Jasminedog
April 17th, 2004, 11:32 PM
Our family sailed on the Diamond this past Spring Break (4/10 to 4/17) and all of us had a great time. We are a family of four with kids age 7 and age 13. We are Platinum level returnees and have sailed on the Golden (Caribbean) and the Star (twice to Mexico, once to Alaska). This was our third Mexico cruise in as many years. The ship had over 3,000 passengers and was at capacity, but never felt like it. Here are my general impressions:
1. Mini-Suite - We were on Dolphin D224. Room layout very much like the Grand Class ships - but a larger balcony, padded cushions on the two loungers and a larger sofabed. Room was comfortable and made for a great vacation.
2. Traditional 1st Seating - Food was as good as our Star Princess experience ... very similar menu. The PC dining rooms looked beautiful, but we were glad to have the Traditional 1st. We were able to sample the menu offerings from each of the PC dining room menus when they were offered over the course of the week. Favorite was the catfish from the Santa Fe menu. (Note: although PC diners in each of the four alternative rooms have access to the Traditional Dining menu, the PC menus are not exactly the same and are a slightly "shortened" version from the one offered in Traditional ... I actually compared menus between the two). Baked Alaska procession on our final night was done only for Traditional dining.
3. Children's Program -- the staff said there were over 700 children under 18 sailing this past week! Both of our kids participated in the program daily, usually in the evenings. The four dedicated children's facilities are very much improved over the Star Princess, but the staff seemed a bit less enthusiastic (maybe because of the 700 children on-board). Our pre-teen daughter thought there was too much "free time" (which is fine with the outgoing popular kids, but not as nice for the shyer less popular ones). We thought the LOTS of teens who seemed to be everywhere. There was no arcade, but plenty of Play Station terminals in each age group's rooms.
4. Entertainment - another posting spoke positively of the show entertainment, and we had to agree. This is the first time we actually attended both production shows ("Piano Man" and "Curtain Up") and thought the dancers and singers were all first rate. Also had an on-board first-rate "Princess Idol" contest during the cruise (in-lieu of nightly karaoke). Other options: Line dancing, ballroom dance lessons, craft classes, computer classes, paint-your-own pottery, and the usual bingo, pool games, etc. I liked Club Fusion very much, but think that the casino-fushion part of the concept isn't working.
5. Puerto Vallarta - Spouse and kids participated in the Canopy Tour offered by Princess (Vallarta Canopy Tours). Very scary, almost chickened out, worried about the quality of the cables and harnesses, and dreamt about falling off the platforms, etc. ... but very happy we all did it and would do it again without any hesitation. The Vallarta Canopy Tour workers were very friendly and helpful and were constantly by our side (group of 14 with a team of 5 workers always with us). My daughter (who is not well coordinated) did great and my younger son were scared at spots, but amazed us by their ability and boldness to do it. We are looking forward to the DVD we bought to see what it actually looked like on tape.
6. Matzatlan - We rode with Randi and had a great, great time. Everything positively stated on these boards about her and her horses is true. She and her crew with constantly with us, we had a long ride through the plantation and a beautiful stretch of almost empty beach. The grilled shrimp at Victors is wonderful and (best of all) safe to eat (at least for all of us). Plenty of time to kick it or play in the surf. For our children, this was also a highlight of the week. Highly recommended, even our friend's 6 year old rode on his own with no problem whatsoever.
7. Lotus Spa and Gym - Used the gym five days and thought the best part was having an individual TV monitor at each treadmill or stepper. Weight equipment was Cybex and I found it clunky to use. Worst part was that Princess skimped on having an attendent maintain the changing room and shower area on a regular basis. Someone changed towels, but rarely picked up old soaps, shampoo packets, etc. from the shower stalls. Last 2 days the dry sauna did not work well. Princess could do better here.
8. Public Areas - The entire Atrium area (the shops, the lounges, etc), the Explorer's Lounge, and the photo gallery are nearly identical to the Grand Class ships. But the big improvements: beautiful Internet Cafe (but spotty connections), bigger and more beautiful Wheelhouse Bar, snazzier Club Fusion (now less a show lounge and more of a night club). BTW - friends in mini-suites immediately under Club Fusion confirm that the sound proofing was excellent in their rooms (E719, E721,E725).
