I made a big mistake. You see, I took my first cruise more than a decade ago. And in that time, I’ve sailed most major cruise lines. But one of the few that I had yet to sail was Princess.
Think about it… I’m a guy in my 30s. A cruise line named Princess doesn’t exactly sound like it’s made for me. And when I cruise, I’m also a fan of going all out on the ship. I want waterslides. I want to race go-karts. I want to ride the roller coaster. It’s go-go-go.
I still like all that, but I’ve got to tell you, after sailing Princess for the first time last month, I’m also rethinking things. There was a lot that I didn’t realize about Princess… and it was a style that’s very different from what I’m used to… and… I liked it?!
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Just got off the Sky Princess for the second time..and yes the Thermal Suite i was in every day and had my seaweed wrap massage , classy ship and extremely restful..love the medallion too. I dont have to move 😂😂 to have a meal and drinks…li chose Princes Premier the best choice i could have ever made. Cannot wait until Sun Princess is here🚢😊
Love princess.
Recently went on a Princess 10 day SF-Mexican Riviera cruise. I Loved the medallion!! One day, I went to an event by myself. The waitstaff completely ignored me (maybe they thought I was just passing through). Finally, I ordered a drink via my Medallion, and I was served within 8 minutes. My kids (14, 16, and 18 years old) also liked being able to order snacks independently. I will say, my teens were very "MEHHH" about the cruise. MY 18 year old son went to the dance club one night – and one night only. He danced with a couple ladies older than his mother. My 14 year old was Over-it by day 5. Maybe if I'd booked more excursions, it would have been more teen-inviting???
It's not for a family with teens, but I would absolutely book Princess again for just my husband and I (or maybe once my kids get older, and they want to invite an adult partner).
Ovation too crowded, Carnival too old, NCL great in Hawaii, Princess a good all rounder. Celebrity next!
Years ago you may not been as pleased as you are now, my sailing started in 1972 skip several year before second ,but as time went by Imy sailing trips got closure together. I have tried 7cruise lines and after 26 cruises mostly on Celebrity and Princess. I tend to rate the two as a close tie at finish line with nose win to Celeb. BUT last 5 years have took note that Princess ship upgrades are making noticeable difference, and their medallion concept is be on top of improvement list. You have made the right choice to choose a cruise line NEWEST ship for first time sailing with that line , that way you experience what the future have in store.
My last cruise was this past Christmas on Celibrity newest ship Beyond and I was amazed with design, layout, theater stage electronics and impress with rooftop Garden with live shrubs &plants (with my background in prop. maint.) I had to explore and take note on their watering system. Very interesting.
What beyond Let to have is the medallion, room key did what madallion does, only you would had to physically swipe the card near cabin door lock to open .
I still put Princess and Celib. At close tie. I'll yet you decide who take the lead.
We have cruised 25+ times on Princess over a 30 year span of time. We love them. They have always treated us well. The food and service have been consistent on every sailing. It is definitely a laid back experience, which is what keeps us coming back.
You should try one of the round trip Hawaiian cruises from the U.S., you will be bored out of your mind. I also wish I knew that on Princess, a standard balcony cabin doesn't have a love seat, only a chair by the desk. Eating a room service breakfast was a challenge for the second person. I found my cruise so relaxed I was bored out of my mind with the 10 sea days. My Princess cruise on the Diamond was a one and done.
We’ve sailed Princess twice (Hawaii & Alaska), as well as a few other lines. Princess is by far my favorite. More sedate.
Sailed on a 10-day Princess cruise very recently and had one of the best vacations of my life. I was in the NAVY in the early eighties and wasn't going to go out to sea ever again in my life. My partner got a free cruise for 2 balcony room from a casino and just loved it. It was relaxing the enclave was amazing, the food was great, and the service was amazing. We saw every show and went on every port call (only did a couple excursions). We have 2 more Princesses cruises already booked. One in 73 days and the other in December. I can't wait!
We were seated next you for breakfast one day during this cruise and I wanted to say Hi but didn't want to disrupt your meal.
Veteran cruisers here(Disney, HAL, Norwegian) about to embark on our first Princess cruise (14-night Mediterranean). Your review puts our minds at ease in anticipation of what to expect! Thank you for a well thought, fair review!
