Last time with Princess. EVER!

[RyanMFitz1]

Just finished a 5 Day on Caribbean Princess on March 7th.

 

Entertainment was terrible.

 

Food in the dining room was terrible! Buffet was actually better.

 

Internet - slow and unreliable.

 

Casino - Machines tight as hell. Plus virtually no one coming around offering to bring a drink.

 

Passenger Services - pulling so many preauthorizations that CC Company begins to decline due to fraud alert. They then disable my "free" internet because of this.

 

This was our 7th cruise with them in less than 4 years. We are not retired so to me this is a lot in a short amount of time. We have only sailed with Princess.

 

Another thing...how is it during 1 lunch I can be asked 10 times about the wine tasting that I said no to 9 times prior. Always someone different coming around. Or when I ask for a beverage they ask about wine tasting. Lot of heavy pushing of extra items to buy...worse than ever.

 

Pretty angry at them right now and anyone I talked to @ 800 number didn't seem to care.

[jagsfan]

This thread reminds me of something I've been meaning to ask for some time.

We keep the a/c on the coldest setting just about every cruise, usually inside cabins. It's always fine during the day, but

some time during the early morning hours, the room gets much too warm for me. They must turn the a/c or generators down throughout the ship automatically. If it weren't for my little fan I'd have to give up cruising!

Anyone else experience this problem? I'm beyond the hot flash stage, but we do keep our bedroom a/c very low at night. Don't often have this problem in hotels.

 

Even at home the ac raises the temp during the night. I'm comfortable when I go to sleep and around 3am I wake up because I'm too warm, and sure enough, the thermometer says it's gone up around 3 degrees. That's enough to wake me up.

[Kinkacruiser]

8915 views to date..irate customers and bad publicity rank very well here :rolleyes:.

[1aCruise4wks]

Whatever beef they are serving under the heading of "Tenderloin" is questionable. I try to steer away from that menu choice. The Tri Tip Roast is iffy. The NY Strip Loin seems to be okay but can be tough. If I'm really hungry for steak, I go the steakhouse.

[warnerchilcott]

I think it's time for you to change cruise lines. I've sailed on the CB twice in the last two years and had an excellent experience - even on the casino!

[Griller]

This thread reminds me of something I've been meaning to ask for some time.

We keep the a/c on the coldest setting just about every cruise, usually inside cabins. It's always fine during the day, but

some time during the early morning hours, the room gets much too warm for me. They must turn the a/c or generators down throughout the ship automatically. If it weren't for my little fan I'd have to give up cruising!

Anyone else experience this problem? I'm beyond the hot flash stage, but we do keep our bedroom a/c very low at night. Don't often have this problem in hotels.

 

Speaking with the CB Chief Engineer he told me that the second most power hungry thing on a ship after propulsion is the AC system, and that they adjust it as much as they can and have saved a lot of fuel cost and carbon emissions as a result.

Changing many of the light bulbs to low energy has also helped measurably.

 

I wish they'd turn the volume down on the MUTS during the day and save some more electricity.

[caribill]

S

 

I wish they'd turn the volume down on the MUTS during the day and save some more electricity.

 

Ditto in the Explorers Lounge

[Griller]

Ditto in the Explorers Lounge

 

Absolutely agree, its verging on painful, but I have to sit there suffering for a while to keep seats for whatever is on after the excruciatingly loud music

[iceleven]

Originally Posted by iceleven

I wish Princess didn't assume Americans would accept European standards in regards to linens and such. I prefer a top sheet over a duvet (too hot to sleep under.) So each cruise we have to ask for a light blanket and top sheet, both of which should be standard bedding. It creates more work for the steward, as well.

 

I don't recall having a problem with washcloths but if Princess were to discontinue offering them, I would bring my own. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

 

 

 

And pretty much everyone expects the rest of the world to accept US standards. Sheesh.

 

No, that is not the case at all. Sheesh.:rolleyes: It's not a U.S. standard, it's a personal choice for many of us. When I am in Europe I accept the standards and cultures of where I am. But when I am on a cruise ship, where the home port is an American city (and always has been) then I expect they would consider the majority of their customers.

 

I've cruised three other cruise lines and always had a top sheet andnever had to ask for one. Maybe Princess is simply trying to save on laundry and avoiding the extra piece of bedding.

 

Every one of my Princess cruises have been a disappointment in the bed department because of their rock-hard beds and I know I am not in the minority with this complaint. I always end up using the duvet as a pad under my sheet to soften the bed, at least a little.

