chooses not to go through the hassle and expense of gaining U.S. government permits to enter Glacier Bay National Park and visits Hubbard Glacier instead. I've also visited Hubbard Glacier (on a Crystal cruise a few years ago) and Glacier Bay has it all over Hubbard Glacier! Either way I'm sure you'll have a great cruise, though...no bad choices here. Enjoy!!
 
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RICKO

Guest
I would take the Summit for the Pommes Frits and Pasta Bar if for nothing else. Was on Summit to Alaska last year it was fantastic.
 
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CaribbeanSun

Guest
To confuse things, I would say Princess. Glacier Bay is not to be missed on an Alaskan cruise. Also, 16 year old would fit it better on Princess then Celebrity. Very few teens on our Celebrity sailings. Aft is not always the best in Alaska since when you visit a glacier, it rotates for both sides of the ship to see and you would be better off with a side cabin.
 
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