Mini review of 5/1 Caribbean Princess 10 day

[Scotto97]

Just a few observations:

 

Service was good overall, but lacked the special touch and attention we'd appreciated in the past. Like waiters remembering we like sliced tomatoes nightly and having them on the table when we arrive for traditional dining, or a little extra effort like presenting a cheese plate without asking.

 

We really enjoyed the Ultimate Balcony Dinner, but they wouldn't honor our request to be served the Crown Grill tiger prawns instead of the smallish shrimp cocktail from the dining room. In the past, I believe this would have been done as a nice exception.

 

One big mystery is why, with Princess cutting costs everywhere and focusing on generating more revenue, would they not have more live entertainment poolside?

 

The steel drum player (One guy with drums and a computer), party band, and DJ combined didn't play more than 3 hours a day poolside during sea days. I would guess more music would equal greater drink sales, therefor increasing revenues. Besides, those entertainers are on-board anyway, and I would think they are paid by the week. While BOGO is gone, why wouldn't a $1 off drinks while music is being played poolside not be a good idea? Princess needs to start thinking a little out-of-the-box to generate additional revenue without having to continue cutting service levels. Bars / restaurants do things like this as standard practice - it works.

[stepmor99]

My DH and I were also on this cruise and felt the same way. Service was great, food was mediocre to just ok, but there was nothing exciting about this cruise for us. We felt that because of the added upsell options, Planks and Steamers, food offerings in the buffet were limited. The complimentary breakfast and lunch offerings in these venues were the same every day (Omelet and Ramen stations). I have NEVER seen PB&J offered as a sandwich option at every lunch on a Princess ship before. We had a good time, but cutbacks were very evident. Also, beware of booking a VIP casino cruise if you do not have a VIP designation.........650 VIPs with only 150 slot machines is frustration waiting to happen. Especially when "complimentary drinks while occupying a slot machine" is a benefit of the VIP designation.

[paul929207]

Thanks for the comments

[myfuzzy]

We are sailing the 10 night in September, We just got off the Royal and usually do the Balcony dinner, which we also substituted the CG prawns for the "bargain" shrimp cocktail. I'm surprised to hear your request wasn't honored. Nice to know before hand, so when we ask for it, I will strongly "insist" and see what happens

[eeyoremum]

We were on the same cruise. we felt the level of service was excellent one of the best onboard experience we have had.

 

We had traditional dinning. Inquired one evening if they offered Indian food on the menu. The next evening our server suggested that we only order an appetizer as they took care of the entrée. We were presented with an amazing curry dinner. The servers also knew our drink preferences and were prepared each evening.

 

We ate mostly in the dinning room for breakfast and IC for lunch, we are not really buffet people. The coffee bar staff and the bar staff knew our presences and were always ready to take our order.

 

All in all a great time.

[geoherb]

Thanks for posting your review. It's amazing how much difference the right wait staff can make.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[takeadip]

My DH and I were also on this cruise and felt the same way. Service was great, food was mediocre to just ok, but there was nothing exciting about this cruise for us. We felt that because of the added upsell options, Planks and Steamers, food offerings in the buffet were limited. The complimentary breakfast and lunch offerings in these venues were the same every day (Omelet and Ramen stations). I have NEVER seen PB&J offered as a sandwich option at every lunch on a Princess ship before. We had a good time, but cutbacks were very evident. Also, beware of booking a VIP casino cruise if you do not have a VIP designation.........650 VIPs with only 150 slot machines is frustration waiting to happen. Especially when "complimentary drinks while occupying a slot machine" is a benefit of the VIP designation.

 

I fell like the cost cutting is certainly not just princess... I read on these boards that every cruiseline is sacrificing the goods and services that separate them from the competition... but much to the dismay of the cruisers once you trim back what makes a great cruise... well great... then what you are left with is a commodity and you get run of the mill cruise experiences and sub par services that were once considered way above the norm.

[Reina del Mar]

 

One big mystery is why, with Princess cutting costs everywhere and focusing on generating more revenue, would they not have more live entertainment poolside?

The steel drum player (One guy with drums and a computer), party band, and DJ combined didn't play more than 3 hours a day poolside during sea days.

 

Playing devil's advocate...maybe Princess is of the opinion that some passengers require peace and quiet, as they relax around the pool!

 

There are already MUTS films, too many announcements for the dreaded Art Auctions etc.

[KevintheIrishDJ]

How was the ocean. We got off the ship on May 1 after a 20 day B2B. The storms looked like they affected your cruise.

[Nightengale31]

Also, beware of booking a VIP casino cruise if you do not have a VIP designation.........650 VIPs with only 150 slot machines is frustration waiting to happen. Especially when "complimentary drinks while occupying a slot machine" is a benefit of the VIP designation.

 

I am booked on a VIP casino cruise this coming October on the Caribbean Princess. Not concerned about lack of slots as I usually do my slot playing when most are in bed sleeping, and being a very very casual drinker difficulty getting complimentary drinks is not a deal breaker for me. But, I am certainly interested in what transpires with all else cruise related especially since I have not sailed with Princess since 2012, and can honestly say other than the bad non coffee card coffee all my previous 6 cruises with Princess were great. Hopefully this one will be too, but if not there are other cruise lines to choose from for future cruises.

[eeyoremum]

How was the ocean. We got off the ship on May 1 after a 20 day B2B. The storms looked like they affected your cruise.

 

It was choppy most nights. I passed it off as us being in a balcony, being on deck 14, and being forward. Usually we like a mid - ship interior on deck 6 or 7. The choppy seas didn't bother my husband but I had difficulty sleeping most of the cruise.

[eeyoremum]

 

One big mystery is why, with Princess cutting costs everywhere and focusing on generating more revenue, would they not have more live entertainment poolside?

The steel drum player (One guy with drums and a computer), party band, and DJ combined didn't play more than 3 hours a day poolside during sea days.

 

Playing devil's advocate...maybe Princess is of the opinion that some passengers require peace and quiet, as they relax around the pool!

 

There are already MUTS films, too many announcements for the dreaded Art Auctions etc.

 

I agree, nothing makes me call it quits at the pool faster than the steel drum player...not my thing.

[LibrarianMonroe]

I am booked on a VIP casino cruise this coming October on the Caribbean Princess.

 

How do you tell if a cruise you are on is a VIP casino cruise?

[Scotto97]

I must say the food in Planks was fantastic, and we spend many years living in Texas.

 

Great value and service for the small $12 upcharge.

 

Princess also did a nice job remodeling the area along with the buffet.

 

The poolside Salty Dog was also a nice surprise, but we had mixed feeling on issuing everyone a pager after ordering - even if you wanted just an order of fries.

 

And whoever came up with the $8 upcharge "Ernesto Burger" I question. Although good, it takes over 30 minutes to make. What????? (Of course you also receive a beer for the $8, so really it costs only about $3 net.

[caribill]

How do you tell if a cruise you are on is a VIP casino cruise?

 

You would normally only know before the cruise if you had been offered the VIP casino rate for booking. Also might know if some who did get the offer talk about it on the roll call.

 

Once on the cruise you may see various events for those who did book at the VIP Casino rate. Those who did not book as a part of that promotion cannot attend these events.

[Nightengale31]

How do you tell if a cruise you are on is a VIP casino cruise?

 

Like land casinos, most cruise lines that have onboard gambling have rewards programs and your level of play pretty much dictates the level of rewards that will you will be offered which include comps and discounts for cruises. Throughout the year many of these cruise line casino players clubs will sponsor a number of cruises they designate as casino cruises which they hold a number of patron only events during these cruise like cocktail parties, etc.