What's wrong with the Grand ??

[Pam in CA]

You're only as old as you feel. I've known 40 year olds who acted like they were 70 and I know 70 year olds who act like they're 40.

 

I would hope a 30 year old would find an oldie like me interesting. What they read about in books, we experienced. And life experience can be both interesting and educational. Who can forget what it was like the day WWII ended? (Yes, I really do.) The Cuban missile crisis? The day Kennedy was shot? When the American hostages were released by Iran?

[AZmike480]

You're only as old as you feel. I've known 40 year olds who acted like they were 70 and I know 70 year olds who act like they're 40.

 

I would hope a 30 year old would find an oldie like me interesting. What they read about in books, we experienced. And life experience can be both interesting and educational. Who can forget what it was like the day WWII ended? (Yes, I really do.) The Cuban missile crisis? The day Kennedy was shot? When the American hostages were released by Iran?

 

 

Pam,

 

I personally enjoy these stories, and miss the people who are no longer around to tell them. The down side to that is the same story often gets told over and over again!

 

Azmike480

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I appreciate chatting with people in my age range because we have more in common. For example working, technology, sports, among other things...

 

Speaking as someone midway in age between you and 70, I would suggest the late-night venues onboard and taking the more strenuous shore excursions to meet those closer to your age.

 

I personally have found those older than I to be more interesting than those my age. They have traveled, seen and done more. The most interesting person I have ever known took a trip up the Amazon in her 80s! Yes, there are some seniors who just want to talk about their ailments, however the more active and interesting seniors tend to avoid them.

 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be around those your own age; just don't discount those who are older without good reason. They may surprise you!

Edited December 19, 2014 by Ryndam2002

[KruzeKrazy!]

I also am in between those ages and we should not discount either those older OR those younger. It's really less about the age and more about the individual.

 

After all, there are great and interesting 70+ers and great and interesting 30-ers and everywhere in between. And, unfortunately and of course, there are borish and self-absorbed ones of all ages, too...

[stunnedinva]

Pam,

 

I personally enjoy these stories, and miss the people who are no longer around to tell them. The down side to that is the same story often gets told over and over again!

 

Azmike480

 

Geez. You may be too young ever to have heard this, but Will Rogers is credited with this memorable advice: "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

[shredie]

After all, there are great and interesting 70+ers and great and interesting 30-ers and everywhere in between. And, unfortunately and of course, there are borish and self-absorbed ones of all ages, too...

 

I'm afraid a couple of the kiddos on this thread will never realize that they are insulting people by stereotyping what they call "the elderly." They just don't get it. I am tempted to complain about young people on cruises who swear at top volume, pass gas loudly in public and call attention to it, drink too much and vomit in the elevators and post on roll calls that everyone on it is boring, but if I did that, I would be stereotyping. Besides, it is apparently a well-known fact that young people are interesting and "the elderly" are boring and stupid. :rolleyes:

[KruzPrincess]

I just got off the Grand today. I'm at LAX waiting to fly home. I'll likely write more about the cruise when I get home. Briefly, though, I had a nice time overall. There were some issues for me, but mostly associated to my cabin. The food was pretty good and we had some great experiences with some crew members after a rocky start. Had a great time with my friends. The Grand itself needs some work, but crew was mostly great. No noro as someone previously speculated.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Lsmith52]

The Grand was our very first cruise and will always hold a special place in my heart. Caribe deck cabin C423.....ahhhh the memories.

[gertz]

Well I'm retired, like to cruise except when I read a post like some above.

 

Let's see where do I start?

 

I've already been around the (well most of) world. A very long time ago. And my very favorite spot is, right where I'm at.

 

People I like: Almost every one old and young. Especially people like Louis Zamperini, Charlie Brown and a whole lot more. And I like Pam also.

 

My favorite ships (Princess that is) all except the Crown, Caribbean, Ruby, and that other one I can't think of the name now, but makes no difference not going on it any way. Don't ask me why.

 

Let me say what a sheer joy it is to go on a ship like the Grand. Even if it doesn't have a Sky Walkers, Never used it anyway except to read in. But I do have a complaint, they cut the shows down.:confused:

[BEAV]

We cruised on the Grand last feb to Hawai and it was a disaster ,the food,the service,the shows.We will never again take that ship as it is too old and worn out.

