Princess Cruiser tries Royal Caribbean

[tinatark]

We just got back from a 7 night W. Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas, after many Princess cruises - Crown, Golden, Caribbean, Grand Princess.

 

Comparisons:

 

Food - Princess has the upper hand, both in dining room and other (free) venues - Pizza, pastries, etc. EXCEPT for the fresh carved roast beef sandwich on the Oasis! We sure did miss the International Cafe! Room service menu was VERY limited - and you can't write in anything! My teens missed the ultimate drink card Princess offers!

 

Rooms - equal - but our bed was more comfy on RC.

 

Entertainment - RC has the upper hand, with the diving show and Broadway style productions - I don't think those are offered on all of their ships, though.

 

Staff - Princess is more polished - although I have to say our cabin steward on the Oasis was the best ever! Otherwise - wait staff, Cruise Director Staff, etc. - Princess definitely is better. It was strange in the casino when I watched a child (looked to be under 10 years old) playing a slot machine - I asked a security officer walking through about age limits - he said, "Well, his father is there, so it's okay". On Princess you are only allowed to pass through the casino if you are underage.

 

Teen Club- my 17 year old said (unsolicited) that Princess is much better. More activities they want to participate in. I don't think they ever went to the RC one, except to register the first night - maybe to the club party, too.

 

Labadee vs. Princess Cays - PC has the upper hand. It just does!

 

It was nice, because the Oasis was so large, that we never tendered.

 

Public areas were generally pretty crowded on the Oasis, especially if anything was going on.

 

We think that the mega ship Oasis is just too big to be done well, personnel wise.

 

We will try one of their other ships - actually my hubby WON a Liberty of the Seas cruise for Dec. 2014! Looking forward to the Royal Princess coming to Fort Lauderdale!

[TorontoTL]

Thanks for the review Tina.

[cheerldrmom]

Oh wow how did he win a trip...thats awesome...

[tinatark]

Oh wow how did he win a trip...thats awesome...

 

Slots tournament - $25 to enter :)

 

The cruise we won will have around 200 fleetwide winners - playing for $100k total.

[cam200]

Interesting comparison. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. We've been solid Princess cruisers but have been considering trying out RCL... food is an important considersation as is the cabin. Will have to give this more thought! Congrats on winning the trip - enjoy your next cruise!

[Northender]

Thanks for your review and comparison.:) Well done.

 

And a free cruise, what can be better than that.;)

[partybarbie]

I haven't cruised with Royal Caribbean for years, but it sounds like nothing has changed. I loved their entertainment, but the service is just so much better on Princess.

[AZbeachboy]

I agree with most your assessment.

 

The service on Princess is much better.

 

RC has many more activities, even for adults.

 

We do miss some of the big productions that both Carnival and RC put on. Although Carnival entertainment has really fallen.

[baldercash]

We just got back from a 7 night W. Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas, after many Princess cruises - Crown, Golden, Caribbean, Grand Princess.

 

Comparisons:

Teen Club- my 17 year old said (unsolicited) that Princess is much better. More activities they want to participate in. I don't think they ever went to the RC one, except to register the first night - maybe to the club party, too.

 

Really?

So Rock climbing wall, flow rider, zip line, ice rink to skate on, full size basketball court..

Then a teen club called Fuel and a hang out for teens until about 2:00 AM each evening.

 

Open Mic and Talent Show

Divas and Divos, the stage is yours at the coolest talent contest on water!

 

Teen BBQ

Round up your appetite for a yummy BBQ - just for teens!

 

Dive-In Movie and Pool Party

Watch your fave flicks while playing in the pool !

 

Meet the Stars Backstage

Get a special behind-the-scenes look with a teens-only tour.

 

DDR

That's Dance Dance Revolution

 

Teen Casino

There's a jackpot with your name on it, so get ready to roll the dice!

 

Unplugged Jam Sessions

The unsung guitar guru in the group has a place to shine - as loudly as they want!

 

Snowball Fight in the Caribbean!

 

Climbing Competition

Whoever makes it to the top first wins! Are you up for the challenge of our rock wall?

[Essiesmom]

I haven't tried Royal, but I'm seeing solo fares on their Tuesday specials at 110% for solos on Allure/Oasis, so there may be a cruise in my future. EM

[tinatark]

Really?

So Rock climbing wall, flow rider, zip line, ice rink to skate on, full size basketball court..

