Comparing Princess and Celebrity

[Jasperdo]

Regarding your last question the perpetrator was arrested after another armed home invasion in a different state a month later. He's been in jail since December awaiting trial. All is well.

Excellent news!

[Bimmer09]

The S Class ships like the Silhouette have 3 pools. 2 of them are end to end midship.

 

 

One pool is adults only and the other is a family pool. They are open from 7 am to 11pm. Loungers are left out overnight and not tied up at dusk as on Princess.

 

The pools look good at night

 

 

The 3rd pool is an indoor one which can come in handy on a rainy or windy day and would be useful too in Alaskan waters. It's called the Solarium and is open 7 am to 11 also. It has a cafe serving healthy snacks and smoothies.

 

 

Nice padded loungers. Adults only. The pool furniture is not what you usually see on a ship...

 

Hammock for two

 

 

 

 

POOLS?

 

ADVANTAGE CELEBRITY

 

(FOR THE INDOOR POOL, THE 11PM CLOSING, THE POOL FURNITURE, SWIM ACCESSORY SHOP AND THE "CANVAS" SUN SHADES)

[geoherb]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. Is there a problem with the adults-only pool being right beside the family-friendly one? That was our complaint on the Sun Princess.

[Bimmer09]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. Is there a problem with the adults-only pool being right beside the family-friendly one? That was our complaint on the Sun Princess.

 

Hi and welcome!

 

There were barely any kids on our cruise. I can think of three and one of those was a toddler. The ship sets aside 6 pm to 9 pm (dinner hours) as Family Time at the pools. I didn't notice any takers and there was not one squeal heard all week.

 

I think like Princess the line doesn't attract young families.

 

When I see a ship with "fun apparatus", such as a waterpark or jungle gym on the upper decks I immediately get out my notebook and add it to my list to avoid. The X demographic and the Princess one were the same on this cruise.

Respectful people on the ship to relax during the day and have fun at night after a good meal. It took me about one second to adjust and feel at home.

 

I will say that the Silhouette was more lively in the evening with a lot going on and the closing hours for the bars (coming up next) reflected that.

 

Next morning the ship took longer to wake up-e.g the buffet opens for real at 7.00 am as opposed to 5.30 on Princess. That suited me as I like having the ship to myself as I'm an early riser.

 

Cheers,

 

Norris

[RocketMan275]

Hi, I did a youtube search on Vista Suites Dolphin Deck Princess Cruises but it only showed mini suites so I can't give you a definitive answer. As the stern is vertical I think it unlikely that your balcony will differ from the one I showed on the Emerald as you are just one deck below.

 

Norris

 

You won't get much from youtube. Tried that. Just google vista princess suite images.

 

Here's one:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1726579

 

Post #5.

This is an image posted on cruise critic of a vista suite on dolphin. See what I mean?

 

From what I can tell, the vista's on Caribe are the smallest. Dolphin appears to be much bigger. Emerald can have noise issues if over Club Fusion.

 

We've got D-736 booked on CB in December. The reason I've been asking is because we might be interested in a Penthouse suite but only if there is a significantly larger balcony.

 

BTW, enjoying your review. We cancelled a Celebrity Suite on Silhouette to book a vista on CB. Saved about $1000. Often wonder if we should have kept the booking.

Edited February 19, 2016 by RocketMan275

[Bimmer09]

You won't get much from youtube. Tried that. Just google vista princess suite images.

 

Here's one:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1726579

 

Post #5.

This is an image posted on cruise critic of a vista suite on dolphin. See what I mean?

 

From what I can tell, the vista's on Caribe are the smallest. Dolphin appears to be much bigger. Emerald can have noise issues if over Club Fusion.

 

We've got D-736 booked on CB in December. The reason I've been asking is because we might be interested in a Penthouse suite but only if there is a significantly larger balcony.

 

BTW, enjoying your review. We cancelled a Celebrity Suite on Silhouette to book a vista on CB. Saved about $1000. Often wonder if we should have kept the booking.

 

Yes the pic shows a deeper balcony than Caribe 750 on the Emerald. I'd be happy with that.

 

Norris

[stoneharborlady]

ar, great to see you again and I'm glad you're tuned in to the comparison.

 

I've had a lot of people mention health considerations after eating my muffins.

I wasn't wearing my glasses when I baked them and will need to check that recipe again.

