Do You Compare?

When you try a new cruise line for the first time, do you really compare to the extent on cabins, food, entertainment and the like? That way you know for sure that this particular cruise line is better then the last one and you would try to book with them again?

Recently Mr & Mrs B did just that and sent me a great comparison of P&O cruises to Royal Caribbean, I think it is interesting reading, more so if you are thinking of taking that plunge!  Enjoy:

“Having cruised quite a bit now, my choice of cruise is largely based on the itinerary of where we go. I
want to see places I have not been before, and we have just booked to go to the Far East on
Princess, as that itinerary appealed more than the others we looked at.  Here are my views.”

Ship Design.
I think most cruise ships are attractive to look at, externally, and most will have areas which look
fabulous internally. I do find P &O’s a bit dowdy, with their choice of colours. Brown and dark green
don’t appeal to me, but they will to others. I like something a bit brighter. Where RCI win on this
point for me, is the Royal Promenade, where the shops are, and a pub and a café, where you can eat
whilst watching the world go by.

Food
Without a doubt, Royal Caribbean win this one. The array in the Windjammer on the Explorer of the
Seas, on a daily basis, was amazing. There was so much variety, catering for everybody, including
those on special diets. P & O’s fare is very samey, over all the ships. Whilst there is some variety
it is still of a similar nature. I have been on 7 day cruises and 4 of the Theme
buffets have been, Oriental, Asian, Indian and Chinese.

Entertainment
Coming back to this, in addition to previous comments, P &O have more quizzes so that’s a winner
for me, although there were more on RCI than I expected.  I think the guest comedians, for
instance, depend on where the ship is cruising. Leaving from Southampton, they will be largely
British and seem popular with most. I can’t tell much difference between one set of singing and
dancing troupes, and another, so both companies are pretty much the same. Individual singers are
either good or otherwise, so can be variable. The entertainment team, including the Cruise Director,
can make a big difference, and most are good in their own way. P & O I think rely far too heavily on
tribute singers, and/or singers who once got to the 4 th round on X Factor, or whatever.  On the Explorer was an ice rink, as I believe there is on Voyager class ships. We did go to see an ice show performed
by professional skaters, and very good it was too. Every cabin is allocated a visit to accommodate
everyone, over four shows. If there are spare seats, its first come first served. We saw it twice. Not
what you’d expect on a cruise ship at sea.

Drinks
I can’t compare much really here, as I don’t drink alcohol. So I’ve never had a package, other than
soda, to know whether they are good value or not. I do resent it being in the price of the cruise as I
would be paying a lot for something I wouldn’t use. Certainly RCI did this. How the two compare of package prices I wouldn’t know, but my feeling is that individual drinks on P & O are a bit cheaper.
What I find outrageous is RCI’s policy of automatically adding 18% bar tax on to each drink, even if you order at the bar and take it away.

Guests – Quizzed with a lovely couple on this last cruise. I do find, which is borne out by reviews and forums I read that Americans are much less keen on dressing up for Formal Nights.
I would say the average age is lower on RCI , I believe they actively pursue the younger ones to get them to become regular cruisers.

My conclusion -If I am looking for a cruise now, the itinerary is the most important. If both P & O and Royal
Caribbean were going to the same places, for the same length of cruise, from the same port, I think I
would choose Royal Caribbean.

Interesting reading – would you agree?

Till next time x