My personal experiences onboard the Sapphire 28 day Hawaii/Samoa/Tahiti cruise.

[flamomo]

While I understand Toto's frustration with being treated as the "go-to" person, to the point of it becoming downright annoying and privacy invading, I have to say that this was the most enjoyable cruise I have been on. I would love to do it again, but preferably with a more innovative CD. Particularly for those last 8 sea days. We wished for something as simple as a daily movie in the Princess Theater.

Yes, there were activities offered, but so little with anything of substance or interest to me and my cruise buddy, and others we talked to. It is a good thing that we are both voracious readers and both had our Kindles to occupy our time.

Probably the most negative thing that occurred, IMO, was at the ceremony for crossing the International Dateline. Many passengers got there early to find seats, and shortly before the ceremony began, later-arriving people crowded right up at poolside, completely obscuring the view of those of us who had planned ahead. And Princess staff did nothing to stop those selfish people from standing there. So a much anticipated event for many of us was ruined by the thoughtless behavior of others and by Princess staff's lack of intervention. It was most disappointing.

But even with that, I still found the entire cruise to be simply delightful. Of course, there were other "negatives" of a smaller nature, but overall, I loved the cruise.

[vetry]

Just thought I would throw my two cents in. There tons of rude people on this cruise. On the first formal night, one of my friends went to the casino after dinner and was sitting at a machine. She lit up a cigarette, and this man sitting behind her turned around and hit her in the arm and told her it was a non smoking night. He startled her so bad that she said she was sorry and put her cigarette out. Then she started thinking that if was a non smoking night, then why did they have the ashtrays out. Then the same man attack'd a couple walking by that was smoking, and he started screaming at them that it was a non smoking night, the couple started screaming back at him, saying it was a smoking night. The three of them went up to the cashier's cage and were still screaming at each other. My friend called securtiy on the guy for hitting her. Security looked at the tapes and said they could only see that he bumped her. Regardless, this man was never seen again, so we don't know what happened to him.

 

When we were getting off the ship at Pago Pago, we came down the elevators to get off, and it was jambed pack with people, because they were taking some guy off the ship on a stretcher. We got off the elevator and moved up to an empty space, and this woman starting yelling at us that we had to go back to the end of the line because she was first. I told her if we went back we would be in the elevator, there was no place to go, she yelled well I'm first. I just said whatever and stood there.

 

We loved this cruise, seeing all those exoctic islands was a first for us. They were absolutely beautiful. We were shocked at how expensive it was on Bora Bora, Moorea, and Papaette. $35 for a simple T-shirt. No way was I going to pay that, even though we did buy some at Bloody Mary's for $25 each. We kept saying if we had known how expensive it was going to be there that we would have bought more in Pago Pago.

 

We were traveling with two other couples and we had rooms right next to each other and had our balcony doors opened. It was a blast, every afternoon we would all meet on our balconies and have happy hour. One of the couples loved the food on the ship. They thought every thing they ate was wonderful. My husband and I, and the other couple did not like the food at all. There were a few good things that we liked, but not many. We all loved the cheeseburgers from room service and the chili was outstanding. I understand everyone has there own tastes, and I think the majority of the people on this cruise thought the food was good, but not us.

 

We spent a lot of time in the casino on this cruise. We won a lot of money in there and brought about half of it home with us. We got two of those tax things at the end of the cruise. Dang it!!!! lol

I met Sue (toto from Kansas) in the casino. We became video poker pals. lol We always seemed to be sitting next to each other. I liked her very much, she was a very nice person. We had lots of good talks about the cruise and the people on it. She was telling me about all the people bugging her at her grand suite about the tours she had set up, becuse they didn't go to the meet and greet to find out information. I know it was very frustrating for her. She told me that we could come up and see the grand suite after the second meet and greet was over, but we decided we didn't want to bug her. She had been bugged enough. I was meaning to ask Sue for her email address, so we could stay in touch, but that never happend. If your reading this Sue, and you would like to stay in touch, my email address is: bretchers at gmail dot com

 

One of the guys we were traveling with got sick with a cold and two days later I came down with it. It turned into a chest cold. Cough cough cough. This was the last 8 days. Thank goodness it didn't happen when were at any of the islands. I pretty much stayed in the cabin, and then when I did go out, I was trying my hardest not to cough. We were invited up to the bridge on the last Tuesday of the trip by the captain. My husband and 18 other people. Tuesday was my worst day of my cold, but I wasn't going to miss this. We went up there and I had my camera. The captain was very nice and iformative. I took lots of pictures and it was very interesting. I thought I was going to pass out from trying not to cough. I broke out it a sweat and I was looking around at all the other people and I was the only sweating. I had to leave, I was the first one out of there. I went straight back to my room and went to bed and stayed there for two days. I'm all better now, the cough is gone. My husband caught it a whole week after I got it. I wonder how many people on the ship had this cold.........