 

Norris

 

 

 

 

Oh terrific, NOW he tells us!!! :eek:

[josumello]

Whew!! I am now caught up on both threads, the review and the comparison. Great posts. Have done both lines. Agree with many of your observations with the exception of MDR. Of course each cruise is different. Our dinning experiences have been excellent on X. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you have put into your reviews. Love your writing style. Much appreciated.

 

Sue

[Bimmer09]

Pat mentioned coffee so I'll talk about that.

 

As an early riser I need that first cup of coffee. As I head for the top decks I usually get my fix from the buffet. I've tried the fresh brewed using my Coffee Card on Princess but it wasn't much better than the syrup pour in the buffet and paper cups aren't my favorite.

 

So on Princess I get my coffee syrup here

 

 

There are several of these stations in the buffet.

 

On Silhouette I also go to the buffet for coffee

.

 

 

There are several smaller stations in the buffet

 

 

They brew

 

 

Lavazza- a recognized and good brand. It comes ground in domestic sized packs.

If it's after 7 a.m (6 on disembarkation day) I can get espresso or cappuccino from Il Secondo Bacio, which is a bar within the buffet. It's included in my Beverage Package.

 

 

COFFEE?

 

ADVANTAGE CELEBRITY

 

(FOR THE LAVAZZA COFFEE, THE BAR WITHIN THE BUFFET AND THE FRUIT JUICE MACHINE)

[GUT2407]

I'm glad you are finding merit in the comparison Gut.

 

Princess was our first too. If we were to look for a cruise today we now have two worthy lines to choose from and 10 more ships and itineraries. That helps.

 

I didn't try the Aqua Spa Cafe-but I will next time as your wife is so gung-ho on it!

 

Cheers,

 

Norris

 

It's all healthy junk.

[Bimmer09]

Whew!! I am now caught up on both threads, the review and the comparison. Great posts. Have done both lines. Agree with many of your observations with the exception of MDR. Of course each cruise is different. Our dinning experiences have been excellent on X. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you have put into your reviews. Love your writing style. Much appreciated.

 

Sue

 

Thanks Sue! As you saw my X MDR experience was not good -both food and service but I'm ready to try again on the Reflection. Hopefully Carol will join me there.

 

I'm glad you've read both and have enjoyed them. Much appreciated.

 

Norris

[sajlm045]

It seems that this thread is just getting warmed up. I'll have a double espresso and a Sambuca please!

[Michelle19]

This is so great. Really enjoying it!! Thank You:)

[MJSailors]

Hello Norris

Just chiming in here.

On the Regal and,I would think the Royal, the new buffet layout provides a coffee station which serves fresh brewed coffee as well specialty coffees such as espresso,etc.

It took me a few mornings to realize this when we were on the Regal last year.

Before making this discovery at the HC, I would go to the IC to get my morning latte and carry it up to the buffet for breakfast.

Having the specialty coffee station in the HC is very convenient.

Perhaps, this will be offered in the future on the other Princess ships.

[lor74]

The coffee station at the buffet on regal/Royal only serves specialty coffees with the card, there is no regular brew or iced.

[Cruisencatlady]

Love your line comparisons so far! Not so sure about your muffins.

 

Since my return this week from a Princess 10-day Partial Panama Canal/Costa Rica(not!)/Caribbean cruise on the Coral Princess, I'm in full blown ABP mode for my fall vacation. Your review as a mainly Princess cruiser is helpful to this only Princess traveler, but X, Disney, or Royal Caribbean may be an option next time. Being a solo traveler without a huge budget for a suite, I wonder how the non-suite, steerage cabins compare.

 

Hope the Feds don't handcuff you, and you get to finish your review.

[Bimmer09]

As there are so many bars- 11 on Princess and 13 on Celebrity I'll break them down into;

 

Casual Bars which will include the pool bars

 

Bars with music and/or dancing

 

Wine Bars

 

So casual bars first...

 

Princess-

Tradewinds (pool and smoking section)

Calypso ( movie screen pool)

Outrigger (aft pool)

Casino Bar

 

Celebrity

Cafe al Bacio

Il Secondo Bacio

Casino Bar

Martini bar

Mast Bar (above pool like Tradewinds with smoking section)

Molecular Bar (by the shops)

Passport Bar (by Guest Relations)

Pool Bar (pool deck)

Sunset Bar (aft above buffet outdoor seating)

 

The Sunset bar was where I hung my hat all week as it had the lawn and a great view aft and I could pop down to the buffet below for coffee or lunch.

