Caribbean Princess vs. Royal Princess

[sallybrown2012]

We are going to be on this ship in August. Our previous experience was on the Royal Princess, and it was wonderful. Can anyone comment on the differences we should expect between the ships (aside from the fact that the Royal is bigger)? One of the things I personally loved about the Royal was movies under the stars, and I understand the Caribbean P. has that too. Many thanks.

[dcrow72]

Haven't been on Royal yet (October!) but have been on CB several times. Main differences are that CB has a full walk around outside on Promenade deck. An aft pool for adults only, smaller Horizon Court buffet area, bigger balconies (go for Caribe deck for the really big ones), and center stairs that the Royal apparently does not have. No Alfredo's or Bellini's either. Others who have done both should be able to give more info. I love the CB though; she's a great ship with great staff.

[Cruise Amuse]

Both ships are great, but as the previous person mentioned, there is no Bellini's, no Alfredo's sit down pizzeria, no Gelato Shop, and a smaller Atrium on the Caribbean Princess. You will also find the Buffet area will be very cramped in comparison to the Royal. There is also no separate Pastry Shop. The Sanctuary is different and there are no dancing water fountains.

 

On the positive side, the balconies are bigger. Most positive of all is that you're on a Princess ship, so it's all good.

 

Bon Voyage!

[sallybrown2012]

Thank you both! I do like a promenade deck that you can walk around, and also like being able to lie in a deck chair and nap, but I'm not sure that the CP has deck chairs - does anyone know?

[caribill]

Thank you both! I do like a promenade deck that you can walk around, and also like being able to lie in a deck chair and nap, but I'm not sure that the CP has deck chairs - does anyone know?

 

The code for the Caribbean Princess is CB.

 

Below is a picture of the Promenade deck. I only see a bench, but there may have been some chairs elsewhere on the deck.

 

 

 

And here is a picture from several years ago which does show some wooden chairs.

 

[CharlesOK]

I sailed on both these ships this year CB in Feb out of Houston and Royal on a TA to Copenhagen. For me, the loss of the promenade was a deal killer. The CB goes all the way around and for me it means about 5 turns a day. I like the feeling of being on a ship at sea. Royal is all shiny and new and the crew were great. Food on all the ships OK, not memorable except the blueberry pancakes on the CB and Chateaux Briand on the Royal. I wont sail on the Royal again but were booked for the April TA on the CB again in 2015. I prefer sailing on a classic cruise ship, not a floating hotel.

[Times Prince]

We have sailed on Caribbean Princess but not Royal Princess, and recently went through a similar decision process on a TA cruise in 2015. (CharlesOK - I guess we will see you onboard in April)

 

We have seen the deck chairs on the Promenade deck - they do not have a place to put your feet up, and we've seen people use two for this purpose.

 

The deal breaker for us (other than a minor price difference) was the Caribbean Princess has several venues for dancing, whereas the Royal Princess apparently only has the Atrium.

[Mom33]

Thank you both! I do like a promenade deck that you can walk around, and also like being able to lie in a deck chair and nap, but I'm not sure that the CP has deck chairs - does anyone know?

 

 

I have been on both. The Caribbean Princess had chairs and benches on the Promenade deck. It does not have the full lounger because the deck is narrow. The Royal has the full padded loungers.

 

 

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[Grego]

I have been on both. The Caribbean Princess had chairs and benches on the Promenade deck. It does not have the full lounger because the deck is narrow. The Royal has the full padded loungers.

 

 

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Appropriate answer.

[Carolyn R]

I sailed on both these ships this year. I prefer sailing on a classic cruise ship, not a floating hotel.

 

Haha! I have sailed many times on the CB and would not hesitate to do so again, but since when is she considered a "classic cruise ship"? ;)

 

I have also sailed the Royal and loved her too! I have never been a promenade walker and had an aft cabin so stairs and no walkable promenade were not an issue for me on the Royal. The CB does have Skywalkers and the top deck pool areas are configured differently. Enough things are the same or similar that you will be able to see that the Royal and the CB are sister ships. Enjoy your cruise!

[PescadoAmarillo]

If shade is important to you, when lounging on the open deck or walking, the Caribbean Princess has the clear advantage.

[kendon]

We are going to be on this ship in August. Our previous experience was on the Royal Princess, and it was wonderful. Can anyone comment on the differences we should expect between the ships (aside from the fact that the Royal is bigger)? One of the things I personally loved about the Royal was movies under the stars, and I understand the Caribbean P. has that too. Many thanks.

 

I was on the Royal this past February and will be on the CB next month. Let me tell you that the Royal is a tough act to follow. I've been on the CB many times and overall, the Royal is MUCH more elegant. Don't forget that it's brand new as well. We should both be enjoying ourselves all the same!

[Pam in CA]

I was on the Royal this past February and will be on the CB next month. Let me tell you that the Royal is a tough act to follow. I've been on the CB many times and overall, the Royal is MUCH more elegant. Don't forget that it's brand new as well. We should both be enjoying ourselves all the same!

