The One5 Club on the Grand Princess and general facilities.

[livinforcruisin]

Just back from the May 21st Iberian interlude cruise and the newly refurbished Grand Princess. This is our 3rd sale on her and we enjoyed all her new changes. The Piazza is beautiful and a very pleasent place to while away some time. The international cafe was fabulous as per other IC's and the new Alfredo's was a fun change. Leaves tea room started to get more used towards the end of the cruise. The internet cafe is well layed out and I found the internet connection much speedier than other experiences.

 

The One5 club opened up on the Wednesday evening and we loved this new space and really preferred it to Skywalkers. There is very comfortable seating, many seating areas that give you a sense of space yet still very much in the heart of things. The decor was warm and much more modern and the dance floor very welcoming. I am sure it will be a well used space. all age groups seemed to be enjoying their time in there. I didn't sample the outside patio areas of the One5 club but they looked like a lovely spot for back of the ship seating which is enclosed enough to give shelter on windy or rainy days.

 

Our cabin appeared to have new mattresses as there was 'no dip' on either of them. And lots of new carpets around the ship, but none in our cabin. I liked the new layout in Horizon Court and didn't feel as though it took too many chairs away. It did make getting buffet food much less crushed than I have experience before.

 

The crew as ever were wonderful, we loved them all, apart from our room steward who was unusually surly and not very friendly, but we tried not to let this spoil our experience. some small downsides were that our balcony was absoloutely filthy dirty. I waited until day 3 to ask for it to be cleaned as I kept hoping it would be done automatically and I assumed it had been missed on turnaround day due to their busy work schedules. 2nd time in a suite which again was fun but we didn't receive our corsage's on formal night which remains a mystery as I didn't want to ask the surly room steward about it (I know I'm chicken really but I just felt if I had asked that things may have gone quickly down hill and I didn't want that). We didn't experience any problems with the lifts at all and used them frequently. The new gym equipment was wonderful and state of the art. Bay of Biscay miserably rough with the evening shows understandably having to be cancelled.

 

Our first watch of the Bristish Invasion which was superb with outstanding singers and dancers. The band Atomic were ok apart from their male singer who really could not hold a tune, but fortunately he only sang intermittently. Entertainment crew top notch.

 

I don't use the casino but we had a nosey in there and it looked really well laid out with a lovely new bar area. I don't know if people had better luck on the slots than has been reported in recent months.

 

And yes the Auto tips are up to $12 but well deserved IMHO.

 

Another fabulous and enjoyable Princess cruise, I would return to the Grand in a flash.

 

Happy sailing to all who will be sampling her new delights.

[shoreham01]

Thanks for that positive review. We are going on the Grand in a couple of weeks time and were a little worried about some of the experiences people had on the TA. You are the second person to say that their room steward was not up to the usual Princess standard. Wonder if it was the same one. Other people have also said that their balcony was filthy. Not too good considering how Princess usually look after their customers.

[livinforcruisin]

Hi Shoreham.

 

We had an aft cabin and the balcony felt un-usable it was covered in muck and grime, the glass was dirty and everything was not good. I really hate to complain hence I waited patiently for a few days to see if it was remedied but eventually had to ask for it to be done. Strangely the other stewards we passed on the corridor seemed their ususal smiley selves. I don't know maybe he is just having a difficult time personally or something but I wouldn't like to have him again that's for sure. :p

Edited May 29, 2011 by livinforcruisin

[grandmaa]

Thank you for your favorable review of the new One5 Club on the Grand Princess. Yours was the first I have read describing the venue. Also in your posting you mentioned

"surly" "unfriendly" room stewards. Others on the Grand Princess Trans Atlantic cruise brought up the same issue. Sorry to hear that. Even though we do not like to report that kind of attitude or behavior it is important that Princess know so they can remedy the issue.

Edited May 29, 2011 by grandmaa

[Pia1913]

Thanks for that positive review. We are going on the Grand in a couple of weeks time and were a little worried about some of the experiences people had on the TA. You are the second person to say that their room steward was not up to the usual Princess standard. Wonder if it was the same one. Other people have also said that their balcony was filthy. Not too good considering how Princess usually look after their customers.

 

That would be me. Mine wasn't surly; just, IMO, lazy. But same thing with balconies; not cleaned.

