LadyDiMD55

I did a solo on MSC Poesia about a year or so ago. It is an Italian line and is quite

different from the US lines. Go with an open mind and be ready to participate in

activities! I loved it! Might need to go book Divinia! They offer both Italian and American

Meals. MUST try the gelato bar!! Loved it... and they offer a variety of flavors!

Yes I also encountered the daily toilet issues. You would press the button to

flush, and it would make a strange sound and wouldn't flush for perhaps a

Minute or so. It DID eventually flush however! It occurred at different times of

the day.

Paul, thank you for an excellent review! I was on the same cruise, and was one of the

800 folks that were staying on for the next leg, a 5 nighter. This was about my 36th cruise,

and my first on Princess. I am primarily a RCI/ Celebrity cruiser, and am Diamond/Elite with

them. I would say that Princess ( in my humble opinion ) is striving to be like Celebity, but is more like RCI. I found the service to be slightly below Celebrity's ( and also experienced service issues in the MDR). I do disagree with you about the food however.

I was VERY disappointed in the food both in the MDR as well as the Horizon Court.

I also didn't care for the set up in Horizon with the food stations being in a gated

area. It was almost like being herded into a cattle chute, and was very

congested. Then you were run over by the scooter/wheelie folks. They did try to offer a

variety of different foods, but lacked taste. Celebrity all the way here!

I did not try the specialty restaurants so I have no opinion on them.

I DID find it unacceptable that although there were hand sanitizers in the buffet line

that there were NONE at the entrances to the MDRs! When table mates inquired about this,

we were told that "their onboard doctor determined that it wasn't necessary as there were bathrooms to wash hands at the MDR. And that if hand sanitizers were provided at the entrance then folks would not wash their hands. Interestingly enough though, the safety video playing on one of the channels in the cabins shows hand sanitizers at the entrance to the MDR. I did enjoy the International Cafe in the Piazza area, and the espressos and gelatos were a hit! I am a frequent solo cruiser ( and was on these 2 legs), and Princess

as well as HAL are more solo accommodating price wise than RCI or Celebrity.

As far as the shorter cruises not being your typical Princess experience, I was told by two

different cruisers that I shouldn't judge Princess by this experience, as it was atypical for Princess, and that the longer cruises were nothing like the 4 or 5 night cruises.

So I guess I may try them again as long as the price and itinerary are right!

Yes I also encountered the daily toilet issues. You would press the button to

flush, and it would make a strange sound and wouldn't flush for perhaps a

Minute or so. It DID eventually flush however! It occurred at different times of

the day.

Speaking of the Cruise Director - Look, I really don't care, but does the CD actually do anything social on Princess? Other than his morning show, I NEVER saw this guy. We went to every one of the game shows and he didn't participate in a single one. No biggie because his Activities Director, a French girl who goes by "Frenchie," was hilarious. I'm just curious. It was just one of those things where on day 4 while watching the morning show, my wife asked me, "have we ever seen this guy around?"

 

Speaking of game shows, Princess does most of the typical shows you find on other lines....Majority Rules, Quest, Liars Club, etc. The only unique show I saw was Yes or No, where the contestant could not answer with yes or no answers. However, there was no Love & Marriage type show.

 

Quest - Worst version of Quest I ever saw.....not even close to how RCI does it. It was done at 2:30 on a sea day and the Quests really weren't that funny. The best was when they had to try and get a red vest from a bartender. I guess it was more PG rated, which was what made it a little boring.

Agreed also about the worst Quest game

I was also I this cruise, and I definitely agree with you about the trivia! I usually do fairly well, but didn't have a snowball's chance on this ship for the very reason

you stated! I am enjoying reading your review and agree with much of what you have

to say!

Hi I cruised Down Under and did the Transpacific on Celebrity Mercury a few years back as a solo. No worries mate! I loved it, and could meet up with new friends for trivia contests, or do my own thing. By the way, I am one of those 50+ also! Enjoy yourself and have a marvelous time! I love to cruise solo!

Hi! So glad I found this thread! I am in the planning stages of doing the 18

Night AU/NZ/TP cruise in April 2015. I did a NZ TP on

Mercury in their inaugural season, and swore to return.

I would like to see some on AU before the cruise, as I missed AU entirely on my

last visit! I will be traveling solo, and definitely want to visit Brisbane. I can't take an indefinite time off from work and want to make the best of my time while there! I value any input and suggestions !

Di

Hi! I'm also booked on the Adventure TA! Price for an inside was $785 single rate!

Di:)

.

Hi there:)yes I love X! I have yet to do a TA but it is on my

wish list:)

If you book while you are on board, then yes, you will get a credit

for the new cruise. Sometimes I book while on board, sometimes not.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time:D

With the "Passages" program you are describing, you don't REALLY get a SBC, as you pay $100 for a future booking. Then, per my TA, they credit the $100 SBC into your onboard account. I LOVE Celebrity, and I currently have 2 future bookings available. I just wish they were more forthcoming about this so called 'credit"

Hi everyone Just thought I would let ya'll know the prices

of my January cruise on SUMMIT to the Southern Caribbean

had big price reductions in the last couple of days!

The supplement is still the same, but for me, when the price is

lower it makes a great big difference

My price for an inside cabin went down so much I was able to

take all that savings and upgrade to a balcony for only 116.00

(above what I had originally paid).

If you want to try Celebrity or if you already enjoy their product

this is really something

If you go to Celebrity's website you can see what they are offering.

 

I am VERY HAPPY!!!

Also the Dec 12th sailing with the same destinations is chep cheap too!