Cunard or Princess

[lindylooellalouise]

Hi have been looking at 2 very similar cruises with Cunard and Princess usually book with Cunard as we really enjoy the formal nights and the lectures on board do Princess  also have these and which one would you prefer and why.

[MCC retired]

2 hours ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi have been looking at 2 very similar cruises with Cunard and Princess usually book with Cunard as we really enjoy the formal nights and the lectures on board do Princess  also have these and which one would you prefer and why.

 Since you enjoy the formality and the lectures , Princess will disappoint on those 2 of your favorites.

However , changing it up is good . Try Princess for yourself . You can dress as formal as you wish but expect many dressing as they wish meeting Princess minimum dress codes. Lectures may be few .

Edited November 6, 2020 by MCC retired

[lindylooellalouise]

Thank you for the advice think I will stick to Cunard who we know and love we tried an MSC cruise at the beginning of the year and it was just not for us too much of a party ship.

[majortom10]

Depending on the cruise and where it sails from formal dress can be non existent. If it sails from Southampton then those that do dress formally in the majority will be cruisers from UK.

[Lynnewob]

We have done both and 100% prefer Cunard.   

 

Out of US to Alaska, formal was none

existent.  Out of UK people made more effort.  The 1st night the majority wore formal but the 2nd, only about a third did (on a 7nt trip). 

Food is not so good on Princess - we dined Club Class on Princess and you paid extra if you wanted steak. I enquired about duck and was told it was on about 2 weeks ago and didn't know when it would be on again.  

Overall Cunard is superior on my eyes but it does tend to have an older demographic and is very quiet after about 10.30pm, whereas Princess is a little livelier, not excessive like some lines, but definitely busier later on. 

 

If you use the casino, Princess beats Cunard hands down. 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Lynnewob

[Underwatr]

On my one Princess cruise I didn't care for the "Theme Night" dining, for example Italian Night during which the waiters were dressed like Venice gondoliers. 

The standard balcony stateroom had a nice walk-in wardrobe area, at the expense of not enough room in the main section for a loveseat or an upholstered chair. You could sit on the bed or on the desk chair. For a loveseat/sofa you needed to book a mini suite at minimum.

[Essiesmom]

Our first cruises on Princess had wonderful enrichment programs.  All since have been disappointments, except for Alaska where they excel.  There was a naturalist on the bridge who competed with the captain spotting wildlife.  He would narrate the passing landmarks, and they have a book written by a former Princess naturalist with maps and mile marks to look for.  In Glacier Bay, the park rangers came onboard and had programs.  Depending on your itinerary, I would stick with Cunard.  EM

[tv24]

One of the reasons why customers choose Princess over Cunard is the dress code.  On Princess we heard many passengers say they would never consider Cunard because they refuse to dress up.  For us, we had a horrible horrible horrible experience on Princess (did I forget to say "`horrible?") that causes us to never consider Princess again, well maybe never.  We do love the QM2 and will run back to sail again when it is safe.

[lindylooellalouise]

Hi thanks all for your comments we really do enjoy dressing up and is a big part of our holiday experience so round British isles on QV it’s going to be 👍

[Underwatr]

One thing about Princess in my limited experience - the CC Meet & Greet was HUGE. Over 100 attendees (I volunteered to bring nametags) in the Sky Bar that's up high on the back of Caribbean Princess. I've never seen more than about 20 people at a Cunard M&G. 

[Essiesmom]

12 hours ago, Underwatr said:

One thing about Princess in my limited experience - the CC Meet & Greet was HUGE. Over 100 attendees (I volunteered to bring nametags) in the Sky Bar that's up high on the back of Caribbean Princess. I've never seen more than about 20 people at a Cunard M&G. 

That bar high up in the shopping cart handle of CB is Skywalkers...EM

[exlondoner]

I thought they'd taken them away to make the ships less unstable.

[MarkBearSF]

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I thought they'd taken them away to make the ships less unstable.

Only on the Grand Princess. (And my understanding is that it was more a matter of structural integrity than stability. And that the issue was discovered in time for a fix to be designed for her sisters, Golden and Star)

Count us as satisfied Princess cruisers. Our favorite line is Cunard, and nothing compares to a QM2 crossing (my favorite experience on earth). However, we find Princess very enjoyable for fill-in cruises. Generally we find the MDR food roughly equivalent. Formal nights are nothing like Cunard, but there are definitely still a sizable number of passengers who do make the effort (of course this varies by itinerary). Lectures are still a Cunard strong point, but we've enjoyed top-notch presentations on Princess, but generally about half as many. 

