Overdue Caribbean Princess Review

[FrannyK]

Our 18th cruise (RCI, NCL, Carnival, Costa), first on Princess. This was a 5 night Caribbean Princess cruise from FLL to Cozumel and Costa Maya in February 2015. Purpose of trip was for DH and I to simply relax. We've been to the ports a few times so we decided to stay on board and explore and experience a new ship. We really enjoyed the more quiet, laid back feeling on this ship. Being in our late 50's we felt this cruising style now suits us well :) The age group was our age and older I thought. We will definitely be cruising with Princess again and we are so happy we tried it. Simply listed are the GOOD and NOT SO GOOD IMO in comparison to other lines we've been on. Cabin review is separate and below. We felt the pros far and away outweighed the cons.

 

CABIN: We booked a BE balcony guarantee and were upgraded to a BA balcony (Aloha 436) in a great location. Cabin Pros: Nice sized standard balcony with nice flooring. Loved large closet and dressing area space, lots of privacy and space! Many hangers were provided which was a first for us. The complimentary Princess beach bag on the bed was a nice touch. Great shower head/water pressure. Cons: Cabin size smaller than we're used to and had no sofa. No top sheet on the beds? Really? Had to ask and steward seemed put out about it. Teeny weeny shower was smallest we've experienced. Had no problem with shower curtain "snuggling" with us though. One robe and one set of towels for two people? Odd. Had to ask steward. For two days. Corrected from then on.

 

THE GOOD/GREAT:

-Being able to access our cabin immediately at boarding at noon! (usually wait till 1 or 2pm for access).

-Minimal announcements/sales pitches over the loud speaker! How refreshing/peaceful!

-Absolutely the best pool deck/areas (so many pools! all with some shade!)

-The Sanctuary--what an amazing place (didn't use it though).

-So many dining choices!

-Absolutely the best food overall than any ship we've been on!

-Crab Shack--Different for us, Wow we really enjoyed it.

-Crown Grill excellent--our favorite meal.

-LOVE that the dining room is open EVERY morning for breakfast--what a lovely way to start the day!

-High tea in the dining room was well done.

-Loved the fish and chips at the English Pub on sea days.

-Hubby enjoyed the cigar bar.

-MUTS--Princess just does it better than the other lines!

-Beach towels are already stocked in your cabin--how nice not to have to sign towels in and out!

-Nice sized casino, brighter than most.

-Everyone was very friendly and we met many nice people on board.

 

CONS:

--Embarkation: Being pulled out of line (along with other cruisers) and screamed at (Wow loud) by employee telling us we have health forms to complete. What a bottleneck! Please post a sign, no one likes to start off vacation being screamed at!

-Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants online ahead of time.

-Having to call the dining line once on board (busy signal all day/night) to get specialty restaurant reservations.

-Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night? Lack of staff we assume? We ended up showing up and schmoozing our way in. Best food/service ever though.

-Not enough bartenders at bars. Not once were we asked, anywhere on board, if we wanted a drink. Very odd. Not that we mind going to the bar but I would think they could up their revenue easily.

-Absolute worst buffet set up we've ever seen. The buffet itself is sort of enclosed with 3 gated entrances on each side, no room to backtrack, bad traffic pattern, very hot and steamy in there, felt like a prison cafeteria. Seating area was nice though.

--Centrum area seemed too small with very worn and stained seating.

--Service overall was lacking on this ship, not up to par with other experiences.

 

Lack of staff seems to sum up most of our cons. This seems to be the trend on cruise lines today.

[Tom Baker]

Good to know, thanks for posting.

 

just one thing "very hot and steamy in there, felt like a prison cafeteria" Are you speaking from experience? ;)

[Miss Pat]

I'll just comment on the cons.

 

 

CONS:

--Embarkation: Being pulled out of line (along with other cruisers) and screamed at (Wow loud) by employee telling us we have health forms to complete. What a bottleneck! Please post a sign, no one likes to start off vacation being screamed at! It probably was that you were close to her & she had to yell so the people in the back could hear the announcement.

-Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants online ahead of time.

It's like that on all their ships.

-Having to call the dining line once on board (busy signal all day/night) to get specialty restaurant reservations. Agreed.

-Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night?

They were probably holding tables for people who were to arrive later in the night. The length of the meal is exceptionally long.

Lack of staff we assume? We ended up showing up and schmoozing our way in. Best food/service ever though.

-Not enough bartenders at bars. Not once were we asked, anywhere on board, if we wanted a drink. Very odd. Not that we mind going to the bar but I would think they could up their revenue easily.

Now that you mention it I don't seem to recall being asked either but we had no problem going to the bar for a drink.

-Absolute worst buffet set up we've ever seen. The buffet itself is sort of enclosed with 3 gated entrances on each side, no room to backtrack, bad traffic pattern, very hot and steamy in there, felt like a prison cafeteria.

We didn't have the same view although it can't compare to the buffets on the Royal/Regal for layout. People just don't stand in one long continuous line & follow each other. Just get what you want & move around to the other locations.

