We are considering taking a 7 night southern caribbean cruise this August, and these 2 seem to be the only lines that offer these, besides Carnival. Which is better- more luxurious, better service, etc? We are 30 years old and are looking to relax and be pampered.

I have not been on Princess but my mom has 4 times and just loves it! Our family went on RCCL 1 1/2 years ago and were not impressed. The food was ok, the staff was fine but they had been having engine troubles the cruise before us and didn't fix it. We were late getting into one port and had to skip another one completely. A friend of ours just went on RCCL in Feb. 04, different area (we were doing the Mexican Riviera and they were doing the Western Caribbean) and had a similar problem. We got an onboard credit for like $100 per cabin they didn't get anything. IMHO I would think twice about going on RCCL but wouldn't hesitate to go on Princess.

We've been on both, on the Dawn Princess to Alaska and RCCL's Rhapsody to the Western Caribbean. Princess is definitely the more elegant of the two. RCCL is more laid back, friendly attentive crew, good entertainment, but only mediocre food.
Want elegance? Better service? Better food...along with lots of pampering? Take a look at one of the Celebrity Millenium class ships and their Ultimate Caribbean cruises.

If you go with a suite on either of these two, you will be pampered. Food is a click better on Princess.

Peter

Southern Caribbean in August...mmmmmm...very close to the start of hurricane season.

Most of the southern caribbean itinerary is out of the hurricane belt.

Peter

Princess would be my pick. We sailed on the Golden this Dec. and the Radiance last Dec. Both are wonderful.

Either....

Princess more for relaxation and pampering. RCCL for energetic activities. Read some cruise reviews for both and go with the one that suits YOU and your family best. My pick would be the itinerary and length of time in each port.

neither of them are considered "luxury" the three classes of cruise ships are "standard" "premium" and "luxury" and they are both standard. Try celebrity (premium) they really pamper you!

Or Silversea.

Sara, I think if you're looking to be pampered, luxury, best service etc. your best bet is one of the following three: Radisson, Silver Seas, or Seabourn.
These are definitely in a different league than the mainstream cruise lines and you won't be disappointed.

I have been on the Destiny and the Voyager class ships. I am going on the Golden Princess this July and am very excited about the sailing.

The Voyager class ships are great for an ACTIVE vacation - I love the rock climbing wall, the excercise classes, the ice skating rink, etc.

If it is relaxation and pampering you want and you want to do the Sothern Caribbean, try the Golden. However, how are you defining relaxing? This is a VERY port intensive cruise with only one sea day. I am going on the cruise because I like the ports of call - very good choice of islands, but there are very few sea days to relax. So you may want to think about this when planning - unless you pretty much go to the beach and don't try to cram too much into the port stops, then it should be relaxing.

Good luck with your decision.

We just returned from a 7 day RCCL southern carb. cruise. Fabulous. The Serendade of the Seas is only 10 months old; the stops were: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbados. Our room was immaculate, food good, service friendly; we just loved it and are going again. Highly recommend it.

We just got back as well from a Southern Caribbean cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. ( RCCL )Beautiful ship,wonderful service. The two optional restaurants on the ship were great.
The breakfast and lunch & dinner buffets were very good however we were a little disappointed in the dinner menus as well as the flavor. Just as well we were eating to much anyway.

But the cruise was wonderful !!!!!!!

But Sara, be aware of Princess' Personal Choice/Anytime Dining.
It's not what it sounds like.
You have to make reservations with a concierge by phone in your state room ahead of time or you won't be admitted into any of the dining rooms.
If you requested fixed seating, through your travel agent ahead of time, you may
be safe with first or second seating. That is if there is room for you in fixed seating. If by chance you do get fixed seating you can switch from the fixed to the PC dining room.
There was a lot of confusion on our cruise in March and some people had to eat in the buffet on a formal night.
And on the cruise after ours, they ran out of food in the buffet.
Just be aware of these situations with Princess. I would choose RCCL if I were you. That's what we plan on doing and we've sailed with Princess many, many times.

I don't want to burst your bubble but the ships you're considering are not what most would consider if they want to be "pampered" (your words). I'm sure you'll have fun on any cruise ship but if you're looking for best service, luxury, pampering you may want to keep looking and move up to the luxury lines. The lines you're looking at will have children, not sure if that is OK or not??

But pampering cost $$. Princess, RCLL, Carnival, etc. cater to masses. If you want real luxury and pampering, and not stand in line in buffet lines, you need to pay $500+ per day (more likely $600) per person, vs $200- of the standard lines. You can't get luxury and service for nothing.