What does Princess have to get me to change from Celebrity?

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I would not be surprized if somewhere down the road they rolled out a ship with standard balcony cabins as the highest price point

 

I agree, and have mentioned this on a previous thread.

 

They could take groups of premium location balcony cabins, and have connecting doors between them along with flexible furniture layouts. If you want a suite, you could book two or three of these adjoining cabins and staff could open the doors between them and arrange furniture as needed to suit your preferences--ie: middle cabin to be used as a living room (beds converted into couches/day beds), with cabins to each side to be used as bedrooms.

 

The cabins could still be sold individually if not needed as suites on a given cruise.

Edited May 8, 2015 by SoCal Cruiser78

[pris993]

We think it is time to change , from your experience why should we choose Princess?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

You need to check out Princess and see if it meet your expectations.

 

We are elite on Princess (23 cruises); elite on Celebrity about 16 cruises; cruise HAL and Cunard mostly now.

 

We find food and service better on Princess, we like the more traditional decor on Princess, HAL and Cunard over Celebrity.

 

Entertainment on Celebrity has always been hit and miss... for us.

[Aquahound]

We think it is time to change , from your experience why should we choose Princess?

 

I'm Elite on Celebrity and in the past 15 months, I've done 3 Princess cruises. The main reason for these 3 cruises wasn't a jump, so to say, from Celebrity or any other line. It was simply because they had short, inexpensive itineraries that attracted me. These 3 cruises were on Ruby, Caribbean and the brand new Regal.

 

To be completely honest, I think Princess is light years behind Celebrity, especially when comparing the Regal to Solstice Class.

 

I can't speak much to the loyalty program because I don't know what Princess offers at the higher levels. All I know is, I just got an email saying I made "Ruby," which really doesn't have any on board perks at all.

 

I think it's great to cruise other lines if for nothing else, just to break up the sameness, but I think it's unlikely you'll find a new favorite in Princess.

[Iamcruzin]

Another thing we like about Princess is that each adult is allowed to bring a bottle of wine or champagne in their carryon luggage when they first board the ship.

Celebrity has the same policy.

[Godello]

I've sailed a lot on Celebrity. I recently finished my second Princess cruise--the Diamond Princess from Singapore to Yokohama. Based on this voyage I'll be staying with Celebrity. The negatives I'll mention are specific to the Diamond; I don't know how general they are for other Princess ships. Specifically:

 

1. No daily newspaper summary on Princess (on Celebrity they appear in several languages and are good company for morning coffee).

 

2. No local maps available at Excursions or Customer Service Desks to just pick up on Princess. You have to wait in line (often a long one!) and if you ask for one they have to leave the desk, go in the back and retrieve one. They have them, they just aren’t keen about making them available.

3. No omelet station on Princess, but there is a sign that you can place an omelet order. You just have to wait until someone appears to take the order.

4. No pasta station on Princess.

5. “Orange juice” was clearly Tang on first two days of voyage, coffee was colored water. Then both reached typical cruise ship level of tremendously mediocre.

6. Most ships I’ve been on the upper deck has a large lounge area forward with lots of glass for grand viewing. On Princess that area is called “The Sanctuary” and they actually have the gall to charge you to use it. They call it a “nominal charge.” It’s $20!! Incredible! It’s free on any other ship I’ve been on, not just Celebrity.

7. Princess pours its “wines by the glass” in small glasses so one receives about a four ounce pour; Celebrity pours into “real” wine glasses and more like a six ounce pour. Celebrity always brings the wine bottle to the table (as does any restaurant) to make the pour; you never see the wine bottle on Princess—an absolute taboo in wine pouring.

8. Princess has nothing close to a dining room sommelier as does Celebrity. (I should add, the Diamond has four smaller dining rooms which is where I dined. The large dining room may have a sommelier--I don't know.)

 

Many would consider each of the above a small thing (though I consider "The Sanctuary" deal a BIG thing and ridiculous), but they add up.

