Star Princess or Mariner of the Seas??

[knicely]

I have never tried Princess before and wondered how it compared to RCI? We were on a cruise on the Navigator of the Seas recently. It was a great cruise, but the food needed work. I was especially disappointed with the ice cream and pizza. Also, with breakfast on room service menu. I was pleased that they offered turkey sausage as an alternative to pork sausage in the Windjammer cafe. Also, there wasn't any outdoor tables to eat at, except for the ones at Johnny Rockets and very little food available outdoors.

I haven't been on Carnival in many years, but when I sailed Carnival the staff was rude especially after the tipping. However, they cooked good.

Navigator shined in every way except for the food.

We are thinking about sailing on the Star Princess eastern Caribbean itinerary or Mariner of the Seas eastern itinerary later this year. I would appreciate any input on these two vessels.

I am thinking about asking a friend to join us, but she is single with a child. I was reading some of the professional reviews about cruiselines that singles should avoid. Would Princess be one of them? Some reviews say singles traveling alone should avoid or singles should avoid.

 

[gaa]

We have been on the Star twice (the past two Aprils) to the Mexican Riviera. We loved the ship. We did it once just as a hubby and wife couple, and once with two 15 year old girls. We had great service, and good (not great) food in the dining room We did not care for the Horizon Court, but the teens loved it. We are not buffet people, but it was very popular. We really enjoyed the dinners at Sabatinis. Room service is quick and they will bring you anything that is on the dining room menu, even if it is not on the room service menu. The pizzeria and grill by the pool were very good and there was never a problem finding an outdoor table. The teen who went with us last year said the food was better than RCL--can't remember which ship she went on before, but it was one of the ones with the rock climbing wall. She was disappointed there was no midnight buffet, although the regular buffet---Horizon Court-- was open.

Regarding your friend, there is a great children's program, but I really can't comment on singles. We saw 20-somethings without apparent partners looking like they were having a good time at the disco and around the pool, but didn't really notice older singles (doesn't mean they weren't there).

Hope this helps!

 

[bfpierce2004]

i went on the star princess to alaska last summer. it is a wonderful ship and princess is a wonderful line...wonderful food, wonderful service, wonderful cabins....you cant go wrong with the star