I can't imagine the circumstance where we will sail Princess again

[Seas the Day]

I am a seasoned cruiser - having been on more cruises than I can count - on multiple

lines including: Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Lindblad/National Geographic, and Silversea. My husband and I are elite members at Royal/Celebrity. I have never written a negative review…

 

...until this past cruise on the Island Princess departing December 6/7 2017. We didn't mind (much) that embarkation was delayed for a day - which we didn't find out until the night before when checking email at our hotel. We were able to work around the fact that our hotel initially could not offer us another night because we were told Princess was holding rooms, but Princess Customer Service could not help. We didn't need to stay overnight in the ballroom that Princess reserved for guests without reservations. The broken window in our cabin for the first week was eventually fixed. The non-working AC when we first boarded was eventually fixed. These things were annoyances, and not enough to upset us.

 

I wasn't enthusiastic about the mix of passengers - I prefer a broader age range and geographic disbursement. This crowd was primarily American, and older than ourselves - and we are retired. In contrast, I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting Europeans and Australians and Canadians –and Americans- aboardRoyal/Celebrity/Silversea/Cunard, and we have friends across the world because of it! I so enjoy different points of view.

 

Here's what made us UPSET: We could not do what we wanted, when we wanted. Isn't that why we take cruises?

 

ENTERTAINMENT: SHOW UP EARLY OR YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT ONBOARD

* Evening entertainment consisted of a Theatrical Production and occasional Game Show

* The Theater does not have enough seats to accommodate passengers, and with few other options, seats were filled half an hour before show time

* If you do not arrive at the Theater a half hour early, you will not be able to sit with your significant other or maybe not get a seat at all (we were unable to get into three shows, and then stopped trying)

* Do not expect to get somewhere else quickly when leaving the theater. I saw no doors on the Lower Level, and nobody moves until the guests in the upper rows depart (and many don't move very well; re: age and disability). We (twice) waited fifteen minutes to start moving up the stairs towards the exit.

* We read about the Escape Room on Cruise Critic and wanted to sign up. I was first in line, having showed up 20 minutes early (learning from the Theater) and the staff member showed up 20 minutes late and took sign-ups in another location. Since there were only 60 slots, I was LUCKY to get two of them, despite showing up early.

* If you do not show up for Art Projects early enough, there are not enough materials.

* As usual, we enjoyed Trivia and other onboard games, and have many wine stoppers and some water bottles to show for it

 

 

DINING: YOU MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN WAITING IN LINE TO EAT AND SEEING A SHOW, OR NOT WAITING AND POTENTIALLY SEEING THAT NIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT

* We chose "Anytime Dining" which we renamed,"NOT Anytime Dining"

* To finish dinner early enough for the 7:30pm show, you must be finished dining at 6:45pm - but if you show up between 5:15 - 5:45pm (too early anyways) there will be a long line

* If you show up between 6pm and 7pm, there will not be enough empty tables - and you will be given a pager

* If you eat with other passengers, hoping to meet new people, service takes two hours. You must eat alone if you hope to get out ofthe dining room quickly.

* If you go to the early show (offered some nights) and have dinner after, you miss the Game Shows at 8:00pm, and you are guaranteed a long line because the other Theater goers ALL rush the dining room at that moment

* If you decide - darn it, I'm just going to the buffet and eat quickly - you will have very little diversity of choice. Only half the area is active at one time, and choices are bland and REPETITIVE.

* If you decide - darn it, I'll spend the $29 per person and go to a Specialty Restaurant that IS better. The food is better. You are served quickly. We did that twice. I liked Sabatini's. The Crab Shack was disappointing, but I lived in Maryland for four years - so I know GOOD crab.

 

I CAN'T IMAGINE NEEDING TO GET SOMEWHERE IMPORTANT QUICKLY

* Lack of diversity (in entertainment and constitution of guests) could result in too many people in one spot at a particular time, and could lead to possible injury (my husband being stepped on)

* My husband was trampled during a rush to see a Production Show in the theater, and hurt his foot badly enough that it required an X-Ray. The doctor aboard suspected a bone fracture, and he wore a walking cast/boot for two days - until a radiologist on land was able to clear him - two days of hobbling around later.