 

I would add, that on this cruise we missed a port because of a non-working turbine. They knew about it before we left Singapore and had missed the same port on the previous cruise! So when the night before we are scheduled to arrive at the port the captain (Todd McBlaine) announces we would miss the port some people got pretty upset. Princess offered a $50/person credit but that seemed pretty minimal. The next day, at the end of his daily "announcement," Captain McBlaine became very stern and said that some passengers had exhibited inappropriate behavior with staff. He said this kind of thing was not tolerated, that he knew who these people were, and that if they continued in that fashion at any time during the rest of the voyage they would be put off the ship at the next port.

 

Holy cow! I know there are too many passengers who treat staff rudely and I'm confident it happened in this case. Some of them deserve to be disembarked. But in my opinion you deal with those passengers directly. You do not make a threatening shipwide announcement to the entire lot of passengers. Other folks I talked to found it incredible. Never witnessed anything close to it on any other ship I've been on.

 

So, based on this cruise, as I said, I'd stick with Celebrity!

[swedish girl]

We sail both but please be aware that if you sail Princess and enjoy the evening shows, you will need to get there 45min to an hour early as they fill up quickly and later than that you may be turned away. Bring a good book or iPad as I've seen people do. We've never had this issue with Celebrity.

[Iamcruzin]

We sail both but please be aware that if you sail Princess and enjoy the evening shows, you will need to get there 45min to an hour early as they fill up quickly and later than that you may be turned away. Bring a good book or iPad as I've seen people do. We've never had this issue with Celebrity.

 

 

That's what is so ridiculous about the Princess theater. Sit 45 minutes for a 30 minute show.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

That's what is so ridiculous about the Princess theater. Sit 45 minutes for a 30 minute show.

 

I agree, and that is why we almost never attend the shows on Princess. I can see why suite pax feel they should get reserved seating. When we do want to see a show, we have to eat dinner in the HC to get to the theatre early as the MDR can be slow.

[azgrandmax3]

I guess the only time that Customer Service 'personal cruise specialist' would call is if you book directly on-line. I have never received a call and only have cruised Princess 50 times?

 

Is this only for guests who book on-line?

Don't get over excited about the personal cruise specialists. SOME will say anything to get you to work with them. Promises they have no business making. We spoke to the Member Service on ship about what was being promised to our family member and was told "NO ONE is suppose to make promises on behalf of Princess regarding free upgrades. That is exactly what was being promised. My understanding is the "specialists" work on a commission bases. And may are part time. Not always available.

[workstocruise]

Stay with Celebrity! We did our first cruise on X, then 4 months later our 4th cruise on the Sapphire Princess. The difference was big. The food, entertainment, service and crew were all far below what Celebrity had to offer.

We thought the food in the buffet was terrible and I doubt we will ever sail Princess again. The laundry is nice, but seriously who wants to do laundry on vacation. Just pack a few extra items. We are older now and don't do formal nights anymore so we can leave those clothes at home. All of this is subjective and you just have to find what works for you.

[LabGuy64]

Speaking of the shows.....i was just on the Crown princess....and was in an owners suite...(the owner must have simple taste in cabins) and observed in a Princess side thread that I though a few more ammenities were in order for what was the top tier suite on the ship (no X Penthouse equivalent and a poor second cousin to the Royal suite) I mentioned I would enclude priority disembarkation at ports....(they do give priorities on tenders when they are used) priority seating for shows....as the theater is small compaired to the number of passengers....

And their elite lounge (they open skywalkers night club from 5:00-7:00) sould offer more than breadsticks, cheese and a handfull of shrimp (we got there one day just after 5:00 one day and when my wife wanted to get something off the table she was told she had to wait 4 minutes...very odd...and pathetic). the responce from the princess cruisers was mainly that suite passengers got enough by way of perks and that princess should not offer anything that would impact the non suite passengers. like allowing them priority in disembarkation seating lounge use etc. CRAZY

 

 

 

We sail both but please be aware that if you sail Princess and enjoy the evening shows, you will need to get there 45min to an hour early as they fill up quickly and later than that you may be turned away. Bring a good book or iPad as I've seen people do. We've never had this issue with Celebrity.

Edited May 10, 2015 by LabGuy64

[RDC1]

Speaking of the shows.....i was just on the Crown princess....and was in an owners suite...(the owner must have simple taste in cabins) and observed in a Princess side thread that I though a few more ammenities were in order for what was the top tier suite on the ship (no X Penthouse equivalent and a poor second cousin to the Royal suite) I mentioned I would enclude priority disembarkation at ports....(they do give priorities on tenders when they are used) priority seating for shows....as the theater is small compaired to the number of passengers....

