To anyone who is considering using princess cruise lines, please read the following all the way through before making your decision.
A small background about me. I am a single 29 year old RN who specializes in helping cancer patients. I only get three weeks off a year (that includes my sick time). I have never traveled anywhere or done anything because I have dedicated myself to helping others. I dont usually complain about things and tend to go with the flow.
This year, I decided to celebrate my 29th birthday by finally going to see Ireland and Scotland. I was told that Princess cruise lines would be perfect for me due to more luxury, amazing food/rooms and next to no kids (I have none and did not want to have to deal with the whining, misbehaving or complaining). I was very excited and took two full weeks off (out of only three im allowed a year). I even pre-booked my shore excursions and a spa package.
However, my time on board was anything but amazing. If it was not for the amazing time on land, my vacation would have been completely ruined instead of mostly ruined. If it was just one or two things, it would not have been a big deal. However, the following list is too long to be just me (which was confirmed when I talked with many of the other guests). However, this is my account and I can not speak for anyone else.
My issues we as follows:
1. I thought there would be very few kids but I guess with the 4th holiday, there are quite a few. in fact, had a family with three kids on my 8hr shore excursion that ruined it for me by the constantly whining and talking and complaining and what not; could barely hear the tour guides interesting facts most of time. The cruise line really should warn people if kids are on that particular shore excursion. upon complaining, they blew me off saying sorry, nothing we could do. asked for a refund stating i didn't get what i paid for/didnt enjoy it, they said they couldnt but i could write it and maybe they could submit it for evaluation.
2. I've noticed that they treat groups way better than solo travelers.
3. They cancelled my 1st shore excursion without even telling me. I only found out when I went down to ask for my ticket.
4. I pre-booked a spa package and they seemed to have no idea what it was and gave me the run around for the first two days (despite me asking to book it on July 7th: 1st day at sea). Then when they finally got everything straightened out, that day was already booked- had to chose a different day (second to last day was all they had left).
5. On my day in at guernsey, I arrived at the port for the tender to take me back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. There was a long line, no big deal because I was told it would move quickly. It took 3 hours to get back onto the ship. No one kept us up to date and they only started giving out water at the end. By that time, I was already sunburned and very dehydrated (did not have any alcohol at all) and was becoming symptomatic. I almost had to go to onboard doctor just to get IV hydration but luckily was ok after chugging A LOT of water into the next morning (had splitting headache until about 430am local time). I understand they can not control how rough the sea is but someone should have kept us informed and started giving us water way sooner.
6. The food onboard is horrible and/or cold most of the time. The breakfast also has the same things everyday- quite disappointing. The bread on dinner table is always so hard.
- I lost a total of 5 pounds in my vacation. I was 181.8lbs the morning I left for vacation and was 176.6 lbs when I got back (which considering i was on day 1 of my period and bloated, probably had lost more than that actually)
7. I pre-ordered the unlimited soda and more package because they said they have variety of coke products. However, they only have coke, diet coke and sprite- none of which I drink. it was false advertising in my opinion because it sounded like they had a good variety and they don't. So, more money wasted.
-They also informed me that even though I have the unlimited soda and more, I cant have can soda, only fountain soda- which is always flat (my receipt I printed did not say only fountain, had no * or any other indications that it was fountain only. However, once on board that was when they said it was). I was also not allowed a refund of that either.
8. The bed was barely ok (lumpy), everything else was not. The tv sound kept cutting in and out despite what level I put volume on.
9. The bathroom is ridiculously small. The shower was so small that any time I moved my arms even slightly away from my body, it went out of shower. im tall and slim- so that is ridiculous.
10. The crew on the ship are mostly useless. If you ask a simple question (like if the outlets are ok for USA plugs or if I need my adapter, no one seemed to know). Most ignored me and instead chatted with their coworkers. If I interrupted, I wad given a dirty look.
11. I got so tired of complaining and only hearing "sorry but nothing we can do." I even tried calling but no success. On several occasions I was placed on hold and then hung up on and/or it timed out. its ridiculous. room service did the same thing to me.
12.The air in the room. I put it at the coldest setting and it was still quite warm.
13. There are quite a few cracked tiles on the floor of my bathroom (which I know does not interfere with function but still).
