Scottish/Irish Interlude

Ocean Princess Cruise Review to Europe - Western Europe

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 67

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Ocean Princess

7 Night Ireland & Scotland Interlude (Dover Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 25, 2011

Ship: Ocean Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 13 years ago

Review summary

The ship was warm, comfy, inviting, wonderful home-away-from-home. The crew was terrific, and the ship's captain a perfect host. The only disappointment - and it was a HUGE one: The shore excursions were costly (in comparison to those experienced on other cruises) and allowed no time to actually see things other than through a bus window. Excursion director needs to work with excursion operators. Passengers only endure being herded like cattle for a reward - specifically, getting to see the sites of the world. A cruise is enjoyable in itself, but it is not the only reason for travel in most cases. Excursions play a huge role and the excursions associated with this cruise were more than disappointing - with the exception of Dartmouth.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Ship's crew were THE BEST! The captain was extremely accessible - a perfect host! Best experience w/ship's captain ever (multiple cruises).

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Waterford, Ireland

3 out of 5
Got to see countryside through the bus windows. Good manufacturing tour; hurried shopping opportunity.

Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland

1 out of 5
The place is a great itinerary stop. The excursion was a waste of money: We spent hours on the bus for 15 minutes in the castle, a driveby of major monuments/sites and a "there-it-is" of the royal mile/Princes Street.

Dublin, Ireland

1 out of 5
The place is a great itinerary stop. The excursion was tremendously disappointing. Almost all was a bus tour glimpse. The saving grace was the opportunity to stay in Dublin on our own.

Dartmouth, England

5 out of 5
Great scenery. Adequate visit time allowed - on your own, following good guided tour.

Pros: Wonderful crew. Made great friends. Ship's captain very outgoing. - Made passengers feel very much at home. Best interaction w/ship's captain in last dozen cruises!

Cons: Shore excursions were extremely disappointing. Expensive, which would have been OK, if they had been rewarding. Lots of bus time, but only minutes at major sites. Excursion companies need to be reminded: We wait a lifetime to glimpse these fantastic places! Let's see them!

Recommends Ocean Princess? Yes!

Was this review helpful? 67

Be the first to comment