I've cancelled my Crown Princess cruise

[pablo222]

Another rant.

 

Is a 'rant' any post you disagree with?

[jacketwatch]

:D

For all those who complain about Princess, just read that Celebrity Cruise Lines will now be adding a surcharge if you wish to have a....hamburger (maybe they call it a steak burger). As I mentioned before we have sailed most of the cruise lines from Azamara at the top to Carnival at the bottom. All have their strong points and all have their weaknesses. This will be our second sailing on the Royal Princess. I do feel that it compares favorably with Celebrity and I do hope that Club Class will be the equivalent of Aqua Class.

I agree about that comparison. Our experience with X and Princess has been comparable esp. inre to service

[chloe45]

My DH and I have cruised yearly since 1993 on most major lines. While I agree with some comments about the decline in food and service I wonder if us long time cruisers aren't a little jaded. It is like a new romance, wonderful at the beginning and hopefully comfortable but not so exciting after awhile. Our old cruise buddies now cruise Oceania, Seaborne and Regent. They boast on food and service on those lines! We are not willing to pay for the luxury lines - are you? Karen

 

There's some truth to what you are saying. I liked how you compared it with a new romance. After sailing Princess almost exclusively for 2 decades and experiencing the recent decline, bottom line is that I'm just bored with the Princess experience.

 

My TA's has been trying to get us to sail Crystal, his preferred line. I'm just not willing to pay 2 to 3 times more just to get better food.

[Hlitner]

The Celebrity pool deck hamburger grill, equivalent to the Princess Trident Grill, changed from a menu similar to what the Trident Grill has to gourmet burgers and hotdogs made with the American version of Kobe style beef.

 

Hamburger price is $10 for 1/2 pound (pre-cooked weight) and $5 for 1/4 pound (pre-cooked weight), fries included.

 

The hockey puck hamburger patties can be found in the Celebrity buffet.

 

Lets keep this honest :). Celebrity is trying this idea on one (maybe two) ships. One report from the Equinox (which is the ship they are trying this new concept) was that nobody was ever seen at the grill buying these burgers (they have free burgers at the inside buffet). It will be interesting to see if Celebrity takes this concept fleet-wide.

 

Hank

[caribill]

Lets keep this honest :). Celebrity is trying this idea on one (maybe two) ships. One report from the Equinox (which is the ship they are trying this new concept) was that nobody was ever seen at the grill buying these burgers (they have free burgers at the inside buffet). It will be interesting to see if Celebrity takes this concept fleet-wide.

 

 

It was first put on the Constellation, so the Equinox is an expansion to a 2nd ship.

 

In a thread about the Constellation there have been posts saying:

a) There are very few users

b) There are many users

c) People who have paid the $10 say they have liked the product and have bought it more than once

d) Those booked in suites get it for free, so no way to tell how much of the business is from suite passengers.

e) It is a good way to avoid the chaos of the buffet on embarkation day

[upwarduk]

It is a good way to avoid the chaos of the buffet on embarkation day

 

 

That's if it's open on embarkation day!

[CruisingIsBest]

For all those who complain about Princess, just read that Celebrity Cruise Lines will now be adding a surcharge if you wish to have a....hamburger (maybe they call it a steak burger). As I mentioned before we have sailed most of the cruise lines from Azamara at the top to Carnival at the bottom. All have their strong points and all have their weaknesses. This will be our second sailing on the Royal Princess. I do feel that it compares favorably with Celebrity and I do hope that Club Class will be the equivalent of Aqua Class.

Yeah, not sure I'd pay $10 for a burger. But Club Class cannot be compared to X's Aqua. With Aqua, it's not a mini suite, but you get the thermal suite, a dedicated restaurant, (Blu), and numerous other little things like the Hansgrohe shower, and a different mattress too. Club Class touts the mattress, but I'm not sure why? It will be the same mattress every stateroom gets eventually. Aside from a few things like priority boarding and debarkation (which you get with higher status anyway), and some wine and a few other minor things, it's exactly the same mini as other minis. No special cabin enhancements, showers, and no free enclave access, (which is actual value for Aqua or spa class on NCL). So I just don't get Club Class and that's my disappointment because it's just hype for them to charge a lot more... if you have no status, the few benefits MAY be worth it for you, but for Elite, or even Platinum, paying hundreds more for a bottle of wine , some canapes, and a "part" of the MDR is just NOT worth it for that much extra $?? I don't mind paying more for something you get value in return for. If they added in the Enclave, put some nice furniture on the balconies, maybe added some sanctuary time or free specialty options ... SOMETHING of value on the ship, then "Club Class" would equate to something special. As it is, it isn't. Get a regular mini, spend that money on the Enclave, or Sanctuary, etc. On NCL I got the Spa balcony. The thermal suite is $199 for 7 days. The price difference between the regular balcony and the spa balcony was negligible so the value in return was more than achieved!

