Amsterdam v. Island Princess Help

[Lrob]

Dear Critics:

 

I am at a loss as I have not cruised HAL or Princess in the past. Trip is Panama Canal full transit December 2013. Choice is Island Princess Full Suite or Hall Veranda Suite. Both 15 nights. However, HAL is almost 5K more total and I like the ports on Princess just a wee bit better (not a lot better, but am happy to skip PV, Mexico). I don't like the idea of MUTS, but can live with it. Why is there such a big difference in price for the higher catagory rooms?

 

I am at a complete loss. I want to save the money, but not at the expense of the experience (if there is a big difference in experience).

 

I have cruised Celebrity & Regent several times and really liked them both.

 

Husband and I are 44 and 50. Not dancers or night owls. Food is important to the extent that it is very good. Does not need to be foodie quality - tough to do for any cruise line.

 

Nice ship that is aging gracefully is also very important. I know these ships are close to the same age. We also like pools.

 

Thoughts? I will also post on Princess Board. Thanks for any help.

[Typhoon1]

You mentioned MUTS in your post.

 

After one cruise on Princess, MUTS is something we can do without.

[lizzies_mom]

Just a few things I found that may partly explain the difference.

 

1. The deluxe suites (if that is what your were comparing) appear to be 90-100 sq ft larger on the Amsterdam as compared to the Island Princess.

2. The Island Princess was built for the Panama Canal and has more balconies (700) than any other in the Princess fleet. The stated capacity of the Amsterdam is 1380, so it may be surmised that the Island Princess is somewhat larger, and larger ships frequently have lower fares as certain fixed expenses are share by a larger number of passengers.

3. The Amsterdam has a lower percentage of verandahs (balconies) than many of the newer and larger ships; the available ones command a higher price.

4. If I found the right cruise, the HAL cruise had six ports while the Princess cruise had five.

[sppunk]

I have not sailed the Amsterdam. I'm aware she's a beloved ship and you rarely read negatives about her crew or condition.

 

That said, IP is one of our favorite ships sailing today. The layout is fantastic, crew marvelous, sight lines great and as mentioned so many balconies. It was built specifically fir the canal.

 

I personally don't think the differences between the lines is enough to justify the cost. YMMV most definitely, but I'd save money and sail IP.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

We have sailed the Amsterdam and the Coral Princess (sister of Island) through the Canal. If you like the Island itinerary better and the price is more to your liking, take the Island. I do not think there is a big difference in the experience. Both are good.

[deminggraham]

I have not cruised on HAL before and will be doing my first HAL cruise in November but I have been on Princess a number of times. The Island is my absolute favorite Princess ship and the size is perfect. I am not a fan of MUTS but you can avoid it and use the Lotus pool where it is quiet and peaceful. I do not know why the huge price differences but possibly you are looking at a mini suite on Princess which is more like a large balcony cabin on other ships. If you are looking at a full suite on Princess it is much larger than a Mini but I do like the Minis.

[travelnnana]

DH & I are platinum on Princess - we stopped sailing their big Caribbean ships - but the Island Princess is a beautiful ship - we have taken it through the canal - in this instance I would choose it over the Amsterdam - more balconies - we had mini-suite on the that sailing:cool:

[Lrob]

Thank you all! Princess it shall be. I am looking forward to a new experience.

[RandyinDEN]

Sorry, but what is MUTS?

[Assateague Island Princes]

"Movies Under The Stars"

[Typhoon1]

Sorry, but what is MUTS?

 

Princess has a large movie screen on the aft Lido. Movies are shown there, you can spread out on a lounger or blanket and watch the Movies under the stars.

 

Another marketing gimmick. Waste of time and effort.

[aikensbest]

Princess has a large movie screen on the aft Lido. Movies are shown there, you can spread out on a lounger or blanket and watch the Movies under the stars.

 

Another marketing gimmick. Waste of time and effort.

 

My wife and I enjoy the movies under the stars and also the popcorn offered. We bring a drink of choice and watch some neat movies. Actually, everything including shows, casinos, good food, etc. is a marketing gimmick. To each is own.

[itzmered]

Island Princess is a gorgeous ship. Not crowded at all and you can easily avoid MUTS if you are not interested in it although we loved sitting out in the evening a few nights on our Panama Canal cruise and enjoying a movie.

[cruising cockroach]

Was on the Island P for 5 nights earlier this year. A very nice ship. Doesn't affect you but the standard cabins on the Island P (or Princess ships in general) seem quite small and you need at least a mini-suite to get as much space as a standard HAL cabin?