Princess or Celebrity?

Hi, ladies! I am planning to take my son on a cruise as a HS graduation gift. We've taken a Disney cruise when he was younger, so I don't know of any of the other cruise lines.

There are two cruises I am looking at. One is on the Celebrity Constellation from FLL to Cozumel and Key West. I'm looking at a Veranda stateroom on deck 7 forward. The other is on the Princess cruise, Ruby Princess, mini-suite with balcony, FLL to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. There is also another Princess cruise on the same ship leaving week earlier to Princess Cay Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.

All are comparable in price, I'm just stuck on which cruise line as far as food/entertainment and ports of call would be better?

Thanks for any feedback!

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I love celebrity, I have been on the constellation its a great ship, it recently got solcitized in April 2013, the ship was built in 2002. Holds about 2200 passengers

Ruby Princess was built in 2008 so its a newer ship. I have never been on princess, but I would lean toward the newer ship. It holds about 3000 passengers

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Thanks, MrsM! I was thinking the newer ship might be better.

Princess or Celebrity?

I think Princess would be better and more fun for someone HS/College age as opposed to Celebrity.

As for which Princess cruise, I'd go with the one to the private island (Princess Cay) and Grand Turk.

Private islands are the best and I personally love Grand Turk.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Thanks, Eliza! Yeah, I was a bit concerned about one of the lines being a little too old as far as crowd, lol. I looked into Royal Caribbean, too, but their prices are so much higher and the length and dates of availability didn't work for us anyway.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I have sailed on the Constellation twice, the sister ship the summit three times as well. We are Elite captains club with Celebrity. I have been in regular balcony rooms, concierge class and family view aft cabins in this class of ship.

I have done two Princess cruises one the Crown the sister ship to the Ruby. In a mini suite both times.

I think it depends on what you are looking for. I would sail either line anytime. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Service was about the same very slight edge to Celebrity. Champagne at boarding. Cold towels and drink in port rowboat ding the ship. Some nice Elite perks (happy hour type deal or drink tickets during a 2hour time before dinner).

Food...I thought our Celebrity cruises were hands down better food wise. There will always be hits or misses but nothing horrible. Princess I had a few meals I really didn't eat. I think generally cruise food is similar to catering hall food in many cases. We had some excellent meals at the speciality restaurants. Bistro on 5 is a nice change for lunch or embarkation lunch to avoid the buffet rush.

Rooms...both were fine. The mini suite you get a slightly larger room. I would stay in either choice.

The constellation pools are nice. But get crowded as there is really only one main pool area. I like the adult solarium pool though. Very nice and adult only. While I like their pools, Princess has more choices for a teen or twenty something. The have several pools. One has a large movie screen and another with music and pool activities.

Activities are about the same, entertainment was about the same. Age demo are about the same and can range from older crowds on longer cruises and while school is in session. It can be full of families, teens, college kids with family during breaks and 7 day or less cruises.

As far as itinerary. Not a huge lover of Cozumel but did enjoy Tulum. I like grand cayman better than key west....but either choice is good.

Does one offer better perks? I know celebrity has been doing 1.2.3 offers. Their drink package is nice if you drink...even if you don't. We got a non alcoholic one bc we are not heavy drinkers. We used the elite cocktail party for a drink or two and paid for a glass of wine or other drink here or there. The package gave us tons of bottled water ( large cold Evian in port), sodas, specialty coffees etc. not sure if Princess has one now as it has been like 6 years since we sailed them.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Wow, thanks, LillyKat!! Lots to think about. I wasn't too thrilled with Mexico or Key West, as we've been to both several times but more than anything what we're really looking for, is to relax and slow down as it's been a rough year and he's worked so hard. Of course, I don't want him to be bored either, lol.

I appreciate all the info!

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Well it is relaxing. He can lay by the pool, there is music, the had some games. Night there is a casino, disco, there were 20 something meet and greats. Plan to do some active excursions or fun things like catamaran and snorkel as those are fun. I don't think he will be bored. As long as he isn't looking for heavy partying he can probably meet a few kids his age. They will make their own fun too. I always met a group. We would go to the show and sit in a lounge or hit the disco.

DTD to add the have xbox 360'and games for kids and adults to play. The have basketball courts and the ships officers play against guest in volleyball. On celebrity

Message edited 1/15/2014 5:10:25 PM.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I have been on the ruby princess and I absolutely loved it!!! Food was pretty good... Service excellent... And my fav part, the outdoor movies at night where they give you pillows, blankets, popcorn, hot chocolate. We went to grand Turk and that was a lot of fun... Spent the day at margaritaville which was literally steps away from the dock.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Thanks, ladies. I have to book it tomorrow. I think I'm going to let DS decide at this point. They both sound great so I'll leave that up to him. I'll be cool with whatever one he chooses.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Celebrity, no question!! The crowd on Princess is OLD, in our early 30's we were easily some of the youngest on the ship, I would say most of the cruise was over 60. The whole ship just had an older feel.
Also the food on Princess was SO SO bad we asked the staff about it and they admittedly said they cut back on the food in order to make the price of the cruise more affordable.
The food on Celebrity was great and the entertainment was great too, Celebrity is by far my favorite cruiseline.

Princess or Celebrity?

Hands down...Celebrity!!!

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I've never been on Princess, but we sailed on Celebrity with my family this past summer. Our group included my 14 month old DD, 10 and 14 year old nephews, me and DH in our 30s, my sister and BIL in their 40s, and my mom. Everyone had a great time. There were plenty of people of all ages on board. Not as much going on late at night as on CCL or RCL, but that wasn't an issue for me, since I had a little one with me.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Not sure if you booked yet but look at costcotravel if you have a costco card.
For some of the Princess sailings you get a shipboard credit and for some of the Celebrity they are doing Shipboard credit plus a free beverage package....

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I have been on 6 maybe 7 cruises and they were always with celebrity.

I have always had outstanding service.

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

I sailed on both and would do Princess again over Celebrity because of one big difference - choice of anytime dining on Princess. Both are very comparable with food and entertainment but in your case Princess seems to have the better ports - at least the 2 you mentioned.

The avg age of cruises on the ship depends on the excursion, length of the trip and timing...

Re: Princess or Celebrity?

Thanks, all! He chose Princess to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We're booked!