panda1960

38 minutes ago, sultan_sfo said:

 

Yes -- we were on WCs on the old Pacific Princess and also 2023 & 2024 WCs on Island P.

 

Many of the negative reviews are from posters who are upset with a few isolated incidents. In 2024WC, we know some were very upset because Suez had to be replaced by Africa. But the itinerary was revised in a way that retained most of the European ports. Be prepared with a plan in case you are informed that Coral 2026 WC may need an itinerary change.

 

Just go with a positive attitude. Get to know the crew and officers -- senior officers and the Captain will be visible. Engage them. Everyone will have some off-days.

 

The link below is from a recent cruiser on Island Princess. Many of the opinions are relevant for the WC as well.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3016729-live-from-the-land-of-princess/

 

ENJOY -- WC is a very special journey.

Thank you for your reply and good advice:)    Also thanks for the link.  A positive attitude goes a long way no matter where you are or what your doing.  I guess we can always find negative if we look for it.  As long as DH and I stay healthy and safe I will make the most of the cruise and enjoy it to the fullest.  With realistic expectations:)

3 hours ago, mofrances said:

 

@panda1960 I think the cruise itinerary looks wonderful! Admittedly I have never been on a world cruise, but it is my dream as well. I would absolutely still go on it regardless of unfavorable prior reviews. People find it easier to complain than to compliment, and you might regret missing out on the chance to do this fantastic voyage. 

 

We are from Michigan as well! Just a quick suggestion which you have probably already thought of, but just in case. Maybe rent a car for a one-way trip from your location to FLL? You could drop it off at the FLL airport and take a quick taxi to the cruise terminal (it's only a few miles). That might work out to be more convenient than worrying about your parked car on someone's property. Just a thought! 

 

Good luck and enjoy your trip and post pics!!

 

Maureen

Thank you Maureen:)  I'll have to look into a rental car from MI to FL.  I imagine it would be pretty expensive but you never know.  I was considering a rental car to travel from Sebastian to Fort Lauderdale.  We know a lot of people that store their rv or boat with the guy who rents space on his property.  My husband has even checked it out before and felt it would be perfectly safe leaving a car or even an rv with him.  He's been doing this for 20+years.  Normally we stay in Florida for the winter in our rv (trailer it back and forth from Mi) but like yourself a W.C has always been a dream of mine.  So in 2026 we are hoping to make it a reality.  Hopefully you will be able to do the same some day:)  

1 hour ago, sultan_sfo said:

 

Just reading that ONE para, made me realize the different way and sensitivity with which we approach our cruising as compared to you. We have only done a few Viking River cruises but many WCs on Princess. We fly cattle class.

I take it if you have done many W.C on Princess you must have enjoyed them.  I was hoping to hear from someone with some positive views.  I take the good with the bad.  I know everything isn't going to be to my liking.  

One of the most important aspects for DH and I is that on a world cruise you get to see so many countries without having to travel to each one individually.  No packing and unpacking.  No lugging all your luggage on the trains and planes.  No having to check in and out of hotels etc.  I don't like to fly and haven't in  over 20 years so being able to do a RT world cruise out of Fort Lauderdale is a dream come true in itself.  We are from Michigan and would drive to the port.  We have several options for parking long term.   We know of a guy that charges 30.00 a month to park on his property.  The only problem is he is located in Sebastian area so we would have to have transportation to and from the port.  Or we could just shell out the 10.00 per day fee to park long term near the port.  Way more expensive but much more convenient.  

Thank you both for your replies.  I appreciate hearing about all experiences good or bad but I do agree that expectations and personal preferences have a lot to do with individual experiences.  I am not expecting high quality food on a  Princess cruise.  I have 20 plus cruises on all the major budget cruise lines like Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity etc.  I have had very good and very bad meals on all of them.  I usually can find something I like.  I was hoping my original post would include some positive experiences on a Princess W.C.  I have already read many negative comments and reviews prior to posting this topic.  If we don't take this Princess cruise we probably won't be going on a W.C because the price would be over our budget or what we are willing to pay.  So with that said are we better off going and making the best of what Princess has to offer, or should we skip the experience of a world cruise?   

Thanks so much for replying and also for your thorough review.  At this time I think we will stay booked with Princess being we have another year to decide if we want to cancel or not.  This itinerary is very attractive to us compared to some of the other world cruises.  I guess if we go with low expectations maybe (fingers crossed) we will be pleasantly surprised.  After posting this topic I did find a blog from a couple from Tampa that seemed like they enjoyed their 2023 world cruise on the Island Princess.  Just out of curiosity how was it that your Viking cruise daily cost was identical when it started out double the price?  

I see a lot of negative comments for Princess world cruises.  Are they really that bad?  Has anyone went on one in the last few years and enjoyed it.  DH and I are booked on the Coral Princess out of Fort Lauderdale for 2026.  We like the combination of the price and itinerary.  We've looked at other W.C's but the itineraries didn't suit us or they were out of our budget.  It's hard to look forward to a cruise that gets so many bad comments and reviews.  I'm hoping to hear from some cruisers that actually enjoyed there Princess W.C.  Thanks:)