Aren't Princess and RCI the Same?

[DesrtDrmr]

When we were departing from Los Angeles last April, the RCI ship doing the 4 day cruises was docked behind us. It was the MONARCH of the Seas, not Mariner or Majesty. It looked like it was an older ship............

[Iamthesea]

The Monarch and the Majesty are pretty old and beaten up. We stick to the newer ships. Service and food have always been good.

 

I've heard from several RCL passengers that RCL is constantly playing that music from their TV commercials and always trying to sell something over the load speakers. If that's true, then they are definitely not for us.

 

I have never heard the commercial music or selling of products via announcements on a RCCL ship. That being said, we did notice that Princess had less announcements which was nice in a way. During the hurricane, more announcements about our situation would have been helpful though. When the Captain did speak, you could barely understand him and he had a very monotone voice....hard to hear.

 

Our opinion was that Princess did more selling than any other line we have been on. They pushed drinks so much that they even woke my DH to ask if he wanted anything. :D And that cookbook...what's up with that? :eek:

[susancruzs]

I'm a fan of both lines, generally lean towards Princess simply because of the variety in itineraries. I don't recall my Brilliance cruise having an excess of PA announcements. Just got off the Sea Princess (21 days) and there were not alot, an update in the morning and again the afternoon.

 

Price wise I think they are fairly even, I don't think of RCI as being pricier than Princess. As far as charging for things onboard, I think all lines are getting into that routine and would be hard to avoid. I did not have anyone bug me about drinks on Sea Princess but then I'm not cruising in the Caribbean, which is a different situation.

[Oink]

:) That thing about RCL playing their music and selling stuff over the load speakers may just be an urban legend. I don't have first hand experience, but my hubby does, and he said they definitely did do that during his cruise. My overall cruise experience has been that shorter cruises tend to attract younger, rowdier passengers and the longer ones have the older and more subdued crowd. Holiday cruises, especially Christmas and around Easter, are full of families.

 

Regarding pricing - Celebrity is definitely more expensive than Princess, but I'm not sure about Royal. For example: The MexRiv cruises we are looking at for next April are $120pp/day for the Dawn Princess vs $162pp/day for Celebrity's Mercury (both are for comparable balcony cabins).

 

Later....Oink! :)

[roe2ship]

Looks like Princess is cheaper than RCI & .Any opinions?

Everytime I have priced both lines, (same week, similiar itinerary and cabin) Princess is usually cheaper not just in cruise fare but among other things on board (drinks, soda cards, internet, etc) that I have learned from the boards. When pricing a voyager class ship, then I think the savings on Princess is really substantial.

[mringenoldus]

Beg to differ on the Monarch OTS - we were on her last March and she has had a beautiful refurbishing. The wood and brass with blue tones reminded me a lot of the Golden. The ship is very well maintained.

[Iamthesea]

Beg to differ on the Monarch OTS - we were on her last March and she has had a beautiful refurbishing. The wood and brass with blue tones reminded me a lot of the Golden. The ship is very well maintained.

That's wonderful! ;) Also, there is a NCL Majesty that some get confused with the RCCL Majesty.

[tripman]

BTW, Thanks Tripman for the help on the Quest post....finally got my answer. See my post there.

 

Yeah, it is just so annoying when people act like that. "Ha ha ha ha ha...I know something and you don't, na na na na na na...."

 

Or when someone replies with, "trust me, you don't want to know..." as if THEY are the decision makers as to what you want or don't want to know.

[many cruises]

We have been on both RCI & Princess. We started cruising with RCI & thoroughly enjoyed it until we cruised on Princess. RCI attracts many families with young children because it has many activities that suit them. Princess tends to have a little oder crowd with fewer children on their ships. Princess also has youth security that enforce the rules so the kids don't run wild on their cruises. We have been on RCI cruises where the kids were destroying property and running wild without supervision. We have never seen that on any Princess cruise. Princess has freshwater pools, RCI does not. Princess has a 24 hour buffet snytime dining, RCI does not. We feel the food is better on Princess than on RCI. Princess has many entertainment options for adults...so many that you cannot possible get to everything...especially on their Grand Class Ships. The service on both lines is pretty much the same. Princess ships are very elegant with soft colors and lots of wood. The RCI ships we have been on tend to be brighter color schemes with less wood. We have been on some RCI ships that were only a year old, but the carpets were dirty & they weren't maintained the way the Princess ships are. Every Princess ship we have sailed on has been beautiful & they are kept very clean by their staff. Our only negative thing to say about any of our Princess cruises was that on the CB there were just too many passengers, but we still had a wonderful time. We probably won't sail on the CB again as long as their are other options. By the way, we also loved our one Celebrity cruise too!