I've been on the CB and the Royal, as well as almost all of the Princess ships and for me, I'd pick the Royal over the CB in a heartbeat. You can say that the CB has the Promenade deck but whenever I've been on any Promenade deck, it's been practically empty except for walkers while the pool hogs up on Lido deck were having a field day. The CB has a center staircase but if that's important to you, book a cabin either towards the forward or aft on the Royal. The CB has Skywalkers, which I enjoy, but then the Royal's Piazza and buffet are light years better than the Atrium and Horizon Court on the CB. No comparison. IMHO, the only real negative to the Royal is that there are no oceanview cabins.

 

I'd book the CB only if it was the only ship sailing the itinerary I want.

[Cruise a holic]

We are going to be on this ship in August. Our previous experience was on the Royal Princess, and it was wonderful. Can anyone comment on the differences we should expect between the ships (aside from the fact that the Royal is bigger)? One of the things I personally loved about the Royal was movies under the stars, and I understand the Caribbean P. has that too. Many thanks.

 

Have been on the CP a couple of times. I agree with a previous poster that the ship, buffet, theatre etc is cramped. We booked to Sanctuary for the week to ensure that we had a place to sit and relax. The ship does have movies under the stars. The CP is smaller and older. I suggest you get to the theatre early to avoid not getting seats.

 

If you liked the Royal you probably will enjoy the CP.

 

Have a good cruise.

[geoherb]

The lack of a walkable Promenade Deck is almost a deal-breaker for me. I may eventually take a cruise on the Royal, but it won't be before trying to find another Princess ship (or even a HAL one) to take instead.

[Pam in CA]

The CP is smaller and older. I suggest you get to the theatre early to avoid not getting seats.

 

If you liked the Royal you probably will enjoy the CP.

You mean the "CB"; the CP is the Sea Princess which is older and smaller. These are the 2-letter abbreviations used by Princess:

 

CP = Sea Princess

CO = Coral Princess

CB = Caribbean Princess

KP = Crown Princess

 

Otherwise, it gets very confusing.

Edited June 23, 2014 by Pam in CA

[lfk60]

DH and I have been on both and are sailing on the CB again in August. We love both for different reasons.

 

As others have said, you cannot beat the atrium on the Royal!! And the Horizon Court is wonderful! We loved Bellinis and Alfredo's as well.

 

On the CB, we love the aft pool, the roomier casino, an, IMHO, the best Crown Grill! We sure hope Gabe is still running it in August! And, again, as others have noted, larger balconies, and yes we booked Caribe deck. :)

 

In either case, we are just thankful to be cruising! Sure beats going to the office! :D

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[umuva]

Just got off the CB and it feels like it needs a refurbishing. Seems old. Food not up to Princess standards. The royal is gorgeous with one of the best cruise director's staff anywhere! Plenty of activities, great Alfredo's and always humming

As for HAL, we are 3 star but too many cutbacks. A cruise director and one asst on recent Eurodam cruise led to very few activities. Food declining. Ship needed thorough cleaning. HAL used to be our favorite but no more. We love Princess. Best perks in the business.

 

 

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[SeagoingMom]

I have been on both. The Caribbean Princess had chairs and benches on the Promenade deck. It does not have the full lounger because the deck is narrow. The Royal has the full padded loungers.

 

 

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The deck chairs on the CB are wooden, yes, as shown in the photo above, but they had thick pads on both seat and back when we sailed in March. The problem with the chairs is they are just plain uncomfortable. The backs recline (although I think I was the only person on our cruise who figured that out) but because they have no foot rests, the chairs are pretty uncomfortable. The only thing you can do to really relax is pull up another chair and put your feet on it. This may require acquiring a chair from a distance away, if you can find an unoccupied one -- there aren't many chairs and they are scattered.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have cruised aboard the Royal Princess (as well as the brand new Regal Princess) and the Caribbean Princess. I like both classes of ship, but prefer the Royal Princess. The Caribbean Princess is nice and has some advantages (wraparound promenade deck, center stairwell and Skywalkers with the excellent views), but the public areas (Piazza, etc.) are not as impressive on the Caribbean Princess. However, I am booked on the Caribbean Princess and looking forward to my cruise.

 

Chuck

[kendon]

Have been on the CP a couple of times. I agree with a previous poster that the ship, buffet, theatre etc is cramped. We booked to Sanctuary for the week to ensure that we had a place to sit and relax. The ship does have movies under the stars. The CP is smaller and older. I suggest you get to the theatre early to avoid not getting seats.

 

If you liked the Royal you probably will enjoy the CP.

 

Have a good cruise.

 

CB, not CP

[MauiLvrs]

The Royal has the full padded loungers.

Which may be nice and all ... BUT NO Promenade

[Mom33]

Which may be nice and all ... BUT NO Promenade

 

Well.....I had to sashay down deck 7 to the aft to relax on a full padded lounger.I breathed in the wonderful salt air and marveled at the sea as I watched the wake of the ship. Then I sashayed back up the deck to mid ships to enter the Piazza. I couldn't promenade around deck 7, but what I did do more than compensated. :D:p

[edpeeks]

We have been on both. If most things (price, itinerary, etc.) were the same, I would pick the Royal.

[kendon]

Well.....I had to sashay down deck 7 to the aft to relax on a full padded lounger.I breathed in the wonderful salt air and marveled at the sea as I watched the wake of the ship. Then I sashayed back up the deck to mid ships to enter the Piazza. I couldn't promenade around deck 7, but what I did do more than compensated. :D:p

 

Well said...and I second that!