And their elite lounge (they open skywalkers night club from 5:00-7:00) sould offer more than breadsticks, cheese and a handfull of shrimp (we got there one day just after 5:00 one day and when my wife wanted to get something off the table she was told she had to wait 4 minutes...very odd...and pathetic). the responce from the princess cruisers was mainly that suite passengers got enough by way of perks and that princess should not offer anything that would impact the non suite passengers. like allowing them priority in disembarkation seating lounge use etc. CRAZY

 

Not crazy. Princess is doing well with their current business model towards suites.

 

Celebrity and Royal are in a horse race with NCL on who can through allocate more of the ship for extra suite privileges. A race Princess has not chosen to enter.

 

The interesting feature is the more that they add items like special dining rooms, the more the quality seems to be reported as dropping off in main dining.

 

Those that want to pay for those suite benefits have places where they can find them (NCL, Cunard, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean).

 

Those that like common main dining rooms, equally shared public spaces, etc can continue on with Princess.

[Hlitner]

We have a different "take" on the entire topic. The idea of "changing" cruise lines is something we do not understand. Over the years we have cruised on 14 different lines and enjoyed them all. Using different lines gives us more variety in cruising which is probably why after forty years of cruising (over 100 days in some years) we have never tired of being at sea. Last year we cruised on Celebrity, Princess and HAL (totally 77 days) and loved every day. With different lines (and ships) we had totally different menus, different entertainment, and a variety of amenities. While we love Qsine and Murano on the S-Class Celebrity ships, we spent a lot of time at the International Cafe on the Ruby Princess. And the Caribe Deck balconies on the Grand Class ships are hard to beat for the money.

 

So you want to know why to try a different cruise line? Just for a change of pace and perhaps a totally new itinerary.

 

Hank

[Jetswdo]

We have been on all the major cruise lines, except HAL and Carnival---We had a great time on all our cruises. We loved everything about the Celebrity Reflection (aqua)

hated though not having self service washers and driers on board. Years ago we loved our cruise on NCL Jewel- it was the last year that they had self service washers and driers and concierge service with a mini suite. On Princess we were on the Island, Hawaii round trip- wonderful trip, so so food. Alaska on Saphire Princess, loved the ship, nearly starved to death that sailing. Last year on Royal Princess-- very good food, not crazy about the ship layout- still had a great time. We have 3 more cruises booked: Celebrity Summit for Bermuda. (1 week, I can handle without washers and driers) Coral Princess for Panama Canal, Regal Princess for New England Cruise- (we like that it is just 1 week- all the others are much longer-it leaves from NY so I can visit friends and family)

 

We just want to avoid ships with all the amusement park type of stuff on board- but if the itinerary and price works for us, then we would just put up with that and focus on the positive.

[cr8tiv1]

We have been on all the major cruise lines, except HAL and Carnival---We had a great time on all our cruises. We loved everything about the Celebrity Reflection (aqua)

hated though not having self service washers and driers on board. Years ago we loved our cruise on NCL Jewel- it was the last year that they had self service washers and driers and concierge service with a mini suite. On Princess we were on the Island, Hawaii round trip- wonderful trip, so so food. Alaska on Saphire Princess, loved the ship, nearly starved to death that sailing. Last year on Royal Princess-- very good food, not crazy about the ship layout- still had a great time. We have 3 more cruises booked: Celebrity Summit for Bermuda. (1 week, I can handle without washers and driers) Coral Princess for Panama Canal, Regal Princess for New England Cruise- (we like that it is just 1 week- all the others are much longer-it leaves from NY so I can visit friends and family)

 

We just want to avoid ships with all the amusement park type of stuff on board- but if the itinerary and price works for us, then we would just put up with that and focus on the positive.

 

Thank you for your perspective. I found this to be very positive and quite a twist out of the ordinary.

 

But I do have a question about your cruise in red. I do not recall the Island Princess going to Hawaii. So not sure if her food was "so so" or that another ship's food was "so so".

