The Grand..officially my least favorite Princess ship

[Go-Bucks!]

Would any of you who experienced "buckets everywhere, leaking ceilings, and mold/mildew", please post pictures and/or videos so that we can see what it looked like. Also, please post how many of these leaking issues were going on at the same time. I'm not saying that I don't believe the OP and others, but I guess I'm having a hard time picturing Princess letting the ship look like a floating piece of Swiss cheese.

 

Princess is a business and they're not going to make money when passengers have water, mold and smells all over the ship. I can't imagine the captain, the head of maintanence and housekeeping just putting buckets all over the ship and not dealing with the problem.

 

I'm still planning to go on the Grand in November, but will monitor these posts.

[Ahhh]

Princess is a business and they're not going to make money when passengers have water, mold and smells all over the ship. I can't imagine the captain, the head of maintanence and housekeeping just putting buckets all over the ship and not dealing with the problem.

 

The problems are ongoing. I never SAW mold but can assure you it was there. I took pictures of water damage that had run down walls in the Horizon Court, obviously the damage attesting to the fact that these were not new problems - and THIS was back in March 2014!

 

Even at that time they could not figure out what pipes were faulty, as water follows it's own course, but they were trying. It's not a small problem, as they were having problems with the old pipes all over the ship. Even though the ship needs some major plumbing repairs, they still have to have her sailing to make money. If it were not for Cruise Critic, one would be unaware of problems on most ships.

 

Although I finally got switched to a different cabin, I was amazed that I was treated as though they knew nothing about the problems they were having. I guess that attitude is for legal reasons :rolleyes:

 

As I stated before, the whole aft section of deck 12 (port AND starboard) for about 8 cabins back (from A714/A715), wreaked of mold and mildew :eek:.

 

I hope you enjoy the ship in November. David

[caribill]

 

Even at that time they could not figure out what pipes were faulty, as water follows it's own course, but they were trying. It's not a small problem, as they were having problems with the old pipes all over the ship. Even though the ship needs some major plumbing repairs, they still have to have her sailing to make money.

 

Of course passengers would expect and Princess would try to locate and fix any leaks as soon as possible.

 

But imagine how this board would light up with complaints if Princess cancelled one or more cruises to work on the leaks.

 

"I had been planning this vacation for over a year and had to get special permission to get vacation time for it. And then Princess cancelled the cruise because of a couple of water leaks. Yes, I get my money back, but I lost my vacation and my vacation time. I'll never sail Princess again."

[Pam in CA]

Would any of you who experienced "buckets everywhere, leaking ceilings, and mold/mildew", please post pictures and/or videos so that we can see what it looked like. Also, please post how many of these leaking issues were going on at the same time. I'm not saying that I don't believe the OP and others, but I guess I'm having a hard time picturing Princess letting the ship look like a floating piece of Swiss cheese.

This was just outside of the wedding chapel and was an active drip:

 

I personally didn't see other buckets but my tablemates, who were on Aloha deck, said that there were buckets and commercial blow dryers in the hallway the entire cruise. I saw dryers in the Spa most days. The Spa pool overflowed constantly, even in port, with the water pooling on the steps between the area around the pool and the Spa. There were wet towels that had to be stepped over as well as wet towels on the ground in the Spa hallway near the changing rooms. IMHO, a very dangerous situation in that someone could trip or slip on the towels.

[Ahhh]

Of course passengers would expect and Princess would try to locate and fix any leaks as soon as possible.

 

But imagine how this board would light up with complaints if Princess cancelled one or more cruises to work on the leaks.

 

I agree with you 100%. They cannot take the ship out of commision, and are forced to deal with it all accordingly. I just don't think they should act as if these leaks are something new, or nobody has ever complained about it :rolleyes:.

 

To admit the problems exist, they may be forced to reduce prices on that ship, as nobody wants to go on a ship that is sub-par :eek: ;). Just my opinion.

[bdjam]

Would any of you who experienced "buckets everywhere, leaking ceilings, and mold/mildew", please post pictures and/or videos so that we can see what it looked like. Also, please post how many of these leaking issues were going on at the same time. I'm not saying that I don't believe the OP and others, but I guess I'm having a hard time picturing Princess letting the ship look like a floating piece of Swiss cheese.

I agree - it's interesting that these issues with Grand Princess have been on the forefront since she was refitted and yet every time I sail on her, there's never any evidence of them.

 

If it were not for Cruise Critic, one would be unaware of problems on most ships.

Exactly - there's a propensity here to exaggerate. It could be entirely possible that the ship has mold and wet spots...but it is a ship at sea.

 

This was just outside of the wedding chapel and was an active drip:

I can't see a drip...all I see is a bucket.

