Thinking about trying Princess........

[stretch]

My wife and I have been avid RCI enthusiasts, right up until our last cruise. The cost cutting measures that they have implemented have drastically affected the level of service and quality of food that we had become accustomed to. We are very active, in our lower 50's and enjoy fine dining, active nightlife and all the other aspects of a cruise vacation. Tell us what you like about Princess that we should know. This is an honest inquiry. Thank's
Stretch

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03
The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04
The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[cruiserforlife]

Stretch,

On Princess you'll enjoy the following advantages I feel they have over RCCL:

1)Much better food quality & selection
2)Better ship decor with warmer colors/textures
3)Freshwater pools open 24/7
4)Great entertainment
5)Wider range of iteneraries

The service is on a par with RCCL as is the entertainment,both a so close it's splitting hairs.

I know your recent experience on RCCL hasn't been good.My 9/20 NOS cruise was just about a carbon-copy of yours.The nickle & dimeing has got to stop!

I urge you to try Princess.I don't think you'll regret it.

"a bad day at sea is better than a great day at work and a lousy day at sea is still pretty damn good!"

[kimandtim]

Come on guys - we need to get this guy on Princess, he's seriously fun! I recognize you from the RCI boards. I was booked on the Navigator (cabin 1688, can you believe?) and decided to switch back to Princess just because of the concerns you have expressed. I can't say enough good things about the service, WONDERFUL food, and atomosphere offered on Princess. I think that RCI has the "WOW" factor and I hope to go on the Navigator some day but somehow Princess is just where I am comfortable. I originally booked RCI because of my children, but I like that Princess limit the number of kids, so that my children are not just a face in the crowd. I love Personal Choice dining, I like the freshwater pools, I love the 24 hour buffet. It is hard to describe, but they do a good job of providing an atomosphere that is fun, but not obnoxious. I hope this helps and hope to sail with you some day.
AAYE PARANDAA - right back atcha

[sue d. miller]

WOW!!!!!!!! Hi Stretch. Welcome to Princess. We have gone on several cruises on RC. Last October we took our first cruise on Princess. I was literally blown away. The service was the best we have ever had. The crew was smiling, friendly, and would do anything to do as you asked to make sure you had a great time.The ship was beautiful, but maybe a step beneath RC'S decor. Princess is more subtle. Some people don't like the design, but I thought it was great. It is huge, but has lots of intimate places to get away from the big ship feel. They have 3 dining rooms, instead of one large one. Two of the dining rooms are PC and one is traditional.The service and food is outstanding. Lots of entertainment at nite, lounges, casino, shows, and late nite, the skywalker disco, with different kins of music. 24/7 freshwater pools and hot tubs/ 24/7 horizon court buffet. An adult only pool on the aft, with a terrace, and next to the horizon court. You should look on page 2 or three for a website by Chris. He did a wonderful, thorough review of the Golden. It was his first cruise as well. I think it would be worth your while to at least try it once. I don't think you will be dissapointed. Sue

7 Days on The Star Princess OCTOBER,24,2004

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[sue d. miller]

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com) This is a site that might interest you. Sue

7 Days on The Star Princess OCTOBER,24,2004

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[stretch]

Thank's Sue! That's kind of what I was hoping to hear and read. Got some homework to do to plan for the next one but for sure it won't be RCI. It's a shame that things can change so drastically in the period of only 11 months. We were really disappointed on several aspects of the cruise, or just were overly expecting the same experience we had on the same ship the year before. The really sad part is that it's not the staff and crew's fault. It is the direct result of upper management cutting corners. They want every cabin filled on every cruise and cut their prices to make sure they're filled, then the cut back on quality and the number of service personel to cover the price reductions. IMHO, that's not the way to run a service company.
Stretch

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Princess or Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[sue d. miller]

I totally agree, Stretch. I can't believe they would willingly push customers away. Service is everything. Sue

7 Days on The Star Princess OCTOBER,24,2004

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[PARNAMI]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stretch:
Got some homework to do to plan for the next one but for sure it won't be RCI. ........ The really sad part is that it's not the staff and crew's fault. It is the direct result of upper management cutting corners. They want every cabin filled on every cruise and cut their prices to make sure they're filled, then the cut back on quality and the number of service personel to cover the price reductions. IMHO, that's not the way to run a service company.
Stretch

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm with you! I too may be finished with RCI! I love their ships, but I'm not going where, obviously, I'm no longer wanted. Any line that CHARGES for hamburgers...no longer wants my business! Good bye RCI! Hello again, PRINCESS!

Lucky for me, I've been bouncing back and forth between RCI and Princess almost since I began cruising. Next week we're doing Pacific Princess out of Sydney experiencing our new ELITE status with Princsss for the first time. With the possible exception of visiting with a certain captain friend and his wife, who works for RCI, I may never return to RCI again!