 

I would love to do a small ship (Coral/Island) to the Hawaiian Islands. I sure hope you were cruising with ELUA. They makes it a magical journey.

[freetocruise]

Trhank you for your perspective. I found this to be very positive and quite a twist out of the ordinary.

 

But I do have a question about your cruise in red. I do not recall the Island Princess going to Hawaii. So not sure if her food was "so so" or that another ship's food was "so so".

 

I would love to do a small ship (Coral/Island) to the Hawaiian Islands. I sure hope you were cruising with ELUA. They makes it a magical journey.

 

We sailed Island Princess twice to Hawaii in 2004 and 2006. They were 15 day cruises out of LA that included a stop in Kona as well as the standard 4 they currently have. This was when he Dawn Princess was still in the US and sailing the Panama Canal itineraries on a regular basis.

 

Interesting tidbit on Elua, I have old Patters that list them as just one of the musical performers with no other responsibilities. There was no real "Hawaiiana" experience back then. If I remember correctly (and I could easily be remembering wrongly), it was Dave Cole, a cruise director with a love all all things Hawaiian, who started the program that expanded to enlarge Elua's role. The program is now so popular that Princess has included two additional couples to bring this experience to more ships.

[chamima]

What does Princess have to do to get me to leave Celebrity? They did it, they hired Perry Grant so cancelled Celebrity cruises (several of them) and booked Royal Princess, his new home and now mine, too.

 

 

 

You'll love the Royal.

There are so many venues to try and the piazza is spectacular (and we are outdoor people so expected not to like it).

We missed the beautiful Solarium area from Celebrity (an indoor pool is wonderful for cold, rainy or extremely hot days).

We cruise both lines so are aware of the differences but in general find the food MUCH better on Princess (the pastas and desserts are out of this world) and the drink prices much more reasonable if you don't have a drink package.

Even though we are Elite on both lines and so get free laundry, we like having the self service laundry rooms available to do a last minute touch up to a wrinkled item (although going to dinner with a wrinkled shirt isn't the end of the world.)

 

I agree that the Suite benefits on Celebrity are far and away better but I also wonder if the price of suites may not reflect that.

[cr8tiv1]

We sailed Island Princess twice to Hawaii in 2004 and 2006. They were 15 day cruises out of LA that included a stop in Kona as well as the standard 4 they currently have. This was when he Dawn Princess was still in the US and sailing the Panama Canal itineraries on a regular basis.

 

Interesting tidbit on Elua, I have old Patters that list them as just one of the musical performers with no other responsibilities. There was no real "Hawaiiana" experience back then. If I remember correctly (and I could easily be remembering wrongly), it was Dave Cole, a cruise director with a love all all things Hawaiian, who started the program that expanded to enlarge Elua's role. The program is now so popular that Princess has included two additional couples to bring this experience to more ships.

 

Thank you for the clarification. That was during my cruise hiatus (I was working).

 

The Hawaiianana (Hawaiian Cultural Experience) is the creation of both ELUA (Dave and Leialoha) and CD Dave Cole. All three have a love for the islands that go above and beyond just being a kama'aina. It has grown and developed into a fabulous experience. And yes, it has sort of been expanded to the other ships (I know CD Dave has shared some of his lectures and they have other duos on board). But you can't go wrong with the originals. Quite a wonderful experience. On this last cruise, ELUA Dave actually had his own performance in the Vista Lounge.

 

Oh...how I eagerly await to see where Princess will place ELUA and CD Dave Cole next season.

[Jetswdo]

The only 2 things not crazy about Celebrity is the laundry situation-- I constantly overpack to compensate--for me very annoying----

The other- the seats roped off for the suites- I always go 30 minutes to 40 minutes early for shows- I like people watching and being relaxed before the show starts. Sat in the first row behind roped off section- which is my general to go to kind of seats. Now I can understand having this be a suite perk, but, I think it can be done differently---I would send suite passengers a head of time, a seating chart and list of shows they wish to attend- Have the seats chosen reserved for that particular show-- no obnoxious rope-- and yes, if 15 minutes before show time- a no show, then said seat would be open to every one. There aren't THAT MANY suites for this to be a problem.

