We weren't expecting perfect. We were expecting better than we actually got.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Embarkation process was generally well organized and executed. We progressed smoothly through the required steps - and then sat around for more than 30 minutes. Apparently, it doesn't matter which embarkation group you select during online check-in. Embarkation is first come-first served.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Overall, we were disappointed with the food. We checked the menu each day and only chose to eat in one of the main dining rooms on three nights (out of 15) because the menu choices were so unappealing. Regardless of the meal, food on the buffet was adequate - but that's all. Pork was consistently dry. Beef was consistently overcooked. Plenty of people wearing chef hats but much of the food was clearly heated from cans. The buffet serving area was not large enough for the number of people attempting to get food there. Finding and keeping a table was consistently a challenge; if we both got up to get more food at the same time, we risked losing our table to someone else. After the first couple of days, we really didn't look forward to mealtimes.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
With an itinerary that included nine "at sea" days, we were looking forward to some enjoyable onboard activities. Overall, we were disappointed. Aside from bingo and trivia, many of the activities highlighted by the cruise director each day involved shopping at one of the onboard shops or attending a sales pitch for some service at the spa. The fitness center was a bright spot - it was well equipped, spotless, and never crowded.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The entertainment was the highlight of this cruise for us. Production shows were rock solid, the ship's 9-person "orchestra" was exceptional, and the comic, musician, juggler, and impressionist who performed in the theater were all outstanding.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The rank-and-file members of the crew were consistently excellent. They clearly accepted their role as ambassadors for the cruise line and were always friendly and engaging with us and other guests. As expected, we had limited exposure to senior members of the crew, but whenever one of them had the opportunity to speak to the guests, the theme was the same - please tip the staff generously and give us a 5-star rating when you complete the end-of-cruise survey. Really? Everyone pays gratuities; they are essentially mandatory. If the senior staff truly feel that harping on the survey is their most important message, they must recognize that certain things are lacking and hope the guests don't notice. We do.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship appeared to be well-maintained and was very clean. Crew members tasked with wiping, cleaning, painting, etc. were everywhere. We found the layout of the ship to be rather baffling. Some staircases didn't serve the upper or lower decks, and it took some time to figure out which stairwells to use depending on where you were heading. On the decks where most of the shops, bars, restaurants, and other amenities were located, you could only get from the front of the ship to the back on one side. Finally, the outside "Promenade" did not go all the way around the ship; you had to go up and down a flight of stairs to get around the front of the ship. Who thought of that?
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The stateroom was well appointed and comfortable, and the cabin attendant kept it immaculately clean. We are experienced cruisers and did not expect a spacious cabin, so we were entirely satisfied.
Ship tip
Stop badgering the guests about gratuities and ratings. You've implemented a system where gratuities are essentially mandatory, and everyone knows you'd prefer high ratings instead of low ones. Remember that actions speak louder than words.
Noisy and crowded - about what we expected of a city. We chose to walk around to see the area instead of taking an excursion. The onboard presentation about this destination made it sound like very little was within reasonable walking distance. That's not the case. Perhaps Princess thinks all of its guests are 85 years old and need a walker, or perhaps they'd rather all guests chose from among their very expensive excursions.
We booked an independent excursion to Volcanoes National Park. Awesome! We spoke with folks who took the comparable Princess excursion. Ours was 2-hours longer, went to more interesting places, and cost significantly less.
The town is lovely and very walkable. Tendering to and from the ship was downright painful. Thank goodness we had not booked an excursion - the tendering process was so backed-up we never would have made it.
Not much to see. The ship docked in an industrial port, so there was nothing of interest nearby. We had been planning to rent a car, but the speaker at the destination briefing dissuaded us from doing that; he said it was notoriously difficult to get to and from the airport (where the rental car companies are located) and emphasized that the time in port was very limited because the ship had to get out of the harbor before dark. Not sure why Princess chose this as a destination.
Perhaps the best disembarkation of all the cruises we've been on. Guests were organized in small groups and movement of the groups to the gangway and through Customs was well orchestrated and very efficient. Well done!
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