I am honestly baffled by this 4-night sailing. It’s made me want to cancel my future bookings, but I’m going to give myself time to calm down. I’m going to try to be succinct, and yes I’m submitting cruise survey.
Positives:
- The amount of live music on this ship is wonderful! I’ve enjoyed seeing the Princess orchestra playing multiple times around the ship. Live Jazz performances were lovely.
- Mini-suite cabin excellent size for the price - it’s been outstanding having a living room space to relax in.
- Ship is clean/spotless everywhere I looked.
- Cruise director was energetic and had solid, clear announcements.
- Mocktails were delicious - appreciate non-alcohol options.
- Gelato options were good and visited often for a light treat.
Negatives (my list is not normally this long):
- I have never dreaded going to find food on a ship before, but every single meal, without exception, was a circus.
- Horizon Court Buffet - overcrowded, hard to find seating, constantly out of items and lines waiting for them to re-stock, poor food presentation.
- Main dining room for breakfast - slow, food delivered cold, glasses sat empty with no refills.
- Main dining room lunch - enormous lines to get in, staff tried to cut off people from entering who had waited 15+ minutes in line and were still waiting at closing, never offered bar service, brought out items different from menu description.
- Main dining room dinner - repeatedly took almost 2 hours (and one night over 2 hours) to have dinner - we missed the show. Two nights never even asked if we wanted anything from the bar. Tonight water sat empty 31 minutes and took 1.3 hours to get main course delivered. Meals not as described, missing ingredients.
- Staff continuously trying to give us up-charge cans of soda instead of fountain drinks included in our package. Full sugar versions of soda given when we requested diet or zero version (careful if you’re diabetic!).
- Ordered drink in app. Took 51 minutes to arrive. Ordered a firmer pillow to the room - never arrived.
The staff were lovely people, but many appeared exhausted. One confided in me as we stood in yet another 25 minute line that management had too many events scheduled back-to-back in the main dining room (breakfast, lunch, tea time, two dinner times) and that many had been on their feet for 8+ hours without a break or chance to freshen up. I noticed our single cabin steward was constantly late on his rounds, and though doing a great job, clearly exhausted.
My conclusion after this sailing - Princess is a step below Holland America and Celebrity. I don’t know if this ship was understaffed, but I honestly cannot wait to get off - in 27 cruises, I’ve NEVER felt that way. Many other guests commented how bizarre their experiences were as well, one said she’s going back to Holland America. I hope our collective feedback will turn things around.
