Grand Princess Cruises Reviews

Tuesday 7th Feb 2012

www.cruise.co.uk - Cruise Deals, Cruises & Cruise Holidays

0800 408 6200

All these Grand Princess Cruises Reviews are written by REAL cruise passengers & we DO NOT moderate or change any of the review. You can agree or disagree by posting up your own comment. If you write your own review we will send you a Fodor's Guide to Cruising for FREE, Get Fantastic Princess Cruises In 2012

Cruise Reviews
120,799 Opinions Cruise Answers
182,178 Q&As Cruise Photos
14,133 Real Photos Cruise Videos
1,440 Real Videos Shore Excursions Our Cruise
Consultants Cruise Info
Guides Cruise Forum Get a Quote Special Offers Last Minute Cruises Luxury Cruises Tailor Made Cruise River Cruises Family Cruises Free Brochures Make a Payment

Cruise Reviews

Princess Cruises

Grand Princess

Grand Princess - June 2009

Grand Princess - June 2009

Reviewed By: Thompson, Cheshire on 3rd Jul 2009
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises	Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Grand Princess	Sailed: June, 2009
Destination: Western Europe	Age: 46-55
Cabin: Balcony

Myself, husband and son have just returned from a cruise on the Grand Princess. What did we think of it? Where do I start? Firstly I must say the coach company we travelled down to Southampton with, Eavesway travel did not seem to be as well organised as the coach company Royal Carribean use. Office staff not as helpful. Seemed unable (or unwilling) to help with information regarding the style or seating arrangements of the coach we would be travelling on. (information was necessary as we were travelling with a collapsable wheelchair for our son, and needed to know whether we would board to reserved seats etc.. If so what would happen if our son wanted to "pick" his own which he quite often likes to do, but they weren`t able to advise). Likewise we were advised that at the pick-up point 2 of their coaches would be travelling to Southampton. One would have no passengers, and one would be coming from Preston with 40 passengers. Again we weren`t impressed when the office staff weren`t able to let us know which we would be on, despite trying to explain our son`s complex needs and telling them the empty one would be better suited for us. In the event we were on the list for the one arriving from Preston nearly full which arrived an hour late due to traffic delays. The empty one left, almost empty over an hour before ours arrived. Not a good start! But enough about the travel down. Suffice to say, we weren`t on any of Eavesway`s lists for travelling back from Southampton!!! But enough about the journey down. On arriving at Southampton, I must congratulate the Princess staff for their speedy embarkation procedures, giving priority to wheelchair users and people with restricted mobility. Things were beginning to improve, or so we thought. Staff were on hand to show us to our cabin, another plus. But our cabin, or stateroom, as they prefer to call them was a bit of a let down. We had expected a bath, not a shower. It was quite small for three adults. We had also specifically asked that the third bed should not be an over-bed bunk. We had asked for a bed settee or roll-out bed for obvious reasons. We walked in and looked around only to find the third bed was a drop-down from the ceiling type!! On booking, Victoria travel had assured us that the room would be large enough for 4 adults. Not sure where a fourth adult would fit. I can only assume on our approx 4 foot wide balcony!!! Incidently our balcony did not ressemble those shown in the brochure. The furniture was quite run- down. We were advised during the holiday that this was one of the Princess ships that had not been re-furbished which was definitely in evidence in the cabin and around the ship. If we weren`t happy with the cabin you may ask why we didn`t complain and ask for a move? It was a case of putting up with it as the ship was full and no spare cabins were available. On the plus side again, our cabin attendent, Julio, did the best he could. Nothing was too much trouble. He even took the mattress off the bunk bed each night and put it on the floor for us. Each morning he put it back. An absolute star!! On to the food. Whilst we had opted for the "any time dining experience" having attempted to use one of the main dining rooms, we found that for us, it was still a little too formal. We therefore chose to eat in the 24 hour Horizon Court area. We found the food was excellent there. A good choice on offer for each meal every single day. The entertainment on offer was reasonable. On a par with the other ships we have sailed on. The price of the drinks were extortionate. 6.50 $ + 15% added on for gratuities for each can of beer. 1.95 $ + 15% for each can of coke. 3.50 $ + 15% added on for each 1.5 litre bottle of water. I could go on, but I`m sure you get the picture! The destinations we went to were good. But you weren`t really given enough info about each port we arrived at. I think this is because they wanted you to pay for their organised trips. Again extortionate. We tried two half day trips which didn`t involve much walking, which I found tiring, the cost for three adults being 440 $!!!! When really for most of the destinations we arrived at, if you are not a die-hard scenery fan, there was a courtesy bus, to take you into the nearby towns or everything was within walking distance. Or local taxis were available. At the two destinations which required a tender at port, once you had left the tender and only wanted to browse the local areas, everything was close by. I also found that covering 6 different places on consecutive days was a little too much. I would prefer a destination then a day of sailing, on alternate days. Obviously this is only my personal preference, and I realise this is not always possible. On the whole despite some of my comments, we did enjoy our cruise. However, if we did sail with Princess again, not only would we travel on one of their re-furbished ships, but we would check, check and treble check that the cabin was suitable for our needs. Not just take the cruise agent`s word for it. I think we would also travel down to Southampton independently, maybe by train, but travel the day before the cruise so that traffic wouldn`t be a problem.
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions

Staff
Our room attendant - Julio - a star. Couldn`t do enough to help us.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins
No, cabin a lot smaller than expected.
Overall Rating

Was this review informative to you?

