We have been on two cruises so far. One was Royal Princess from Spain to Italy in 2016 and the other was Royal Caribbean from Italy again in 2024! Both have been for 7 nights. Last time was our first experience in cruise. This time, based on our earlier experience, our expectations were similar.
I am sharing a fair comparison between the two to help you decide your first or the next cruise!!
Orientation: I felt what was missing in Royal Caribbean was a first time orientation or a welcome note/meet. This is sort of essential to know what’s happening where and when, which we had to figure out on our own. They have a mobile app though which we could use to stay tuned to whatever was going around the ship! And since it was our second time, we sort of had an idea of things.
In Royal Princess, we had a first time orientation as soon as we boarded. That helped us settle in and know our way around better. Plus they also gave next day plans a night before in every room. Those were probably the days of not using mobile apps that much!
Room: We took the balcony room in both the ships. Both were equally good even though smallish.
Food: Food is obviously great and also free in both the ships. However, I felt vegetarian options were quite better in Royal Princess as compared to Caribbean. Although, desserts and cookies were to die for, in Caribbean:)
Internet: Super expensive in both. Take it if you can’t do without it.
In-room TV: It was definitely better in Princess. Caribbean TV was sort of boring.
For kids: In Princess, they have proper, listed activities for different age groups right from 3-17. They are extremely engaging and fun for children. Parents need not accompany them for these and can chill on their own. However, in Caribbean, I realized that activities are way better for 11 years and above. Younger kids also have a play area, swimming pool access and other family activities but, nothing specifically for their age. Also, a lot of their activities need parental involvement.
Entertainment: Both have swimming pool, jacuzzi, casino, running track, etc. Both have themed nights too though it was followed more in Princess. We went on Princess 8 years back, so I may not remember everything correctly. But, based on what I do remember, I feel Caribbean had much more activities for everyone as compared to Princess. They had tons of things going on full day and night every day like shows, parties, quizzes, workshops, spas, different sports tournaments and so much more!! So, indeed this was better to keep oneself entertained and productively occupied 🙂 Princess cruise also had a lot but, may not have been as many or as frequent!
Others: Princess also had a laundry room with a washing machine, which one could use to wash their clothes (when you travel for that long, you need to!). Caribbean didn’t have that! Caribbean had a pick up and drop facility from cruise to station/airport (at an additional higher cost obviously)!
I loved Royal Caribbean a lot. What really made it special was that I felt at home there. I made friends with the crew members. They were all so lovely. It just felt so amazing that none of us wanted to come back, which happened for the first time ever with us.
Overall, I feel both are great. So, you should select based on when and where you want to go. For younger kids though, Princess might be better than Caribbean.
All said and done, a cruise holiday is the best experience ever.. once you go on it, you won’t wanna go on any other type of holiday!!
Hope you find it helpful. Share it with somebody who wants to go on a cruise!! And follow me on instagram for more pics and videos:
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Detailed write up on cruise for first timers: https://whatkanudid.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/cruise-for-first-timers/
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