We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and although we didn't enjoy the food that much we always found something to eat. The room service was excellent and every time we placed an order it arrived at our cabin within 15 minutes. We found by booking our own tours we saved a lot of money and would do this if we cruised again. Just make sure you look for tours that pick you up at the port as they wait for you if disembarkation is later than anticipated.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Although there was a queue embarkation was very fast and we were on the ship within 10 minutes
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
The food was OK but it didn't blow us away. The ship is American and therefore everything is cooked differently to how we cook it in the UK. Roast potatoes were more like potato wedges and had no taste, and everything was a little spicy for us. For instance, the pork loin chops came with sweet chilly mash potatoes and spinach, and we had no idea what most of the dishes on the menu consisted of. We struggled to find a starter we liked and also a main meal. The service was quite slow, waiting 20 minutes for a glass of wine, and it took a long time to be served from start to finish.
The World Food buffet had plenty of choice but a bit random, it reminded us of school dinners. We would have preferred to eat in the main restaurant in the evenings but after looking at restaurant menu we decided to eat in the buffet most evenings. However, it was always busy and it didn't feel like we were on a cruise, more like a holiday camp with people everywhere and sometimes we struggled to find a table. The breakfast was OK with plenty of choice but the toast was awful!
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Entertainment
3 out of 5
We found the entertainment a little underwhelming. Most of the entertainment was in the Princess Theatre and lasted all of 45 minutes, with a show at 7pm and repeated at 9pm. The comedian was American and we didn't find him funny, he made jokes about hitting children and kicking his wife's butt. The American's found him funny but not the UK audience!
'Graces Secret' group were good and sang a variety of songs. The entertainment in the Explorer's lounge was OK but nothing very exciting. We went to the Karaoke a few nights but each night it was the same people singing and not many people watching.
Children's Programs
We didn't have any children with us.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The bar staff in the Explorer's lounge were great, especially Kenny and another bar waiter (can't remember his name but I think it was Frinton) but both of them looked after us well and remembered our names and cabin number and were both very friendly. Our room steward kept our room lovely and clean but we never really got the chance to speak to him as he didn't understand much English. He did work hard though and our cabin was always sparkling.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship's layout was a bit confusing especially on decks 5, 6 & 7 on midship and when trying to find where we had to go for the tenders. Apart from that the ship was well-maintained and clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
We were on the back of the ship so we had a lovely view at all times. The cabin was clean and the bed was the best bed we had ever slept in. It was so comfortable and the room steward always kept it spotless. The only downfall was that the ship vibrated a lot and the noise from the air conditioning made it slightly annoying when you were trying to get to sleep.
Ship tip
Make sure you take a plug adaptor as UK plugs won't fit the sockets. Also, the hair dryer in the cabin isn't great but if you take your own then make sure it's duel voltage 110/240 otherwise it will be really slow and will take ages to dry your hair!
Another great tour with Paddywagon Tours. We went to the Giant's Causeway and other interesting places. We also signed the peace wall in Belfast and was taken on a tour of Belfast which was interesting.
Le Havre was boring and the shops were closed as it was a Monday. Not much to see or do here. We decided to book a 3 hour bus trip and went to Honfleur which was beautiful. In fact it was the best place we visited with lots of restaurants, cafes and bars. It cost 52 Euros for 2 people and was well worth a visit.
Great itinerary! Appreciate your feedback. Even within the USA, regions have different pallets and food can be too spicy or not spicy enough. Happy you found enough to enjoy. Same can be said for humor. Glad you managed to mostly enjoy your cruise.
Since the ships primarily cruise from the USA and the majority of passengers are from the USA, then the food will be more accustomed to American tastes, but then it could just be your tastes that finds the food disagreeable. You always kept pointing out that the UK passengers weren't thrilled on the ship, but I willing to bet it was mostly you....just sayin.
Now that Princess has decided that the hoi polloi do not need the nice pre Covid fold out maps of the ship (EVERY one has working cellphones and WILL use them), it is harder to find things on a ship.
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