Bad Reports about Pacific Princess, are they true?

[LewiLewi]

We loved the smaller Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess, but have not sailed on them in many years. We know the Ocean Princess was sold, but are considering a cruise on the Pacific Princess.

From our TA's advice and some of the CC reviews, we are questioning whether or not to cruise on the Pacific Princess again.

Reports of old and dirty furniture, carpeting, etc. as well as plumbing and "smells" around the ship have been noted.

Is this true? We would be very disappointed to book this cruise and find out the ship was actually in this condition.

[cheeseclan]

We were just on the Pacific in August of this year.  We had an absolutely fabulous time.  The ship has been rehabbed  and it looks great.  The food and staff were wonderful.  Would go on this ship again in a heartbeat!

[beg3yrs]

I agree with cheeseclan. We were on the Pacific Princess for 51 days this year and it's great. All new, or at least reupholstered, furniture in cabins (they used to be dark, now much brighter), on deck, in the casino bar, MDR and Panorama buffet including the outside veranda dining. When we were there, the casino was 100% non-smoking. We're booked on her again at the end of 2019 for another 31 days.

[paul929207]

We were on the Pacific for 48 days and loved every one.

[LarryL]

We leave, tomorrow, to board the Pacific on the 5th for this years transatlantic cruise out of Civitavecchia. I've read the same reviews and have opted to take them with a grain of salt. She has been refurbished in 2017 and ,by most accounts, is in great shape. I will be making notes and my wife and I will corroborate our experiences in the form of a review. That said, we are anticipating a wonderful cruise.  

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, beg3yrs said:

 When we were there, the casino was 100% non-smoking. 

I sure hope that's still the case when we take our next 2 Pacific cruises.

[conifercruiser]

Love the PP! The one place that definitely could use some TLC is the Pacific Lounge, the furniture in there didn't get updated during the refurb last year and it was really looking tired. Don't recall any strange smells at all. I wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again (in fact, we'll be on her for over 60 days next year). If the itinerary and price work for you - GO!

[Ron the Rev]

Best ship in the Princess fleet.

[partybarbie]

I've spent about 45 days on her, including a 30-day Trans-Atlantic.  I like that she is small and can get into ports that the larger ships don't go to.  The library is beautiful.  We also enjoyed playing "cocktail karaoke" in the Casino Bar before late-seating dinner.  The service and food were excellent. 

 

What I don't care for is the "shabby-chic" old lady decor, no MUTS, no IC, and that there is only one pool.  If the itinerary and price were good, I would sail her again.  Otherwise, I really like the Island Princess, which a lot of people on this forum don't care for. 

[Colo Cruiser]

Report from a current cruiser onboard yesterday says the show lounge furniture was not updated etc.

Still tired broken down fabrics/seat cushions etc.

[cruisequeen4ever]

It’s not my favorite ship by far, but that’s not for the reasons you mentioned. It’s just because I prefer bigger ships. We did have a toilet that flushed mysteriously on its own at times and a balcony divider that rattled, but those were the only issues we had. My DH loves that ship because it really feels like a ship at sea and offers more unique itineraries. If there’s a cruise aboard her you’re interested in, do it.

[Cruiserkenn]

Thanks, all, for the good comments about the Pacific Princess.  I am going on a 2019 Med. cruise, and I can hardly wait😌😎😋

[KevintheIrishDJ]

Small ship cursing is not for everyone.  Shows are not elaborate and less activities onboard.

[gardenbunny]

We booked our first half-WC on Pacific Princess in 2017.  54 days from Sydney to Venice. We fell in love.  Totally understand why people love that ship.  It does have that classic traditional cruise decor when cruising was only for the upper class but friends who have been on board since the refurb said the areas that got the refit are very nice.  (and they did not understand why they did nothing in the theater and Pacific Lounge).  They asked the crew and got the impression from them that it might have more done in those areas before the WC....we shall see.   We are back on board Jan 20 for the full 96 day WC and I cannot wait to be back.  Small ship cruising is not for everyone, but since we have cruised on PP,  I find I don't like being back on the larger ships!  

[Sailor Taylor]

Is she the smallest ship in the fleet?   

[caribill]

53 minutes ago, Sailor Taylor said:

Is she the smallest ship in the fleet?   

Yes. 670 lower berth passengers.

[caribill]

6 hours ago, KevintheIrishDJ said:

Small ship cursing is not for everyone.  Shows are not elaborate and less activities onboard.

Yes, not as much scenery and props for the shows, but the performers are as good as on the other Princess ships.

 

On the Pacific Princess the production show cast members also double as members of the Cruise Director's staff so you get to know them and how nice they are as a person.

[Sailor Taylor]

HAL sadly is getting rid of their smallest ship which I think is bigger than Pacific.  Glad Princess is keeping her.   I have her booked for 2020.  Looking forward to it.  

[HaveDogWillTravel]

On 12/1/2018 at 7:25 AM, partybarbie said:

I've spent about 45 days on her, including a 30-day Trans-Atlantic.  I like that she is small and can get into ports that the larger ships don't go to.  The library is beautiful.  We also enjoyed playing "cocktail karaoke" in the Casino Bar before late-seating dinner.  The service and food were excellent. 

 

What I don't care for is the "shabby-chic" old lady decor, no MUTS, no IC, and that there is only one pool.  If the itinerary and price were good, I would sail her again.  Otherwise, I really like the Island Princess, which a lot of people on this forum don't care for. 

I love the Island! Three previous cruises and two more booked on her.  

I’ve got my first cruise booked on Pacific for 2020 and really looking forward to it. 

[paul929207]

7 hours ago, Sailor Taylor said:

Is she the smallest ship in the fleet?   

Yes. The next smallest is the Coral Princess with about 2000.

[flamomo]

I have cruised several times on the lovely PP, my all time favorite ship in the entire Princess fleet, and cannot wait to be aboard again for the two cruises I have booked on her in 2019.  A friend and I spent 23 days on her in the past year, and she is as wonderful as ever. The refurb did perk things up significantly, despite the lack of at least new upholstery for the furniture in the Pacific Lounge. The furniture there is looking rather worn, but it was still reasonably comfortable while seated. However it can be a bit of a struggle to arise after sitting due to the sagging upholstery. 

 

One last comment ….. the two cruises booked for 2019 were booked largely because of them being offered on the PP. The itineraries were both great, but that played a lesser part in our choice to book them.

Edited December 3, 2018 by flamomo

[realtorcruiser]

We have been on the Pacific three times, most recent in July. Ship has been updated. The staff are beyond excellent. So good we are doing another cruise in August.

[zukecruiser]

Was on a TA to Europe in June and had a great time on the Pacific Princess.  First time on the PP and everything went well.  Really liked being able to walk between the decks as not nearly as many as on the larger Princess ships.  No stage for the production shows, on the dance floor, very well done.  Not the best weather still had a great cruise.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes the smallest.

16 hours ago, Sailor Taylor said:

Is she the smallest ship in the fleet?   

Yes.

[frugaltravel]

Obviously much of this is subjective.  I spent 23 nights on the Pacific about a year ago and loved it.  Furnishings were just fine.  Great crew, and as was said, many of the crew had dual roles which was fun to be able to see them in different capacities and to interact with them.  I wouldn't hesitate to book another cruise on the Pacific.