Please help me to decide

[little miss chatterbox]

:confused: Please help, Planning to go on our first ever cruise and I'm not sure which ship to go on. It's a choice between The Grand Princess or The Independence of the Seas? Any pros and cons would be super. I want this holiday to be fantastic, I know that the Grand is an older ship- but is it dated???? Please help xxxxxxx:)

[mii]

Welcome to Cruise Critic: Anyway go to this site and in some of those threads are comparisons to the appropriate ships.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=11852034

 

Also read down on page 1 and prevous pages. there is all sorts of info on the Grand Princess.

 

Marilyn

[cruiserbryce]

while Grand is older than Indy its by no means an old ship. The cruise lines do a really great job of keeping the ships nice. For us a lot more of the decision of which cruise to go on would have to do with price and itinerary

[ModelDoc]

Why are you debating about these particular two ships in particular?

 

I personally wouldn't base my decision on which ship is older...there are many other factors, like price/value, dining options, itinerary, atmosphere on board, etc that I think are more important.

 

Angela

[barbarah33]

I have sailed on both of them!! Are they both great ships: yes. Would I sail on them both again - in a heartbeat, but they are also quite different. (Being different cruiselines they are bound to be.)

 

I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have in regards to either of them or comparing the two but you need to please let me know what is most important to you on a cruise. Do you prefer better food or more activities? Do they both offer the same itinerary? How about the price comparison?

 

Like I said, I am happy to answer anything I can - just let me know. :)

[traveling1969]

First cruise? Independence of the Seas hands down. Before I get flamed let me add that this is only my opinion. The Royal Promenade is without equal as an on-board destination. Many folks consider the Indepenedence to be too large. Not me; I think it's far and away a more spectacular vessel and I recommend it unreservedly. A few other reasons; the spectacular dining room; the Viking Crown Lounge, the rock climbing wall, the flow rider, and my favorite anytime activity: quaffing a cold one at the pub while people-watching on the Royal Promenade. I love Princess but for a first cruise, the Independence is the only way to go IMHO!

Bon Voyage!

[Bruin Steve]

I'll side with 1969 here: Independence of the Seas, without a doubt...Simply incredible ship...

 

But, I'll also throw out these caveats:

 

A lot really depends on YOU...and it depends on a lot of other factors as to what you are looking for...

 

Either ship will provide you with an excellent cruise experience...but, there are major differences in the ships...The Independence is brand new, the Grand is a 10 year old ship...Nothing wrong with a 10 year old ship, but, given a choice, a lot of us prefer newer ships...Independence sails with 3,600 passengers at full double occupancy, the Grand with 2,600...but the Independence is almost one and one half times the size...I usually look at space-per-passenger ratios, which give you a good idea as to how crowded or uncrowded the ship is...The grand is at 41.9 gross tons per passenger, the Independence slightly better at 42.9...Both are actually quite good in that respect...

 

The Grand has all of the typical amenities: Pools, jacuzzis, bars, lounges, spa, casino...

The Independence has all of that PLUS FlowRider Surfing pool, Rock-climbing wall, Ice-skating rink, boxing ring, 9-hole miniature golf course and more...and yes, that Royal Promenade is absolutely fantastic...

 

Now, here's where a lot depends on you...If you are very physically active and want to rock climb and ice skate and surf, then no question at all...But, if you are beyond most of that (As I am), those amenities still might be great for you...I didn't ice skate, but I did get to enjoy the amazing figure skating shows at the rink...I didn't surf, but sure enjoyed watching...And all of those amenities sure helped keep the younger set busy so I didn't have to share my space in the bars and lounges with them...

 

Next thing to think about--what for a lot of folks is more important than the ship itself--is the itinerary...Where does each go? How much time do they spend in each port?

 

There's a whole lot to think about...and, again, you will have a great time on either cruise...but, if all things were completely equal--same price, same itinerary, same dates, I'd pick the Independence of the Seas in a heartbeat...

[little miss chatterbox]

Can I just say Thank you to everyone for responding so quickly.

The reason why I have mentioned these two crusie liners, is that they both have the 14 day meiterranean cruise. They both leave on the same day-(1st Aug 09) which is ideal, as DH and I only have that time off work.

We dont have children, so would ideally like a pool where we could just chill without lots of splashing (I do like children)

Food is important to us- my DH gets bored of the same food. My husband is in catering and wants to be served, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We would like room service- with a good snack menu .

The room is important to us- clean, fresh without the old feeling. Size not important, but we love films, so TV quite important (on a great ship and i'm talking about the tv- how sad am I)

I'm not too fussed about the price, just want a really good holiday.

We are also celebrating our 6th anniversary whilst away. Forgot to say that we are in our early thirties- not really bothered about clubs/bars or discos. Many thanks once again xxxxxxxx

[wizard-of-roz]

Princess does not have a full service breakfast menu (room service, continental only), unless you are in a suite. Not important to us....since it does get us out and to the dining room or Horizon Court, if we need to eat a full meal, early.

There are lots and lots of places on a Princess ship to "people watch!" Without that "mass-mall" feeling!

