Coastal - West Coast Cruise Reviews

15 years ago we sailed on the Golden Princess and were wowed! Beautiful ship, excellent service, excellent food. Last week we sailed on the Grand Princess and found it less than grand. The ship is boring looking compared to the other 17 average at best. Embarkation & disembarkation was excellent, as was dining room service, but very few options for vegetarians (1 main dish selection) and ship really needs a remodel (tile grout missing, lines for every women's bathroom), toilets out of service).

We boarded Star Princess in Vancouver. Unlike most cruises going to the US, a US immigration would already process passports right in Canada Place pier before passengers can board a ship heading to the US. Princess didn't have that. When we got into our first stop, LA, the ship, with 2,700 passengers lined up to have our documents processed by US immigration. Princess blamed the US immigration for the line up, which many people did not believe. Most of us are from Canada and familiar with the procedures when boarding vessels or planes heading to the US. Even the American guests were not able to leave the ship because they couldn't jump the thousands ahead of them who were already lined up as early at 7 AM, ( the time we were directed to disembark)

The LA excursions were cut short and the excursion companies blamed Princess for the late disembarkation of the passengers.

Santa Barbara excursion to the old catholic mission filled with history never occurred. It was a mere quick drive and that was it. The Montecito excursion to view Hollywood celebrities homes were also a quick drive on the road where tourists saw nothing except tall fences and large trees. These are sights common in many countries  and the Santa Barbara excursion offered nothing. It's best just to walk along the coast lines and discover the area near the pier on your own...

Anything else -entertainment, food, the ship and amenities are good.

There were some people we encountered who pushed and  cut in line. Some were quite rude and just didn't have social skills but that's not the fault of the cruise line. 

The staff in Princess have their name tags and represent their countries. Some people find this offensive.

This ship was in sad shape.  Many of the crew members were not cheerful and were very, very tired. The stateroom was not set up with the items that we took the time to prearrange (distilled water, raised bed, coffee card, beer, extension cords, etc.).  The mold in our mini-suite bathroom was disgusting!  Princess has either completely missed the mark on this ship or has gone so far downhill that we may never cruise with our former favorite cruise line again. The bed was too hard and too low for me. The "plush" bathrobes looked like the had been used everyday for 50 years and the ties didn't even match. The laundry service was a complete disaster time and time again, ruining two items and failing to get the formal items back on time in decent condition. The jacuzzis in the lotus spa were not warm.  Really? I got cold while sitting in it. The couch in the mini suite needs to be cleaned.  I broke out in a rash just sitting briefly on it. The sliding door to the balcony was very difficult to open. The dining room was often difficult to get into.

The pluses, now.  Ample closet space, nice sized safe that requires a code rather than a card allowed us both access. Most of the food in the restaurants was very good, but I have to say I was refused child size portions. I liked the accessibility of our stateroom.  I did not for once have to compete with housekeeping carts due to the proximity to the elevator.  But our Accessible Mini Suite was smaller in size than our Accessible Balcony Stateroom on another cruise line.

I suggest that ship designers always consider wheelchairs, luggage and housekeeping carts when designing the hallways to the staterooms, as well as elevators.  

The ports visited were great selections and the onboard entertainment was very enjoyable! The food was great and service was excellent! However, the 3,400 number of passengers was a bit too large for our group of four - waiting time for anytime dining was way too long. Also, seats at the Princess Theater for the 8:00pm shows appears to be inadequate as we had to stand for three shows.

We left San Pedro and headed north to San Francisco , a day at sea and then San Francisco. The next day at sea and then Santa Barbara , the next stop was San Diego and then Ensenada . We had good weather and smooth sailing .

Sadly, the menu's in the dining room are being cut to pieces.  Hamburgers replacing steak on the "anytime" side. Many of the evening meat dishes are greasy and unappealing.

The Princess Theater is set up in a way the forces  you to remain in the seat or disturb numerous people when the show is not to your liking.

Everything was soooo easy! Embarkation was doable. Slight delay at the elevators (not bad though) - slight delay getting the luggage delivered - but weren't in a real hurry. Weather was glorious! Incredible views from underneath the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz while sipping champagne. Tried anytime dining for a change - didn't like the lines. Enjoyed the ports of call.

PRINCES CRUIS BY FAR IS EXCELLENT........WE'VE CRUISED PRINCESS MANY TIMES IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADD THEM TO OUR CRUISE LISTOF LINES.....WE HAVE CRUISED ALL MAJOR LINES.....