[livinforcruisin]

Hi Pia,

 

I did feel he was lazy, it was as though he just couldn't be bothered no attention to detail (Caribe deck C751). But the rest of the crew were fabulous and real fun to be around. I love talking to the crew and getting to know their own stories. I admire them all so much for their hard work whilst so far away from home and family, it makes me feel very humble to know how hard they work for their families.

[Pia1913]

Hi Pia,

 

I did feel he was lazy, it was as though he just couldn't be bothered no attention to detail (Caribe deck C751). But the rest of the crew were fabulous and real fun to be around. I love talking to the crew and getting to know their own stories. I admire them all so much for their hard work whilst so far away from home and family, it makes me feel very humble to know how hard they work for their families.

 

We were on Caribe too, but forward. Was his name Alex?

[livinforcruisin]

No, not the same guy....maybe his brother :p

[Marmaduke]

We have also just got back from the Iberian Interlude cruise and agree with most of the OP's comments. Excellent pizzas from Alfredo's with fast efficient service. Didn't use the new One 5 night club but went to have a look during the day and it is certainly a nicer venue than Sky walkers. Our balcony on Caribe deck, port side was also filthy and never cleaned properly during the week. I shall be mentioning this on the on-line survey. The Steward was OK but, not the best. He muttered his welcome speech so quickly it was as if he had learnt it off by heart and didn't sound sincere. He also failed on both occasions to leave the order form for the formal night elite canapes. We went for afternoon tea in the MDR on Sunday and the service was appalling. We were served with the scones, jam and cream first, then a wait of 10 mins before the sandwiches arrived and the waiter was very reluctant to let me have two (I had missed lunch). We were then offered cookies but never any cakes. I later asked for cakes and was told "no cakes". We tried the tea again later in the cruise and the service was slightly better but such a disappointment after the excellent afternoon teas on Sea Princess last year. Fortunately we didn't experience any of the major plumbing problems which seemed to have plagued some of the cabins on the previous cruise. Would be happy to cruise on the Grand again

Edited May 30, 2011 by Marmaduke

[SwissDave]

Hi all

I am currently on the Grand (got on as you got off).

I can happily report that all cleaning throughout the ship is now completed, all balconies have also been done. They are still replacing carpeting in cabins, a few on Dolphin were being done this morning.

 

This is my fifth time on Grand, and I think I have only seen 3 members of staff that I recognise from my last trips. So it looks like it was an all new team on board but it seems they are pulling themsleves together. I have an aft suite (D736) and the steward is fine, knows his stuff and is friendly without being too personal (just the way it should be).

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like they are still working out the kinks.

[SwissDave]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like they are still working out the kinks.

 

They are, but it now looks like an 'ordinary' cruise where they do normal maintenance work. None of it is affecting daily on board life in any way at all. Whatever problem they had with aircon seems to be resolved, no one could call the temps 'cold'. In fact for me it is slightly too warm, so for 99% it will be just right.

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

Where is the Elite/Platinum Happy Hour on the Grand?

 

It used to be in Skywalkers from 500-700, but Skywalkers is no more.....

[Putterdude]

livinforcruisin, thanks for your review. I remain very curious about One5, does it have lots of windows and are the view opportunities as good as Skywalkers were?

[Pia1913]

Where is the Elite/Platinum Happy Hour on the Grand?

 

It used to be in Skywalkers from 500-700, but Skywalkers is no more.....

 

Squished into the left side of Explorer's and then switched to Vista. Don't know what permanent home will be.

[Woobstr112G]

OP;

 

Thanks for writing a great review. I enjoyed reading it.....:):):)

 

Bob

[johnmik1]

We did the crossing and found the balcony to be filthy and the furniture dirty and stained.We had the same cabin in Jan and expected that the drydock would fix these issues.They have also removed the blue matting on all the balconys and sprayed the surface with a new paint.The deck now retains all the dirt and water pools when it rains.We had to wear shoes at all times and kept a towel by the door so we would not dirty the carpet.Bring back the matting!

