Pleasant enough overall though I have to mention the smoking policy on this ship allows for smoking in the casino except for 2 days designated for no-smoking in the casino. Smokers are allowed at the slot-machines. Problem is the slot-machines are right by the gaming tables and so players there are getting a good dose of second-hand smoke. If they can declare no-smoking for 2 days, why not 7 ? and if Princess thinks they’re catering to slot-players who smoke, think again. The area draws in smokers period. Mostly non-players.
Why not follow the smoking policy of Celebrity and MSC for example?
I look forward to sailing both those cruise lines this December.
With 6 cruises booked from Dec 2017 to Dec 2018 I’m pleased to say they all have a better smoking policy than Princess.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very good as usual but then we’re Platinum level with Princess and so get expedited through a designated line. No idea how others found their embarkation and so maybe my experience not a good measuring stick for all.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Passed on specialty dining this cruise as past experience with Princess specialty dining was less than ordinary. Unlike for example, say the Murano on Celebrity which is excellent.
The buffet food on this cruise was good though it was a challenge finding the butter. They kept moving it !
Until the first stop, they had no cream for our coffee. Only milk. For the remainder of our cruise we had cream but had to wait until the coffee server ran to go get cream while the coffee poured sat there getting cold. Why they don’t carry cream on their coffee tray is beyond me. Here’s a tip: if you order cream for your coffee, they’ll return with it in hand and eagerly look to pour cream into your coffee as if they know how you much cream you like to have 😖 stop them and add it yourself.
The buffet layout on the Regal is not that user friendly. There are two sides where you can have eggs prepared on one side but if you want an omelette prepared, it’s on the other side.
To reach the buffet in Horizon Court, you walk through the Bistro area but if you want desert, they make you walk back to the Bistro to go get it. Overall, the food in the buffet was above average.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Always lots to do to suit most tastes.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Stage shows were average but individual performers er...not so much. Some hitting bad notes or needing to lower the key so they weren’t straining their whatsits off !
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
All staff were friendly and keen to please. Some language difficulty at times but good overall.
The only problem we had was at breakfast buffet. They finish breakfast at 11:00am but they closed one of two sides @ 10:00am and at 10:20am they actually started to withdraw some of the food trays. If you’re a late breakfast fan, pretend they close it off at 10:00am.
You’ll be happier for it.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Good overall notwithstanding the buffet design layout. Ship was clean and well maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was as expected though the balcony was probably the smallest we’ve ever had.
Would MUCH prefer to have a walk-in stand-alone shower stall and do away with a bath-tub. Beds are very comfortable.
In NY for a week before the cruise. Enjoyed Broadway shows incl. Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton and Kinky Boots. Also our first opera Turandot at the Met.
The most unsightly port we’ve ever sailed into. Industrial town so could be forgiven but it doesn’t exactly inspire anyone to get off the ship and go see.
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