PRINCESS Sweet Pea

Nice!!!! But only if you are Elite! Of course, we are not, but we enjoyed all of our dining in the MDR and the Buffet (lunch/snacks) during our cruise. Unfortunately, you are right about the bad cut of beef served by overwhelmed waiters in an overbooked Crown Grill. Steaks are a big 'miss' on Princess much of the time.

Anyhow, I have no problem sharing my experiences and giving feedback back to Princess. It doesn't really matter if there are those who disagree. A very bad steak or a very saggy lumpy bed are what they are. So anyhow, unless we start planning another cruise soon, then, as Captain Paulo says, Ciao for Now!!!

Here is yet another. "Agree about Crown Grill - we were on Discovery Princess during Christmas and except for the bread the Crown Grill was horrible~" My only hope is the Princess finally addresses this. If it can be heard over the cheerleaders.

A lot to like! Except for the steak we have seen served. Here is a comment that just came in on one of the major well known cruise Vloggers. we’re really enjoying our trip, we ate last week in Crown grill and it was awful. We had it booked for this week and decided once was enough the porterhouse was so tough I couldn’t eat much " I know that there might be exceptions. Maybe different suppliers? But, honestly, these comments are sounding like a broken record, or a recording on repeat.

Hey! Sorry, but what I described is what we experienced. Yes, we knew we could cancel and re-book, but it wasn't that simple, for sure. Believe me, we tried. Our Steward even admitted problems with that bed. I am not the only one with bad beef at Crown Grill. Others have posted actual photos here, which I will not link. Many others have noted the menu changes. And, we did find most of the other food to be very good! Facts are facts are facts. No baggage necessary. Our message was fairly short, with four very specific and titled points. Skimming thru the first lines of those should get the message across within a few seconds. Then we added the positives. My apologies to those who think everything on Princess is perfect. It isn't. Nothing is.

John Padgett, and others to whom this may concern, Hello. While there are a lot of Princess Cruisers who do not seem to like any of the changes. And, while that is very valid. I would like to address a few very specific shortcomings and bad experiences we had with Princess on our last cruise. 1. TOTAL AND COMPLETE unacceptable lack of customer service. Our Princess Planner was totally AWOL, failed to respond to any messages or requests, and most importantly, she would still put out very very annoying mass emails encouraging us to contact her immediately to book a cruise and get the best deals. Worst of all, the recent promotion which offered the Excursion OBC came out just after we booked. And we could find NOBODY at Princess to handle making the switch and getting this credit for us. When we knew we were making a specific booking with Princess that this would have helped to cover. That, along with future price drops costed us hundreds of dollars on a short cruise. Not Okay. THAT IS MONEY THAT I KNOW WE COULD NEVER GET BACK. I will also add the booking issues, and problems, caused by most, or even ALL, deluxe balconies only being shown available to parties of 3 or 4. This is a huge problem. We usually book a deluxe balcony. We would have to try to deal with the totally non-existent customer service, or do some kind of 'hokey pokey' as some call it, to actually book a cabin that we wanted. This totally locks couples out of desired locations, such as AFT premium deluxe balconies, and midship bump out deluxe balconies, with slightly larger balconies. This is a very real problem. 2. TOTAL AND COMPLETE unacceptable lack of edible steak onboard. Even in Crown Grill. This is nothing less than shameful to charge people for this. On top of that, our service was lacking, we sat there for what seemed like forever (while on a cruise ship entertainment schedule) waiting for our meal, while others were served. All we got was a lame excuse, and a very bad steak, which we then had no time or desire to send back for change. 3. Can we talk about the beds? Seriously. I had been assured that all of the beds on the Regal Princess had finally, FINALLY, been changed out. Imagine my shock and disappointment and unhappiness to walk into our cabin and see, visible thru the freshly made bed linens, two very very saggy, lumpy, awful mattresses shoved together with a huge ridge up the middle. Really? Are you not kidding? And the past slogan was 'Come Back New', as in relaxed or refreshed? Wow. 4. Menus and dining. If there are a very few things that people have recommended when dining on Princess, it has been things like the Alfredo, the Princess Specialty desserts, and few others. What in the heck are you all at Princess thinking to take the few things that work, and get rid of them!!! The 'shaved' thin slice of Prime Rib on Farewell Night. And that embarkation night menu, are severely lacking,. Again, nothing short of an embarrassment. While we did enjoy a lot of good food on our cruise, there is still no excuse for these cutbacks and changes. When you have a very limited few things that work, don't 'fix' them. I can live with some rushed, less than attentive, service. Which is what is now standard. But, the things mentioned above can not be overlooked. Yes, we very much enjoyed our cruise! But whether it is cruising or any other service industry, The above points are all just totally unacceptable and a total embarrassment to Princess. I will make a point to offer some positives that help to offset the problems I have mentioned. In particular, the wonderful and hardworking staff onboard! 1. Rodrick (Hot Rod) our Steward, who was excellent. I believe he managed to switch out our mattresses for some slightly better ones from a nearby cabin. He took excellent care of us! And, when we walked out for dinner, dressed, after changing out of sloppy travel sweats, he raised his eyebrows and told me that I looked stunning that evening! 2. Our server in Allegro, Cyrel, who took excellent care of us, and provided friendly and quick service! We returned to our table there throughout the cruise. 3. Jooey our server in Crooners who remembered our favorite martinis, and offered me an imaginary wheelchair when we declined another drink, because how then would I make it to dinner! 4. The great staff up in The Sanctuary, which truly is a wonderful happy-place! 5. The staff on Princess Cays, who made it very nice, even thru a very rainy beginning of the day. Their dedication to service, running and soaked in the weather, is to be commended. Even the servers on the island's buffet line had cranked up some Caribbean Jam and were singing and dancing and partying to keep spirits up! I definitely got that on video on my phone. Thank You, very sincerely

