Dunk

I totally agree about the dining choices--but every mainstream cruise line has gone to the "starters" and "entrees" thing. They can't fool me--I still order five courses, but I think most people don't--a huge cost savings for them.

Just off the ship in 3132. Loved the location, the steward was great, and I found the cabin to be very quiet (and I'm hypersensitive to that kind of thing).

 

Given that though, we had multiple issues with the toilet not flushing, and not having hot water. A couple of times, I literally had to run the shower and the faucet for 15 minutes before I could get anything near a hot temperature. Other times it could quickly come and go during the shower. I think that it has to do with the cabins being added, and not being near a main source of hot water. The excuse they gave us was that "it's cold outside". Brother.

Hi--Just off the ship. For production shows we had iBroadway, Boogie Wonderland, and Star-something. (I can't recall the exact name). We had a male vocalist and male pianist as Guest entertainers, as well as a magician. No hypnotist, though.

We are so spoiled nowadays. When I first started cruising in the early 90's, I was sailing on ships that were nearly 40 years old, like the Carnivale and the Oceanic. Now we consider ships that aren't even half that age to be long in the tooth. Yes, every ship is rusty, the window sills are corroded, and there is some wear & tear. That doesn't mean the ship is in bad shape--that's just the way it is.

I always enjoy the Platinum/Elite lounge. I've never found it to be crowded, although I never show up before 6. I've had some drinks so strong (Chairman of the Board) that I've had to ask it to be diluted--and when I don't like the drink of the day, I have never been turned down to get another day's offerings at the same price, regardless of the ship. I appreciate the quiet, genteel offering that it is.

On the Crown in December, we didn't receive a card, and went directly to the cabin to drop off our things. (Around noon). We weren't stopped, but you could tell that the cabin was not 100% ready. Right after that, in the elevator, the crew member said something about cabins not being ready yet.

 

Yes, it is a change--but if it means the cabins are cleaner, I'm all for it. Although I love Princess (20+ sailings), I always find the cabins to be a bit weary looking--and not spotlessly clean. I may be a little OCD about that, but in a previous life, I was an Executive Housekeeper at a 1000 room resort, so I have a critical eye.

During the day we keep all the lights on. Once the sun sets, we only use the table lamps and the lights above the desk. We found this helps.

We had a delicious dinner on formal night on our last cruise less than a month ago. They had lobster with prawns, both equally as fantastic as the other.

I do agree on the meatloaf, though...just yuk! I also have to laugh at the turkey dinner that is offered on the last night's menu. You know, inevitably, someone at our table orders it, though so must be something to it.

 

I will miss the daily salmon choice, though. I usually eat that whenever nothing else sounds very appealing. I am not adverse to eating at the buffet or the Trident Grill though if nothing peaks my interest in the main dining room.

 

I think that turkey on the last night of a cruise is kind of a nautical tradition. It's been on every cruise that I've ever been on, from Princess to RCCL to Cunard. :)

Reviews are so subjective. I was on the sailing after the OP, and I found it to be one of the best Princess experiences I've had. I've been on twenty-something Princess sailings, and for the most part I've had a great time. However--my last trip on the Crown a couple of years ago was one of the worst--so I was pleasantly surprised on this sailing.

I found the service to be friendly, in both bars and in the dining facilities. I loved Magic to Do--hands down the best cruise ship show I've ever seen. My cabin was in fine shape. As far as the Salty Dog, the service was phenomenal--but I hated the food. It just wasn't for me. I wish they had kept just a little more Wheelhouse "lounge seating"--it was sometimes hard to find a seat, when the Salty Dog was empty (which it mostly was).

BTW--that fountain in the Piazza was fixed halfway through my cruise. :)

I wonder if they will add entertainment to Adagio and revitalize that venue at night to replace the Wheelhouse

 

Christian

Although not exactly the same scent, Intensely Invigorating Eucalyptus Mint shampoo by OGX comes really close. We purchased it at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

 

Christian.

[quote name='caribill']Although you come in one way and exit another, once in the buffet area there are about 8 different counters and you can go to any of the counters as the line is to get into the area, not to continue on to all the counters in a special order.[/quote]

YES! I wish people would figure that out faster. They always do, but not until a couple of days into a cruise.

Will room service deliver an ice bucket for champagne and glasses?

I've had nothing but problems trying to book anything on my September 1st Vision sailing. It still won't book any dining, there are shore excursions listed for ports were not visiting, and it only lists excursions for one of our three days in Bermuda.

 

In calling, I've spent hours on hold, gotten disconnected, and have received the worst service ever from people who either are not empowered to do anything about it, or simply don't care. Very disappointing.