ON THIS TRIP,

1) THE FOOD HAS BEEN THE BEST EVER, ...( DID YOU GET A NEW CHEF???)

2)

OLGA TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF US IN OUR BALCONY ROOM C-328

3) ENTERTAINMENT WAS GOOD,( THE WIGS OF THE DANCERS NEEDED HELP)

4 )SPENT ALL OUR FREE TIME WHEN OPEN IN THE CASINO

GREAT CREW THERE, VERY PLEASENT EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE LOOSING MONEY....LOL   A FUN TIME HAD BY ALL

5) MICHELANGELO DINNING ROOM.....CARLOS...MAITRE-D'....WAS OUTSTANDING....OUTSTANDING......ALSO NICOLE, AND GUIDO...IN THE OTHER DINNING ROOMS....THEY WERE HEADS OF THE DINNING DEPT...SORRY , DONT REMEMBER THEIR LAST NAMES....THEY WERE ALL iTALIANS......THE VERY BEST AT MAKING YOU FELL LIKE YOU WERE THE ONLY ONES ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SHIP...

6)  IN SHORT, WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND EVERYONE MADE US FEEL LIKE FAMILY, VERY POLITE, ALWAYS SAID HELLO NO MATTER WHERE WE WERE......

7) ONLY ONE ISSUE WASN'T ADDRESSED.....FOR US CHRISTIANS,  GOOD FRIDAY, A VERY RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY WAS SPENT ON THE SHIP AND NOTHING ORGANIZED WAS AVAILABLE TO US ......YOU DO ALWAYS HAVE THE SABBETH CELEBRATED ON THE SHIP EVERY FRIDAY FOR OUR JEWISH FRIENDS ON ALL YOUR CRUISES....( YOU ASK IF ANYONE IS AVAILABLE TO DO A SERVICE) .....JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE AWARE OF THIS.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR A FUN TIME , HAVE ALREADY GIVEN MY DEPOSIT FOR MY NEXT CRUISE ON BOARD

I absolutely love these short trips. Keeps cruising alive and allows you to get a taste. No issues whatsoever with this sailing. Love it. Did it both ways LA to Canada and vice-versa.

Just got off the Ruby Princess, had a nice cruise, spite the weather which gave all of us a bit of rough seas going north. The ship's food quality was very good & tasty. The entertainment was cruise ship quality as expected. the value was very good in today's cruise market. Definately cruising on this ship again.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Cruise personnel were excellent; food & drinks refreshing; plenty of time for relaxation. The excursion to Alcatraz (# 206 A) was great, however there was not enough time allotted to tour all the exhibits. We viewed the short introductory video and then did the self guided tour, but had to hurry back to catch the ferry. There was considerably more to examine & view, but no time. Everyone on the tour complained about the short time allotted, and in fact 2 people missed the ferry .

I was also on the Oct 10th coastal cruise and fully agree with another poster. This cruise was Thumbs a Down! Looked like they couldn't find any quality  entertainment so they hired third rate performers. They didn't have a stage production until the second to last night. No balloon drop, no end of cruise party in the Piazza. Dining room waiters were rude. So was the head waiter. The cruise director fell down on his job. This cruise was lack-luster and Blah. The same cruise the following week was noticeably better. Quite a difference. 

This was our first time on Royal Caribbean and we were both pleasantly surprised. The ship was beautiful and the staff was very attentive, friendly and helpful at every turn.  The balcony cabin on the 8th deck was comfortable with plenty of storage and the shower even had a glass door. The itinerary was fantastic with an overnight in San Francisco.  We rode the cable cars, ate crab cocktail on Fisherman's Wharf, and enjoyed a sundae at Ghiradelli Square.  I'm giving it 5 stars because this was a cruise we'd been looking forward to, particularly since RCCL rarely sets sail from southern California.  

Departure facilities were a disaster, dining room requests not honored even though booked one yr in advance, shows were of very poor quality, bar drinks not worth the expensive price, & rude/curt employees in Scooner Bar & in Windjammer Restaurant drink/refreshment area.  

The staff and food was great. The handling of the passengers getting on the cruise was a nightmare. I do not blame the crew they were great . RCCL was the nightmare. We had to wait two hours to get our transfer and another two hours in line to get on to the ship. Then the computers went down and had to wait another half of an hour. We then had to fight with RCCL to get our bonus of $300.00. We did not receive the bonus till a day before we were getting off. I must say that Cruise 411 was wonderful. When I called them they were much more professional than RCCL and fought to get our $300.00 . Great job You deserve the 5 STARS

The Embarkation was the worst of all time of 49 cruises. Royal does not usually sail from San Pedro so they ended up at the end of the pier.

