Your dissatisfaction is our opportunity!

[Pam in CA]

Originally Posted by caribill

Because they removed better foods to make room for these.

"Better" is a matter of personal preference but I would much rather have tenderloin than tri-tips. It's also a matter of perspective. I can get a hamburger from any one of about 50 different restaurants or fast food joints within three miles, 90% of which are better than the one on the Princess menu. A cruise to me is special and nothing about a hamburger is special. Plus, you could always order one as it was on the kid's menu if that's what you felt like. It's always been available.

[Jacqueline]

Back to Hlitner, yes, he has valid points. I started cruising on Princess in 2000 on the Grand for 10 days in the Med and in subsequent years to other destinations. A the number of ships across all fleets has increased, prices have dropped while expenses have risen.
Its math, not a subjective judgement.

[ChiefBoats]

Ditto.....I can always find something wrong on each cruise. However, the overall satisfaction on my Princess cruises overall have been very positive and my DW and I would not even think of cruising some other cruise line except those of the river cruises.

[ChiefBoats]

I have to agree with you. It is one of the best vacation for the money. The food is much better than most of the restaurants we visit each week. I would venture to guess that most of us do not eat at 4-5 Star venues all the time. If you feel like you are not getting enough for the meal then ask for more. Most lines will serve second servings as long as you eat it all and don't waste it.

I'm one that likes to know what you like about your trip because the dislikes are more than likely just personal dislikes not major problem.

[Happy2cruise]

This may sound corny and I will probably get blasted, but as I read all the postings shaking my head, I feel we should all be thankful that we are in a position (financially and/or medically) to cruise and enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, some of our cruises have been "better" than others but nothing that would make us that upset.....it is what it is......enjoy what you have and be thankful you are where you are.

A side thought, if the food is sooooooo bad why are the majority of passengers complaining their clothes don't fit as they are disembarking!!!!!!!!

[dot73]

Originally Posted by Happy2cruise

This may sound corny and I will probably get blasted, but as I read all the postings shaking my head, I feel we should all be thankful that we are in a position (financially and/or medically) to cruise and enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, some of our cruises have been "better" than others but nothing that would make us that upset.....it is what it is......enjoy what you have and be thankful you are where you are.

A side thought, if the food is sooooooo bad why are the majority of passengers complaining their clothes don't fit as they are disembarking!!!!!!!!

Agree. Looking back at all the cruises I have taken, there is only one cruise I regret and it was an earlier cruise I took before I discovered CC and picked it at the wrong time and on the wrong ship. I have learned to look beyond minor issues and enjoy to the fullest the things I enjoy. I have also found when encountering a problem on a ship, usually a nice approach to the front desk will take care of a problem. Being away from the city, work, and the daily commute stresses tends to make me look at most things in a much less cynical way. Ten minutes of looking out at the sea or walking barefoot on a beach soothes my soul. The only thing I hate about cruising is the morning of debarkation. I can't wait until I retire and can find some longer cruises.

[cruisinfever]

Originally Posted by Happy2cruise

This may sound corny and I will probably get blasted, but as I read all the postings shaking my head, I feel we should all be thankful that we are in a position (financially and/or medically) to cruise and enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, some of our cruises have been "better" than others but nothing that would make us that upset.....it is what it is......enjoy what you have and be thankful you are where you are.

A side thought, if the food is sooooooo bad why are the majority of passengers complaining their clothes don't fit as they are disembarking!!!!!!!!

I totally agree. Why can't people be more greatful that they are in a position that they can afford to cruise. My first Princess cruise, was after the Caribbean Princess was in dry dock. Unfortunately, we were not able to board the ship until the late evening and it inconvenienced many people. All I heard that entire cruise was people complaining. If they would have just let it go they would have had a much better time. There are no guarantees in life..... things happen. If people are no longer satisfied with cruising then find a different vacation.

[Astro Flyer]

Originally Posted by Happy2cruise

This may sound corny and I will probably get blasted, but as I read all the postings shaking my head, I feel we should all be thankful that we are in a position (financially and/or medically) to cruise and enjoy it for what it is.

Yes, some of our cruises have been "better" than others but nothing that would make us that upset.....it is what it is......enjoy what you have and be thankful you are where you are.

A side thought, if the food is sooooooo bad why are the majority of passengers complaining their clothes don't fit as they are disembarking!!!!!!!!

Like the other follow up posts I too am thankful to be able to cruise & don't sweat the small stuff & as long as I'm healthy & on a cruise everything else is small stuff.

On a recent 32 day cruise I found enough choices on the menu to only repeat the ones I wanted a second time. I considered the tri-tip as an AT option but followed my experienced waiter's suggestion to have something else. Sure it's a step down from the tenderloin & hopefully it returns. But I realize the economics for such changes & that things change but cruising is still a great way to travel.

This brochure for 1977-78 Princess cruises have prices very similar to future cruises...anyone still wonder why there are changes as pricing remains affordable for the majority of cruise passengers.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attac...5&d=1348005243

[bunny1954]

Originally Posted by Pam in CA

I am often surprised and occasionally astonished when very intelligent, savvy, well-traveled people I know book and take a cruise and come back whining about how awful it was and a scam. I have no idea where they get their expectations or how they could possibly be met.