 

I have traveled extensively across Europe, Mexico, Canada, South America, and BERMUDA (three times a year) and never was offered only a duvet. They are HOT. When I traveled during the winter, I welcomed a duvet in addition to the top sheet. A duvet is a blanket and who the heck needs a blanket when traveling outside of winter season?

 

So tomorrow, as I board my ship, I will have to bother our steward and ask for a top sheet. He will have to unmake the bed and put it back together again. An unfortunate extra chore, as far as I am concerned.

[suzieb25]

I sailed the Crown in February and had the most comfortable bed ever! I am a chronic insomniac, but I slept so soundly in the San Diego port I never heard the planes landing even with the balcony door open. Usually I have to ask for a topper.

[mamaboss]

My wife loves a top sheet and I can't stand them so we have trouble right off the bat.

 

Of course, she's wins, I lose.

 

Of course. :)

[SwissDave]

I would agree that for suite accommodations Princess is lacking compared to NCL's Haven and the new suite perks with Celebrity. A suite on Princess only means a larger room.

 

So what you are saying is the none of the items listed on the Princess site are exclusive to suites, and the ONLY perk is a bigger room?

 

http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

[SwissDave]

Originally Posted by iceleven

I wish Princess didn't assume Americans would accept European standards in regards to linens and such. I prefer a top sheet over a duvet (too hot to sleep under.) So each cruise we have to ask for a light blanket and top sheet, both of which should be standard bedding. It creates more work for the steward, as well.

 

I don't recall having a problem with washcloths but if Princess were to discontinue offering them, I would bring my own. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

 

 

 

 

 

No, that is not the case at all. Sheesh.:rolleyes: It's not a U.S. standard, it's a personal choice for many of us. When I am in Europe I accept the standards and cultures of where I am. But when I am on a cruise ship, where the home port is an American city (and always has been) then I expect they would consider the majority of their customers.

 

I've cruised three other cruise lines and always had a top sheet andnever had to ask for one. Maybe Princess is simply trying to save on laundry and avoiding the extra piece of bedding.

 

Every one of my Princess cruises have been a disappointment in the bed department because of their rock-hard beds and I know I am not in the minority with this complaint. I always end up using the duvet as a pad under my sheet to soften the bed, at least a little.

 

I have traveled extensively across Europe, Mexico, Canada, South America, and BERMUDA (three times a year) and never was offered only a duvet. They are HOT. When I traveled during the winter, I welcomed a duvet in addition to the top sheet. A duvet is a blanket and who the heck needs a blanket when traveling outside of winter season?

 

So tomorrow, as I board my ship, I will have to bother our steward and ask for a top sheet. He will have to unmake the bed and put it back together again. An unfortunate extra chore, as far as I am concerned.

 

It is a personal choice whether you want a top sheet or not. If only a minority of passenges want them then why would they put them on all the beds and then have to remove them again? Much easier just to do it for the ones who want it.

 

Not all duvets are hot. There are many types with many different ratings of warmth. I have 3 different ones at home for different times of the year.

 

As for wash cloths, I certainly don't want to use one thats been wiped over someone elses nether regions, regardless if they are laundered or not.

[SwissDave]

Just a qustion not trying to argue. Why do cruisers on European cruisers pay more for their cruises. Including the British, they say it is not their system to tip. I do know that about half the culture in Bermuda tips or charges a service charge. However Brits are not allowed to buy through American Companies supposably for that reason.

 

I think it is more likely the reason they charge higher prices is because they can, and people pay it !!

 

Brits don't mind tipping at all, but not to the high percentage expected in the US, and certainly not before the service has been delivered. When tipping it is usually restricted to taxi driver (rounding up the fare), hairdressers (rounding up) etc. Plus we have strong minimum wage laws that apply over all industries at the same level, which is partly why in bars/pubs we dont habitually tip the servers, or housekeeping staff in hotels etc.

Under several UK laws, paying someone before a service has been received could be construed as bribery. Our company polices were updated about 3 years ago and now even going out to lunch with a supplier has to be approved by senior management to ensure the reason for the lunch cannot be misconstrued as bribery if contracts etc are due for renewal in a certain time frame!!

