Princess Caribbean vs. RCL Adv of the Seas???

[Golden1]

I booked a week So. Caribbean with Princess but I see an RCL cruise for $600 less. There are the same amount of Ports, but it seems Princess's are better ports. Has anyone cruised on RCL? Would it be worth it to switch?

[LisaK]

It is so difficult to compare, but you kind of answered your own question when you said that Princess has better ports than Royal Caribbean. Both beautiful big ships, it all depends upon what you are looking for in your cruise experience. For me Princess has the edge over Royal Caribbean when it comes to personal service and food

[Donna]

What are the ports each is stopping at? What ones are better?

[Golden1]

Princess - St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba
Royal - St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Johns, Barbados, and St. Lucia.
It just seems to me that the Princess ports have more tour/activity options. Plus, I've never been on a Royal ship so I am not sure how it differs from Princess.
Opinions are appreciated!

[Donna]

Actually both itinaries look absolutely wonderful, tough decision to pick. I think there are plenty of excursions for all these islands. You can go to the different cruiseline's web-sites and look through that tours they offer and find some that you want to do..

Is there any difference in price between these two ships?

[green_rd]

$600 price difference.

Remember the rates may reflect different sailing weeks as well as categories of available cabins. Another thing the has an effect on the cruise prices is are the port charges leveed by each port - the cruise lines can not change these.

[nmnita]

First of all, the intinery is usually the thing we look for the most, and then price. As for the 2 lines, everyone has a different opinion and yes, most mass marketed lines are more alike than different, but I would take Princess over RCI. I happen to think the food is better for starters. I have read your listing of ports, both look like good choices.

Nita

[Golden1]

Ah. I see. Very good insight. $600 is a lot of money, however, I am finding that Royal's Excursions are WAY more expensive than Princess. So, in the end, with 5 ports each, there may not be very much difference at all.

[travelingboylh@hotmail.co]

Princess is a step or two above RCCL.....food....service ...passengers are a little older