 

How does old and worn out affect food quality? I don't get the connection between the two! :confused:

[vivian02]

I like the Star, I like the Grand, and I think I might book the Ruby next year. I think I know who the guy is that has a problem with senior types. I spotted him on a Royal Caribbean ship several years ago trying to climb the rock climbing wall. He was having a hard time keeping his footing and only got half way up the wall and had to descend. Next up was a 92 year old lady who took her time and made it all the way up the rock wall and rang the bell. I would suggest that he might stick with RCC and practice climbing the wall before cruising Princess. Tim

[Waimea'sMom]

NOTHING is wrong!

 

We boarded the grand on 11/19/14 and disembarked on 12/42014.

 

Could not have had a better trip.

 

Boarding was fast and efficient. Our cabin (an aft suite) was ready, and our room steward popped in as soon as we were there. Probably the best steward we’ve had.

 

Dinner the first night in the Crowne Grille certainly met or exceeded our expectations; filet was dome to perfection, as were the lobster tails. We passed on dessert, as we were full.

 

We had a two top each evening in Anytime Dining, always the same one per our request, so on the second night there, as the server saw us walking to the table she ordered iced tea for us as we had that the night before. Food in the main dining room was just fine, except beef items are not their strong point (except in the Crowne Grille). The Fettuccini Alfredo, was superb, as was the spaghetti carbonara, breads, appetizers, sides were all great. We kept away from desserts for most of the trip.

 

The ship is in great shape. The One-5 is a different from Skywalkers, but very nice, and more intimate. The Suite/Elite/Platinum cocktail hour was just fine.

 

The day before we got to Hilo a crew member stopped by to see what our plans were for the port, as they wanted to replace the carpeting in our suite. They were waiting to start work as we left, and we returned to the ship about 5 minutes before they had completed their work.

 

The crew was spectacular.

 

We were having breakfast in Sabatini’s the first morning and the Captain walked in and went table-by-table to say “Good Morning”

 

Entertainment is very subjective, some we liked more than other.

 

The absolutely worst part of the cruise were some of the guess who were just obnoxious. (not too many!)

 

Would I take a cruise on the Grand again? YES!

 

I am glad you had a great experience...unfortunately I did not. We also just disembarked from the Grand today. The weather was very good - not cold at all, although we did get a lot of rain on Hilo day. Elua were, as always, wonderful. Lots of great music from them, and the ukulele and hula classes were well attended. This was our 11th time on this itinerary, so we do like the ports and Hawaiian Cultural program very much. We also loved the Happy Hour - two for one drinks are great, but the Wheelhouse filled up fast!

 

But while I don't want to be a downer, we actually were sort of disappointed with this cruise. The food (to us) was not as good as it usually is on Princess (good for my waistline bad for my tastebuds) and the service was very hit and miss (we had a terrific room steward but a terrible waitress at traditional dining). We usually love the soups, breads and pizza on deck - but soups were watery, breads were dense and the pizza upstairs was inedible. Alfredo's pizza was great, and for the first half of the cruise they let us get pepperoni, but stopped that halfway - then you could only get pepperoni on deck. The best dishes were the pastas - spaghetti e oglio in particular. I could hardly cut my NY steak last night.

 

Only one waiter at breakfast/lunch was great and we loved the very sweet cocktail waitress at the Wheelhouse. Unfortunately he disembarks in January, fingers crossed that she is still there. The ship itself is a little rough around the edges - the couch in our mini suite was torn, bath towels had lots of stains on them, etc.

 

As for the cruise staff, I usually don't care what CD it is - unless it is David Cole (wonderful!) or Lee Childers (terrible!) but this guy was pretty bad - never around the ship, and he had no interest in the Hawaiian activities or culture. Not once did he mention the uke and hula classes (both of which had about 60 or so participants) - he seemed disinterested at best. The other cruise staff was good though, Ramon and Ben in particular were fun at trivia.

 

But it could just be us. Most folks seemed to enjoy the food at the Horizon Court - the line at dinner was usually to the elevators since only one side seemed to be open. I am a little less enthused about sailing this cruise again on the Grand in February, but my fingers are crossed that the food and service will be better then.

