Just Back From The Caribbean Princess Iceland Norway Transatlantic

[Woobstr112G]

The below is my review that I submitted to CC. One thing I neglected to mention was the one very bad day rough sea day we had. Feel free to ask any questions.....:):):)

 

DW and I just returned from the 2016 version of the Iceland Norway Explorer transatlantic cruise aboard the Caribbean Princess. We did last year's sailing as well and this year's cruise was just as good as last year's. This was our 10th cruise in a row on Princess and our 17th overall cruise. An added bonus was this was our first Elite Status cruise. Prior to the cruise, we had a very active roll call on cruise critic. Our group was known as The SNAP Cruisers (Sailing the North Atlantic Passage). Active roll calls are the best in my opinion as it allows it members to plan various aspects of the upcoming cruise. It is also a great way to get to know your fellow roll call members.

 

For our pre-cruise activities, we decided on a short two day stay in Southampton. We spent four days in London for last year's cruise so we decided to just kick back in Southampton before this year's cruise. For lodging, we stayed at the Grand Harbour hotel. The hotel location was a less than five minute cab ride to the cruise terminal. It was very nice and our room was huge. For the two days, we just relaxed. I also walked around taking a bunch of pictures.

 

On the day of embarkation, we made our way to Southampton to the cruise terminal. Being only a less than five minute cab ride to the cruise terminal was absolutely fantastic. As with last year's embarkation process, this year's embarkation was extremely quick and efficient. We are very familiar with the layout of Princess ships so we had no trouble finding our aft facing Cabin. For this cruise, I treated my DW to the Grand Suite (A750). When we arrived, we were immediately met by our cabin Steward "Akasit" from Thailand. Akasit was a fantastic cabin steward. During the entire cruise, he did an everything possible to ensure we enjoyed our cruise to the fullest. We enjoyed every minute of our stay in the Grand Suite. We had a couple of gatherings for sailaways from various ports and we also enjoyed the Ultimate Balcony Dinner one evening.

 

Our roll call had a meet and greet that was moved from Skywalkers to the Palm Dining Room due to the number of participants. The meet and greet was very well attended. It was great to finally put faces to fellow roll call members we had been communicating with for the last 18 months.

 

During last year's review, I mentioned that I was a little concerned about all of the negative things I read on the boards about the Caribbean Princess. After this year's sailing, I was again pleasantly surprised as the overall condition was still above average for a ship that was launched in 2004. There are some areas that could use some sprucing up, but the Caribbean Princess would still be a top choice for me for any upcoming itinerary. During the entire voyage, various crewmembers were always cleaning and sprucing up all public areas. The only incident we had was an issue with one of the engines. The engine problem delayed our departure from Lerwick Scotland. The Captain kept us apprised of the issue and the subsequent repairs. As with last year, I noted this year that the public areas once again became crowded during days of in climate weather. This was very apparent in the Horizon Court as it was, at times, hard to find a table. One thing I noticed this year was the placement of cards on all of the tables in the HC. The cards reminded passengers to be respectful of other passengers in vacating their table when finished eating so the new arrivals would have a place to sit and enjoy their meal. The cards however were a dismal failure as I saw many passengers using the HC as a game room playing various card games, Mahjong, etc. This created the same problem as I noted last year in finding an available table to enjoy your meal.

 

For the very subjective area of food, I once again thought all food served in the various venues was very good to excellent. I was once again very impressed with the food served in the Horizon Court. The variety was good and hot items were served the way I like them. We only ate in the main dining room (Palm late seating traditional) a couple of times. While the food was very good, the service was not as good as last year. It appeared to me there were less waiters than there were last year as the service seemed noticeably slower. We ate one night in the Crown Grill and also in Sabatini's. I found both experiences to be very good. While both venues were definitely worth the $29pp cover charge, they didn't wow me. Since we were in a full suite for the entire cruise, we enjoyed the perk of breakfast in Sabatini's for the entire cruise. The service was outstanding and the food and mimosas were excellent.

 

As far as ship entertainment goes, we didn't attend any of the Princess Theater offerings so I cannot review them. The entertainment offerings in the Piazza were good and I did see several audience participation game shows and dance instructions being put on in the Explorer's Lounge. The Casino was enjoyable to visit. I did note the presence of smoke which might make it somewhat uncomfortable for some.