The people at the port did not give proper directions and it was not fun. They had us drive from the parking lot to the end of the pier and drop off people an luggage.

The shuttle bus would take luggage and passengers and it would of saved a lot of time.

The boarding process was done from a tent and it was hot, long lines, and little direction. We were sent to the wrong line and then the power went out and the whole process stopped.

We did not get introduced to our room steward the whole trip.

Our room had the last two cruise compass in the drawer, there was an old water bottle in the room.

The boat is an older boat with  a lot of charm. It is ready for the Royal upgrade as the newer boats have flat screens in the rooms.

Great time after a bad start.

This was our first trip on NCL.

All in all, we had a wonderful time on our Norwegian cruise.  The entertainment was top notch, the best I've ever seen on a cruise. We have sailed previously on two other cruise lines making this our 4th cruise.

The "open" hours for food and beverages was rather awkward. It was actually a bit difficult to obtain the complimentary items at times although the advertising makes it sound like everything is available around the clock. Our last night on the ship, we searched high and low to find a place to have a bite to eat with a cocktail. The only bar still open was in the casino with smokers and no meal service and the only place to order food was in the sports bar which had closed off all beverage service. They were on opposite ends of the boat!  And, mind you this was just around 11:30pm/midnight, not the middle of the night! Fortunately, it was a small boat.

The buffet lines were also confusing and collided into each other from opposite ends. The menus did not have much, if any, variation from night to night.

Also, there were many times when nothing much was happening or there were 3 things scheduled all at the same time. With the many typos in the program, it was very confusing. Things were listed that weren't happening and for the wrong day or in the wrong location.

We still had a great time and made some wonderful new friends!

This was our first trip on NCL.

All in all, we had a wonderful time on our Norwegian cruise.  The entertainment was top notch, the best I've ever seen on a cruise. We have sailed previously on two other cruise lines making this our 4th cruise.

The "open" hours for food and beverages was rather awkward. It was actually a bit difficult to obtain the complimentary items at times although the advertising makes it sound like everything is available around the clock. Our last night on the ship, we searched high and low to find a place to have a bite to eat with a cocktail. The only bar still open was in the casino with smokers and no meal service and the only place to order food was in the sports bar which had closed off all beverage service. They were on opposite ends of the boat!  And, mind you this was just around 11:30pm/midnight, not the middle of the night! Fortunately, it was a small boat.

The buffet lines were also confusing and collided into each other from opposite ends. The menus did not have much, if any, variation from night to night.

Also, there were many times when nothing much was happening or there were 3 things scheduled all at the same time. With the many typos in the program, it was very confusing. Things were listed that weren't happening and for the wrong day or in the wrong location.

We still had a great time and made some wonderful new friends!

As many are aware it has been about five years since RCCL has sailed from Los Angeles. It is a pleasure to drive to the ship rather than fly to the destination , stay in a hotel and take an over priced cab to the cruise port. We first went to Santa Barbara, always a pretty place with good weather. Then for a two day stay in San Fransico. The ship docks near pier 39 which is convenient. The hop on and off bus picks up from there and was a good way to see the city. After that we went to Monterey. We took an excursion that went along the 17 mile drive. We stopped at pebble beach, the fame lone cypress tree and to Carmel. Well worth the time and effort. Our final stop was in Ensenada. I have been there many times. We took a walk from the ship looked at the minor changes in the main business district then had lunch. It is a nice place but not exciting in any way. The cruise is not to be repeated any time soon according to the schedule. I have been told this is probably because of the revenues. Well worth the time to go.

we started the trip by taking the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver. The trip was approximately four hours and we arrived in Vancouver at 11:45. A $15 taxi ride to the cruise terminal.

There were three ships in port this day. The embarkation was very time consuming. We went in checked in and then received our key cards. We were given a number and told to wait until we were called to security. The entire process was about three hours. 

Once onboard we had a great time. The Crown Princess is in good shape overall. This was not the friendliest crew I have sailed with but it was three days, so I can understand. The service was good. 

We ate in the dining room two nights and the food was good service was good. We had anytime dining. We arrived at 5. When we left the was a considerable line to get in the dining room. The last night we went to the Crown Grill. The service was good the food fantastic. 

We were in A615 a balcony cabin. The room was in good shape and our cabin stewardess Ethel was great. 

If you are looking for a relaxing three days I would recommend one of these short coastal trips.