shan9700 Posted October 19, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Thinking of planning a 7 day cruise. I would like you guys input! If you had the choice between the Carib. Princess, Valor or the Mariner of the Sea which one would you choose and why. I have cruise both Carnival and Royal Carb. before but not Princess. So any help would be great. Thanks for your input. Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekamax Posted October 19, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I say Princess only because you have not cruised them yet... :) I haven't cruised them either but if the only thing that was different (not price or ports) I would go with what I have not done as it is so much fun to explore a new ship and try new things... Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 19, 2006 Author #3 Share Posted October 19, 2006 mekamax, I was thinking the same about trying another cruise line. All three of those ships go to the Eastern Carb. Which are my favorite port. I have just heard Princess beds are uncomfortable. I'm leaning thowards The Valor cause I love the bedding and beds on Carnival. That's why I figured I would ask for other CC's opinions of which one they would choose and why. Thanks for your input! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekamax Posted October 19, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 19, 2006 As you probably already know - take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt - just because one finds the beds comfortable you may not or vice versa. NCL supposedly had nice beds but mine was very used mattress - probably just my room so to say all beds on all NCL ships would be old mattresses would be pushing it... Princess may have a wonderful bed in the one cabin you book on that ship.... I love Carnival though and they are my favorite right now but typically I book first for where I want to go and then for price. If a newer ship I had not been on was only say $50 a person more I'd take it but if it is $200 per person more for Carnival over say NCL then I'll go on NCL... Just me - price outweighs ship or cruiseline for me but everyone is different... Princess has the Grand in galveston and I thought I'd go as soon as it got here as I have always wanted to go on that ship. I have been on 4 cruises out of Houston/Galveston since the Grand got here and not once have I traveled on her because of price.... Just me - though and it may not be a good thing either I just figure if they are going the same place why pay more but the ship itself would probably be worth it and I'm sure I'm missing out... :confused: Anyway - I'm rambling - as you know it will be a great cruise no matter what!!! Can't wait to leave again! :D Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted October 20, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I would choose Carnival Valor and try the Western Caribbean itenerary, it goes to 4 ports and all of them are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 20, 2006 Author #6 Share Posted October 20, 2006 caribbean dreams, Thanks for the reply! I have been on the Western caribbean cruise when we sailed the Triumph. I agree all the ports were really nice. Thanks, Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyzwdeshut Posted October 20, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I've been on princess, but not the other (have been on NCL though). Princess definitely seemed to be a different "type" of atmostphere. Not that it was unenjoyable, but that it made me think i was a kid in a grown up world :) I agree with the other posters when they mentioned that it was the money factor that made the decision. I chose NCL again over princess for my next cruise b/c of the price. When you get down to it, there really isn't THAT MUCh difference in cruises other than the destinations... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 20, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted October 20, 2006 eyzwdeshut, Thanks for the reply and the information. I have never been on NCL either. You like them cool. What it basically comes down to for us is....it's going to bw a last minute decission. I work for an airline and we're taking a set time in Feb. off. So whatever cruise line has the best price we're going to book on them. So far I have found the Valor, Carib Princess and the Mariner of the sea all have the iterinaries that I like. I will have to check out NCL and see if they go to the Eastern Carb. at that time too. Thanks again for the info! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caviargal Posted October 20, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 20, 2006 If those were my options I would Mariner. Two specialty restaurants, more space per passenger so not as crowded, adults only Solarium. Also, I am not a fan of the loud dining room experience on Carnival, a turn off to me personally. IME, RCI does a better job with ship maintenance overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKB Posted October 20, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Shan, how old are you? Could be key. My folks have cruised RCI, Celebrity & NCL. They agree Celebrity is best, followed closely by RCI. They agree that NCL is below them, but they still cruise them. My cousins just took Carnival, after cruising other lines, and felt it was like staying at the Super 8 after getting used to the Hampton. That being said, I know others who love Carnival. DH & I are "young" 40ish couple (we love to party, stay out late & hit the dance club). Our first cruise was on Princess (W Caribean) & we LOVED it. Our tablemates were 2 newlywed couples (one in 20s, one in 30s) and couple in 50s. I think we were the loudest table each night we were having so much fun! (funny, the youngest couple was the quietest of us all!) I agree the beds aren't comfortable, though! We took Disney (E. Caribbean) w/ extended family