I'm not saying I dislike Princess or that the product is bad. By no means! You don't get to Elite if you dislike them! I would still recommend them to certain friends and for people seeking that type of cruise experience. Royal and Regal are wonderful. Crews and service are always terrific. Some odd placement of things... gym on 15 and spa/enclave on deck 5 for example is silly, and the Enclave is just too small too. But my real concern with them is lack of innovation, lack of change (new venues and experiences that do not include surcharges or are worth surcharges), and just too much of a boring cruise, especially when I sail solo. As stated above, I don't mind paying more for things when there is some actual value. I know they just added a few things to Caribbean Princess... Salty Dog, Planks BBQ, and a more dedicated venue for Crab Shack... Steamers Seafood. That's good! They need to do more of that! But in other areas beyond just dining too.

Families, with older children? NO... find the big cool ships with lots of things for the teens. On Princess they are sitting in groups on the stairwells or crammed into the hot tubs... nothing for them to do. With younger children? Maybe, but Disney is a far better choice for the younger kids. Singles? NO. Princess does very little for solo cruisers beyond charging double and the demographics are terrible for singles. Honeymoons? YES... perhaps one of the best. If you like sitting in the casino all day and night... Sure. I think Princess still offers credits for big money spenders in the casino, although I've heard that has dropped off too so any line can give you that. Seniors and my parents? YES. Plenty of other seniors and senior couples. Looking for a quieter, less exciting and total "do nothing" just relax cruise, or for longer more port intensive bucket list destination cruises? Check. So while I hate where Princess is going with all the dumb things they have been doing, I don't dislike the line at all. I'm just looking for something new, and more exciting, that's all. If Princess offers some truly new things on the next ship, that will be great. Can't compare Majesty because it's dedicated to the asian market. If the upcoming ship is just another Regal copy, then probably not. Stop with the stupid no value, big upcharge nonsense like Club Class... please!!

[Cuizer2]

I agree with the OP, while I like peanut butter and jelly, who wants to eat that on a cruise?

 

I'll bet I could find lots of people in the kids' club that would love to eat PB&J. They are paying passengers also. No reason not to give them something they like. Princess passengers are not all adults.

[caribill]

So I just don't get Club Class and that's my disappointment because it's just hype for them to charge a lot more...

 

What Club Class gets you is Anytime Dining that actually works.

 

What that is worth monetarily is another question.

[laktex]

Is a 'rant' any post you disagree with?

 

Absolutely not. I respect peoples views. In fact I am a champion of consumer rights having been involved in Airline Consumer rights for many years.

 

A rant is "to disclaim in a violent, loud or vehement manner" and that is how the respondent came over in this posting and in my opinion it achieves very little - does it help other cruisers, I doubt it.

[CruisingIsBest]

Absolutely not. I respect peoples views. In fact I am a champion of consumer rights having been involved in Airline Consumer rights for many years.

 

A rant is "to disclaim in a violent, loud or vehement manner" and that is how the respondent came over in this posting and in my opinion it achieves very little - does it help other cruisers, I doubt it.

FACTS, Trevor. And if you are as much of a champion, especially with the airlines, you of all people should know they only listen when people do get upset, or, when there's a public event and they have to do damage control. Seems that most people agreed and it's not like I'm some long time Elite from another cruise line, sailed on Princess for the first time, and went off. I've earned my time on this line and when I see changes this significant, in the wrong direction, people should know. I hardly find my comments to be "violent"! I clarified my stance in a more recent post, but it is what it is and I rarely post negatively. Maybe Princess needs to hear it more, and your replies offer no counterpoint other than "rant", so you offer nothing in return.

[divaofdisney]

While I appreciate everyone's comments on the status of Crown Princess as well as other cruise lines...it is a bit disheartening to hear such negativity. My husband and I are booked on the Crown for December and will be our 1st cruise with Princess - have always wanted to try them. We are both going into this with open mind- as we really are easy to please and come from the mind set a cruise is what you make of it. We have been loyal to RCCL and have also been on Disney, HAL, and 1 Carnival cruise - way back when. We, like so many are beginning to branch out too and try different lines, next year we have NCL Bliss- new ship, and Celebrity Edge- new ship to try and we are looking forward to both. I plan to do and write a full complete review of the Crown when I get back to provide another viewpoint which I hope will be a positive one amidst all the negative one. Life is short and we need to all remember to just relax and enjoy the gift of simply being able to cruise- so many will never ever have the chance to enjoy this type of vacation. We try to remember just how fortunate we are and enjoy all a cruise has to offer. Just a thought and I will let you know how our cruise goes. :)

[pablo222]

Absolutely not. I respect peoples views..

 

How is calling them out for a rant respectful?