But in general, I have found the food choices on Celebrity, good to outstanding, on the S class ships, the indoor ADULT version of Princess sanctuary, with pool, included with passage-- water included with soda packages and choices of soda far superior to Princess. Generally, I think Princess has better entertainment overall (although some of the Celebrity shows were up to par with Princess. I like Princess trivia games better. Food on Princess is inconsistent- can be down right horrid to excellent as I said before in my past comments. So I will say again, go first for the itinerary that works best-- be flexible with the few differences between the lines- just go with it-- I think there are more similarities than differences between Princess and Celebrity--Also what bothers some people may have no significanse with others- For example- I don't care one way or the other regarding full walk promenade around the ship- so that is not a deal breaker for me. My dh hated on the Royal Princess not having a steam room right next to the gym. But we are going on the Regal (basic twin ship) for New England/Canada cruise next year- it's 7 days- food is good, he just knows that on this ship, oh well, no steam room for him after using gym- No need for sanctuary use on this sailing- (Oct) so the things that we didn't particularly like on the Royal, with the exception of the crowded elevators, won't be any issue for us at all.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

We are the opposite. We are Princess cruisers and wanted to try Celebrity. Not because of anything Princess has done and I will continue to cruise Princess but just because we wanted to try something new.

 

But, that being said, I can say the Princess website and finding the cabin you want and the excursion you want in infinitely better than Celebrity's website. This really isn't a reason to chose a cruise line but it sure makes the process much easier.

 

No pre-paying gratuities if you have Anytime dining. No pre-paying excursions. This can be a plus or a minus for folks.

 

I know I will enjoy our Celebrity cruise once I'm on board. We like the more modern decor and it was just time to try some new restaurants, etc.

 

I get why you might be looking to expand horizons.

Edited July 10, 2015 by AZ Ocean Lover
Add some lines

[Elua]

We sailed Island Princess twice to Hawaii in 2004 and 2006. They were 15 day cruises out of LA that included a stop in Kona as well as the standard 4 they currently have. This was when he Dawn Princess was still in the US and sailing the Panama Canal itineraries on a regular basis.

 

Interesting tidbit on Elua, I have old Patters that list them as just one of the musical performers with no other responsibilities. There was no real "Hawaiiana" experience back then. If I remember correctly (and I could easily be remembering wrongly), it was Dave Cole, a cruise director with a love all all things Hawaiian, who started the program that expanded to enlarge Elua's role. The program is now so popular that Princess has included two additional couples to bring this experience to more ships.

 

Aloha,

Wow...that is going back a few years. Indeed, when we worked on the Island Princess in 2006-7, we were playing in the Wheelhouse. (Mostly ballroom and pop, with an occasional Hawaiian song thrown in) Leialoha and I actually started in the Wheelhouse with Princess in 2005 and began to play the Hawaiian music for them full time in 2007 on the Diamond Princess.

 

The Hawaiian Enrichment Program as we know it now, came about when Leialoha and I sat down with Robert Smolkin, who at that time was in charge of Princess' Enrichment Programs. We talked to him about what we saw as an opportunity to expand greatly the offerings for Hawaiian culture and programming on the ships. I must say that it was really Leialoha who originally came up with the idea. Being a local girl from Kaneohe on O'ahu, she felt that the guests could very easily be given a much larger taste of actual Hawaiian culture. We piloted the program on the Diamond with David Cole as CD and Dan Gibbons who took over for David while he was on vacation.

 

But, while the original idea was ours, it would never have been birthed, blossomed and succeeded as it has without David Cole. David helped us immensely in shaping the programming in its infancy.His love of the islands was an integral part of shaping the program and of course, his port talks are legendary..and rightfully so. (And now his other talks on the islands that he developed) Working hand in hand with David, the program became what it is today, including the two other couples who perform and instruct.

 

The three of us are very proud of the program, and consider it our baby, and we are all glad that so many people have enjoyed it over the years and hope that it continues for many years to come so that as many people as possible can enjoy our culture and our islands.

 

Aloha No,

Dave

(of Elua)

http://www.facebook.com/eluamusic

http://www.facebook.com/tikidavemusic

[chamima]

Aloha,

Wow...that is going back a few years. Indeed, when we worked on the Island Princess in 2006-7, we were playing in the Wheelhouse. (Mostly ballroom and pop, with an occasional Hawaiian song thrown in) Leialoha and I actually started in the Wheelhouse with Princess in 2005 and began to play the Hawaiian music for them full time in 2007 on the Diamond Princess.