 

Ok, that's it for my two cents. Would I ever do this cruise again? Probably not. Even though over all, we had a great time.

 

Marilyn

[BudinFla]

As one who is signed up for this cruise in 2013 and it is my dream cruise, thanks to all of you for your honest comments. Al of them help. But I will say that when I did the round Hawaii cruise a number of years ago, I ran into a lot of those same grumpy, self-entitled, senior citizens. I hated it and now I am one. At least I am a senior citizen. I try to behave better. But I do agree there is no excuse for being rude. The ship will not run out of food, buses or anything else. Just be patient. I do not know why that is so hard for older people or why they engage in such bizarre behavior. I live in a retirement community and see the same thing day in and day out. So sad. I think you just have to stay up beat and positive. I will say the best cruise I have ever taken was on the Grand Princess from Venice to Rome. The Greek Islands are magical! I am hoping the South pacific will be too. Thanks again for taking time to post.

[notentirelynormal]

We had lots of good talks about the cruise and the people on it. She was telling me about all the people bugging her at her grand suite about the tours she had set up, because they didn't go to the meet and greet to find out information. I know it was very frustrating for her.

 

Marilyn

 

I think this is key for those that said she took it upon herself to do the tour tenders so she should have expected this. ALL the people that called and bugged her - were on vacation and didn't want to interrupt what THEY were doing to attend the M&G because it wasn't convenient or whatever their reason. These people are supposed to be adults, right? They set up a tour and didn't bother to find out the details until it was convenient to them, no matter who they inconvenienced. That's rude and self centered.

[Who Knew]

I wonder how many people on the ship had this cold.........

 

My friend got it first about halfway through the cruise...I got it during the last 8 sea days...about 5 days before we docked. That was another reason we stayed in our cabin a lot, lol. My friend actually saw the ship's doctor, who said it was an upper respiratory infection, gave her 3 days of antibiotics, some cough drops and something to ease her sore throat which she'd had for 4 days. Perhaps that's why so many were grumpy, lol. I know both of us felt awful in Papeete...she was in full swing, and I was just starting to come down with it.

[happytalk44]

My friend got it first about halfway through the cruise...I got it during the last 8 sea days...about 5 days before we docked. That was another reason we stayed in our cabin a lot, lol. My friend actually saw the ship's doctor, who said it was an upper respiratory infection, gave her 3 days of antibiotics, some cough drops and something to ease her sore throat which she'd had for 4 days. Perhaps that's why so many were grumpy, lol. I know both of us felt awful in Papeete...she was in full swing, and I was just starting to come down with it.

We had it too for the sea days coming home. It has taken a doctor's visit and antibiotics to get this far. Hope it ends soon.

[Talisker92]

First, let me say I am way past AARP entrance age, but I do not feel I have any sense of entitlement because of my age. I passed elevator 101, to let people off first, and then let those with scooters or walkers on first.

My late wife was handicapped, and I am very aware of the problems maneuvering around.

The funny thing is, that on a Mississippi River cruise in 1997, one of my fellow passengers complained to me about the "AARP"" people. I think with people living longer and the graying of America, the cruise demographics are more skewed toward older passengers.

BUT, there is still no excuse for bad manners!

[Caribensun]

Toto, That was very thoughtful of you to post the review as I highly respect your opinion. Very happy you did have the GS to escape to, despite the knocks and calls. I hope you write to Princess regarding your concerns, they do take suite passengers problems seriously, although compensation is never enough. If VIP's were onboard, you too were one,if not the top VIP. The hotel d'matre d should have seen to it that you were properly seated and had breakfast in Sabatini's daily or at least ordered and sent to your room. I will post from our GS on our cruise, hopefully with better results.

Welcome home.

[Rusty B]

ToTo & DH, we followed your posts throughout the cruise! MANY THANKS to you and the other posters for all of your daily reports, and now for "this" thread!!! We are booked for this cruise, 2012, and are REALLY, REALLY HOPING you-all are making Princess Cruises/ "Sapphire Ship" VERY AWARE of the major and minor problems you encountered!!!! Maybe "some of the things" are beyond their control (age, grumpiness, attitude), BUT, ALOT of these issues ARE within their control!!!!!!!!!!!!! ie: if someone is "handicapped" and has to be in a wheelchair, then they should HAVE to be in a "handicapped room"!!! The "suite priviledges/ upgrades" should ONLY be available for persons booked in a suite!!! IMO, "suite persons" should come BEFORE "bonus miles" (elite, etc.). Princess needs "TO GET THIS RIGHT", and therefore, they need to hear you-all HOLLER about it, for sure!!! THANKS for ALL, and we shall continue to hope you-all will give Princess Cruises/ Sapphire/ 28-day cruises a REALLY hard time and let them know what-all they need to improve!!! We support you ALL THE WAY on this!!! Again, MANY THANKS!!! Hey... How'bout some photos...???... :):):) HUGS for ALL, Rusty & Judy