 

I am certainly no expert on respect, but it seems to me that the respectful thing to do would be to simply move along.

 

Now, if one wants to be dismissive, calling them a troll, or their post a rant would seem to be a good way to do so.

 

I thought the poster was upset, and trying to convey that.

[jacketwatch]

While I appreciate everyone's comments on the status of Crown Princess as well as other cruise lines...it is a bit disheartening to hear such negativity. My husband and I are booked on the Crown for December and will be our 1st cruise with Princess - have always wanted to try them. We are both going into this with open mind- as we really are easy to please and come from the mind set a cruise is what you make of it. We have been loyal to RCCL and have also been on Disney, HAL, and 1 Carnival cruise - way back when. We, like so many are beginning to branch out too and try different lines, next year we have NCL Bliss- new ship, and Celebrity Edge- new ship to try and we are looking forward to both. I plan to do and write a full complete review of the Crown when I get back to provide another viewpoint which I hope will be a positive one amidst all the negative one. Life is short and we need to all remember to just relax and enjoy the gift of simply being able to cruise- so many will never ever have the chance to enjoy this type of vacation. We try to remember just how fortunate we are and enjoy all a cruise has to offer. Just a thought and I will let you know how our cruise goes. :)

Our last two cruises were on the Diamond and Sapphire and the reviews before we left were fair at best. However the ships were just fine and the service was what I have come to expect from Princess. I think you will enjoy it.

[CruisingIsBest]

While I appreciate everyone's comments on the status of Crown Princess as well as other cruise lines...it is a bit disheartening to hear such negativity. My husband and I are booked on the Crown for December and will be our 1st cruise with Princess - have always wanted to try them. We are both going into this with open mind- as we really are easy to please and come from the mind set a cruise is what you make of it. We have been loyal to RCCL and have also been on Disney, HAL, and 1 Carnival cruise - way back when. We, like so many are beginning to branch out too and try different lines, next year we have NCL Bliss- new ship, and Celebrity Edge- new ship to try and we are looking forward to both. I plan to do and write a full complete review of the Crown when I get back to provide another viewpoint which I hope will be a positive one amidst all the negative one. Life is short and we need to all remember to just relax and enjoy the gift of simply being able to cruise- so many will never ever have the chance to enjoy this type of vacation. We try to remember just how fortunate we are and enjoy all a cruise has to offer. Just a thought and I will let you know how our cruise goes. :)

By all mean, ENJOY your cruise and your "cruise is what you make of it" attitude is spot on! I've enjoyed all my Princess cruises, and have never had a major issue on any of them. But for me, I've probably sailed the same line too much and thus, I'm looking for something new. I'm also disappointed in how they ruined certain things I've come to really enjoy about them, like the mini's I've always booked and are now Club Class, with a very high upcharge. I haven't been on Crown, but have been on similar class ships, Caribbean, and Ruby and had a good time. I just enjoy the Royal and Regal more. Have a great time and let us know!

[Globehoppers]

Yeah, not sure I'd pay $10 for a burger. But Club Class cannot be compared to X's Aqua. With Aqua, it's not a mini suite, but you get the thermal suite, a dedicated restaurant, (Blu), and numerous other little things like the Hansgrohe shower, and a different mattress too. Club Class touts the mattress, but I'm not sure why? It will be the same mattress every stateroom gets eventually. Aside from a few things like priority boarding and debarkation (which you get with higher status anyway), and some wine and a few other minor things, it's exactly the same mini as other minis. No special cabin enhancements, showers, and no free enclave access, (which is actual value for Aqua or spa class on NCL). So I just don't get Club Class and that's my disappointment because it's just hype for them to charge a lot more... if you have no status, the few benefits MAY be worth it for you, but for Elite, or even Platinum, paying hundreds more for a bottle of wine , some canapes, and a "part" of the MDR is just NOT worth it for that much extra $?? I don't mind paying more for something you get value in return for. If they added in the Enclave, put some nice furniture on the balconies, maybe added some sanctuary time or free specialty options ... SOMETHING of value on the ship, then "Club Class" would equate to something special. As it is, it isn't. Get a regular mini, spend that money on the Enclave, or Sanctuary, etc. On NCL I got the Spa balcony. The thermal suite is $199 for 7 days. The price difference between the regular balcony and the spa balcony was negligible so the value in return was more than achieved!

I'm not saying I dislike Princess or that the product is bad. By no means! You don't get to Elite if you dislike them! I would still recommend them to certain friends and for people seeking that type of cruise experience. Royal and Regal are wonderful. Crews and service are always terrific. Some odd placement of things... gym on 15 and spa/enclave on deck 5 for example is silly, and the Enclave is just too small too. But my real concern with them is lack of innovation, lack of change (new venues and experiences that do not include surcharges or are worth surcharges), and just too much of a boring cruise, especially when I sail solo. As stated above, I don't mind paying more for things when there is some actual value. I know they just added a few things to Caribbean Princess... Salty Dog, Planks BBQ, and a more dedicated venue for Crab Shack... Steamers Seafood. That's good! They need to do more of that! But in other areas beyond just dining too.