[Griller]

Originally Posted by iceleven

I wish Princess didn't assume Americans would accept European standards in regards to linens and such. I prefer a top sheet over a duvet (too hot to sleep under.) So each cruise we have to ask for a light blanket and top sheet, both of which should be standard bedding. It creates more work for the steward, as well.

 

I don't recall having a problem with washcloths but if Princess were to discontinue offering them, I would bring my own. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've cruised three other cruise lines and always had a top sheet andnever had to ask for one. Maybe Princess is simply trying to save on laundry and avoiding the extra piece of bedding.

 

Every one of my Princess cruises have been a disappointment in the bed department because of their rock-hard beds and I know I am not in the minority with this complaint. I always end up using the duvet as a pad under my sheet to soften the bed, at least a little.

 

QUOTE]

 

Difficult to understand why you keep cruising Princess and not one of the other 3 lines, you could save yourself the awful pain of having to ask the steward to remake your bed with a sheet.

Of course at the same time you could ask him for an eggcrate to soften the mattress up.

Before Princess started their mattress replacement program I always used to get one, don't need to now though, they seem much better.

[Waynetor]

We were on the CB from Jan 26 to FE 26 and had no problem with entertainment, food or service. We were approached a few times on the first day for wine and other packages but like photos a quick no thanks and they go away. We are on the Royal now and a senior chef was going around trying to get people to signup for reservations in the specility resturantants but again a no thanks and they move on.

We don't use the casino so can't commnet on it but have heard some people say they won big.

[caribill]

So what you are saying is the none of the items listed on the Princess site are exclusive to suites, and the ONLY perk is a bigger room?

 

http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/PrincessSuite_eFlyer.pdf

 

Many of the suite perks are available for those who have Elite status such is priority embarkation, mini-bar setup, enhanced bathroom amenities, and tender-to-shore priority.

 

Suite perks such as breakfast in Sabatini's, priority shore excursion reservations, expanded in cabin dining menus, room service breakfast on disembarkation day, nightly canapes, etc. are only for full suite passengers.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I sailed the Crown in February and had the most comfortable bed ever! I am a chronic insomniac, but I slept so soundly in the San Diego port I never heard the planes landing even with the balcony door open. Usually I have to ask for a topper.

 

From what I understand, keeping your balcony door open messes up the climate control fro several cabins in your area.

[abisha]

Sorry you want to leave this cruise line. Maybe changing your type of vacation completely might be an option for you. Sometimes change is a good thing. Then at some point go back to cruising and maybe another line.

[jagsfan]

Sorry you want to leave this cruise line. Maybe changing your type of vacation completely might be an option for you. Sometimes change is a good thing. Then at some point go back to cruising and maybe another line.

 

 

OP came back several days ago saying time has mellowed his feelings. He had several good things to say about his cruise. He also said if he could have, he would have changed the title.

[Colo Cruiser]

I wish Princess didn't assume Americans would accept European standards in regards to linens and such. I prefer a top sheet over a duvet (too hot to sleep under.) So each cruise we have to ask for a light blanket and top sheet, both of which should be standard bedding. It creates more work for the steward, as well.

 

 

I agree.....We always ask for a top sheet. :cool:

[JF - retired RRT]

If you were in the same cabin, did you just get one cruise card for all the segments or a new cruise card for each segment?

Same cabin...one card.

[cougaraz]

I really want to know where people who complain about the food on Princess eat during their day to day lives. I mean seriously, I want to come live with you and eat where you eat, because it must be some banging good chow. I love eating out and eat all over the world. I have had a few misses on Princess, dish by dish, but overall, it compares very favorably to good restaurants one would find in New York, Los Angeles, Sydney or London. If you drill down to specialization, a steak on Princess will never be Peter Lugar's, nor will the seafood be the Oceanaire Room or Shaw's, but taken across an entire cruise, the depth and breadth of offerings are very good and very well executed.

 

That being said, if you are going to complain about the food, or anything else for that matter, specifics are helpful and clarify what is a matter of preference versus what is actually poorly prepared food.

 

Oddly enough, I have never sat at a cruise table where I left a dish partially eaten without the waiter asking if I did not enjoy it and could they bring me something else.

[lcpagejr]

Cougaraz... Right on!! And I totally agree with your last comment. All cruise lines I have sailed on have asked the same question if my dish is'nt mostly eaten...

[shepp]

I really want to know where people who complain about the food on Princess eat during their day to day lives.

 

You and me both.

 

Food gripers, care to be specific? Michelin three-stars? Olive Garden? Where?