[Rusty B]

Meaning... There are only a "few" handicapped rooms on the ship, and if that is "What you are/ What you need/ What you have to book"...This VERY FACTOR will certainly LIMIT the number of wheelchairs & scooters booked on each cruise (maybe not walkers...)...!!!!!!!!! I speak as one that has a handicapped DH and we would NOT book unless we can get a Handicapped Room... We were SOOO "grossed-out" on HAL with all of the wheelchair persons, NOT in handicapped rooms, and using the pool and spa showers to bathe and "do whatever"...:(:rolleyes::( Anyway, If these persons are truly handicapped, they should have to be in a handicapped room!!! This is where the cruise line should have some "boundaries", for sure!!! We do speak from "what we know"!!! OK, Enough already! We also know how to book and navigate "hadicap" issues, with the ONE exception... "Doing a "Muster Drill" when DH can only do it by elevator and EVERYONE ELSE/ ABLE-BODIED swarms the elevators and he cannot get on, both going to it and coming back from it...???... Go Figure...???... Again, THANKS for ALL!!! Judy & Rusty

[runnerandme]

I have always said I would NEVER sail Princess due to personal feelings about the cruiseline. We looked hard at this trip. I was about ready to "cave" and book. But now after some of the comments, I will pass.

 

Rusty B, Just a note. Why should I have to book a H/C cabin because my daughter is in a wheelchair??? We book high end suites, her chair fits thru the door just fine.

 

I am glad we are not booking Princess. That way no one will have to see my daughter lying on a lounger, basking in the warmth, most likely covered in a pool blanket with a pillow under her head. She is unable to walk or get up by herself anymore. I would not want to spoil the "atmosphere" for anyone.:rolleyes:

 

Tina's Mom

[morriscats]

I am glad we are not booking Princess. That way no one will have to see my daughter lying on a lounger, basking in the warmth, most likely covered in a pool blanket with a pillow under her head. She is unable to walk or get up by herself anymore. I would not want to spoil the "atmosphere" for anyone.:rolleyes:

 

Tina's Mom

This reference in previous posts really upset me as well as other remarks regarding the age and abilities of the passengers on this cruise. I am so glad your daughter can cruise with you.

[runnerandme]

Morriscats,

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

 

Connie

[kath00]

I have always said I would NEVER sail Princess due to personal feelings about the cruiseline. We looked hard at this trip. I was about ready to "cave" and book. But now after some of the comments, I will pass.

 

Rusty B, Just a note. Why should I have to book a H/C cabin because my daughter is in a wheelchair??? We book high end suites, her chair fits thru the door just fine.

 

I am glad we are not booking Princess. That way no one will have to see my daughter lying on a lounger, basking in the warmth, most likely covered in a pool blanket with a pillow under her head. She is unable to walk or get up by herself anymore. I would not want to spoil the "atmosphere" for anyone.:rolleyes:

 

Tina's Mom

 

Wow, I think you totally missed the OP's and others' points. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[runnerandme]

Kath000, I ended my post with a sarcastic smile. If my daughter could cruise again I would not hesitate to take her. I really do not care what anyone else thinks. Don't think that I did not understand the "point" the OP was making, I did.

[dchip]

I had a long talk with the Captain's Circle person regarding the 8 sea days after Papeete. My suggestion was, if at all possible, to do the 8 days at sea first then Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete, the Samoas and Hawaiian ports. I imagine due to the Jones Act they would have to add Ensenada before coming into LA. You wouldn't feel like the cruise was "over" after Tahiti.

 

She thought the suggestion was very good. Said she had had many people complaining about the 8 days at sea and lack of activities. Yes, we all knew they were there :eek: but I think the reality freaked some passengers.

 

I will say again, for me the 8 days at sea were fine. I had plenty to do reading, sunning, playing with my photos, visiting, etc. The only thing I had a problem with was the energy level of the ship. The fact that after Tahiti we were "going home". We had more cruise left at that point then most cruises!!

 

We enjoyed this cruise very much because we did know what to expect. We loved the new friends we met. Loved cruising for 28 days but I still wouldn't do this exact itinerary again for the reasons I gave several pages ago.