Edited March 17, 2015 by bdjam

[Ahhh]

I agree - it's interesting that these issues with Grand Princess have been on the forefront since she was refitted and yet every time I sail on her, there's never any evidence of them.

 

I am glad none of these serious issues did not effect you, but mold IS a serious issue, whether you see it or not.

 

Exactly - there's a propensity here to exaggerate. It could be entirely possible that the ship has mold and wet spots...but it is a ship at sea.

 

My point was not that some may exagerate on these boards, but that the INTERNET in general, has changed how we get REAL information, and how we are now more empowered to respond, rather than just gullibly accepting of what we are told. This issue is much more than just wet spots on a "ship at sea", otherwise the issue would be on all ships.

 

I can't see a drip...all I see is a bucket.

Maybe there was no drip, and the bucket was just left there by mistake ;) :rolleyes: :) It's entirely possible that these "forefront issues" since the retrofit are completely made up by a group of passengers who just don't care for the ship. :D

[dickinson]

I felt drips in Explorers and One5. No buckets as these drips were sporadic. My bathroom smelled a little musty although I did not see any mold. No one is making this stuff up. If you have not sailed her then all these sounds so bad that you wonder why anyone would go on her. Personally I would sail her again although she would not be my first choice. I had a great cruise. I do feel Princess should do what it takes to fix these issues.

 

 

 

 

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[mellon1]

I trust Pam, she is a well-traveled cruiser. In addition, for whatever it matters, we only have 23 cruises, but cruised 2 28 day cruises on the Grand and 1 14 day. In our suite every time there was mold in the shower. I bring bleach along and sprayed it day one and got rid of the culprit.

 

There are pluses and minuses with every ship.

[shredie]

Maybe there was no drip, and the bucket was just left there by mistake ;) :rolleyes: :) It's entirely possible that these "forefront issues" since the retrofit are completely made up by a group of passengers who just don't care for the ship. :D

 

It's kind of hard to capture a drip mid-drop in a still photo. I guess what we need is video. :rolleyes: Listen, if Pam says there was a drip, that's good enough for me.

[Ahhh]

No one is making this stuff up. If you have not sailed her then all these sounds so bad that you wonder why anyone would go on her. Personally I would sail her again although she would not be my first choice. I had a great cruise.

 

You are correct. Nobody is making this stuff up. But most passengers are not effected by mold issues, some are not in areas that are effected by what has been mentioned, and some never notice these things even when they are around them.

 

But, unlike worn carpets or upholstery (which many complain about on a multitude of ships), mold is a different issue, which can effect health. Ever wonder why (perhaps) some people come down with upper respiratory issues when on a ship? Mold could be a factor.

 

When I hear people say, "I had a great cruise" or "I had a terrible cruise", I always have to ask what they mean by that, as everyone has a different reason(s) and basis for each particular voyage.

 

Many times it has nothing to do with the ship (enjoyed friends & family, enjoyed the ports, enjoyed getting away from daily routine, enjoyed the weather, enjoyed the food, etc., or conversely: embarkation and/or debarkation was a mess, foul weather, lost luggage, chronic bad mood, etc.).

 

I've enjoyed ALL my cruises! But, there were two that I was ready to get off the ship on day one: One was because the person who occupied the cabin before me was a chain smoker (aparently IN the cabin :eek:), and the other was because the cabin wreaked of mold/mildew :eek:. Fortunately I was moved to different cabins in each case, and enjoyed my voyages :D.

 

Personally, I will not sail on the Grand again, no matter what the price. I much prefer the Crown, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, or Diamond (after those, I would consider the Royal or Regal, both of which I've been on, but they're not my first choice).

 

It's kind of hard to capture a drip mid-drop in a still photo. I guess what we need is video. :rolleyes: Listen, if Pam says there was a drip, that's good enough for me.

 

I am hoping that most people can tell sarcasm when they read it ;). David

[KruzPrincess]

Would any of you who experienced "buckets everywhere, leaking ceilings, and mold/mildew", please post pictures and/or videos so that we can see what it looked like. Also, please post how many of these leaking issues were going on at the same time. I'm not saying that I don't believe the OP and others, but I guess I'm having a hard time picturing Princess letting the ship look like a floating piece of Swiss cheese.

 

Princess is a business and they're not going to make money when passengers have water, mold and smells all over the ship. I can't imagine the captain, the head of maintanence and housekeeping just putting buckets all over the ship and not dealing with the problem.

 

I'm still planning to go on the Grand in November, but will monitor these posts.

 

I didn't take pictures of the buckets. I didn't see "buckets everywhere", but I did see them. The one most notable was walking past the bar at the Explorers Lounge. The side steps to the lounge were completely blocked off and buckets were on the floor. Some of the ceiling panels were removed and workers were on ladders looking/working on the problem. The carpet was wet. I did see other buckets, but I honestly didn't pay a lot of attention to it. I was on Emerald deck aft and the hallways were dry there. There were other issues, but not buckets or fans in the halls.