I don't much care for the "overwhelming" effect of the promenade......I like lounge areas and out of the way spots to read or watch the sea....

For my very first experience....I like the feel of Princess better.

It won't matter which one you choose, you will find your "niche" and will love every minute of either cruiseline!

Whichever you choose have a wonderful time! "Firsts" are so much fun and you'll soon be "hooked" on cruising! :)

[Cruising Greek]

Can I just say Thank you to everyone for responding so quickly.

The reason why I have mentioned these two crusie liners, is that they both have the 14 day meiterranean cruise. They both leave on the same day-(1st Aug 09) which is ideal, as DH and I only have that time off work.

We dont have children, so would ideally like a pool where we could just chill without lots of splashing (I do like children)

Food is important to us- my DH gets bored of the same food. My husband is in catering and wants to be served, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We would like room service- with a good snack menu .

The room is important to us- clean, fresh without the old feeling. Size not important, but we love films, so TV quite important (on a great ship and i'm talking about the tv- how sad am I)

I'm not too fussed about the price, just want a really good holiday.

We are also celebrating our 6th anniversary whilst away. Forgot to say that we are in our early thirties- not really bothered about clubs/bars or discos. Many thanks once again xxxxxxxx

 

WHile I've found the two lines to be more similar than different, I would say that the Royal Caribbean ships have that "WOW!" factor.

 

While I have not been on the Independence OTS, I was on the slightly smaller version (Navigator OTS), and loved it. The Royal Promenade definitely gives you that spacious feel and has a great cafe.

 

Comparing the two lines, here are my feelings on which line excels:

 

Ships: Royal Caribbean

Dinning room service: slight edge to Princess

Buffet: Royal Caribbean

Crew freindliness: Royal Caribbean

Shows: Princess

 

Ultimately, it is up to you to have a great vacation. We switch back and forth between these two lines, and enjoy all of our cruises.

[Grego]

It's really too bad that some would try to convince a first time cruiser to pick a ship that's more like a theme park/shopping mall for their first experience. If that's what they want, then why leave the shore?

 

IMHO the first cruise should be on a ship that is more like what cruising used to be - relaxing, stated, quiet, romantic, you get the idea. Why take a cruise to climb a rock wall?

[Cruising Greek]

It's really too bad that some would try to convince a first time cruiser to pick a ship that's more like a theme park/shopping mall for their first experience. If that's what they want, then why leave the shore?

 

IMHO the first cruise should be on a ship that is more like what cruising used to be - relaxing, stated, quiet, romantic, you get the idea. Why take a cruise to climb a rock wall?

 

I'm not really sure why it's "really too bad" that people are recommending the Independence of the Seas. The OP asked everyone's opinion, and people are responding with their opinions.

 

Personally, I take these newer larger ships as wonderous works of engineering. Just because they try to offer many things to a wide variety of cruisers doesn't mean that one cannot have a great cruise experience onboard. I enjoy being out on the open sea as much as the ship. They are obviously popular; perhaps the OP will enjoy them as well.

 

Everyone is simply stating their opinions. There should be room on this board to express that opinion without others frowning upon posters that may have different likes than them.

[Bruin Steve]

It's really too bad that some would try to convince a first time cruiser to pick a ship that's more like a theme park/shopping mall for their first experience. If that's what they want, then why leave the shore?

 

IMHO the first cruise should be on a ship that is more like what cruising used to be - relaxing, stated, quiet, romantic, you get the idea. Why take a cruise to climb a rock wall?

 

Yeah...the first cruise SHOULD be what cruising used to be...

 

The OP should sign on a ship that's maybe about 60 feet in length, made of wood, has no engines and relies on sail power and bobs up and down in the ocean incessantly...Food is served down in the galley by some sweaty sailor out of a large crock with a ladle...and there should be a daily ration of rum and hard biscuits...Everyone should have to serve a watch up on the crow's nest and each voyage should take several days between ports...

 

Or, maybe there's that ship where everyone is shackled to rows of benches deep in the hull and chained to an oar...

 

Okay, no...huh?

 

How about "modern" cruising...the way it used to be...You can be on a big ship where the suite passengers get a nice dining room, then smoke cigars and listen to the orchestra...while the second class passengers are fed cafeteria style below decks and the "Steerage" get to live in bunk beds, dormitory style and bring and make their own food and entertain themselves...but are never allowed up on deck...Let's find you a ship with no balcony cabins, poor sanitation and no amenities to speak of...

 

What cruising used to be! If you want production stage shows or swimming pools and jacuzzis and buffets, why not just stay on land?

[wizard-of-roz]

Steve: Such comments require "popcorn and milk duds!" At least! However, the visual was very funny! :eek:

We all know the difference between a ship that contains garish drawings on the walls or inane statues in the halls and announcments over loud speakers while trying to dine and the difference between aluminum chairs and rattan and teakwood.

To experience a high tea and white gloved service and being called "madam", instead of being wisked aside or walked in front of or having someone offer to carry your buffet dish, as opposed to just looking at you like you have two heads; is the difference between one cruiseline to another!

