Crown vs. Grand

Hello, due to the Zika virus, I've had to cancel my Caribbean cruise and and am searching for a replacement. Given that I can only cruise to mid April, and have no interest in taking a very long international flight while pregnant, it looks like the Grand out of San Francisco or the Crown out of LA are my two choices. Both do they exact same route on the same week in March. (I do know they have 1 stop in Mexico, but I intend on staying on the ship and inside to avoid mosquitoes).

I haven't sailed Princess before. I understand that both ships are the same class, but it looks like some major differences. Grand appears to have a covered pool and Alfredos, while Crown has no covered pool and a Skywalker lounge. Are there any other features of the ship or exact route that would make you recommend one over the other?

Flight and cruise prices are about the same for both. I think I'm leaning toward the grand becuase of the covered pool, but want to hear from you princess experts. [emoji2] With twins on the way it will be our last big vacation for a little while, so I want to make it a good one!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Hello, due to the Zika virus, I've had to cancel my Caribbean cruise and and am searching for a replacement. Given that I can only cruise to mid April, and have no interest in taking a very long international flight while pregnant, it looks like the Grand out of San Francisco or the Crown out of LA are my two choices. Both do they exact same route on the same week in March. (I do know they have 1 stop in Mexico, but I intend on staying on the ship and inside to avoid mosquitoes).

 

I haven't sailed Princess before. I understand that both ships are the same class, but it looks like some major differences. Grand appears to have a covered pool and Alfredos, while Crown has no covered pool and a Skywalker lounge. Are there any other features of the ship or exact route that would make you recommend one over the other?

 

Flight and cruise prices are about the same for both. I think I'm leaning toward the grand becuase of the covered pool, but want to hear from you princess experts. [emoji2] With twins on the way it will be our last big vacation for a little while, so I want to make it a good one!

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

First of all, congrats on your twins.

Now, for the ship, without a doubt, I would choose the Crown over the Grand. While sailing out of SF would always be my first choice, I am not very fond of the Grand ... only because of the ship itself. The food was good to great, the service was fantastic and the entertainment was quite good....probably due to a great cruise director and staff (David Cole). However, the Crown is structurally different ... for the better.

There is no center staircase on the Grand. While I didn't think this would be an issue, it kind of was. We would have to try to pass through the masses of people in front of the photo area all the time ... just an annoyance!

Also, the casino is right behind the purser's desk. No problem one might think but the smoke kind of poured out into that area due to the design.

There were areas of the ship in which the ventilation would blow right down on you and it was freezing ... even an area in the dining room. They knew it was cold but couldn't adjust it as it would effect the entire ship.

The other concerns I had were with the maintenance of the public rooms....or the lack of it. Some areas were just fine but the public bathrooms were in dire need of some attention...I don't just mean by the cleaning crew. The furniture is in need of replacement -- some couches were so worn or even broken as were some of the seats in the theater. Lots of rust all over the ship and just had a dirty feel to me. I wasn't all that impressed with Alfredos - think the pizza upstairs is worlds better -- but that is just me.

Only one hot tub seemed to working throughout the entire cruise.

It wasn't a disaster by any means, I just had my expectations set a little too high for this older vessel. As a matter of fact, we have another cruise booked on her for Alaska this summer based on my SIL's request. We will still have a great time but a little disappointed that it won't be on the Star or Crown or even the Golden, which is also starting to show her age.

With that in mind, the itineraries you have chosen are kind of on the cool side so there will probably be little chance to sit out by the outdoor pool on either ship. I do love Skywalkers but think I might opt for the indoor pool over that. This is the only thing I really don't like about the Crown -- oh, and the fact that SF is so much better than LA for us to embark and disembark.

Again, the service related things on the Grand were amazing! It is just the ship that really isn't to my liking.

Actually, Crown's siblings are the Emerald and Ruby. Grand is another class, sister ship to the Golden Princess, Caribbean Princess and Star Princess. Grand is the only ship to have had Skywalkers removed.

Personally I have a soft spot for the Crown + I live in SoCal. Whatever you decide, have a great cruise

I would chose the GRAND mainly because all three of my cruises on the Crown had large norovirus outbreaks. I promised myself I would never to on the Crown again.

If I am not mistaken the Crown and Grand are not in same class. I think the Crown is larger and holds more passengers and crew.

Grand is in the same class as the Golden and the Star. Of the three the Grand is my least favorite. Skywalker's was removed. They replaced it with a another night club which is not as good in my opinion. I never noticed the staircase issue. But now that it has been mentioned in CC I probably will notice it.

