Experience on Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess Cruise Review to Europe - Western Europe

EDT48

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 63

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

12 Night British Isles With Kirkwall (London Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 01, 2017

Ship: Caribbean Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: B633

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This cruise has been a long time dream, and it came true. Caribbean Princess was a great ship, as all the Princess ships I've been to. A few disappointments. We were 3 seniors in a stateroom and in it had a bunk bed. We did not realize the third bed would be a bunk. Imagine us climbing the ladder... The ladder was situated where it was in the way if we needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Perhaps, Princess should pay attention to ages, if 3 or more, and advise and recommend passengers-to-be the type of stateroom/suite, especially for seniors. On first formal evening, which was second night on sea, brother in law was told by headwaiter (will not name him) he needed to wear a long sleeve. He is of Hawaiian descent and was wearing a "formal" Hawaiian shirt, short sleeve (how else in Hawaii?). Brother in law felt insulted and didn't join us and put a damper to our evening. The rest of us (in our table) had already entered the dining room and didn't know he wasn't joining us until my sister came in and told us; otherwise we wouldn't have gone in either. There was no mention of what type of "formal" it was to be on the Patter. It did on the second formal evening (on the Patter) that stated "for the enjoyment of others". Why would we or for anyone else in the dining room care for the enjoyment of others, we're there for our enjoyment.

Perhaps ship photos should not be charged so high. I noticed there were a lot of pictures left on the walls, and it may be because the price is high.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our steward, Smit, and our dining, Rea & Raul, were fantastic!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

It was fine and comfortable, except for the bunk bed.

Ship tip

Early dining is best. You'll have enough time to watch entertainment show and other activities for the evening.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

5 out of 5

St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands

5 out of 5

Cobh (Cork), Ireland

5 out of 5

Dublin, Ireland

5 out of 5

Belfast, Northern Ireland

5 out of 5

Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland

5 out of 5

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

3 out of 5

Did not dock because of weather

Thumbs Up 2

Invergordon (Inverness & Loch Ness), Scotland

5 out of 5

South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland

5 out of 5

Le Havre (Paris), France

5 out of 5

8 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks

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MisterMet 7 years ago

There's very little overhead on the photographs and for every 5 that don't sell, it only takes the sale of 1 to actually make a profit. Unless they are formal photos, we always find that ours are better and more enjoyable. Glad you enjoyed your cruise..

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MisterMet 7 years ago

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stu1935 7 years ago

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BonitaCruisers 7 years ago

You are troopers- can't imagine your cabin situation, and I guess there was nothing left on the ship. We tend to research ahead trying to find out how to find a great cabin and the same with tours as we aren't really loyal to a line but itinerary, cabin, and dining are important to us.

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Turnerfam9 7 years ago

As a Senior myself, I daresay I understand your questions and comments. Firstly, I'm sure you're not the selfish type that the mere wording of your post might indicate to some thoughtful readers. Secondly, if your brother-in-law is correct on the accepted style of formal Hawai'ian dress, shame on the cruise line for not having researched this already. (What they mean by "the enjoyment of others" is that they know shorts and flip-flops may be fun for the wearer, but detract from the formal air, thus causing others - everyone else besides the wearer of the offending garb - to be disappointed with the evening.) Third, I agree with you about the bunk bed issue. It's too bad a sense of common decency replaced our lust for profits. The person you spoke with to book your cruise might have been a bit more helpful on the front end; it would have cost them little - just a moment of time. The positives that can now be gleaned from your experience include being more knowledgeable about what to cover in booking future cruises. Happy sailing!

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willwork4cruz 7 years ago

Glad that overall you had a good time. I wonder if you used a travel agent. An agent, brochure, video or just asking about accommodations would have let you know how extra beds work on cruise ships. Research is the key to fun. Although I love Hawaiian shirts, they are not formal wear. It's nothing personal, just customary fashion. I don't know how to answer why people should care about the enjoyment of others. Following rules and trying not to offend others is just a part of being in a society. We don't need to upset others to have our own enjoyment. There is enough for everyone if we are all considerate.

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