Sea Princess recent reviews

[Kiwihdrider]

Having trouble finding much recent info on the Sea Princess. There are many notes about smelly area etc, we are booked on world cruise out of Sydney 2016. Have seen the odd post re refurbishing ship soon.

Any up to date on state of ship etc would be appreciated, as we will be on board for 104 days are a little worried we will be disappointed.

Have previously cruised with Cellebrity.

Thanks in advance for any responses

[ozmonkeyboy]

Sea Princess's current condition is pretty poor - is in bad need of refurbished, but she is also showing her age. Relatives just disembarked from 35 night Hawaiian cruise re Sydney and apparently many complaints about the state of the ship, smells, toilets, food quality. Heard that a handful of ppl were also in some heavy discussions onboard about pulling out of the world cruise which immediately followed.

Sorry for the negative comments, just what I was told this morning. Hopefully not all ppl find her condition that bad.

On a positive note apparently she us having a big drydock upcoming after the world cruise in Singapore which will help.

[avalon007]

I had been considering Sea Princess because she has some great longer itineraries out of Sydney & I am a regular Royal cruiser plus recently sailed on Celebrity Solstice.

 

I decided not to bother for a while as my research on the Princess website, here on CC & by talking with a specialist cruise agent who had been on her plus many other lines, made me fairly sure I would not be content on her for months on end.

 

Basically for me the sticking points were:

 

No My Time Dining on cruises out of Australia - I want my freedom to choose when I eat & not to be stuck with the same people every night for weeks on end which could be awful if they aren't the best table mates.

 

No proper covered adults only Solarium area - just an adults only 'sanctuary' which has no roof, a tiny kiddy style paddle pool, limited space & you had to pay extra for the privilege!

 

No stand alone speciality restaurants like Murano, Silk etc on Celebrity, just a pizza place plus a steak restaurant which was an area portioned off from the buffet!

 

Less casual café style dining options that Royal or Celebrity ships in the same size category.

 

No WiFi in cabins

 

Plus several other small things that just for me made me realise this ship was dated & way behind the competition even on the basic things.

 

None of these things may be issues for you - but the cruise agent basically told me if I enjoy Celebrity I would probably find Sea Princess a let down. She did say it was pleasant enough to cruise on her, food was fine & shows OK, but didn't compare to the other ships we had sailed on.

 

If it was a short cruise then not so much of an issue but several months on her is a different story.

 

Sorry if this is a bit negative, you may find none of the negatives for me are an issue, but if you do you still have time to change your plans.:)

 

I was hoping to find out more about her upcoming refurbishment & what changes will be made?

 

I have even emailed the CEO to let them know why I chose not to sail with them & that I hope they can improve the ship or substitute for a newer one in the next year or two.

Edited May 24, 2015 by avalon007

[Kiwihdrider]

Many thanks avalon007 for your honest appraisal, like you we feel it will be a step back from cellebrity. The plus was itinerary which ticked many boxes for us.

We agree that meals an issue, Internet not so, will be disappointed if we don't have a nice area to sit by a pool on a sea day. We hope that the present cruise may get the message thru to management both at all maybe not so well.

A major worry is the smell that is continually talked about.

Many thanks again for your post

Kiwihdrider

[avalon007]

Many thanks avalon007 for your honest appraisal, like you we feel it will be a step back from cellebrity. The plus was itinerary which ticked many boxes for us.

We agree that meals an issue, Internet not so, will be disappointed if we don't have a nice area to sit by a pool on a sea day. We hope that the present cruise may get the message thru to management both at all maybe not so well.

A major worry is the smell that is continually talked about.

Many thanks again for your post

Kiwihdrider

 

You're welcome.

 

As you say the itinerary is great & if that can override any other issues then I'm sure you will have a great cruise.

 

They do have a nice enough looking outdoor pool deck area that may be fine for you, just for me not having a proper solarium area that was included in the price was a big negative, as I use them a lot.:)

[rkmw]

not sure who said that princess does not have wifi in your cabin is a mistake because every cruise we've been on you can get the internet in your cabin

 

another thing the currency is AUD with ships sailing out of Australia and no tipping and you can do your washing anytime you like so that should be a big plus and not like the US ships with RCI and Celeb where its an extra charge

Edited May 24, 2015 by rkmw

[crochetcruise]

Please does anyone know what the current price range is for Cocktails?

 

I'm cruising on the Golden Princess 11/11/2016, not sure if I can get the Alcohol and More Package in Australia, so trying to save enough to gift myself On Board Credit to cover my estimated Cocktail consumption. Am currently working off a 2014 price of AUD$13.95 for the Special Cocktail and guesstimating/budgeting $20 per Cocktail I'd rather have money over than a bill to put on the credit card if I can.

 

Have learnt SUCH a lot of helpful information from Cruise Critic!

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[OzKiwiJJ]

From memory all the cocktails were $14 on our Sun cruise over Christmas.

 

Also Sea has just started her 2015 world cruise. There are links to a couple of blogs on this thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2210092

[tml1230]

I really appreciate the OP and others who have shared their thoughts here…

we have reservations for a portion of this cruise from London through Australia in 2016.

The itinerary was just to good to turn down.

 

the highlight for us will be Australia (our first visit)…we have met so many wonderful Aussies in our travels. Your outstanding sense of humor, and your sense of national pride will surely make this a great adventure.

 

Because of the perks of so many Princess cruises we have done (living in florida makes that pretty easy) its hard to look at other lines, plus generally princess has always kept us happy.

 

we were on the sea princess years ago so it is really not reasonable for me to compare that cruise to current times….

 

BUT, you certainly have started me thinking again about options…at the very least i will be following the ships dry dock and refurb.