The Grand is perfectly good ship. But if given the choice between the Crown and the Grand everything else being the same (route Price etc.) I would probably opt for the Crown.

I am going to be on the Grand in July to Alaska out of San Francisco and on the Crown in May to Vancouver.

I would chose the GRAND mainly because all three of my cruises on the Crown had large norovirus outbreaks. I promised myself I would never to on the Crown again.

Hear, hear..........I concurr...........The 4 or 5 times we have been on the Crown, it has always been a case where the ship has just returned from her prior cruise with that dreaded Norovirus onboard. That was also the case 2 weeks ago when we boarded her on Jan 18. So far we have been lucky as we have always managed to steer clear of the virus.

The Crown always seems to be in the news for the wrong reasons.

It's a pity because she is a pretty ship, actually a real favorite of ours.

Hear, hear..........I concurr...........The 4 or 5 times we have been on the Crown, it has always been a case where the ship has just returned from her prior cruise with that dreaded Norovirus onboard. That was also the case 2 weeks ago when we boarded her on Jan 18. So far we have been lucky as we have always managed to steer clear of the virus.

 

The Crown always seems to be in the news for the wrong reasons.

 

It's a pity because she is a pretty ship, actually a real favorite of ours.

Yes, the norovirus would definitely have an impact on my opinion. LOL

We've only encountered an outbreak of that on the Golden ... never a hint of it on my 3 sailings on the Crown.

I hated the Crown.

I have not been on the Grand since the removal of Skywalkers but would go on that ship simply because of less passengers.

I have been on the Crown 3 times in the last year or so and never had a Noro problem. OP, you are right to get that vacation in before the twins arrive. I moved in with my daughter after the arrival of her two boys, and it was an unbelievable amount of work! However, when they were a little older, we started taking them with us everywhere (they were toddlers on their first plane trip) and they now love cruising. They are nine years old now.

OT: I will offer my best twins advice. When buying shoes, get them before they will need them. They will grow into them. If you wait to buy shoes when they definitely must have them, you won't find two pair in the same size.

All other things being equal I would always choose Crown over Grand.

In my case I'd choose Grand because it's much easier for me to sail out of SF. If Crown was sailing from SF it would be a no-brainer for me. I would choose Crown in a heartbeat.

I am a Crown fan too.

As the mother of (almost) 5 year old twins I remember how hard that pregnancy was. If the covered pool on the Grand would make it better for you to use you may want to go that way- being able to get in the water to relax and take some of that weight was always a wonderful thing!

I have sailed on the Grand and on the Crown. My preference goes to the Grand. I gave the Crown 2 chances to prove me wrong. Both times I was disappointed. The Crown has 500 more people (one extra deck of cabins). There are less public spaces to enjoy, especially if you are not planning on leaving the ship.

You did not state a preference of staterooms. If you are doing an interior, then book the highest numbered cabin on the Plaza Deck. These rooms do not open up to the International Cafe, but gives you easy access to the public areas.

If you are going to splurge and there are any Window Suites available...book those. Only three ships have these cabins.

I had no issues with the lack of a central staircase on the Grand.

Keep in mind that 500 extra passengers on a ship built for less is going to present long lines for anytime dining and the theater.

Not to mention that sailing in and out of the bay area is fabulous. I've done that twice and my homeport is Los Angeles. Weather will be cool and possibly choppy coming and going out of San Francisco.

Did I mention....the Grand? Unfortunately, Dave Cole is not the cruise director this spring.

Enjoy your cruise. Life will not be quiet again for 20 plus years.

If all things were equal, and, of course, they never are, I would pick the Grand Princess because of the Alfredo's Pizzaria. My wife and I loved it. A very nice, casual place for a dinner, and the pizzas are darned good--much better than the ones they serve out by the pool.

Regarding the ship layout, I have to say that I prefer the location of the Sabatini's restaurant on the Crown Princess, but I prefer the location of the Crown Grill on the Grand Princess.

Having just got off the Grand this past Wednesday, I would probably chose the Crown. Cruised both. Cruise Raider mentioned the faults of the Grand. If I was doing a review of the past 15 days, I would of mentioned every one of those things Cruise Raider did. Rust, smoke, drips, furniture. Did not care for Alfredos. Front of ship really rocks and rolls, and food was good to great in the Michaelangelo, except the steaks. Horizon has become, in my opinion, the leftovers-done-right, I don't-feel-like-dressing-up spot. If you had chicken the night before, you'll see it morphed into a new dish the next day with a new sauce or curry on it. What to do with leftover octopus and veal? WaaLaa a nice pasta salad addition to the buffet line. Green salads and cookies were good. it's just a cheapness I've noticed. One small detail we had most of the waiter confused on with the Caesar Salad. It takes a few times but when I ask for fresh shaved Parmesan, get it right. No Parmesan powdery stuff (disgusting), no diced cheddar cheese, just the real McCoy like a real Caesar Salad should be prepared. Food in the Sabatinis and Crown was outstanding. Crab Shack was way too much but delicious.

