How does Princess compare?

I'm looking at cruises for January and Princess has a cruise that would be perfect for us: goes the days we want, to locations we haven't been to before and want to go to, good price, etc.

I just want to get impressions from people who have been on both DCL and Princess. My DH and I are in our last 50's and will be the only travelers in our group. We love DCL bc we are really just big kids at heart. Our fun time doesn't revolve around alcohol or gambling, although we have no problems with either and will occasionally indulge if it's around. We like kids and being around them makes us feel younger, although it's nice to escape to the adults only areas when it's too much.

When we travel, we very much enjoy a certain level of amenities. We always get a balcony. We like being pampered, although not so much that we'd be willing to pay for concierge. We'd rather cruise less often and get a balcony than get an inside or ocean view room.

So, if we go Princess, will we get the same level of cushy-ness that we get on DCL?

We did 10 Disney cruises and last August did Princess for the British Isles. I can tell you the pricing was a no-brainer. Disney had the exact same cruise itinerary in a verandah room for three adults and the price was $11,000 MORE! We took the cruise and added on hotels through Princess for less than that! We were upgraded for free to a mini-suite because we were past the date we could get in on a big sale. (Their guest services and callbacks and email responses are the best I've ever seen in the business.)

It was my husband and I, 61, and our daughter 28. We all found the ship comfortable with lots of cozy places to read, lots of viewing areas and nice lounges, and a beautiful pool deck.

The room was huge and beautiful and spotless. Only negative was that it was under the pathway for them rolling carts back and forth at night to set up the restaurants. (once we told them, they actually changed the path they took and we didn't hear it anymore). The food was wonderful. To be honest, we thought better than Disney and their buffet was so good that we never actually went to the MDR. Their buffet made changes every night and even had themes in some sections. Their desserts were terrific.

We would get off the excursions and head right up to the buffet and then back to our room (because it was a port intensive itinerary). We loved the crew, staff and decor of the ship. Everyone was very nice and helpful. It is a much more upgraded and classier feel onboard than Disney, but we neither found it stuffy nor out of place wearing our casual clothes around.

In all the cruises we have done, we loved their stores the best. They had the most stores, and the best choices of items and a big variety.

In the whole 12-day cruise, we only had one complaint -- they had this insane requirement that every single time you entered the buffet, you had to wash your hands. There were two sink basins and they insisted you actually wash your hands with soap and water -- even though there was a Purell station right there. It held up the line many nights, and there was a lot of grumbling by many, but after a while you just got used to it. Otherwise, I'd take them again in a heartbeat -- especially because they have amazing sales and offers and freebies.

In the last few years we cruised on the Regal Princess and Disney Fantasy. Both cruises in January, eastern Caribbean, adults only with verandah rooms. Overall, we felt that the Princes cruise was superior.

The first consideration is the ship. Regal and Royal are the newest Princess ships and compare favorably with the Fantasy. I have not been on older Princess ships but they would likely not compare with the Fantasy. Agree with the prior poster that the ship decor and service are an upgrade over Disney - which is catering more to families. Princess, especially in January, had a much older crowd but for an adult only trip this was preferred. You will not see climbing walls, slides or the like on Princess. It was not a party atmosphere. In fact, the clientele appeared to be older and more professional.

The staff was excellent and not overbearing.

We found the food to be superior on Princess. The buffet was the best we have seen on a mass cruise line.

I would give the edge to Castaway Cay over Princess Cays. The main difference is that Disney ships dock at Castaway Cay whereas Princess Cays requires a tender. Disney is themed better for children though the beaches are similar. Princess Cays is much more quiet.

I can't talk to you about DCL since my first cruise isn't until October. We have sailed Princess a couple of times and have to say we love Princess. Food is excellent and service is wonderful. I wouldn't be concerned at all at taking PCL. If you were talking Carnival or NCL I would be speaking differently

My husband is part of the friends and family program for princess cruises-so we get an excellent discount for them. We've done 8 princess cruises, 2 Disney.

For us, Disney makes the difference because of our daughter being so young and so in awe of the Disney magic.