[sally r]

We just got home yesterday from our first Princess cruise, Sapphire. We have cruised 19 times on RCI and three times on NCL.

 

We tried very hard not to compare Princess with RCI. However, the two things that stand out are the loyalty programs (RCI wins hands down) and the Personal Choice Dining, which we loved.

 

If two comparable ships were doing the same itinerary at the same price but one was Princess and one was RCI...guess I would flip a coin.

[Coral]

We tried very hard not to compare Princess with RCI. However, the two things that stand out are the loyalty programs (RCI wins hands down) and the Personal Choice Dining, which we loved.

 

I am surprised at this comment - I actually like the loyalty program on Princess better. What do you like about RCCL's program?

[sally r]

Coral, I have no first hand experience with Princess' program, just going by their literature.

 

We are Diamond (almost Plus) with RCI and we are treated like royalty on their ships. We get $300 off on balcony cabins (above and beyond any other discounts we may have). Use of a consierge lounge with free cocktails, specialty coffees, DVD & CD use and other amenities. Robes and slippers in the cabins. Really good coupon books. Priority check in and out, complete with lounges. Lots of private parties some of which include lunch in a "specialty" restaurant. The list goes on. Diamond Plus members (a new tier in the loyalty program) are reporting offers of free cruises on ships that are not at capacity. Diamond plus also includes balcony to suite upgrades at no cost, depending on availibility.

 

Maybe I have not researched Princess's program enough but at first run through it didn't seem that great.

[Charles4515]

Coral, I have no first hand experience with Princess' program, just going by their literature.

 

We are Diamond (almost Plus) with RCI and we are treated like royalty on their ships. We get $300 off on balcony cabins (above and beyond any other discounts we may have). Use of a consierge lounge with free cocktails, specialty coffees, DVD & CD use and other amenities. Robes and slippers in the cabins. Really good coupon books. Priority check in and out, complete with lounges. Lots of private parties some of which include lunch in a "specialty" restaurant. The list goes on. Diamond Plus members (a new tier in the loyalty program) are reporting offers of free cruises on ships that are not at capacity. Diamond plus also includes balcony to suite upgrades at no cost, depending on availibility.

 

Maybe I have not researched Princess's program enough but at first run through it didn't seem that great.

 

The concierge lounge is nice but it is not on all ships.

 

Princess has discount offers too. Also priority check in and a special debark lounge for Platnium members. Robes are available to all passengers so that does not need to be a past passenger perk. Princess has free internet access at Plat. level and free laundry and dry cleaning for elite members. Those are real perks!!!

[spongerob]

Princess doesn't charge you for shore excursions until you actually go on them. RCI charges you for them as soon as you book.

[lablvr2]

I just took my first Princess cruise after 8 RCI. Didn't take me too long to notice the differences. We sailed on the Star.

Princess plus points - freshwater pools, Princess Cays and useable refrig.

Princess downfalls - embarkation was awful and unorganized. Terminal was rather gaudy. Food was disappointing, purser desk was snooty and not helpful at times. Personal choice dining was hit or miss - staff did not listen to your requests at times. Horizon Court had a very bizarre layout. It was not user friendly. Cabin steward took our bedspread off one night not to be seen again for 3 nights until after I asked what happened to it. Layout of ship was confusing - there were no doors where you expected them to the outside decks. Bathrooms in pool areas were not close by. Atrium and gift shop was really small. Kids in adult pools not enforced. Saving of deck chair by pool not enforced.

 

I'm looking at the next cruise for 2006. I truthfully think it will be an RCI.

Just my opinion.....

 

Susan

[spongerob]

Kids in adult pools not enforced. Saving of deck chair by pool not enforced.

 

This never happens on RC? Wow, I might have to ignore all the complaints about these (and more) on the RCI board and look into cruising RC.

 

These can be problems anywhere. I agree, though, a little more enforcement would be appreciated.

[Coral]

This never happens on RC? Wow, I might have to ignore all the complaints about these (and more) on the RCI board and look into cruising RC.

 

I wish. On my last RCCL (Radiance) cruise - there were tons of teens in the adult pool/solarium one evening. I said something to the security guard who was right near the entrance of the solarium and his response was "it was just easier to give in to them then fight them"...... The lack of security/control of teens on my last RCCL cruise is one reason why I have not gone back to RCCL.

[Coral]

Coral, I have no first hand experience with Princess' program, just going by their literature.

