Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: which cruise line is better?
Table Of Content

Evening entertainment aboard the Royal Princess is mostly production shows and music events; you can also watch a recent release at Movies Under the Stars. The Princess Plus package includes daily gratuities, the basic beverage package, 2 fitness classes, 2 casual dining meals, and internet for $60 per day per guest. Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips. Premium cruise lines typically offer upscale food, accommodations, and service.
Cruise Costs
When reading online reviews about Princess before my sailing, I heard fantastic things about the cruise line’s food. Like most cruises, I booked an interior cabin on the Royal Princess, and it was the best cabin I’ve had on any Alaska cruise thus far. While I usually expect inside cabins to be extremely small, I was impressed with not only my cabin’s size, but its layout. On my Royal Caribbean cruises to Alaska, I spend most of my time lounging in the adults-only Solarium, a climate-controlled space with massive floor-to-ceiling windows in all directions. My cruise departed on June 17, so it was right at the start of Alaska’s peak summer season.
Explained: Major Differences Between Princess & Other Cruise Lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & More)
Compared to other cruise lines, Princess has one of the best main dining room experiences at sea. Princess Cruises is a premium cruise line, well known for their beautiful and elegant cruise ships. Princess has a reputation of catering towards a mature, well travelled demographic of cruise passenger. Both cruise lines offer food and drink packages that will fit your budget and help you save money on your trip.
Details of Royal Caribbean’s New Testing Requirement
Activities vary and still encourage discovery alongside fun, including an Adventure Science Lab and an Imagination Studio. The more modern ships are adding new unique features too, such as the Sea Breeze Rollglider on Sun Princess, taking you on an exciting trip around the top deck. A lot of the Princess Cruises food philosophy is about bringing authenticity to its menus, with restaurants that offer flavours and dishes inspired by the regions you’re sailing in. Royal Caribbean’s unique staterooms and suites are less about opulence and more about offering innovative experiences.
Cruise through the stunning Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, with its towering limestone islands and emerald waters. Dive into the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or witness the sunrise over the magnificent temples of Bagan in Myanmar. The Asia-Pacific region offers a captivating blend of ancient traditions, natural wonders, and bustling metropolises. If you crave a journey into the untamed wilderness, Alaska is the perfect destination for you. Imagine cruising through icy fjords, surrounded by towering glaciers and majestic mountains. Witness the breathtaking beauty of nature as you spot majestic whales breaching the surface, bald eagles soaring overhead, and playful sea otters frolicking in the icy waters.

Impact on Cruise Ship Routes
Whereas I didn’t love the ship’s design as an entire, I nonetheless preferred sure elements of the ship, together with the Outrigger’s Bar within the ship’s aft and the elegant, multi-story atrium. Stay music was ample across the ship as effectively, and I completely loved listening to a reside band play stress-free music throughout our ship’s sailaway from Skagway. I hadn’t seen any such elegant leisure throughout sailaway on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and it created a really magical ambiance whereas crusing by way of breathtaking surroundings. Throughout our cruise, I attended a “Meet the Sled Canine” program, throughout which an Iditarod coach boarded the ship with sled canine puppies. After a quick presentation about these lively pups, passengers have been in a position to meet the puppies within the ship’s atrium.
While both cruise lines offer a similar range of cabin types, the specific amenities and perks can vary. For example, Princess Cruises offers unique features in some cabins such as angled balconies that offer more views. Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, stands out with its innovative and spacious loft suites. Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer a range of stateroom options and accommodations. Each line has unique offerings, such as Princess’ luxurious suites and Royal Caribbean’s innovative cabin designs. Both provide a variety of onboard amenities, dining options, and entertainment choices.
During the week we enjoyed banana, strawberry, pineapple, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream, and they even had a toppings bar with sprinkles and chocolate sauce. Although I found the food to be overall better on Royal Caribbean, I noticed a few ways where Princess spent extra on dining compared to the latter. That being said, the ramen noodle station at the buffet was on par with what I would expect from a specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean. In fact, it was probably the best food I’ve ever had from a buffet on both land and sea. The Main Dining Room on Princess tended to offer more upscale dishes—oxtail soup and five-spice duck breast, to name a few. Although the dishes we did try were tasty, my sister and I rarely found the menus appealing, so we ended up at the buffet more nights than not.
And around the ship there are fewer announcements from the Cruise Director interrupting the day to tell you about sales on the ship or shows coming up that day. Meanwhile, your other passengers are also less likely to be less looking for a party. Princess Cruises includes many more items in its fare, such as 24-hour room service, and all non-alcoholic beverages. They also have an all-inclusive drink package which includes specialty coffees, cocktails, wine, and beer. Princess Cruises’ Captain’s Circle offers benefits like members-only onboard events, priority check-in, and free internet packages for the most loyal cruisers.
On Board Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas for its First Cruise - The New York Times
On Board Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas for its First Cruise.
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There are some things we liked better on Princess, and other things we liked better on RCI. I think of all the cruiselines, Princess is the one that is most similar to RCI. The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Princess Cruises ship. Some of its popular venues are Chef's Table Lumiere, World Fresh Marketplace, and Alfredo's Pizzeria.
I’d also argue the grab-and-go pizza on the pool deck was of higher quality than Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s Pizza venue. At times I find Sorrento’s Pizza nearly inedible, but I was pleased with the quality of the pool deck pizza on Princess. Finally, I appreciate having more outlets on new Royal Caribbean ships, as it makes it easier to charge my electronics, especially when sharing a cabin. My room on the Royal Princess only had two outlets on the desk, which was not the most convenient. There are, however, a few things I prefer about Royal Caribbean’s cabins compared to Princess.
I prefer the calmer atmosphere and adult-focused activities on Princess Cruises compared to the more family-focused and flashy activities on Royal Caribbean. Princess Cruises offers a quieter vibe that allows for a more relaxing and tranquil experience. The atmosphere onboard their ships is more geared towards adults, creating a peaceful and serene environment. It’s like deciding between two different worlds, both waiting to be explored. Princess Cruises promises a serene and sophisticated atmosphere, tailored for adults seeking tranquility. On the other hand, Royal Caribbean caters to families, offering a plethora of exhilarating activities for kids and adults alike.
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