Pacific Princess

My husband and I are thinking about going on the Pacific Princess, but we have never been on a ship this small. Any comments as to activities, movies, etc. We would like to get into some of the smaller ports, and this ship has been sailing the area we want to see, but am concerned about the amount of things to do aboard, dining, etc. Any update on how you enjoyed this ship will be greatly appreciated. Also any negatives you found.

This is my favorite Princess ship. No anytime dining but since you will be at the same time every night, you will really get to know your waiters. Better food also as they are not preparing for thousands

Easy to get on and off the ship.

Only 25-30 show up for Bingo thus greater chance to win

No having to go to the lounge an hour before to get a seat.

Not very crowded at the pool.

The buffet is better and less crowded with a great seating area on a back outside deck.

This is the way cruising used to be. The ship is actually designed to handle all the passengers.

I think you will like it

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Were on her for 36 days this summer and loved everything about her! You will be hooked!

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Like the others above, we love the small ships. You meet someone the first day and you actually see them again a few days later. Getting off the ship (either tender or walking) is much quicker than on the big ships.

Seats are available for the different venues.

We will be on a b2b2b on the Pacific starting May 31

We should be on the Pacific Princess for over 50 days beginning in mid January, Lord willing and the Creek don't rise (With the storms the way they are now this old saying has a lot more truth to it). Are are a couple of comments from our cruise on the Pacific about 10 months ago:

We spent a month on the Pacific Princess, a TA---started in Venice and ended in Florida. For us we passed the 600 total days of sailing landmark on this cruise. Excellent ship, confirms my preference for the smaller vessels. We both agree we like ships this size best, doubtful if we do much cruising in the future if all we have are the gigantic's to choose from.

The smallest in the Princess fleet, a little over 30,000 gross tons with approximately 650 guests. In my opinion, more staff per guest, more space per guest and much less pushing and shoving than we have seen in quite some time on the high seas, plus much more quality and personal service. The ship is well taken care of, in fact I thought our cabin, 8000, must have recently been refurbished as it was in perfect condition and the heating-A/C system worked like it should. Crew members are constantly chipping away old paint and renewing woodwork everywhere. I saw no patches of rust anywhere.

Our stateroom was a mini-suite and one of the finest if not the finest we have had. A five by fifteen foot balcony with drapes that, when pulled back, presented the spacious living area with a huge picture window. Very quiet location forward on Deck 8. The bathroom was not large but average by today's standard dimensions, the shower was in the tub, however, the vanity cabinets were more than ample and each had cupboard doors with mirrors on them which we haven't seen for a while, so all one's cosmetics, etc. aren't sitting out in the open ready to fall off the trays. The closets, at first, appeared to be a little short on space, however that wasn't the case, true, they aren't walk in, but they handled all our stuff easily and I had two tuxes and wife had the equivalent fine dress for our five formal nights. Nice refrigerator and an excellent room steward who had the fridge constantly full of fresh ice, perhaps one of the best if not the best room Stewart (Ginno) we have had in our voyaging. Balcony---In addition to being quite large the balcony has a teak top rail and three bars below it instead of plexiglas or some other barrier. Plexiglas often is clouded due to scratching, UVs, or covered with salt crust and or water spray, so you actually have to stand at the railing in order to get a decent, not distorted, view of the ocean below. Not with these railings though, as you can sit in your deck chair or your cabin and enjoy a clear view, this is the same type of railings the ships of yore had.

The library on this vessel is outstanding. The largest and quietest we have ever seen on any ship. Truly a library for a vessel engaging in lengthy exploratory voyages.