Families, with older children? NO... find the big cool ships with lots of things for the teens. On Princess they are sitting in groups on the stairwells or crammed into the hot tubs... nothing for them to do. With younger children? Maybe, but Disney is a far better choice for the younger kids. Singles? NO. Princess does very little for solo cruisers beyond charging double and the demographics are terrible for singles. Honeymoons? YES... perhaps one of the best. If you like sitting in the casino all day and night... Sure. I think Princess still offers credits for big money spenders in the casino, although I've heard that has dropped off too so any line can give you that. Seniors and my parents? YES. Plenty of other seniors and senior couples. Looking for a quieter, less exciting and total "do nothing" just relax cruise, or for longer more port intensive bucket list destination cruises? Check. So while I hate where Princess is going with all the dumb things they have been doing, I don't dislike the line at all. I'm just looking for something new, and more exciting, that's all. If Princess offers some truly new things on the next ship, that will be great. Can't compare Majesty because it's dedicated to the asian market. If the upcoming ship is just another Regal copy, then probably not. Stop with the stupid no value, big upcharge nonsense like Club Class... please!!

 

Must agree. "Club Class" is a joke - on the guests. Its an upsell that offers nothing of value. $400 more pp in a mini-suite (wife's favorite) to be a few feet more central on the ship. No thanks. Sorry.

 

Princess is now almost two separate cruise lines with the addition of the "Royal" class ships, possibly a "better" X Solstice class.. Maybe best big ship buffet venue on the high seas, excellent theater, uncrowded passageways happy crews. Have sailed, and will never sail again, the "Crown" series. Too cramped and the worst theater venues/seats ever.

[Ergates The Ant]

LOL You're very naive if you don't think all the cruise lines do this.

 

Well, I do hope not. And the award to the whistleblower who reported them should incentivise other cruise lines not to break the rules.

Additionally, if Princess are prepared to break rules for profit, how could I trust them with their food hygiene?What about their compliance with rules to ensure the safety of passengers and crew?

Does this sound like a cruise line you would want to trust your health and safety to? Not to me!

[Ergates The Ant]

Your own loss. The rest of us will continue to Come Back New.

 

Or maybe not? If Princess are prepared to cut corners and break the rules to maximise profits, do you trust them to follow food hygiene and safety regulations? What else are they prepared to skimp on?

Just because you aren't concerned about the environment, doesn't mean you should become complacent about your own personal well being. Princess probably aren't too bothered if they can make some extra money.

[Esprit]

Your own loss. The rest of us will continue to Come Back New.

 

We did when we disembarked Crown Princess last Saturday

[jacketwatch]

Or maybe not? If Princess are prepared to cut corners and break the rules to maximise profits, do you trust them to follow food hygiene and safety regulations? What else are they prepared to skimp on?

Just because you aren't concerned about the environment, doesn't mean you should become complacent about your own personal well being. Princess probably aren't too bothered if they can make some extra money.

That's quite a stretch. Saving money on say soda pop does not mean skimping on sanitation procedures. Did you ever hear of the CDC? Take a look. Outbreaks on ships are monitored and the CDC demands corrective measures and will reinspect. Standards have to be maintained or potentially a ship can be put out of commission and that's money! These are facts so stop with unfounded speculation.

[GrammySpo]

Would love to try the new buffet on the CB soon and judge it myself.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

I thought the food was good on the CB buffet. Typically eat in the main dining room but gave it a try at least 3 times and enjoyed it. Nice to have some other good options.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[suzyed]

We sailed on the Crown in 2014 for 29 days and we have another sailing on the Crown coming up in November(5 nights) and another one in 2018 (25 nights)

 

We found a few maintenence issues and hubby got Noro on the 2014 cruise, but I think he picked it up in Tahiti.

 

Anyway, it wasn't serious enough (the maintenence issues) that we wouldn't sail on the Crown again.

[suzyed]

We have sailed on Cunard, Carnival, Celebrity, MSC, Princess and Royal Caribbean. We have liked most things about all the cruises...some more than others. They are each different experiences, depending on the ship itself, the itinerary, the food, the cabin amenities, the shows, the staff, etc, etc.

 

Never had a bad cruise!!

;)

[donaldsc]

The only Princess ship that I will sail on is the Pacific Princess and that is because I love small ships. I will only do the Pacific Princess if they have an interesting and different itinerary that takes advantage of the small size of the ship. I find the cruises offered by Princess totally repetitive and totally uninteresting.

 

DON

[Lucky TGO]

So long from all of us at Princess. We will miss you :*

Tony