Cruise Guide
Berlitz Overview »
News for 2008 »
Cruise History »
Life Aboard »
The Right Ship etc...
Cruise Lines
Cunard » P&O »
Fred. Olsen »
Holland America »
NCL Cruises etc...
Destinations
Caribbean »
Mediterranean »
World Cruises »
Alaska etc...

Latest Photos

QE2 in Alesund NorwaySome of our favourite QE 2 pics!
Aug 2003
Davies, Pontypridd
Brooklyn August 19th 2008 - my beautiful wife of 10 yearsQM2
Aug 2008
Pontin, Woodford
main outdoor poolIberian Interlude - The Chiles'
May 2008
Chiles, Redditch
Norway: OsloBaltic Highlights
Aug 2005
Lane, Whitstable
 Cruise Reviews

container ports of the far east
Reviewed By: pimblett, wigan on 8th Aug 2008
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Times cruised before: 3-5
Cruise Ship: Sapphire Princess Sailed: December, 2007
Destination: Far East Age: 56-65
the ship was ok although the attempts to part you from your money in every conceivable way was tiresome(the pseudo art sales were entertaining and showed how gullible people are when on holiday).the ship is quite large and this was the reason given for its using container terminals at most destinations;this means that you cannot just get off the boat and find your own way around,because you have to use their shuttle buses which often drop you in a part of town which you do not want to see thereby wasting more of your invaluable time ashore.the stops in vietnam used tenders and we decided to stay on board on our balcony for one of these(which was to have entailed 3hour coach drive ashore) and watch the world go by.the captain had at short notice negotiated the use of a dock so that tenders were not to be used.this dock was in a fetid creek from which the smell of bad eggs arose and the dockside was usedto load fertilizer which rose in clouds up the side of the ship.the dockside operators used dust masks and washed down their boots at intervals,as well as the lower levels of the ships hull.yet we were told that it was harmless dust and just to stay inside our cabin.
to sum up I could not recommend this cruise as an effective way to see thesights at the ports of call unless you are interested in the workings of container ports,the ordinary members of the ships staff were very good and the food was above average for a ship
Quality of Food1
Entertainment2
a couple of comedians were good but the staged shows were pretty dire.the outstanding memory of the entertainments was the visit to the ship of a troupe of acrobats from shanghai-they put the onboard staff well in the shade
Shore Excursions1
nagasaki was good because one could get off the boat and see the town at your own pace
Staff2
formal restaurant staff were excellent the pursers office staff were not
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities2
Cabins4
Overall Rating1
Report this review
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW
Comment by Jones, Abergele (09 Aug 08 20:55) about this REVIEW
Don't understand your ratings. 1 star for food but comment that food is above average!!!
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Report this comment
Comment by pimblett, wigan (09 Aug 08 21:46) about a COMMENT by Jones (09 Aug 08 20:55)
this was obviously an error somewhere in the system the food was ok.I dined with professional caterers who agreed that for mass catering it was quite good. the descriptions were over blown an d the waiters good (and agreed that the descriptions were laughable0
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Report this comment
Comment by Coates, Hartlepool (08 Aug 08 10:34) about this REVIEW
I have been on a number of cruises with Princess, P&O and they could not be faulted on anything the food was excellent, the staff very attentive, the ports of call always had the best places at the ports of call, the entertainment was very good you really felt special! It seems that since Carnival have taken over the standards have really dropped and all they are interested in is parting people from their money! It is sad to see this happen
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Report this comment
Comment by Potter, London (09 Aug 08 12:05) about a COMMENT by Coates (08 Aug 08 10:34)
I entirely agree. We have just come back from a cruise on the Grand Princess to Norway where the food (for instance) has deteriorated enormously. For instance we did not have any smoked salmon in the Horizon for Breakfast or the shell on prawns for lunch. Worst of all chocolate in bread and butter pudding!! The laundry came back undone. The ship needs a refurbishment (as does most of the crew). The first week entertainment was OK the second....... It is quite clear that the cuts have been deep all round. We have now been on Princess 29 times and this cruise is likley to be our last with them.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Report this comment

Add a COMMENT about     Ask a QUESTION about     ANSWER  Question

Agree with Review?            

Publish a Review
  • Exotic Cruises
  • Ocean Village Cruises
  • The Cunard Sale
  • Neil and Ida Down cruise blog
  • Princess Caribbean Special
  • MSC special offers
  • Special Meditteranean Cruises
  • Oceania
  • Special Caribbean Cruises
  • Thomson Cruises
  • Berlitz Cruise Guide
  • Special offers
  • uk departure cruises
  • Special Luxury Deals
  • Garden Cruises