We do have choices and the OP wanted opinions as to making hers.......

[Cruising Greek]

Yeah...the first cruise SHOULD be what cruising used to be...

 

The OP should sign on a ship that's maybe about 60 feet in length, made of wood, has no engines and relies on sail power and bobs up and down in the ocean incessantly...Food is served down in the galley by some sweaty sailor out of a large crock with a ladle...and there should be a daily ration of rum and hard biscuits...Everyone should have to serve a watch up on the crow's nest and each voyage should take several days between ports...

 

Or, maybe there's that ship where everyone is shackled to rows of benches deep in the hull and chained to an oar...

 

Okay, no...huh?

 

How about "modern" cruising...the way it used to be...You can be on a big ship where the suite passengers get a nice dining room, then smoke cigars and listen to the orchestra...while the second class passengers are fed cafeteria style below decks and the "Steerage" get to live in bunk beds, dormitory style and bring and make their own food and entertain themselves...but are never allowed up on deck...Let's find you a ship with no balcony cabins, poor sanitation and no amenities to speak of...

 

What cruising used to be! If you want production stage shows or swimming pools and jacuzzis and buffets, why not just stay on land?

 

AWESOME post! It made me laugh so hard. And, also does show how much the cruising experience has evolved.

 

There is a great book that I read called "Devils on the Deep Blue Sea". It goes through the evolution of the cruise industry and provides inside info on the cruise deals that went on behind the scenes to make the behemoth coprorations of Carnival and Royal. Good read.

[barbarah33]

Littlemisschatterbox, thank you for letting me know a little more about you and your husband and congrats on your anniversary. Not only have I sailed on both of the ships you are sailing on but I have also done the 14-day Mediterranean cruise. (That cruise was on Royal Caribbean.) Before I continue let me remind you that everything I am offering is my opinion only; but that’s all I can base my thoughts/judgments on.

In the summer on either line you will find children so that’s not a worry – though you will find less on a longer cruise like you are looking at then you would on a 7-day Caribbean. If you want a ship where just one pool gathers all the kids in one place then the Indy is better. It has the H20 Zone, which is like a mini-water park with bright colors, waterfalls, water shooting places and dumping out of things all over.

You said food was important and based on these two ships and my experience on both of them the Caribbean Princess wins hands-down! The dining room food on the CB was MUCH better than that on the Indy. (And you mentioned wanting/liking to be served which means eating your meals in the dining room.) My biggest disappointment with the Indy was the food – actually my group of 6, who coincidentally all sailed with me on the CB as well, was unanimous in this thought. The food on the Indy was certainly fine but nothing stood out at all or was something we would call great with the exception of our meal in Chops – where everything from start to finish was fantastic. Breakfast menus are the same in the dining room everyday for each ship however on Princess they will offer a couple of ‘specials’ each day and they do rotate every 3 or 4 days. The lunch menus in the dining room on the Indy repeated every 4 or 5 days; I don’t recall that being the case on the CB but I will admit that I didn’t look that carefully either. Both ships have pretty similar room service/snack menus so I don’t think either of them is better than the other – salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, cookies, etc.

I think you are going to be disappointed with the TV selection on either ship. It is not very good but I would give a slight edge to Royal Caribbean there. They had more channels available than Princess but these are cruise ship channels so don’t get too excited. You will have a couple that play movies – the same movies each day, all day long. You will get a news channel, a sports channel, several of the ‘ships’ channels with info about excursions, shopping, a map showing your position, a channel showing various shows, etc. taped on your cruise, but that’s about it. Please don’t pick a cruise based on TV!!

Now it does get a little more complicated when you factor in your age. You are ‘younger’ for cruisers and if you like to be active then it’s all about the Independence of the Seas! The things they have to offer cannot be found on other ships outside of the Royal Caribbean line. Both ships will have things like trivia, pictionary, and their version of American Idol, etc. but Royal Caribbean goes way beyond that with the features everyone else has listed. You can climb a rock wall at sea, you can surf – body or board, you can go ice-skating, and you can box in a real boxing ring. All of these things are included in your cruise price and with the exception of the boxing I did them all and had a blast! (It was very odd to be hot in the sun one minute and less than 5 minutes later have ice skates on and be skating around a rink.)

Another thing I really enjoyed about the Independence of the Seas was that each public room was totally decorated top to bottom with a ‘theme’ that was VERY different than any of the other rooms on board. (I thought it was much better done on the Indy than any other RCI ship I have sailed on.) For example you can go in the Casino Royal with James Bond theme music playing, then you walk out the door and you are in the Schooner Bar with ships rigging all around and the smell of gun powder lightly in the air, go about 10 feet further into what I liked to refer to as the ‘crazy bird bar’ which is really named The Raven and is a two-story disco at night.

I’m sure I have probably just confused you more and remember these are only my opinions. If you have any questions let me know and enjoy whatever ship you chose!!

[Colo Cruiser]

Sailed the Grand 7 times, IOTS is way too big for us. :)