 

best regards

[MaudeLou]

Hi tml1230

 

There is a Roll Call for Sea Princess "World Cruise 15 May 2016" if you are interested.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2116322

 

Please feel free to join us :)

[tml1230]

Thanks very much MaudeLou…i will do that today!

the only reason i haven't done so already is we have 2 cruises (both on princess) in line before the world cruise portion…

 

after almost 2 years of retirement i think i am starting to get the hang of it!

best regards terry

[vegasjunkie]

Hi folks, Have just joined cruise critics today. Have been reading some comments about Princess cruises especially Sea Princess.I am doing my 5th cruise on Sea princess and each cruise it has been great, Sure there are some little problems but over all staff,state rooms and amenities are fine.

I have cruised with Royal Caribbean and celebrity around Hawaii and Mexico and P&O all in all 12 cruises. My favourite is Princess Cruises.No mandatory tipping which we don`t do in Australia,laundry available and the majority of the passengers are retirees.As for the comments about smells we did have on one cruise a leak on the carpet in the buffet but the crew did everything they could to dry it out quickly,and were very apologetic.I find that the staff on Princess are very helpful and welcoming.:)My only negative is we could not get into 2 ports on the last cruise due to bad weather,not princess`s fault. Yes I agree with the comment that she needs an upgrade and that is to happen.Happy cruising,have fun Down under .Anne.

[avalon007]

When is Sea Princess due for an upgrade & any details on what will be done? I have searched for info online but can't find an answer.

 

I think what is a positive for some is a negative for others - it depends on what you value, what age group you are in etc etc.

 

For me, mostly retirees will be a little older than I would prefer, so not a positive & doing my own laundry isn't a priority. :D

 

I found the no My Time Dining on Australian departure Princess cruises a big, big, turn off & having to pay for the sanctuary area I felt was a rip off. It isn't cheap at $20-$40 a day & offers less than some other lines in regards to it not having a canopy or decent pool, or free café etc included. Imagine the cost if you used it daily on a world cruse!!! :eek:

 

Also lack of variety in dining options was another negative for me - but everyone is different.

 

I get the impression she is a ship well suited to people who like a sedate, old world cruise experience, days spent reading or sitting on the deck, playing cards, traditional dining structure etc.

 

I enjoy quieter days on board as well, but want to have the option to do more on other days when I feel like shaking things up a little. :)

[CRUISER GAL1973]

hi, I have submitted a review this evening for Sea Princess so should appear soon, hope this helps. If I can answer any more questions let me know : )

[Colo Cruiser]

No WiFi in cabins

 

 

Says who. :(

Edited June 7, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi folks, Have just joined cruise critics today. Have been reading some comments about Princess cruises especially Sea Princess.I am doing my 5th cruise on Sea princess and each cruise it has been great, Sure there are some little problems but over all staff,state rooms and amenities are fine.

I have cruised with Royal Caribbean and celebrity around Hawaii and Mexico and P&O all in all 12 cruises. My favourite is Princess Cruises.No mandatory tipping which we don`t do in Australia,laundry available and the majority of the passengers are retirees.As for the comments about smells we did have on one cruise a leak on the carpet in the buffet but the crew did everything they could to dry it out quickly,and were very apologetic.I find that the staff on Princess are very helpful and welcoming.:)My only negative is we could not get into 2 ports on the last cruise due to bad weather,not princess`s fault. Yes I agree with the comment that she needs an upgrade and that is to happen.Happy cruising,have fun Down under .Anne.

 

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic, post often. :)

[lovevacadays]

Sea Princess's current condition is pretty poor - is in bad need of refurbished, but she is also showing her age. Relatives just disembarked from 35 night Hawaiian cruise re Sydney and apparently many complaints about the state of the ship, smells, toilets, food quality. Heard that a handful of ppl were also in some heavy discussions onboard about pulling out of the world cruise which immediately followed.

Sorry for the negative comments, just what I was told this morning. Hopefully not all ppl find her condition that bad.

On a positive note apparently she us having a big drydock upcoming after the world cruise in Singapore which will help.

 

How very sad. The Sea Princess was my mom's and my very first Princess cruise. We sailed her when she was shiny and new, back in 1997. I thought she was one of the most beautiful ships ever! I had a balcony cabin for the first time and couldn't imagine cruising life being any better.

 

I hope they clean her up and at least give a decent cruise experience to those cruising her.

[avalon007]

Says who. :(

 

 

A travel agent I spoke to said that wifi was only in hot spots & I read it online also, but that may be outdate info.

 

But I have also read that cabin wifi is not very good, but improves if you leave the door open! Maybe that is what they meant?

 

If useable Wifi is in the cabins on Sea Princess - great news! That's one less issue I have with sailing on her - only half a dozen to go! :D

[avalon007]

hi, I have submitted a review this evening for Sea Princess so should appear soon, hope this helps. If I can answer any more questions let me know : )

 

Can't find it -maybe you can add a link here?:)

 

Some thoughts on reviews:

 

With reviews it would be helpful I think if reviewers gave their age group & past cruise experiences so readers can better place reviews in context.

 

So if you are a young family with kids who cruises Carnival normally & the review is from a 70 year old retiree who has only ever cruised Princess, then you may not rate their views as relevant to you as someone closer to your age group & life situation.

 

People that have also cruised the same lines/ships as you in the past that then review another line/ship may be able to offer comparisons more relevant to you as well.

 

Like many things we read or hear - context is important I think. :)

[icat2000]

A travel agent I spoke to said that wifi was only in hot spots & I read it online also, but that may be outdate info.

 

But I have also read that cabin wifi is not very good, but improves if you leave the door open! Maybe that is what they meant?

 

If useable Wifi is in the cabins on Sea Princess - great news! That's one less issue I have with sailing on her - only half a dozen to go! :D

Had no problem getting wifi in cabin when I cruised on Sea Princess.