Seating area was nice though.

--Centrum area seemed too small with very worn and stained seating.

You noticed. ;)

--Service overall was lacking on this ship, not up to par with other experiences. No problem for us in that dept.

Lack of staff seems to sum up most of our cons. This seems to be the trend on cruise lines today.

[FrannyK]

Good to know, thanks for posting.

 

just one thing "very hot and steamy in there, felt like a prison cafeteria" Are you speaking from experience? ;)

 

Errrrr. Well, no. Not yet :)

[FrannyK]

I'll just comment on the cons.

 

-Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night?

They were probably holding tables for people who were to arrive later in the night. The length of the meal is exceptionally long.

 

No, we asked our waiter and she said they didn't have enough staff to cater to/provide enough service to a "full" restaurant. She also said the fact that so many people book with packages that include free specialty dining, they have to leave a lot of tables free for them too.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Being pulled out of line (along with other cruisers) and screamed at (Wow loud) by employee telling us we have health forms to complete. What a bottleneck! Please post a sign, no one likes to start off vacation being screamed at!

 

Lack of staff seems to sum up most of our cons. This seems to be the trend on cruise lines today.

We must have encountered the same Drake employee when we were boarding the Caribbean Princess. She was actually yelling at me, and I informed her that I didn't appreciate it and suggested she might get better results with a nicer attitude. I've never felt compelled to say anything like that to anyone, ever before.

 

We enjoyed our Caribbean Princess cruises very much but I would be the first to admit (and have) that the service on the ship seemed a little (sometimes a lot) off, though there were a few standouts.

[FrannyK]

We must have encountered the same Drake employee when we were boarding the Caribbean Princess. She was actually yelling at me, and I informed her that I didn't appreciate it and suggested she might get better results with a nicer attitude. I've never felt compelled to say anything like that to anyone, ever before.

 

We enjoyed our Caribbean Princess cruises very much but I would be the first to admit (and have) that the service on the ship seemed a little (sometimes a lot) off, though there were a few standouts.

 

Yes, she was soooo obnoxious!! At one point we had to giggle when she made two children cry and a man nearly fall out of his wheelchair with her crazy screaming. When she screamed us over the the two tables where the forms were, there were quite a few passengers and of course no pens and then she had to look up our cabins in this giant book and check you off before she would highlight your form. Some people didn't know their cabin number because they had a guarantee and that set her off in a frenzy of nasty muttering. It didn't set a nice atmosphere at all. DH dubbed her Holler McSqueally.

Edited May 25, 2015 by FrannyK

[pablo222]

Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night? Lack of staff we assume? We ended up showing up and schmoozing our way in. Best food/service ever though.

 

We have been told that there is some number of guests that they

believe they can serve, and the number is significantly less than

the seating capacity.

 

So, they are 'full', even when there are empty seats.

 

On the other hand, lots of what one is 'told' is simply opportune,

slightly believable justification.

[caribill]

-Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants online ahead of time.

-Having to call the dining line once on board (busy signal all day/night) to get specialty restaurant reservations.

 

Actually, the easiest way to get reservations is to simply stop by the specialty restaurant after you board. There will be someone there to take the reservation.

[caribill]

She also said the fact that so many people book with packages that include free specialty dining, they have to leave a lot of tables free for them too.

 

There were promotions where most of the passengers did book with such a dinner included.

 

Add that to the fact the cruise had only five evenings, that meant these passengers could possibly require most of the possible reservations.

[Miss Pat]

-Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night?

They were probably holding tables for people who were to arrive later in the night. The length of the meal is exceptionally long.

 

No, we asked our waiter and she said they didn't have enough staff to cater to/provide enough service to a "full" restaurant. She also said the fact that so many people book with packages that include free specialty dining, they have to leave a lot of tables free for them too.

 

I've never heard of a package with free specialty dining-especially all the nights of the cruise. What is the actual package name? Is it for all the nights of the cruise?

[PescadoAmarillo]

I've never heard of a package with free specialty dining-especially all the nights of the cruise. What is the actual package name? Is it for all the nights of the cruise?

 

It was not every night; it was once per cruise. Couple that with free specialty dining on the first night for suites and, on cruises of less than 5 nights, one free night of specialty dining for the top 40 MTP, on the short cruises, specialty restaurants were booking up immediately.

[Griller]

I have never seen High Tea on a Princess ship, as mentioned by the OP.

They do have Afternoon Tea though which is sandwiches cakes scones etc.

Edited May 26, 2015 by Griller

[OCruisers]

Thanks for your time to post this well written and informative review of Caribbean Princess. :)

 

LuLu

[Miss Pat]

It was not every night; it was once per cruise. Couple that with free specialty dining on the first night for suites and, on cruises of less than 5 nights, one free night of specialty dining for the top 40 MTP, on the short cruises, specialty restaurants were booking up immediately.