 

AFTER REVIEW OF OUR CONCERNS, PRINCESS OFFERED US TWO $29 SPECIALTY DINNERS AND A BOTTLE OF SHIP WINE ON A FUTURE CRUISE. They did not reverse medical charges of $261, which we asked to be refunded. They did not provide compensation for my husband trying to walk in a boot for two days. It was never about the money for my husband and me - we wanted them to care about the issues we faced. We wanted a CARE FREE vacation.

 

Note: all guests on this sailing were offered 15% off a future cruise due to the late embarkation. We do not plan to take them up on this offer.

 

 

Princess? I plan to avoid it. I cruise 3-4 times a year, and it won’t be on Princess.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Seas the Day
fixed issues with spacing

[Seas the Day]

What does that mean? I'm not sure what a Manifesto is? I only know how unhappy my husband and I are/were.

[oskidunker]

I have been on 22 Princess Cruises. Always get traditional dining, never a wait. Tried anytime once and did not like it. Avoid anytime and you won’t have to wait. Everyone wants to eat at the same time. Can’t be done.

 

There is a problem on some of the larger ships with getting into a show. You do have to go a half hour early. I avoid the larger, newer ships for the reason you gave. Plus the rooms and balconies are smaller.

 

They know not everyone can eat in the dining room. They hope many will go to the buffet. If they only had traditional dining, not everyone would get in. There are simply too many people on the larger ships but that seems to be the model they are following. Once you know the system, you can work around it. Sorry you had to experience notime dining without realizing what a disaster it really is.

 

 

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[huskerdan25]

Wow! Why would you expect the cruise line to be responsible for your husbands injury?! Stuff happens and people do at times get injured. So, Princess should refund the cost of getting care due to an injury caused by another passenger or passengers?!

 

There isn't a cruise line around that would refund medical expenses for an injury due to hurting ones foot. But go ahead and see if that works for you on another cruise line.

Edited January 3, 2018 by huskerdan25

[JoyMouse]

It’s interesting to see that you let the Royal board know that you are happy with Royal after Princess while asking the Celebrity board if they had issues with Princess.

 

 

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[capriccio]

 

AFTER REVIEW OF OUR CONCERNS, PRINCESS OFFERED US TWO $29 SPECIALTY DINNERS AND A BOTTLE OF SHIP WINE ON A FUTURE CRUISE. They did not reverse medical charges of $261, which we asked to be refunded. They did not provide compensation for my husband trying to walk in a boot for two days. It was never about the money for my husband and me - we wanted them to care about the issues we faced. We wanted a CARE FREE vacation.

 

Princess? I plan to avoid it. I cruise 3-4 times a year, and it won’t be on Princess.

 

OP - I would hazard a guess that all passengers want a care free vacation but care free doesn't mean cost free when you have an accident that isn't the fault of the ship or crew. I hope your next cruise - on whichever line you chose - is more care free. Just don't have an accident.

[suzieb25]

You said the demographic was much older and very slow. Then how did your husband get trampled if these people could barely move? Why did you not opt for the second show so as not to disrupt your dinner plans?

[eclue]

Wow! Why would you expect the cruise line to be responsible for your husbands injury?! Stuff happens and people do at times get injured. So, Princess should refund the cost of getting care due to an injury caused by another passenger or passengers?!

 

There isn't a cruise line around that would refund medical expenses for an injury due to hurting ones foot. But go ahead and see if that works for you on another cruise line.

Totally agree - we are elite on Princess - have cruised other lines and find that Princess is the very BEST - this person should not cruise on Princess ...more room for those of us that love it!!!

[Seas the Day]

I haven't complained before, and don't intend to do so again. Typically, we roll with the flow.

 

Perhaps we shouldn't expect compensation for an injury. I think there are systemic issues with how the ship works, and they need to be fixed.

 

I read that it isn't an issue with Set Dining, and if I was ever planning to go Princess again, I would choose it. However, "Anytime Dining" worked well for us on Royal Caribbean and Silversea and Celebrity.

 

You can be upset with me for posting a negative review, but it is merely my opinion, and since I take 3-4 cruises a year, my opinion is typically positive! At least it is not that of someone who hasn't cruised a LOT OF times, across multiple cruise lines.

 

I can afford to pay for my own cruises.

[easyboy]

I guess that is how anytime dining works. We choose the showtime that is appropriate for the time we want to have our dinner.

 

 

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[Seas the Day]

Also, for those of you who love Princess, we were repeatedly told that this particular cruise was NOT THE NORM for Princess. Princess elite cruisers repeatedly told us, "We ADORE Princess, but not this ship."