 

For the area of shore excursions, we did a private excursion, organized by another roll call member in Rotterdam. We drove around the Rotterdam area and saw a bunch of great sites. For Lerwick we did not get off the ship due to heavy seas preventing tender service. In Akureyri Iceland, the weather was somewhat cold with rain pretty much all day. I just got off the ship for awhile and took pictures when I could. I also heard the ship based whale watching excursion, we had earlier cancelled, was also cancelled due to heavy seas near the town of Husavik. In Isafjordur we did the ship based Hesteyri & Glacier Fjord Cruise Glacier Fjord excursion. I repeated the excursion this year because DW did not go last year. DW and I both enjoyed the sights and sheer beauty of the area. In Reykjavik I organized a Golden Circle with the same guide from last year's excursion organized by another roll call member. This was once again, my favorite excursion. The Gullfoss Waterfall is simply stunning to look at. One thing to mention about Reykjavik, the seas were quite heavy which delayed our departure from the evening till 1100 the next morning. The Captain had to increase his speed sailing to Boston so we would make it there reasonably on time. in Boston we did a ship base excursion which included city highlights of Boston and a tour of Salem. It was a very enjoyable day. The highlight of the day was sailaway. The Boston skyline made it an extremely enjoyable event.

 

To end this review I'd simply like to say that DW and I once again thoroughly enjoyed our voyage and our cabin. Princess is still my mass market line of choice. Still great itineraries and a very competitive price for what is offered.

 

Bob

Edited September 23, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[Izabelle]

Thank you Bob for your review, I loved following along with you, I look forward to seeing your photo's.

[1965]

Thank you for the review. I love reading such positive comments. We have a 27 day TA booked for Sept., 2017. Can't wait. I do wish the HC staff would enforce the no games suggestion, but overall that's a small problem. Thanks again for such a thorough & positive review.

[Cruiserkenn]

Thanks for your great review!

 

I appreciated all of the good comments about the Caribbean Princess. I had, in the back of my mind, negative thoughts about the Caribbean Princess. I guess these thoughts lingered from previous postings, by others, over the years. I am so glad to know that your experience was good. I won't hesitate to book the Caribbean in the future, based on your good thoughts.

 

Thanks for your comments on the Crown Grill and Sabatini's. Glad they were good, even if they lacked the wow factor. Still sounds good to me.

 

Thanks, too, fir the exciting description of the Grand Suite.

 

Enjoy your future cruises. It is always a pleasure to read your wise and pleasant comments.

[shredie]

We did this cruise in 2013 and loved it. Thanks for reminding me! :D

[Mackenzie1]

Thank you for your review, Bob. As for people playing cards in the Horizon Court (and in Vines and the atrium, as well), I thought our cruise director could have done a better job by designating specific areas in the ship for these activities, as other cruise directors do. Since this was a cold weather cruise, our CD should have expected and planned for more people wanting to stay indoors, and come up with ways to alleviate the congestion. For example, on several past cold weather cruises I've taken, the cruise director announced in the Patter that Skywalker's lounge had been set aside as an area for quiet reading. Similarly, the Wheelhouse Bar, the Explorers Lounge, or Club Fusion could have been set aside for card playing. Designating specific areas for these activities would have helped with the congestion, and enhanced the enjoyment of the passengers who would have had specific areas to enjoy for these activities.

Edited September 23, 2016 by Mackenzie1

[philv]

Thanks for your review. A transatlantic crossing someday would be wonderful. I've heard great things about Iceland from many who have visited. I've sailed on the Caribbean Princess several times and love the Grand class ships. Maybe someday we will join you. ;)

[Mackenzie1]

After re-reading my post above, I want to clarify that this was a most wonderful cruise. It had it all--Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and Boston. The crew were wonderful, and the food was delicious. What was great, too, was that we were able to ease into the time change from Europe back to the U.S. as we sailed across the Atlantic. The countries we visited were spectacular, the Princess excursions were the best, and a very good time was had by all.

[RDC1]

Was on the same cruise. While it was not easy to find a table in Horizon court, it seemed to me to be more a factor of weather, than people using the tables for games. Actually saw very few tables being used for anything other than people eating or waiting to eat. The tables near the pools were mostly empty with the weather forcing everyone into inside space to eat. Many 4 tops would be taken up by 1 or 2 people instead of being used to capacity. Problem reduced somewhat as we approached Boron and the temperature increases and more use was made of the outdoor space.

 

Far less game playing than I have seen on previous cruises.

[taxatty]

Thank you Bob. Who did you use for the Golden Circle tour in Reykjavik? We are going there next August.

[Gladysgoing]

Thank you for the nice review. Will you be posting a link to your pictures that you mentioned you will be putting on Flickr? I hope so.:):):)

[Jasperdo]

Thanks for the review, as well as the "Live" thread. Both were very enjoyable. I noticed you already have a lot of the cruise photos up on Flickr. I'll definitely be checking them out.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[easyboy]

Thanks for the review. We also enjoyed sailing on the CB early this year.

[Lucky TGO]

Thanks Bob, very nice!! It was nice to know you like the sky line in Boston.

Boston is a great city!!