Princess has some of the nicest staff. Everyone love to says hello or good morning. I'd love to take some of them home. Musical shows have degraded, but you have to see the British Invasion and sing along.

And we got new carpet in our mini suite while we were out for the afternoon (sea day).

I'm sorry you had to cancel the Caribbean, but I'm glad you have found a replacement at least. Though I normally go for the newer ship, we had a great experience on the Grand last summer, and I'd be nervous taking the Known-for-Noro Crown. The indoor pool on the Grand would protect you from mosquitoes should any happen to fly over the ship while you stay aboard on Mexico day should you choose to swim that day. Whatever you choose, you'll have a fabulous babymoon, I'm sure! Congrats!

I have been on both ships and I prefer the grand having the pool roof open or closed is a real bonus.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd pick whichever was doing the cruise I really WANTED to do.

I know some have lamented about the lack of central stairs and passenger counts and such, but you're on vacation so pick the vacation you want to do and not worrying on someone else's pet peeves about a ship.

Regardless of which ship, you'll have a great time!

Flying into SFO and getting to the pier is so much easier/quicker than flying into LAX and getting to San Pedro. Adding a day on the front end or end of the cruise, in SF, would be cream on the topping. Beginning your cruise, sailing out of San Francisco Bay is an event unto itself. It's just beautiful going out and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

I would chose The Grand over the fact that the Crown has 500 more passengers, which can make the ship feel more crowded. Longer lines to the entertainment and longer lines to dine.

I would chose The Grand over the Crown because the Crown has consistently been the one Princess ship that has the most Noro virus events. It's rough enough to deal with Noro when you are basically a healthy person but I would suspect being pregnant would make it even more uncomfortable.

The Grand is older but unless you go about really looking for problems, you won't find anything a real issue. The middle staircase, or lacking of one, has never been an issue for us. There are elevators there to take you to most any floor you want. You also have the option of a short walk, either forward or aft, to get to the other staircases. I could never undertand why people make such an issue of that. If they want to climb stairs, why would a short walk to get to them be such a bother?

No Skywalkers? No big deal. Without it's large, overhanging, shadowy frame, there is more sunshine in the aft pool and lounge area. There is also a comfortable, covered area just outside of One-Five to sit outside if the weather is inclement.

Only a few Princess ships have Alfredo's pizza. Grand is one. They serve "artisan" styled pizza in a cozy restaurant. FREE. The other pizza Princess is famous for is the typical NY style served out by one of the pools. Tasty but a very casual pool-side environment.

I've cruised both out of LA (San Pedro) and SF (my home port) and I admit to my local convenience as part of my preference but San Francisco should ALWAYS be regarded as part of the itinerary and not just an embarkation/debarkation port when doing a California Coastal. It's just too beautiful to pass on.

I've been on Sapphire (Grand-ish, with unique mods to the midship MDRs that made anytime dining a breeze all cruise long), Grand, and Ruby ("Grand-plus-one", meaning it's got an additional deck like several others).

I'd pick Diamond/Sapphire because of the MDRs if I could. Grand has Alfredos pizza (it was phenomenal as a late-night snack after a whale watch in Victoria), but the lack of central stairs was a killer for us as "addicted photographers". Getting from a midship cabin to the port gangways with two cameras hanging from my shoulders and a third "missile launcher" camera sitting on a shoulder is an absolute chore when watching lots of elevators go by, already full, or contemplating walking forward or aft to a stairwell. Therefore I'd pick any of the ships with a central staircase over the Grand, even if I had to give up that fine pizza...

If you can spend a day or two before or after your cruise, Grand is a clear winner. Spending time in San Francisco would be far preferable to L.A. Plus, having sailed Crown thrice in the last couple of years, with Noro-virus on board all three times, I am weary of that ship. But I won't be on Grand until next month, so I don't know much about her yet.

Which ship has international cafe?

Which ship has international cafe?

Both Crown & Grand have an IC (International Café).

Is the crown in same class as CB?

Is the crown in same class as CB?

I think she is...neither have an indoor pool.