Princess, glad to have discovered you.

 
Reviewed By: Hargreaves, Blackpool on 9th Feb 2010
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Sea Princess Sailed: January, 2010
Destination: Caribbean Age: 65+
Cabin: Balcony
Having previously used several cruise lines we thought we would give Princess a try. We were attracted by their Caribbean 14 night package on Sea Princess, reasonably priced around £1600 for balcony cabin, and sweetened by $250 on board spend. The holiday was so good compared to our previous cruises I feel Princess have earned my recommendation.
The food was exceptional, for example fillet steak and quality meat cuts available regularly in the restaurant and not just on isolated occasions as on some other cruise lines.
Particularly impressed with the high standard of service which was consistent throughout the trip. Cabin could have been a little larger but we soon settled in and found it adequate, the bed particularly comfortable.
Princess scores very high on entertainment, high quality variety all the way. By far the best entertainment we have enjoyed on cruises, and I am not referring to the ship's company productions which often include only average singers. The speciality acts were superb, varied and highly professional, and were frequently changed, After a couple of shows they would leave the ship and be replaced by equally top quality acts.
Unusually for us we are unable a focus on any aspect of the holiday worthy of criticism which can only be to the credit of Princess cruises. With reference to the lengthy debate on tipping/gratuities one need not worry, a simple visit to reception ensures that gratuities are not credited to your onboard account. However the high level of service on this ship should ensure your steward/ess and waiters merit a deserved reward.
Quality of Food5
Entertainment5
Shore Excursions3
Staff5
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activitiesn/a
Cabins4
Overall Rating5
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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Moore, Halifax (09 Feb 10 20:42) about this REVIEW
Having been a regular cruiser with Princess, we have elite status, (3 times on sea princes others) the standard must have altered dramatically changed or we have been unlucky - very unlucky. Nova virus on the last five cruises, inedible food; grotty cabins. smelly drains; green mold on the plastic tables etc etc I could go on but I won't because it becomes unbelievable. I am pleased you had a good time with good food which is more than we did.
Comment by smith, grays (10 Feb 10 14:47) about a COMMENT by Moore (09 Feb 10 20:42)
Myself and my husband always cruise Princess and we are also Elite and if we had encountered any of the above mentioned by you we would have not carried on cruising with them. We did three cruises last year and the food was very good especially the two we did on the Ruby, cabins spotless no smelly drains or green mould on the plastic tables. You must have been very unlucky!
Comment by Hargreaves, Blackpool (10 Feb 10 01:49) about a COMMENT by Moore (09 Feb 10 20:42)
If your experience with Princess was that bad it beggers belief that you would have continued to travel with them on a regular basis earning elite status. It should be noted that Sea Princess was refurbished some months ago resulting in fresh new carpets and no doubt the replacement/upgrading of the drains, plastic tables, and the 'grotty' cabins you refer to. As for the food and service the choice is up to the passengers and the right choice can make a hell of a difference to the quality of your cruise. We ate entirely in the restaurant (avoiding the self-service) recieving faultless service and wide choice from the menues at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had our regular waiters at dinner (1st sitting) and couldn't have been better looked after had we been royalty. We even had the afternoon tea every day in the restaurant and again 5 star service. I mentioned fillet steak in my review for a very good reason, on many previous cruises fillet steak appeared only once on the menu and the operators craftily included it on the same occasion they featured lobster - leaving you to choose only one or the other. A ruse I'm certain noted by many other cruisers. Wishing you better luck next time, from your description it can only get better.
Comment by Mattingley, Reading (10 Feb 10 12:10) about a COMMENT by Hargreaves (10 Feb 10 01:49)
Totally agree with Hargreaves.

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