 

Looking through my photos (yes, still sorting) I am thrilled that I got to see the beautiful ports in the South Pacific!

 

Cheers, Denise

[Pam in CA]

Some CDs are far more creative when it comes to activities than others. I've been on cruises with a LOT of sea days (19 on a 32-day cruise, for example) and there were a variety of activities in every single lounge, and one of the Anytime dining rooms, throughout the day.

 

It doesn't take a big budget to be creative. I remember one HI cruise I took years ago. The CD had two large, radio-controlled dune buggies and tiny pylons. He set up a race track on a dance floor. While only two people could race at a time, at least 100 were cheering them on and having a ball. On another cruise, the CD scheduled guest entertainers for afternoon shows. To me, a good CD can make a huge difference.

[caribill]

Probably the most negative thing that occurred, IMO, was at the ceremony for crossing the International Dateline.

 

What is that ceremory like? Similar to crossing the equator?

[pegpowell]

There was no ceremony for crossing the international dateline. According to the cruise line, we didn't cross it. (we did, but north to south in open waters, so it didn't change anything for us.) Next year, the cruises will cross the dateline, since Samoa is changing to the east on Dec. 29.

[kath00]

I would think that even playing a movie during the day in the Princess Theater on each of the 8 sea days would "kill" a couple of hours easily and entertain passengers with little or no cost. While CD's can make a big difference, the cruise line should really plan ahead instead of waiting for some CD to come up with cute games.

 

I think Princess just sort of said, "let us see how it goes" and didn't really plan ahead much for this 28d cruise, it seems. I hope they pick up the slack for future runs because it sounds like a great itiniary with lots of potential in the future. BUT, they gotta do better at crowd distribution and activities, from the sounds of things!

 

Kath

[Aus Traveller]

I agree with Pam's comment about the Cruise Director and scheduled activities. On our Indian Ocean cruise there were seven sea days at the end of a 46 night cruise and we didn't experience any of the problems that Toto and others have mentioned.

 

The suggestion of running the itinerary in the reverse order so there are fewer sea days at the end could work well, but probably having the CD schedule more activities would also prevent boredom setting in.

[caribill]

I had a long talk with the Captain's Circle person regarding the 8 sea days after Papeete. My suggestion was, if at all possible, to do the 8 days at sea first then Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete, the Samoas and Hawaiian ports. I imagine due to the Jones Act they would have to add Ensenada before coming into LA.

 

She thought the suggestion was very good. Said she had had many people complaining about the 8 days at sea and lack of activities.

 

Since the ship will have stopped at a distant foreign port (French Polynesia), there would be no need to stop at Ensenada no matter what order the ports were visited.

 

If there is a lack of activities on the 8 consecutive days at sea, the fault is strickly in the hands of the Cruise Director. I have been on a Trans-Atlantic Princess cruise with 8 days before the first landfall and the main problem was selecting which of the many activities each day to attend and which to skip.

[notentirelynormal]

Some CDs are far more creative when it comes to activities than others. I've been on cruises with a LOT of sea days (19 on a 32-day cruise, for example) and there were a variety of activities in every single lounge, and one of the Anytime dining rooms, throughout the day.

 

It doesn't take a big budget to be creative. I remember one HI cruise I took years ago. The CD had two large, radio-controlled dune buggies and tiny pylons. He set up a race track on a dance floor. While only two people could race at a time, at least 100 were cheering them on and having a ball. On another cruise, the CD scheduled guest entertainers for afternoon shows. To me, a good CD can make a huge difference.

 

See, I read this and go "THAT'S what it's all about!". I've been on a few cruises and some have been exciting and some not. I do believe the CD has a lot to do with it. I don't need really cool stuff, but something different does grab my interest. Challenge me!

[Aus Traveller]

Probably the most negative thing that occurred, IMO, was at the ceremony for crossing the International Dateline. Many passengers got there early to find seats, and shortly before the ceremony began, later-arriving people crowded right up at poolside, completely obscuring the view of those of us who had planned ahead. And Princess staff did nothing to stop those selfish people from standing there. So a much anticipated event for many of us was ruined by the thoughtless behavior of others and by Princess staff's lack of intervention. It was most disappointing.

Maybe you meant the Crossing the Equator ceremony. :) We have crossed the Dateline on several cruises from Australia and they haven't ever had a ceremony. There is usually just a humourous daily newsheet for the "Day That Never Was".

[caribill]

Maybe you meant the Crossing the Equator ceremony. :) We have crossed the Dateline on several cruises from Australia and they haven't ever had a ceremony. There is usually just a humourous daily newsheet for the "Day That Never Was".

 

Come to think of it, this 28 day voyage did not cross the International Dateline unless it got lost.