Princess is Great. Hard to believe they are part of Carnival.
Don’t let our secret out! Delete this video so others will stay away from our favorite cruise line! 😂
You obviously did not do your homework. You want action take a cruise on a ship such as Carnival, etc. Next time I encourage you to FOCUS on what YOU want. Truthfully you are critiquing in a “middle of the road” so you don’t offend. I have cruised with my wife for many years using Princess as the norm until she passed away. We NEVER regretted for a moment up to a 30 days. Wayne M. 🇨🇦
Princess specialty dining is only $29, much less than other lines, free room service is great too. I think they have the best food at sea
Agreed 100%! Our family was on this same cruise and I will say it was a wonderful trip for most of our group that ranged in age from 13 – 76 years of age. The only person who was disappointed was my 14 year old son who was sad that there wasn't a gaming area. Hopefully you were able to partake in the drink presentations at Good Spirits Bar!
I will be boarding Princess for my FIRST ever cruise in may. I will be sailing solo. I enjoyed your thoughts on your cruise. It helped give me perspective on the “mood” of the brand. I feel like I’m really going to enjoy its relaxing, adult vibe.
Love the vibe on Princess; more relaxed than the fun driven Carnival ships I've been on. Love the decor especially the atrium
I love sailing with princess, also as a guy in this 30s. We went for the first time last year and it was just such a relaxing vibe. We did two weeks around the med and by the time it we we're due to head back we already had our next one booked. Additionally, with their new ships coming online in 2024 and 2025 it's only going to get better.
Nice job. My first Princess cruise was in 1984(!). I have seen changes over the years but I think that they have stayed fairly close to their brand. Enjoy your cruises. 🙂
Headed to Alaska on Princess this June. Only my 2nd cruise. Looking forward to it, with my wife. Thanks for your input as it increases our excitement. I live in LA area and will also have to look into that 4 day cruse offer as well.
You are handsome.
We have done 9 cruises in the last 10 years with Princess. You are correct that if you just want to have a relaxing and enjoyable cruise, this is a good one. We are now in our mid 60's and have tried other lines to see the differences. Carnival was crowded, loud and much more family oriented with all the bells and whistles for the kids. Not on the top of our list. Last January we did an NCL cruise and there were some aspects that we liked however there were some places that were so loud because of the center design that it was just was too loud. So, that one will be above Carnival for us. The reason I watched your video is that we will be going in November on the Discovery. It just feels like home. Thanks for sharing!!
So glad you liked Princess! As a relatively new cruiser, I've only sailed twice on Princess, once on Celebrity, and once on NCL. I can say, Princess is my favorite by far. (NCL is my least favorite…talk about nickel-and-diming! And now in-person muster drills. Yuck!). Though I did have issues with the Princess medallion working on both the Regal Princess and the Ruby Princess. It didn't always work for ordering drinks and food and sometimes my order never showed up, though the app would say it was delivered (and thus counted towards my daily drink allowance). But hopefully they're working out the kinks on that technology as time goes on.
We’re in our early 50s and much prefer cruising with the older folks on Princess, Celebrity and Holland America vs the obnoxious beer bucket crowd and their little urchins on NCL, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
One of the things that bothered me about cruising in general was the pricing based on double occupancy as I mostly travel solo. But I decided to try out a group cruise and it was on Princess in 2018. I was hooked, Princess was amazing. I've since done 8 more cruises and 7 of them have been on Princess. They've all been wonderful experiences. The last one I took was on the Diamond Princess and I got invited to dine at the captain's table and a tour of the bridge all thanks to a photo of the Diamond Princess I took while on the one non Princess cruise I took. It's a great story but one far too long to share here. Princess has been my favorite and I'm sure I'll be booking another one soon.
I can't wait until my Emerald Princess cruise in October!
Sounds like my kind of cruise.
Sailed ten times all princess love it
Thank you for the review. I've only cruised on Princess, and I love it. It's great to hear the thoughts of someone experienced with other cruise lines but coming on Princess for the first time. I'm taking my first Carnival 🛳 this year – hope I'm not disappointed.