 

As for mold in the bathrooms. My friends said their cabin was disgusting. They called to complain and management came to see their cabin. They called a cleaning crew in to clean their bathroom. My bathtub had a little mold on the grout, but it wasn't horrible. Other things were not good, but mold wasn't terrible for me. At the time, my friends and I had a cabin steward who was not good and I thought it was more an issue with him than the ship. I didn't know this was a problem in other areas.

 

By the way, this was 12/2014.

Edited March 18, 2015 by KruzPrincess

[cr8tiv1]

Okay, I have to chime in here. Just returned from a 15 day cruise to Hawaii on the Grand Princess (2/17 to 3/4). I will agree that she is not one of my favorite ships (Coral and Golden rank way up there), but it will be recorded as one of my best cruises.

 

She doesn't have a central staircase, but she has Alfredos.

Stairs and elevators were not a problem because she is one of three ships that have Window Suites.

Best entertainers by far with ELUA and Rhapsody Trio in the Piazza.

She did spring a drop of two on me while I was sitting in the Vista Lounge.

 

I don't mean to down play any of her structural problems. I am sure there were some, but I did not encounter any.

 

Her positives made up for any lapses she may have.

 

I requested a particular waitress by email and I was assigned to her table.

 

I requested a Traditional Dining table in DaVinci (I was on Deck 6 and could not see a reason for traipsing to the back of the ship / up to 7 over and down to 6). This was also granted.

 

The Boutique manager Claire, hotel manager, customer service agents, Facet's salesperson Zuber, room steward Arnel, Head Waiter, wait staff Angie, Mike Witte (CD), and the list goes on, were personable, helpful, friendly, and totally made the cruise enjoyable.

 

And I can not beginning to give accolades to David and Leialoha (ELUA) for bringing Hawaiiana to the ship from the moment you stepped aboard. I do understand that Danilo Portoso (Hotel General Manager) also changed the atmosphere by having the staff wear aloha attire and piped Hawaiian music to all of the public spaces for 15 days.

 

The Naturalist Gary gave outstanding lectures going over and fun lectures on the return.

 

Maybe I was blinded by all the positives, but this is one of my favorite itineraries and limited to departures from San Pedro. I prefer her to the larger ships that will be deplored next season. Everybody has their opinions and rights to choose the ship that best suits their needs. Next season she will be out of San Francisco.

 

Boo Hoo to Princess for taking all of the good ships away from the Los Angeles market.

Edited March 18, 2015 by cr8tiv1

[dickinson]

Okay, I have to chime in here. Just returned from a 15 day cruise to Hawaii on the Grand Princess (2/17 to 3/4). I will agree that she is not one of my favorite ships (Coral and Golden rank way up there), but it will be recorded as one of my best cruises.

 

She doesn't have a central staircase, but she has Alfredos.

Stairs and elevators were not a problem because she is one of three ships that have Window Suites.

Best entertainers by far with ELUA and Rhapsody Trio in the Piazza.

She did spring a drop of two on me while I was sitting in the Vista Lounge.

 

I don't mean to down play any of her structural problems. I am sure there were some, but I did not encounter any.

 

Her positives made up for any lapses she may have.

 

I requested a particular waitress by email and I was assigned to her table.

 

I requested a Traditional Dining table in DaVinci (I was on Deck 6 and could not see a reason for traipsing to the back of the ship / up to 7 over and down to 6). This was also granted.

 

The Boutique manager Claire, hotel manager, customer service agents, Facet's salesperson Zuber, room steward Arnel, Head Waiter, wait staff Angie, Mike Witte (CD), and the list goes on, were personable, helpful, friendly, and totally made the cruise enjoyable.

 

And I can not beginning to give accolades to David and Leialoha (ELUA) for bringing Hawaiiana to the ship from the moment you stepped aboard. I do understand that Danilo Portoso (Hotel General Manager) also changed the atmosphere by having the staff wear aloha attire and piped Hawaiian music to all of the public spaces for 15 days.

 

The Naturalist Gary gave outstanding lectures going over and fun lectures on the return.

 

Maybe I was blinded by all the positives, but this is one of my favorite itineraries and limited to departures from San Pedro. I prefer her to the larger ships that will be deplored next season. Everybody has their opinions and rights to choose the ship that best suits their needs. Next season she will be out of San Francisco.

 

Boo Hoo to Princess for taking all of the good ships away from the Los Angeles market.

 

I hope all the detail you provided about the positives helps those people who just read about all the negatives. I know from experience that as much as we try not to let the negatives guide us it definitely can. I too would call this trip one of my better cruises. Even though the ship needs some work I would go on her again if the itinerary met my needs.

