Possible RC defector to Princess - should I?

[cruisebuddy]

I've sailed with RC almost exclusively for several years, but have noticed that, lately, they're starting to price themselves a little high. When I can find the exact same cruise (itinerary, balcony suite, departure port) with another line (Princess) for several hundred dollars less, I'm thinking about defecting.

This is directed to those who have cruised with both lines. Talk to me. Tell me why I should change my loyalty to Princess, the pros and cons, food, entertainment, the whole nine yards.

The two seem to be similar in nature, so give it to me straight. RC may be losing a very loyal customer. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[duskbat]

RCCL i think has very nice food. all cruises are nice. just go back and forth

 

[Cruise cutie]

Bearing in mind I have only ONE RCL cruise under my belt( and it was on Mariner with 250 cruise @ddicts!!..) .and am a Certified "Princess Princess".. :grin..here goes.. and JMHO..

we truly enjoy the ambience of Princess.. her muted decor, nooks and crannies to be in for just people watching, or reading, and just laying back..
the AFT ADULT only pools are fabulous.security keeps 18 years and older allowed in these...the pools are fresh water.. and the hot tubs are pretty much 24/7 and they have a ton of things to do but then again.. if it's to be a relaxing time with less kids, no need for a rock-climbing wall, and a skating show etc.. it's plenty busy for us.. they have a lovely daily Mid Afternoon Tea in the Dining Room with music, and a chance to meet and mingle with folks from all over the world..
The pizza is great at the grill/ or restaurant.. I make my own at home, and it is subjective,,but my husband Mark thinks the burgers/ dogs/ pizza is fabulous..:grin.there is FREE home-made ice cream available in the Horizon Court each and every day about 3:30PM.. it's in the daily paper the "Princess Patter" announcing the time...somehow my Dear husband shanghais me there about every other day.. ice cream is one of his weaknesses for food, YUMM.. I eat it more on a ship then the WHOLE year at home.. .

Wine and champagne are ALLOWED and OK to bring with you ON Princess.. UP the gangway with you, or in your luggage. not a problem, therefore the issue of and having to "stash" it if you want to have a sailaway / pre-dinner cocktail in your room,is removed..we have a traditional sailaway toast on deck each time our First night leaving the port.. with a special brand we enjoy!!.. if you so choose.. there ARE liquor and beer packages available to purchase to have IN your room but the option to carry and bring wine, and Champagne are there.. we pack a corkscrew in our luggage, and I have plastic glasses I pack also..

I am Italian and quite fussy, but the food on Princess exceeds so far all our needs..I bake a LOT at home, and my 5 kids tend to be lucky enough to be average build but enjoy yummo food.. so I churn out home-made food all the time when our growns "come home"..and inasmuch as I have eaten at Gourmet places. the service , and preperation does well for serving over 1950 folks in a 4 hour time place.. the Sterling Steak House extra cost steak place is outstanding to my raised in Beef Country Colorado Husband.. and he is hard to impress!!

we do not do shows..but we certainly have enjoyed out times in the Casino..:grin.. we have taken home a LOT more through the years than we have donated.. so far just luck I think.

The bands they book, and the Orchestra, music is great. My husband and I go dancing most nights.. there is always a place for us to go.. and I get out the heels, and he takes me out to enjoy what is NOT readily available here in Vermont.....


we also have been blessed in having very good ,polite kids on our sailings, have to confess that we do 2 weeks at a time or more.. and they are Valentines sailings.... so couples prevail.. and the most kids so far is 37 ,and no issues ...and sad to say there were 300 kids, and a billion strollers nipping at my heals on Mariner.. and we were NOT happy to have that.. as I said JMHO..

we also just adore the "ghost booking option" to purchase a undeclared future sailing deposit good up to 4 years for $200.00 and available room credit.. if you change your mind it is fully refundable.. we always leave each sailing with 2 more "ghosts" now..

hope you get more posts with info..Happy research.....Joanne

 

[Litho]

I am an Elite member with Princess and just three weeks ago took our first RC cruise on the Freedom. I was quite impressed with RC..I liked the seperation of the pools better, I liked the hot tubs better the embarkation was better..the health club is better... the major thing I did not like about RC was the fixed seating for dinners..we enjoy sitting by the pool and going by our own schedule. We went the first evening to our fixed seating and the service is soooo slow under that environment. The balance of the evenings we went to the buffet which was quite good...the Princess anytime dining is quite superior plus the buffet is better for meals

We really enjoyed the RC quality

 

[Tobyn]

They are about equal to us. The major difference being Princess has fresh water pools and they are open longer.

 

[sailingrose]

I am a long time RCI cruiser(25+cruises) but wanted to check out Princess. We had done Princess years before and liked it. Both lines have good and bad points. I agree with most except the dining room service.

We did anytime on Caribbean Princess and felt like we were at a restaurant at home. The waiter was excellent (we kept him all week) but no special touches,never saw a headwaiter,felt rushed so others could take our table. I also had a difficult time with the Matre'd not wanting to give us the waiter we wanted but he took the money I offered and suddenly it worked. I tip well and don't mind at all but felt like I had to tip him to get what I wanted. We swore we wouldn't do it again but decided to try "traditional dining" next time.

Last year we went on the Crown and had traditional dining! Loved it. The service was outstanding. The headwaiter sent special dishes like calamari, fried shrimp, special desserts, etc. This was some of the best service we ever received. We felt very comfortable and were very pleased. We are booked on the Coral Princess in November with traditional dining.

Princess is much more restful and quiet to us. We will continue to sail with them as well as RCI. We just pick them for different reasons.

Side note.....Yes, I realize that Matre'd might be an exception. I had wonderful service elsewhere on the ship and showed all of them my appreciation.

 

[cruisebuddy]

Thanks to all for your input and I still welcome more. This is directed to sailingrose - I don't follow your post. Do they offer a choice between traditional dining and anytime dining? We prefer traditional dinging, and I'm not sure if that is what you were referring to.

Litho - so far so good for me. We're not the swimmers/hot tubbers, so that part isn't important to us. Sounds like we might enjoy Princess.

Thanks again!

 

[sailingrose]

Yes, they offer both "traditional" dining (set table and time) and anytime dining. "Traditional" is our preference too but sometimes it's not available when you book. We tried to get into "traditional" dining on Caribbean but there were no openings even after we boarded.

 

[Lady Jag]

I've sailed many, many times on both cruise lines and they are about as similar as you can get!! Princess does a few things better & RCI does a few other things better, but all-in-all, they are on the same level.

If you enjoyed one, most likely you'll enjoy the other.

 

[cruisebuddy]

Lady Jag and all,

Points made, we are converts! We booked the Emerald Princess for November. Sorry, RC, but you have lost a customer, one that does 2-3 cruises a year. I'm fixing to write them a little bon voyage letter of my own, not that they will care. And as most cruise-a-holics, we can't wait til our next cruise!!