 

The Hawaiian Enrichment Program as we know it now, came about when Leialoha and I sat down with Robert Smolkin, who at that time was in charge of Princess' Enrichment Programs. We talked to him about what we saw as an opportunity to expand greatly the offerings for Hawaiian culture and programming on the ships. I must say that it was really Leialoha who originally came up with the idea. Being a local girl from Kaneohe on O'ahu, she felt that the guests could very easily be given a much larger taste of actual Hawaiian culture. We piloted the program on the Diamond with David Cole as CD and Dan Gibbons who took over for David while he was on vacation.

 

But, while the original idea was ours, it would never have been birthed, blossomed and succeeded as it has without David Cole. David helped us immensely in shaping the programming in its infancy.His love of the islands was an integral part of shaping the program and of course, his port talks are legendary..and rightfully so. (And now his other talks on the islands that he developed) Working hand in hand with David, the program became what it is today, including the two other couples who perform and instruct.

 

The three of us are very proud of the program, and consider it our baby, and we are all glad that so many people have enjoyed it over the years and hope that it continues for many years to come so that as many people as possible can enjoy our culture and our islands.

 

Aloha No,

Dave

(of Elua)

http://www.facebook.com/eluamusic

http://www.facebook.com/tikidavemusic

 

***

[DrivesLikeMario]

I think you'll find both cruise lines are very good. For us as mostly Princess cruisers, Celebrity has recently won us over because of their 123Go Promo. We booked Concierge Class on both upcoming sailings, so we're getting: free drinks, free gratuities, free $300 OBC in addition to $50/$75 Group OBC on our upcoming sailings. It's going to be hard spending that OBC money when so much is already paid for, but we're up for the challenge. :D

[freetocruise]

Aloha,

Wow...that is going back a few years. Indeed, when we worked on the Island Princess in 2006-7, we were playing in the Wheelhouse. (Mostly ballroom and pop, with an occasional Hawaiian song thrown in) Leialoha and I actually started in the Wheelhouse with Princess in 2005 and began to play the Hawaiian music for them full time in 2007 on the Diamond Princess.

 

The Hawaiian Enrichment Program as we know it now, came about when Leialoha and I sat down with Robert Smolkin, who at that time was in charge of Princess' Enrichment Programs. We talked to him about what we saw as an opportunity to expand greatly the offerings for Hawaiian culture and programming on the ships. I must say that it was really Leialoha who originally came up with the idea. Being a local girl from Kaneohe on O'ahu, she felt that the guests could very easily be given a much larger taste of actual Hawaiian culture. We piloted the program on the Diamond with David Cole as CD and Dan Gibbons who took over for David while he was on vacation.

 

But, while the original idea was ours, it would never have been birthed, blossomed and succeeded as it has without David Cole. David helped us immensely in shaping the programming in its infancy.His love of the islands was an integral part of shaping the program and of course, his port talks are legendary..and rightfully so. (And now his other talks on the islands that he developed) Working hand in hand with David, the program became what it is today, including the two other couples who perform and instruct.

 

The three of us are very proud of the program, and consider it our baby, and we are all glad that so many people have enjoyed it over the years and hope that it continues for many years to come so that as many people as possible can enjoy our culture and our islands.

 

Aloha No,

Dave

(of Elua)

http://www.facebook.com/eluamusic

http://www.facebook.com/tikidavemusic

 

Dave,

Thanks so much for filling in the gaps in my knowledge. I'm so glad you and Leialoha had the wonderful idea to enlarge the Hawaiiana program and to Dave Cole for taking your plan and "running with it". You three are great and it is always a special treat when the three of you are together. My husband and I have taken this cruise 7 times since 2004 and love the enrichment program. Please tell Leialoha that I have at least 3 crocheted leis that I worked on in her classes and am looking forward to adding to my collection next November. Hope you're onboard.

[peggyann]

Like Cruisestitch, I think that Princess has accomplished what it had to do to entice me to move from Celebrity. Had the good judgement to bring the legendary Perry Grant to the Royal.