RCL to Princess

[fmhealth]

Need some sage insights here. We're thinking of a seven nighter out of CA with our GC. Eight people total. We've experienced numerous wonderful cruises on RCL, but flying all these people rather than driving from AZ has become problematic (and expensive!!).

 

So, will the Sapphire be similar to what we've experienced or should we be ready to downgrade our RCL-type expectations? We're not fancy & really just need two rather large suites, pools, moderate evening entertainment, quality staff, casino(not for the GC), reasonable food, etc. Prices are more expensive on Princess but that's not concern if the value is there.

 

Any relevant responses to this somewhat cryptic inquiry would be greatly appreciated.

 

Be Well,

fmhealth

[ChrisB123]

You'll LOVE the Sapphire! Heck, you'll love Princess. :D Dh and I have done both and they're both great.

[sunsetbeachgal]

The Sapphire is a great ship and I hope you like her. We also like RC, and find the two lines quite similar but with their own personalities. Welcome!

[Pam in CA]

Princess is definitely not a downgrade from RCL. Among the four lines I've cruised (RCL, HAL and Celebrity), Princess has consistently had the best food and service. A wide variety of evening entertainment from trivia to production shows to a piano bar to perhaps a magician.

 

Don't pay attention to the prices on the Princess website; Princess allows TAs to discount cruises and if your TA books a high volume of Princess cruises and chooses to, you can save 10-20% plus OBC and other perks.

 

On Princess, you can go directly to your cabin as soon as you board. No waiting. The buffet is open for full meals from early in the morning until 11pm. On the Sapphire, the International Cafe is open 24/7. Also on Princess, all OBC can be combined, whether it's from your TA, stockholder OBC or military OBC.

 

Princess is more laid back than RCL and the dining rooms and public spaces are designed for a more intimate feel. Instead of very large, open, multi-deck space, Princess offers a number of different lounges, dining rooms and venues.

 

If you book full suites, you'll have a long list of amenities available such as breakfast in Sabatini's, unlimited free laundry, etc. http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

[Sillyjilly]

Princess is definitely not a downgrade from RCL. Among the four lines I've cruised (RCL, HAL and Celebrity), Princess has consistently had the best food and service. A wide variety of evening entertainment from trivia to production shows to a piano bar to perhaps a magician.

 

Don't pay attention to the prices on the Princess website; Princess allows TAs to discount cruises and if your TA books a high volume of Princess cruises and chooses to, you can save 10-20% plus OBC and other perks.

 

On Princess, you can go directly to your cabin as soon as you board. No waiting. The buffet is open for full meals from early in the morning until 11pm. On the Sapphire, the International Cafe is open 24/7. Also on Princess, all OBC can be combined, whether it's from your TA, stockholder OBC or military OBC.

 

Princess is more laid back than RCL and the dining rooms and public spaces are designed for a more intimate feel. Instead of very large, open, multi-deck space, Princess offers a number of different lounges, dining rooms and venues.

 

If you book full suites, you'll have a long list of amenities available such as breakfast in Sabatini's, unlimited free laundry, etc. http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

 

I've sailed on the Sapphire 11 times and I agree with everything Pam says.

 

On RCI I've sailed The Vision, Serenade, Grandeur and Mariner. I'd take the Sapphire over all of them.........hands down.

[fishin' musician]

The average age on Princess is probably 10 years older than RCI, Quieter vibe on Princess, far fewer announcements. Less of a party vibe on Princess. RCI is far more family marketted; no ice rink, climbing wall, surf thingy, etc... on Princess. I've found RCI's production shows to be much better quality with larger capacity theaters. Food is comparable, but DW finds deserts far better on Princess (most would say same for pizza).

[Sillyjilly]

The average age on Princess is probably 10 years older than RCI' date=' Quieter vibe on Princess, far fewer announcements. Less of a party vibe on Princess. RCI is far more family marketted; no ice rink, climbing wall, surf thingy, etc... on Princess. I've found RCI's production shows to be much better quality with larger capacity theaters. Food is comparable, but DW finds deserts far better on Princess (most would say same for pizza).[/quote']

 

OH yeah, best pizza on the sea. :D

[Blk_Amish]

Need some sage insights here. We're thinking of a seven nighter out of CA with our GC. Eight people total. We've experienced numerous wonderful cruises on RCL, but flying all these people rather than driving from AZ has become problematic (and expensive!!).