 

We are Diamond (almost Plus) with RCI and we are treated like royalty on their ships. We get $300 off on balcony cabins (above and beyond any other discounts we may have). Use of a consierge lounge with free cocktails, specialty coffees, DVD & CD use and other amenities. Robes and slippers in the cabins. Really good coupon books. Priority check in and out, complete with lounges. Lots of private parties some of which include lunch in a "specialty" restaurant. The list goes on. Diamond Plus members (a new tier in the loyalty program) are reporting offers of free cruises on ships that are not at capacity. Diamond plus also includes balcony to suite upgrades at no cost, depending on availibility.

 

Maybe I have not researched Princess's program enough but at first run through it didn't seem that great.

 

Hi,

 

I just sailed Princess to New England. Just being a repeat passenger with Princess - I saved $300 pp off the cabin I chose. I didn't have to be at the top level - it was a price open to any repeat passenger. This is not always the case but I have gotten some great past passenger prices (without using coupons).

 

When you are Elite - you have a minibar in your room. I have been to the Conceriage Lounge on both of my RCCL cruises and I guess I wasn't impressed. It was crowded and everyone was standing in line to have the Conceriage to do something they could easily do in less time that it took to stand in line.

 

Princess gives robes to everyone on the ship. Even new passengers in inside cabins. Slippers are given to Elite Passengers and suite passengers.

 

Coupon books - I have had them on both Princess and RCCL and just think they are tacky. You are taking a cruise which I think is equivalant to a nice resort and then people go crazy over coupons like they are at McDonalds. I haven't used coupons on either line. With Princess Elite - you can just show your card and you get 10% off all your purchases (at all times) in the Princess stores.

 

Princess Platinum receive unlimited internet and an upgrade in insurance. The next level includes free dry cleaning/laundry - this is huge with all the luggage restrictions out there.

 

Looking at the 2 programs - I prefer Princess's program. I know friends who have left Celebrity because they think Princess's loyalty perks are better (and from what I understand, they can get the same perks when they sail RCCL). To each their own and we all value different items in loyalty programs but for me, I prefer Princess's perks.

[Oink]

:) Hi Again! Coral - I like the way you think and agree with almost every point. However, IMHO the coupon booklet Princess has been offering is a nice little perk. We used the two for one martini coupons and match play coupons in the casino, and I went in with a fellow CCer and used another coupon in the gift shop. We both got new watches and each saved lots of $$ with the coupon.

 

Our next cruise on Princess is just 12 days away. :D It will be our 1st cruise with them at the Platinum level. Can't wait to experience the extra pampering, plus being able to use the internet for free! :D Later....Oink! :)

[Coral]

:) Hi Again! Coral - I like the way you think and agree with almost every point. However, IMHO the coupon booklet Princess has been offering is a nice little perk. We used the two for one martini coupons and match play coupons in the casino, and I went in with a fellow CCer and used another coupon in the gift shop. We both got new watches and each saved lots of $$ with the coupon.

 

Our next cruise on Princess is just 12 days away. :D It will be our 1st cruise with them at the Platinum level. Can't wait to experience the extra pampering, plus being able to use the internet for free! :D Later....Oink! :)

 

Oink - enjoy your next cruise! I loved reaching Platinum level - the free internet alone for me is worth $150 or so per week.......

 

I don't drink or gamble - that is probably why I didn't appreciate the coupons. I did send them off to a friend who used them on her cruise and she saved money at the stores also -so I am glad that someone used them.

 

I do remember getting a repeater's coupon book on RCCL and I left it in my cabin and was looking at buying a jacket and it just seemed stupid that I had to run back to my cabin to save 10% off or whatever it was.

 

Have a great cruise!

[jbrambach]

When it comes to preference my choice would be Princess hands down for food, entertainment and relaxation, but those things are subjective as previous posters have pointed out. Plus Princess was the first line I sailed on so it always seems like when I go with another line I am comparing.

 

The only times I have "strayed" from Princess was to go to Bermuda. If Princess decided to go back to Bermuda I would venture to say they would have many more "loyal" cruisers. IMOHO.

[maddea66]

Yes, I guess it was the Majesty - sorry - as you can tell I did not think it was a memorable cruise -

 

Just to put my too cents in...I guess it wasn't a memorable cruise...your signature line states that it was "Monarch of the Seas for 2/2004". I am sorry that the cruise was so awful for you.

 

We sailed on Mariner of the Seas 4/05 and had a blast. We are booked for a cruise on Island Princess for 12/06. With not having ever sailed on Princess, I have read their brochures. I think that I will prefer the personal choice dining as well as the fact that they have laundromats on each passenger cabin deck. Our upcoming cruise is 15-days, so we will need it.