I can certainly try to answer any questions.
1. Mini-Suite - We were on Dolphin D224. Room layout very much like the Grand Class ships - but a larger balcony, padded cushions on the two loungers and a larger sofabed. Room was comfortable and made for a great vacation.
2. Traditional 1st Seating - Food was as good as our Star Princess experience ... very similar menu. The PC dining rooms looked beautiful, but we were glad to have the Traditional 1st. We were able to sample the menu offerings from each of the PC dining room menus when they were offered over the course of the week. Favorite was the catfish from the Santa Fe menu. (Note: although PC diners in each of the four alternative rooms have access to the Traditional Dining menu, the PC menus are not exactly the same and are a slightly "shortened" version from the one offered in Traditional ... I actually compared menus between the two). Baked Alaska procession on our final night was done only for Traditional dining.
3. Children's Program -- the staff said there were over 700 children under 18 sailing this past week! Both of our kids participated in the program daily, usually in the evenings. The four dedicated children's facilities are very much improved over the Star Princess, but the staff seemed a bit less enthusiastic (maybe because of the 700 children on-board). Our pre-teen daughter thought there was too much "free time" (which is fine with the outgoing popular kids, but not as nice for the shyer less popular ones). We thought the LOTS of teens who seemed to be everywhere. There was no arcade, but plenty of Play Station terminals in each age group's rooms.
4. Entertainment - another posting spoke positively of the show entertainment, and we had to agree. This is the first time we actually attended both production shows ("Piano Man" and "Curtain Up") and thought the dancers and singers were all first rate. Also had an on-board first-rate "Princess Idol" contest during the cruise (in-lieu of nightly karaoke). Other options: Line dancing, ballroom dance lessons, craft classes, computer classes, paint-your-own pottery, and the usual bingo, pool games, etc. I liked Club Fusion very much, but think that the casino-fushion part of the concept isn't working.
5. Puerto Vallarta - Spouse and kids participated in the Canopy Tour offered by Princess (Vallarta Canopy Tours). Very scary, almost chickened out, worried about the quality of the cables and harnesses, and dreamt about falling off the platforms, etc. ... but very happy we all did it and would do it again without any hesitation. The Vallarta Canopy Tour workers were very friendly and helpful and were constantly by our side (group of 14 with a team of 5 workers always with us). My daughter (who is not well coordinated) did great and my younger son were scared at spots, but amazed us by their ability and boldness to do it. We are looking forward to the DVD we bought to see what it actually looked like on tape.
6. Matzatlan - We rode with Randi and had a great, great time. Everything positively stated on these boards about her and her horses is true. She and her crew with constantly with us, we had a long ride through the plantation and a beautiful stretch of almost empty beach. The grilled shrimp at Victors is wonderful and (best of all) safe to eat (at least for all of us). Plenty of time to kick it or play in the surf. For our children, this was also a highlight of the week. Highly recommended, even our friend's 6 year old rode on his own with no problem whatsoever.
7. Lotus Spa and Gym - Used the gym five days and thought the best part was having an individual TV monitor at each treadmill or stepper. Weight equipment was Cybex and I found it clunky to use. Worst part was that Princess skimped on having an attendent maintain the changing room and shower area on a regular basis. Someone changed towels, but rarely picked up old soaps, shampoo packets, etc. from the shower stalls. Last 2 days the dry sauna did not work well. Princess could do better here.
8. Public Areas - The entire Atrium area (the shops, the lounges, etc), the Explorer's Lounge, and the photo gallery are nearly identical to the Grand Class ships. But the big improvements: beautiful Internet Cafe (but spotty connections), bigger and more beautiful Wheelhouse Bar, snazzier Club Fusion (now less a show lounge and more of a night club). BTW - friends in mini-suites immediately under Club Fusion confirm that the sound proofing was excellent in their rooms (E719, E721,E725).
I can certainly try to answer any questions.