I’m glad we went and we had a good time, but I won’t cruise with Princess again.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
This process was extremely fast if you already have your medallion and completed necessary steps prior to embarkation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Given the size and price of alcoholic beverages, we found the drink package to be a great deal.
This was my fourth cruise, and I would have to say that the food was terrible relative to my other experiences. The dining room food was the same quality as the buffet. You could order higher quality options...but for an additional fee, of course. If you are cruising because you are a foodie and/or you enjoy the “traditional” (perhaps old school?) dining experience, you will be disappointed. It is for this reason that, while we had a nice time overall, I don’t plan to cruise with Princess again.
We were lucky to be upgraded to “Club Class,” so we were seated instantly each night. But beware: if you choose anytime dining, you will most likely have to wait in a long line to be seated.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
All of this was pretty typical. I wish there had been more to do on the days at sea. We did appreciate the adults only pool. Note: the pool located near the spa is open to everyone (even though it seems like is is only for the “Sanctuary”), so this was also another quieter option than the crazy main pools.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Given that we are a couple in our thirties, a lot of this did not appeal to us, but that’s to be expected. We did enjoy the “adults only” comedy show and shows that included guests, such as The Voice and the Newlywed Game.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
This was really hit or miss. For example, some of the bartenders were lovely, while others (especially in the casino) wouldn’t even crack a smile. Again, if you are an avid cruiser and have particular expectations for service, you will likely be disappointed.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Given that this is a refurbished ship and based on other reviews, I had my doubts; however, I was pleased with the cleanliness of the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We were in D417, a mini-suite. It was spacious and clean. The bathroom and closet space were the biggest I’ve ever had on a cruise. The bed and pillows were extremely comfortable.
Ship tip
Don’t cruise with Princess if you are a foodie or someone who enjoys the traditional experience of cruising.
This port is pretty boring. We did the land and sea combo and enjoyed the submarine, but that was about it. FYI Hell is really just some rocks and a souvenir shop. Our guide/driver didn’t even say goodbye at the end.
I’m glad we did a relaxing beach day in Mahogany Bay. The drinks and food were pricey but good. The snorkeling was fun (make sure you wear a lot of sunscreen on your back!). The chairlift was fun
You definitely want a planned excursion here. Our tour guide was awesome. We did zip lining and cave tubing. With a large group there was a lot of waiting, but it was worth it.
We did the Tulum ruins/beach club. This was exactly what I expected, but it was a bummer that the seaweed problem kept us out of the water. It was so sad to see that clear aqua water turn brown! Nobody’s fault, but too bad.
My husband and I have been on 15 cruises with over 165 days at sea.... we found Princess (this was our first time aboard Princess) to be delightful... I think you are correct... when you say some of the food staff in the Salty Dog were not the friendliest... I try to remember that the staff typically, is pretty sleep deprived while trying to meet our needs... and that isn’t just for our cruise it is for months at a time... they do get days off... but it is not each time we come into a port. I find it amazing they can smile at all...
You are not alone in your evaluation of the food, though our weeks in the MDR, the food was excellent... as was the entertainment. I thought it was better than any other ship we have sailed. It might be a better pick to sail with Carnival or Royal Caribbean if you want lots of action.... for my husband and me.... we love Caribbean Princess..
Wow. This just goes to show that so much is subjective. We were on that sailing and in Club Class. I thoroughly enjoyed the food ( it is, afterall, prepared for thousands of people, not just a few. This was our 18th cruise - 13th with Princess (the 1st being in 1991) - and I stick with Princess as it has the 'Old time Cruise experience' atmosphere, with formal nights and all, not the nightclub, go to the amusement park atmosphere. So I am a bit confused as to how Princess in not the traditional cruising experience. But then, we are in our mid 60s. I have long said that Princess is not for the younger crowd ;)
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
