Caribbean Princess or Norwegian Escape?

[kvickers]

Trying to decide on the best cruise option for a multigenerational family (kids, parents and grandparents) for March? Caribbean Princess with stops in Roatan, Cozumel and Belize or the NCL Escape with stops in Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau? We don't have a big budget for excursions...

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

 

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[loupana]

Trying to decide on the best cruise option for a multigenerational family (kids, parents and grandparents) for March? Caribbean Princess with stops in Roatan, Cozumel and Belize or the NCL Escape with stops in Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau? We don't have a big budget for excursions...

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

 

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I haven't been on Princess yet (two upcoming cruises booked) but I believe it would be similar to Celebrity geared towards a more mature crowed. I have been on Norwegian Escape and if kids are involved I would give the nod to the Norwegian Escape.

[kvickers]

I haven't been on Princess yet (two upcoming cruises booked) but I believe it would be similar to Celebrity geared towards a more mature crowed. I have been on Norwegian Escape and if kids are involved I would give the nod to the Norwegian Escape.

 

 

Thanks for your response Lou! I have read your review of the Carnival Vista and loved it...Would you say the Escape would be similar to the Vista?

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

We liked the Caribbean Princess and heard good things from people who had kids in the kid programming. One thing we liked better than Celebrity was that X was mostly elderly people whereas Princess had a wide range of ages represented.

 

That said, Caribbean Princess is brown and beige, and honestly not terribly exciting. Normally I don't like the neons of Norwegian, but it is more kid oriented.

 

As to ports, you've got a mixed bag. Tortola is one of our favorites, especially the baths at Virgin Gorda, but that will cost you the transportation to another island. Nassau is awful (we normally stay on the ship). St, Thomas is fine--there is stuff to do around the dock as well as taking cabs around the island. We don't really like Cozumel, but there is Paradise Beach if you want a beach day. It is relatively inexpensive and cabs are priced per cab, not per person. Rates are posted at the dock and are set by the government. I have no experience with the other ports.

 

I honestly don't know on this one....the kids might like Norwegian better, but I'd like Princess.

[loupana]

Thanks for your response Lou! I have read your review of the Carnival Vista and loved it...Would you say the Escape would be similar to the Vista?

 

 

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Yes I would say that is a good comparison, lots of activities for kids on Vista and Escape.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I have a group that had the time of their lives on the NCL Escape a couple months ago. They said the food, and variety of it, was fantastic. They thought it was better than their previous cruises and their ages ranged from 4 yrs. to 45 yrs. old. The younger ones in the group really enjoyed the ropes course and the water slides. There's just SO much to do that this is one time I would recommend NCL over Princess. The CP is great too but there is much less to do onboard for kids.

 

The only negative I've heard about the Escape is that there can sometimes be lines for a lot of the venues onboard due to the passenger load. You definitely want to make all of your dining reservations (and any of the other reservations) ahead of time online.

Edited September 18, 2016 by DrivesLikeMario

[skynight]

Trying to decide on the best cruise option for a multigenerational family (kids, parents and grandparents) for March? Caribbean Princess with stops in Roatan, Cozumel and Belize or the NCL Escape with stops in Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau? We don't have a big budget for excursions...

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

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At least one positive regarding the Caribbean Princess is no reservations for shows and other activities. Only specialty dining in the two upcharge restaurants or the Crab Shack require a reservation and these can only be made once on board.

[Host CJSKIDS]

We just did the 2 night on NCL Getaway which is just about the same ship as the Escape. While I enjoyed the dueling pianos and nightlife, I will say that I felt nickel and dimed the entire cruise. Almost everything you wanted to do was an extra charge. Want to see the illusion show, a nice charge. Their drink prices are very high and many of the drinks are pre-made. My friend Leo made up the cocktail menu for Tobacco Road on the Escape and they had 2 of his drinks on the menu on the Getaway. Unfortunately both are pre-made and poured from a jug for $12. Not exactly what he had hoped for. There is a $7.95 charge for room service. Rope courses and all are great for the kids, but be prepared to pay.

 

You had to make reservations for many of the shows rather than being able to go to a show if you feel like it.

 

The cigarette smell was overwhelming when you get on the ship because the casino is so big. You could smell it in the open plaza and outside some of the restaurants.

 

We brought our kids on many Princess cruises and they always enjoyed it. I can see how there may be more for them to do on NCL with the rock climbing walls and such but since many of these things cost money, it is something to keep in mind.

 

 

As far as your ports, Nassau is probably one of the worst ports out there. There won't be much for you to do that is close by. We don't bother getting off the ship here.

Love Cozumel and the beaches there. And Roatan will have a beach area right where you get off if you don't want to do an excursion.

[JimmyVWine]

If you intend to keep to a tight budget with respect to excursions, you might want to consider the NCL itinerary. I love the Western Caribbean itinerary with Roatan and Belize, but those are places where you really want to get adventurous which means spending money. (Though if you book tours directly with local providers you can save quite a bit compared to ship excursions and still do the exact same things.) These are ports where you would want to go zip lining over the jungle canopy, or take a speedboat up a river to a secluded Mayan Village. Or go snorkeling or diving on a spectacular coral reef. Or cave tubing. You get the picture. If you don't want to do a pre-planned excursion in Roatan, Belize or Cozumel, they aren't very exciting or interesting ports. (Though I would say the same of Nassau.)

[riclop]

Trying to decide on the best cruise option for a multigenerational family (kids, parents and grandparents) for March? Caribbean Princess with stops in Roatan, Cozumel and Belize or the NCL Escape with stops in Tortola, St. Thomas and Nassau? We don't have a big budget for excursions...

 

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

 

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Escape with kids is better.

[cynbar]

The ambiance is very different for these two cruise lines. Princess is quieter, more elegant and dignified. I hear the kids' programs are good but there is not much else for them on the ship except the pool of course. Entertainment and activities are geared towards an older crowd. NCL is more lively and energetic, definitely more going on everywhere. Decor is brighter, more colorful. There is basically no dress code except in a couple of the specialty restaurants, whereas Princess follows the dress code pretty closely with 2 formal nights and the rest smart casual on a 7 day cruise. I agree that you have to plan ahead and make reservations on Escape, only you know if your group would find that cumbersome. But overall, I think NCL offers more for a multigenerational vacation.

Edited September 19, 2016 by cynbar

[OCruisers]

For a multigenerational family cruise Caribbean Princess would be an excellent choice! :D

[sunsetme]

I'd take NCL over Princess for a group cruise, more choices. Now regarding Nassau, there are great beaches, Cabbage Beach for one you can get there with a cab. Also Blue Lagoon would be terrific for the family but a little pricey. Oh also Cable Beach you can get there by "bus"

Edited September 19, 2016 by jdechter

[Loonbeam]

I'd have to go with NCL on this one, because of the various amenities, and honestly the Caribbean Princess not one of my favorite Princess ships (passenger to space ratio is poor)...

 

Princess probably offers better service (any single cruise can vary) but NCL has so many more options in terms of activities and entertainment.

 

That's not to say NCL or the Escape are perfect. They definitely have more for fee options and the pool size on the Escape is insanely small for that pax count (look into Haven if budget permits - Princess does not have an equivalent offering)

 

All of that said, RCCL would be my first choice for a multi-gen cruise, just to throw another hat in the ring.

[kvickers]

Thanks to all for your valuable feedback!

 

 

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