Grand Princess Review - My point of view -

[brt49]

I was onboard end of October and brought the $99 minute package. When on board they had the tiered weekly and daily plan. They just converted it. $99 paid for 1 week unlimited middle tier. No issues worked great for doing the work email I needed to do. Supposedly that was a special and price may go up.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks for the info.

 

Sent from my 2PS64 using Forums mobile app

[vacation fool]

The Grand is going into drydock in March 2019 for 17 days. Do you think that Princess would do that extensive a drydock just to sell it shortly afterward?

Considering the Grand for March 30 ,2019 Curious as to what the dates are that she is to be in drydock?

[Harley0711]

I will be sailing on the Grand tomorrow for ten days.. We shall see what the hubbub is all about.

with any luck, yours should go well. if anything, it may be plumbing. Great shows and the new lights in the shows are really great. Please come back and let us know - have a good cruise

[cruisequeen4ever]

I think you provided a very unbiased account. Back in 2015, my in-laws had a leak in their stateroom on the Grand, and the seats in the Explorer’s Lounge were sunken down like you described. These are issues that should be fixed to provide a consistent Princess product. I liked the Grand, but she does need some repairs.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[west coast cruiser]

I got off the Grand Monday.The third time I have sailed on her. I was expecting plumbing problems after all the comments. There was no problem at all. I thought the food was the best on Princess in awhile and this was my 20th cruise on Princess. I miss sky walkers on this ship. The Grand was the first to have it but because of some structural issues it was removed. All the other ships of this series have it as the problem was corrected.

The Crew is great tool

I wish they would put a newer Ship in San Francisco too but I really enjoyed this cruise..

WCC:o:o:o.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your review.

Keith

[gambit57]

I prefer Princess' style, but I'm trying Norwegian's new ship because I don't want another old ship.

[Linsifer]

I wonder when in 2019 it’s being sold. We have a 15 day Hawaii voyage booked in April of 2019. Frankly, I was also hoping that they’d bring in a newer ship. We sailed on the Grand last March to Mexico. I’ve also been on her younger sisters, Star and Golden. I’m ready for something different and newer. And with a midship staircase.

 

Question: If they decide to sell Grand before our cruise, how would that work for us?

 

 

 

Thanks for your review. We did the Hawaii cruise on the Grand in November, so I know what you mean. We are returning to the Grand in March for the Mexican riviera so we know what to expect. She’s old and has issues. Did you see the duct tape around the ladder in the aft pool. [emoji47]Your comments though about first time cruisers are bang on!

 

Also I did read the Grand is being sold in 2019.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Linsifer]

Really? We sail on her in April of 2019. So we can expect a new and improved Grand? Hmmm...you’re right that it doesn’t make sense to refurbish her if she’s being sold, unless they can get more money for her. Curb appeal?

 

The Grand is going into drydock in March 2019 for 17 days. Do you think that Princess would do that extensive a drydock just to sell it shortly afterward?

[Anubi]

I wonder when in 2019 it’s being sold. We have a 15 day Hawaii voyage booked in April of 2019. Frankly, I was also hoping that they’d bring in a newer ship. We sailed on the Grand last March to Mexico. I’ve also been on her younger sisters, Star and Golden. I’m ready for something different and newer. And with a midship staircase.

 

Question: If they decide to sell Grand before our cruise, how would that work for us?

 

We are also going to Hawaii on the Grand in April 2019. They better not sell her before that!! :(:(

[Woobstr112G]

We are also going to Hawaii on the Grand in April 2019. They better not sell her before that!! :(:(

 

Wanda;

 

Hope your plans work themselves out. If not, you could always book the T/A on the Sky (11/19) or Hawaii on the Star Princess (11/18):D. We are also considering Alaska in 2019 (R/T from Los Angeles).

 

Best of luck and regards to Phil.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Anubi]

Wanda;

 

Hope your plans work themselves out. If not, you could always book the T/A on the Sky (11/19) or Hawaii on the Star Princess (11/18):D. We are also considering Alaska in 2019 (R/T from Los Angeles).

 

Best of luck and regards to Phil.....

 

Bob

 

Bob, we're still playing dodge cruise!! We will connect one day, I'm sure of it! Our best to Holli and Mischa. ;););)

[jvanwest1964]

If there was a flood forward by theater - that was a different one.. this flood was aft and one buffet was closed for several days..

 

It may have only been a pipe that burst. I remember them trying to dry out the area. Lots of yellow warning/wet floor warnings out so people didn't fall. I think they got it worked out as it was only down a day or so.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[TriumphGuy]

We did the Hawaii trip on Grand in April, 2017. Had no problems, no water leaks that we saw, no funky odors, just 15 days of fun. The only problem was the laundry token machine on Aloha deck didn't work. The staff was excellent, the ship was fine. The new beds were great.

I thought the Grand was in better shape than the Coral, which on our cruise in 2016 had numerous ceiling leaks and awful sewage odors, especially outside the Wheelhouse bar.

We have no complaints about the Grand.