But before we had her, we were perfectly pleased with Princess. It's definitely more of an adult ship. But they are beautiful, always clean and great service. I've been on the Crown(x2), Ruby(x3), Caribbean(x2) and Regal Princess ships. I would definitely say food on Princess is much better. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

Our daughter has also been on Princess, even after going on Disney, and while she missed the characters and shows...she said that she enjoyed their kids club a lot. That was on Regal Princess.

She has been on the smaller ships too, but she was just 18 months and then 2 1/2 so really, she was just happy to be anywhere mama was! lol

Thanks for the feedback.

The particular cruise we're looking at is on the Coral Princess (Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and Caribbean)

We've cruised about equally between DCL and Princess and base it on ports we want to visit. Overall I would give DCL the edge and that primarily is based on how we were treated when my DH had a blockage of his pancreas on the ship. The medical personnel were great it was the hassle dealing with the dining/buffet staff trying to meet his dietary requirements the doctor prescribed (clear liquids, then moving to low fat for the last two days of the cruise). Once he was released to bed rest in our room I could only get a small 3-4 oz. juice glass at a time when he was on clear liquids, so frustrating running back and forth to the buffet all day long. This was over the second week of our Panama Canal cruise and I kept thinking DCL would have handled it a little better.

Ditto what everyone else has said about Princess. We thought they were great. Just wanted to add, they have the BEST pizza of any cruise line we've sailed. New York style!

Another positive experience with Princess (on the Regal). Beautiful ship, entertainment (stage shows) on a par with Disney. There seemed to be a lot more "informal" entertainment, particularly in the Piazza area (main atruim). Food was very good with the buffet being one of the best we've seen at sea. Staff was just as friendly and provided the same level of service as Disney. Would cruise them again in a heartbeat.

Loved Princess - I was a young adult when I was on the Star princess - yes, the clientele is older and definitely NOT either a party or stuffy atmosphere. I found folks on board laid back, calm and enjoyable. As an introvert, I loved having space to myself. I found Princess Cay very serene, it was like paradise: quiet, calm, easy to find a hammock in the trees and great waitstaff bringing tropical drinks occasionally. I wish I could go back right now!

Thanks for all those reviews... I was contemplating Princess for an eventual Alaska cruise (2017 or 2018 if we are lucky) because the price is right... and you totally convinced me!

Mickeyhugger said:

Ditto what everyone else has said about Princess. We thought they were great. Just wanted to add, they have the BEST pizza of any cruise line we've sailed. New York style!

Click to expand...

YES! I can't believe I forgot about this. YES YES YES. It's amazing!

Granted I have yet to sail on Princess or Disney and are considering one of the two for a January 2017 sailing; based on price alone, I can get 6 days on Princess for a less than a 3 day on Disney for the same sail date and a higher cat stateroom.

My children have sailed on Norwegian my son was 12 and my daughter was 2 at the time. My daughter turns 4 next month and is the perfect age to really enjoy a Disney Cruise, my son is 13 so I am not sure if he will be into the Disney Theme.

I am sure that the kids will enjoy Princess since they have never been on Disney. As I lean more towards Princess and have discussed it with my kids; I think my daughter(4) is under the impression that Princess is actual a ship with actual Princesses. I am sure there may be a minor meltdown at some point during the cruise once she realizes that Princess is ONLY the name.

Anyhow based on this thread and the price I am really really really considering Princess.

Loved it. Superior food for sure. As was mentioned about the pizza, I would order it as takeout here at home if I could. Yum! Princess had little touches that reminded me of DCL in the decor etc. but not so much it had me longing to be on a Disney ship. Staterooms are nicer on Disney imho however we were on an older ship. The newer ones look lovely. So besides that and the shows it was equally as good if not better. Again the food will remind you that you are not settling for a downgraded experience.

My favorite part of Princess is their fresh mini fruit tarts. Amazing. Also like their little café where you can get fresh French pastries any time of the day, and their shrimp salad.

Yes, their passengers will be older than DCL, especially on a Panama Canal cruise in January when the kids are in school.

For those considering Princess for Alaska, their itineraries are so much better than DCL.

mevelandry said:

Thanks for all those reviews... I was contemplating Princess for an eventual Alaska cruise (2017 or 2018 if we are lucky) because the price is right... and you totally convinced me!

Click to expand...

Loved our Alaska cruise on Princess and would use them again.