The main dining room "Club Restaurant" was very good, the first time I've been able to give a MDR an "A" rating in a long time. Didn't start out that way though. When we first booked we were # 24 on the wait list for a table for two at 6:00 PM. About 4.5 months before sailing we reached "confirmed" status in that category, however, there was caveat small print language that indicated the table for two wasn't a certainty. When we boarded we discovered instead, our seating was at 5:30 PM and we were at a table for eight. This ship only offers traditional dinner seating, we always use anytime dining as traditional times are way too late or too early, but anytime dining on other ships is usually a mess as well, since the waiter and kitchen staffs aren't adequate and the lines for anytime dining are usually over 30 minutes long as everybody wants to eat around 6:00 PM, it seems, and guests in those lines are usually not of good temperament. On recent cruises we have began taking dinner in the extra charge Specialties or other venues rather than the MDR. If we go early we miss one of the best aspects of cruising, the "Sail Away" times. It also pinches us time wise on long shore excursion days and also limits our time to enjoy our Elite lounge special price cocktail and free Ore' hors d'oeuvres time, beginning at 5:00 PM.

So this time, at the start, we made due without going to the MDR the first 13 days of the voyage. Dinner during that period was at--Ultimate balcony dining (1), (Thanksgiving), Sabatini's, extra charge (1), Sterling Steakhouse, extra charge (1), Buffet-(Panorama Buffet) (10). Hey, we were still happy, sort of, as the buffet on the Pacific Princess is much better than that on the larger ships and not near as crowded. Plus, we weren't rushed and were enjoying the rest of the voyage. But after our visit to Rome and thanks to Maitre d', Oscar Perego he got us set up at a table for two in the MDR, with seating anytime between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM. From that point on eating in the MDR was like the days of yore. Good wine service, good meals, great waiters and atmosphere in a not over crowded dining room. We then ate dinner in the MDR most of the rest of the cruise (15), Sabatini's, extra charge (1).

Princess still has formal nights, we had five that cruise, we love them. I understand a lot of the other lines are doing away with formal to satisfy the preference of the average cruiser today, consequently confusion and anarchy in dress practices is causing degradation in the quality of the cruise experience for many.

Ample deck chairs available all the time. No battles over "chair hoggers" on this ship.

For us the biggest negative is the lack of open dinning time - other sister ships of the Pacific princess that are operated by other lines have open dining in the same size room and kitchen.

There is only a single pool that is salt water. Most voyages are on the longer side and tend not to have many children.

The lounge at the front of the ship offers great views - part of it sometimes used for trivia or bingo but usually just a great place to relax and enjoy the views.

The main lounge is on 2 levels. Most seats offer good views but if at the back of a level the view is not the best. Besides the nightly shows, it is also used for lectures and past guest parties.

Despite being the smallest ship in the Princess fleet, it has the largest library which includes very comfortable seats. The casino is small but has most of the games offered on other ships. The bar near the casino sometimes has karaoke at night.

With most cabins being on decks 6 - 8, it is easy to go places just using the stairs.

We enjoy the ship very much. We have 125 days booked on her over the next 18 months.

We were on the Pacific a couple of years ago for a 34 day B2B. One of our favorite cruises and definitely our favorite ship.

We had an aft balcony (very nice), then switched to an inside (2nd leg) and then got moved to an obst. ocean view (problem with the cabin). All the cabins we were in felt roomier than what we'd experienced on other ships.

MDR had the best food and service of all our cruises. The Maitre D' (Oscar) is without peer. The headwaiter is great.

Only one pool that has slightly salty water. It was never crowded. No crowds anywhere for that matter.

The only complaint we had was the Cabaret Lounge. The shows were very good (several were standouts), movies & lectures during the day... BUT it was a refrigerator all the time. :( Luckily, I had my pre-cruise jacket with a hood, mittens in the pocket (thank goodness) and our steward gave me a blanket. Put the jacket on, hood up, mittens on, wrapped legs in blanket (wearing my long pants, not shorts) and I stayed warm.

Every time we went in for a show or lecture, I looked like an Eskimo. ;p And several people always commented, "why didn't I think of that?".

We have 125 days booked on her over the next 18 months.