Living in the US, I've never been on P&O but assume they are similar (not surprising, given their connections). In a discussion in another venue, someone described Cunard's current offerings as "Princess in Cunard drag." There's more than a bit of truth to that. 

As you mentioned formal dress as very important, Cunard really stands alone in that regard, and also lectures, where they are leaders, where there is a direct choice, I think you'd probably be best sticking with Cunard, but in other situations and itineraries, you may be very happy with Princess. Although they have a different atmosphere and orientation, they still offer a high-quality product that is more alike than different from Cunard - and certainly WORLDS different from MSC.

[Elephant1151]

I agree with MarkBear SF completely.

 

We have sailed with Cunard many times and are long time Diamond WC but as the childen got older and Caronia was no more we sailed more often with Princess.  We are Elite and really love the free laundry and dry cleaning as well as the bar set up in the cabin. There were more things for young adults to do too.

 

Princess does not quite have Cunard's standard on food or service on the larger ships, but comes very close on the small ones.  Princess  theatre entertainment is better with fewer repeat performers. Movies under  the Stars is also great.

 

It all comes down to the itinerary and the time of year.  Since the children have left home we now travel more with Cunard and have several cruises including a WC booked. However - never say never.

[majortom10]

Having done many cruises on both Cunard and Princess for me it would be Cunard every time because personally think the food is better and the dress code is more formal which we like. Formal dress is virtually non existent on Princess and even though we have had some very good cruises on Princess our last one on Crown Princess was very poor and we said it would be a long time before we would sail with them again and my view hasnt changed.

[Gretchendz]

We have sailed both.  In fact, we are elites on Princess but I love the Cunard vibe. I think they are quite comparable.  Differences I see are:

1) I think the Princess food, recently upgraded, is slightly better. But they are very similar IMHO.  Princess standard coffee continues to be awful. Of course, that's not factoring in Princess or Queens grill, which we plan to try on our next TA trip.

2) Cunard has the better "old world" style sense of history.

3) Love the QM2 library. Libraries are virtually on-existent on Princess.

4) Obviously, Cunard is a bit more formal, which we like.

5) Believe it or not, we find Princess service to be slightly better than Cunard.

6) If the Princess ship is an upgraded medallion class, you will have better in cabin entertainment options and the fun service with the medallions like putting in a drink order with your tablet and they come find you to deliver it.

7) Self-service laundry-Cunard wins as Princess nickels and dimes you with fees which can add up.

😎 Lectures are far superior on Cunard.

9) To me it would depend on itinerary, ship size, and price.

 

[MarkBearSF]

4 hours ago, Gretchendz said:

3) Love the QM2 library. Libraries are virtually on-existent on Princess.

Thanks for mentioning that; I had forgotten to do so. A clear differentiation. Cunard leads the industry on their Libraries - and as you say, almost non-existent on Princess. (A sad corner called "Leaves" with a few books on shelves and occasional tea service, on our recent cruises)

Edited November 18, 2020 by MarkBearSF

[Kamloops50]

On 11/6/2020 at 4:42 AM, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi have been looking at 2 very similar cruises with Cunard and Princess usually book with Cunard as we really enjoy the formal nights and the lectures on board do Princess  also have these and which one would you prefer and why.

I'm in a similar situation but reverse . I'm looking at two similar cruises . Have cruised Princess mostly . Cunard goes some ports that an equivalent Princess doesn't do. Don't which will work the best , price isn't the issue.

[lindylooellalouise]

13 hours ago, Kamloops50 said:

I'm in a similar situation but reverse . I'm looking at two similar cruises . Have cruised Princess mostly . Cunard goes some ports that an equivalent Princess doesn't do. Don't which will work the best , price isn't the issue.

Hi after reading all the comments on here I come to the conclusion it’s Cunard all the way for me because I enjoy the formal nights lectures the library the decor and not many children on board the only other cruises we’ve been on are P&O, and one and only on MSC which really was not our cup of tea.

