Apart from the 2 excursions this was a terrible experience for me and I will not cruise with Princess again
Embarkation
1 out of 5
I had previously asked for my cabin allocation weeks before embarkation but was told it would be allocated nearer embarkation and if not suitable I could change it. Allocation of an aft balcony cabin directly above the disco room was given 2 days before embarkation. I called and asked for a change (due to anticipated evening noise) and was told it could not be changed but I should ask at embarkation. I did and was told I could not change. My fears were realized as the noise from the disco prevented sleep before 1:30 am every night. Even on nights there was no disco the room was hired out and the noise was even louder. Then the engine noise increased about 2 am as the shop powered on to the next port. After a few nights on very little sleep I was exhausted and could not wait for this cruise to be over
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Main dining room food and service was good, specialty restaurants overpriced and difficult to book, bistro was convenient and selections good but always busy
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
Pools were cold, hot tubs not very hot and always busy especially as 2 hot tubs had been converted into seating areas pickleball court lines were confusing
Entertainment
1 out of 5
2 production shows we saw were good, everything else seemed to be based on old tv shows (like deal or no deal, mr snd mrs), musicians seemed to be all cover bands and I thought just showing a movie on a big screen at the pool was cheap
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Main dining room waiters and cabin steward were excellent all other staff were very bus
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Re layout, I would not have cabins for accommodation on deck 8 directly above a noisy disco and engines, maybe those cabins could be storage rooms. Common area cleanliness was good, hence 2 stars instead of 1
Cabin / Stateroom
1 out of 5
If I could give zero stars I would have. Cabin was on deck 8 over the noisy disco and engines which made it impossible to sleep for me. Cabin was allocated 2 days before embarkation and despite being told I could change and complaining about the noise during the cruise I was told I could not change. I feel someone was not being truthful and this ruined my cruise
Ship tip
Book on another cruise line, with Princess I felt I was not listened to during cabin allocations weeks before embarkation and during the cruise. I felt that booking through an agent (United) rather than direct we were treated like second-class, first time cruisers. There was also a general feeling amongst us and our friends that were were being nickel and dimed for extras or things included in our package were too busy and already booked (by Princess members?)
I think your ratings are based more on what you did or didn’t do than the quality of what was “available” to you. For instance, you gave Cabo just 1 star because you chose to get off, walk around and get back on… That’s fine, but the rating is to be for what was “available” at the port etc etc.
Also, getting off the ship must have gone smoothly for you since you were able to leave early. So no problems there, right? Again, a low rating from you.
Please understand, my comments are not to defend Princess, but rather to explain to first time cruisers (like I believe you said you were) how the review portal works.
Give cruising another try…
A lot of your negativity seems to be down to the cabin. Which as others have pointed out could have been avoided if you’d paid to choose your own. They are not the only cruise line to charge you to choose your own cabin either. Hope you enjoy future cruises better.
Your experience is why it is always a risk to book a Guarantee cabin. It's not the fault of Princess that you gambled on a Guarantee cabin in order to save a few bucks, and lost that "bet". How about next time you take responsibility for your actions, and pay a little extra to choose a cabin of your liking?
In the future, whatever cruise line you choose, do your research. Choose your own cabin! As was mentioned before all the cruise lines are basically the same when it comes to the basic charges.
and your experience is why you should always pick your cabin, not try to save a few bucks by letting the cruise line do it for you. hopefully lesson learned...
You know the way to avoid the problem was pay extra so you pick the room. Not blame the cruiseline cause from what you explained that is how every cruiseline does it. And if the ship is fully booked they can't just change your room.
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