[pris993]

Princess "Grand" review/opinion

We are veteran Princess travelers - we just completed our 23 Princess cruise and our 5 times on the Grand - We first sailed her back in December of 1999 for the New Years cruise - Great time - She was just over a year old. In 2017 we sailed on her in September (10 day to Alaska) & just got off her last week from a 15 day to Hawaii.

While WE did not really experience any problems in our cabin - the ship Did have issues 'again'

I want to say up front - This is Not a complaint post but an 'advisory' post so others will be informed. I Really wish Princess would take a close look at the Grand from a passengers point of view. While on the ship in Sept and again in December - while at the Captains Circle meeting it was announced that the Number of 'First time Princess cruises on board' was in the area of 1300 passengers - You know the old saying ' you only get One chance to make a First Impression' So many people work so hard to save $$ to go on a life time cruise only to board a 20 year old ship with issues - For us after 23 times on Princess and 5 times on the Grand - I cut them some slack and the crew works Very hard to keep us happy.

On both trips in 2017 we heard from Many passengers about plumbing issues. On the Sept trip the very large lighting fixture in the Princess theater came down (thank God the theater was 99% empty and No injures - theater was Closed for a few days then we were told NO projection shows + the Voice of the Ocean would be canceled. - not a huge deal for us but those 'First time passengers?' in December - large flood (broken water line) in the Starboard side Buffet area - that side was Closed for almost have of the cruise - creating a traffic jamb in the Port Buffet. They did open the MDR for breakfast and Lunch - making the staff work even harder - again, not a huge issue for us but for those 'first time cruisers?' again in December - talked to several guests whose showers and or Toilets overflowed and caused issues AND the staff kinda blamed them for the problem - First time passengers????

At our Dinning table we had chairs that the seat cushion was so worn out that I sunk down?? LOL - had to change the chair several times until my waiter made sure it 'Stayed' away from our table - I managed but if I were a first time cruiser - WTH??

again on the December trip the Princess theater had issues and the Voice of the Ocean was canceled and turned into 'Pop challenge and moved to the 'Explores lounge' Were Many of those seats were also so worn out that you Sunk down, lol

Short people could only see the back of the person in next table, lol

I met with the future cruise person about some of these issues and they said - write the company "about all she could say" I feel the 'Company' knows very well the condition of the Grand and its all business - they make More money at sea than in dry dock repair. Now for those of you that post that the Grand was just in Dry dock a while back - Yes she was ONLY for a repaint of the hull - re-do of Sabatinies and movement of the wedding chapel and engine maintenance.

The water issue and FLOOD in December in the Buffet was either a sprinkler line or some other water line - of course we will NEVER get a straight answer to any issue like that.

I am a 35 year retired Firefighter and I am Well versed in Fire Sprinkler systems (all can be some what different) The ships system is a wet system (like most) and IF a line is damaged or broken - the System has to be SHUT down to repair - now that means the SYSTEM is out of service - Pray there is not a fire - NO sprinklers. If has been my experience when there is a high life issue and a system was shut down - we had an engine on scene until it was back up and running. This is rare but it happens..

I Loved the meals (Fish) in the MDR - wife not so much - it was more miss than hit for her.

For the record - we ate in the Crown Grill on night and it was GREAT - as it should - costing $60 extra.

I have been very Proud of Princess and promote cruising all the time - However, here on the West Coast and especially in San Francisco - I am reluctant to recommend the Grand without First giving a little 'heads up'

For us - I do not see us cruising on the Grand anytime in the near future

There is so much money to be made by Princess out of SF - I just with they would retire the Grand and move in a newer ship but I do not see the upper management agreeing with me on this topic

One very nice area on the Grand - we stayed in a basic Balcony and the new beds were GREAT - Love that part

😪

 

Appreciate your thoughtful review and must say I disagree in many way. Like you, I took my first cruise on the Grand when it was new, actually we did the first cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona in l998. I have been cruising on the Grand regularly since it has been home ported in San Francisco. I was on it last January for 10 days to Mexico, we are booked to go again on a 7 day California Coast next March 2019 and another 10 Mexican trip in January 2020... Probably have done 6 cruises at least in recent years on the Grand. We too are elite have 26 cruises with Princess, about 60 cruises overall on 9 different lines. With the except of the Grand we have cruises on mostly new ships. I point this out because even on new ship you have water leak problems, we have seen them, among other issues. .

 

 

Ref your concern for folks new to cruising, I remember when we were new to cruising... started in l982, ships were a lot smaller, even so it was an amazing experience.... today, the larger ships, including the Grand are still an amazing experience in my mind for anyone. I do not think new cruisers know what to expect and may go with the flow better than old timers. I recall cruising for example on the Sky Princess (the Sitmar ship, when Princess bought it). It was new, we had a leak along with a number others on our deck. Went on the same ship about 6 months later in the Carribbean and it lost power at night at sea, that was more concerning then the water for some passengers. A few years back we were on the Queen Victoria (Cunard) on a TA, when it was fairly new, the ship took a bird in the funnel and it started a fire and a false alarm at 1 am in the morning.. the alarm was enough to wake up the dead, luckily it was a false alarm.