Then a teen club called Fuel and a hang out for teens until about 2:00 AM each evening.

 

Open Mic and Talent Show

Divas and Divos, the stage is yours at the coolest talent contest on water!

 

Teen BBQ

Round up your appetite for a yummy BBQ - just for teens!

 

Dive-In Movie and Pool Party

Watch your fave flicks while playing in the pool !

 

Meet the Stars Backstage

Get a special behind-the-scenes look with a teens-only tour.

 

DDR

That's Dance Dance Revolution

 

Teen Casino

There's a jackpot with your name on it, so get ready to roll the dice!

 

Unplugged Jam Sessions

The unsung guitar guru in the group has a place to shine - as loudly as they want!

 

Snowball Fight in the Caribbean!

 

Climbing Competition

Whoever makes it to the top first wins! Are you up for the challenge of our rock wall?

 

Yes, really, that's what he said. I didn't even ask his opinion. Maybe the activities are geared to the younger teens? He's 18 (today!) we just got back on Saturday and prefers the teen club on Princess over RC. Could also be the staff @ teen club.

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks OP...I had similar thoughts after sailing the Navigator earlier this year. It was for a family cruise & the younger folks who liked to 'party hardy' had a blast.

 

Even though there was a fee for Johnny Rockets it was a great old-style burger joint & the best burger I've had at sea. They had to have an alternative to their other burgers which were assemble your burgers from a buffet serving tray & certainly not freshly cooked like at the Princess grill.

[Blue Line]

Thanks for your review!!! That is awesome that your husband won a cruise!!! Enjoy!

[blazerjan]

We loved RCCL when we had our family (kids and grandkids) with us... so much more for everyone to do. But we weren't on the mega ships.. largest was Independence OS...

However, for just DH and I.. we much prefer Princess for the service, food, ports.

[Seal]

WE have close to 40 Princess cruises--When the Allure was new we went on it--I loved it--we had a great Loft suite on Deck 17--The ship was great--The Casino was large enough to get lost--so many things to see and do--I will admit that my favorite cruise is still the small ships on Princess in the South Pacific--Totally different than the Allure--I would still recommend the Allure--The week goes quickly--Great entertainment!!

 

Nancy:D:D

[sunsetbeachgal]

Thanks for the review. We enjoy our RC cruises, and love their entertainment, but in the end we prefer Princess as we feel the dining room food, the International Cafe and the pizza is superior.

[nimiq]

Thanks for the review.

 

We actually loved the Oasis, We never felt crowded except when they do special entertainment just like any other cruise ship.

 

I must say the MDR food is a bit superior on PC especially love when the ships have the IC. The speciality restaurant on RC being they have more of a choice makes them in advantage.

Cant beat entertainment of RC they are way ahead of PC to my opinion.

 

They feel of a Princess cruise though makes it more like an old time great cruise.

 

sea ya

Eric

[Stu K]

Agreed with most we also did oasis. Was told by die hard RCI customer love or hate it try a smaller ship to make a proper comparison as oasis and alure are in a class of their own!

 

Stu K

[wwbill4]

After we did Oasis it was hard going back to the smaller ships. You never felt crowded on the Oasis. Fastest embark and debark, no cruise line cames close.

Wish the went to more ports , they are limited because fo the size of the ships(Oasis and Allure)

WE highly recommend the Oasis. Will probably try Allure and Quantum(the new RC ship) over the next few years.

RC Quantum I believe will be the only 5.5 star rated RC ship coming out of Bayonne.

Don't miss the mega ships!!!!

Bill

[mm1251]

Thanks for the review! It's fun to experience different lines. Your kids are very lucky to have parents that are gettting them "out there!"

 

Everyone has their own reaction to the big girls - Oasis & Allure. We loved it, but we are more into the ship in the Caribbean than the ports these days. Never felt crowded to us, but again, it all depends on what you do and when you do it.

 

Have fun on the free cruise!

[hubofhockey]

After we did Oasis it was hard going back to the smaller ships. You never felt crowded on the Oasis. Fastest embark and debark, no cruise line cames close.

Wish the went to more ports , they are limited because fo the size of the ships(Oasis and Allure)

WE highly recommend the Oasis. Will probably try Allure and Quantum(the new RC ship) over the next few years.