If you are handling all your own luggage, in most cases, you can simply 'walk-off', or might be directed to wait until clearance. Maybe in the dining room nearby. If Princess is handling your luggage, and has collected it the night before, then you should go by the schedule posted on the top right. As, this is how Princess will have your luggage sitting in those groups for you to find and pick up. The papers with that chart will be left in your cabin, a couple nights before the end of the cruise. I don't know, but I think you can indicate an earlier group. But I haven't done that. Not sure if you should do this near the end of the cruise at Customer Service or how? Colored luggage tags were left in our cabin, but we didn't need to use them.

Yes, the menus are more limited. The embarkation night is not great at all. But I was good at knowing what might be good, and most everything we ordered was nice. It was served fresh and hot. Not lukewarm, or dry from heat lamps. Portions could have been larger. Especially the Prime Rib. Need to order more! But most of what we had was actually good. Don't count on steak, anywhere onboard. Know what Princess does well. We were happy! No, we didn't get lobster, filet, and a huge slab of Prime Rib. We knew not to expect that. But what we did have was good to very good!

We recently just walked off of Regal Princess. I think, just to control crowding and long lines right there, there were groups waiting. Maybe they had Princess pick up their large bags that night before. By the time we were ready to walk off, one group had just finished walking off the ship, and we simply walked thru, zapped our medallion, and off we went. They have the luggage color tags. But if nobody from Princess is handling your luggage, just you, then that isn't really needed. We handled all of our own luggage for that very reason. I think if there are a lot people trying to get off early all at once, they will be directing people just to manage the process. I don't think you should have to wait long, or until some specific time. Others might have different experience. But, it was an easy no-brainer on Regal last week.

I have been following these food threads. We are just off the Regal, and we found most of the food to be good! We enjoyed our meals down in Allegro more than we did the first night we went to Crown Grill. My husband's steak was just not good. My Sea Bass was great! I just thought the sauce was a bit much for the light flaky fish! Yes, the new embarkation night menu just does not look good. So we managed to go get in at Crown Grill that night. And the Alfredo is gone! Except for Italian night. We ordered it then, and it was so good! As well as the eggplant parm dish, which was so good. Who new eggplant could be so delicious. The souffle that night was just AMAZING! The Italian pasta sides were very good! The buffet was very good too. They had the Pub lunch set up in one section there one day, and another theme on another day. The one thing that was not good, even in Crown Grill, were the steaks. The filet beef medallions in the dining room were really good! And the Prime Rib on the last night was really good too. But, just cut very very thin. Should have ordered another!

Thanks for that pic of the thin and fatty chewy steak. That was about what my husband got, If it was even that thick. Wish we could have changed it out, but we had already waited so long. I have seen some nice duos and singers at the bar. The best was a jazz trio, and the singer was really good. Reminded me of Lady Gaga when she used to do Jazz! We were lucky to get ourselves a table for two that was not that super close bench seating, and a great server, down in Allegro. Most of the food was good! We enjoyed our suppers there more than we did packed in a busy and understaffed Crown Grill, for sure.

I am just off the Regal Princess. The Fettucini Alfredo is served on the Italian Night menu. And, it was SO GOOD! Princess, please bring this back, like every other day, if not on the everyday items! We enjoyed our meal on Italian Night. The Alfredo, and the Eggplant Parm type dish, that was so delicious. So much better than any regular American that I have ever had. Do try that. Those two dishes could have been my whole supper! I had the Shrimp and Scallops over polenta. It was very good too. Not like amazing, but very good. On this short cruise, I had only one souffle. It was the one on Italian Night, and it was AMAZING! The new Embarkation night menu... well, we changed our Crown Grill reservation up to that night right away when we checked the menu. They said they only have the current, and the next nights menus there for you to see. Not any further into the cruise.

THANKS for this! Great cruise! We are just getting back. Stayed in FL hoping for warmer weather after the cruise. Your photos and videos are so much better than mine. What a cruise!!!!! If you saw the little lady with the eighties shiny silver sequined skirt, hot pink leggings, and black patent leather high heeled penny-loafers, black bustier, white denim vest and big side-pony that was me. We were in the Sanctuary on the double lounger behind the front rows, on the Starboard side. Our favorite spot. Looks like you might have missed one of the best afternoon tea cakes. The little mini round shortcake or teacakes with sliced fruit and berries on top were SO good! Project 5 were so good!!! But, not quite a party band. We had a bungalow rented, so went out on the Island. It was still raining at first! That bungalow was a life saver. Went to the lunch line, and the brothers on the serving line were doing their Caribbean rap and dancing and keeping the party going, even in that weather! So cool. And, when the sun came out. OMG... THAT was what I was there for! On the last day, We found a protected spot on deck 16, outside of the Buffet. And loved every minute!