14. It is also almost impossible to get cold water in the shower. Sometimes the water is so scalding hot that I had to leave the water on for quite awhile just to cool down. I talked to another couple at shared dining who had same problem. They called and no one came. So after an hour, they called again and still no one came. Then after another hour they went down and got the plumber to come up. It shouldn't be that hard.
15. According to their online info, I should have had a bottle water in my room- there wasn't.
16. The fridge wasn't cold and there is nothing inside (no bottle water in there either).
17. when I was in the dining room and decided to eat alone, it was like they forget about me. I see couples usually get their food within about 15 minutes on average. However, mine was about 30 minutes (for same dish).
-it took 1.5 hours to complete my meal in Italian restaurant (with just me).
18. I also find it quite ridiculous that as much as I paid for the cruise (single people/travelers have to pay more), I also had to pay a $25-30 cover charge for most food places. I wouldn't even eat that much worth of food. It would be more understandable to pay for meal than that!
-I will admit the only decent food I did eat was in the italian restaurant. That being said, couldn't make any changes to items on menu because they are "pre-made already". The soup I ordered with mushrooms had two very thinly sliced half mushroom pieces (probably equaled about 1/10 of one mushroom. When I looked at the table next to me when theirs was brought over, it was very obvious that they both had a lot of mushrooms in their bowls). The seafood pasta had two shrimp, a bunch of clam shells but only one small clam.
19. Constantly changing water temperature while in the shower.
20. The onboard entertainment was a joke and bad.
21. There was an "unhosted singles and solo traveler" event onboard which was also a joke. Next to no one there and no actual activity other than sitting at bar with handful of people drinking.
22. They don't update onboard account very often (today july 5, last updated 2nd).
23. There was speakers in the room and bathroom for overhead announcements but could not hear anything on them. I had to go out into hallway or main area to hear it.
24. The orange juice very water down.
25. Even when I was told the egg whites are completely cooked, I cut them open to find runny egg whites every time.
26. To be able to enjoy a relaxing adult only area, I had to pay a fee. each time
27. I went to 4 different bar locations to try to get a fountain coke before morning tours and they were all closed. every time.
28. As far as the internet I bought and paid for on board. It would say I was connected. It would take my minutes. However, whenever I brought open something (internet browser, messenger or even facebook) they all said I was not connected.
29. The photo guy came into Italian restaurant on my birthday (I was wearing my birthday tiara) and offered to take pictures of every other guest but me (I was eating alone).
30. I tried to buy something. The lady walked away as I went up to the register. I waited almost 4 minutes before I gave up (so I pulled out a piece of paper, wrote "congrats! you just missed a sale") and walked away.
31. I went into vines (general store). I wondered about an item so I asked the store clerk in clear voice my question. He turned around and went over to a lady on opposite side of store who had just walked in, picked up a flyer and started asking about if she has tried it. The lady hadnt even asked for him or acknowledge that she needed help.
32. It was suppose to be smoke free in the ship. I saw people smoking in casino in non smoking part. I also could smell the smoke from cigarettes near my room more often than not.
33. When ordering room service, they wouldn't bring me soda of any kind despite having the package.
34. I went to get an ice cream cone. I finally get to front and was told I would have to get it in a bowl (they could put cone on top if I liked- guess the soft serve was too soft?).
35. They were ok with knocking on my door when they needed something (passport or turn down). However, my pamper me package didn't get delivered to my room until 7-8-15). I only had one message to let me know.
36. I was at steamers seafood for dinner (alone). The waitress brought bread to my table, I told her I was ready to order. She said ok, turned around and went to the table with a couple to wait on them first.
-Also, the fish was so mushy it was not edible. I also got slightly sick from eating that food. the rest of the seafood was so bland.
37. I was told there was no avocado at all on board (wanted to make an omelette with avocado on top). Then at steamers, one of my meals had avocado in it.
38. south queensferry-I was waiting to disembark for shore excursion extra 40 minutes. No one told us why. I finally went to talk re:concerns about my tour that afternoon. Then they told us there was medical disembark and that was hold up.
-my morning tour was shorted by 30 minutes. Which meant that instead of 45 minutes in the castle, I only had about 10-15 to get through entire castle, church and gardens, which ruined the experience. I tried again to complain and get a partial refund but did not receive anything for any of the ruined trips.
39. I went to a second unhosted single/solo traveler get together. I was the only person to show up. The bar was completely empty except the staff and I. They were standing around chatting and laughing. When a waiter finally came over, I asked for water. He walked the 7-10 steps back to bar. After 6 minutes waiting for my water and still not getting it, I got up and walked out.