WAKE up over there! YOUR MANAGMENT IS DRIVING FORMERLY LOYAL PASSENGERS ELSEWHERE! It's time to make a decision....lose your current managment or lose your current customers. It's your decision!

Before the advent of nickel and diming, Cruising USED TO BE like being wide awake......and dreaming!
http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Now..it's just another vacation!!

Check out my cruise site -
<A HREF="http://parnami.tripod.com" TARGET=_blank>
http://parnami.tripod.com</A>

Every night after 10 eastern time, I can be found in AOL keyword: "Cruise Cafe". Let's talk CRUISING!!!

[odiesam]

My family has done 2 Royal Caribbean cruises also and ready to try something else so I am very interested in the responses.

Can someone tell me though - does Princess not have connecting staterooms? I do not see them on the deck plans. Is this true for all of their ships?

Thanks in advance.

[Seaside2358]

I too have been researching Princess. I think after our upcoming Jewel cruise the next one will be princess. My ultimate is Tahitian Princess...Will be reading these boards and getting suggestions till then...

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;11;6;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
Until Jewel of The Seas<BR


Sensation 3/99
Majesty of The Seas 12/03

[sue d. miller]

No, they do not have connecting cabins. Some parents have booked two cabins, and put the kids in one with a monitor. We have 5 and have booked two, side by side. My hubby in one and me in the other. A quad and a double. I know I will end up with the 3 kids, and hubby will be alone. The kicker is we are renewing our vows this trip. LOL. Good thing we have been together 36 yrs. Sue

7 Days on The Star Princess OCTOBER,24,2004

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[Pam in CA]

Having been on two RCI cruises in just over a year and several Princess cruises, I agree with the above sentiments.

* Princess service is much better than RCI, overall. There will always be some exceptions but from the Purser's Desk to the cabin steward to the dining room waiter, the Princess service is much better.

* Check-in embarkation is far superior on Princess and really gets your cruise started on the right foot. They have you through in minutes rather than the hours I've experienced on RCI.

* Muster on Princess is also more sane. RCI had us squished on the deck where you can't see or hear any instructions, with kids screaming for their parents because they've been separated. On Princess, you're directed to a lounge that's easy to remember if there's a real emergency where you're comfortable and entertained until they lead you through the procedures.

* We think the food on Princess is better -- better choices and better-presented although I thought the Windjammer on the Explorer was pretty good for lunch.

* The cabins aren't connected but many people take the cabin across the hall for their kids. There's also the option of adjoining balcony cabins where the door between the balcony can be opened.

We took RCI because of timing and itineraries and they met our expectations. We'd take another RCI cruise but our preference is Princess.

Song of Norway & Song of America, 1986-88; Royal Princess 2/99; Sun Princess 1/00; Ocean Princess 12/00; Royal Princess 4/01; Grand Princess 12/23/01; Sea Princess 2/9/02; Explorer of the Seas 12/21/02; Coral Princess 8/9/03; Nordic Empress 12/27/03.

-- Regal Princess (4/20/04) -- Roll Call (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=2573008957)
-- Caribbean Princess (12/26/04) -- Roll Call (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=9323078957)
-- Royal Princess (4/21/05)

[stretch]

Thank you for all your positive feedback about Princess. Price is always a consideration, but I'd gladly pay more for the kind of service and quality of food that used to be a standard, even on Carnival and RCI. That along with the new ships that Princess has comming out, I feel like I've got to give them a fair try. They also have some very nice itineraries. We've been almost everywhere at least once in the Caribbean, and although we'd like to go to Aruba, GC, and Cozumel again, we'd like to go someplace we've never been. Again, thank you for your help.
Gary

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Princess or Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[Cruisinforever]

I know on the new Caribbean Princess there are a few connecting cabins... they're called family suites. They are basically two regular outside cabins with balconies, but they have a door of some sort between the cabins. Maybe the Star also has some of the same?

JJ
Caribbean Princess 5/1/04
Star Princess 5/24/03
Sun Princess 6/12/00
Carnival Fantasy 1/18/98

[zurmolly]

We have just booked our first cruise with Princess. We have only sailed with Celebrity. What attracts me is the fresh water pools 24/7..and different choices for dinning. My daughter will be 16 when we sail in Feb and I am sure she will have a ball... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[MTS]

Wow....I'm really sad to see all these negative posts on RCCL. I have sailed 6 cruises so far, 1 Celebrity, 5 RCCL. My first Princess cruise will be on 5-04 (Diamond to Alaska). I have always very much enjoyed RCCL. My last cruise on their line was about 2.5 years ago, and It was a great time and an overall wonderful experience.