With today's ability to research and book everything themselves, many people either don't know the questions to ask or even what they are doing. It amazes me that someone could spend $2,000 and not know some very basic facts. The bottom line is that if you book everything yourself, you also assume responsibility for everything there is to know about a surprisingly complex travel experience, including check-in times, what's included and what isn't, insurance, when to be back on the ship after a day in port, etc.

I think a lot of it depends on whether you book fairly far out from the sail date or more like last minute. Our first cruise was booked about 10 days out from saiing and we didn't have much of a clue what to expect. It was a 4 day Carnival cruise that went to Key West and Cozumel on one of their Fantasy class ships. I did manage to find out, however, what excursions to book and that there would be one formal night that we needed to dress nicely for. Other than that, we went in with no pre-conceived notions of what to expect.....we didn't even know about Cruise Critic at the time or if we would even like cruising. Now I take a lot of things with a grain of salt. Having a cabin whose temperature I could not control and a flooded cabin are two things I can think of that would have a huge impact on my cruise enjoyment.....most everything else would probably have a satisfactory work around. Even noro....while NOT something that I would want to experience....is just a fact of life. It's something that you can pick up anywhere......and we did on a land based trip to Israel. I think too many people have unrealistic expectations.

[we're sailing away....]

Originally Posted by Pam in CA

I am often surprised and occasionally astonished when very intelligent, savvy, well-traveled people I know book and take a cruise and come back whining about how awful it was and a scam. I have no idea where they get their expectations or how they could possibly be met.

With today's ability to research and book everything themselves, many people either don't know the questions to ask or even what they are doing. It amazes me that someone could spend $2,000 and not know some very basic facts. The bottom line is that if you book everything yourself, you also assume responsibility for everything there is to know about a surprisingly complex travel experience, including check-in times, what's included and what isn't, insurance, when to be back on the ship after a day in port, etc.

I agree

[Texas Realtor]

Ever sit down and write a letter to say thank you anymore? I remember doing it a lot when I was a kid and into my young adult years. We as a society have been so detached from one another, it just seems we deserve much more than we get. I am not self righteous, I do it too.

Recent events around me have made me express my gratitude more and more. BIL just lost a close co worker unexpectedly. MIL just fell and broke her hip and shoulder. Close friends father has been in and out of hospitals for last couple of years with cancer and complications. One of my best friends is nearing financial ruin and is too proud to accept help.

Seems I have it pretty good here at home and can't wait to go on my cruise in two months. I can tell you that my personal goal this year is to try and appreciate people around me a little more. I think the world will be a better place for me if I am able to achieve it.

I wish we could all lower our expectations without having to see the bad things in life. Your expectations for a vacation are directly responsible for the way you feel after the fact.

Peace.

[Loonbeam]

On a side note - I am thrilled to see tri-tip. Mainly because you cannot find a decent one out here in the East without a lot of digging. So for me, that's actually a plus.

Originally Posted by Pam in CA

"Better" is a matter of personal preference but I would much rather have tenderloin than tri-tips. It's also a matter of perspective. I can get a hamburger from any one of about 50 different restaurants or fast food joints within three miles, 90% of which are better than the one on the Princess menu. A cruise to me is special and nothing about a hamburger is special. Plus, you could always order one as it was on the kid's menu if that's what you felt like. It's always been available.

[Astro Flyer]

Originally Posted by Loonbeam

On a side note - I am thrilled to see tri-tip. Mainly because you cannot find a decent one out here in the East without a lot of digging. So for me, that's actually a plus.

I didn't try it after asking my very experienced waiter about the tri-tip & unfortunately he didn't recommend it. He said it's generally well done & dry probably because it's not ordered often and having a lot of great tri-tip in our area I decided to try something else.

[shredie]

I have never been on a bad cruise although some have been more enjoyable than others. I guess I'm a glass half-full type when it comes to cruising. Someone else is cooking and washing the dishes, and I never have to make my own bed. Since I've avoided sick ships and marine disasters (knock on wood), I'll keep looking forward eagerly to my next cruise!

[Kerry&LuAnn]

A bad day of cruising beats a good day at the office anytime!

[vacationers]

Kerry LouAnn

Is Sonny binns a local tour?

[caribill]

Originally Posted by vacationers

Kerry LouAnn

Is Sonny binns a local tour?

A tour guide on Aruba.

[fireflymd]

Originally Posted by tarheelmjfan

Sometimes people are just unlucky too. We had one cruise that we were happy when it was over, & I probably spend too much time researching. It just happened to be on our favorite cruise line to date. If this had been our first cruise on that line, we probably wouldn't have booked another. Thankfully, we knew that cruise wasn't indicative of the line as a whole. Things can go wrong & they seem to snowball from there. You can never judge a line by one ship. Some ships aren't managed as well as others. Experienced cruisers probably know this. New cruisers may not realize different ships in the same cruise line can offer very different experiences. If they happened to book the wrong ship at the wrong time, they may be totally put off of that cruise line thinking any cruise on that line would be the same as that one. Most of us expect to receive the same or very similar experience within a brand. That's not always the case for cruise ships.

Thank you for your intelligent post.


I actually like the opportunity to read other people's reviews about a cruise whether positive or negative. I like to "prepare for the worst, hope for the best", and I am usually pleasantly surprised.