next. As adults, felt little difference between Princess & Disney (no reason to pay that 30% more for adults only). Disney is only way to go for kids(not that I have taken my kids on another cruise to compare...). Really enjoyed Princess food, Disney's food was OK, except adult restaurant that was FANTASTIC. (personally, not impressed by buffet on either line) We have rebooked the SAME Princess ship w/ SAME W. itinerary cuz we loved Princess & Western most. Cozumel (PARADISE BEACH) is divine, Jamaica could care less about, but the guys can golf & the girls can hit Margaritaville. Didn't get to Gr. Cayman or Princess Cays due to hurricane damage, but Mom says GC is great, and if PC is anything like Disney's private island, I KNOW we will love it. On Eastern, St. Maarten was OK, not huge desire to go back. I was ill when we docked at St. Thomas, but the pics at the beach looked good. Admittedly, there were few 20 somethings on Princess. Mostly 30s-50s. I do remember meeting a group of guys and a groups of girls in their 20s, and they hung together all week. And the dance lounge rocked every night until late...we know..we were there!:) Just had to add some info. Nice thread here w/ lots of viewpoints. Kris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 20, 2006 Author #11 Share Posted October 20, 2006 KKB and caviargal, Thanks for your advise. KKB I am in my late 30's and so is my partner. This cruise will be a kiddless cruise for us. The only RCI cruise we have been on was the Majesty of the Sea. That cruise was a really good cruise. I went on the four day cruise to their private island coco cay and love it. That was my only cruise with RCI. I like the fact that if you didn't want to get dressed up the food in the Windjammer cafe was as good as the main dining room. I have to admitt we loved the Triumph and the Victory. We are not hard to please on a cruise....cause I'm not cooking and doing the dishes. Thank you both for all the good advise! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbiecruiser Posted October 20, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I would try Princess or go with the Mariner. Carnival last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 20, 2006 Author #13 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Jumbiecruiser, Thanks for the information! I appericate your input. Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted October 20, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 20, 2006 I think I would try Princess for 2 reasons; one it will be a new experience and 2-it will give you a chance to try personal choice dining which will be a new experience. Most of the mass marketed lines are pretty similar today. As for the beds, I don't think this is the case. I have a client, my very favorite one btw, who takes Princess over any other line when he can. He has sailed the most upscale lines as well as done the budget thing. He loves Princess and I have never heard a word about the beds being uncomfortable. Again, it is a matter of what you are looking for, but if everything is the same give Princess a try. Nita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCManders99 Posted October 21, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Not sure if price matters to you. I know for my April 2007 cruise we looked at Mariner & Star Princess (as we cruised Princess 1 other time for our honeymoon to Alaska). We are both 29 now. When we booked the Star, Mariner was much more expensive for a balcony. So we picked Star Princess. But you need to look at all apects of each ship you are looking at and find the best fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 21, 2006 Author #16 Share Posted October 21, 2006 newmexicoNita and MCManders99, Thanks you both for you information. I was thinking it might be nice to try personal dining. Since it will be just the two of us this cruise. Thanks again for both of your input. We also have never been on a cruise ship with the speciality restaurants eith so that might be a nice change too. Thanks again! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 23, 2006 Author #17 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Thanks agin to all those who gave there input to my which would you choose cruise question. I really appericated your input! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennisLover Posted October 24, 2006 #18 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I can't give you comparison info, but I do want to put in a good word for the Valor. We had a great experience on it - staff, entertainment (piano bar), itinerary. I would do that cruise again in a minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsky Posted October 24, 2006 #19 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Just returned from the Car. Princess...also been on the Mariner...many Carnival cruises. The Car. Princess and the Mariner are my two favorites. You can't go wrong with those two. If you haven't tried Princess, I'd lean toward that one then. Personally, I'd go with the itinerary which you would like more with those two...but I would lean with Princess. Though Royal had the best cabins!...loved the diningroom! adult solarium!! Car. Princess...beautiful ship too! Adult aft pool...so many places to go for peace and quiet... Not sure what class the Valor is in, but didn't like the Liberty's layout at all on Carnival..would never go on that class again!!! Have fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shan9700 Posted October 25, 2006 Author #20 Share Posted October 25, 2006 TennisLover and bigsky, Thanks for your advise. I will diffinately let you guys know which cruise line and intinerary we choose. Anytime I have information about a ship or can answer a cruise critic question I try to help out. So thanks agin!!!!!!!! Shan9700:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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