 

They added 100 cabins in Dry Dock and took away space. It is difficult to get directly from Stern to Bow nowadays. There are issues with the Island Princess that Princess devotees repeated throughout the cruise.

 

It is certainly possible that other Princess cruises are better than the non-Princess cruises that I've been on. I sailed on Princes in the 1980's and had a great time!

 

I can only speak for myself. I've sailed multiple lines, multiple times, in recent years - and this was not a good cruise.

 

The response to my complaints - two specialty dinners and a bottle of wine on a future cruise? It felt like an insult.

[Seas the Day]

I guess that is how anytime dining works. We choose the showtime that is appropriate for the time we want to have our dinner.

 

 

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I wish it worked for us!! Seriously! It just didn't. There were too many people who wanted the 7:30pm show. Every night people were turned away. We eventually gave up, and were happier. But, we really wanted to see some of the shows! Especially the Motor City one. I love Motown, having grown up in Detroit. But that was the show where we were headed when my husband was stepped on.

[Coveguy4]

You seemed upset that you could not do what you wanted when you wanted. You are not flexible and wanted to go to dinner when everyone else had the same idea to eat and catch the show. Felt the demographics was too old yet your husband got run over by these old geezers? People take out trip insurance in case of unforeseen problems, being such seasoned travelers I'm surprised you didn't. Try going on the mega ships on RC where you have to reserve your seats months before sailing......Glad the medical issues were not major and all is well.... Save travels in the future!

[Seas the Day]

WOW... just WOW! So very thankful that I won’t be running into you ( pun intended) on a future Princess Cruise. You lost me in the beginning with your harsh criticism of fellow passengers. Sounds like you are so much better than the rest of the world

 

 

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Yes, I questioned whether I should include that. I did meet some very nice people. Unfortunately, or fortunately, whatever the reason, I've just been lucky enough to meet people from other countries who turned into friends. And I liked getting to know them, and what it is like other places.

 

Of course, there were good people on board - I like meeting people different from myself! Is that too pompous?

[AZJerry]

We use Anytime Dining all the time and have never had to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes. Plenty of time to order some wine in a nearby venue. Many times we walk right in. The trick, as it were, is adjust when you go to eat. And we still get to see the shows we care to see.

[Seas the Day]

You seemed upset that you could not do what you wanted when you wanted. You are not flexible and wanted to go to dinner when everyone else had the same idea to eat and catch the show. Felt the demographics was too old yet your husband got run over by these old geezers? People take out trip insurance in case of unforeseen problems, being such seasoned travelers I'm surprised you didn't. Try going on the mega ships on RC where you have to reserve your seats months before sailing......Glad the medical issues were not major and all is well.... Save travels in the future!

 

Thank you for the good wishes! and, you are correct - we are very lucky that nothing worse happened! We carry a year-long travel insurance policy because we travel so often. Sometimes we also purchase the ship insurance, particularly if we are going somewhere far away. We haven't tried to submit a claim to insurance yet for the medical. It really isn't about the $260 anyways. It was about how nothing was working. We/I were just SO FRUSTRATED.

 

As for the old geezers, since we too are retired, I guess we can't move fast enough to get out of their way.

 

As for the mega RC ships, I've actually been okay with them because there are so many options. Since there was more than one place to be at night, and much larger two-floor theaters with multiple exits, I didn't have a problem.

 

One time I was hurt on an RC Tour in KL, Malaysia - long story. I wrote about it in my final questionnaire (never posted a review) and was contacted and told that I could submit a claim if I wanted. I went to the doctor, turned out to be not an issue, and I didn't bother contacting RC again. I suppose I could have, but all's well that ends well. I was not upset at RC because they handled it in a manner that made me feel better.

[mek]

Wow! Why would you expect the cruise line to be responsible for your husbands injury?! Stuff happens and people do at times get injured. So, Princess should refund the cost of getting care due to an injury caused by another passenger or passengers?!

 

There isn't a cruise line around that would refund medical expenses for an injury due to hurting ones foot. But go ahead and see if that works for you on another cruise line.

 

Agree 100% Outrageous expectation.

[Seas the Day]

We use Anytime Dining all the time and have never had to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes. Plenty of time to order some wine in a nearby venue. Many times we walk right in. The trick, as it were, is adjust when you go to eat. And we still get to see the shows we care to see.

