Southern Caribbean Cruise suggestions
 

I am close to making a decision on taking a cruise from San Juan in Jan. The choices are Royal Caribbean, (Radiance) or Princess which is the Star ship. If anyone can comment on either lines, I would appreciate your thoughts. I need to decide very soon. Thanks so much.

Correction--The Princess is the Sea Princess--Not Star.

Hi Pam,<BR><BR>You should find Princess a couple of hands above Royal Caribbean. Unless you have never cruised before then you can not make a comparison. So go for price and/or itinerary.<BR><BR>Paul

Well interestingly the travel agent and a agent at Expedia have both suggested RC. This surprises me, as I have always been under the impression Princess was top notch. Price is comparable on both for the specific cruises mentioned. The Radiance is 2001 the Star is 1998. The intinerary is also pretty much duplicated verus one Island difference. The travel agent has put the RC on hold for me. We are early 50's and a young 50's I might add, although I don't have an interest in Rock climbing! (leave that for the very young!) We have cruised only on Carnival and would like something different this time. I don't want to be with the walking dead, but the crazy partying in my face is to much also. Don't want another Carnival cruise. Thanks for your thoughts Paul

Hmmmm, interesting. Expedia and a travel agent both said RCCL. Strange. Could be as you were talking to them that they might have picked out something about your lifestyle. Or a better guess is that Expedia has quite a few unsold cabins that they reserved. The travel agent, since it is nearing the end of the year, may be trying to reach his/her quota.<BR><BR>I can't see RCCL being any different than Carnival. Except maybe the food.<BR><BR>You should get much better service on Princess. <BR><BR>I could see if you were comparing RCCL Voyager Class Ships with Princess.<BR><BR>I'm stymied.<BR><BR>I am suprised no one else came in on this thread.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul, that particular RC cruise is nearly sold out. Could be RC was offering some sort of deal to agents, who really knows. I read way to many reviews, and I can find negative/positive about any hotel, any cruise line, any restaurant etc.etc. It is always difficult to please all people all of the time. We are going with the RC at this time. Getting away from the snow in Jan. is a plus, RC, or Princess. I wish more people would have responded also. Weekends are not a good time for posting I guess. Thanks, Pam

All companies that use agents/retailers etc. use SPIF's [Sales Promotion Incentive Funds} to generate activity. A SPIF is an extra on top of commission. Obviously RC is using them here.<BR><BR>All consolidators such as Expedia get caught with unsold inventory that they have contracted for...air, cruise, hotels, and try to get rid of them through recommendations.<BR><BR>Now you know what is happening....is there a choice? It is not you who gets the benefit of the SPIF.<BR><BR>All things being equal [price, itinerary, cabin], Princess is the way to go!

I have sailed both Radiance and Sea Princess.<BR><BR>I give the thumbs up to Princess. Their food is significantly beter and in my opinion, their service is also. I prefer the product that Princess offers over RCCL.<BR><BR>Though you can't go wrong on either ship. <BR><BR>Theresa

Go to Expedia.com. If you enter Southern Caribbean it will bring up the 2 cruise lines, for Jan. sailings. I then read reviews and the recent reviews for the Sea Princess were not so great.

First cruise was RCCL, went on Princess because we heard the service, food, etc was slightly better--huge misconception. We were on Dawn Princess and service was stuffy, unfriendly--stand-offish, and boring. Princess has an older crowd (Except on the giant ships) and wasn't any fun--the casino was empty by 10:30 every night. We have been on Radiance Twice now, Grandure twice and a few others once, and Highly recomend RCCL.

Dave thanks for your response. I really appreciate it your thoughts as I put a deposit down on RC. I have hoped I made the right choice for my husband and myself. Happy Sailings!