[Pig1959]

It's funny how two different passengers on the exact same cruise can have such differing opinions. My wife and I got off the exact same Grand Princess cruise today and I cannot agree with anything except the few positive things she had to say. BTW, the name of that cocktail waitress in the Wheelhouse had to be Kusum. There were MANY OTHER notable people by name that I've sent in the review for to Princess Cruises.

 

We thought the food was the best we've had on a cruise lately. And the New York last night was very tender. Diff'rent strokes.

[Waimea'sMom]

It's funny how two different passengers on the exact same cruise can have such differing opinions. My wife and I got off the exact same Grand Princess cruise today and I cannot agree with anything except the few positive things she had to say. BTW, the name of that cocktail waitress in the Wheelhouse had to be Kusum. There were MANY OTHER notable people by name that I've sent in the review for to Princess Cruises.

 

We thought the food was the best we've had on a cruise lately. And the New York last night was very tender. Diff'rent strokes.

 

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. Different strokes indeed. Meanwhile we are hoping for a better experience in February. :)

[bassmaster150]

Just read an ongoing thread about a cruise on the Grand.

 

The OP gave a review with some concerning negative comments followed by an notable 30,000+ poster making a reply. In her reply she stated (not exact words) that the Grand was her least favorite ship and her expectations for an upcoming cruise were not high.

 

This solely because of the ship (and staff I suppose). My question is this ... What's wrong with the Grand as opposed to other Princess Ships.

 

Thanks

 

 

So if the 3000+ poster was stating that the Grand was her least favorite ship and that her expectations for her upcoming cruise were not high...why didn't he/she book a different ship????? Weird comment if you ask me

[SoCal Cruiser78]

So if the 3000+ poster was stating that the Grand was her least favorite ship and that her expectations for her upcoming cruise were not high...why didn't he/she book a different ship????? Weird comment if you ask me

 

I wondered that as well, then figured that either she wants to join friends/family booked on that sailing, or the price was right.

[Pig1959]

Well, it's rather simple... whether you're actually ON the cruise ship or OFF of it -- like on these boards -- there will ALWAYS be folks that need to complain about something.

[Waimea'sMom]

Well, it's rather simple... whether you're actually ON the cruise ship or OFF of it -- like on these boards -- there will ALWAYS be folks that need to complain about something.

 

That is true - but it is also true that some people are easily pleased or are Princess aplogists. In 32 Princess cruises, this was the only time I ever gave a less than positive review. Every other cruise has been just fine and I have been complimentary. Indeed I did give a commendation to Elmer - an outstanding waiter, Elua, and my terrific room steward - here and in my Princess survey.

 

If you don't mind tears in the furniture and large brown stains on your bath towels, waiters that leave dirty plates in front of you for ten minutes and steak you can't even cut then great, I am happy for you. Better still, I hope that was not your experience - you had a great time and I am glad you did (no sarcasm, I genuinely mean that). But I have never had such poor service and food on a Princess cruise - it was an anomaly but true. And apparently it was not necessarily an aberration - it may not be a universal opinion of the Grand, but it is not an uncommon one.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Waimea'sMom

[Pig1959]

Merry Christmas.

[Waimea'sMom]

So if the 3000+ poster was stating that the Grand was her least favorite ship and that her expectations for her upcoming cruise were not high...why didn't he/she book a different ship????? Weird comment if you ask me

 

Possibly for the same reason I did - this is a great itinerary, particularly if you live in LA, and the Grand just happens to be the ship assigned (where it used to be the Golden and will next be the Ruby).

[shredie]

So if the 3000+ poster was stating that the Grand was her least favorite ship and that her expectations for her upcoming cruise were not high...why didn't he/she book a different ship????? Weird comment if you ask me

 

Itinerary. I have a least favorite ship myself. The Golden. I will be doing my fourth voyage on her in two weeks. Itinerary. My fondness for the crowded, old-style buffet has not increased. I have not come to love the multi-level Skywalkers and the stairs in there. The long lines snaking through the casino while waiting to be seated in the Princess theater still don't appeal to me. I still wish Crooners was not the Promenade Bar, the restrooms for the aft MDR were not a floor up and a hike away, or the kids' club was aft rather than forward. I'm going to have a good time, though. The ship is not my favorite (that would be the Pacific Princess) but the itinerary works out for me again, and I'll enjoy the cruise. I'm not sure why it's weird to comment on one's least favorite ship.