Report this review

Opinion: Disagree Comment by Thompson, Cheshire (04 Jul 09 07:13) about this REVIEW

I can only apologise if I gave the impression of being a "moaning minnie". But I think you`ll find that if you read my review again, I gave credit where credit was due. That is, food excellent, entertainment good, cabin attendant second to none. My comment on the formal dining room referred to our personal circumstances, it was not a reflection on the service or food provided in them. Cruise.co.uk asked for an honest review which I think I provided. How could you not say drinks were expensive? As myself and son don`t drink, to pay in excess of 2 $ for each can of pop was extortionate. Perhaps Mr or Mrs Price did not fully realise from my review that we were travelling with our adult handicapped son. Would one of their family like to spend in excess of £4000 for a holiday and have to sleep on the floor for 14 days, which my husband did? If I have helped just one other disabled passenger to ensure that they receive what they think they are paying for, then my review has been worthwhile.

Report this comment

Comment by booth, lancashire (04 Jul 09 14:05) about a COMMENT by Thompson (04 Jul 09 07:13)

We had booked the coach then swapped it to drive down ourselves. We went down the night before and stayed at the Premier Inn in Eastleigh which was brilliant and about a 10-15 minute drive to the port. We used the car parking services and this was even better..pull up right outside the terminal..they take your luggage then your car..as easy as that. We were out the car and on the ship within 20 mins. I agree that the drinks are...in my humble opinion.. expensive...last year we benefitted from $2 to the pound..this time was better but last Feb when we were in the Caribbean it was down to $1.20 so you can imagine the equivalent prices then. Did you not use the unlimited soft drinks sticker...$68..about £40 for the duration of your cruise?..this may have worked out better for you...also could they not offer you a disabled cabin as having seen them..they are much roomier and practical.. You seem to have been let down by your travel agent/rep ..we used Ulverston Travel in Cumbria..staff there are brilliant and will do anything for you

Report this comment

Opinion: Disagree Comment by Price, Wigan (04 Jul 09 00:11) about this REVIEW

This one is a moaning bugger! Princess Cruises ar best all round for money class and superb. Never had a problem and looked after all day every day , No Problem! Try the Sea Princess or Emerald! and get your head in the holiday mood instead of your pants!

Report this comment

Opinion: Disagree Comment by Price, Wigan (04 Jul 09 00:11) about this REVIEW

Report this comment

Question by Lister, Sunderland (03 Jul 09 19:54) about this REVIEW

We are going on the same cruise, starting July 18. Do you have any further information/tips regarding the shore excursions? Are there any destinations where it isn't possible to do your own thing? ( I really hate the cattle train experience of on a bus, off a bus and rush about!) Also, which deck was your cabin on? Many thanks, Lorraine

Report this comment

Answer by booth, lancashire (04 Jul 09 14:16) to a QUESTION by Lister (03 Jul 09 19:54)

To be honest you can do everything on your own from every port (nearly)...Gibralta you can walk into...about 15 mins from the port...Alicante..get the shuttle bus from the ship to the port entrance and you are there...walk through promenade and you are slap bang in the town....Barcelona...the ship offers a rip-off $10 return shuttlebus to the port entrance. To be honest though you need it and you are dropped off right by the Ramblas.Cannes..by tender...you get off in the marina itself...their is a little 'Noddy Train' that for about 8 Euros give you quite a pleasant hour trip round the main route of Cannes. Livorno (Florence etc)..you need to do a trip or something..we did Easy Florence...coach not packed and about 2hrs around Florence..back on the ship by 2pm. Rome..again this is for main trips but you can get off in the port town and have a look round..nothing too much there though. Remember if the trip to Rome is on a Sunday A LOT OF THE FAMOUS PLACES ARE NOT OPEN Like parts of the Vatican and even I believe..though may be wrong..the Cistine Chapel etc..so check before any booking!! Alghero..by tender again and off by the main town...the Noddy Train there is boring and not worth it.Cadiz..again walk off the ship and you are in the town...everyone went to the right as they left the ships port. The Grands Port info was useless and I think everyone walked miles that day to find shops etc...there is some building work going on and you will see builders hoarding to the left as you come out the port..all the nice shops/squares/churches and cafes/bars are all over there to the left so dont go off to the right...you will be one of the few to do this if you take this advice... and save your tired legs ...have a great trip as the Grand is a lovely ship..take care

Report this comment

Answer by Thompson, Cheshire (04 Jul 09 08:10) to a QUESTION by Lister (03 Jul 09 19:54)

Hi! You may find the two stops that require a tender to get to port at Cannes and Alghero a bit of a pain. But once at the individual ports you don`t really need to have any trips booked as both destinations were well worth a look round doing your own thing. (We had pre-booked a half day trip for Cannes, but wished we hadn`t). Also there was a free courtesy bus provided by the ship at Civitavecchia to get you into the nearby town. There was a littler hustle and bustle about it, but it was bearable. This was probably the only destination that required you to travel a little way into the town. So if you don`t fancy this, and you were planning to have a trip, perhaps this may be the place for you to book one. (I am sure someone will disagree with me on this). We were on Baja deck approx mid-ship, which was quite a convenient location. Have a nice hol!!!

Report this comment

Comment by Smith, Preston (10 Jul 09 16:19) about an ANSWER by Thompson (04 Jul 09 08:10)

Can I just say that the train station at Civitavecchia is just a few minutes walk from the port gates and the trains into Rome pretty frequent and only cost about 9 euros return and this ticket gives you unlimited travel on trains buses and metro in Rome for 24 hours. It takes about 50 to 60 mnutes and goes into termini station which is the main station and the bus and metro stations are just outside the entrance. The metro is super as there are stations near every main attraction and the buses are very good as well.

Report this comment