 

Enjoyed meeting you!

[awinte2]

Was on the Grand the same time as Pam. The buckets and fans are not an exaggeration. I was in P318 and had blower fans constantly running in the hallway.

This did not take away from the good time we had as we have sailed with Princess many times but it does take away from the glow for first time people seeing this. Also all the tiles around the outside pool are cracked coming off or totally missing,

There is no doubt the Grand needs work but to do this it must be dry docked as I was told a lot of the leaks are coming from the air conditioners, and the entire pool areas have to be closed to do repairs. It is about money with all businesses and Princess will eventually do the repairs needed.

For those sailing on the Grand. The service and the food in the dining rooms was great. A couple days not as good as some . Entertainment was just that entertaining. If you do not like one area there are 5 others to go to. Go on your cruise and have fun.

[marykhal]

I am booked on the Grand departing 5/16 Anchorage to Vancouver. I was freaking out after reading about all the mold and smoke as I have an auto-immune condition. I just got off the phone with Princess this morning and yes it is confirmed that the Grand will be dry-docked in early May to address the problems on Deck 14 and 15 as well as the casino/info counter area in the Piazza as well as a few other misc upgrades. She will be set to depart on May 11. What a relief!!! It does appear as thought Princess is listening and addressing the concerns. :o

[Colo Cruiser]

Hopefully she will be dry. ;)

[mrsgoggins]

From what you wrote on another thread marykhal I believe we are on the same cruise - first time with Princess for me so I was also a little concerned.

 

However, about Princess 'listening to concerns', won't this week in dry dock have had to be scheduled in more than a year in advance? Still very pleased they are doing it after the reports and thank you for the update.

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

From what you wrote on another thread marykhal I believe we are on the same cruise - first time with Princess for me so I was also a little concerned.

 

 

 

However, about Princess 'listening to concerns', won't this week in dry dock have had to be scheduled in more than a year in advance? Still very pleased they are doing it after the reports and thank you for the update.

 

 

Don't worry about the grand have been on her 3 times in the last year. There is some tlc needed but would still travel on her

[mrsgoggins]

Don't worry about the grand have been on her 3 times in the last year. There is some tlc needed but would still travel on her

 

Thanks for that. I'm not really worried - I don't have allergies etc to make me fearful - I just wanted our first experience of Princess to be really good, which I am sure it will be.

 

I actually bought Carnival Stock more than a year ago (and didn't buy the minimum so very happy with the way it's performed :D) because, after lots of research, I decided that with cruising very likely in our future Princess would be a good fit for us. Also trying Celebrity round Italy later in the year just in case ..... ;)

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

Thanks for that. I'm not really worried - I don't have allergies etc to make me fearful - I just wanted our first experience of Princess to be really good, which I am sure it will be.

 

 

 

I actually bought Carnival Stock more than a year ago (and didn't buy the minimum so very happy with the way it's performed :D) because, after lots of research, I decided that with cruising very likely in our future Princess would be a good fit for us. Also trying Celebrity round Italy later in the year just in case ..... ;)

 

 

Yes the stock has done very well as of late. We sold last year made a few bucks right now we are waiting for the price to drop and will buy some more.

[VibeGuy]

I just got off Grand and I have to say nobody is exaggerating the moisture problems; while I didn't experience any issues in One5, there was always a floor dryer running at the spot between the forward starboard edge of Explorers and the elevators.

 

On two occasions I noticed a very strong human waste aroma in the aft passage of Aloha, in the 7/14, with engineering working on it.

 

E

[VibeGuy]

Sorry, I meant to say in the 600-700 frames, port side.

 

There were also issues with flickering lights in Crooners, the "twinkle lights" are inoperative in much of the Vista lounge, and I did catch a "musty" whiff in a few other random locations.

[BabsinTX]

Sorry, I meant to say in the 600-700 frames, port side.

 

There were also issues with flickering lights in Crooners, the "twinkle lights" are inoperative in much of the Vista lounge, and I did catch a "musty" whiff in a few other random locations.

 

I was on the Grand in February, and forgot about the lights in the Vista Lounge until you mentioned them. Yes, many of them were out. A lot of lights were out in the HC, too. It was very dark in there, and maybe the lights were out due to electrical issues.

[dickinson]

I was on the Grand in February, and forgot about the lights in the Vista Lounge until you mentioned them. Yes, many of them were out. A lot of lights were out in the HC, too. It was very dark in there, and maybe the lights were out due to electrical issues.

 

I was on the cruise after you and never noticed any of the light issues. Doesn't mean they didn't exist just that I never noticed them and it didn't seem like anything was wrong. Obviously the ship is in need of repair.