 

Lucky you!

 

As I've said, my experience may have been an anomaly, but it was unfortunate.

 

On the positive side, the Canal was cool.

[Belle]

Sorry you didn't like your cruise. Did you know anything about

the Island before you booked?

 

 

It's a small ship. They took away pubic rooms to make more

cabins. To me means more people in less space.

 

Dinning.. could eat later and see the late show. Also ask

for table for two, get out faster.

 

I think your cruise started out wrong for you with the delay

and everything after that was not going to be right with you.

I'm sorry. Hope your husband is feeling better.

[Seas the Day]

Agree 100% Outrageous expectation.

 

So I hear, but not quite the only point I was trying to make.

[Seas the Day]

Sorry you didn't like your cruise. Did you know anything about

the Island before you booked?

 

 

It's a small ship. They took away pubic rooms to make more

cabins. To me means more people in less space.

 

Dinning.. could eat later and see the late show. Also ask

for table for two, get out faster.

 

I think your cruise started out wrong for you with the delay

and everything after that was not going to be right with you.

I'm sorry. Hope your husband is feeling better.

 

Yes! that's what we figured out. If we really wanted to see a show, we ate alone or went to the Horizon Court.

 

We spoke with a table of Travel Agents on board. They told us that 100 cabins were added to the ship, increasing the passenger load by 10%, and the space required was taken from Public Space. Also the Promenade Deck no longer allowed an entire circle of the ship. I don't know if it affected being able to move from Bow to Stern, but I admit to sometimes having to change floors to do so. This could easily be a rap on myself - I tend to learn every ship I am on just in time to disembark.

 

Per the delay, I've cruised enough to know that Post Dry-Dock is likely to have issues. Honestly, I started the cruise happy enough. I visited family in our unforeseen free day. I thought their compensation was fair. It wasn't until we had all the dining and entertainment issues that we started getting upset, and DEFINITELY when my husband was -in our opinion- a victim of what seemed like systemic issues - we weren't happy.

 

Eventually we figured out how to work around things and enjoyed what we could. It's just that I don't think we should have had to figure out so many work-arounds. It's just not what we are used to!

[DrivesLikeMario]

That's perfectly okay, OP. You don't have to love Princess. There are plenty of other cruise lines to try. Princess isn't for everyone. Perhaps you'll be happier on a smaller ship.

[paul929207]

We have had Anytime Dining on 15 or so cruises for 300 or so nights. We have never waited long enough to get a beeper. We go when the second TD dining room converts to AD.

[leck57]

We use Anytime Dining all the time and have never had to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes. Plenty of time to order some wine in a nearby venue. Many times we walk right in. The trick, as it were, is adjust when you go to eat. And we still get to see the shows we care to see.

 

We are the same. We think the set dining times are either too early or too late so we always take anytime dining. I think only once we were given a pager and waited about 5 minutes.

For some reason for the cruises we have taken, we have never not got a seat in the show, in fact the last Royal Princess cruise we did, the shows were never full despite the ship being booked out. We only ever get to the theatre about 10 minutes before showtime and take our chances. If we miss out we'll just come back for the late performance but it hasn't happened yet.

[reedprincess]

Yes! that's what we figured out. If we really wanted to see a show, we ate alone or went to the Horizon Court.

 

We spoke with a table of Travel Agents on board. They told us that 100 cabins were added to the ship, increasing the passenger load by 10%, and the space required was taken from Public Space. Also the Promenade Deck no longer allowed an entire circle of the ship. I don't know if it affected being able to move from Bow to Stern, but I admit to sometimes having to change floors to do so. This could easily be a rap on myself - I tend to learn every ship I am on just in time to disembark.

 

 

Eventually we figured out how to work around things and enjoyed what we could. It's just that I don't think we should have had to figure out so many work-arounds. It's just not what we are used to!

Those changes were made 2 years ago - Not in the recent drydock. Closer to 150 cabins added, shrinking casino, taking out the aft lounge completely, more people for same amount of dining soace, complete buffet overhaul, etc. There's tons if reviews since the extra cabins with comments abiut the difficulties with set dining, less public spaces, etc. Perhaps you didn't do much research at all on the ship, as that info has been well known for two years.

 

Glad you found things you enjoyed in the cruise. Happy sails wherever they may take you.