[Bigmike911]

On 11/8/2020 at 6:59 AM, MarkBearSF said:

Only on the Grand Princess. (And my understanding is that it was more a matter of structural integrity than stability. And that the issue was discovered in time for a fix to be designed for her sisters, Golden and Star)

Count us as satisfied Princess cruisers. Our favorite line is Cunard, and nothing compares to a QM2 crossing (my favorite experience on earth). However, we find Princess very enjoyable for fill-in cruises. Generally we find the MDR food roughly equivalent. Formal nights are nothing like Cunard, but there are definitely still a sizable number of passengers who do make the effort (of course this varies by itinerary). Lectures are still a Cunard strong point, but we've enjoyed top-notch presentations on Princess, but generally about half as many. 

Living in the US, I've never been on P&O but assume they are similar (not surprising, given their connections). In a discussion in another venue, someone described Cunard's current offerings as "Princess in Cunard drag." There's more than a bit of truth to that. 

As you mentioned formal dress as very important, Cunard really stands alone in that regard, and also lectures, where they are leaders, where there is a direct choice, I think you'd probably be best sticking with Cunard, but in other situations and itineraries, you may be very happy with Princess. Although they have a different atmosphere and orientation, they still offer a high-quality product that is more alike than different from Cunard - and certainly WORLDS different from MSC.

I did a cruise to Mexico from Houston on the Caribbean princess with some pals from San Francisco and Chicago. To say the dress code is down market from Cunard would be an understatement. Guys in wife beater teeshirts and flip flops do not belong on any decent ship, and some of the 'ladies' dresses on dress up evenings made me wonder what their professions were? 

 

One other big noticeable difference between Cunard and Princess Suites were a serious lack of power plugs in the various rooms of the Princess suite one or none. 

 

I cannot imagine taking a Princess cruise ever again, once and done.

[MarkBearSF]

16 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

I did a cruise to Mexico from Houston on the Caribbean princess...

TBH, I'm not too surprised that's the case on pretty much ANY Caribbean cruise out of Houston. 

Princess on another itinerary would be another matter - although, yes, there is much less formal dress than Cunard.

[navybankerteacher]

I think Cunard’s food and service are superior  to Princess’, as are enrichment programs and live music.  Entertainment on Princess is better. I am not a fan of formal dress, but am happy to wear a dark suit to comply. 

 

What really makes Cunard stand out is the intangible atmosphere - their ships look and feel like ships, and not malls — and the company:  being with people who share an appreciation of all the above seems to make for much more enjoyable dinners - we usually have an active table of people who enjoy the growing interaction as we get to know each other — an experience rarely found anywhere else.

[Mudhen]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

I think Cunard’s food and service are superior  to Princess’, as are enrichment programs and live music.  Entertainment on Princess is better. I am not a fan of formal dress, but am happy to wear a dark suit to comply. 

 

What really makes Cunard stand out is the intangible atmosphere - their ships look and feel like ships, and not malls — and the company:  being with people who share an appreciation of all the above seems to make for much more enjoyable dinners - we usually have an active table of people who enjoy the growing interaction as we get to know each other — an experience rarely found anywhere else.

The one phrase that encompasses it all for us...."their ships look and feel like ships, not malls..."

In this day of bigger is better , it's lost on us. Although Cunard ships are not small, they most certainly feel like ships and not floating condos.....

[Windsurfboy]

On 11/25/2020 at 1:32 AM, Bigmike911 said:

I did a cruise to Mexico from Houston on the Caribbean princess with some pals from San Francisco and Chicago. To say the dress code is down market from Cunard would be an understatement. Guys in wife beater teeshirts and flip flops do not belong on any decent ship, and some of the 'ladies' dresses on dress up evenings made me wonder what their professions were? 

 

 

Just for my education , what is a wife beater T shirt, doesn't sound very elegant.

 

I won't  try and wind People up by suggesting Cunard add pictures of them as suggestions for casual attire

Edited November 26, 2020 by Windsurfboy
It uploaded before I'd finished

[BigMac1953]

34 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Just for my education , what is a wife beater T shirt, doesn't sound very elegant.

 

 

 

In the UK, it's also known a a vest, i.e. a sleeveless undergarment.

 

Beer swilling sloths seem to appreciate them.