They had a setup with all of the Pub Lunch dishes in the Buffet one day on our cruise. It all looked very good. I did try the battered fish, and wanted more! You might have to check the Buffet during the day, or maybe ask what day it might be there, if you see some staff that seems to know. Our steak at Crown Grill was not the best. The beef medallions were great! And, the Prime Rib on the last night of the cruise was good. But either order a thick cut, or order two! It seems they were cutting back and the slice of prime rib was pretty thin.

And, ohhhh!!!! The Prime rib on the last night was wafer thin. It was very good! But, if you want to really enjoy a bigger Prime Rib, order a thick one, or order two! And, we haven't cruised that much. It has been a while since we cruised Princess. There used to be a big Prime Rib on embarkation night. So, if anyone is used to that, it is now the menu on the last night.

It was so thin, I don't think it would have mattered! It did come out pink, close enough to what he ordered, It was just the thin and very fatty cut that was the worst. I did try a bite. And the flavor was probably okay. but it should be better than okay, 'outback', steak. The thing is, we enjoyed the beef medallions in Allegro! We enjoyed the meal, the service, and everything, more than we did Crown Grill. Darn, should have ordered the filet, cut in half before grilling!

We just went to Crown Grill, on the Regal Princess. I think maybe it can depend on the ship and the port it is sailing form? I heard people post here about different suppliers. But, we went to Crown Grill on the first night. ( The prime rib menu is on the last night now, I think) We decided that my husband would try the bone in chop, and I was looking forward to the sea bass. The chop was not as big or thick cut as I had thought. It was a medium or thin cut. And it had a ton of fat marbled thru it. A lot of fat. We can't recommend it at all. The sea bass was a beautiful, large, cut of the flaky white fish! But, honestly, I thought the sauce was way to heavy for this nice fish. The filet we saw on the next table looked larger and much much better than I have seen. So, you just never know which steak might be good. After already waiting so long, we definitely were not going to have them replace that steak with a filet. We also waited a long time, even finally catching our waiter and hoping our meals would come out soon. He didn't apologize, only offered an excuse, while we waited as others we served and finished theirs. So, service wasn't that great either. Gold Strings was supposed to be in the bar, but they were never really there. They did one piece... talked for a few minutes, like maybe what should they do next. Then they were gone. So, no background music or vibe at all. Entertainment at the Crown Grill area was really lacking on this cruise. It was nice to get the warm bread roll, instead of the cold rolls on the ship. But, having eaten our meals, and having been there so long, it was getting late, so we skipped dessert. If it wasn't a special souffle or something, then we didn't know we wanted to indulge. Now, the souffle the next night on Italian night in the dining room was, like, OMG to die for! The best ever!

Can you all tell me if it helps with the fare or with perks to book while onboard? I know this can apply to Future Cruise Credits, but we don't want credits. But we are thinking about another cruise.

Yes, I would want to be careful about what is above and below my cabin.

Okay! That is great! So, Project 5 will be the Princess (or Party) band, and of course there is the Princess Orchestra onboard as well. NOW I think I understand. Thanks so much. Posters like you are one of the great things about this board!

How nice! We are in an obstructed balcony that is mid-ship, so it isn't really obstructed and has a larger angled balcony. I wanted to move to an obstructed deluxe balcony, but didn't want to lose my mid-ship location and bump out balcony!

Thanks so much! Glad you posted! I wonder if I can print those so I can turn them right side up and read them! Glad to hear you enjoyed! Makes me more excited to board soon. Did you order any of the beef. Was it good at all? It sounds like they are still in the process of moving over to the new menus. Maybe some of the mixed comments were because of switching over, and not having the new menus down-pat! I have also been hearing good comments about Project 5. Looking forward to them onboard. Were they in addition to the Ship's Band? Maybe that means we will have two bands onboard.

That is great! We are on this cruise. There is a small roll-call. Is your new cabin mid-aft, mid-ship, mid-forward??? I have not bid, because we hate to lose our good location, even for a slightly bigger cabin. I just looked, and the couple I would have liked are gone!

It looks like they still have the menu they used to have, with the Fettucini on the top right under Pasta. I saw the menu from December 29th. Most everything else I am seeing posted here on cruise critic has that as Nona's Lasagna. But, I have heart that it is on the actual nightly menu sometimes. Like Italian Night.

We are cruising soon, and I have been following here on CC. And, yes, with the new menus that are rolling out, they are fazing out the everyday fettucini. The always available items seem to be disappearing. Same with the changed up versions of the Princess signature desserts. I want my fettucini and Ceaser salad!!! We need to start a mutiny. A campaign by people like us, directed to the higher levels of Princess customer service. What were they thinking! When out of all the food on the cruise line, it is the simple fettucini, and maybe a couple of desserts that can actually be recommended, and they get rid of those. Sad.