This was our first cruise on Princess but won't be the last. Every part of our cruise - from embarkation to dining to shopping on-board to the entertainment was top-notch! The spa was great, but I wouldn't pay for access to the "Enclave" thermal suite again. I found out that on the 2nd day they offered a $20/day rate after we paid $149 each! We only used it twice because the hot tub was way too hot and they never showed us the changing rooms/lockers/showers - we found out by snooping around and opening what we thought were just bathrooms. The adults only pool and jacuzzi area on the top deck would be where we would spend the money.
That being said, we will definitely cruise with Princess again when we plan our Italy & Croatia cruise for next year.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We paid for Club Class which provided priority embarkation, so the entire process from the time our shuttle dropped us off to the time we stepped on board was literally about 15-20 minutes.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The food was exceptional everywhere we ate, from the buffet to the dining room. We had Club Class dining which provided a separate entrance, dining area and waitstaff which was outstanding. I would say the food in the dining room was just as good as the food at Sabatini's (a specialty restaurant), if not better. The service in the Club Class area was top-notch.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The stage shows were better than expected and the performers in the Piazza were amazing! I expected to go to the "Movies under the Stars" but we chose the live theater and were not disappointed. The guy who did the balancing act in the Piazza was awesome!
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Our room steward was not very good. We didn't get the schedule for the activities until during morning, and the worst thing was ordering room service the day before debarkation and having to call them when it didn't show up only to find they don't do room service on the final day! He should have let us know when he picked up the order. Thankfully the coffee shop wasn't packed when we got there and we were able to grab a bite and some coffee before we left for the airport. Room service on another day was really good though.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship was well designed and having so many elevators that went to almost every floor was great. The decor for Christmas was stunningly beautiful, and the basic decor with all the highly polished wood was great to begin with.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We had a Club Class mini-suite which was well laid out and spacious. The deep soaker tub, plenty of storage space, refrigerator, sofa and bed were all above average even for a mini-suite.
Ship tip
If you are staying in a mini-suite, pay the extra money and go Club Class - it is well worth the extra money for all the priority services.
I don't blame the excursion organizers, but the stormy weather put a real kink in our visit. We went on a semi sub to see the reefs and the colorful fish but the storm caused the water to be so murky that we didn't see much sea life. There was so much poverty everywhere we turned and the performers begging for money after each song/dance was really uncomfortable. I realize that's how they make a living, but begging that much was too much.
Our favorite port of the trip! We took an excursion that was not through Princess. We went to a Howler Monkey preserve and got to feed the monkeys by hand, then we went to the Mayan ruins that were just awe-inspiring. The tour guide was informative and friendly.
The tour we took was good, but we didn't do the last part (semi-sub) and chose to browse in the shopping plaza and stop for lunch instead. The shopping was fantastic and the lunch at Three Amigos was delicious.
As with embarkation, debarkation was a breeze. We left the ship and took the Princess transportation to the airport. The transport was well organized and quick.
The adult retreat area was free, but the Sanctuary just forward of it is pay. There are some cabanas that you can rent that have perks, but do not know the details. Been over a year since we were on the Royal Class, but I doubt if that has changed.
Club class is nice, but expensive. Note on the spa, they are not Princess folks, but contractors out for max profit. Looking forward to our trip on the Royal...286 days.
Glad you enjoyed cruising with Princess! Princess is our cruise line of choice and we always enjoy the great service. You picked a beautiful ship for your first cruise.
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