It will be interesting to compare Princess with RCCL. I will leave a post after my cruise to give my impressions vs RCCL.

MTS

[gcsmith]

stretch,

Welcome to the Princess board. I followed the RCCL board quite a bit last year before my honeymoon on AOS (1388 corner aft, loved it!). You seem to have a great attitude, funny posts.

The only thing I was really dissapointed by on RCCL was the food. Other people make good points that Princess has better embarkation/debarkation, muster, etc. I'm also a big fan of personal choice dining.

I've been on three Princess cruises (two before RCCL, and just off the 3/13 Diamond Inaugural recently) and definately prefer Princess.

I believe the lines have more simularities than differences though, so if RCCL had an itinerary I was interested in I'd seriously consider going again, just forget the food - guess I'd have to buy those burgers at Johny Rockets.

Greg

[bob&karen]

Hey, wait a minute here ! RCI couldn't possibly be going downhill, they haven't been bought out by Carnival yet !!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Kidding, I'm just kidding ...

B.

http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/Islands/Ship_at_island.gif
(With apologies to Jimmy Buffett)
"We're gypsies in the palace, at sea, away from home
The Order Of The Sleepless Knights will now assume the throne!
Come sail the Caribbean, there ain't no wrong or right
We're gypsies in the palace and we're raisin' hell tonight!"

Carnival Triumph, April '02
Carnival Sensation, January '04

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;4;10;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500
(Golden Princess, 4/10/04 - "Grown People Acting Like Children!")

4/10/04 Golden Princess Rogue's gallery: http://community.webshots.com/album/126040133QEaDiP

Cruise pix at: http://community.webshots.com/user/mageesworld

e-mail: bobandkarenny@yahoo.com

[ahracer]

Seaside,

The Diamond is the only ship with connecting cabins. I assume the Sapphire will have them also. The Grand class ships have what they call a family suite which is essentially connecting rooms with a sitting area in between. However they are priced very very high.

Scott

[aquawater]

Hello Stretch, I also remember you from the RCCL boards. We took our first RCCL cruise this March - Radiance (1 Carnival, 1 Hollard and 3 Princess'). We booked RCCL because:
(1)Taking kids (9 and 11) first cruise and thought RCCL would have a better kids program
(2)Price (with kids) decided on balcony
(3)Heard great things about RCCL, wanted to try.

(1)Kids loved the program and the kid reps were wonderful! Only 85 kids onboard.
(2) Money talks and RCCL was cheaper and balcony was wonderful. Better than most Princess'. Rooms in general are a bit larger on RCCL.
(3) Here's the pit fall. As you say RCCL has cut back. Food-let's just say I didn't gain any weight. The ship was beautiful, but Princess keeps there ships in better shape. Lack of instructions. Simply posted signs when you get off the elevator to know which direction to get off the ship would have been a simpe feature and saved pax confusion.

In total we enjoyed our RCCL cruise, but on disembarking my husband and I both agreed that paying a little more for Princess for many many little extras pays off. We're coming back to Princess!!

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Till we sail the Radiance Feb. 29, 2004

Princess Ocean
Carnival Paradise
Princess Dawn
Princess Star (the old one)
Hollard New Amsterdam

[heyjude27]

Cruised with my sister's family on the Grand only two months after they disembarked a Voyager class RCI ship. If I had to hear how much more fantastic that ship was just one more time I was ready to smack 'em. Of course they conceeded that the service lacked and the food sucked! If one more guy chatting in the hot tup with us spouted off on how Celebrity is a notch above Princess, I was ready to smack again (and dunk 'em). How much was that Celebrity cruise? Or Radisson or whomever?

Service is key. It may not be the very best but it is still a value on Princess given the price. Please don't forget that we are paying for this service.

Service is still very decent on Princess, considering the price to us and the fact that LESS people are doing the SAME amount of work. This is certain. That's why I want to smack anyone who cancels any tip for any reason. (Boy, I'm in a smackin' mood today!)

I've asked before, even though I sound like a total dork, to sing that little diddly -- Work like you don't need the money, dance like no one is watching and CRUISE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER CRUISED BEFORE!
J

[odiesam]

Thanks for the information on the connecting rooms (or lack thereof). That is too bad because we have enjoyed the setup of connecting cabins.

Our desire to switch lines is not really a slap at Royal Caribbean - we were just looking for something different and with so many lines and all the new ships out there, it seemed to make sense to try something else.

[TOMMYCRUISER]

Hey strech, tommycruiser here were also going to give princess another try. Look into our cruise it's march 12th of 2005 on the brand new Caribbean Princess. The ship has a outdoor movie theatre.

It would be great to finally meet you if you choose to join us. Were also planning on going in a few days early , Ft.Lauderdale is a very nice area.

