Itinerary would have been great had we been able to visit all ports as planned. Disappointing experience with ship.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very smooth procedures from dropping off baggage to arriving in cabin and baggage being delivered to us.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The Marquis Dining room proved to be the more friendly and welcoming dining experience. We had chosen Anytime Dining and should have been in Regency but they kept swapping us around for first few nights so we were then invited to stay at the Marquis dining room, same table, for remainder of cruise. Staff were excellent there. Very informative on the food and wine and friendly. Had been with the company for many years.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Did not do as timing was not suitable for those we would have participated in e.g. 7-9am only.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Excellent shows by Princess dancers and orchestra. Chris Gable was also very good. Bradley McCaw was terrible - trying to get the audience sympathy by saying his mother was at home doing his laundry and he was doing this to pay his rent! Not appropriate - very unprofessional. Also Jason ( Rash) Ryder was pretty poor. Walked out after 10 mins. We are Billy Connolly fans so are not prudes!
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Staff in International Café were mainly indifferent to passengers. Often ignored for service or orders forgotten about.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Layout OK but condition of ship was poor. There was a terrible smell of sewage in many areas of the ship. In the outside eating area on Lido deck (14) it was really unbearable. Could see staff struggling to tolerate working there. Not a healthy environment. Laundromat on deck 8 was unbearable due to smell. Reported to Passenger Services but was still the same. Reported to one of the maids also. Probably nothing could be done as it appears to be a huge problem in the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
We had an obstructed view cabin which was fine given the cruise. It was quiet as it was just past the Casino and no cabins opposite. Not much through passenger traffic. Furniture needing replacement - wardrobe doors swung open in big seas - drawers not sliding easily. Drawers in one part at least hadn't been cleaned as still a foil from somebody's tablets left inside. Cabin steward was not good. Too many items missed day after day. Complained that sheets hadn't been changed after about a week & told he had. I knew differently as there had been a hole in the side of the sheet! Not good to lie.
Ship tip
Probably best to choose a different ship as, in agreement with other past passengers, it has come to the end of its life in its current condition.
Arrived and left by tender & seas were rough. Was cold & windy but had taken a tour which was good even although visibility was poor that day due to weather. Had been here before though.
Arrived late - after 11am due to port having been closed for cyclone. Had booked Auckland Explorer bus which also included a ferry trip to Devonport which was great to see. Re-joined explorer bus for the afternoon as ticket was supposed to be for 24 hours. They did the last trip at 3.30pm!!! Not impressed given that boarding time was 8.30. Felt they are not catering to the passengers. Diamond Princess in port also that day so many passengers.
Loved this visit. Took a tour of Paihia & had booked a Kerkeri Discovery tour but as we had to be back on board by 3pm we couldn't do this tour. Would love to have taken more time to actually cruise a bit more of the Bay of Islands. Weather was perfect.
We couldn’t do all 4 fiords. Only Milford Sound as weather meant we couldn’t make it in time to Dunedin otherwise. Due to cyclone we had to miss Napier & Tauranga & had to go back up the west coast - far out to sea- instead. Late into Auckland as Port had been closed but embarked later also. Weather out of Princess control.
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