Pacific Princess

[Woobstr112G]

Good evening all. DW and I have had a Panama Canal cruise on the Pacific Princess booked for some time now. I had originally booked it as a backstop for our recently completed Iceland Norway T/A since we had to nearly cancel before sailing. Today I decided to keep the booking and actually sail on the PP. I'm looking for some CC folks who have recently sailed on her who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences. This will be our first cruise on her and I am curious as to some of her particulars.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.....:):):)

 

Bob

[caribill]

"Recent" was last December.

 

A different experience from the larger ships.

 

You can get from one end of the ship to the other quickly in a leisurely stroll. You quickly learn how to find everything on the ship.

 

Most cabins have a couch.

 

Wonderful library in both size and number of books.

 

Always some activity available, but not several at the same time as on the larger ships.

 

Casino is much smaller.

 

Show lounge is not tiered as on the larger ships. Production shows are well done with a smaller cast and less scenery.

 

Traditional dining only in the dining room.

 

Specialty restaurants (Sabatini's and a steak house) are only open one at a time. The evening suite/elite/platinum lounge is held in the one that is not open that evening.

 

No ice cream counter, but there is (around 3:30 PM) an hour of free ice cream in the buffet along with fixings for a sundae. Usually two or three flavors available.

 

Purser's desk is closed overnight, but there is a phone number to call if you need to.

 

Two sets of elevators and stairs, one forward and one aft. Elevators usually come quickly when summoned.

 

On that size ship, passengers and crew start to recognize each other quickly.

 

Only two shops.

 

No International Cafe, but bars are available outside the main restaurant and at the entrance to the buffet.

 

Sanctuary equivalent by the spa is much smaller than on the larger ships and not as plush, but costs the same.

 

We have enjoyed every cruise we have had on that size Princess ship.

 

Do you have any specific questions?

Edited October 1, 2016 by caribill

[Woobstr112G]

"Recent" was last December.

 

A different experience from the larger ships.

 

You can get from one end of the ship to the other quickly in a leisurely stroll. You quickly learn how to find everything on the ship.

 

Most cabins have a couch.

 

Wonderful library in both size and number of books.

 

Always some activity available, but not several at the same time as on the larger ships.

 

Casino is much smaller.

 

Show lounge is not tiered as on the larger ships. Production shows are well done with a smaller cast and less scenery.

 

Traditional dining only in the dining room.

 

Specialty restaurants (Sabatini's and a steak house) are only open one at a time. The evening suite/elite/platinum lounge is held in the one that is not open that evening.

 

No ice cream counter, but there is (around 3:30 PM) an hour of free ice cream in the buffet along with fixings for a sundae. Usually two or three flavors available.

 

Purser's desk is closed overnight, but there is a phone number to call if you need to.

 

Two sets of elevators and stairs, one forward and one aft. Elevators usually come quickly when summoned.

 

On that size ship, passengers and crew start to recognize each other quickly.

 

Only two shops.

 

No International Cafe, but bars are available outside the main restaurant and at the entrance to the buffet.

 

Sanctuary equivalent by the spa is much smaller than on the larger ships and not as plush, but costs the same.

 

We have enjoyed every cruise we have had on that size Princess ship.

 

Do you have any specific questions?

 

Thanks for the info. Interesting about the specialty restaurants and Passenger Services. No specific questions as of yet, just real curious.....:):):)

 

Bob

[GUT2407]

Love that ship.

 

Probably the main thing is that with only 680 PAX you actually get to know pretty much everyone and a collegiate vibe tends to develop.

[GUT2407]

Love that ship.

 

Probably the main thing is that with only 680 PAX you actually get to know pretty much everyone and a collegiate vibe tends to develop.

 

I guess you could say a bit like living in a small town v a big city.

 

Not to everyone's taste but sure to ours.

[Woobstr112G]

Also looking for anyone who may have some recent pictures they'd be willing to post/share of the rear OS suites; specifically 6088 that we have booked.

 

Thanks.....:):):)

 

Bob

[shredie]

Everything Bill and Gut said. I especially love the open deck behind the buffet where you can eat breakfast or lunch and watch the wake.

[GUT2407]

Everything Bill and Gut said. I especially love the open deck behind the buffet where you can eat breakfast or lunch and watch the wake.

 

Spent a lot of time there.

[f-mattox]

Also looking for anyone who may have some recent pictures they'd be willing to post/share of the rear OS suites; specifically 6088 that we have booked.

 

Thanks.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

You may find this helpful:

 

[f-mattox]

. . . and this gives you a pretty good look at the ship:

 

[caribill]

Some more thoughts:

 

Pizza is available at a window in the buffet, not at a stand near the pool. The same window is used at breakfast for egg orders.

 

The hamburger stand is located just outside the buffet area on the starboard side. It is labeled BBQ on the deck plan.

[Woobstr112G]

You may find this helpful:

 

 

. . . and this gives you a pretty good look at the ship:

 

 

Thanks for the links.....:):):)

 

Bob

[PescadoAmarillo]

We really love the Pacific Lounge for a drink before dinner. It resembles the Crows Nest on HAL ships and the views from the front of the ship are fantastic. Though it is on the opposite end of the ship from the Club Restaurant, it takes about 3 minutes to go from one to the other.

 

The fitness center is small but the spa offers free steam rooms in the mens' and womens' locker rooms. The Sanctuary equivalent is not as nice as on the larger ships but there is a thallasotherapy pool out there.

 

The one main pool is a mild salt water pool. I actually prefer that as it is less harsh on skin and swimsuits.