Thanks. I was getting the impression that there was some new dining package that had the Specialty dining included every night.

[seamanfs]

We must have encountered the same Drake employee when we were boarding the Caribbean Princess. She was actually yelling at me, and I informed her that I didn't appreciate it and suggested she might get better results with a nicer attitude. I've never felt compelled to say anything like that to anyone, ever before.

 

We enjoyed our Caribbean Princess cruises very much but I would be the first to admit (and have) that the service on the ship seemed a little (sometimes a lot) off, though there were a few standouts.

 

Have to agree 100%. We were on the same time you were and there was definitely something off with the Caribbean. Did not get the same good vibe from that ship as other ships we've sailed on. I think part of it was the short segments (4,5 and 7 day runs) that did not allow for some of the crew to relax around passengers. There was always embarkation and disembarkation to plan for.Will not book those short segments again. This coming Feb we are booked on the Royal for 20 days.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for your review. :)

[Colo Cruiser]

I have never seen High Tea on a Princess ship, as mentioned by the OP.

They do have Afternoon Tea though which is sandwiches cakes scones etc.

 

Really? :cool:

[4x4bob]

Thanks for the Review.

 

We will be on the Caribbean Princess for 10 days in Sept this year.

 

Bob

[Mom33]

CONS:

--Embarkation: Being pulled out of line (along with other cruisers) and screamed at (Wow loud) by employee telling us we have health forms to complete. What a bottleneck! Please post a sign, no one likes to start off vacation being screamed at!

-Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants online ahead of time.

-Having to call the dining line once on board (busy signal all day/night) to get specialty restaurant reservations.

-Why is the dining line always busy and why were we told the Crown Grill was booked for the length of the cruise when it was half empty each night? Lack of staff we assume? We ended up showing up and schmoozing our way in. Best food/service ever though.

-Not enough bartenders at bars. Not once were we asked, anywhere on board, if we wanted a drink. Very odd. Not that we mind going to the bar but I would think they could up their revenue easily.

-Absolute worst buffet set up we've ever seen. The buffet itself is sort of enclosed with 3 gated entrances on each side, no room to backtrack, bad traffic pattern, very hot and steamy in there, felt like a prison cafeteria. Seating area was nice though.

--Centrum area seemed too small with very worn and stained seating.

--Service overall was lacking on this ship, not up to par with other experiences.

 

Lack of staff seems to sum up most of our cons. This seems to be the trend on cruise lines today.

 

Since this was your first cruise on Princess and you didn't like the buffet set up, the Royal and Regal Princess ships have a new design that is fabulous.

You never wait in a line and it is very large and spread out with plenty of seating.

 

The Atrium is huge with many more venues and seating than on the Caribbean Princess. The decor is beautiful and fresh since the ships are new.:D

[PescadoAmarillo]

Have to agree 100%. We were on the same time you were and there was definitely something off with the Caribbean. Did not get the same good vibe from that ship as other ships we've sailed on. I think part of it was the short segments (4,5 and 7 day runs) that did not allow for some of the crew to relax around passengers. There was always embarkation and disembarkation to plan for.Will not book those short segments again. This coming Feb we are booked on the Royal for 20 days.

I agree that the short cruises take a toll on the crew, but we enjoyed the itineraries so much (a real surprise to us, I assure you!) that we would definitely do them again. I guess we've reached the point where not every cruise we take can possibly be better than all those in the past, but, accepting that fact means we can adjust our expectations accordingly on the shorter itineraries (although it looks like that won't be an issue in the Caribbean after next winter).

[Miss Pat]

I agree that the short cruises take a toll on the crew, but we enjoyed the itineraries so much (a real surprise to us, I assure you!) that we would definitely do them again. I guess we've reached the point where not every cruise we take can possibly be better than all those in the past, but, accepting that fact means we can adjust our expectations accordingly on the shorter itineraries (although it looks like that won't be an issue in the Caribbean after next winter).

We were on one of those short 4 & 5 day trip when you were on the ship & didn't find that it affected the crew in any way. They seemed to be as energetic & friendly as ever. All things being equal we really don't like short cruises since it means a wasted day in Ft Lauderdale for us. Many people enjoy the day but we've been there so many times there's not much left to do but restock the drinks.

[geoherb]

Thanks for posting your review. I'm glad you got to eat at the Crown Grill. We ate there New Year's Eve. It was one of our best meals of the cruise.

[Griller]

Really? :cool:

 

Yes really, quite a different thing, you could google it.

[FrannyK]

Actually, the easiest way to get reservations is to simply stop by the specialty restaurant after you board. There will be someone there to take the reservation.

 

If only. After wasting too much time calling the dining line (didn't mention the dining line was the only dead line on our phone so each time I would call the pursers desk and they would connect me to the dining line) we went to Chops and spoke to the woman at the reservation podium there. Guess what she did? Called the dining line!! Which was busy!! After 20 minutes of this nonsense, she suggested we just show up the following night at the time we wanted to see if they could take us.