 

So, will the Sapphire be similar to what we've experienced or should we be ready to downgrade our RCL-type expectations? We're not fancy & really just need two rather large suites, pools, moderate evening entertainment, quality staff, casino(not for the GC), reasonable food, etc. Prices are more expensive on Princess but that's not concern if the value is there.

 

Any relevant responses to this somewhat cryptic inquiry would be greatly appreciated.

 

Be Well,

fmhealth

 

No downgrade just a tiny bit of a different experience. I have sailed Princess 2x, RCL 8x and Carinal 4x, going back and forth when possible. Food is very subjective but I prefer the food on RCL and Carnival over Princess. Princess MDR meals tasted more bland and more saucy but a fanastic buffet. The staff on RCL seems to be more friendly and outgoing (many still recruited in the Caribbean) with Princess being more cordial. I sailed Mariner of the Seas and Sapphire back-to-bak, and there was no clear hands down because I enjoyed the difference. The elegance feel of Princess to the pumping going feel of RCCL.

 

Enjoy the difference but really so similar that you would have to go seeking or looking for faults not to have a good time. If you are looking 'specifically' for more sedate/relax/calm feel then Princess for sure.

[Gunner22aa]

You stated 8 people and the need for 2 rather large suites. Are we talking all adults or are their children involved. With the exception of the Royal you won't find a Princess ship with two suites with separate bedrooms except for the forward family suites. The majority of the suites will sleep 4 if two want the pull out couch or drop down beds. Perhaps I miss understood you and that you need two suites plus additional regular cabins. Also the suites sell out fast most of the time. All of the suites were gone on our next cruise over a year out from the sailing date and none have become available since.

[fmhealth]

Sincere thanks to everyone who responded with rapier-like speed. This is a very impressive board!

 

Bottom line, as a previous poster suggested, ALL the suites are now sold out. With so few ships leaving from CA, this is becoming more & more of a problem.

 

Well, I guess it's on to Disneyland with the GC. Good news is the cost will be far less than the $20,000 cost of the cruise. Bad news is that 7 out of 8 of us would prefer cruising (2 yr old Madison Rose doesn't get a vote yet).

 

Thanks again.

 

Be Well,

fmhealth

[cruisingram1]

We are an extended family of 6 and our cabins of choice are two connecting balconies. By far, RCCL has the most options be it 3+3 or 4+2. However the Diamond/Sapphire do have several connecting cabins which would give you two bathrooms for the connecting cabins. The combination we had on the Diamond was 4+ 2, the 2 extra beds in the quad room came down from the ceiling. So if two sets of these would work for you they might still be available. No other Princess ships have this configuration. The connecting RCCL cabins we have had are much roomier though. When the beds are down on the Diamond there is little room to move around the cabin. But cruising trumps room to roam the cabin!

[OCruisers]

While we do cruise with Princess most often, we also cruise on RCCL ships from time to time.

 

In no way is Princess a downgrade from RCCL.

 

LuLu

~~~

[LeeW]

Sincere thanks to everyone who responded with rapier-like speed. This is a very impressive board!

 

Bottom line, as a previous poster suggested, ALL the suites are now sold out. With so few ships leaving from CA, this is becoming more & more of a problem.

 

Well, I guess it's on to Disneyland with the GC. Good news is the cost will be far less than the $20,000 cost of the cruise. Bad news is that 7 out of 8 of us would prefer cruising (2 yr old Madison Rose doesn't get a vote yet).

 

Thanks again.

 

Be Well,

fmhealth

 

 

Hmm - based on our experience you can get around 10 balcony cabins for $20000 on most itineraries (double occupancy is around $1800 except the exotics). While a suite is nice to have, do you really need them? Not sure I would recommend cramming 4 people into a standard cabin, but quite a few will handle three.

[dorisis]

The average age on Princess is probably 10 years older than RCI' date=' Quieter vibe on Princess, far fewer announcements. Less of a party vibe on Princess. RCI is far more family marketted; no ice rink, climbing wall, surf thingy, etc... on Princess. I've found RCI's production shows to be much better quality with larger capacity theaters. Food is comparable, but DW finds deserts far better on Princess (most would say same for pizza).[/quote']

 

i have sailed on both lines and think RCI is for a younger group. Princess Sapphire is a bit more laid back.The only way you will really know is to try as many differeent ships as you can. They all have something to like and usually sething you won't like.