40. A kid was running down narrow hallway, getting in peoples way and parents watched him.
41. I paid for a 50 minute massage. I figured the other 10 minutes of the hour were for changing. I showed up 15 minutes early per the spa recommendation. The massage started at 803am and she stopped at 845a. That definitely was not a full 50 minutes. I also asked not to touch my feet because im very ticklish- she did. I asked no oil in my hair- she did some.
42. They do have a laundromat on the floor (3 machines) but have to pay to use them and pay for detergent if didnt bring own.
43. In beginning of cruise, I was told I had to buy ticket to get off boat if I just wanted to explore on own. Then towards the end, someone else said that wasnt true at all.
44. The water pressure in bathroom sink is barely there/non existent.
45. The bus driver in France was constantly on his cell while driving. I even took a picture. everyone knows that isn't safe and yet princess is apparently ok with it. luckily we didn't have an accident but again- shouldn't have occurred.
46. When they did have lobster for dinner (in regular dining area), it was tasteless and not good at all. If that would have been my first time having lobster, I would never eat it again.
47. I decided to do the shore excursion to the palace of versailles, which included the gardens and lunch. However, that is grossly overstated. It was really a walk through the gardens to lunch. Then, after I had already taken a seat at lunch, I was asked to move so that a group on the tour could sit there since I came by myself. Apparently, it is ok for me to fill a seat by itself but splitting a group is unthinkable.
48. In the dining room final night of dinner, I actually saw them pre-set a table with a huge gorgeous bowl of salad, different appetizers, bread, etc. before the people even showed up. Yet it took them quite awhile to even get me seated/get me shrimp cocktail. Then, when I asked for a refill on my coke, they seemed surprised. Yet that other table had all their drinks (including specialty alcohol drinks) within 60 seconds of sitting down.
49. I called front desk to see if they have a scale so I can weigh my luggage, they said they do and can have someone up in 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, no one had come up. I called and they said someone should be up soon. Another 30 minutes go by and still no one. So, I called again and got the same line, someone should be up soon. After two hours of waiting since I first called, I called again begging to send anyone who could please just weigh my bag so I can go to sleep and get off the ship first thing. I also said that me having to wait for two hours ruined any chance of going out and trying to enjoy the last night on the ship. Again, I was told someone would be right up. It took them another 27 minutes (thats a total of 2hr 27min). From the time he knocked on my door to the time he was done weighing my one bag was about 45 seconds btw
50. The day to go back to airport. I was finally off ship. I was about to get on bus. I saw other people allowed to take their suitcase on the bus. So, I told the bus driver I want to take mine on board as well and I was denied because it was too big. The bus was less than half filled. No one sat next to me. There was plenty of room.
51. The breakfast the last morning. I saw a worker sneeze into his hands, not wash them and continued messing with food at buffet. I stopped eating. I still got sick.
52. I was told my bottle of whisky would be in my room by the time I returned from my trip in France but it wasn't. I went back to front desk, they got ahold of the person and said they would be on their way. I went back to room. After 20 minutes, I got a call saying it would be awhile before he could get back to my room. I wanted to go eat dinner (was about 730pm by this point), he said to go ahead and would leave it just inside my door.
53. Following the cruise, I went online to submit my concerns to receive a refund for being treated so badly that I ended up crying myself to sleep more than once. The website only allows 3000 characters max. After 15 submissions- it would not let me do anymore. The automatic email I received said someone would contact me within 2-3 business days. It took over a week to get a call (went to voicemail because I was at work helping my patients). I called backed and the person was unavailable. I tried the next day, still not available. Called monday, her voice mail stated she took day off. When I called main number and asked if there was anyone else that could possibly help me, I was told no, the only person who was allow to authorize a refund was her. So, I left another voicemail. Then today (a week and a half later), she called and left me a voice mail. I called back and left voicemail. Then she called back and finally spoke with me. She stated that my file was reviewed and they could only offer me a $500 credit toward future cruise. I asked her why would I want to be treated badly again? All I wanted was refund. She said she couldnt. I asked her if there was someone else I could talk to- she said my file was already reviewed and this was all they will offer to me.
So please, save your money and go somewhere else. Also, please forward this to others so that they wont be treated badly. People should be made aware of what really happens. Thank you