Tony

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thanks for the review, but it points up the weakness of Princess suites. You had the best suite on the entire ship, but you had to eat in the main dining room and pay for the speciality restaurants. Had you booked a similar suite (or even a much smaller one) on Celebrity, you would have had many suites-only perks that would have elevated your experience up several notches. I hope the new Club Class dining experience will be an improvement, but Princess still has a long way to go to match what Celebrity offers its suite guests.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for the review, as well as the "Live" thread. Both were very enjoyable. I noticed you already have a lot of the cruise photos up on Flickr. I'll definitely be checking them out.

 

I have all of my pictures up, including the patters and port guides, through sailing out of Boston. I will try and get the rest up in a couple of days or so.....:):):)

 

Bob

[fishywood]

Thanks for the review, but it points up the weakness of Princess suites. You had the best suite on the entire ship, but you had to eat in the main dining room and pay for the speciality restaurants. Had you booked a similar suite (or even a much smaller one) on Celebrity, you would have had many suites-only perks that would have elevated your experience up several notches. I hope the new Club Class dining experience will be an improvement, but Princess still has a long way to go to match what Celebrity offers its suite guests.

 

None of that was considered a negative issue in the OP's review--he described the food as "very good to excellent". Even with that disclaimer in the signature, for one of the board Hosts to hijack a line-specific thread in this manner just to tout his own favorite line is absolutely mind-boggling.

Edited September 24, 2016 by fishywood

[Woobstr112G]

Took a day and a half, but all of my pictures for my recent cruise, including the patters and port guides are up on my flickr site.....:):):)

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25882507@N08/albums

 

Bob

Edited September 24, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[Woobstr112G]

Thank you for the nice review. Will you be posting a link to your pictures that you mentioned you will be putting on Flickr? I hope so.:):):)

 

Here it is.....:):):)

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25882507@N08/albums

 

Bob

[tailspintom]

Thanks for the review. We will be sailing CB on the Canada to Florida repositioning. I have just a quick question on whether CB has transitioned their MDR always available menu to the Curtis Stone fare.

[azbirdmom]

Thanks for the review, but it points up the weakness of Princess suites. You had the best suite on the entire ship, but you had to eat in the main dining room and pay for the speciality restaurants. Had you booked a similar suite (or even a much smaller one) on Celebrity, you would have had many suites-only perks that would have elevated your experience up several notches. I hope the new Club Class dining experience will be an improvement, but Princess still has a long way to go to match what Celebrity offers its suite guests.

 

Princess allows suite passengers to order room service from the MDR menus and includes a complementary dinner at a specialty restaurant. There are pluses and minuses to every line and it's fairly clear that the OP prefers Princess as he has booked multiple suites with them. Not sure we needed a plug for Celebrity in this post, especially from one of the hosts!

[Cruiserkenn]

Princess allows suite passengers to order room service from the MDR menus and includes a complementary dinner at a specialty restaurant. There are pluses and minuses to every line and it's fairly clear that the OP prefers Princess as he has booked multiple suites with them. Not sure we needed a plug for Celebrity in this post, especially from one of the hosts!

 

Yes, I like room service in the suite. I then enjoy the beautiful view.

 

The delivery people are always so pleasant and nice.

 

It depends on what you like, and this is what I like:) :) :)

[Host Jazzbeau]

None of that was considered a negative issue in the OP's review--he described the food as "very good to excellent". Even with that disclaimer in the signature, for one of the board Hosts to hijack a line-specific thread in this manner just to tout his own favorite line is absolutely mind-boggling.

 

Princess allows suite passengers to order room service from the MDR menus and includes a complementary dinner at a specialty restaurant. There are pluses and minuses to every line and it's fairly clear that the OP prefers Princess as he has booked multiple suites with them. Not sure we needed a plug for Celebrity in this post, especially from one of the hosts!

 

My post came from shock that OP paid so much and got so little, compared to what other cruise lines provide for their top suites. I would not characterize Celebrity as my favorite line -- I have cruised on 8 different lines, including Princess twice, and the cruises I have booked at the moment are on NCL, Princess and Viking Oceans. Because of that I have a perspective on what different cruise lines offer and while Princess is a very good line, IMO its Suite amenities are falling short of the competition. I thought OP and others might like to know this for future planning. BTW, Cruise Critic Hosts are encouraged to have and share opinions.

[tml1230]

Bob... we were on the same cruise plus the British Isles portion as a B2 B....i finished my review on cruise critic the other day and it pretty much mirrors your observations....Great crew, very good ship and incredible ports of call....

 

my only negative comment on the entire 29 day wonderful adventure had to do with a lack of appropriate response by guest services to an on going noise issue up in sky walkers. Every sea day morning some very loud music being played by some very loud speaking and dancing passengers caused a lot of friction with the 40-50 folks reading books quietly.... it started with a polite request to turn down the noise...a few days later it became a shouting match...then it almost got into physical confrontation... guest services totally dropped the ball on this after at least a dozen complaints from different passengers....their response was to do nothing or even address the matter.