Good trip, service needs improvement

Star Princess Cruise Review to South America

lmharalson

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 0

Helpful Votes: 43

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

31 Night Andes & Cape Horn Grand Adventure (Buenos Aires To Los Angeles)

Sail date: February 29, 2016

Ship: Star Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: E714

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We were fortunate and had terrific weather, the highlights were Stanley and Puerto Montt. Food was pretty good for the most part, I had a great stateroom steward. Most of the entertainment was enjoyable and truly entertaining. The decor of the ship was very tasteful and attractive.

The shore excursion staff was less than helpful and, because of them, I will think twice about booking Princess. It took two days to get our dining arrangements changed (there were three of us traveling together but we had been booked in separate dining rooms). They ignored us the first day, the second day finally responded, but none too friendly.

Gentleman in the computer room was very helpful and accommodating when passengers needed help or made mistakes and so they were charged unintentionally for the internet. That was a plus. I noticed him refund and explain what had happened to more than one passenger, including me.

Shows got filled up quickly, so often there wasn't space, even 20 minutes ahead for the early show. That was a great inconvenience. It seems there is a better way to handle it. It can be difficult for elderly people, the clientele of this particular cruise, to stay up until the 10:15 show.

The cruise line encourages passengers to use their stateroom restrooms, however I didn't feel the public restrooms were kept up very well at all compared to other cruise ships I have been on. Nor were there very many.

There were not as many onboard activities and games as I have seen on other cruise lines. That was a minus. It would have been very nice to have more of a variety of activities and have them more often. The activities staff was excellent, however.

Princess did a very poor job of tendering in two ports, especially Punta Arenas, Chile. That was one of the worst tender experiences I have ever had. They did a terrific job in Puerto Montt. The problem with poor tendering is that it takes port time away from everyone on the ship who paid to come to see that destination.

Overall, the destination was amazing, but Princess was lacking. I will book other cruise lines before I book them again.