Lucky, lucky, lucky. I'm totally jealous.:*

We were just on the Pacific and totally loved it! As for activities, there aren't as many as there are on the big ships but if you enjoy reading, working out, walking, doing an activity here and there and most of all, just watching the ever-changing scenery, that'll keep you plenty busy.

Loved the new changes to the ship. The crew is so awesome! Sandy, the FCC and Capt. Circle Host, is awesome, our cabin steward, Teddy, was probably the best we've had yet and even the captain was very friendly. Everywhere we went, the crew was anxious to please. I would definitely do the Pacific again, no question about it.

Just to clarify, the Club Class dining is truly any time dining, turn up when you like during the listed opening hours. Yes it is a sectioned off area of the dining room. Pacific Princess is defiantly as near to cruising as it used to be. Enjoy.

There is only a single pool that is salt water. Most voyages are on the longer side and tend not to have many children.

 

 

 

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Are you saying that the main swimming pool on deck 9 is saltwater?

Or are you saying that there is only one saltwater pool out of all the pools on the ship?

I only ever found one pool. And 2 Jacuzzis of which one had working jets.

I used the pool on Deck 9 daily recently and it seemed like freshwater.

I may be wrong.

I absolutely love this little ship. I was on her sister, the Tahitian (sadly no longer in the fleet) several years ago, then on the Pacific a couple of years ago, and last December I chose to celebrate my 77th birthday aboard the Pacific, sailing from Rome to FLL. Happily I will be boarding her next week for a 23 day itinerary from Dover and thru the Med to Venice.

She's a whole different ball game as compared to anything else in the Princess fleet. Being on board for me feels more like what I imagine the older style of cruising to be ..... something I have read a lot about. The décor is very different but charming ..... a lot of the furnishings that look like they belong in someone's "parlor". The dining room feels more like a really nice restaurant. The menu offerings are just as varied as the ones on bigger ships. The library is huge and very inviting.

Re: the concern about having enough to do ..... if you are looking at doing a Med cruise, they are generally very port intensive, and after a busy day exploring on shore, dinner and maybe a show is often all you're looking for because tomorrow will be another busy day in another port.. Evening entertainment is the same sort of shows and entertainers as the larger ships ..... just in smaller venues and with fewer performers in the production shows .But then, there are fewer than 700 passengers onboard so bigger venues are not needed. On sea days, there are activities offered, like the bigger ships.

Cruising on the Pacific Princess is a rather unique experience, and one I am very glad I have been able do more than once.

Just to clarify, the Club Class dining is truly any time dining, turn up when you like during the listed opening hours. Yes it is a sectioned off area of the dining room. Pacific Princess is defiantly as near to cruising as it used to be. Enjoy.

Yes I am not quite sure about having to walk past all those privileged people on the way into the dining room, I thought they might have put it in a corner where that wouldn't happen.

Can't be very nice for them , having us plebs walking past them all the time

But I suppose it keeps us aspirational, dreaming of the day when we might join the aristos.

It is not for everyone. The shows are "trimmed back" because of the small performing area. The room is so small, you can almost touch the performers. The daily activities are also "trimmed back". They change "headliners during longer trips. No separate DR entrance for Club Class.

Yes I am not quite sure about having to walk past all those privileged people on the way into the dining room, I thought they might have put it in a corner where that wouldn't happen.

 

Can't be very nice for them , having us plebs walking past them all the time

 

But I suppose it keeps us aspirational, dreaming of the day when we might join the aristos.

That's right Griier--- Pay the beans get the dreams:')

Are you saying that the main swimming pool on deck 9 is saltwater?

Or are you saying that there is only one saltwater pool out of all the pools on the ship?

I only ever found one pool. And 2 Jacuzzis of which one had working jets.

I used the pool on Deck 9 daily recently and it seemed like freshwater.

I may be wrong.

One pool. When we were on her it was filled with slightly salty water. Not as salty as the ocean, but definitely salty.