[chaz2010]

We were also on the Iberian Interlude. Most of the OP's statements are true. We were in a balcony cabin on Aloha Deck forward. The seas were terrible, Our balcony was dirty, and our steward was very unfriendly. There was also a woman at the security when you got on and off the ship who was very nasty. At Brest in the afternoon there was a very long line to get back on as there was only one gangplank. We had just finished lunch on the ship and wanted to get off to buy crepes at a stand set up at the dock. She told me I had to wait until all the people in line got back on the ship before I could get off. The line went all the way down the dock, so it was probably a 30 minute wait. We jusy said forget it. I don't think this was right as they should have taken breaks in the line for pople who wanted to get off int he afternoon. We went back to our balcony, and sure enough saw people being let off. I guess she just didn't like me, or her shift ended!

 

Other than the above minor complaints, the cruise was great! The weather was terrific and the meals and entertainment were fantastic (British Invasion and McDonald brothers especially). Made a lot of new British friends!

[livinforcruisin]

livinforcruisin, thanks for your review. I remain very curious about One5, does it have lots of windows and are the view opportunities as good as Skywalkers were?

 

 

Hi Putterdude.

 

There are lots of windows but as we only went up in the evening they had blinds pulled down over them, so I couldn't quite get orientated to what the views would be of once the blinds were pulled up. You won't get the same fabulous view of the wake as the club is quite a way forward from the Aft of the ship. And I think the windows will be on the Port side of the ship as across from One5 is the Hearts and Mind Chapel (starboard side). Now that's its open all the time I guess people will wander in throughout the day and I guess the Elite / Platinum happh hour / cocktail hour might be moved there in the future. It will be interesting to hear how it is reviewed now its fully open.

[livinforcruisin]

We were also on the Iberian Interlude. Most of the OP's statements are true. We were in a balcony cabin on Aloha Deck forward. The seas were terrible,

Our balcony was dirty, and our steward was very unfriendly

. There was also a woman at the security when you got on and off the ship who was very nasty. At Brest in the afternoon there was a very long line to get back on as there was only one gangplank. We had just finished lunch on the ship and wanted to get off to buy crepes at a stand set up at the dock. She told me I had to wait until all the people in line got back on the ship before I could get off. The line went all the way down the dock, so it was probably a 30 minute wait. We jusy said forget it. I don't think this was right as they should have taken breaks in the line for pople who wanted to get off int he afternoon. We went back to our balcony, and sure enough saw people being let off. I guess she just didn't like me, or her shift ended!

 

Other than the above minor complaints, the cruise was great! The weather was terrific and the meals and entertainment were fantastic (British Invasion and McDonald brothers especially). Made a lot of new British friends!

 

Hi Chaz 2010,

 

It seems a lot of us had trouble with cabin stewards and the condition of our balconies. Maybe they were all just exhausted from the massive cleanup that would have needed to be done post re-fit.

[livinforcruisin]

We did the crossing and found the balcony to be filthy and the furniture dirty and stained.We had the same cabin in Jan and expected that the drydock would fix these issues.They have also removed the blue matting on all the balconys and sprayed the surface with a new paint.The deck now retains all the dirt and water pools when it rains.We had to wear shoes at all times and kept a towel by the door so we would not dirty the carpet.Bring back the matting!

 

Hi Johnmik,

 

I didn't know if the removal of the blue matting was just on the Aft of the ship or whether it was ship wide. I fully agree I much preferred the blue matting. The current surface sure retains dirt and not a pleasant experience to be out there.

[chaz2010]

Hi Chaz 2010,

 

It seems a lot of us had trouble with cabin stewards and the condition of our balconies. Maybe they were all just exhausted from the massive cleanup that would have needed to be done post re-fit.

 

Yes- one of our waiters at dinner indicated it was a very tough time during dry dock. There was noise 24/7, and they had to serve food to the workers each night in the restaurant. I felt sorry for them as many looked depressed. But I don't know what the excuse is for not cleaning the balconies.

[livinforcruisin]

Yes- one of our waiters at dinner indicated it was a very tough time during dry dock. There was noise 24/7, and they had to serve food to the workers each night in the restaurant. I felt sorry for them as many looked depressed. But I don't know what the excuse is for not cleaning the balconies.

 

No i don't either, I'm just scratching around for a plausable reason :eek:

[TorontoTL]

Are there any photos of the new areas like One5 that have been posted? I'd love to see more photos of the Grand post dry dock.

[bdjam]

Are there any photos of the new areas like One5 that have been posted? I'd love to see more photos of the Grand post dry dock.

Benny - there are a couple of pictures at CC's UK site here - they aren't very representative of the space...but it's something:

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/blog/?p=2979