 

I have been in 6088 for a party and loved it. The only drawback that we heard of was that the tub is very deep and I don't believe that there is a separate shower.

 

There is a wide (but not wrapping) Promenade Deck with full padded teak loungers. I've never not been able to find a lounger at any time of day.

 

We found giving up Anytime Diming to be the only drawback, and there are very limited tables for two, but we adjusted quickly. The Panorama Buffet is very small but I was always able to find something I liked.

 

The views from the terrace behind the buffet is wonderful. Deck 11 forward offers great views too.

 

The Pacific Princess offers a very traditional, intimate cruise experience without many of the bells and whistles found on the larger ships. We discovered how much we really liked it a few years too late, I'm afraid.

[Woobstr112G]

We really love the Pacific Lounge for a drink before dinner. It resembles the Crows Nest on HAL ships and the views from the front of the ship are fantastic. Though it is on the opposite end of the ship from the Club Restaurant, it takes about 3 minutes to go from one to the other.

 

The fitness center is small but the spa offers free steam rooms in the mens' and womens' locker rooms. The Sanctuary equivalent is not as nice as on the larger ships but there is a thallasotherapy pool out there.

 

The one main pool is a mild salt water pool. I actually prefer that as it is less harsh on skin and swimsuits.

 

I have been in 6088 for a party and loved it. The only drawback that we heard of was that the tub is very deep and I don't believe that there is a separate shower.

 

There is a wide (but not wrapping) Promenade Deck with full padded teak loungers. I've never not been able to find a lounger at any time of day.

 

We found giving up Anytime Diming to be the only drawback, and there are very limited tables for two, but we adjusted quickly. The Panorama Buffet is very small but I was always able to find something I liked.

 

The views from the terrace behind the buffet is wonderful. Deck 11 forward offers great views too.

 

The Pacific Princess offers a very traditional, intimate cruise experience without many of the bells and whistles found on the larger ships. We discovered how much we really liked it a few years too late, I'm afraid.

 

Thanks for the info.....:):):)

 

Bob

[KevintheIrishDJ]

We were on the last Panama Canal cruise in May. I won the Navigational Chart in an auction. No lines anywhere, including embarkation. 8 other people on our first tour. Everyone in the Dining Room knows you first name by the second day. Pool is never crowded. One of the most beautifully appointed ships we have ever been on. You could reach out and almost touch the entertainers in the shows. We never used the elevators. Only problem is there is very little Ballroom dancing. We hope to go back soon.

Pax et bonum,

Kevin Westley T.M.R.F.

[cruisenfreak]

Show lounge is not tiered as on the larger ships. Production shows are well done with a smaller cast and less scenery.

 

The entertainers do double duty - trivia, dance classes, yoga, aerobics, arts & crafts, knitting & crocheting group, etc. It was fun watching that new "friend" perform on stage. Mary Jane

[JF - retired RRT]

"Recent" was last December.

 

A different experience from the larger ships.

 

 

Excellent overview.

 

OP: also bring a jacket. Even for Panama. The show lounge is COLD. I think it doubles as a storage locker for the frozen meat.

Edited October 1, 2016 by JF - retired RRT

[Woobstr112G]

Excellent overview.

 

OP: also bring a jacket. Even for Panama. The show lounge is COLD. I think it doubles as a storage locker for the frozen meat.

 

I would welcome the cold. Our last canal cruise was back in 2001. We lasted about 20 minutes on our balcony, due to the heat & humidity, before we retreated back inside.....:):):)

 

Bob

[friend of Eeyore]

Wrong ship, but here's pictures from 6088 on the old Royal Princess, a sister ship to the Pacific. http://www.schrock.org/2007-mediterranean-cruise-royal-princess-suite-6088/ If you click on "Photos" in the top left, you'll see more of our cruises, but the ones on the Pacific aren't on there. However, here's some more ship pictures from the old Royal: http://www.schrock.org/2007-mediterranean-cruise-royal-princess-photos/

 

Oh, and we love the small ships. We're so sad that the two other ones (Royal and Ocean) were sold off. We're booked on the Pacific for the summer, and look forward to it. We've been on her to and from Alaska as well. Specific questions I might be able to answer, though my Alaska trip was a year ago.

Edited October 1, 2016 by friend of Eeyore
more details

[Woobstr112G]

Wrong ship, but here's pictures from 6088 on the old Royal Princess, a sister ship to the Pacific. http://www.schrock.org/2007-mediterranean-cruise-royal-princess-suite-6088/ If you click on "Photos" in the top left, you'll see more of our cruises, but the ones on the Pacific aren't on there. However, here's some more ship pictures from the old Royal: http://www.schrock.org/2007-mediterranean-cruise-royal-princess-photos/

 

Oh, and we love the small ships. We're so sad that the two other ones (Royal and Ocean) were sold off. We're booked on the Pacific for the summer, and look forward to it. We've been on her to and from Alaska as well. Specific questions I might be able to answer, though my Alaska trip was a year ago.

 

Thank you very much for the picture links.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Quenby]

On the 50th Anniversary Love Boat cruise in December, Pam-in-CA and her sister were upgraded from their separate cabins to that suite -- Princess very much needed their two cabins. The suite and its balcony were lovely, but Pam noted there were no US-style electrical plugs in the living area. Princess ended up running a big orange electrical cord out to the living area so that Pam had electrical power while her sister slept in.

[caribill]

The entertainers do double duty - trivia, dance classes, yoga, aerobics, arts & crafts, knitting & crocheting group, etc. It was fun watching that new "friend" perform on stage. Mary Jane

 

Also the Captain's Circle Host and the Future Sales Consultant are the same person.