RC Quantum I believe will be the only 5.5 star rated RC ship coming out of Bayonne.

Don't miss the mega ships!!!!

Bill

 

We loved the Allure and I really don't believe the service is better on either line. We like Princess for the more rugged European itineraries, where relaxing on the ship and by the pool is a premium. For things to do or any Caribbean cruise, we'll pick Royal. Both lines are great and I'd vacation on either in a minute.

[deedeetoo]

Really?

So Rock climbing wall, flow rider, zip line, ice rink to skate on, full size basketball court..

Then a teen club called Fuel and a hang out for teens until about 2:00 AM each evening.

 

Open Mic and Talent Show

Divas and Divos, the stage is yours at the coolest talent contest on water!

 

Teen BBQ

Round up your appetite for a yummy BBQ - just for teens!

 

Dive-In Movie and Pool Party

Watch your fave flicks while playing in the pool !

 

Meet the Stars Backstage

Get a special behind-the-scenes look with a teens-only tour.

 

DDR

That's Dance Dance Revolution

 

Teen Casino

There's a jackpot with your name on it, so get ready to roll the dice!

 

Unplugged Jam Sessions

The unsung guitar guru in the group has a place to shine - as loudly as they want!

 

Snowball Fight in the Caribbean!

 

Climbing Competition

Whoever makes it to the top first wins! Are you up for the challenge of our rock wall?

 

I had to respond to this. It all sounds good, but the kids just don't go for it.

 

We just sailed on Freedom of the Seas earlier this month. My kids are 15 and 12. My 15 yo daughter went to the teen center on the first night, met people, and never went back. She was out until 1 am every night (the ship curfew for under 18s) and had a ball but did not do any of those activities you listed. She said they were lame. My 12 year old son isn't much of a club person so other than the basketball tournament he didn't bother with any of it either. Surprisingly neither had any interest in the rock wall, and my kids are very athletic.

 

I have limited cruise experience - one cruise each on Princess and RCI - but here are my observations. I actually thought food in the MDR was better on RCI. I've heard lots of people say the opposite so maybe its just me. Pizza is much better on Princess. The IC beats the Cafe Promenade hands down. Room layout was better on Princess. Our room steward was better on RCI. MDR service was much better on Princess. Entertainment was better on RCI.

 

I didn't like the Royal Promenade area at all because it didn't have any windows. I was calling it the cave after a couple days. I could not figure out why people would want to have a drink or eat pizza in a cave. We attended a couple night time things there and went down for coffee a couple times but pretty much stayed away from it. I liked the layout of the Ruby much better.

 

Over all, I liked Princess better. Daughter preferred RCI because of the social scene. Husband prefers RCI because of the entertainment. Son prefers Princess because of the food, especially the pizza. We would sail either again based on timing, price, and itinerary.

[TJM001]

I agree with most of what you wrote - with one exception. We felt that Labadee had more to offer than Princess Cays.

[bjkTX]

After a dozen or so Princess cruises were going on RCCL in February with some friends for a short 4 day cruise. It's a "wine" cruise - so I may not notice the differences....

[sept10dsm]

I had to respond to this. It all sounds good, but the kids just don't go for it.

 

We just sailed on Freedom of the Seas earlier this month. My kids are 15 and 12. My 15 yo daughter went to the teen center on the first night, met people, and never went back. She was out until 1 am every night (the ship curfew for under 18s) and had a ball but did not do any of those activities you listed. She said they were lame. My 12 year old son isn't much of a club person so other than the basketball tournament he didn't bother with any of it either. Surprisingly neither had any interest in the rock wall, and my kids are very athletic.

 

I have limited cruise experience - one cruise each on Princess and RCI - but here are my observations. I actually thought food in the MDR was better on RCI. I've heard lots of people say the opposite so maybe its just me. Pizza is much better on Princess. The IC beats the Cafe Promenade hands down. Room layout was better on Princess. Our room steward was better on RCI. MDR service was much better on Princess. Entertainment was better on RCI.

 

I didn't like the Royal Promenade area at all because it didn't have any windows. I was calling it the cave after a couple days. I could not figure out why people would want to have a drink or eat pizza in a cave. We attended a couple night time things there and went down for coffee a couple times but pretty much stayed away from it. I liked the layout of the Ruby much better.

 

Over all, I liked Princess better.

Exactly. All sounds great we have not used any of those things either.