 

The earliest of these bars to close is the Pool Bar which closes at 8 pm. The Mast bar closes at 10 but the rest stay open until 12 or 1 am, including the Sunset bar.

Another 1 a.m bar is Il Secondo Bacio (buffet). Molecular bar and Cafe al Bacio close at midnight. The Martini bar with the "Flair" bartenders closes "late"-when everyone is drunk and asleep on the bar stools.

 

As the casual bars on Princess are by the pool they close earlier. In the case of my favorite the Tradewinds they "close" at 7 but start packing away at 6.30. Not good. I should be able to get a drink there at 6.59. Harrumph! The Outrigger Bar is always closed when I go out there after dinner in Sabatini's.

 

I've tried to find the Bar hours for Princess on line but to no avail. The closing times are listed in the Patters as "onwards" which probably means they close at the Manager's discretion (Like when he sees me approaching the bar)

CASUAL BARS?

 

ADVANTAGE CELEBRITY

 

(FOR POSTING CLOSING HOURS AND STAYING OPEN LATE, FOR THE NUMBER AND VARIETY AND FOR THE MARTINI BARTENDER FLOORSHOW)

[Bimmer09]

It seems that this thread is just getting warmed up. I'll have a double espresso and a Sambuca please!

 

Alas-"someone" has drank all of the Sambuca.

 

Norris

[lovevacadays]

Thank you so much for your review and photos. I am really enjoying this thread as well as your review on the Celebrity boards.

 

You have definitely made me want to try one of the S Class ships. A good goal for 2017.:):):)

[Bimmer09]

Love your line comparisons so far! Not so sure about your muffins.

 

Since my return this week from a Princess 10-day Partial Panama Canal/Costa Rica(not!)/Caribbean cruise on the Coral Princess, I'm in full blown ABP mode for my fall vacation. Your review as a mainly Princess cruiser is helpful to this only Princess traveler, but X, Disney, or Royal Caribbean may be an option next time. Being a solo traveler without a huge budget for a suite, I wonder how the non-suite, steerage cabins compare.

 

Hope the Feds don't handcuff you, and you get to finish your review.

 

Thanks for the enthusiasm for the comparison!

 

The Feds and the Muffins? No problem. I asked them if they took bribes-they said " Sir, we work for the Government of this Great Land - so, sure! Hell yeah!"

 

So I am in the clear.

 

Cheers,

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Thank you so much for your review and photos. I am really enjoying this thread as well as your review on the Celebrity boards.

 

You have definitely made me want to try one of the S Class ships. A good goal for 2017.:):):)

 

 

Michelle, glad to see you enjoying both threads!

 

S Class- I lean towards the 2 ships with the Lawn Club Grill (Silly and Reflection) but of course itinerary is paramount. Whichever of the 5 you'll have a great time.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

This is so great. Really enjoying it!! Thank You:)

 

Thanks for the feedback, Michelle!

 

More to come....

 

Norris

[midwestchick]

Thanks for the feedback, Michelle!

 

More to come....

 

Norris

 

 

Since the bars close earlier on Princess, where do you go later in the evening if you want a drink or two or three? :D

[Bimmer09]

Since the bars close earlier on Princess, where do you go later in the evening if you want a drink or two or three? :D

 

Oh, in the evening I only drink at dinner. A glass of wine. On Princess I usually have a bottle of red and a bottle of white following me from restaurant to restaurant. I ask for the Riedel glasses on Princess as their wine glasses are...nah, don't get me started.

 

BTW I am in court next week for the armed robbery trial.

 

I am going to ask the Judge to give the perp the Electric Chair or an electric toaster...something electric anyway.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[midwestchick]

Oh, in the evening I only drink at dinner. A glass of wine. On Princess I usually have a bottle of red and a bottle of white following me from restaurant to restaurant. I ask for the Riedel glasses on Princess as their wine glasses are...nah, don't get me started.

 

BTW I am in court next week for the armed robbery trial.

 

I am going to ask the Judge to give the perp the Electric Chair or an electric toaster...something electric anyway.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

I don't drink wine and DH likes his bourbon at night. 😉 🍺 🍹 I like to have a couple really cold beers....helps me sleep. Is there a loung or somewhere to go like there is on X?