 

I would also like to add that every cruise is different and every one's experience/impression is different, so if you are trying to decide between the two cruise lines, I would suggest that you look at the facts and not the opinions. :rolleyes:

 

Good luck, Deanna

[critterchick]

We like both lines, but give a slight edge to RCI. Most of our Princess cruises have been short repositioning cruises, and they do not roll out the red carpet on those. Other than our last cruise on Brilliance of the Seas, RCI has always had a nice Platinum/Diamond reception. DH swears that we got a coupon book on our 7-night Star Princess cruise, but I don't remember. They don't give them out on shorter cruises, while RCI does. Not a break-the-bank amount of money, but 20% off a massage a couple of free drinks, a free frou-frou coffee, a free Ben & Jerry's, not to mention free casino money, is nice if you partake of such things (we do).

The discounts on balcony & above cabins for P/D members is a very nice perk, and RCI allows you to combine the onboard booking credit with the shareholder discount, which Princess does not.

We just had our first taste of the Concierge Club on Brilliance it was a real treat – free cappuccino all day long, a wonderful concierge, a nice continental breakfast, cocktails in the evening and a nice sanctuary during the day. It was crowded one night and empty the next, so attendance is unpredictable.

Monarch of the Seas gets a terrible beating from the weekend party crowds. Other that the pool area, however, we've always found her to be in pretty good shape. The cabin decor needs updating (and I think she's scheduled for refurbishing in early 2006) - the colors are awful even for a cruise ship and the linens, bedding & carpets are pretty worn out. The common areas are generally kept sparkling clean, but the pool deck needs to be de-beered and de-margaritaed. There's only so much they can do during the turnaround from one cruise to the next, and there's a lot of crud soaked into the astroturf. The cruise experience itself on her is great fun, though.

RCI has more announcements, especially for bingo (ugh) than Princess, which reduces the elegance factor considerably.

I think RCI makes us feel a little more "Royal" than Princess does, but I would be happy on either line.

[negc]

DH & I travelled on RCCL for a 4 day cruise on the Mariner of the Seas out of San Pedro - we had a mini-suite which was quite nice - However, the carpets were filthy - the ship was not full and the buffet was closed much of the time - I agree Mariner is an old ship - but I cannot imagine sailing on any Princess ship that would be in such poor condition and that the buffet would close whenever they wanted to close it because the ship was not full. So that was the one and only time for us on RCCL. This happened in Feb 2004 - I posted my opinion on the RCCL board and of course got blasted - to each his own!

 

Hard to take seriously someone who thinks they were on the Mariner of the Seas out of San Pedro. Monarch of the Seas, perhaps? But without knowing what Princess ships the poster is comparing to the Monarch makes it difficult to determine his or her credibility. Ships that are on three and four day itineraries take a lot of use and abuse and perhaps the Monarch was due for a drydock. Most of RCI's newer ships have several spots for free alternative dining late into the evening. and there is always 24 hour room service. Our one experience in trying to eat in Dawn Princess' Horizon Court after a late excursion in Puerto Amador, was met with very limited food selections and a less than friendly service staff. I am sure, of at least I hope, that our experience was not typical.

Both lines offer similar experiences and in many ways are similar, but the same, neither Princess nor RCI fans would agree with that.

:)

[lablvr2]

This is just my opinion.....

We just did a Princess (Star Oct 9th) and I will never do another one again. My heart is definately with RCI and I kind of feel like a traitor. I even mailed home from the ship during that cruise and told my son I would never do another Princess. He has 4 RCI cruises behind him and he was very interested in what I thought out there. He warned me before I left that I may not like the layout of the ship. Well- I didn't. Couldn't get out to the outer deck when you wanted. It was really confusing. Try to find a ladies room from the top deck of the pool area. You can't. I ended up going thru the spa on the lower deck with other ladies in swimsuits to use the bathroom. I went out the front of the ship to take pics one day and it was kind of windy. I strolled back the other side to find a sign dangling saying deck was closed due to high winds. Wow, glad I got back ok!

We had all tips removed from our charge because I voiced concerns about the dining room service. Personal choice has it ups and downs. They just aren't attentive. Don't get me wrong, I am not used to *fine* dining at home but when people serve you your dinner and don't show up to ask if you need anything else well that kind of tells me they really don't care about what kind of dining experience you are having. Personally, we all had a fun cruise but being able to judge from prior cruises, I am going to say that Princess is definately not up to RCI.

 

Most of all, a cruise is what you all make it. The people that are there to take care of you for the week help mold it into what you remember. I didn't get that with Princess.

 

One big plus - disembarkation was a breeze. They have that down to a science. Unfortunately, by that time it was too late.

 

Whatever line you choose - go have fun and make memories!

Bon voyage

 

Susan