One pool. When we were on her it was filled with slightly salty water. Not as salty as the ocean, but definitely salty.

I never tried the main pool, but the large hot tub forward on deck 9 as part of the Lotus Spa had salt in it some of the time, not always. Since it was so far forward and much larger than the other two, those adjacent to the main pool, it was impacted much more by wave action thus the water really splashed out of it in rough seas. Every time I tried the two smaller hot tubs they had fresh water in them.

My husband and I are thinking about going on the Pacific Princess, but we have never been on a ship this small. Any comments as to activities, movies, etc. We would like to get into some of the smaller ports, and this ship has been sailing the area we want to see, but am concerned about the amount of things to do aboard, dining, etc. Any update on how you enjoyed this ship will be greatly appreciated. Also any negatives you found.

I had the same reservations before our Panama Canal cruise on the Pacific Princess back in May. After I sailed her, she is now my favorite Princess ship. Nothing bad to say about her.....:):):)

Bob

I never tried the main pool, but the large hot tub forward on deck 9 as part of the Lotus Spa had salt in it some of the time, not always. Since it was so far forward and much larger than the other two, those adjacent to the main pool, it was impacted much more by wave action thus the water really splashed out of it in rough seas. Every time I tried the two smaller hot tubs they had fresh water in them.

I have never been in the Lotus Spa on Pacific, is that hot tub open to everybody or just people who pay to use the spa?

"The main lounge is on 2 levels. Most seats offer good views "

I might disagree in either case. The Caberet Lounge is all on Deck 5 and the nightlines are not really good. I have 170 something nights on the Pacific and Ocean.

"The main lounge is on 2 levels. Most seats offer good views "

 

 

I might disagree in either case. The Caberet Lounge is all on Deck 5 and the nightlines are not really good. I have 170 something nights on the Pacific and Ocean.

Wehwalt is right, unless you're in the front row of each level, the sight lines are not very good as the two levels are flat. If you've got someone tall in front of you it's no good at all. That said, there are a few places where you can sit at some high-tops and see pretty well though you won't be close.

"The main lounge is on 2 levels. Most seats offer good views "

 

 

I might disagree in either case. The Caberet Lounge is all on Deck 5 and the nightlines are not really good. I have 170 something nights on the Pacific and Ocean.

The Cabaret Lounge seating at the back by bar is on a very slightly different and higher level,

Not at all like its a different deck as with a Grand class ship though.

I always sit at the side very near the front, get a great view. Unless its a magician when I sit several rows back and try to look inconspicuous in case he wants a "volunteer" to help him.

The Cabaret Lounge seating at the back by bar is on a very slightly different and higher level,

 

Not at all like its a different deck as with a Grand class ship though.

 

I always sit at the side very near the front, get a great view. Unless its a magician when I sit several rows back and try to look inconspicuous in case he wants a "volunteer" to help him.

That's probably the best place to sit. Over on the side is not as popular as right in front. The bar stools just at the elevated area are second best place to sit in my opinion. But the elevation is only eight or ten inches higher.

Yes I am not quite sure about having to walk past all those privileged people on the way into the dining room, I thought they might have put it in a corner where that wouldn't happen.

 

Can't be very nice for them , having us plebs walking past them all the time

 

But I suppose it keeps us aspirational, dreaming of the day when we might join the aristos.

Now now, be nice. We enjoyed Club Class Dining on the Pacific Princess. Best service ever.

Photos of the ship in July post drydock can be found here:

http://www.websailor.org/index.php?/category/982

I like the theatre on this vessel (Cabaret Lounge). We had previously quit attending showband dance productions and other individual entertainment shows, since the theatres in the newer vessels are a nightmare due the long rows located too close to each other where early arrivals take the closest seats to the too few isles, leaving other guests to try and squeeze by as many as a dozen who fail to stand up and let you by. So, this was the first cruise out of the past five cruises where we attended such events and really liked it.