 

 

I did a cruise on the Royal from Barcelona to Florida last fall.... to be honest I enjoy Grand more than the Royal... service on the Grand is very good. As old cruisers, we do room service for breakfast, some times room service or the buffet if we don't feel like eating a full meal and the Crown Grill when we do. Like the main deck, balcony space and overall the Grand is easier to get around than the Royal.

 

 

If Princess wanted to move the Ruby from LA to SF, that would be okay... but I will be very happy to cruise the Grand as long as it is here. I do feel Princess has gone an excellent job over all maintaining it.

 

 

We took our family on the Grand they are fairly new to cruising... they had been on Carnival a few times, we have never done Carnival... my grandson , who is 14 said the Grand was the best cruise experience they had so far. So there may be other ships out there than are in worse shape by far than the Grand. Luckily we have not been on them.

 

 

I do agree Princess knows what the issues are on the ship. It is a business decision. Folks who read your review and feel the Grand is not for them... that is just fine. Best to be aware and not disappointed. Each traveler needs to decide for themselves.

 

 

Happy cruising.

[Skai]

I've often wondered how someone could amass 22K posts here on cruise critic, yet in a similar time-frame(and considering myself a moderately active participant), I've yet to even muster 1K.

 

This thread has now enlightened me as to how;p...

 

Posted Today, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the review.

Posted January 5th, 2018, 06:37 PM

Thanks for the review.

 

 

I concur. Thanks for the review OP.

[pris993]

Thanks for your review. We did the Hawaii cruise on the Grand in November, so I know what you mean. We are returning to the Grand in March for the Mexican riviera so we know what to expect. She’s old and has issues. Did you see the duct tape around the ladder in the aft pool. [emoji47]Your comments though about first time cruisers are bang on!

 

Also I did read the Grand is being sold in 2019.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

 

We are booked for January 2020.

[pris993]

We are booked for January 2020.

 

Thanks for the info, was planning on celebrating my sister's retirement on the January 2020 cruise... so will have to call Princess and check it... see if they know yet what ship they may put in SF, assume they will. Did you hear anything about a replacement?

 

When I was on the Royal there was talk it would be going to LA at some point.

[PoohUnderstands]

Considering the Grand for March 30 ,2019 Curious as to what the dates are that she is to be in drydock?

 

We are on her for her 10 day Mexican Riviera Cruise embarking on March 20th, 2019. This is the first cruise after the 17 day drydock. So count backwards 17 days from March 20th. I do hope some of the problems mentioned are taken care of in this drydock. But I am prepared just in case and as many have said, a cruise is what you make of it.

 

Pooh

[justafem]

Last time we were on the Grand was Feb, although I love her, she does have *water* issues frequently.

 

3 inside forward rooms flooded from a broken pipe in the ceiling. I'm talking wading pools that weren't discovered until the pax returned from port. The hallway was spongy the rest of the trip, the flooded rooms, musty, damp and uncomfortable. The pax affected were told there were no other rooms and only offered (minimal) compensation after numerous complaints. Hotel management completely avoided these pax.

 

3 out of 4 handwashing stations in the buffet were either completely out of order for days or a such a small amount of water trickled, rinsing the soap off was a complete pain.

 

Bathroom by Sabatini's were out of order for the entire cruise. The whole bathroom, not just a stall.

 

Bathroom across from the casino only had one useable stall, which made after shows impossible.

 

Bathroom across from the chapel also only had one useable stall.

 

Every other floor had blowers in the halls. Which tells me that the 3 flooded rooms were not the only problem. I just didn't hear about the others.

 

I really do love the Grand, but there are definitely some issues. And we're on her again next month!

[Knickearth]

I keep wondering if ships like the Royal can make it under the Golden Gate Bridge???

[WAussieSFO]

I keep wondering if ships like the Royal can make it under the Golden Gate Bridge???

 

The Royal is doing a reposition cruise in May next year LA to Vancouver with an overnight in San Francisco on the way up.

[Roatanfans]

Franco was the Head Waiter in Sabatini's last week on the Xmas cruise on the Grand. Not sure if he's the one you're asking about, but this Franco is a very short man (and bald!). I think he's quite popular for a reason.

 

Yes- that's Franco! He is a great ambassador for Princess- he clearly loves his job and is wonderful at it!

[Belle]

I was on the Grand for 35 days in Feb and. March and a 10 day in May.

Everything was fine. Bathrooms working, washing area in buffet working.

I never saw blowers on floors. Seems like everything that wasn't working

was fixed on my cruises. Not to say that things can't happen again and probably

will on the ship, sailing 24/7 365 days a year. Things will happen They try

to fix as soon as they can.

 

If wanting to book do it. An old ship but to me is fine. The crew really

goes out of the way to help you. Friendly and nice.

 

This is how I saw it, think about it, my opinion only. I just go with the flow,

nothing will ever be perfect. I just enjoy my cruise. So PLEASE don't tell

me I'm wrong and all these things happen on the Grand. This is my Opinion only.

 

I was told the Grand in 2020 April I think is going to Vancouver which isn't

what they do in cruising or dry docking. Think will do dry dock and then go

some place else and SF will get another ship. Told to me by a Princess Personal.

Could be right or wrong..just what I was told.