Tom

Sea Princess 10/99
S/S Norway 2/00
Norweign Majesty 10/00
Norweign Wind 3/01
Carnival Triumph 11/01
s/s Norway 3/02
Carnival spirit 1/03
Brilliance of the Seas 3/03
Brilliance of theSeas 1/16/04
CELEBRITY SUMMIT 3/05/04
Caribbean Princess 3/12/05

Thomas.Borries@target.com

[srphnx]

Best advice... sail Princess, sail Celebrity, sail RCI, HAL, NCL, Carnival, bob's cardboard box crises... whatever you can get aboard.

I am VERY picky and detailed in my cruise planning and have booked two with Princess in 7 weeks. Will be booking one or two more this year.. so how do you suppose I feel? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04
Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98
Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02
Vision o.t. Seas 04/02
Star Princess 12/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
Vision o.t. Seas 10/02
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[cruiserdru]

The Island Princess deck plans show connecting cabins aft on the Aloha deck. Can we assume that the plans are good???

[ahracer]

I never noticed that before. I'd call to verify. That would be great as the Island is my favorite ship and I'd love to able to take my kids to Alaska on her and those would be the perfect cabins.

Scott

[stretch]

Tommycruiser, it would be great to get to meet you and cruise together sometime but since we just got back from St. Thomas (I've got the jewelry bill to prove it), and St. Maartin (got my Golden Eagle T-shirt), we're looking at a couple of different itineraries for next year. Thinking of possibly the Mexican Riviera in the spring and possibly Alaska in August, or Alaska in May and something else in the fall.
Stretch

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Princess or Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[carma]

Hey Stretch..betcha didn't know that you were so famous..are you going to tell Carol??
Take care, Mavis and Carl

[TOMMYCRUISER]

Hi strech, were also looking at princess(or maybe celebrity) for Alaska in either July or August of next year, we should keep in touch and who knows we my meet yet.

Tom

Sea Princess 10/99
S/S Norway 2/00
Norweign Majesty 10/00
Norweign Wind 3/01
Carnival Triumph 11/01
s/s Norway 3/02
Carnival spirit 1/03
Brilliance of the Seas 3/03
Brilliance of theSeas 1/16/04
CELEBRITY SUMMIT 3/05/04
Caribbean Princess 3/12/05

Thomas.Borries@target.com

[ahracer]

cruiserdru,

According to the Princess deck plans those connecting cabins do not accomadate a 3rd or 4th person. So if you are a family of 5 like me you are out of luck. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I really wish Princess would make it easier for families.

Scott

[stretch]

Mavis Sweetie!!!, Shhhh!!! Don't tell Carol, LOL. How ya been, EH??? We sure missed you guys on the Brilliance but the Montreal and PEI groups kept us entertained. How was the skiing vacation? Did Carl swipe anybody's room key while you were there???? You'll have to tell us allllll about it. Say Hi to Carl, Lorna and Wayne for the two of us, EH!
Stretch

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Princess or Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[carma]

Eh Stretch..we are doing just fine..Eh You gotta have a couple of Canadians to keep things rocking!! Our skiing trip was great, Carl did not swip anyone's room card..tell Carole it was becouse no one was as interesting as her http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif..do let us know about any cruises y'all may take cuz who knows we may be able to join you..I will pass on your regards to toute la gang, Mavis
PS a year ago we were on the Brilliance..watching your medal winning belly flop I think ?? BTW, while we really enjoyed our Brilliance cruise,on balance we do prefer Princess- largely because of the food and PC dining.
PS Happy Easter everyone

[stretch]

Mavis, a Happy Easter to you all too!
We're going to have a Big Fat Greek Easter down here in Ga. Debbie and Alexander, our friend from Ottowa (He was the owner of Alexander's by the River Restaurant) are down here for the next week. We've built a 6' x 10' Barbque pit with two adjustable spits and will be he will be cooking two whole lambs, one whole goat and a bunch of other Greek dishes. Having a big get together Saturday and again on Sunday with tons of food, cases of wine, and the beer will be flowing. The weather should be near perfect, hi 70's, the fish are biting in the pond, it's Masters weekend (I won't say a thing about how Mr. Weir is playing). Life is Good!
Carol and I are considering a Princess Alaska cruise for May 2005 but the schedules aren't posted yet. We'll be sure to let you know. I think that we'll be trying to cruise twice next year, in May and maybe again in Oct. or Nov.
Sure would be nice if we could get together sometime, if I go to Gracefield this summer or for Canadian Thanksgiving in Oct. I'll let you know. Maybe we could hook up in Ottawa.
Stretch

AAYE PARANDAA!

Carnival Celebration 08/97
Carnival Fantasy 02/99
RCI Explorer 05/02
RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins
RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers
2005 Princess or Celebrity TBD

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com