My Review Summary has been REDACTED !!!!!! Missing comments!!!!! 3.3 out of 5
Royal Princess Cruise Review to Coastal - West Coast
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 49
7 Night Classic California Coast (Los Angeles Roundtrip)
Sail date: October 19, 2019
Ship: Royal Princess
Cabin type: Balcony
Traveled as: Large Group
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
I have cruised with Carnival; first time with Princess. I realize this was the Medallion cruise with a touch more of class than the average cruise. While I am in good health, I am 64 years old. Events and areas are spread out too much. The ship is larger (longer) than I cared for. The struggle with getting my drinks from the waiters for the first half of the cruise and that my plan did not cover canned soda (portable), set me back in being impressed. Not wiping the tables was a BIG NO. I used sanitizer on mine. There was an issue with our group picture. The picture included other passengers that were yards behind us. There was an issue with ordering our picture - and no one seemed to have an answer. We had to wait another day to get them. The apps never did work on my phone. Our group was scheduled to use a couple of areas and we had to relocate more than once. Very upsetting that where we were put for our meeting was next to a clothing sale! The lady was on a microphone hollering the entire time. We did politely ask her to lower the volume-she wouldn't, we asked for just a couple of moment while we recited the Pledge of Alligence and conducted a quick ceremony in honor of our deceased- she wouldn't. She said she had to do what she did so she could get paid. As the Secretary of the Women of the Air Force Association, I had a hard time reading minutes, etc. Carnival gives their veterans a flag, pin, and have a cake for their meet and greet. They provide a side area in the restaurant the day after so we can sit down and share coffee, danish, conversation, and comradery; spouses also attend this. During our meet and greet a non-military person got the microphone and talked and talked. That should not have happened. I may sail Princess again, but not the Medallion.Embarkation
I was not given a boarding number when I processed through. I even had my medallion on to make it easy.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Dining room experiences were okay. Often had to request drink refills. Buffets had good choices. Drinks - not happy at all. I purchased the soda package- only small glasses at a time. Drinks not available in enough locations. I felt like low class since I did not qualify for canned soda. About half a dozen times I was told I did not have a package that I did. Extremely upsetting, embarrassing, and not worth the money. Both buffet areas should have had a coffee bar - I don't drink coffee but appreciated the hot chocolate and tea. I found it odd that sweet tea was not available. To mix sweetener in cold tea does not work well and for every glass-you have to remix. I thought having four restaurants requiring payment was a bit much.
Onboard Activities
I did not participate in those activities. I found it nice they were available though. See my overall comments below about the military.
Entertainment
There was an array of entertainment choices and I enjoyed what I attended well enough. The outdoor theater was very nice. The female singer the last two nights was fantastic!
Children's Programs
Really? No children with me.
Service and Staff
Room steward Teody was very professional yet had a warm, genuine personality. He stayed on top of things and was very helpful. The waiters; twice I felt service was not as good as could be-those dressed better than I was for dinner received more and personable attention. Sad and embarrassing.
Ship Quality
The ship was very clean for how many people were in any one area at a time. I thought they mopped the floors a bit late though due to as you are going to eat breakfast, the deck was always wet and it was not from the ocean as there are walls. Also, the buffet areas; I NEVER saw a table being wiped with a wet cloth! They just brushed the table off, sometimes with the last customers' napkin. Not acceptable.
Cabin / Stateroom
I was impressed with the room. It had ample space and the balcony was inviting. Having a desk is a plus. It was clean and welocoming. However, The "blanket" is not long enough to cover your shoulders with, I had to burrow down in the bed. I would be embarassed to provide the robes you did. They are not even 'one size'. Sadly couldn't use them. Check out what Carnival has!
Ship tip
Be prepared to walk - a lot.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Easy on and off. The exursion, hop on- hop off, needs a stop on the other side of the bridge. The closest pick up after walking across the bridge is extremely far with rocky roads. Much of the joy was gone. There was not enough time to go and enjoy anywhere else. I would advise against it if you want to walk the bridge.
The tour was very informative and fun. I chose not to 'walk with the group' but did disembark and saw many awesome sites. I enjoyed this, was a great choice for a closing excursion.
A good choice. I rode a bus on my own with other shipmates. Great price. I am retired military and am very familar with the shops around a port or base. Just as I expected, loved it.
Disembarkation
Went much quicker than I anticipated. Very streamlined.
2 Comments
Justlovecruisin 5 years ago
Sorry you were so disappointed. I've been on a group cruise with Princess, and there were snafus, and we learned that you had to be very specific with what you wanted. Also, on my 12 Princess cruises, I have been to the clothing sale (extra stuff) on each one. I've never had anyone speaking at all, let alone on a loud speaker. They always put them in a restaurant from 10-1, and sometimes the kitchen tour ends up filing through. I wonder why the speaker? That is so odd. Also, I was under the impression that Carnival has pay food venues? The ones on Princess are there for the choice of passengers. Why would it bother you? I guess it all boils down to expectations, and prior planning. The website fully explains the various eating venues, special activities, and drink packages, and is very explicit about no canned drinks. I pay for the Ultimate drink package, which with tax comes out to $70 per day, and we don't get canned sodas! Lastly, the Medallion is not a higher or 'more classy' level of service. It is electronic heightened experiences of medallions vs a key card, and the ability to order things, find people, and such if you have the apps on your phone. If you had chosen to use a card instead, all activities would have been the same. In other words, the cruise is the same, you just open your door and buy things with a small magnetic disk other than a flat card. Sorry that you didn't check with the area on the ship that could have gotten your apps to work, they have an entire store for accessories and service to help people out. Again, sorry your group cruise wasn't all you expected.