Caribbean Princess - Poor reviews lately

We are looking at the Caribbean Princess Southern Caribbean cruise in February, but a lot of recent reviews of the ship itself aren't good. I've cruised many times and know that you can't please everyone, but it seems many are saying the same thing. Mind you they could all be from the same family/group, but am interested in comments from others who have sailed her without concern.

Hi There

Not been on the Caribbean yet,

but my worest cruise and best cruise were on the same ship,

so what ever is said today will most likely not hold true next month,

weather passengers, crew all change,

the ports affect onboard feeling

so go with an open mind and have a good cruise,

yours Shogun

Went on the Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan in January 2012 we had a great cruise!

Generally those who are unhappy with things on a cruise are more vocal & likely to post more often than the overwhelming majority who are very happy. :D. I've read posts from some who slam the same cruise that I've been on & wonder how they could be so unhappy! :confused:

We did B2B cruises on CB for 27 nights, TA and British Isles, a few months ago and the ship, food and service were overall great. Our first cruise cabin steward was alright but our second cruise one, as we changed cabins, was super. Our cabin toilet overflowed on the turn around day and we were upgraded from our cat. D OV to a midship carib deck balcony.

c239 was a great cabin, vichi was the best steward!

We have been on the CB twice in the last couple of years from San Juan & both times the ship & everything about it was fantastic!! She was just in drydock in November of 2011. Good Luck!!:)

Steve

Have been on the CB 4 times. Love that ship.....:)

Just got off the Caribbean Princess on July 19th from the British Isles cruise and loved it. Our 1st time on the CB and would go again. You can never please some people!!!:rolleyes:

Just wondering.....a tad off topic. Probably going to feel silly, but..... why is the Caribbean Princess initialed as the CB? Just wondering.

And back on Topic! Have had family on the ship numerous time, and they have raved about it.....which is why we are sailing her in October.

I was on the CB for the May 14 British Isles cruise -- really enjoyed the ship, and would have no hesitation in sailing on her again.:)

Just wondering.....a tad off topic. Probably going to feel silly, but..... why is the Caribbean Princess initialed as the CB? Just wondering.

Because when she entered service, there was already a Princess ship with the abbreviation CP, the Sea Princess -- and why was the Sea the CP and not the SP, you ask? Because the Sea's older sister, the Sun, had snagged the SP designation, and I guess using CP for the Sea made sense, rhyming-wise.

See what kind of Pandora's box you open when you ask an off-topic question?!

Because when she entered service, there was already a Princess ship with the abbreviation CP, the Sea Princess -- and why was the Sea the CP and not the SP, you ask? Because the Sea's older sister, the Sun, had snagged the SP designation, and I guess using CP for the Sea made sense, rhyming-wise.

 

See what kind of Pandora's box you open when you ask an off-topic question?!

I am so ashamed. ;-) But dang, that is a complete answer. And as they used to say on the old TV PSA's..... "The More You Know..." THANKS!

just got off her on the 1st aug, everything except for the entertainment in the theatre was excellent.

Sailed on her 3 times 2006 (inside), 2009 (balcony), 2011(outside). Everything was very good to great.

I thought CP was Coral Princess.

I thought CP was Coral Princess.

CO

Isn't this fun?

My review of my April trip to the Southern Caribbean is in my signature- I had a wonderful time and the ship and staff were absolutely fine.

Susan

Was on July 20 Norway and Iceland cruise and found no problems. All the staff were up to usual Princess high standards and no dining issues like excessive waits for anytime. We were usually prepared to share, but even one night when we asked for a table for two we were seated immediately.

Buffet could be busy but always seats available if prepared to share.

We sailed on July 20th Norway and Iceland cruise and had no problems. Staff were up to Princess usual high standards and no dining issues, such as long waits for anytime. We usaually shared a table but even on the one night we asked for a table for two we were seated immediately. Buffet was sometimes quite busy but always seats available if prepared to share.

Iain

Thanks everyone for your reply's. We are looking forward to seeing the Southern Caribbean islands and sailing this ship in January. Will post a review upon our return.

I've been on the CB a couple of times, the most recent being August 2011 when they were doing the NYC to Bermuda, St. Thomas, San Juan runs. This was not my favorite Princess cruise for a few reasons: my first solo cruise and I was a little lost (although I had done 25 previous Princess cruises), many, many first time cruisers with children so the chair hogs were outrageous, the crew was just ambivalent and didn't seem interested in passengers at all, the maitre'd was the worst I've ever experienced on Princess (no, I don't remember who it was). Many unruly passengers and the crew pretty much threw up their hands and did nothing.

The good thing is that crews change, and I think my experience was an exception. The one thing that changed on the CB from when it first went into service was the move of the very large original casino that was on deck 6, upstairs to a much smaller area on deck 7. With that being said, I have a window suite booked for the April TA sailing for 15 days and booked it without hesitation.

I'm sure you will have a great time!! Enjoy your cruise. :)

We were on CB last summer out of NYC and had a mixed experience. The service in Vines and the IC were great. The service in the MDR was OK, and we loved the East Coast itinerary. The food was fine. Not the best we've had on a cruise, but definitely not the worst. We had a good CC group and did some fun stuff with them. We felt crowded, but a lot of other people who have been on CB did not. So, I guess it may be where you are and when you are there. While we wouldn't go out of our way to book the ship again (because we did feel crowded in public areas), we would do it if the itinerary and price were right. We had fun cruise, that's for sure.

Ohiodoglover

Generally those who are unhappy with things on a cruise are more vocal & likely to post more often than the overwhelming majority who are very happy. :D. I've read posts from some who slam the same cruise that I've been on & wonder how they could be so unhappy! :confused:

Yep! I agree with this.

We were on the Caribbean Princess in May and we had a great time. The ship was fine, the food was really good and the staff was incredibly friendly. As long as you don't come off as snarky and appreciate what is there to offer -- you'll be fine. (That being said, I sure hope they upgraded the mattresses......yikes :eek:.)

I've been on the CB a couple of times, the most recent being August 2011 when they were doing the NYC to Bermuda, St. Thomas, San Juan runs. This was not my favorite Princess cruise for a few reasons: my first solo cruise and I was a little lost (although I had done 25 previous Princess cruises), many, many first time cruisers with children so the chair hogs were outrageous, the crew was just ambivalent and didn't seem interested in passengers at all, the maitre'd was the worst I've ever experienced on Princess (no, I don't remember who it was). Many unruly passengers and the crew pretty much threw up their hands and did nothing.

 

The good thing is that crews change, and I think my experience was an exception. The one thing that changed on the CB from when it first went into service was the move of the very large original casino that was on deck 6, upstairs to a much smaller area on deck 7. With that being said, I have a window suite booked for the April TA sailing for 15 days and booked it without hesitation.

 

I'm sure you will have a great time!! Enjoy your cruise. :)

We have had similiar experiences where one cruise on a particular ship was great and the next time not so great. We no longer cruise during the spring break or summer months due to the large number of "kids" at those times. Not that we don't like kids, I just don't want to cruise with a ship load of them. I don't remember a cruise that chair hogs haven't been an issue to be honest with you and I've cruised a fair bit. So, we are aware and expect that this will be an issue. We aren't fussy people, but do like a good meal, good service and a clean ship. So I'm happy to hear that the majority of you are happy with your past experience on this ship. Looking forward to sailing her.

Thanks again for your input.